Pokemon: Radiant Ruby and Shining Sapphire

Chapter 12

Battle of Strength

Ruby shot up in his bed the next morning upon Combusken slamming his fist against the wall at the end of the hallway. The boy leaned out from his own 'dorm' and asked, "The hell are you doing?"

Combusken looked back at Ruby and thought, "Practicing, what else?"

Ruby groaned, "Yeah but can't that wait? It's morning…"

Combusken chirped, "You are confused. It's noon."

In disbelief, the boy looked back into his small bed area. The electronic clock read '12:22'. He snapped back outside and asked in an agitated tone, "What the hell man?! Why didn't you wake me up sooner?!"

His partner explained, "You needed rest. You have a big battle today. So I decided to let you sleep as long as you needed. Now stop acting like a little bitch and just get ready. Sapphire and Emerald are in the lobby upstairs."

Ruby quickly got changed into his regular clothes. He then brought Combusken up into the main room of the Pokemon Center. There he saw Sapphire laying down on a couch near the windows. Once she saw him she shot up and spoke, "Geez, why you up so early?" She giggled to emphasize the sarcasm.

The boy walked over and complained, "Well I'd be up already had someone woken me up!"

From the front desk, Kaitlin's voice rang, "Oh geez. Just calm down. I made you some food by the way. Can't fight on an empty stomach."

Ruby rushed over to the nurse's station and said quickly, "OhgodthanksI'msorryIever insultedyou." The black haired nurse smiled and pushed a bowl of some delicious looking seafood towards the boy. She then stated, "And don't worry about your team. They're all fed too."

The boy looked at Combusken, who just nodded to confirm the nurse's information. Ruby then dug into his own food. As he ate he asked, "Why are you being so nice this morning Kaity?"

The nurse sighed and said, "Please, it's Kaitlin. Kaity was my grandmother. And to answer your question, I really just want to see a good battle, you know? I mean like, on a TV they seem so distant, almost unreal even. But a battle you see with your very own eyes, you can't deny it's authenticity."

Ruby swallowed his last bite of food and said, "Yeah, I get what you mean. And it's an even bigger leap from just being on the sidelines and watching to actually commanding your team in battle."

Kailin then stated smuggly, "Just don't let Brawly fuck your team up to bad, I'd like to be able to heal them, alright?"

The boy laughed and said, "Yeah, well. Thanks for the vote of confidence." He then stood up and stretched saying, "Thanks for the food as well, of course. Wish me luck!" After this, he took off in a sprint outside the Pokemon Center.

Ruby ran until he was looking up at the orange roofed gym. He smiled and thought, "My second gym battle, I can't wait!"

From the Pokemon Center still, Combusken thought to the boy, "Yeah clearly so. So much that you forgot your partner and girlfriend at the fucking hospital!"

Ruby snapped back to reality from his dream world and thought, "Oh yeah, sorry about that. I guess I got a little caught up in the moment there." He waited for Combusken and Sapphire, who were accompanied by Kaitlin, Marshtomp. Grovyle, and Emerald.

Emerald expressed, "Well if the victor were decided by eagerness, we already know who's going to win."

Sapphire smiled and asked, "Well can you blame him? This promises to be an exciting battle!"

All six of those present then entered the Pokemon Gym. However, the insides were arranged differently than yesterday. All of the work out equipment was moved to the side. Today, the wrestling mat was an arena. Brawly stood at the opposite end facing the boy and his companions. He smiled and said, "Took yer time eh? Been rea'y for ya fer a while."

Ruby nodded before apologizing, "Sorry, champ's gotta sleep too right? Anyway, at least you're ready then already. No need to prolong the intro's."

Brawly laughed as he squatted down on his legs and said, "Yeah, but it's league required to give a propa intro, so i will." He then pointed at Ruby saying, "The name's Brawly Winchesta. And It's bout time me an my Fightin Pokemon pummel ya ta the ground."

The blue haired girl from yesterday came out between the two Trainers and explained the rules. "As this is a competition for Ruby Plake and Sapphire Birch's second gym badges the rules will be as such; This is a two on two pokemon battle. All standard regulations are in play. No permanent harm can be inflicted intentionally and after a Pokemon is unable to battle, it must be retreated. The only additional rule to this is the use of one none-held item. The first to lose two Pokemon or to forfeit is the loser. Good luck to both challenger and leader!"

Ruby laughed saying, "My first gym battle didn't even have someone to explain the rules."

Brawly stated, "Prolly just cause it was Roxanne. She likes to cut right down to the chase. Speakin of which. Let's get this show rollin'!"

