Disclaimer: Pokémon may or may not be owned by me in the future…at this moment it is not mine.
29. Cycling Roads Riot
I woke up worrying. I knew that I was in deep with Team Rocket. A lot deeper than I wanted to be, deep enough so they knew my name, deep enough so they know my friend's names. I did not want them involved with my family, especially my mother.
I knew my uncle would be able to take care of her. I just hoped he was still at our house.
I was the first one of my friends up.
I got out of bed quickly and quietly, all the time trying not to wake my Pikachu up.
I succeeded before I made my way out of the room and towards one of the phones.
Nurse Joy was up and only a few other trainers were, but they were sitting at the tables, not chatting. They had probably just woken up like I had.
It must have been early. I was glad if it was. I would have plenty of time to be on the phone.
I called my mother hoping that Riley would pick up. My mum would probably still be sleeping.
Riley picked up after the first ring.
'Hey, Jordan. Why are you calling so early? You know your mother isn't up yet.' Riley said.
'I know, I wanted to speak with you.' I replied.
'It must be important if you rang this early.' Riley said beginning to sit down on a chair.
I sighed before continuing.
'Can you stay with my mother for a while, just until I know she will be safe?' I asked.
'Why are you asking this?' Riley asked me.
'I've run into a few…unfortunate problems, with some unfortunate people.' I replied.
'This wouldn't have anything to do with Mt. Moon, the Cerulean Gym, the St. Anne, and most recently the Pokémon tower?' Riley asked.
My mouth was agape.
'How do you know?' I asked.
'The news.' Riley answered.
'Does my mother…'
'Not yet.' Riley interjected, assuring me I was safe from my mother's wrath, for now.
I sighed in relief.
'Can we…'
'Of course.' He interjected again. 'I will keep her safe from Team Rocket.' Riley promised.
'Thankyou.' I said.
He hung up and I was left alone.
I went to get some breakfast before my friends woke up. I needed to be happy before they came out, they would know something was bothering me.
I grabbed a plate of pancakes drizzled in syrup before going to an empty table and talking out my PokéNav plus. I looked for where else we could head before going to Saffron since it was still closed.
I thought that would be where my third badge would be, but I had managed to beat two Gyms before that. It might be three if I had to go to Fuchsia.
It seemed there was no-where else on the island to go, but Fuchsia, Cinnabar island was across water and we only had Wartortle, either there needed to be another water Pokémon on our team, or we needed a boat.
I tapped on Fuchsia for what it was called. 'Happening and Passing City.'
It sounded weird for a City to be "happening and passing"
A distinguishing feature of Fuchsia was the Safari Zone. I read about the safari Zone from one of the books I read when I was little. It was a place where you catch Pokemon without attacking them. We might be able to check that out while we were there.
Since starting my journey I had come to terms with other things, not just challenging the Gyms. If I was to travel this region only once, why didn't I explore every possibility and place? Besides nothing would be a waste of time, everywhere I go, everything I learn will help me in some way against my next challenge.
My Pikachu came out from the accommodations before it went up to my shoulder.
'How are you buddy?' I asked.
'Pika.' It replied showing me it was ready for whatever was coming today.
I realized there were two ways to get to Fuchsia, and one was the Cycling road, but the other was longer, and we'd have to pass through a City again. I would have loved to take the Cycling Road, but none of us had bikes.
The first one of my friends to come out to greet me was Camilla, she yawned with her Cubone in one arm-sleeping-and her Pikachu perched upon her left shoulder.
'Morning.' She greeted me as she sat down.
'You tired?' I asked.
''Mhmm.' She replied.
'Did you lose some sleep?' I asked.
'Yep.' She replied.
'Why is that?' I asked.
'I am two battles away from receiving the title of Grand Duchess.' She replied.
'As is Rachel.' I added.
'I know that the next Château isn't till Saffron which is still closed, but we are getting closer to the end of Kanto.' Camilla told me.
'Not me.' I replied. 'I have four badges left. I am only halfway through my journey.' I should have tried to make her feel better, not worse. She was tired so I hope I didn't make her feel worse.
'Yes but every City from here on you have a Gym battle.'
'Which makes it more stressful. I have to think of a battle plan before we reach the next City.' I replied.
Camilla didn't reply.
I hadn't thought of what I just said. I do have a Gym battle in every City until I can enter the Kanto league. I had been so focused on Team Rocket this morning I hadn't realised that my next Gym battle is in Fuchsia, then I had one in Saffron, my seventh would be on Cinnabar Island and my last one would be in Viridian.
