Chapter 13 - Zero Calorie Cola
"The gym in Celadon is pretty popular, so you have to make a reservation," Seshiru explained.
"What?!" Logan screeched. He was eating cold pizza for breakfast; something that he had missed doing.
Seshiru laughed. "Don't worry. I took the liberty and made the reservation for you. But we have to be there in two hours, or you'll miss your chance."
"Let's get going!" Logan said, his voice muffled by pizza. He grabbed his black hat and put it over his shaggy brown hair before standing up and fastening his belt.
"Is there anything else Logan should know before going into his gym battle?" Yurie asked. "Maybe the less surprises, the better."
Seshiru thought for a moment while she prepared her bags. "I'd love to give you info on the gym, but to be honest, after the gym in Fuchsia, I'm not sure if there is any helpful info that I can give you. The gym leader changed, and for all I know, Celadon's gym leader could be different."
Logan nodded. "That's okay. I'll adapt as I go. I had my Pokémon checked out last night, and I did a little bit of training with my new Charmander. We'll be fine."
The three left the Pokémon Center and then were on their way to the southern side of Celadon where the gym battle would take place. Conveniently, there was a subway line that would take them to their destination, as there was a station right in front of the gym.
The subway was packed though, and they had to get in really close to each other. Logan and Yurie weren't used to this kind of travel, and they looked around uncomfortably while Seshiru merely laughed.
Similar to the gym in Vermillion, Celadon's gym was large. It was built from glass, and upon entering, they could smell the scents of plants and flowers. Yurie closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Feels like home," she muttered to herself. She looked around for her favorite flowers.
"Welcome," the receptionist said as they approached the desk. She was dressed in traditional Kanto clothing, and her black hair was tied up in a bun. She had a soft voice when she spoke. "Are you challenging the gym today?"
"I am!" Logan declared with a smile. He put his hands at his hips and posed.
Seshiru giggled. "We made an appointment for Logan Stephenson."
The receptionist's fingers clicked against her keyboard as she brought up Logan's profile. "Logan Stephenson. You've won two badges so far in Kanto."
Logan nodded. "Yep!"
"Okay. Your battle with Erika will start in ten minutes. It will be a three on three battle. We're all delighted to see how well you do."
The three trainers were guided into the backroom. Yurie and Seshiru took a different door from Logan, and they found themselves in the stands, which was packed with people who came to watch the various battles of the day.
Logan sat in the locker room, unaware of the crowd or what he was getting into. Eventually, his name was called, and he walked out into a hallway which led him to a platform. He stood on the platform and waited while the announcer did their job.
"And now we'll be moving onto a gym battle! It'll be Celadon City's gym leader, Erika, battling it out with Logan Stephenson, a boy from Unova. Let's meet our contestants!"
The platform started to hum, and it was now that Logan could hear a crowd. The platform moved, taking him to the field and his trainer's box. He looked around, unable to see Yurie or Seshiru anywhere. His picture appeared on the screen, and the crowd cheered. More than half of the crowd were people from foreign lands, so some of them were bound to cheer for Logan.
"First is Logan! He's won only two badges in Kanto so far, but don't let that fool you! This kid is tough! He competed in the Vertress and Manalo Conferences, getting all the way to the semi-finals! And that's not even his biggest claim to fame! Last season, he battled in the Ever Grande Conference, making it to the finals!"
"Oh wow. They know everything," Logan said. The crowd cheered for him, but then the lights went out, and the crowd got quiet.
"And now, introducing the gym leader! Everyone give it up for Erika!"
The lights came back on as the gym leader, a girl who looked only a few years older than Logan was raised to the field. She wore a yellow and orange kimono, and she walked slowly to her position in the trainer's box. The crowd cheered for her, and she bowed upon locking eyes with Logan.
The referee entered the field and then raised her flags into the air.
"This will be a three on three battle! Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions! Ready? Begin!"
"I won't underestimate you because you only have two badges. I'm aware of the strength of your team," Erika said. She looked at Mightyena who stood by Logan's side.
Logan smiled. "I'll be honest with you, the strength of my team is all over the place right now."
"Then I guess it'll be the balance of my team that wins out," Erika said. She drew out her Poké Ball from the inside of her kimono. With a quick flick of her wrist, she delicately tossed it into the air. A large yellow Pokémon with a wide mouth at the top of its head appeared. It had on thick vine coming from the top of its head and two large leaves at its side. It glared at Logan and Mightyena as drool seeped from its mouth.
"Don't think I've seen that one yet," Logan said as he drew out his Pokédex from his back jean pocket and scanned the new creature.