Ruby smiled and said, "Alright then, let's do this!" He looked to Combusken and motioned him to his side. The humanoid bird came and asked, "So you want me to lead huh?"

Ruby nodded and thought, "You know more than me regarding the matchup, based on what I learn, I'll strategize with Lotad."

Combusken then took his place on the battlefield, realizing the plan. Brawly then gripped a Pokeball at his side and threw it saying, "Alroght! Let's go Machoke!"

A spitting image of the Pokemon that was helping Ruby move in now stood in front of him. He and Sapphire pulled out their Pokedexs, which read

Machoke

The Superpower Pokemon

Height: 4'11"

Weight: 155.0 Lbs

This Pokemon's muscle mass allows it to lift incredibly heavy objects. It only needs one arm to lift most sumo wrestlers.

Combusken assumed a fighting position, now having a general idea of what he's up against. The Machoke did the same, both waiting for a command. Ruby began, without audible words, "Combusken, Double Kick!" The Pokemon lunged towards it's target and jumped into the air, kicking downwards at his opponent. Machoke parried away the first kick, and as Combusken prepared the second, the muscular Pokemon gripped Combusken's leg and threw him to the side. The Fire-Fighting Type flipped in the air and landed, ready to see how Machoke would retaliate.

Brawly then gave out the command, "Use Karate Chop." The Machoke reacted so fast that it kicked up a small dust cloud as it jumped in the air.

Combusken was ready though. By the time Machoke descended for the blow, he quickly dodged to the side and prepared for a command to counter. But instead Ruby yelled in his mind, "Dodge the kick!" It was then that Combusken realized that the way Machoke had landed had been a perfect position to follow up with a low kick. Brawly quickly yelled, "Low Sweep now!" Combusken leapt into the air in a retreat fast enough to dodge the Machoke's helicopter kick. It was now that both Combusken and Ruby saw their opening. Ruby said aloud, "Use Mach Punch!" Combusken took one solid step forward and delivered a devastating punch across his opponents unguarded face.

Machoke staggered back a few steps before shaking its head and placing itself right back into the fight. Combusken thought to Ruby, "Nice spot with the oncoming follow up! Probably just saved yourself a team member."

The boy responded, "It was nothing, However, it looks like Machoke isn't out of this yet either. Be ready!"

Combusken nodded and readied itself once more responding, "No need to tell me twice!"

Brawly spoke to Ruby, "That was really smart of ya! And not to mention all a it wit that lil communication. But it's time we quit with the tests then. Let's show em what we got Machoke. Work Up!"

Machoke stood at a ready stance as he flexed his muscles, which drastically increased from their already impressive size.

Ruby wasted no time with his counter command. He thought, "Now! Use Ember!"

Combusken inhaled deeply before spitting out a decent sized fireball that hit its target directly in the chest. However, Machoke seemed to just power through it before taking another ready stance.

Ruby thought frustratedly to Combusken, "Great! We couldn't get hit before but now taking a hit to counter is completely out of the question!"

Combusken quickly shot another fireball, but this one, Machoke just batted away with the back of it's hand. However, instead of being discouraged, Combusken realized something, "His Attack and Defense might have increased, but his Resistance to elemental attacks still remained the same."

Before Ruby could react to his partner's revelation, Brawly commanded aloud. "Machoke, Karate Chop once more!" The Mackoke, instead of jumping this time, ran straight for it's target. It swung parallel to the ground this attempt. Combusken ducked to dodge and as he returned upwards, brought his fist into the opponent's abdominal region. As the attack made contact, the Fire-Type pokemon infused it's elemental prowess into its attack. This Fire Punch launched Machoke into the air, but it landed close enough to Combusken to grapple onto his leg. Combusken thought, "Oh shit!. Why couldn't you have just gone down!"

Brawly then yelled, "Vital Throw!" As the gym leader said this, Machoke picked up Combusken from its leg, spun him around in the air and threw him at the ceiling. The was a loud crash as the pokemon hit the top of the room and as he fell back down, part of the ceiling collapsed over him.

Ruby yelled, "Combusken!" He ran out and started to clear the rubble over his partner. But Combusken broke out from underneath before Ruby was anywhere near him. He was covered in bruises but he responded cleverly, "I wonder, were they really in need of a sunroof that badly?" Ruby sighed with relief and laughed. He then said, "You want to withdraw for a bit? I thought of a plan on how to deal with this Machoke. Lotad'll do just fine."

