July gave only a quick look at the list of trainers that had won the Gym challenge in Pewter. Sure enough, G. Ayn was near the top of the list. "So he did it, uh?" She thought in passing. She wondered if Raziel had won as well, but she realized on that moment she did not know his surname. There was an R. Spartos near the top of the list though, so maybe. No trace of Andrew on the ledger, he must have been still training.
She took a deep breath as she walked in the arena, taking a route through the gym. She run in another challenger once, but thankfully he already had five, so there was no fight. And so, amazingly, she made it to the Gym Leader without running into a single challenge. 'How did I even do that.' She wondered, looking at the arena surrounded of rocks. One of them looked broken, like something had… punched a hole in it? 'Must have been some high-level fight.' She thought.
Brock was sitting on the ground, surrounded by no less than ten Poké Ball. He had a black t-shirt on, and was apparently reading some magazine that, judging by the cover, was on paleontology. The Pokémon depicted on the cover were great dinosaurs, but she couldn't read the text on it from where she was. The man raised his eyes and nodded. "Welcome." He said, gesturing her toward the other "I don't suppose there are many people in the Gym right now."
"Yeah, somehow I made it here without a fight this time."
Brock raised an eyebrow "Didn't make it the first time?"
July gulped but answered honestly "Yeah, I run in another trainer and lost yesterday." She stared at Brock, but he did not make any additional comment as she walked to her position.
"So how many badges do you have?" He asked.
"I just started in Pallet four days ago, don't have any yet." She replied. He nodded and quickly took two Poké Ball from the ground. He checked something and nodded.
"Very well. I'll use two Pokémon. You can use one or two." He said, opening a ball and sending out a Geodude, who stood there, ready.
July took out Bulbasaur's Poké Ball and sent her out.
-x-
Bulbasaur stared at the Geodude, who had now put himself in position to fight.
She smiled "Ok rock, let's see what you can do."
In response, Geodude quickly took a stance, and shouted at full lungs "Ok master, let's kill da hoe. Beeeeetch!"
For a second Bulbasaur was too shocked to talk. Then she grinned, her anger exploding "Oh, I am going to enjoy this a lot more than I expected."
As soon as Slit-Eyes gave the start, she darted forward.
"Ok Bulbasaur, go for…" Before her trainer could finish, she launched her Vine Whip. Two long vines emerged from the side of the bulb on her back. Geodude manage to block one with both hands, but the second slammed him on the head.
Geodude grinned and pulled the Vine in his hands, throwing Bulbasaur upward and then slamming her on the ground.
"Is that even a move?"
"Counts as Tackle."
"No that's not a Tackle!" She shouted, recalling her vines and taking a more prudent stench.
"Get in close range, he wants to keep you on the defensive!" The Tomboy shouted.
"I knew that, yeah." She replied, but moved forward anyway. Right on time, since the Geodude meanwhile had picked up some rocks and was starting to use Rock Throw. She easily dodged by jumping right, twirling a bit in the air for show, and then hit with Vine Whip. When Geodude went to grab one with his left hand, she smiled and bent backwards, changing the Whip's course slightly and throwing off the Rock Pokémon's grab. She then started running forward.
'Alright, now…' She thought, but she was interrupted by the Tomboy's call "Jump to the left, now!"
"What do you m…" She began, but then noticed the movement of Geodude and did it right on time. A second later, the Rock Throw landed where she would have been had she not changed course. "Ok, I hand it to her, that was a good call." Bulbasaur said, running forward and hitting with Vine Whip, this time aiming the vines to the sides of the Geodude. The Pokémon ducked, hoping to make both blows fly over his body, but Bulbasaur smiled and bent her back forward, making the vines fall on him.
"Ok master. Let's kill da hoe." She said mockingly "Now just go to sleep." She said, preparing her last Vine Whip.
Geodude smiled "I refuse." He said, and blocked the blow with his arm. To his surprise, however, the attack didn't stop. Instead, Bulbasaur smiled.
"I so hoped you'd say that." She said as the vine locked itself around his arm. "Let's see if you like Tackle, shall we." And then she pulled. Geodude had only a split second to realize what was going on before he found himself pulled high and then forced to crash down to the Arena. The Pokémon did not wake up from that.