"Victreebel, the Flycatcher Pokémon. Acid that has dissolved many prey becomes sweeter, making it even more effective at attracting prey," the Pokédex chimed.
She's right about balance. It's pretty necessary for a team to function. Not only that, but I currently lack control over one of my Pokémon, and both Charmander and Nidoran are still low in level. I can't just rely on Mightyena though, Logan thought. He drew out a Poké Ball and then threw it forward. His newly acquired Charmander appeared on the field.
He shook his head as the buzz from the Poké Ball faded away, looked back at Logan, and then the crowd caught his attention. It slowly dawned on him that he was in a battle, and he put his hands together nervously before looking down at the ground, refusing to make eye-contact with Victreebel.
"Charmander, start with Ember!"
Charmander shook his head violently, never taking his eyes from the ground.
"Charmander?" Logan asked.
"It looks like he's too nervous to attack. Fine by me," Erika said. "Victreebel, use Razor Leaf!"
Victreebel's screech filled the stadium as she unleashed her attack. From the leaves on her sides, she released green energy that took the form of smaller leaves. They raced across the field, and Charmander finally looked up, but it was too late. The leaves crashed into Charmander, flinging him backwards. He slowly got back up, but Erika was ready to make her next command.
"Stun Spore!"
Victreebel moved across the field a lot faster than one would expect, sliding along the grass. Upon reaching Charmander, she released a fog of yellow dust into the air, and it started to slowly fall back to the earth.
"Get out of there! Use Fire Spin!"
Charmander took a step back but was not fast enough. He looked up at the dust as it started to fall against his skin, and then, panic set in. He did his best to unleash flames from his mouth, but all that came out was a small flash. The dust finished settling, and Charmander's body froze up. He stood still, only his eyes able to move.
"Wrap!"
Victreebel screeched once again and reached out with her large vine. It wrapped around Charmander's body and started to squeeze tightly. The Fire-type whimpered, and once again tried to release some fire from his mouth, but nothing.
"Charmander!" Logan yelled, helpless to make any commands that could save his Pokémon at the moment.
It wouldn't have done much anyways, as Charmander's body went limp, and then Victreebel released her grip. The Fire-type's body smacked against the ground, letting the referee know to make her call.
"Charmander is unable to battle! Victreebel wins!"
Logan withdrew Charmander and held the ball tightly. "I'm sorry, buddy. I shouldn't have forced you into a battle like that. We'll let the others do the rest."
Victreebel dragged her vine against the ground and whipped it forward, attempting to intimidate Logan.
What to do? Snorlax could crush Victreebel with a few moves, but I don't want to embarrass myself in front of this crowd by using Pokémon that won't listen. And I can't just rely on Mightyena for all of my battles, Logan thought.
Then, Mightyena took a step forward. He huffed and walked onto the field, letting Logan know that it'd be okay. He took his battle stance by lowering his head and showing off his fangs. For a moment, it appeared that Victreebel was slightly intimidated.
"Alright, Mightyena. Let's not hold back!"
"Victreebel, use Razor Leaf!"
"Mightyena, charge with Fire Fang!"
As Victreebel unleashed leaves across the field, Mightyena bounded forward, fire exploding from his mouth. He easily moved around the razor sharp projectiles and then latched down onto Victreebel's side, making the Pokémon screech from the pain.
"Wrap!"
"Let go! Get into the ground!"
As Victreebel reached out with her long vine, Mightyena released his attack and then dove backwards, digging a hole into the ground. Victreebel appeared confused as she looked around, trying to make sense of where Mightyena disappeared.
"Fire Fang!"
Mightyena erupted from the ground in a blaze of fire, and he latched onto Victreebel's side once more. This time, Victreebel was fast. She took the attack head on, but then reached around and grabbed Mightyena with the vine. She screeched as she choked the Dark-type Pokémon, pulling him from his painful grip.
"Poison Powder!"
Victreebel started to shake, and a thin powder released off of her body, following the trail of her vine. It slowly got into Mightyena's fur, and the Dark-type barked loudly.
"Iron Tail!"
Mightyena was quick and snapped his body around, smashing the entirety of his tail into Victreebel. The Grass-type released her grip and stumbled back before collapsing completely, her body unmoving. Mightyena fell back to the ground and then winced; the poison was beginning to take its toll.
Not good, Logan thought. I'm so sorry, buddy. We'll try to end this one as fast as possible, and then I'll make sure you're well fed.
"Victreebel is unable to battle! Mightyena wins!"