Combusken stretched out while saying, "Yeah, a break does sound nice. And I'm curious about this plan of yours anyways"

Ruby stood up for the rubble and said aloud, "I withdraw Combusken. He's still part of the battle though."

Brawly smiled saying, "Ya know withdraws are met with the opponent makin the first command, roght? But whateva, yer choice."

Ruby nodded saying to Combusken, "Well, that's your leave. Go on, git!"

Combusken stepped back from the arena as Ruby threw out another Pokeball. From it appeared Lotad once again. It seemed almost as if it was ready for what was to come as it stood there confidently facing the Machoke.

Brawly shrugged and continued the fight. "Machoke, Vital Throw!" The Pokemon dove towards Lotad, but Ruby commanded, "Now use Rapid Spin, then Razor Leaf!" Lotad flipped on its lilypad cover and started spinning at an extraordinary speed. As the Machoke tried to grab Lotad, the lilypad sharpened, cutting the Machoke's hand, causing it to slightly back away. Ruby then quickly commanded, "Now use Water Gun." Lotad spin stopped almost immediately, and it shot a fierce stream of water from its mouth. It landed a critical blow on the Machoke's face, pushing it over.

Brawly yelled, "Git outa there!"

But it was too late. As Machoke was clearing the water from its eyes, Lotad had already begun spinning towards its target. The lilypad gracefully cut open the Machokes skin at its sternum before bouncing backwards. Brawly ran to his pokemon and sprayed the wound with a Potion to stop the bleeding, which was successful, however, Machoke had already passed out.

The blue haired girl exclaimed, "Machoke is unable to continue, the first point goes to Ruby!"

From the sidelines, Sapphire cheered, "Hell yeah! Way to go!"

Emerald added, "That was quite impressive, but it's not over yet."

Ruby looked at Lotad to give her a thumbs up, but the Pokemon appeared to be in a trance. As the boy walked up. Lotad was surrounded by a white light identical to the light that covered Torchic during his battle with Roxanne. The Pokemon grew slightly, and as the white light dispersed, there stood a larger and more humanoid form of Lotad with red claws on its hands and feet. Ruby pulled out his Pokedex, which read:

Lombre

The Jolly Pokemon

Height: 3'11"

Weight: 71.6 Lbs

Lombre is a nocturnal predator that finds entertainment in human's misfortunes. This Pokemon will mess with fishing lines and pop out of ponds just to scare people.

The newly evolved Lombre waited to see what Brawly did next. The Gym leader spoke, "Ya sure pack a punch mate. But we'll see how ya deal wit me last Pokemon." He then withdrew his knocked-out Machoke and threw out his second Pokeball exclaiming, "You can do it Hariyama!" From the red beam came a large humanoid pokemon with gigantic thighs. It had orange flaps across its waistline and gigantic sized brown hands as well. The rest of it's upper body was a beige with two blue streaks on its head.

Ruby, having yet to put away his Pokedex scanned the Pokemon:

Hariyama

The Arm Thrust Pokemon

Height: 7'07"

Weight: 559.5 Lbs

This Pokemon is known for its habit of challenging others to tests of strength. Although it's appearance makes it look fat, this Pokemon's body is mostly composed of muscle.

The boy then slid his Pokedex back into his bag and prepared once again for battle. Brawly made his move first, "Use Arm Thrust!" Hariyama quickly jutted forwards towards Lombre, but as the attack was about to land, Lombre dodged to the side.

Ruby then counter commanded, "Lombre use Bubblebeam!" Lombre then spit up a stream of slightly acidic bubbles from it's mouth with a decent amount of force. As they reached Hariyama, they popped and splashed over the Pokemon. Hariyama shook the pain off and went in for another strike of its arms. This time however, the move made contact, shoving Lombre back a few feet.

Lombre readied itself once again for a command. Ruby however, decided to wait and see what Brawly would do next. The gym leader laughed as he said, "Yer patient approach is really startin ta annoy me, ya know? Retaliation's my gig ya see."

Ruby replied, "I've kind of caught on to that. You rely a lot on using my momentum against me. Waiting till I'm comfortable, then hitting hard when I'm not ready. But not anymore!"

Brawly nodded saying, "Yer a quick learner, and ye'll get pre'y far because of it, but this battle still ain't ova just cause ya figured me out." He then commanded, "Hariyama! Bulk Up!"

Just as Machoke had done earlier, Hariyama flexed all of it's muscles at once with incredible focus. Ruby commanded to Lombre as it flexed, "Use Water Gun now!" Lombre spat a stream of water from its mouth, but the target nearly seamed completely unfazed.