Camilla was quite right I was definitely past halfway on my journey, we had four places left to visit in Kanto, then I would have been everywhere, but the Indigo Plateau.
What would I do after that, sure there were other regions, but what if I didn't like the Indigo Plateau? I'd have to find a new dream, just like Rachel did, but she found something she liked, what if I wasn't able to? There were only so many things you can do as a Pokémon trainer.
Camilla handed me Cubone as she went to get breakfast, thankfully the baby Pokémon didn't wake up, not until Camilla took it back. It didn't cry which probably meant it could smell the food. Camilla thought of getting the same breakfast I had.
Rachel came out with her Eevee in her arms as soon as Camilla sat down.
She looked a little more awake than Camilla did when she came out.
'Hi.' She greeted, she seemed happy this morning.
'You seem extremely happy.' I observed.
'I have almost gained the title of Grand Duchess in the Battle Château.' She replied.
'Camilla's nervous about that. 'I told Rachel.
As soon as those words came out Rachel turned to look at Camilla and they had a "girl" talk. As soon as that happened, either I couldn't get a word in or I didn't understand a word they said.
I never understood girls, it's like they talk in a completely different language. I never normally listened, but now I knew I was smart to, I hardly understood a word.
My Pikachu hopped off my shoulder to talk to Camilla's Pikachu, but Camilla's Pikachu was listening to the girl's conversation.
Brock came out seconds later, he was looking at his PokéNav plus.
He sat next to me and realised the girls were engrossed in their own conversation.
'You figured out how to get to Fuchsia?' He asked me as soon as he sat down.
'The only way is a bike.' I replied.
Brock looked off into space, it seemed he was at the same predicament I was in; we didn't have any clue on how to get a bike.
I could have asked my uncle if he knew any way to get a bike, but I didn't know we would need one until after I got off the phone with him.
I looked at Brock, but he was on his PokéNav Plus again.
'Jordan?' Rachel asked standing next to me. 'Can you take Eevee for a minute?' She asked.
I hadn't realized Camilla and Rachel had stopped talking.
My Pikachu was now on the table talking with Camilla's.
I took the baby Pokémon from Rachel as she went to get herself something to eat.
The Eevee was still, but it said its name a few times in happiness. It seemed babies were definitely happy most of the time. I just now realized how soft Eevee's fur was and how delicate babies were.
Rachel came back and Eevee jumped from my arms onto the table and walked towards Rachel.
'It seems like it's growing up.' I commented.
'Yeah.' Rachel sighed. She seemed sad, she must have liked taking care of a baby Pokémon. I wondered how I would feel once my Pokémon hatched through the time until it was ready to battle. I wondered how Camilla would feel once her Cubone was ready to battle, but at the moment it looked like it enjoyed the pancake that Camilla fed it.
I hadn't realized that Brock had got up to grab himself some food.
I realized my egg was taking longer to hatch than Rachel's did. I didn't know if eggs had different hatching times, maybe it was because it wasn't warm or I didn't keep it warm enough. I had kept mine in my bag, it never came out so it shouldn't be cold. I wasn't a superstitious type who talked to an egg thinking that the Pokémon inside could hear me or recognize my voice.
'How long would that delay us…?' Brock mumbled to himself coming back with a bowl of cereal.
'What's up Brock?' I asked.
'It seems the only way to get a bike is in Cerulean.' He replied.
'We have to go back to Cerulean?' I asked hoping the answer was a no.
'It would seem so.' He replied.
So my fifth Gym battle would be further away than I originally thought.
Maybe I was right when I was talking about my badges with Camilla earlier, there was always something up, or a catch to get to my next Gym badge.
Also I just remembered the fishing guru said there was a fishing contest in Fuchsia. Now though, I was afraid we wouldn't make it because of our detour to Cerulean. I was looking forward to that fishing competition, it would help me become a better trainer.
'Seems Fuchsia will have to wait, eh buddy?' I asked.
'Pika.' It sighed shaking its head at our unfortunate detour.
Suddenly the Pokémon centres doors opened and in ran someone I didn't think we'd meet again, especially in Celadon.
I stood up abruptly.
'Bill?' I asked.
He looked at me as soon as I said his name.
'Jordan.' He said.
My friends stood up as quickly as I did after they found out the arrival of Bill.
He made his way towards us.
'Misty and I need your help, and we have something for you, could you come outside please?' Bill asked.
All of us followed Bill outside and we saw Misty on a yellow bike.
'Hey Misty.' I greeted. 'What's up?' I asked.
