Chapter 24

With the new egg in Hiccup's arms, and after a long journey that took them south into Rustboro City and the Petalburg Woods, then east along route 104, the gang had made their way to Petalburg City where Hiccup was going to attempt to win his fifth gym badge.

Unfortunately, unlike previous gym battles, this one was going to be a bit tough for one specific reason. "Wait, so your dad is the Petalburg City Gym leader?" Fishlegs asks after Hiccup explained just that. "Why didn't you say so?"

Hiccup rubs the back of his neck. "It's not exactly an easy thing to admit considering I'm a trainer trying to get gym badges."

Snotlout then points out, "I just don't see what the big deal is. I had to battle my dad in order to become a leader and I didn't feel bad about it."

Astrid explains, "Well, Hiccup is closer to his dad so it's harder. Are you going to be ok, Hiccup?"

Hiccup nods. "Yeah, I think I'll be fine. I mean, I guess I figured this would be happening at some point so I might as well just get it over with."

Just after that was said, the gang had finally made it to the Petalburg gym where the big, red bearded man that is Hiccup's father was standing there. "Ah, Hiccup, you've returned!" He then notices Hiccup's vest. "And you've already collected four gym badges! Incredible. Oh, and are these friends of yours."

Hiccup thinks to himself, "Oh right, Dad doesn't know these guys in this world." Hiccup then says out loud, "Uh, yeah this is Fishlegs and Snotlout, they were leaders of the Rustboro and Lavaridge gyms, respectively, but they decided they don't want to be leaders anymore so they joined me."

Stoick nods. "I see. Well, it is nice to meet you both. Oh, and is that an egg in your arms? What Pokémon is it?"

Hiccup lifts the egg a bit. "Oh yeah, well I got it after saving it from a group of Golbat and a Crobat. It belonged to a family of Salamence."

Stoick's eyes widen. "You got a family of Salamence to trust you with their egg? My word, that is impressive. That means the egg will likely hatch into a Bagon, which evolves into Salamence. Wow, Hiccup, I don't think you realize how much of an honor that is."

Hiccup nods. "Yeah, I suppose. So, about the battle…"

Stoick nods. "Yes, I am aware. Ah, Hiccup, I always knew this day would come when you would come to your old man's gym and battle him for all it's worth. I actually didn't expect it to happen so soon. Well, I suppose we better get it going."

Hiccup nods. "Yeah, guess so."

"Hold on." Said a calm female voice coming from nearby.

They look and see a brown haired woman approach with a smile on her face. "Mom? What are you doing here?"

Valka replies, "Well, I figured you'd be coming here for your battle so I thought I'd come and watch. I do hope you make your father and I proud."

Hiccup nods. "I will, Mom. Thank you. Well then, let's do it."

They all head inside and find that the inside of the gym is set up a bit like a dojo with sliding paper doors and everything. Hiccup gave Astrid the egg while she, Valka, Fishlegs and Snotlout take their place on the bleachers and Hiccup and Stoick take their spots on the challenger and leader stands.

The referee stands on his podium and announces, "This battle between the challenger, Hiccup Haddock, and the Gym Leader, Stoick, will soon begin. Each trainer can use up to three Pokémon in this battle. In addition, only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon."

As the ref was talking, Valka thinks to herself. "Oh dear, this is going to be tough. On one hand I do want Hiccup to win because I want to see him get a badge and move on with his journey but at the same time I want to see Stoick win so he can defend his title as a gym leader and remind me why I married him. *sigh* Well, I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens."

The referee finishes by asking, "Are both trainers ready?"

Stoick then says, "Before we begin, Hiccup, I just want you to know this. Don't think I'm going to go any easier on you just because you're my son."

Hiccup replies. "I wouldn't expect anything less, Dad."

Stoick nods. "That's my boy. Ready."

Hiccup takes a deep breath before saying, "Ready."

The referee nods before raising his hand and saying, "Then let the battle…begin!"

Stoick yells, "Vigoroth, go!" He throws a Pokéball and out comes what looks like a white sloth but with a lot more energy.

The Pokédex reads, "Vigoroth, the Wild Monkey Pokémon and the evolved form of Slakoth. Vigoroth is always itching and agitated to go on a wild rampage. Its stress level rises if it can't be moving constantly."

Hiccup nods as he puts the Pokédex away. "Normal type, huh? Well, here goes nothing. Loudred, go!"

He throws a Pokéball and out pops a purple rabbit with speakers for ears and a very wide mouth.

Stoick comments, "A Loudred huh? Very interesting. Very well. Vigoroth, use Fury Swipes!"

