28- Gym battle… without the gym?
Shinji sighed as he watched Hikari play with Riri at the beach, the girl wore a two-piece blue swimsuit nd seemed to be having fun –Hey Shin! The water is great, don't be a party pooper and come enjoy a bit!- She called out, laughing when Riri splashed at her.
-Can anyone remind me how did I agree to this?- He asked himself in defeat.
Both traveing partners were having breakfast at the pokémon center, Hikari couldn't stop talking about how awesome Goldenrod was –You're aware that I need to challenge the gym leader today to obtain my plain badge right? That's why we came to Gldenrod in the first place- Shinji said.
-Oh no! Not that! I'm sure that as soon as you win your badge you'll want to go straight up to the next city or town and we haven't enjoyed the best of this place yet- The blue-haired giel complained –The beaches!- She exclaimed with sparkling eyes.
-And why don't you-?
-Let's go together!- She cut him –Just ne more day to relax… for Arceus' sake, the Goldenrod beaches! The gym can wait- She assured confidently.
After a good argument for some minutes, Hikari managed to convince the boy to go to the Goldenrod beaches to "have fun" for a while with the condition that at the next day they'd go to the gym once and for all.
-There's no way…- The boy sighed. He wore dark blue swim shorts with purple and black details. He was just "sunbathing" in one fo the chairs of the small post Hikari had quickly claimed when they arrived. Near him all the pokémon wereplaying with an inflatable beach ball, escept Ro who was just resting lying in the sand.
-Hey! Are ou listening to me?- Hikari asked standing next to him with hand on her hips –Are you going to stay there all morning?.. why don't we go buy some drinks? I'm thirsty- She invited with a smile. It was obvious that she was trying to get him to relax and enjoy at least for a while.
-Let me guess, you already choked in some salt water- He replied with a certain amused tone.
Hikari blushed and looked away –So what if I did…?- She mumbled inflating her cheeks –Let's gooooooo!- She asked.
-Fine fine, but only because I also want to get something to drink- He said standing up.
-I bet I'm faster!- She said rushing up to the snack stand.
-I'm not gonna run.
-You won't? – The girl turned to him slowing down but thanks to not watching where she's going she bumped into someone else, they both fell down.
-Aahh my head…- The other girl complained, she had pink hair in two little twintails and a matching pink swimsuit.
-I-I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going forgive me- Hikari started feeling very embarassed and standing up.
-It's fine…- The girl said shaking her head a bit, both Shinji and Hikari gave her a hand to help her up –Hey wait amoment, Shinji is that you? – She asked the boy with a curious smile.
-Gym leader Akane, yeah it's me… I see you recognized me too- He commented, Hikari looked at the pink-haired girl in shock, she ws the Goldenrod gym leader?
-Of course- Akane said –how could I forget such a cutie… and such a strong opponent- She chuckled, Hikari side-stared at the boy –Do you still have that cute Grotle?- She asked happily.
-Well, he's a Torterra now but yes, he's over there. I came to follow this silly girl to buy a drink, she already drank some salt water- He stid turning to Hikari wanting to bother her.
-Shut up!- She shot at him.
-Oh, well I'm Akane, the gym leader of this beautiful city Goldenrod- She inroduced herself proudly.
-My name is Hikari, Im a pokemon coordinator. Goldnrod is really pretty indeed, we were enjoying today a little bit before going t the gyn tomorrow for a battle- She explained.
-Oh- The other girl was surprised –So you're going to the gym, mmm… I'm afraid that can't be, you see, just today I'm taking a free day from so many things and tomorrow I'll be going to Violet city for a family thing, so the gym will be closed the next days- She explained –Anyway, trainers are more interested in the tag team torunament- She said with a shrug.
-The gym will be closed? No way!- The trainer complained.
-Tag team torunament?- Hikari asked.
-Yes, the next two days there will be a tag team torunament in the main Goldenrod stadium. You'r given a number, get a random partner and participate in double battles until two people win… I heard the prize was a big deal!- She said the last part excitedly.
-Double battles, like the Hearthome ones… it seems interesting I'd like to enter- She mumbld to herself –But I still feel bad about the gym, how much will we have to wait for you to come back so Shinji could have his battle?- The leader asked.
-Well maybe you won't have to wait that much- Akane mentioned with a small smirk, both trainers looked at her in confusion –What do you think of a gym battle here and now? If you win you'll get the plain badge straight and fair,if not, you'll have to wait until I return from Violet.
-A gym battle? Here?- Hikari asked surprised.
-Of course!- The leader stated calmly –We just clear up some space in the sand, have a short battle and maybe Shinji could get the plain badge today.
-I accept the challenge Akane- The traier said.
-I should be the one saying that, I accept you challenge for the badge- The leader followed the trainer over to the area where the pokémon were still playing with the ball.