-x-
"A bit on the rough side, I might say." Brock commented recalling Geodude "But all in all I'd say a good first match. Now however I want to see serious Trainer work." He added, throwing his second Ball on the field.
July looked at it open, and at the gigantic figure entering the field. 'Oh yeah, no problem, just a Onix.' She thought.
"Fine… Bulbasaur, this one is a tough one, feeling good?"
Bulbasaur nodded. July felt relief. She was actually listening. "Ok, go for a Vine Whip up close, let's see how tough this Rock-Solid defense actually is."
Bulbasaur had already jumped forward, but she waited until she was close to unleash her vines. The giant rock snake instantly changed his position, going for a tail whip.
"Grab with the whip on his neck and pull, now!" July shouted. To her enormous relief Bulbasaur did it, pulling herself out of the way of the attack, and landing on the Onix.
"Alright, go for some Vine Whip… no, dodge!" She shouted, but this time she was too late. Onix had immediately hit the ground with his tail, creating a rain of rocks that flew towards Bulbasaur, launching her off and on the ground of the Arena. The Bulbasaur got up, but she was clearly feeling the blow.
-x-
"Dammit, you overgrown worm." Bulbasaur said, jumping to the right just in time to avoid the Onix tail, that landed right next to her.
"Now, that's not how a lady should talk." Onix replied, using the rocks created by the impact as projectile by hitting them with his tail.
"Dodge right and then stop!" Shouted July. Bulbasaur frowned, but decided to trust her once more.
'If she messes up I can always go back to ignore her.' She thought, dodging a rock by jumping left and stopping. Right on time, as another rock passed right in front of her. 'Eh, look at that, she was right.' She thought, resuming her run. Maybe the Tomboy wasn't that bad after all.
She stared at the great snake, trying to think of a plan as she kept running to avoid his tail. 'Can't hope to take him down with a battle of attrition. We… I need a plan.' She jumped to dodge a Rock Throw flying against her from below, right on time with her trainer's call. She landed and continued running, smiling.
-x-
July was thinking fast. Where would the attack land next? Where would the rocks fly? If she was hit, even Bulbasaur risked to fall before landing enough blows.
"Vine Whip to your right!" she shouted. Bulbasaur hit perfectly, timing the hit with the giant tail of the Onix. The Vine Whip hit on mark, and Onix moved it back.
"Now go for the upper body, while he can't hit you." She shouted. Bulbasaur was already doing it, running forward at full speed and jumping up to give her vines as much impact as possible.
"Wait, don't j…" But she was too late. The tail turned back, thrusting right on Bulbasaur's flank. The Pokémon flew back, July flinching at the damage of the Rock Throw… and then her Pokémon started to turn in the air. Even July took a second to realize one of her vines was locked around the body of the snake, keeping her from just flying away, like some sort of reptilian Ariados-Man. 'Great job girl.' She thought, as the Bulbasaur began to arch back and found herself on the open back of the enemy.
"Ok, Vine Whip again!" She shouted. Bulbasaur nodded and released the neck, hitting with a double Vine Whip right on her enemy's back. Onix roared in pain, then Brock gave an order and the Pokémon disappeared underground.
'Shit.' July thought "Ok Bulbasaur, it's you or him, think you can do it?"
Bulbasaur nodded.
July took a deep breath and clenched her fist. "Then I trust you! Dodge when he comes up and send him flying." She shouted.
Bulbasaur waited, extending her vines to touch the ground. Then, all of a sudden, she jumped right. A moment later, the gigantic head of Onix burst out of the ground, like a rock eruption. Bulbasaur and July smiled, and the Grass-Type hit with her whips. Onix roared back… and then collapsed.
Everyone stood in shock, before July fell to her knees. "We… did it." She whispered "We did it!" She shouted.
-x-
'That was… good.' Bulbasaur thought, with a deep breath. She stared at the Onix, as her trainer walked up to the Gym Leader.
"Ohi, you are still alive right?" She asked.
The Pokémon grumbled in response, unable to move or do much else.