Erika returned Victreebel and quickly drew out her next Poké Ball. Without a word, she tossed it onto the field and it exploded open, revealing a small Pokémon with red feet and blue vines surrounding the entirety of its body. Two big eyes pierced through the vines, staring cautiously at Mightyena.
"Tangela, the Vine Pokémon. The vines that cloak its entire body are always jiggling. They effectively unnerve its foes," Logan's Pokédex read.
Logan took a look at the Pokémon and then what the Pokédex said rang true. The way that the vines moved around made him slightly nervous. He looked back to Mightyena, and began to form a strategy.
"Tangela might not look like much, but she packs more of a punch than my Victreebel did! Tangela, use Vine Whip!"
"Dig!"
As the vines shot across the field, Mightyena began to dig, quickly disappearing underground, but this time, the vines followed. Logan watched as the vines continued into the hole that Mightyena had created, and soon, Tangela stopped moving, and she scowled at Logan before heaving, yanking Mightyena from the ground.
"Bind!" Erika called.
Tangela held Mightyena up in the air, and the vines that were wrapped around his body hardened. She loosened her grip, and Mightyena fell. As he tried to stand back up, the vines constricted and the poison did more of its damage. Mightyena winced as he fell to one knee.
"Now, Mega Drain!" Erika ordered.
Tangela started a run, moving as fast as her tiny feet would take her, and she jumped into the air, reaching out her vines, but Logan was ready.
"Crunch!"
Mightyena, not having enough time to get the full attack prepared, snapped forward as dark energy formed around his body. The dark energy took the shape of jaws and crunched down onto the vines, putting a stop to the attack. Tangela howled in pain and withdrew her vines. She seemingly blew on them as Mightyena was inflicted with his binds and poison.
"Get 'em while you can! Fire Fang!"
Mightyena growled, and fire exploded from his mouth. He lunged forward once more, getting a direct hit on Tangela. More fire emerged from his mouth, and they were both engulfed in flames. The two Pokémon shrieked as a mix of poison and fire flowed through their bodies. But soon, Mightyena let go, and he backed away as Tangela stood still.
"Did he win?" Yurie wondered.
Seshiru stood up. "Logan, watch out!"
"Constrict!"
Before Logan could make his call, Tangela released more vines from her body. They quickly wrapped around Mightyena and then lifted him into the air by his head. Mightyena struggled as his body was pulled, and his body shook. Soon, the binds, poison, and Tangela's direct attack had done their damage, and Mightyena's body went limp. Tangela released her grip, and Mightyena crashed into the ground. Tangela bobbed back and forth, tired and worn from the battle.
"Mightyena is unable to battle! Tangela wins!"
Logan sighed and then pulled Mightyena's ball from his belt. He let the red light absorb Mightyena, something that he wasn't privy to.
"What Pokémon do you think he'll use next?" Seshiru asked. "He's got two options, and they both seem like risky ones."
Yurie nodded. "Nidoran is a fighter, but I'm not confident that he could take on Tangela and Erika's last Pokémon. Snorlax probably could, but there is a chance that she simply won't listen."
Logan considered his options. He looked down to his Level Ball and Heavy Ball, and then, with little hesitation. He made his selection. "Go!"
From the flash of light that exploded from the Poké Ball, Nidoran appeared. He stretched his neck before looking onto the field, noticing the damaged Tangela.
"Nidoran, you're going to have two opponents in this bout. Fight as hard as you can," Logan said.
"Nido," the Pokémon muttered while lowering his head.
"Constrict!" Erika ordered.
"Focus Energy!"
As Tangela released the vines from her body, Nidoran closed his eyes, and a veil of red energy started to surround him. The field below him shook, and soon, energy was flowing through his body.
"Bob and weave!" Logan yelled.
Nidoran started to run forward, and somehow, he was small and nimble enough to get past the charging vines.
"Poison Sting!"
Halfway through the mess of vines, Nidoran started to put focus into his horn, and it began to glow purple. He lunged, jabbing directly in the middle of Tangela and making the Grass-type fly backwards. She landed with a hard thud, and all of the vines came to a rest.
The referee nodded before she held up her flags. "Tangela is unable to battle! Nidoran wins!"
The crowd cheered as Nidoran jumped back a few feet, taking his place in front of Logan again. Erika returned her Tangela and then elegantly pulled out her next Poké Ball from her kimono. "This has been an intense battle so far, but I know that you're Nidoran won't be enough. He only got a lucky strike on my Tangela."
Logan looked at his Nidoran. She wasn't entirely wrong, but Logan believed in Nidoran's strength, and that's why he chose him.