-Hey!- Hikari exclaimed seeing how she as left alone –I wanted to buy something to drink…- She mumbled.
After having bought herself a soda, Hikari came back to the spot where she had left her pokémon. All of them were at the sidelines on a "improvised battlefield" made by Akane drawing lines on the sand, Torterra and Weavile were among them –How strange, he won't use Ro or Hiela?- The girl asked herself. She approached the pokémon and after asking permission from Ro, who didn't deny it, she sat comfortable on his shell, who would have guessed a Torterra was so comfy?
*Weavile won't have a very good desempeño in the sand or under this sun and Torterra hasn't hand many battles lately but I can't use him here, he's too large and slow to face Akane's pokémon comfortably on this sand. On the other side Luxio has had many battles lately but aside from Umbreon and Quilava they're the best pick for a 3vs 3* Shinji thought as he stared at Karuma's Noctail's and Lux's poké balls evaluating possible startegies.
-Are ou ready?- Akane asked.
-Of course.
-That's good- Akane smiled –Then I'll start, now come out Teddiursa!- A small pokémon similar to a bear came out of the oké ball. All of it's body wasn an orange-ish brwn hue except a crescent shaped mark on it's forehead and his face which were a light beige color, the pokémon had one of her paws on her mouth, licking it absentmindedly.
"Teddiursa, the teddy bear pokémon. It's a very pacific and scaredy pokémon, it lives in the forests with berry trees and beedrill or combee hives since it spends most of it's time eating honey, up to the point where it's claws are sticky with the honey and it lickes them off. However, despite it's cute appearance it cane behave very rudely seometimes and use it's charm to get humans to do whatever it wants"
-Oh interesting… though it does look very cute- Hikari mumbled, after seeing the info of the pokémon.
-Umbreon, standby for battle!- Shinji tossed the moon ball from which Noctail came outinmediately, ready to battle.
-Teddiursa fury cutter!- Teddiursa ran up to her opponent with her ittle claws shinning white.
-Jump and dark pulse!- Noctail jumped when the teddiursa was closing up on himand shot a flurry of dark energy from the air, hitting the bear pokémon.
-Teddiursa!- Her trainer called out worriedly.
-Bite now!- The dark eevee evolution fell on top of the teddiursa, biting one of her ears with sharp fangs. The tediursa cried out but quickly changed her expression to an angry one.
- Focus punch!- Teddiursa's punch was surrounded by a white shine and she quickly hit the Umbreon, sending it away –That was a good hit, well done teddiursa!- Akane cheered. However Noctail stood up and shook as if nothing ahd happened.
-You'll need more than that, dark pulse again!- Umbreon shot a dark pulse against teddiursa pushing her back this time.
-Use body slam!
-Confuse ray!- Both pokémon charged an one another but the confuse ray was faster, leaving the teddiursa dizzy when she stared at Noctail's shiny eyes –Bite now!- Noctail jumped on the opponent once more and bit her again, the poor teddy was left with dizzy eyes on the ground.
-Oh no poor teddy, return- The gym leader said returning her weakened pokémon for a good deserved rest, she pulled out another poké ball and looked at the opponent –You got one out of three, but this one won't be so easy, come out now Clefable!
Hikari pointed her pokédex at the pink pokémon "Clefable, the fairy pokémon and the evoled form of Clefairy. This pokémon moves by doing little jumps, as if used it's little wings, this way it can walk on top of water. It is known that it loves to walk around at full moon nights. It's a very rare pokémon and also very shy, it's trainer must win it's trust little by little"
-Water gun quick!- Clefable shot a powerful water jet that was quickly avoided by Noctail just barely.
-Bite!- The dark pokémon ran up to the pink one.
-Jump now!- Akane ordered, the Clefable jumped aoviding the Umbreon's attack, light as a feather –Now double slap!- Frowning, Clefable started giving some amazingly stong slaps to poor Noctail who just backed off with each hit, finally, with a last hit, the dark pokémon was sent flying to the other side of the field.
-Bite once again!- Noctail went up to the clefable tired but fast as it could, fueled by the anger from the last attack
-Metronome!- Clefable raised her arms and started moving her little fingers simultaneously, when she stoped they shone white and from the sand before Noctail came out two small grass leaves that tied up together making Noctail trip and fall head first, the poor pokémon was unable to battle –How's that? A grass knot!- Akane said -You'll never know what come out of this attack but it's always something good for me- She said with a giggle as Shinji eturned Noctail.
-Wow, Akane's clefable sure is a tought opponent- Hikari mumbled on top of Ro, the pokémon beside her nodded.
-Come out noc Quilava!- From the yellow and light blue poké ball came the evolved form of the Johto fire-starter, flames firing up from her forehead and back, ready to attack.
-A fire-type!- Akane beamed, as if it was just what she needed –Come on clefable, use your water gun!- A water gun went staright to Karuma.