"Yeah figured. Just give a message for me to the Geodude." She said "Tell him the next time he talks to me like that, I'll smack him twice as harder."
Onix chuckled "After seeing you in action, I think he learned that already."
Bulbasaur scoffed and walked away. "Yeah, but idiots usually need a reminder."
-x-
"Well, that was a decent fight." Brock said, while handing her the Boulder Badge and the TM Bide "Can't say the best I have had today, but that's…" He looked up at the hole in the rock on the edge of the arena "Kind of a tall order. Anyway, you should work on your teamwork. I could tell a couple time Bulbasaur acted on her own and with you in the dark, and while most of the time she was correct, her Trainer should be able to tell what she is doing without being too surprised to react."
July nodded. The Gym Leader smiled "Well, she is a talented one. Keep working on her training, and you will achieve a lot. Good luck with your next gym challenge." He said.
"Thank you sir. If you don't mind me asking, do you always use Onix against people with no badges?"
"Always." He replied.
"Why?"
He smiled "Was it a harsh challenge?"
"Harsh? I thought we wouldn't make it at least three times."
Brock nodded "But you made it. See, I hate to be just a boulder in your path, but the job of a Gym Leader is to make someone understand how harsh a League Challenge is. This was your first fight, and you overcame an obstacle many wouldn't. If you ever feel like giving up, think back at the Rock-Solid Gym Leader, at this first fight, and remember: whatever people might say, you and your Pokémon proved you were worth enough to beat me and Onix."
July blushed "Weirdly soft from the Rock-Solid Gym Leader." She said, before realizing she had spoken out loud. She immediately covered her mouth.
Brock chuckled "I suppose I might be, but I hate to see potential lost. Good luck with your journey, miss July." He said, extending his hand. July grabbed it and smiled in return.
Then she left the Gym, Bulbasaur right behind her. And for the first time in four days, she was truly feeling happy.
-x-
I woke up smiling. I dressed carefully then looked at the Boulder Badge. 'I still can't believe I succeeded.' I thought. Then I sighed, "I shouldn't think that. It was Gastly who gave his all and came out victorious. I think it's best to just give him a light training." I put the badge back in my jacket and looked at the map. "Let's see, if I leave by the afternoon I should be able to reach Mt. Moon by tonight at a normal speed. To cross it and get to Cerulean City, a day or two. I would say that I can take a day off and then we leave. "
Lost in my thoughts, I left the room and went downstairs. Here, I found July and Andrew busy arguing about something.
"Hi everyone." I said approaching.
"Hi Raziel." Andrew said, smiling too. I noticed the Spearow perched on his shoulder, seemingly absorbed in his thoughts.
"Hello." July added "So, did you win the badge?" She asked. I smiled and took the object from my jacket. July did the same, showing me that she too had succeeded.
I smiled "So you solved the ... problem?" I asked trying to remain vague.
"You can tell, I also told Andrew." She said "We have made great progress, thanks to some advice I received yesterday."
"I was trying to get her to tell me more about her fight, but she's obsessed that she doesn't need to know anything about the Gym."
I nodded "I quite agree with her. It wouldn't be a challenge if you already know everything, don't you think? Anyway, can't you find something online if you want? I doubt they all think the same way. "
"Yes, but it would be like cheating." Replied Andrew with a sigh "Okay, okay, I'll do it on my own. I intend to go there later today, would you like to come and see me? "
July shook his head "No, I intend to leave the city today and reach Mt. Moon as soon as possible."
"I can come. I think Gastly deserves some free time after yesterday. I will visit the museum and maybe I will train a little, but until tomorrow I will stay in the city. Send me a message when you leave. " I said.
Andrew smiled "Excellent. But now I better train again. See you later." He said stood up and left.
"So where do you think Blue went?" I asked July after the brown boy left.
She chuckled. "He's probably going to be challenging the Cerulean Gym at this point, unless something really terrible or really important has happened."
-x-
"So ... are you arguing about which of Megapunch and Megakick is the best?" Blue asked looking at the two Blackbelts, one accompanied by a Hitmonchan and the other by a Hitmonlee.