Brawly then said, "Too lil too late! Hariyama, Karate Chop!" Hariyama lept in the air, through the stream of high pressure water and swung it's hand down where Lombre's neck met it's shoulders. The Water-Grass Pokemon fell to the ground almost immediately, falling unconscious.

The blue haired girl from the sidelines exclaimed, "Lombre is unable to battle further. The score is now one to one."

Ruby ran up to Lombre and realized that the injury wasn't serious. He sighed with relief before returning his Pokemon to it's Pokeball container. The boy then looked at his partner and said, "Ok then, looks like you're up."

Sapphire cheered on as Combusken took to the field once more. The Pokemon looked at it's opponent and thought to Ruby, "What's the plan wise guy?"

Ruby gave a small chuckle before replying, "No clue buddy. It's up to you until I think of something."

"Great…" Combusken replied in a less than enthused tone. As Ruby started to think, Combusken rushed the Hariyama, which braced it's right side forward, preparing for a counterattack. However, Combusken retreated backwards immediately, seeing that it wouldn't break the Pokemon's defensive stance.

Brawly then commanded, "Use Arm Thrust!" The Pokemon responded the same way as it did when approaching Lombre earlier, charging headlong into the fray.. As it sung, Combusken ducked under the first strike and parried away two more before retreating.

Combusken took a stance as he thought to Ruby, "You picked up on that too right?"

Ruby nodded thinking, "Yeah, he's just rushing in believing it's strong enough to take whatever hit we throw at it. I've got it…"

Brawly didn't give him a chance to explain, as he commanded, "Let's end this! Karate Chop Hariyama!" The Pokemon yet again lunged straight towards Combusken, Ruby thought in response, "Double Kick on it's legs!" As Hariyama made it to Combusken, Ruby's partner dipped down, not only avoiding the oncoming strike, but also managing to land two decisive blows on the back leg of his opponent, causing the Hariyam to trip. Ruby then quickly commanded, "Mach Punch NOW!" Combusken quickly flipped back to its feet and jumped over his opponent as it fell and landed a powerful blow to the back of its neck. As the Hariyama fell forward, it slowly lost consciousness until it hit the ground completely out cold.

Ruby and Combusken jumped in the air simultaneously exclaiming, "Good SSSHHHHHIIIIIITTTTTT!"

The blue haired referee announced, "Hariyama is unable to battle. The final score is two to one, and the victor is RUBY!"

Ruby was almost immediately hug-tackled by Sapphire. Both of them laughing, Sapphire drew back and said, "You were amazing Ruby! I knew you would win!" The girl then took the boys wrist and with her free hand bumped his fist with her own saying, "You've earned it now." She then got off of the boy and back on her feet. Emerald reached his hand down to Ruby, who took it to get on his own feet. Emerald stated, "Quite an impressive battle. It was fun to watch."

Kaitlin's sigh came from behind the boy as she said, "Well, yeah it was fun. I guess that makes up for how rude you were earlier."

Ruby turned to the nurse saying, "Yeah, well I'm a pretty rude person, deal with it!"

From the other side of the battle mat, Brawly said, "If yer done wit yer congrats and all, would Ruby and Sapphire make their ways ova?"

Ruby and Sapphire did just that. As they stood in front of the Fighting-Type leader, he held out his hand and dropped a blue and orange badge relatively close to the shape of a boxing glove into their hands and said, "To the both a ya I present the Knuckle Badge. Glad ta be the one ta give ya yer second Pokemon League badge. You both put up a damn good fight mates. Keep at it!" He then reached down to grab two TMs from his belt and gave them to the children as well explaining, "This contains Bulk Up, a great move to bolster yer offensive and defensive capabilities."

Ruby and Sapphire both nodded and thanked the gym leader. The Leader smiled and said, "Well are you off then? Onto the next adventure?"

Ruby nodded saying, "Yeah, but we'll definitely come back to visit sometime. Dewford does have a pretty beach afterall. So we'll see you then." The boy gave a two finger salute as he walked over to Combusken who followed him out from the gym and onto the sandy streets of Dewford once again.

Sapphire walked out after him and yelled, "Hey, I know this isn't really the optimal time to remind you. But you still owe me a Pokemon battle, remember?"

Ruby agreed, "Yep, definitely not ready for that. I'm gona give Combusken and Lombre the rest of the day off. They did amazing today already."

Emerald, who had just stepped out of the gym as well, asked, "What do you plan to do the rest of the day?"

Ruby thought for a bit. Combusken quickly suggested, "We should talk about departing later with Mr. Briney. Afterwards we could eat and then set sail."

