After scheduling a gym battle with Norman, they decided the line-up of the gym battle, which consists of Surfer, Ziggs and Power. However, Power was struggling during his training and wanted to give up due to his lack of confidence. After their training, they participated in the Pokélympics Celebration Event, where all Pokémon of Lows' team succeeded, and it helped to regain Power's self confidence. The time had come for Lows to battle Norman, the Petalburg Gym Leader. Will he be able to outstand the normal type master?
Chapter 33 - Aggressiveness Overload!
It was another exciting day: the day of the gym battle at Petalburg. I woke up extremely early, prepared the breakfast for all of us, and called the others, who were still deep asleep to wake up.
My water type Pokémon woke up first as he said drowsily, "C-Can't we wake up a bit later? I'm still tired..."
"Sorry, but it isn't the time to stay up late now! We have a gym battle to go for, remember?"
"O-Oh, yeah! Getting up now..." He said as he quickly woke up. He is always enthusiastic when it comes to battling.
Just when all of my team woke up, I realized someone was missing: Power. After some searching, I found Power practicing his attacks at a corner of our room. I went over and petted him, making him jumped.
"Come on, Power. I know you're getting ready for the battle, but a day won't start perfectly without a good breakfast!"
"Y-Yeah, you're right, Lows. I-I'll go ahead and join them." He said as he walked towards the others at the dining table.
I shook my head as I grinned, while slowly joining them all in the breakfast before the gym battle.
We stood right in front of the gym just in time. In fact, we reached earlier than the planned time. Not too much though, only about fifteen minutes...
After a while, Norman went out of the gym and noticed me, "Alright... Lows, you may come and battle me now. Follow me."
I nodded as I followed the gym leader into the gym, and the battlefield. Woody and Grace already took a step ahead towards the arena seat, cheering for us.
The referee came to the middle as he stated the rules. "This battle will be a three on three single battles. The challenger is allowed to start the first move and switch his Pokémon during the battle. Whoever manages to defeat the opponent's three Pokémon wins the battle. Do you understand the rules, Lows from Kanto?"
I nodded as the referee said, "Leader and challenger, please send out your first Pokémon!"
"Lows, in this battle, I'll show you how aggressive normal types can be! Go, Vince!" He said, throwing a Pokéball into the battlefield. It was a white, sloth-like, bipedal Pokémon with a teardrop-shaped tuft of red fur on its forehead. It had stubby ears, two small, triangular teeth in each jaw, a brown lower jaw, and large eyes encircled by brown rings. There were two stripes on its back, which are also brown. Its arms were long, and its hands and feet had two sharp black claws.
[Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Slakoth. It is always hungry because it won't stop rampaging. Even while it is eating, it can't keep still.]
Great... Just what I wanted...
I gulped while taking out my first choice while thinking, hopefully you can do good for us...
"Let's roll, Surfer!" The Wartortle appeared in the battlefield, and remained his excited look despite looking at the huge opponent: it's not like he met one of these for the first time.
"The battle between Surfer and Vince will now begin!"
"Surfer, a good ol' Water Pulse!"
"You said it, Lows!" He said while releasing the water rings. However, Norman remained unfazed as he gave out his first command, "Vince, rush right at the attack, and use Fury Swipes! We'll show them how aggressive we can be!"
The Vigoroth nodded as he rushed through the attack, taking some minimal damage before he was able to scratch my Wartortle five times in a row. Although hurt, he didn't say a word. He wanted to keep going.
I was worried as I thought, this is how aggressive they are... Surfer is definitely not the aggressive type, so we couldn't outstand them on that part. However...
I smirked as I whispered to Surfer about our plan. Surfer's ears perked up as he nodded and got ready.
"Surfer, stay where you are!" Although confused, Norman wasn't going to stop this opportunity: I just knew he won't. And my guess was correct.
"Vince, let's rush again and use Slash!" Vince was ready to release another powerful attack, and this was where our plan started.
"Surfer, now! Make him stop with Sand Tomb!" Surfer grinned as he summoned the sand that soon surrounded the Vigoroth. The Vigoroth was stuck in position, unable to move while taking damage.
"Surfer, keep it going! Use Bite!" Surfer went towards Vince and was ready to bite him. But something told me that it won't be that easy.