"Precisely. Silph hired us to sponsor and increase sales of these respective TMs. " The first said showing the TM of Megapunch, while the other did the same with that of Megakick.
'I don't understand ... why they are competing then?' He wondered.
"Only, my brother thinks Megapunch is better just because his starter is a Hitmonchan and therefore the punches are better!"
"THEY ARE BETTER!"
"Kicks are more powerful!"
"But they're not as accurate as punches, and you risk getting caught on enemy attacks."
'Ok ... it's just a stupid quarrel between brothers ...' He realized.
"What do you think instead?" He asked Blu the first. For a moment he regretted having intruded because of his curiosity. Then ... he had an idea. A grin made its way between his lips.
"Well… it's hard for me to tell. I mean ... I'm just a newbie, who has had his starter for less than a week. " At those words, both Wartortle and Pidgeotto, both outside their Ball, looked at him with wide eyes.
They had NEVER seen their trainer call himself a 'newbie'.
"I mean… a lot can be said on paper, but I need to see and try these moves in order to figure out which is the best of all. And I'm afraid I don't have much experience… oh well… I'm afraid you have to find someone else to solve this dilemma. BYE!" He said he and then started walking away.
"NO, WAIT!" Yelled one of them.
Blue tried his best not to smile, and then turned away. "We could teach one of your Pokémon the two moves and give you our numbers. You can tell us which one is the best after trying them. " The second said.
At that point Blue glanced at Wartortle "Oh well. If I really have to... " Making an even more monstrous effort not to smile.
-x-
Andrew smiled as he looked at the rock full of obvious scratches. 'Yes, so we can do it.' He thought, smiling "Okay guys, let's see if we can really do it." He told Spearow and Charmander that they nodded back. He looked at the orange sky. It was around 7 pm, so he still had some time before the Gym close.
"Let's do it."
-x-
Darren and Mark were in front of the Gym, the first smiling with his Butterfree, Free, in tow. The second was on edge, while his Machop seemed ready to prove his worth. Their first Gym fight in their hometown? It seemed too perfect. Darren picked up the phone almost mechanically to call her friend. "You shouldn't bother her; we're not even sure we can win. " Mark commented. Darren nodded, he was actually right, and put the phone down.
The Psychic-type was a tough type for beginner trainers like them, especially those specializing in the Fighting-type like Mark, but they both had a couple of tricks up their sleeves. With a deep breath they took their first step inside the building. It was a single room, well lit by lamps above their heads. On the floor there were two white tiles, clearly different from the others in light purple. They looked at their respective Pokémon and nodded. Then one at a time they walked onto the platform.
After a moment they touched it, they felt themselves disappear, only to reappear somewhere else, their respective Pokémon were next to them. They both drew a sigh of relief, especially Mark. He knew he was childish, but Copycat had shown them too many movies where two people, or a human and a Pokémon, teleported together, only to come out horribly fused. "Fortunately this is reality and not science fiction." Mark commented as he looked around the room. Two other teleporters were on the opposite side of the hall.
The Saffron Gym test was technically simple. Use the teleporters and make your way through the ground floor rooms to the second floor, where the Gym Leader was. Some rooms housed a trainer to face. If they had run into another challenger, they would have had to face each other if they had the same level of experience. Otherwise each would have gone their own way. Of course, the catch was that some rooms had two exits, and others one. It might take them some time to find the right path.
They jumped on another teleporter. Another room, but this time there was also another person.
"Welcome." The blonde girl said smiling "I suppose you are here to challenge the Gym. Well, to proceed one of you will have to beat me. If you do, I'll tell you the right path for the next three rooms to get you closer to the Gym Leader. "
Mark and Darren looked at each other, then the latter nodded "Thank you." He said, sending Free "We don't have badges, and we got the license less than a week ago, so it would be 2 vs 2, right?"
The girl smiled "Exactly. Smart to evolve your Pokémon before the challenge. Now, would you like to start? " She asked, as a Poké Ball flew from her belt by itself and then split open, deploying an Abra.
"Of course." Darren said.