Ruby nodded and told the others. The four of them walked down the road to the dock. The old man they were looking for was feeding his beloved Wingull some bread. Mr. Briney saw the children approaching and waved at them, "Ruby, Sapphire…. And is that Emerald with you?"

Emerald waved back saying, "It's sure been a long time. How you holding up?" Peeko, upon hearing the boys voice took to the skies and landed on the boy's shoulder. Emerald scratched under the bird's beak.

The captain asked, "I heard from these two that you're the leader of Team Skystorm now, huh? Where's your mother at these days."

Emerald sighed saying, "I wish I knew. But with her gone, someone had to take up the responsibility."

Mr. Briney nodded saying, "Well I believe in you boy. Just keep it up."

Emerald nodded before making a brief upwards flick of his hand, signalling Peeko to fly back to her owner. Briney then asked, "So what are you here for, bet it's not just to greet an old man."

Ruby got straight to the point asked, "Could you give us a lift to the next port on the mainland?"

Briney smiled and said, "It'd be my pleasure lad. I'll take you to Slateport! Supposed to be some big contest opening thing tomorrow afternoon so If we could leave in the next hour that'd be great. I don't want to have a docking problem so I'd prefer we arrive in the early morning."

Ruby explained, "Alright then, we'll check out of the Pokemon Center and meet you back here soon!"

Emerald stated, "I'll wait here, I need to catch up with Mr. Briney some, it's been a while since I've even seen him."

Ruby nodded as he, Sapphire, and Combusken all went back into town. Sapphire asked, "I wonder how he knows Mr. Briney so well?"

The boy responded, "Well it seemed like he knew him because he was a friend of his mother's if I'm reading that right. My real question is, who the hell is Zinnia and what exactly does that make Emerald."

Sapphire quick stepped in front of Ruby and said right before his face, "Well why don't you ask him tonight? We'll be on a boat so it's not like we don't have time to talk or anything. I'm kinda curious too."

Ruby playfully picked the girl up and removed her from his path to the Pokemon Center and continued walking. He then stated, "Yeah, I think we should do that." The two then entered the red roofed building and retrieved their things. On their way out Kaitlin said over the desk, "Are you sure you should be just going after a battle like that? Shouldn't your Pokemon rest up?"

Ruby stopped and thought, but then shook his head saying, "I still have Zigzagoon. And not to mention that I trust Emerald and Sapphire can handle any trouble along the way."

Kaitlin nodded and understood. She then said, "Well I wish you luck you too. I'm sure I'll see you sometime again." She smiled and waved the three off as they waved back and walked out the door.

Combusken said while walking back to the dock, "She sure is interesting as well. Humans have a lot of unique personalities huh?"

Ruby thought back, "Well so do Pokemon. Lombre is very in your face about everything, Zigzagoon is rather lazy. And you are just sarcastic, probably because you don't feel comfortable being around others quite yet."

Combusken disagreed immediately, "I'm sarcastic because you seem to listen better when I make you feel dumb."

Ruby laughed before adding, "Well I'll keep that in mind, you know, not to feel dumb. But you know, I've never felt insulted by anything you've said."

Combusken nodded saying, "Well I'd hope so. I don't really mean to insult you, we're friends after all."

Ruby stopped walking immediately upon hearing this in his mind. Sapphire turned and asked, "What's up?"

Ruby barely heard her as he looked at his partner and smiled. "Friend huh? I think that's the first time you described me with that word."

Combusken gave a small sigh before saying, "Yeah, it probably is. Honestly, I never thought I'd ever enjoy being around humans. But you and Sapphire, there's just something about the two of you. I can feel the same thing in Emerald too. You want to progress in this world, not only for yourselves, but your Pokemon too, and for that, you all have my respect."

Sapphire gave Ruby a small slap to the face saying, "Earth to Ruby, hello?"

Ruby turned his attention to the girl and scratched the back of his head saying, "Yeah, sorry." He then continued to walk and said mentally, "We won't get very far if I'm doing everything by myself, I need you guys. And of course you, my first partner."

Combusken laughed saying, "That's enough of this sentimental shit for now. Let's just get going."

The boy gave a small chuckle before continuing to the boat where Briney and Emerald were still conversing. Emerald noticed them approaching and asked, "You ready to get going then?"

Sapphire nodded and rushed to the boat yelling, "All aboard! Next stop, SLATEPORT!"

Mr. Briney said under his breath, "That's my line…" He then looked at the other three saying, "She's right, let's get going."

Ruby, Emerald, and Combusken all boarded and the crew set sail for their mainland destination.