"Vigggggg." Vigoroth runs towards Loudred with its claws extended.

Hiccup commands, "Loudred, Uproar!"

"Louuuuud!" Loudred lets out a powerful roar that stops Vigoroth in its tracks, making it cover its ears.

Stoick says to Vigoroth, "Hang in there. Vigoroth, use Counter!"

"Viggg." Vigoroth opens its eyes and slowly steps towards Loudred before striking it and throwing it to the wall and knocking it out in a flash.

"Loudred!" Hiccup yells.

The referee announces, "Loudred is unable to battle!"

Fishlegs comments, "Drat. Counter's power level doubles when the using Pokémon is being attacked."

Valka says to herself, "Come on, Hiccup. I know you can do this."

Hiccup recalls Loudred and says, "Well, guess I knew this was going to be tough. Now I'm ready. Kadabra, let's show them what we've got!"

He throws another ball and out pops a yellow cat holding a spoon. "Kadabra!"

Stoick says, "Vigoroth, show Kadabra everything you've got. Use Slash!"

"Vigg-orrr!" Vigoroth charges towards Kadabra with its claws extended even further.

Hiccup commands, "Kadabra, use Teleport!"

In the last second, Kadabra teleports away from Vigoroth and to the other side of the battlefield. Stoick chuckles at that. "Not a bad move, but it won't be enough. Vigoroth, Focus Energy!"

"Viggggggg." Vigoroth crosses its arms and its body glows a bit. A few seconds later, it pushes its arms away, looking much more ready to battle than before.

Hiccup then commands, "Hold still, Kadabra."

Stoick then commands, "Alright, Vigoroth, Slash with all you can muster!"

Once again, Vigoroth charges towards Kadabra with high speed, and just before he had a chance to hit, Hiccup commands, "Kadabra, use Confusion!"

"Kadaaaaaab!" Kadabra holds up its spoon and its eyes glow purple as it captures Vigoroth in a field of psychic energy and forces it to turn its claws towards itself and slash itself. Due to the power of the Focus Energy before, plus Loudred's uproar from earlier, that Slash attack proved to be much more powerful than normal and that was enough to take Vigoroth out.

The referee announces, "Vigoroth is unable to battle."

Hiccup nods. "Good work, Kadabra. Let's keep it up."

Stoick recalls Vigoroth and says, "Impressive. I see that you and your Pokémon have been doing a bit of training. However, this is far from over. Slakoth, go!" He throws another Pokéball, it opens up and in a flash of white comes a tan colored sloth.

Hiccup checks the Pokédex, "Slakoth, the Slacker Pokémon. Slakoth lolls around for about 20 hours of the day. Because it moves so little, its hunger can simply be satisfied with just three leaves."

Hiccup raises a brow. "Slakoth? Seems like an odd Pokémon to do for a gym battle but ok. Kadabra, use Confusion."

"Kadaaaaa…" Once again, Kadabra raises its spoon as it glows purple, making Slakoth glow purple and lifting it off the ground.

Stoick smirks. "Feint Attack."

"Slaa." In an instant, Slakoth manages to break free from Kadabra's confusion, sneak behind it and strike from behind.

"What the?" Hiccup asks.

Stoick chuckles. "You didn't honestly think I'd be using Slakoth if it wasn't a good Pokémon did you?"

Hiccup growls a little. "Kadabra, use Kinesis!"

"Kadabraaaaa." Kadabra bends its spoon using its mind, causing Slakoth to stare in confusion.

Stoick shakes his head. "Slakoth, use Yawn!"

Slakoth yawns wide and sends out a bubble that pops right in front of Kadabra's face, causing Kadabra to fall asleep.

"Kadabra?" Hiccup asks.

Snotlout comments with a smirk, "I thought that when Abra evolves it learns to not sleep so much." Astrid, Fishlegs and Valka give him a quick glare before turning their attention back to the battle.

Stoick says, "Alright, Slakoth, use Feint Attack again!"

"Slaak." Slakoth charges towards Kadabra again and strikes it with various hits that do seem to do quite a bit of damage.

Valka puts her hands together. "Come on, Hiccup. You've got this."

Hiccup growls but then takes a deep breath and says. "Kadabra, I know you can hear me. Do not let this Slakoth take you out. Wake up and show us what you can do."

As if Kadabra and Hiccup were in the same body, Kadabra wakes up and looks ready to battle once again. Hiccup smirks. "That's it. Kadabra, use Disable!"

"Kaaaaaaaa." Kadabra holds up its spoon and this time it glows black, making Slakoth do the same and making it unable to use Feint Attack.

Stoick almost yells. "What?"