Norman suddenly smirked as he said, "Plan B! Vince, Endure!" Vince focused and prepared for the worst as Surfer bit him. Vince moaned in pain, but he was able to endure it.
"Good, now it's the time! Counter!"
Oh, great...
"Surfer, retreat!" Although he knew that he won't make it, he still made an effort for it. However, the Vigoroth used his strength and punch my Wartortle, taking double the damage. This turned the tables as Surfer was almost unable to get up due to the pain.
However, he was surrounding by a veil of water, as his eyes turned light blue, ready to give out his last shot.
Looks like the ability, Torrent is working... We have to end this fast.
"Surfer, let's end this quick. Water Pulse again!" Knowing that Vigoroth was low on health, I told Surfer to go for a fast range attack. He obeyed my command and released the water attack with full power.
"You endured it once, time to endure the attack again! Fight through the pain and use Slash, pal!" Vince nodded as he rushed forward, ignoring the damage caused by Surfer's attack, he then used his claws and slashed Surfer, making Surfer crashed against the wall. He gave out a faint smile before dropping to the ground, unconscious. On the other side, Vince finally had enough of taking damage, as he fell onto the ground, exhausted to battle again.
"Both Surfer and Vince are unable to battle! This battle is a draw!"
I went towards the unconscious Surfer, as I whispered to him, "I'm sorry, buddy. You did really well, thank you. Take a rest." Saying that, I quickly returned him back to his Pokéball before he suffered more injury.
I guess it's time to let him out... He will do well, I have faith in him.
I thought as I took out the second Pokéball, determined to win this battle.
At the arena seat...
"O-Oh no! Is Surfer okay?" Woody asked in concern. They just witnessed Surfer getting slashed by the Vigoroth and ended up being unconscious.
"I'm sure he'll be fine. He's a tough one, Woody." Grace comforted him.
"I-I wish I was the one battling it... At least Surfer won't get hurt."
"Hey Woody, listen! I don't want you to get harmed as much as Surfer. Have faith in them. They'll be fine, alright?"
"A-Alright... Thanks, Grace." He felt a warm feeling inside his heart. Grace's words are always there to help him when he has a problem. He was about to give her a thankful hug, but he insisted again.
What if she feel awkward about it? I mean, I was always the passive one... But she always did it to help me out, so why don't I just do it too like a gentleman? No other feelings, Woody...
"G-Grace?" Woody gained the courage for the action, while Grace looked at him, confused.
"What is it, Woody?"
"T-Thanks for your words again." He said, while he quickly went for the hug. Grace was shocked at what happened, as a small blush was formed on her face.
Woody's... hugging me? He never does that! No Grace, he was probably just thankful! That's all...
"N-No problem." Grace tried to recover from the sudden feeling. However, what she didn't notice was Woody's blush was even more noticable than hers. They then went back focusing on the battle with blushes on their faces, and none of them said a word.
Woody scolded himself inside his mind, Woody, you screwed this up again by making a normal conversation awkward!
Back at the battlefield...
I got my second Pokéball and threw it, "Let's do this, Ziggs!"
Once Norman saw that my Linoone appeared in the battlefield, he said, "I guess we think alike. Let's go, Diggy!"
W-Wait, that name sounds familiar...
I was in shock as I saw another Linoone appeared in the battlefield, and he was as shocked as I am. "A-Aren't you the trainer last time at the adoption centre?"
"Y-Yeah, it was me! If I'm not mistaken, you are..."
"I'll explain, Lows." Norman cut off our conversation as he explained, "My son got Diggy from his friend, May a month ago."
Oh yeah, the girl who took Diggy... Now that I think back to it, that girl... was May!
"She knew that Diggy wasn't the type to explore outdoors, so she had to give it to Brendan for him to take care of Diggy while she travels around Hoenn. She still visits Diggy often, but my son is busy with paperwork, so he gave me Diggy. He told May about it and she is okay with it. I trained Diggy up, and it turns out he is a good battler indoors without standing the crucial weather. I guess, this is something Diggy would like to do as well, and May should be happy too."
Diggy exclaimed, "Yeah! May is really happy that I evolved and became stronger, too! She promised to take me back when I want to explore!"