'I've been having complaints from all over the region about the cycling road. I'm supposed to be the most powerful person in Cerulean, so apparently people believe I'm in charge of the cycling shop, I said I'd check it out anyway. I was headed that way because of the fishing contest, just outside Fuchsia, I also heard you were in Celadon, so Bill and I came to give each of you a bike.' Misty said.
'You brought four bikes?' I asked. 'How?' weren't bikes supposed to be big, big enough to ride on. I didn't want a miniature bike like small scale model.
Bill responded by opening the bag he had brought and took out a red foldable bike.
Sure, why not? I thought, a foldable bike, it could fold to fit into your bag.
Rachel stepped forward and took the red one from Bill, it matched her hair.
Misty took out two from her bag, a white one and a yellow one like hers, while Bill took out a dark blue one from his bag.
Brock took the blue one from Bill. Camilla looked at me, she wanted to know which one I wanted, but I gestured for her to pick first.
After a few seconds of pondering on which one would suit her best she picked the yellow one.
I was left with the white one.
'Uh…Misty…'Camilla started. 'Is there any chance that you have baskets that we could strap to the front?' She asked.
I wondered why would we need a basket? We have a bag to put our things in.
'Your egg hatched!' Bill exclaimed seeing the Eevee in Rachel's arms
'Yeah!' Rachel replied equal in happiness. 'Eevee hatched the night we stayed in the fishing Guru's house.' She replied.
Eevee chirped up feeling its mother's happiness, it was also happy, even though it didn't know why.
'Its coat is healthy, it may be an idea to brush it now and then, it will make you both grow closer. Also it might start battling by the time you get to Saffron, you might want to train it by then.' Bill said. He was definitely a Pokémanic. 'I have a basket for you and Camilla.' Bill added, taking out two baskets from his bag, and giving one each to the girls.
Bill went up to Eevee and started inspecting it. Rachel didn't mind, Bill did give her the egg. Eevee also didn't mind.
Both Camilla and Rachel strapped the baskets to their bikes as soon as Bill finished observing Eevee, before they put their baby Pokémon in.
Both Cubone and Eevee exclaimed in excitement.
'I think they seem fine with change.' Misty commented.
Let's hope they're fine with change when they learn to battle.
I just remembered I need to ask Bill something.
'Bill.' I started.
Her turned around, I realized I stopped him from mounting his bike, but I needed this question answered.
I opened my bag and brought out my egg.
'Do you know what Pokémon would hatch from this egg?'
Bill ignored his bike for a moment and came to inspect the egg I had received.
He took it from me to see if he could find out what Pokémon would hatch from it or what sort of Pokémon egg it was.
'It is definitely not an egg I have seen too many times. Many Pokémon trainers have come to me because I know a lot about eggs, but ones like this are hard to tell. I have not seen a Pokémon hatch from one of these eggs before. When it hatches could you please tell me what Pokémon it is because I would like to share that with people who don't know yet and if anyone asks me I would like to know.'
'I will when it hatches.' I promised, Bill.
'Can we go now?' Misty asked. 'I want to sort out this problem on the cycling road.' She told us.
I was the last one to unfold my bike when I did everyone else pushed off leaving me to trail behind.
As soon as I had moved a few meters I knew that riding a bike was so much more efficient than walking it was a faster and better way than walking. We would be in Fuchsia in no time, the sooner I had won my fifth Gym badge and the fishing contest we would be on our way to the sixth Gym and the girls title in the Battle Château, so they could become Duchesses.
I slowly caught up with Bill, Misty and my friends.
I moved in line with Bill. I wanted to know more about this cycling road business, since he was Misty's longest friend I was sure he would know.
'What's this about the cycling road and the bike shop, and how is it connected with Misty?' I asked.
'Well, as you know, Misty is the Gym leader of Cerulean City. This makes her the most powerful trainer in Cerulean. Everyone looks up to her, even I do. Since the bike shop is in the south of Cerulean City, everyone who does not live in Cerulean thinks Misty has control over the owner of the shop-which is not true. Everyone who does not know this blames Misty for the problem that has occurred on the cycling road, what that problem is though we do not know. People are just blaming Misty for this problem.' Bill explained.
Although this was not fair, I understood the peoples side, since Misty was a powerful trainer, she was the one people would go to if there was a problem or something had gone wrong. This problem was about the bikes that were sold in Cerulean. I didn't know why the people didn't tell Erika or the Gym leader from Fuchsia, surely they could handle this.
