Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon! All Pokémon names, Pokédex entries, and places belong to the creators of Pokémon (Game Freak, Nintendo, Creatures, etc.) This story is solely for entertainment purposes from a Pokémon fan. I'm only writing because I am a huge fan Pokémon since I was young.
Previously on Journey to Remember, Dillon and his friends recently evaded Sebastian's evil plot on Mt. Chimney while riding the hanging cable cars. Sebastian and his forces took control of the cable car control room. Dillon dangerously crawled along a rope dangling high in the sky to get help, but Sebastian's forces cut the rope and caused Dillon to fall down. Fortunately, Dillon was able to use his martial art skills to land on the ground with only minor bruises. Through the chaos, Tyrogue evolved into Hitmontop to defend their trainer. After surviving from falling off the cable car railing, Dillon, Annie, Cirie, and Seth traveled down a jagged pass and made their way to Lavaridge Town.
Chapter 25: A Fiery Hot Battle
It was nightfall and the gang are resting in one of Lavaridge Town's famous traditional hot springs facility. Dillon and Seth were resting inside a hot spring trying to relieve from the stress that happened through the day.
"Hey Seth, Do you think I made a rash decision today?" Dillon asked.
Seth responded, "Well, let's see. What did you do today? You climbed out of a cable car, dangled 50 feet up in the air, and almost plunged to your death. Even a blind man can see that as rash from afar."
"You don't need to tease me about it."
"Well, Cirie is not here right now to do it so I'm taking her place."
"Gee, thanks."
"Dillon, even though the decision you made wasn't smart today. I can see that you care about your friends. You care enough to put yourself into dangerous situations."
"Thanks, bro. Sometimes, I just feel too optimistic and feel it is up to me to save the day."
"I think it just show you're a good person. Do you still feel that you are a burden to us still?"
"Good question, in some ways I do. You, Annie, and Cirie have been such great friends to me in a short amount of time. I feel like it is my fault for putting us through these roadblocks."
"You aren't incorrect. The reason we're in these sticky situations is because of your ties. However, It's not your fault because it is out of your hands. You can't control Sebastian, but you do have support from your friends. Annie, Cirie, and I will help you so you don't have to feel that you're the only one to fight against them."
"I also care a lot about Annie. When I saw her on the ground the first moment I met her, she appeared so fragile and sad. I remember the time when were chasing each other in a field of flowers. She was so vibrant and happy. I just want her to be happy. I don't want to see her sad."
"You care a lot about her. I also feel the same way about Cirie. However, Cirie does have a quite different personality than Annie. I would often worry about the trouble she might cause since she's very adventurous and could get herself into trouble."
"Oh, I didn't get a chance to ask you yet, but how did your love confession go?"
"It was an intense experience. Honestly, Cirie is perceptive with what's happening with others, but she is really naive with things related to herself. It got to the point where I had to just blatantly speak my truth directly."
"Seth, I really admire your honesty, passion, and bravery for doing that. Not everyone can handle honesty so up front."
"Cirie definitely does not handle feelings of love well as she was pretty much stunned after I told her. But right after, I said she should think about our relationship as something much more than just friends. She discussed a few days afterwards and she mentioned we should just remain friends for the time being which does saddens me a bit. Dillon, the more one commits, the harder it is to let go."
"Seth, It's great to have a bro like you to talk to."
After a moment of pause, Seth said, "Dillon, promise you won't be so daring anymore. You had us worried."
The two guys relaxed in the hot springs a little longer. Later on in the night, Annie was writing in her diary.
"Dear Diary, Today, I learned that Dillon can be so reckless, but brave. He does appear a lot more handsome in a heroic state... However, do I really want to focus on a relationship at this point of my life… No, I need to focus on finding my father. Dillon, Dillon, Dillon, who is he? I can't be distracted with a relationship. I need to suppress my feelings for him. I need to end it soon before my feelings for him grows to the point it completely distracts me. What should I do?"
In the next morning, Dillon went to challenge the Lavaridge Gym while his Annie and Cirie attended a hot cross bun cooking class. Seth was taking care of his Pokemon egg and some errands. The gym leader of the Lavaridge Gym was Flannery.
"I am pleased to have another gym battle. Let see what kind of trainer you really are. I am giving my all! Mag! I choose you!" Flannery said.
A snail like Pokémon consisting almost entirely of bright red magma with a spherical shell of hardened magma on her back appeared on the battlefield.
"Now challenger, please make your selection and make the first move when you're ready!" the judge said.
Dillon said, "Seviper, I choose you! Let's start with an earthquake attack!"
Seviper raised the front part of his slithery body up into the air and slams down toward the ground causing shockwaves which was super effective against Magcargo.
"Wow, you're lucky that your Seviper knows Earthquake, but this won't be an easy battle." Flannery said. "Mag, use Flamethrower!"
Mag released a powerful flamethrower toward Seviper.
"Seviper slide underneath the attack to dodge! Slither towards Magcargo!" Dillon commanded. The snake Pokémon slithers beneath the flames toward Mag. "Use Poison Tail!" Seviper used Poison Tail at the last moment.