"That's great, Diggy! However, I'll be here to do my best to defeat you, so good luck!"
"No problem, bring it on!" Diggy happily said, eager to battle. He was just the same like when he was a Zigzagoon.
"The battle between Ziggs and Diggy will now begin!"
"Ziggs, let's go with Headbutt!"
"Diggy, do the same!"
The two Linoone bumped each other in the heads. They both got pushed back and stared at each other with determination. I knew that it will be another close battle between them two.
"Ziggs, use Dig!" Ziggs nodded as he started digging underground and finding his target.
"Diggy, when you see him get ready to Slash!" Diggy started listening closely and when he found him, he slashed Ziggs with his claws. Although Ziggs got the hit on Diggy, he still paid the price for it.
"Looks like, it's time for Plan C! Diggy, use Belly Drum and use Slash, full power!" Diggy nodded as he started charging, and a ball from of power came from his belly and surrounded him. Although tired, he went for the final blow.
Knowing that Diggy was tired, I went ahead and took the risk, "Ziggs, use Facade, full power and fight through the pain!"
Ziggs closed his eyes and released his final attack at full strength. Diggy, although hit by the attack, still rushed forward and went for the final powerful slash to my normal type Pokémon. After the collision of powerful moves, unthinkable strategies and intense attacking, both of them were down almost the exact same time, again.
Another draw?!
"Both Ziggs and Diggy are unable to battle! It is another draw!"
I went over to them, while Norman did the same too. "Ziggs, thanks for your hard work." I then turned to Diggy, "Norman's right, you do have the potential! You're a good battler."
"Haha... Thanks. Ziggs, I'll defeat you the next time we meet!"
"In your dreams, Diggy!" They both softly laughed as we returned them back to their respective Pokéballs.
I took out my last Pokéball as I thought, Power, believe in yourself, and show your abilities!
I threw my last Pokéball, yelling, "I believe in you, Power!"
Power appeared in the battlefield, ready to do anything to secure the win. However, he was shocked to see his opponent as he fell onto the ground.
[Slaking, the Lazy Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Vigoroth and the final evolved form of Slakoth. It is the world's most slothful Pokémon. However, it can exert horrifying power by releasing pent-up energy all at once.]
I hurried and got Power back up and said, "Power, stay calm and use the method I told you if you're really nervous. I'll help you out whenever you need it." My Superpower Pokémon nodded as he tried to calm down.
"The battle between Power and Jackster will now begin!"
"Power, use Karate Chop!" Power nodded as he rushed forward to give out his best shot. However, Norman had a way to counter that, "Not if we strike first! Jackster, use Strength!"
Despite being a large Pokémon, his speed is comparable with Power. He slightly outsped him and resulting Power getting crushed and pushed back. However, he was far from giving up.
"Power, try again! Low Kick!" Power went for the kick again, working extra hard to land the shot as he knew this move would be super effective towards heavy Pokémon. However, knowing that Power was going to strike, the Slaking was loafing around, not wanting to defend himself. As a result, he took the hit which is in full power. Norman had a split second of fearful expression, but he quickly recovered.
Something's wrong... Why isn't this Slaking dodging the attack? I thought, but soon, I knew the answer.
"Power, I get it now!" I whispered inside his ear, "I read from a book before that Slaking's signature ability is Truant, which after a move, they loaf around and do nothing! This is our opportunity!"
"Good find, Lows!"
"However, they will surely give their all in this move. Try to endure it, alright?" He nodded, ready for the worst. He was scared, of course, but he won't give up unless he tries.
"Looks like you found our weakness. We'll have to end this fast! Jackster, all in! Hyper Beam!"
"Hyper Beam?!" Power and I yelled, as my two Pokémon from the arena seat gasped. Norman's Slaking nodded as he charged up for the attack, and released it.
As the beam got closer, Power couldn't help but feel scared, but he knew that there was no turning back, and there's only one way to calm himself down.
Power, you are the best by being yourself, no matter how strong they are...
Power, you are the best by being yourself, no matter how strong they are...
Power, you are the best by being yourself, no matter how strong they are!
He clenched his fist, ready to endure the attack. However, a white beam pushed back the attack, crashing into the hard wall. Power was surrounded by a white light as he started to evolve.
At long last... He evolved!