I knew it was the same with the Pokémon league; if people had a problem they turned to Blue and the rest of the Indigo plateau. Blue was not in charge of the Indigo plateau, I think I read in a book when I was little that a chairman was in charge of the Pokémon league and the people who were involved within it.
All ten of us, including the four Pokémon out of their Poke balls exited Celadon and came out onto route 16, not that far away from us on the other side of the route I saw a massive sign that had two cyclists facing inward on the edge of a banner that had "CYCLING ROAD" written on it.
I knew the problem that we had to solve was on the Cycling road.
I knew that Bill wasn't into Pokémon battling also Camilla and Rachel were taking care of infant Pokémon, so if it came to a battle I'm sure Brock, Misty and I could handle it.
If Brock helped out this would be his third battle since he left his Gym duties to Flint, he helped Rachel and I stop some wild Zubat from attacking Seymour, he then had an unofficial battle with Suzy where his own Zubat evolved into Golbat.
He was a good Pokémon trainer, but he didn't battle unless he needed to. He preferred to help Pokémon by giving them care rather than making them battle and levelling them up.
All of us reached the Cycling road and I saw the Cycling road was long it was definitely longer than the bridge to Lavender town from the fishing guru's house. I couldn't even see the problem with the cycling road and that was probably about halfway across the bridge.
We all got onto the bridge and cycled towards Fuchsia.
We all cycled really fast.
I could feel the wind blowing against my face pushing my hair back, the exhilarating thrill of speed upon me pushing the bike to go faster and faster.
I had flown before, but when I did I was getting over the shock of not going "splat" on the ground below. I wasn't able to feel the freedom flying came with.
Cycling gave me a new sense of freedom. I felt more free now than when I started on my Pokémon journey. Going fast was something I was not used to, but I could get used to it pretty quickly.
I almost didn't notice that the road split into two, but I was following Misty. She seemed like an expert on a bike, she seemed to cycle fast with ease, whereas everyone else was struggling more than her.
I wondered how everyone else felt on a bike. I saw Rachel and Eevee were enjoying it both as much as each other. Eevee seemed to like the wind blowing against its fur, Rachel looked like she liked the wind blowing through her scarlet hair.
Camilla's Cubone was holding onto its mother's skull-like a hat-trying to make sure it didn't come off, but it still squealed in delight. Camilla was also enjoying it, but not as much as her Cubone.
Brock seemed like he wanted to ride casually, but he knew the problem was an emergency so he cycled fast with no thrill or excitement in riding a bike.
Bill was trailing behind struggling to keep up with us, he was cooped up in a lighthouse most days and didn't get out much, he was busy with his Pokémon research.
Soon I could make out three figures, but it wasn't until I got closer that I knew what they were.
Three muscular people were on the bridge in front of a motorcycle, the motorcycles were blocking the way so people couldn't pass through to get to Fuchsia. I wondered why these people were blocking the cycling road.
One of the people was a man with a denim jacket with no sleeves, they looked like they had been ripped off. The muscles on his arms showed and he had a couple of violent tattoo's on his arms. Under the jacket was a charcoal black t-shirt. He had ripped jeans and trainers that had the laces undone. His face had stubble around his cheeks and his chin. His head was shaved like his chin, he had a stubble of hair atop his head. He looked like he could KO you with one swing.
He was leaning against a muscular motorcycle.
A second guy stood to the right of him, he wasn't as muscular, but he looked just as mean. He was wearing the same clothes, but his trainers had no laces. He had no stubble, instead tattoo's covered his face. He had a black Mohawk with no hair on either side of his head. He had what looked like a cocktail stick in his mouth. Was that supposed to make him look scary?
The third person was a girl. She had a denim jacket with the sleeves, but it draped on her motorcycle, instead she wore a short sleeved back penny-t that said "PUNKROX" in white writing. She had a denim skirt and black tights on underneath, she also wore leather black zipped up boots with laces that were done up. Her hair was long with black strands that fell to halfway down her back. She was also wearing black lipstick. On her hands she had black fingerless gloves.
All three of them stood behind a motorcycle each.
'You shouldn't be here.' The muscular one said. His voice was deep, but I could tell he was only mouth and he wouldn't punch you he just wanted to look tough to intimidate you.
'Why not?' Misty asked.
'We won't let you pass.' The muscular one answered.
'You can't do that.' I said joining Misty.
'And why not runt?' The girl asked.
'People have to get to Fuchsia City.'
'Then they can challenge the cyclers on their fragile bikes to get to Fuchsia and not waste our time.' The muscular guy said.