-x-
Andrew entered the Gym, reading the names on the panel. "J. H. G. Touki… R. Spartos… B. Oak…" He counted. He saw some other names he knew, trainers from his same year at the Pallet Town Academy. "Well, let's add mine." He thought. He wasn't actually that confident, after all the strategy his Pokémon had shown him was a gamble in a fight with a Gym Leader.
Still, he didn't have much of a choice, so he started walking on the field.
-x-
I smiled as I entered the Gym from the spectator entrance. Unlike the entrance for the challengers, this led to the upper floor, to various rows of raised seats. From there, we could easily see the battlefield, although the view was somewhat obstructed by the rocks. However, much of the arena was still visible. 'I guess that's why Brock is a Gym Leader and not an architect.' I thought. Gastly simply raised higher, about two meters above my head, from where it would be easier to watch the match.
I had received Andrew's message about ten minutes ago and ran to the Gym, but I was still afraid I had missed it. Fortunately, at that precise moment I saw my friend crossing the rocky area around the arena, clearly looking for a passage through the large rock wall. He had run into someone, but the two continued their journey separately after a few moments, which meant that he was a more experienced trainer.
"Just in time." I said relieved.
A man standing to the side approached me "First time you see a challenge at the Pewter Gym?" He asked smiling. The man looked like he was thirty years old, with short red hair and reddish eyes - something I had never seen before - and he had a cheerful tone.
"Well... yes. How did you figure it out? " I asked.
The man now looked proud, as if he had to explain some magic trick after being begged by the crowd "Well, I'm a veteran of watching Gym challenges. But I guess I'm used to it being a sports journalist. " He said "For example, I can tell you that sitting there" He said pointing to a seat two rows higher and three seats to the left, "Offers a far better view of the arena despite ... the questionable structure of the Pewter Gym."
"Oooooh." I said, not knowing how to continue "Should we ... move there? The fight is about to begin and I'd like to follow his advice. "
The man kept his red eyes fixed on me "Tell me, you are one of those guys, a 'Dexholder', right? One of the ones that Professor Oak is talking about? "
"Well, I ... Yes, I'm one of them."
The man applauded "Excellent, excellent, tell me, how is your Gym challenge going?"
I smiled, too much, I felt that my mouth went from side to side "I took my first badge yesterday, in a 2 vs 1. I'm proud enough to be honest. "
The man nodded "I see, I see. And the others? Is your friend over there one of them? " He asked. Apparently in that time Andrew had found his way around, and was now greeting Brock.
"Yes, he's one of them, the other two have already defeated the Gym Leader." I said.
The man nodded and pointed to the chairs "Shall we move?" He said standing up. I did the same and we moved upwards. I had to admit, the man was right. From that position it was much easier to see the whole arena.
'Come on Andrew, you can do it ...' I thought. The reporter didn't seem interested, even though I caught him looking in my direction once. I thought about asking him what he wanted, but then the fight started and he had to focus on it.
-x-
Andrew looked at the Gym Leader. He was wearing an orange v cut jersey and a black t-shirt underneath, accompanied by brown long pants.
He smiled noticing the challenger. "Welcome to Pewter Gym. So, how many badges do you have?" He asked.
Andrew shook his head "I am a new one. Only became a trainer little over a week ago."
"Yeah it's that part of the year after all. I have been having a lot of young Trainers recently." He said "And some have proven quite good too. Shall we see if you can live up to it?"
Andrew smiled. "Two v two, correct?" He asked. Brock nodded, sending out Kabuto.
"Uh, I didn't expect that one." Andrew replied.
"Yeah, yesterday it seemed Geodude was causing some issues with the challengers' Pokémon, I noticed some getting really angry. So today he is out of both Gym duty and TV watch privilege. I have no problem with provoking a reaction, but that didn't help him a couple times yesterday." The trainer said.
Andrew took out the Pokédex. "Shellfish Pokémon Kabuto… Found on the ocean floor eons ago… Can't right themselves if turned upside-down?"
Brock chuckled "I have no issue with people looking up info on my Kabuto, but could you send out yours?" He replied.
Andrew nodded "Sure, sorry." He opened the ball and sent out Spearow. The Pokémon stared first at Kabuto, then at him. "Yeah, looks like some of our predictions were off. Think you can do it?"
Spearow nodded.