He changed into a bipedal, humanoid Pokémon covered in gray skin. He had a vaguely reptilian face with a short snout, narrow red eyes, and four pointed teeth visible inside his mouth. IHis arms were muscular with dark red, vertical stripes on them. He possessed large pectoral muscles that protrude slightly over its belt. He also wore a black and golden belt.
[Machoke, the Superpower Pokémon. It is the evolved form of Machop. Its formidable body never gets tired. It helps people by doing work such as the moving of heavy goods.]
"Power, how do you feel?"
"So much better, Lows! I feel so much stronger than before! I think I also refreshed my mind with some new moves!" Saying that, he started rushing towards the resting Slaking and grabbed him easily, despite him being really heavy.
Hey, I know this move...
"Power, continue what you're doing! Use Submission!" He smiled as he dived into the ground with Jackster. Jackster couldn't do anything to protect itself, while Power took some damage himself, but he was fine. He was enjoying this!
Once Jackster recovered, I could still see that he was tired. Norman knew he didn't have much time left, so he went for the aggressive way again. "Another Hyper Beam, full power!"
I smiled at Power while saying, "You can handle that, right?"
"I'm pretty sure I can."
"Alright then, let's finish this off with Fling!"
My Machoke nodded as he threw the heavy object towards the tired Slaking. The two attacks hit the Pokémon almost the exact same time...
"I now give the challenger, Lows the Balance Badge!" He said while handing me the badge. It was obvious by now what the results are.
I happily accepted the badge and said, "Thanks, Norman."
"No problem! I'd take this lost fairly and squarely. Your battling style reminds me of when my son battled me to get the badge as well. Time flies..."
"Anyways, who is your son?"
"Oh, you didn't know that? Let's just say, he... has the highest status as a trainer in Hoenn." He smirked.
N-No way!
"The champion, Brendan is your son?!"
"Yeah, bingo! Back in the old days, I moved here with my family to be the gym leader at Petalburg. Now... he's at a higher peak than me!" He chuckled.
"I'm sure you're proud of your son."
"I surely am! However... I'm sure that your parents are proud of you too."
I smiled, thinking of my parents in Kanto.
Norman petted my shoulder as he said, "With your talent, you can go far. Good luck!"
"Thanks, Norman! I'll see you again." We bid farewell at the entrance of the gym after exchanging numbers, while I went back to the PokéCentre and packed up my things for the next destination. My Pokémon volunteered to help me out. Are there any better Pokémon than them?
After packing up stuff, we had a short meeting about the gym battle today.
"I just wanted to say, thank you all. Surfer, Ziggs and Power, you all suffered a lot, but I'm glad you guys battled till the very end. Grace, Woody, you two supported hard throughout the battle. You all worked very well today, and I hope we can continue this spirit, alright?"
"Alright!" We cheered. I also asked Power, "Power, how does it feel to join the 'Evolved Club'?"
"I felt great and stronger!" The Machoke exclaimed with a deep masculine voice.
"I'm proud of you, buddy." I petted his head, which he enjoyed it. We laughed in the room, having a good time.
After that, we took our stuff and started another long journey to the next destination.
This destination will definitely be a long run to get there. I had to board another ship to Slateport, and walk all the way to there... But, I knew it would be worth it when we reach the next destination:
Fortree City.
Lows' Pokémon Team:
Surfer (Wartortle, Male) Jolly Nature
Ability: Torrent
Moves: Bite, Water Gun, Water Pulse, Sand Tomb
Ziggs (Linoone, Male) Naive Nature
Ability: Quick Feet
Moves: Dig, Headbutt, Swift, Facade
Grace (Kirlia, Female) Calm Nature
Ability: Synchronize
Moves: Teleport, Magical Leaf, Shadow Ball, Psybeam
Woody (Grovyle, Male) Lonely Nature
Ability: Overgrow
Moves: Pursuit, Leaf Blade, Bullet Seed, Rock Tomb
Power (Machoke, Male) Timid Nature
Ability: Guts
Moves: Fling, Scary Face, Submission, Seismic Toss
Questions of the Chapter:
Who do you think had the most interesting battle?
How do you think of the reunion with Diggy?
Was Power's evolution the key of their victory? If so, why?