-Flame wheel go!- Karuma surrounded herself on fire and without hesitation she faced the water gun, her fire cover kept her safe until she hit Clefable.
-Very impressive- The pink haired girl said –But we won't give up, water gun!
-Dig and flamethrower!- The quilava went under the sand to then reappear under Clefable, giving it a good hit and then firing a fierce flamethrower.
-I can't use the cute charm now, the opponent just had to be female- The pink haired girl murmured to herself with a sigh –Clefable double slap!
-Swift and flamethower!- With a combination of stars and fire, Clefable was very hurt and felt ot he ground defeated. Akane returned her pokémon and took out a last poké ball.
-Well then, you left me with just one pokémon, but this is my star, let's see if you can with her! Let's go… Miltank!- She yelled excitedly tossing the poké ball with energy. From it came out a pokémon that was onyl female, with pink and black fur similar to a cow, large droopy ears and a long tail finishing in a black sphere.
-A miltank- Hkari said –And she looks very fierce- She commented taking a sip from her soda seeing the pink pokémon ball her fists with determination.
-Miltank rollout!- Akane ordered confidently.
-Mil mil!- The pink cow rolled up into a ball and started rolling at an impressive speed hitting Karuma so hard… she sent her flying towards the sea!
-Qui! Quilavaaaaaa!- Karuma, seeing herself over the dark blue water she quickly panicked shaking her paws around. All the other pokémon seemed scared, ready to interfere if neccesary.
-Keep calm, flame wheel!- Shinji quickly ordered. Karuma nodded and using her fire wheel to have more control in the air she came back to the sand, where she spun until she was in front of her opponent and undid her flame wheel glaring at her.
-Sheesh that was close- Hikari sighed in relief, Ro relaxed.
-I'm so sorry!- Akane said, genuinely feeling bad for utting the pokémon ta risk like that.
-Quilava, you won't let her get away with that wiil you?- His trainer asked, the quilava growled and her fire burned with more intensity –Flamethrower!- A flurry of fire went towards the Miltank.
-Miltank rollout!- Once again, she rolled up into a ball and attacked at full speed, the fire seemed to do nothing and Karuma was hit again –Iron tail!- Miltan's tail shone silver and she landed another blow in Karuma's head, the quilava hit the ground.
-Flamethrower quick!- Despite being still dizzy from the hit Karuma was fast enough to just spit some fire against the cow that was still very close to her and without her "rollout" shield the hit was finally direct.
-That was nothing, come on Miltank, rollout!- Miltank rolled up once more and went up to Karuma but something amaing happened. The quilava jumped up, avoiding the attack and once in the air she rolled up herself and hit the Miltank, each one fell in opposite sides of the field –Did that quilava just use…?!- Akane asked impressed.
-You learned rollout…- The boy commented surprised –Now quilava swift and flamethrower!- Karuma was by nw an expert with that combination, she shot a rain of stars and fire against the desprevenida Miltank, who didn't take it well Now rollout again!- Karuma spun towards the opponent full force.
-Miltank we can't give up, use rollout you too!- Both pokémon rolled towards the other, they clashed and tried to push the other back, noen of them moved an inch, until an orange shine surrounded Karuma.
Shinji had the victory, with a smirk, he ordered the next attack –Flame wheel!- The flames surrounded Karuma, stronger than before due to the blaze ability. Miltank couldn't take it anymore and was pushed back and away, falling back in the sand where she didn't move anymore…
-Miltank!- Her trainer exclaimed approaching.
-Yes! You won Shinji, congratulations!- Hikari cheered from Ro's shell, all the pokémon around her were also celebrating.
-Well…- Akane sighed, after having returned her Miltank-You've won and as I promised, the plain badge- She added, as she puled out from her small white bagpack a sqare badge with rounded points, yelow in the middle with a silver border –Good job- She congratulated.
-Woah… Look at the time- Hikari said as she approached –No wonder it's so hot and I'm hungry.
-Why don't we go eat something? For the winner, I'll invite!- Akane said, cheerful as ever.
-A-are you sure?- Hikari asked.
-No problem at all, everyone knows me around here and I know a fabulous place.
Neither of the trainer objected and after returning all their pokémon they went to a small beach restaurant where they got something to eat.
The rst of the afternoon ws basically sun, water and fun. Hikari managed to spash Shinji a bit after coming out of the water and squeezing her wet hair atop the desprevenido boy. Only to of course, run back to the water where she hoped to be safe from his anger. On the other side, the pokémon were enjoying themselves a lot, Karuma was digging holes in the sand and a few minutes later, Pixy as usual started copying her. Noctail joined them intrigued and by the end of the afternoon… Pixy and Noctail had learned "dig" a good gorund-type move that would surely be of help for the double battled the next day…
Hikari was excited for the event and told both her mom and Reiji so they could keep an eye on it. Tired after the long day she went to sleep early.