'Motor cyclists come to battle us, we don't battle weak normal cyclists like you.' The girl said.
'Never judge someone by the way they act.' Brock piped up.
'You think a runt like you can beat all three of us, without a break? The second guy asked me.
'You bet I can.' I said. I was getting a little annoyed at these guys, they couldn't stop people from making their way to Fuchsia and I was about to teach them a lesson.
'Jordan, are you sure you're not acting a little rash?' Misty asked.
I knew she was powerful and she was asking I was acting a little rash. I would normally say yes, but I make choices and stick to them.
'There is no point in trying to reason with him now.' I heard Rachel tell her.
'He won't change his mind, and his Pikachu agrees with him.' I heard Camilla add.
'You ready buddy?' I asked.
'Pika!' It agreed in determination.
'I will go first.' The guy with the Mohawk said.
'Go Tauros.' He said sending out a Pokémon I had not seen before out.
This Pokémon had light brown fur and a Murky dark brown mane around its neck like a large furry collar. It had a rounded muzzle with a dark brown nose. It also had three vertical bumps across its forehead. It has three tails each with a tuft of fur on the end. It has four grey hoofs, one on each foot.
I took out my Pokédex to scan the Pokémon, as did my friends.
'Tauros, the wild bull Pokémon. This Pokémon is not satisfied unless it is rampaging at all times. If there is no opponent for Tauros to battle, it will charge at thick trees and knock them down to calm itself.' My Pokédex told me.
I hoped my Pokémon didn't rile Tauros up.
'You up for it, bud?' I asked Pikachu.
He jumped off of my shoulder and in front of me. His cheeks crackled with electricity.
'Tauros, use stomp.' The guy said.
Tauros started running up towards Pikachu.
'Pikachu, use agility.' I said.
Pikachu started running around stopping Tauros attack.
'Don't lose it Tauros.'
'Pikachu, use double team.'
Pikachu duplicated itself, which caused Tauros to now guess which one it is.
The biker guy was not happy that I was messing with his Tauros, he gritted his teeth. He obviously underestimated small Pokémon.
'Pikachu, use thunderbolt.' I said.
Pikachu released a thunderbolt, which came from behind Tauros.
Tauros fell due to it being a direct hit and it was powerful.
The rest of the Pikachu disappeared, only mine was left, it ran to my side as Tauros stayed on the ground.
I saw Tauros had not fainted because its eyes were open.
Slowly Tauros got up, it seemed a little angry, but I didn't know if it would go on a rage, Pikachu and I had to be careful.
'Tauros, use Zen headbutt.'
I didn't know what this move was, what type it was, or what it would do, but I was going to find out eventually.
Tauros came at blinding speed toward Pikachu and head-butted Pikachu up in the air.
I didn't know that Zen headbutt was a quick move.
Pikachu cried out as it was launched into the air.
'Pikachu, use thunderbolt.'
Pikachu released another thunderbolt, but in the air. It shot directly down and hit Tauros.
Tauros bellowed in pain.
Pikachu began to descend, rather quickly.
'Tauros when you can reach it, use pursuit.'
I saw Taros eyes narrow and I knew any second- while Pikachu was in the air-Tauros would jump and hit it.
'Use agility.' I said.
Pikachu started to dart around in mid-air which confused Tauros and the biker.
Pikachu landed a few seconds later.
'Tauros, use Zen headbutt.'
'Counter with quick attack.' I countered.
Pikachu and Tauros raced at each other, but my Pikachu was smaller, it dodged the Zen headbutt and hit Tauros mane which sent him skidding backwards.
'Ready to finish this buddy?' I asked rhetorically. 'Use thunderbolt.' I said.
Tauros and the Mohawk guy figured too late. Pikachu hit Tauros with its thunderbolt, it fell over again this time, but its eyes were closed.
'Well done Pikachu.' I said.
Pikachu ran back to me and stood beside me.
'What do you think you're doing, runt?' The muscular guy asked me, as his friend returned his Tauros.
'You're using three different Pokémon, shouldn't I be able to?' I asked.
None of them answered, so I figured the answer was yes.
'My turn.' The girl said standing in front of the muscular guy with her Pokéball. 'Show them up, Poliwrath.'
The girl sent out a Pokémon, it looked like a bigger, meaner, stronger and more ruthless version of Poliwhirl. It had two bulbous eyes that protrude from its head, but not as much as Poliwhirl's It also has a black swirl on its white stomach. It has what looked like white gloves on its fists and two round digit-less feet. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the evolved form of Poliwhirl.