"Go, Bellossom!" Erika called while throwing her final Poké Ball up into the air. A small Pokémon with a skirt made of long green and yellow leaves materialized on the field. It lifted its stubby arms into the air and smiled as it absorbed in the light that shone through the glass ceiling.
"I've seen a Bellossom before," Logan said, remembering Yurie's battle with one in Hoenn. "They can be pretty elegant yet strong Pokémon. But my Nidoran can handle himself."
"Nido!"
Erika simply smiled. "You have no idea. Sunny Day!"
Bellossom reached her arms into the sky and started chanting. A ball of bright white emitted from her mouth, before a ball flew into the air, exploding, and creating a surge of artificial sunlight.
"One more Focus Energy!"
"I see," Seshiru whispered.
"What?" Yurie asked.
"The unfortunate truth is that Nidoran is probably considerably weaker than Bellossom. However, if Logan uses Focus Energy, it could very well double the strength of his attacks. He just has to avoid getting hit."
Nidoran finished charging his energy, and now the red veil that surrounded his body was even more intense. He stomped on the ground and roared, ready to battle with all of his heart.
"Solar Beam!" Erika commanded.
"We can't let it hit!" Logan said. "Get in close and use Fury Attack!"
Nidoran watched as the solar energy started to collect near the ceiling, and soon enough, it shot downwards. He was fast though, and raced forward, narrowly avoiding the beam. It crashed into the ground behind him, sending him flying forward, but he used the momentum to land in front of his opponent. And then, before Erika could make her command, he started to attack. Nidoran jabbed with his horn multiple times, getting in direct attacks to the mid-section and face, but Bellossom took them all with ease.
"She's not even trying to dodge," Logan noted as he watched Nidoran launch his repeated attacks.
A smile came over both Erika's and Bellossom's faces. And then, a beam of light exploded from the ceiling once more. Nidoran looked up, and seconds before it could strike him, he jumped back. The explosion still did damage though, sending Nidoran reeling.
"One more Solar Beam!" Erika commanded.
Logan had already formed a strategy in his mind immediately after the previous attack. "Into one of the holes!"
Nidoran looked across the field, noticing one of the three holes that Mightyena had created, and then ran for them. Just in time, he was able to disappear into one of them as the beam of light crashed into the field. It exploded, forcing Nidoran out of the hole and into the air. He crashed down hard in front of Logan's feet, and his body was still.
"No…" Yurie muttered.
The referee glanced over at Nidoran, making sure that it was time to make her call, But then, Nidoran started to stir. He rolled over onto his stomach, and then stood up on his two front legs before forcing himself to a full standing position. He let out his war cry once again, and then light, unlike the light that had filled the field, covered his body. Energy swirled, and Nidoran's body began to shift and grow. Soon, the white energy exploded from his body, revealing a brand new form to Logan.
"Nido!" it cried out, now appearing much more battle hungry than before.
"Nidorino, the Poison Pin Pokémon. It raises its big ears to check its surroundings. If it senses anything, it attacks immediately," Logan's Pokédex chimed.
"Just in time," Logan muttered. "It's nice to meet you!"
"Nido!" the Pokémon called back.
"I see," Erika said. "Your bond with your Pokémon is fairly strong." She observed Bellossom and her wounds from the previous Fury Attack. "Let's restart, shall we? Synthesis!"
Bellossom started to chant as she absorbed the light from the sun. Her body began to glow and the wounds that were inflicted soon started to heal over. She looked out at Nidoran, a smile forming on her face.
"I think it'll still take one," Erika said. She glanced up at the bright light, noticing that it was starting to fade. "Solar Beam!"
"Give them your Poison Sting!"
Nidorino ran forward while Bellossom charged up energy once again. She released it from the air, and it fell downwards at Nidorino. This time, it crashed in front Nidorino, putting his attack to a stop, but it didn't blast him back. He closed his eyes as the light faded away, and then, to his surprise, Bellossom emerged.
"Petal Dance!"
"It was just a distraction!" Logan yelled.
Bellossom surrounded herself in pink petals and then sent them forward. They sliced into Nidorino, making him cry out, but then he refocused and looked towards Bellossom. He blasted through the petals and then jabbed his poisonous horn directly into her. She keeled back as the super-effective attack hit her.
"And now Double Kick!"
Nidorino twisted on his two front legs and then kicked backwards, knocking Bellossom directly in the face. She fell onto her back and looked up at the Poison-type who now towered over her, baring his fangs.
"Continue your Petal Dance!"