-x-
"Alright, you oversized sea bug, let's see what you can do." Spearow said, circling him like he was a prey.
"A-Actually I am not a Bug, sir. I-I am told I am a Rock and Water-type." The Pokémon responded in a soft, polite voice, stuttering a couple times.
"Oh, sorry, I just assumed…"
"N-no problem sir, easy mistake." The Kabuto replied, bowing his head a little.
Spearow scoffed 'I got quite the green one here, don't I?' He wondered, then the Gym Leader gave the start. The Flying-type let himself fall and darted down, aiming his Peck to the Kabuto's shell. 'Rock or not, at least he doesn't look as tough as a Geodude.'
And then Kabuto turned and fired his Water Gun. Spearow yelped in surprise and immediately used his wings to stop his fall, but it was too late. He had gotten better at it after the… incident, but he was still not one of the best Flying Pokémon. The water sent him upwards, and he rolled a bit midair before regaining control. He shook his body to get rid of most of what was left and started circling around.
"Ok, no big deal, just some water."
"Spearow, go for his lower body, can you do that?" Andrew shouted. Spearow nodded and circled down. Halfway through he changed his course to dodge another Water Gun. Then, when he was about to touch the ground, he went forward. His beak prepared for the Peck as he aimed between the two large, red dots on the otherwise black lower body of the Kabuto. The Pokémon fired a third Water Gun, but Spearow changed his course.
"Sorry kid, it surprised me the first time but is not that hard to predict once you know what's coming."
"A-Amazing, mister. Y-You are really smart." The Kabuto said.
Spearow flinched at the compliment and sped forward, hitting with Peck. Unfortunately, Brock had figured out his intentions, and right before the hit connected, he told Kabuto to lower his head. The hit landed on the harder shell… Where Spearow noticed two black dots.
'Shit, he has eyes on the back of his…' Kabuto turned around, the Water Gun already charged, firing square at Spearow. The Tiny Bird Pokémon rolled back again, before going back to the offensive. 'Still better than Geodude. At least this one has a clear weak spot.'
Their original plan against Geodude – the one Pokémon they were sure would have been on Brock's team – had been to send out Charmander and have him take care of it and of whatever came next, with Spearow at best handling support by tagging in for a bit.
'Lucky us the boss is smart enough to counter it. The water could have done a number with Flametail.' He dodged the next blow of Water Gun and dove forward.
"Fury Attack! He can only fire Water Gun from the lower body, so you should be ok as long as you stay offensive!" Shouted Andrew.
The Flying-Type nodded and prepared his beak. Kabuto immediately lowered his head, but Spearow was undeterred, attacking anyway the shell. 'No matter how good he is, there must be a hole in his defenses.' He then noticed his legs, outstretched to hold up the Pokémon.
"Yes…" He hit with two consecutive Pecks the legs, and as expected the Kabuto squinted and tried to run back. Andrew and Spearow grinned together.
"Focus on the legs, don't let him get away." Andrew shouted.
"No need to tell me boss." He said, darting forward with another Fury Attack.
"Direct mode!" Shouted Brock "Go for Scratch and then dry him up."
"Do what?" Spearow was about to ask, when Kabuto scratched with one of his short limbs. Spearow furrowed, unsure of what was the Gym Leader plan but dodging… and then realized his mistake as four shining vines of energy exploded from Kabuto's face and touched him, sucking away his energy.
"Absorb?" Andrew asked "Damn, but… Spearow, it's your chance, go for the offensive too."
"No need to tell me boss. Again." He said, flying forward, directly into the Absorb. The attack hit the soft face of the Kabuto, still showing, and hit. Kabuto moved back in pain, and Spearow moved forward… only for the Pokémon to fire a Water Gun at point blank. Spearow was sent back, rolling on the ground, but managed to get up again.
"Press him and watch out for Absorb!" Andrew shouted.
"Fire Water Gun when he is far off, and if he gets past hit with Absorb." Brock said on his side.
"Alright boss." Spearow said, taking flight once more "One last dance kid."