I took out my Pokedex.
'Poliwrath, the tadpole Pokémon, and the evolved form of Poliwhirl. Poliwrath's highly developed, brawny muscles never grow fatigued, however much it exercises. It is so tirelessly strong, this Pokémon can swim back and forth across the ocean effortlessly.'
That was an informative entry. I knew whichever Pokémon I sent out I would lose.
Why did I have to open my big mouth earlier and ask if I could use three Pokémon?
Now I wouldn't be able to use Pikachu in this battle. I'd have to choose someone else. I couldn't use Charmeleon or Sandshrew, they were both weak against water and I remember that Alan's Poliwhirl was a water type, so this must have been also. It also seemed strong so I guessed it was also a fighting type and I had nothing to counter against that.
I really wanted Sandshrew to evolve, but I didn't want it to lose in a battle so close to my next Gym battle.
I could use Wartortle, but I was saving him, he was my strongest Pokémon and I thought that the muscular guy would have the strongest out of all of them.
I figured I had to use Charmeleon and hope the type disadvantage wouldn't be an issue.
'Charmeleon, I choose you.' I said sending out a Pokémon who would be weak against the Poliwrath's water type attacks, but I hoped mine would surpass its in strength.
'Poliwrath, use submission.'
I really needed to look up attacks on my Pokédex or read a book about Pokémon moves, I had no clue what many of them did or what type they were.
Poliwrath started running towards Charmeleon. I didn't issue an attack yet, this would only work at close range. Also the attack power would be better at close range.
Poliwrath was three meters away when I issued an attack.
'Charmeleon, use slash.' I said.
Charmeleon brought its claws down against Poliwrath as it brought its fists down against Charmeleon.
Both Pokémon struggled against the other, both trying to push the other to the ground.
The girl looked stunned. She probably wasn't used to seeing a Pokémon that matched Poliwrath's strength especially a Pokémon that wasn't a fighting type.
After a few more seconds both Pokémon were pushed to the ground by the other.
Charmeleon was the first to get up, but only by a second, he came straight back to me.
Poliwhirl got up and went to their trainer's side.
I suddenly had an idea that was similar to my early battling, one of my crazy, unorthodox methods of battling.
'Charmeleon, use flamethrower.'
Charmeleon released a flamethrower.
I saw the girl roll her eyes at my "supposed" stupidity.
'Poliwrath, use water pulse.' Poliwrath threw a ball of water at the oncoming flamethrower.
Charmeleon stopped the flamethrower and a large steam cloud was produced. My idea exactly.
Since the flamethrower stopped so close to Poliwrath I hoped that its vision was obscured more that my Charmeleon's.
I couldn't see the girl, and she probably couldn't see me, so she probably couldn't see Poliwrath either, but I wasn't sure.
'Charmeleon, use slash.' I said.
Charmeleon ran into the steam cloud and disappeared.
I wasn't sure what happened, but I got my answer a few seconds later.
Charmeleon was thrown out of the steam cloud towards me. It landed on its back.
Well my steam cloud trick didn't work.
'You need to figure out what you're going to do next once you have decided how you're going to obscure your opponents vision. The girl said.
I saw the steam slowly disappear.
She stood there with her hand on her hips like I just tried an amateur move. Poliwrath was slowly making its way towards Charmeleon, who was on its back keeping itself up with its elbows.
I needed to get out of this fast and finish this battle, one more fighting attack upon my Charmeleon and I would have lost and the bikers would laugh at me and we'd have to go the long way round to Fuchsia, Misty and I would miss the fishing competition, and it would take longer to get my fifth badge.
Poliwrath was above my Charmeleon a few seconds later.
'Poliwrath, let's show this runt that puny Pokémon need to be dealt with.' The girls said. 'Use dynamic punch.'
I had to have Charmeleon use a move quick.
Poliwrath's fist was powering up, a red glow surrounded the front of its fist.
'Charmeleon, use slash.' I said hoping it would stop Poliwrath's attack.
I didn't see Charmeleon move, but suddenly Poliwrath was lying on the floor a few feet from the girl and Charmeleon was standing struggling to stay up without its legs wobbling.
'What happened?' The girl asked voicing everyone's thoughts.
I turned to Brock. He looked as stunned as everyone did.
I took out my Pokédex to scan Charmeleon.
'Aerial Ace.' My Pokédex said.
'Aerial ace is a flying type move, which is super effective against fighting type moves.' Brock informed us as I put my Pokédex away.