Dillon thought. "Seviper, use Earthquake one more time."
Flannery said, "Not so fast! Mag, use Protect!"
The magma Pokémon went back into her shell and shielded herself from the damaging earthquake. She then was commanded to whip up a frenzy sandstorm attack almost blinding Seviper's sight.
Dillon noted, "Seviper, be careful. Pay attention to your surroundings and be on guard."
Meanwhile, Cirie and Annie were learning how to make hot cross buns.
"I can't believe making the dough for the bun is this much work. This is more difficult than making macarons." Annie said.
"Yeah, this takes a lot of patience for sure," Seth said.
"I would like to see Dillon make this. He doesn't seem to have patience." Cirie teased.
Annie responded, "Dillon?! All he is good at is eating the food."
"He'll probably make the dough hard as rock," Cirie teased.
Meanwhile, Flannery's Mag kept returning back into her shell as a defensive technique.
"I can't get through that shell. There has to be a way." Dillon thought.
"So what's going to be your strategy," Flannery asked.
"Seviper, hit Magcargo with an Iron Tail at the base and put some force!"
Seviper's tail glowed white and he swung his tail at the base causing the shell to fall over. Magcargo came out of his shell and cried in pain.
"Good job, now that it is vulnerable, use Earthquake!"
Seviper thumped on the ground to cause intense, supereffective shockwaves toward Magcargo causing her to faint.
"That's some quick thinking right there. Go Meg!" Flannery said.
The Lavaridge gym leader sent out a Slugma named Meg. Slugma is a pre-evolved form of Magcargo.
"Use Yawn!" Slugma yawned which caused Seviper to became drowsy. "Let's make things fun. Meg, use Double Team!"
"Oh great. Magcargo is making multiple copies." Dillon thought. "We can't give up. Seviper..."
When Dillon was about to call out a command, Seviper dropped onto the ground and fell asleep.
Meanwhile, Cirie and Annie were still perfecting the dough.
The instructor said, "Remember everyone, the dough must be a perfect texture and consistency. It can't be too soft and it can't be too hard. It also can't be too sticky. It must have the correct flour and water ratio as stated on the instruction sheet. This skill will take you all some time to perfect. Keep kneading the dough."
"Annie, you should add some flour to your cutting board to prevent the dough from being sticky." Cirie said.
"That does work! Thanks, Cirie!" Annie said.
"There are a lot of different ingredients that gets put into making this dough," Cirie said.
"Yeah, I never thought we need to put some pepper and cinnamon in bread before."
"It also says on the instruction sheet that the bread needs to be in the oven baked at a very specific temperature."
The instructor said, "Alright, it looks like all of your doughs are pretty much ready to be placed in the oven. Let's pre-heat the oven first and cut up the dough using your cookie cutters. Also, you all can keep these cutters as a present."
"These cutters are so adorable," Annie said.
Meanwhile, Dillon was figuring out how to get through Meg's reflect. Dillon switched out Minun for Seviper.
"Wait, doesn't reflect cuts the damage from physical attacks in half. I been using just quick attack and thunder punch which are both physical. What if?" Dillon thought. "Minun, use Discharge and give it your all!"
Minun released a powerful discharge attack toward Meg. The discharge broke through the reflect and caused a lot of damage on Meg.
"Well done! You have broke through Meg's reflect." Flannery praised. "But can you withstand her smokescreen. Meg, use smokescreen."
Slugma covered the battlefield in smoke clouding her opponent's vision.
Meanwhile, in the cooking class kitchen, someone accidentally burnt their dough and smoke flew out of the oven.
The instructor said, "Sorry that happened. It was a nice attempt, but you can always start over. Remember everyone, when your first batch don't turn out correct, never give up and try, try again."
Back on the battlefield, Slugma was still shrouded in her smokescreen.
"Flamethrower!" Flannery commanded.
Meg shoots a fiery flamethrower attack at Minun. Minun was able to withstand the attack, but got burned in the process. The smoke still covered the whole battlefield and Minun was trying to not breathe in the smoke.
"I think we just have to go for it," Dillon thought. "Minun, use Discharge on the whole battlefield!"
Minun released a discharge across the whole battlefield causing Meg to faint.
"That discharge was powerful, but you won't be able to defeat my Torkoal!" Flannery said.
Flannery sent out her last Pokėmon, Torkoal.
"Minun, are you ok to continue?" Dillon asked.
Minun's blue cheeks sparked with electricity showing that he is ready to continue.
"Minun, use discharge!"
Flannery said, "Iron Defense!"
Minun released his electric attack in all directions, but Torkoal reacted quickly by pulling his limbs inside his shell; his iron defense effectively shielded himself from Minun's discharge attack.
"Minun, let's win with your speed. Quick attack!" Dillon commanded.
Flannery commanded, "Use Iron Defense again!" The iron defense once again blocked Minun's attack. "Alright! It's our turn! Torkoal, use Overheat!"