"Y-Yes sir… so cool…" The other Pokémon murmured, in awe. Spearow ignored him and flew forward. He saw the Water Gun coming and dodged left, then moved up to dodge a second shot. When he got close, the water stopped and instead the tendrils of Absorb darted out. Spearow dodged three and then Pecked on the face the Kabuto. The Pokémon surprisingly did not move back, instead throwing his fourth energy tendril forward. Spearow moved away at the last second, hitting the ground with his foot to give himself more sprint, somehow making the Absorb miss by an inch. And then the Fury Attack started.
Kabuto fell to the ground, unconscious for the many hits, and Brock called him back. "Nice show out there." He heard Brock say. Then the trainer took out a second Poké Ball.
Spearow looked in horror as what looked to be a nearly 30 feet tall rock snake emerged from the Poké Ball. 'Well, that's unexpected.' He thought. The Onix roared his challenge.
-x-
Externally, Andrew did his best poker face. Internally unfortunately he was screaming. They knew Onix was Brock's signature Pokémon, but from that to using it on a newbie was a pretty big jump. He glanced briefly at the spectator seats, were Raziel was sitting 'I don't know if I am sad or happy they didn't tell me.' Considering how hard he had taken his defeat against a Geodude, he might have still been training out there otherwise.
He looked at the matter at hand. Spearow for now was still on the field, although pretty damaged by his fight with that oddly combative Kabuto.
"Go for Peck and Fury Attack all over his body, and watch out for his attacks. Even if you can't take him down, the more damage the better."
Spearow obeyed. The enemy's tail flung upwards, but Spearow could easily dodge such a big target, and managed to land a couple Pecks and a Fury Attack, although the Onix was barely disturbed by them. Then the tail hit the ground, creating a rain of rock that flew toward Spearow. The Flying type did his best but was hit by one of them and fell. Before he could hit the ground, Andrew called him back.
"Nice show out there." Andrew said "Now, let's see if we were right." And he sent out Charmander.
-x-
The Fire-Type landed in the middle of the Arena and looked up, and then higher, until he finally found the face of the Onix, about twenty feet from him. "So, how is the weather up there?"
"Boring when you get asked for a hundred times."
"Yeah, I should have guessed. Sorry."
"No problem. Shall we begin now?" The Onix asked, as his trainer gave the order to use his tail for Rock Throw.
Andrew and Charmander acted together "Ember on it and then jump!" The trainer said, as Charmander was preparing to do so. He fired the Ember, which landed on the rocks, and then jumped, avoiding the blunt of the attack by inches.
"Now, Metal Claw!" Andrew shouted. Charmander run forward and immediately hit with the claws… leaving deep claw marks on the rocks on Onix body.
"What?" Brock said, surprised.
"What?" Onix asked.
Charmander grinned and run forward using their surprise to hit more with his new move, leaving deep marks all over the Onix body. The Pokémon roared for the sudden damage.
-x-
Andrew thought about his training. At first he was skeptical of his own possibilities, until he saw that Charmander had learned to damage the surface of the rock, an attack that Charmanders could not normally learn, not naturally at least.
And now he had the advantage, while the rocks were being damaged one after the other.
"It's working!" He yelled "Dodge Rock Throw and then Ember!"
Andrew nodded when Charmander obeyed. The Rock Throw flew overhead as he ducked to dodge it, and immediately used Ember on Onix's body.
Andrew watched Onix as he backed away and Charmander moved forward again using Metal Claw again. He heard the sound like metal scraping against stone.
-x-
"But it's..."
"Impossible." I said.
"Incredible." Said the reporter, who suddenly became interested in the fight. He had made some comments about the fight between Spearow and Kabuto, mainly to comment on how useful the Pokédex was, but now it was the field that caught his attention.
"That's not Scratch." I continued. "It's not even any Normal move that I know of. The only move that comes to mind is Metal Claw ... but I didn't think Charmander could learn it. "
"They can usually if crossed with Aggron, Druddigon or Duraludon, or if they are trained specifically, usually with these same Pokémon." The reporter declared "It's a move whose type is still debated, there is a Gym Leader in Johto named Jasmine, who also specializes in the Rock-type. Her Steelix makes particular use of another move with a debated type, Iron Tail. She uses it to defeat Rock-type Pokémon. "
"These are analogous cases to Curse, aren't they?" I asked.