Poliwrath showed no signs of getting up, aerial ace must have been powerful or really effective against Poliwrath if it had fainted after one hit. It was close range though, I'm also pretty sure it was a direct hit, but it was fast so I couldn't be sure.
'You guys are losing to a kid.' The muscular guy said.
He sounded repulsed by the idea that his friends were losing to a now experienced trainer.
'I should have dealt with you to start kid. You're infuriating me.' He said.
I returned my Charmeleon as Poliwrath was returned.
'This Pokémon…' he started showing me a great ball '…has never lost one battle, and I believe its winning streak will not be stopped by the likes of someone like you.'
I didn't know other trainers had great balls.
He probably had a great ball because he wanted to show people that his Pokémon was great, or tough.
'Machoke, show this runt that playtime is over.' He said sending out the Pokémon that was supposedly the strongest.
Machoke looked like a humanoid Pokémon, but it had grey skin. It had a snout that is vaguely similar to a reptile. It has narrow red eyes. It has four pointed teeth, two protrude from each jaw. On top of its head it has three, light brown ridges. Its arms are muscular with dark red, vertical stripes on them. Its arms looked more muscular than its trainers. It has large pectoral muscles that protrude over is belt. It had black markings that represent briefs. On its black belt is a round golden emblem.
I took out my Pokédex to scan this last Pokémon.
'Machoke, the superpower Pokémon. Machoke undertake bodybuilding everyday even as it helps people with tough, physically demanding labour. On its days off, this Pokémon heads to the fields and mountains to exercise and train.'
This was one determined Pokémon.
If it trained continuously I'm wondered how were any of my Pokémon going to battle it.
To start with I thought of sending out Wartortle, but now I think that I should send out Sandshrew. It might be a better matchup.
'Sandshrew, I choose you.'
'Out of all the puny Pokémon you have this is the puniest.' The biker commented.
I was going to show him that Sandshrew was powerful.
'Sandshrew, use magnitude.'
Sandshrew jumped up, as soon as it landed a tremor shook the whole bridge. The tremor was as powerful as the one that it created against Petrel. Everyone, but Machoke and Sandshrew fell. The muscular biker tried to stand, but he fell to his knees, as did I.
My friends fell. I was sorry about the baby Pokémon, but they seemed to enjoy the magnitude.
Machoke struggled to stand during that attack. It was hard. It lost its footing but was able to regain balance after the magnitude stopped.
'Machoke, use vital throw.' The bike said getting up.
I got up as soon as he did.
Machoke ran towards Sandshrew quicker than I thought it would, this caught me off guard.
It reeled back its fist and punched Sandshrew which flew back until it was next to me.
I didn't know that Sandshrew would fly back that far.
Sandshrew got up, not impressed that it got thrown backwards.
'Sandshrew, use dig.' I said as soon as it got back ready to face Machoke.
Sandshrew dug a hole.
'Don't let it catch you off guard Machoke, see if you can sense where it will pop up.
That wasn't my intention, not yet at least.
'Sandshrew, use magnitude.'
Sandshrew, used magnitude underground, but the only tremor it made was on the battlefield, only Machoke fell over, though everyone else felt it.
Now Machoke was on the ground I could start to damage it more that the magnitude had.
'Use dig.' I said and Sandshrew popped up right under Machoke, it sailed about seven meters in the air before falling back onto the ground.
'Sandshrew, use mud shot.' I said.
As soon as Machoke got up, even though it was struggling Sandshrew fired balls of dirt towards it, which caused it to stumble and fall backwards.
Machoke wasn't able to get an attack in, my Sandshrew was making sure it was kept busy.
The biker was getting angry, his face was starting to go red, he hated that I was toying with him. The truth was that I was making my Sandshrew work at its best. I couldn't have Machoke landing an attack, it may cause Sandshrew to faint. I couldn't have that, not now. I needed to win so I could get past so I could continue on my journey.
Machoke got up and it also looked angry.
'Machoke, use seismic toss.'
Oh, dear, was my first thought. It didn't sound like a move I wanted used against my Pokémon.
I really needed to check some moves on my Pokédex.
Machoke started running towards Sandshrew, but before I could give Sandshrew a move to use or get it to dodge Machoke picked it up and jumped into the air.
Now I had no way to get Sandshrew out of this, I just had to hope that it would be okay, and the force of being pushed in the ground wouldn't be catastrophic. The force might be enough to shake the bridge, just like Sandshrew's magnitude was.
Machoke started coming down with Sandshrew below him. I bet my Sandshrew looked helpless. I started to think of a way out of this.