Torkoal released a blazing, hot fiery attack toward Minun and caused him to faint.
"Minun is unable to battle!" the judge declared.
"Who will you sent out now?" Flannery questioned.
"Seviper, I choose you!" Dillon commanded. Seviper was still sleeping. "Seviper, wake up! Please wake up!"
Flannery waited for a minute, but wasn't patience. She said, "If you're not going to attack, I will! Torkoal, use Overheat one more time!"
Torkoal released another Overheat attack and caused Seviper to faint.
Dillon commanded, "Hitmontop! I choose you! Alright, bud. It is up to you!"
Flannery said, "Interesting choice! Why don't you start off first?"
"I will. Hitmontop, Use Triple Kick!"
Hitmontop spun on his head and rapidly spins torward Torkoal. Once Hitmontop was about to hit Torkoal, the coal Pokėmon withdrew into his shell. Hitmontop was bounced back, but stood back up.
Meanwhile, Cirie and Annie were enjoying the hot cross buns they made.
"These turned out pretty good," Annie noted.
"Yummy and delicious," Cirie added.
"Hey Cirie, Can I ask you how do you feel about Seth? He told me he confessed his love to you."
"I don't know how I feel, honestly. I see Seth as a bro. He is really knowledgeable about all sorts of things, very hardworking, and is a very talented guy. He makes me very happy and we vibe very well. However, I have thought about it and I think we should just remain friends for now. I'm not ready to be in a committed relationship yet. I still have a lot of places to experience first."
Meanwhile, Hitmontop spun around on his head rapidly to re-direct the incoming Overheat attack back to Torkoal. However, Torkoal used Iron Defense as his shield again.
"I have to figure out a way to get through the Iron Defense, but how?" Dillon thought.
"I have to say that having Hitmontop rapidly spinning around to deflect the Overheat was a creative move on your end." Flannery praised. "That was Torkoal's third Overheat. We have to make this one work before it is too late. We have to try to slow Hitmontop down. Torkoal, use Sludge bomb!"
Torkoal released multiple sludge bombs from his mouth at Hitmontop. Hitmontop attempted to dodge all of the sludge bombs while spinning across the battlefield on his head. As Hitmontop was spinning, Dillon noticed the soil was being flung all over the place. Suddenly, Hitmontop became shrouded in dust and vanished in a hole. Both Dillon and Flannery were shocked. In a sudden, Hitmontop emerged from the ground and struck Torkoal causing major damage.
"Bud, you learned dig!"
"That's some luck," Flannery said. "Torkoal is getting tired! But we have to go for it. Torkoal, put everything you got and use Overheat!"
"Hitmontop, I believe in you! Spin as fast as you can directly toward Torkoal!" Dillon commanded.
Hitmontop started to spin really fast on his side charging with his feet directly toward the Overheat attack. Torkoal's Overheat was not as strong as before and allowed Hitmontop to gain enough strength to push through the blazing attack causing the coal Pokėmon to faint.
The judge declared, "Torkoal is unable to battle and Hitmontop wins! The victory of this battle goes to the challenger, Dillon!"
"You did really well. I was impressed by your power and quick thinking with a little bit of recklessness." Flannery noted.
"Thank you." Dillon expressed.
"It is my pleasure to award you this Heat Bagde."
Later on in the night, Dillon reunited with his friends at the hot springs facility.
"Hey guys, I won the Heat Badge!" Dillon said.
Seth said, "Congrats, Dillon.
"And Hitmontop learned dig!"
Cirie said, "Congrats Hitmontop! It has been an accomplished day."
Dillon answered, "You bet! All I want to do now is relax in a hot springs."
Hi Everyone, I finally finished the 25th chapter of this story! If you read up to this point. Thank you! I really appreciate it. But anyways, what did you think of the gym battle?
Please feel free to leave a comment.
Dillon's Team:
Hitmontop: Lonely Nature; Ability-Guts; Moves: Tackle, Brick Break, Low Kick, Low Sweep, Counter, Dig, and Triple Kick.
Minun: Bold Nature; Ability-Minus; Moves: Spark, Helping Hand, Quick Attack, Thunder Punch, and Swift
Seviper: Hasty Nature; Ability-Shed Skin; Moves: Poison Tail, Bite, Wrap, Iron Tail, Glare, and Earthquake.
Ralts: Moves: Safeguard, Psychic, Confusion, Teleport and Disarming Voice
Bagon: Moves: Headbutt and Dragon Claw.
Annie's Team:
Fennekin: Ability-Blaze; Moves: Ember
Plusle: Jolly Nature; Ability-Plus; Moves: Helping Hand, Spark, Electro Ball, Discharge, and Swift
Cirie's Team:
Makit/Makuhita: Brave Nature; Ability-Thick Fat; Moves: Seismic Toss, Arm Thrust, Vital Throw, and Bulk Up.
Wurmple
Seth's Team:
Walrein: Moves: Ice Ball, Ice Beam, and Surf.
Swellow: Moves: Wing Attack
Nuzleaf: Moves: Razor Leaf
Wurmple