"Exactly. These moves have properties that are not attributable to any cataloged type. " He explained the man without missing a second of the fight "But until more information about them is published, we can't say much more. I have known from reliable sources that this is what Professor Elm is focusing on. "
"So, there are at least two moves capable of compromising the Rock-type ... I assume there is a commonality."
"Right." The reporter said "I think I'll try to interview your friend then."
-x-
"Damn that hurts." Onix said.
"Really sorry." Charmander said "But I was taught to never hold back." And he used his Metal Claw again.
"You have a pretty good trainer." Onix replied swinging his tail around, Charmander jumping back and ducking to avoid the blow. He then lunged forward, hitting him with Ember.
Brock shouted a command, a single word the Lizard Pokémon didn't catch and Onix nodded, disappearing underground.
"Shit, it was Dig." He said, then reflexively covered his mouth. Was he picking up some colorful vocabulary from Spearow? His breeder's Charizard would have ...
"Charmander, jump left, now!" His trainer shouted him out. Charmander regained his focus and tried to, but he was too late. He was hit by the emerging Onix and rolled back, clenching his teeth as he landed. He got back up and with a shriek jumped to the side, right on time to avoid a boulder thrown in his direction.
'Alright, that was dangerous, back on the offensive.' He thought, jumping forward. Onix disappeared again underground.
This time, Charmander did not get distracted. He could feel the slight vibration coming from under his feet. Weak, then stronger, then stronger… He jumped away, and a second later Onix emerged in the point where he was. He smiled and fired an Ember, then attacked with his Metal Claws. Onix roared in pain, and then fell to the ground.
Charmander smiled, then he had a strange sensation.
-x-
"It's… Evolving!" Andrew shouted, a full smile replacing his victorious grin.
Under the eyes of everyone on the field and in the seats above, the shape of Charmander grew taller, a horn sprouted on the back of his head, and his tiny claws sharpened, his paws growing larger. Andrew run to him as a surprised Charmeleon looked at his newfound claws and height.
The Pokémon smiled back, jumping in joy. And then Brock laughed, clapping his hand "Bravo, bravo challenger. Not only you beat my Rock-Solid defense at a disadvantage, but your Pokémon evolves at your first Gym. How is that for a successful day?" He took out the badge and the TM as he walked closer "This wasn't the most spectacular fight I have had these days, but it certainly was one of the most satisfying for who took up my Gym. So here, take these as your rightful prizes."
Andrew grabbed the badge and the disc. He could hear Raziel clapping on the seats, but he didn't even turn around, too busy looking at a cheering Charmeleon. He let out Spearow, who apparently felt better, and flew to the reptile.
Andrew feared his mouth would break from his smile overstretching.
-x-
"You are taller." Spearow noted.
"I… I guess I am." Charmeleon replied "I also feel… Stronger."
"Well, I would expect that much. After all, you just evolved." Spearow added. He examined him, puzzled "So what purpose does the horn serve exactly?"
"No idea." Charmeleon said, bending his head backward. He then quickly moved it back up "Feels heavy though. Might take a while to adjust to it."
"I am sure you will get used to it fast. Fearow always said the hardest part of evolving was learning to deal with the new stuff that pops around. Bigger wings, longer beak…"
Charmeleon nodded "Charizard always said the weirdest thing are the wings on your back. But for now, all I have seems to be a straight upgrade."
"And those claws will come in handy to use that move of yours."
Charmeleon nodded.
-x-
"That was seriously impressive. I have a League Challenge runner up that is supposed to show up today, so I can't leave now, but could you see if your friend is interested in a brief interview later today?"
I thought for a moment "Sure, no problem."
The man smiled and gave me a business card "Here, here's my number. I feel this could lead to a great future for Pokémon battles, it's hard to talk about a move similar at Kanto… "He started to giggle, then compose himself.
I read his name on the business card 'James Flint, Kanto Battling Monthly Magazine... Well, I suppose I could always ask Andrew, he can always refuse if he doesn't like it.' I thought as I stood up 'Besides, I'm also curious to know how he learned such a move.'