I started to think if Machoke landed over one of the holes then Sandshrew could just burrow into that, it might be risky, but it would lessen the damage drastically. If Machoke didn't land near one of the holes I had a problem that-at the moment-I had no solution to.
I thought, what if Sandshrew could use magnitude as it hit the ground with Machoke.
I decided it was worth a shot.
'Get down.' I said to my friends before I started this.
If this worked the bridge might break, but it would definitely end the battle, if this didn't work we wouldn't be able to proceed. Also if the bridge broke we wouldn't be able to proceed. I was taking a big risk here. There was about a sixty to seventy percent chance of the bridge collapsing and a thirty to forty percent chance of the bridge being okay.
'Sandshrew, use magnitude as you hit the ground.' I said.
If Machoke was able to turn it would faint, and if my Sandshrew used magnitude-if it actually worked-there was a chance it could faint, either way Machoke was in big trouble.
The biker didn't tell Machoke to turn he just looked at Machoke and Sandshrew hit the bridge with horror strewn across his face.
As soon as Sandshrew and Machoke hit the ground I crouched down so I wouldn't fall over.
Magnitude was successful, but it was exceedingly powerful. I almost fell on the floor from my hands and knees.
The biker's motorcycles fell over, after they did. Thankfully the bikes didn't fall on them.
Parts of the bridge around Sandshrew and Machoke broke and flew towards us and the bikers.
I was glad the bridge was thick, else Sandshrew and Machoke would have fallen through.
A huge cloud of dust appeared as soon as they hit the floor.
As soon as parts of the bridge stopped flying everywhere I slowly got up.
My friends got up hesitantly. Cubone and Eevee were crying out with glee. Babies did not know much of what was happening.
The dust cloud slowly disappeared and we saw Machoke had fainted, but the outcome of Sandshrew was yet to be known.
The biker returned Machoke and we saw Sandshrew, it was definitely beat up, but it seemed okay to stand up. It turned to look at me before it smiled.
Suddenly Sandshrew started to glow.
It was evolving. I was happy I would now have a Sandslash. I remember Barry-who battled Camilla-from the Battle Château had one. Now I had one.
As soon as Sandslash came in to view it slashed its claws across each other before standing in a battle stance.
I laughed at its eagerness.
'That was a great battle Sandslash, but there aren't any more just yet.' I told it before returning it.
The muscular biker came up to me. 'I judged you too quickly.' He said. 'You have a…different way of battling. Nothing like I've seen before.' He said.
'Yeah, thanks for that.' The Mohawk guy said. 'Haven't had a worthwhile battle in ages.'
'I would love to see more trainers like you on the road.' The girl said.
She and the Mohawk guy mounted their bikes.
'We'd better be off, don't want to cause any more trouble, wouldn't want you to come and sort us out again.' The muscular biker said before turning toward his bike.
'You're leaving?' I asked.
'You beat us, we thought you wouldn't want to see us on this bridge anymore.' The girl said.
'You could be a new kind of trainer class.' I suggested. 'Bikers, people who come on this bridge could challenge you if they wanted to.' I said.
'You think so?' The Mohawk guy asked me.
'Sure, don't force people to battle, just ask them politely, if they say no, you could show them to Fuchsia, people would like you more then, you could have a good reputation the next time I see you.' I told the bikers.
'Sure, we'll be biker trainers on this bridge, but our Pokémon have fainted, so we'll do that as soon as we get back.' The muscular guy said before he mounted his bike and they all sped off.
I turned to my friends.
'Do you realize how risky that was?' Misty asked me.
'Sorry.' I apologized, do you think the gym leader will be mad at me?' I asked.
'I'd be more worried about her father.' Bill countered.
'Oh yeah, Koga.' I remembered.
Misty and Bill left for Fuchsia which left my friends and I on the bridge.
'Well done Jordan.' Brock praised.
'I'm glad you didn't destroy the bridge.' Camilla added.
'Me too.' I replied.
'Shall we go see when the fishing tournament is taking place before we go to your Gym battle?' Rachel asked.
'Sure.' I said.
We mounted our bikes and made our way off the cycling road and into Fuchsia.
Here is the next chapter. I have my laptop back, I will try to update weekly, but I don't know if I will be able to because I am writing another story at the same time which will also be posted weekly. I will definitely tell you on my profile before I definitely know, the info will be up on Friday for definite. Chapter 30 will either be completed or in progress.
Chapter Thirty: Fuchsia's water Tournament.