Hiccup nods. "Now, Kadabra! Use Confusion!"

"Kaaadaaaabraaaaa!" Kadabra's spoon glows purple once again as it lifts Slakoth up and throws it to the celling, the walls, and the floor, knocking it out.

The referee announces, "Slakoth is unable to battle."

Hiccup nods. "You did excellent, Kadabra."

Stoick stares with wide eyes for a second before sighing and recalling Slakoth. "I must say, Hiccup, you have impressed me quite a bit. I expected nothing less from my son. However…" He then gets a look of fire in his eyes. "It's about to get even harder. Tauros, go!"

He throws another ball and out pops a brown and tan bull with three little tails. "Taurrrrr!"

Hiccup checks the Pokédex, "Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon. Tauros is not satisfied unless it is rampaging at all times. If there is no opponent to battle, Tauros will charge at large, thick trees and knock them over."

Stoick then commands, "Tauros, give 'em a Horn Attack!"

Tauros runs at Kadabra at a speed faster than Vigoroth. Hiccup commands, "Kadabra, use Tel-"But before Hiccup could finish his sentence, Tauros had already rammed into Kadabra and knocked it against the wall, taking it out. Tauros then runs back to stand in front of Stoick.

The referee announces, "Kadabra is unable to battle."

Fishlegs says with wide eyes, "Whoa, what just happened? I barely even had time to see Tauros run."

Astrid replies, "Guess that Tauros has been trained to have such high speed that it's nearly impossible to dodge. I hope Hiccup has a plan for this."

Hiccup recalls Kadabra and says, "Ok, I only have one Pokémon to choose from." He holds up a Pokéball and says, "You've gotten me out of trouble before so, Nuzleaf, go!" He throws it and out pops a brown, humanoid acorn.

Stoick commands, "Tauros, Horn Attack again!"

"Taurrrr!" Tauros runs towards Nuzleaf with the same speed as with Kadabra.

Hiccup commands, "Nuzleaf, give it a Seed Bomb!"

"Nuz-leaf leaf leaf!" Nuzleaf fires off a round of exploding sees that, while they do somewhat slow Tauros, don't stop it from ramming into Nuzleaf, knocking it to the same spot as Kadabra. However, Nuzleaf was able to get back up and jump back into it.

Hiccup grunts. "Keep it strong, Nuzleaf. Use Razor Leaf!"

"Nuz-leeeaf!" Nuzleaf fires off a round of razor sharp leaves right towards Tauros.

Stoick responds to this with, "Tauros, use Zen Headbutt!"

Suddenly, Tauros's body glows in a blue light that makes the leaves crumble as it charges towards Nuzleaf.

Hiccup quickly commands, "Nuzleaf, dodge then use Mega Drain!"

Nuzleaf manages to dodge and strike Tauros, making both of them glow green as Tauros's energy is drained.

Astrid comments, "Well, at least Hiccup managed to get a hit, but will it be good enough?"

Stoick quickly says, "Tauros, Zen Headbutt again!"

"Raurrrr!" Tauros's body lights up blue again, knocking Nuzleaf off of it before it strikes Nuzleaf with one of its horns, luckily it wasn't enough to take Nuzleaf out just yet.

Stoick smirks and says, "I told you I wouldn't be going easy on you just because you're my son."

Hiccup growls at that and thinks for a moment. "I definitely can't keep trying the same moves and expect different results. I gotta do something…something to help Nuzleaf out…wait that's it." He looks to Fishlegs and says, "Fishlegs, toss me my bag!"

Fishlegs was a bit confused at this, but did so. Hiccup goes through his bag while saying, "I knew this thing would come in handy someday…where is it? Here." He pulls out a green rock with a leaf pattern on it.

Fishlegs's eyes widen. "Wait…but that's…"

"A leaf stone." Valka adds.

Snotlout asks, "Where the heck did he get that?"

Astrid replies, "Snotlout, meet Hiccup. He's always got something up his sleeves."

Hiccup tosses the stone in his hand before looking up and saying, "Nuzleaf, catch!" He throws the stone right towards Nuzleaf.

"Nuz!" Nuzleaf leaps up and catches the stone mid-air. Both the stone and Nuzleaf glow white as its body changes. Its fingers sprout leaves, it grows a bunch of white hair around its head and back, it becomes twice its size, and its feet develop stands that look like Asian footwear. It stops glowing, revealing the new Pokémon. "Shiiiiftry!"

"Unbelievable." Stoick says.

Fishlegs adds, "Nuzleaf evolved into Shiftry!"