Bellossom quickly twisted her body and got back to a standing position before unleashing more petals onto the field. The two Pokémon continued to attack one another. Petals ripped into Nidoran as he furiously jabbed and kicked. After a few moments of a struggle, the two ceased their attacks, and they stumbled backwards, both taking in deep breaths.
"Bellossom, finish this with Solar Beam!"
Bellossom nodded before she lifted her arms into the air. She took in a deep breath, and then her arms fell back to her sides. Her eyes rolled backwards and then she fell onto her face, her body unmoving. Nidorino growled once more before he stamped his feet and then roared.
The referee nodded. "Bellossom is unable to battle! Nidorino is the winner!"
The crowd cheered as a look of shock came over Erika's face. She slowly returned Bellossom back to her ball and then walked onto the field. Logan met with her, and he pet Nidorino softly on the head.
"Looks like I underestimated you, Logan. Losing leaves a bitter aftertaste, but knowing that there are strong trainers spurs me to do better," Erika said as she pulled out a small box from the inside of her kimono. "I concede defeat. I shall give you the Rainbow Badge!" She opened the box to reveal a multi-colored badge the shape of a flower. Logan slowly took it and then held it into the air for the crowd to see, and they cheered.
"I'm curious to see where you go next," Erika said. "Hopefully we can have a rematch someday."
Logan nodded. "I'm looking forward to it!"
"Kanpai!" the three yelled out as they clanged their bottles of cola together.
"You did wonderful today!" Yurie said. "I was worried there for a moment."
Logan looked down at his Nidorino who was enjoying his own drink of Pokémon safe cola. He then took a drink and winced.
"What in the world is this?!" he asked. He looked at the cola in disgust.
"It's zero calorie!" Yurie exclaimed.
"Yurie was concerned that you've been eating too much, so she bought 'healthy' cola," Seshiru added.
"This is disgusting! I want real cola!"
"You need to watch your weight!"
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
So, a relatively close battle for Logan. The team he has will be the same for awhile. He won't be catching another Pokémon for a few more chapters. During that time, I wonder if he can get Snorlax to come around!
Next chapter, we'll be introducing a new character. And then, it's contest time!
REVIEWS:
CrescentApple - "Damn it, i knew it! Seshiru reminds me a bit of Brock and Misty esrlier, but I never said anything. She likes water pokemon, like Misty, and she is old enough to understand patience, and relationships, like Brock. okay, Brock mainly flirted, but i figured he could also tell if someone likes another person. Anywho, this was a nice slice of life chapter. We get to see Yurie and Seshiru bond, and Logan got to meet Logan and get a new pokemon :D. Yurie: squirle Logan: Charmander Cyan: Bulbasaur" - The starters coming out like that was not intentional. Haha. And as for Seshiru being like Brock and Misty, well, the Misty part is sort of intentional. She does model herself after Misty afterall. And as for Brock, she's older than Yurie by a couple of years, so she simply has the experience.
pokemonking0924 - "A relaxing day for our heroes. Seshiro giving Yurie some relationship advice about her feelings for Logan. Logan got to enjoy some free pizza and a Charmander from an old friend/rival of his father (it was nice of him to name Logan after his old fiend). I especially liked the older Logan's restaurant and how Pokemon are the cooks. Looking forward to seeing what becomes of Yurie's feelings and how oblivious Logan really is to them." - I'll be diving into their relationship a lot more this time around. I'm curious to see how it'll all work out.
Kunoichi69 - "Girls night out and it seems like Seshiro has some good relationship advice, the only question now is if Yurie will take it or not. Meanwhile Logan meets an old friend of his father and Clay, we also learn that Logan was named after the old pizza chief and that his father was Driftveil City Gym leader at one point. Plus he got a Charmander too, another possible power house when it fully evolves." - Logan being named after an old pizza chef sounds like a dream come true for him.
wisdom-jewel - "I had a feeling that Logan was named the guy while reading the scene. It reminded me of a old schoolmate that was named Logan but he was named after three X-men character. He told me his father and uncle made a bet to whoever had the first boy will be named Logan since the character was their favorite. So I really did think that what was that Greg lost a bet to his friend or just named after him just because.. I do agree with Yurie. Breaking up might cause some bad blood. And Logan might be to dense to see they Yurie might be developing romantic feelings for him. It would be funny if he mentions that why can't two people of opposite genders be friends or have a deep platonic relationship." - I named Logan after Wolverine. I decided that if I ever have a son, then I want to name him Logan, so that's why I chose the name. I think Logan's head is too deep into battling to even think about what a platonic relationship is. That said, he wanted to travel with Yurie for a reason.