Hiccup checks the Pokédex. "Shiftry, the Wickid Pokémon and the evolved form of Nuzleaf. Shiftry is often feared as being the guardian of the forest. It is said to live on the tops of trees that date back over a thousand years."

Stoick nods and says, "Well then, this just got serious. Tauros, use Zen Headbutt!"

"RAurrr!" Tauros's body glows blue as it charges towards Shiftry once again.

Suddenly, one of Shiftry's leaf hands grow into a long blade that it uses to defend itself and make Tauros halt. "Hey, that's a Leaf Blade!" Astrid comments.

Valka says out loud. "That's it, Hiccup. You can do this!"

Hiccup nods. "Shiftry, use Mega Drain, get back some of your energy!"

"Shiiiiiftry!" Shiftry runs up and hits Taruos, causing them both to once again glow green as Tauros's energy is sapped, but this time it seemed that Tauros didn't have much of an easier way to get out of it. Shiftry jumps back to in front of Hiccup once it was done.

Stoick growls. "Enough games. Tauros, use Giga Impact!"

"Raurrrrrrr!" This time, Tauros's body becomes captured in a spiraling purple field before it charges towards Shiftry again.

Hiccup yells. "Shiftry, use Leaf Blade!"

"Shiffff!" This time, both of Shiftry's leaf hands grow into long blades that it crosses into an X before it charges towards Tauros. Both Tauros and Shiftry collide with equal power. Shiftry and Tauros stare each other down, both trying to get the upper hand but found themselves at a standstill until there is an explosion then sends a bunch of smoke that surrounds the battlefield.

All eyes wait patiently, anxious to find out what happened and who won the battle. A minute later, the smoke clears, showing both Shiftry and Tauros panting and covered in scratches. They both stared each other down for a few more seconds before their legs gave out and they both collapse onto the ground. The referee announces, "Both Shiftry and Tauros are unable to battle. It is a tie."

Everyone stared for a good few seconds, all completely unsure of what just happened. It was Stoick who broke the silence by saying, "A tie?" He stood a few more seconds before tears form in his eyes. "That's…the best thing I could've ever hoped for. I…I am proud of you, Hiccup."

Hiccup smiles and says, "Really? You are?" Tears form in his eyes too.

Stoick walks over to Hiccup's side of the field and says, "Of course. I honestly couldn't have asked for anything more. I expected a good battle from you, Hiccup, but I never could've imagined a tie." He puts his hand on Hiccup's shoulder before bringing him in for a big hug. "I couldn't be more proud of you, son."

The tears start rolling as Hiccup says, "Thanks, Dad. I'm glad I could battle you today."

Snotlout then asks, "So, what happens now?"

Stoick breaks from the hug and says, "Well, I am the gym leader and Hiccup did give me the greatest battle I've ever fought so…" He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a badge that is silver and is two circles connected by a line. "I see no reason not to give you the Balance Badge."

Hiccup takes the badge and says, "Thank you, Dad." He holds up the badge and says, "Alright, I just got the Balance Badge!"

Valka, Astrid, Fishlegs and Snotlout all stand up to applaud Hiccup for his new badge. "Way to go, Hiccup!" Fishlegs says.

"Nicely done." Astrid adds.

"You have made me a proud mother, Hiccup." Valka adds.

It was already getting late by that point, so they all decided to head to the Pokémon Center to heal up before Stoick let the others stay at his house for the night. It was a tight fit, for sure, but they made it work with Hiccup and Astrid in the bed they were in last time, Stoick and Valka in the master bedroom, and Fishlegs and Snotlout in the living room.

The next morning, they all stand outside Stoick's house with Stoick and Valka standing in front of the gang, with Hiccup holding his egg once again, and Stoick saying, "Well, son, it was good seeing you again. And congratulations on the new badge, it looks good on your vest. If I may make a suggestion, I'd head for the Fortree City gym next. It's just Northeast of Mauville City, you should be able to get there easily."

Valka hugs Hiccup and says, "Good luck on your journey, Hiccup. Don't forget to call me or your father from time to time."

Hiccup nods. "Thanks, Mom. Dad. I am going to miss you both."

Stoick then says, "Oh, before I forget, Hiccup, would you mind if I take your Loudred under my wing for a little bit? I saw that it had a lot of potential in your battle but perhaps if it trained with the Normal Type master, well, it could benefit it no doubt."

Hiccup thinks about it for a moment before saying, "Well, ok sure."

He hands Loudred's Pokéball to Stoick and Stoick says, "Thank you, Hiccup. I will take good care of it."

Hiccup nods. "I trust that you will. Thanks again, Dad." With that, the gang turns around and begins heading their way towards Fortree City, anxious to see what lies ahead of them.