"How are you feeling?" Ash asked.
"Nervous, should I have trained more? I should have trained more. How about we work on your contest stuff and come back to the gym in a few weeks." Brendan said.
"Okay, calm down, and have some breakfast." Ash said. "Your training paid off, Seedot has figured out Bullet Seed just fine, that along with Mudkip's Mud Slap, and Taillow's speed, you should have no problem today."
"But don't you think I should have worked on Mudkip learning a water type move?" Brendan worried.
"Brendan, I've trained a Squirtle, Kingler, and a Totodile. And spent years traveling with an expert on water types. If there's one thing I learned, it's that they'll all learn a water move soon enough on their own." Ash reassured. "When the time is right, Mudkip will let loose."
"As long as you're sure about it." Brendan said. "But what about?"
"Enough buts, eat some food or we'll spend all day here." Ash said a bit more forcefully than intended.
Later at the gym
"The gym battle between Brendan of Littleroot Town, and the gym leader Roxanne of Rustburo City will now begin. This will be a three on three match, it will end when one side has no Pokemon able to battle, only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokemon at any time." A gym worker said.
"I hope you don't mind, I offered some of my students to watch the match and take notes." Roxanne said.
"Not at all, I just hope I'm noteworthy." Brendan said, having found his confidence.
"Let the match begin!" The worker said.
"Geodude come on out!"
"Seedot I choose you!"
"Geodude use Rock Throw!"
"Seedot use Harden!"
At the larger distance, Brendan didn't want to risk attacking just yet, so allowing Seedot to build up it's defenses as rocks rained down seemed to be the safer option.
"Geodude use Tackle!"
"Seedot use Bide!"
Geodude slammed into Seedot, sending the grass type rolling backwards.
"That may work on some trainers, but it won't fool us. Geodude use Defense Curl!"
Geodude hardened it's own defenses as the energy inside of Seedot grew.
"Geodude use Defense Curl again!"
"Seedot release it now!"
Seedot shot out from where he was standing, slamming into the Geodude, and bouncing off of it.
"Geodude use Rock Throw!"
"Seedot use Bullet Seed!"
A series of seeds shot out at Geodude pelting the rock type as it fell to the ground.
"Geodude use Rock Tomb!"
"Seedot use Bullet Seed again!"
Seedot spun between the falling rocks before launching a flurry of seeds at Geodude, knocking the rock Pokemon out.
"Geodude is unable to battle, the winner is Seedot!"
"You did great Geodude, take a long rest." Roxanne said. "Come on out Aron!"
"Who's that Pokemon?" Ash asked pulling out his Pokédex.
"Look at that guy, doesn't even know what an Aron is!" One of the students scoffed.
"Then please, explain what is an Aron in greater detail than a Pokédex can." Roxanne said, stopping the battle for a moment. "You may be able to say it's typing, maybe even it's evolution, but what about habitats, or dietary restrictions, or even strengths and weaknesses."
"Well, I'm just saying…". The student trailed off.
"And I'm just saying that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated. A learning tool is only made useless when it's no longer being used. That boy is not challenging me, and simply wanted information, there is no harm in that. Now if you would please allow the Pokédex to continue." Roxanne said, looking at Ash.
"Uhh, yeah, okay." Ash said, pointing the Pokédex at Aron.
'Aron, the Iron Armor Pokemon, a Steel and Rock type. A Pokemon that is clad in steel armor. A new suit of armor is made when it evolves. The old, discarded armor is salvaged as metal for making iron products.' The Pokédex said.
"Thank you." Roxanne said, with a light bow. "Now then, sorry for the interruption."
"Not a problem. Seedot come on back!" Brendan said. "Let's go Mudkip! Use Mud Slap!"
"Aron use Mud Slap!"
MUdkip leapt from his Pokeball, one paw diving into the ground, shoveling out a small amount of dirt that he hit Aron in the face with at the same time he was hit.
"Mudkip use Mud Slap again!"
"Aron use Metal Claw!"
Mudkip had to keep dodging backwards as Aron sliced at him repeatedly.
"Mudkip use Tackle!"
"Aron use Harden!"
Mudkip leapt forward, only to slam into Aron's head, both tumbling back from recoil.
"Man, either Mudkip has a thick skull, or Aron's armor isn't all it's said to be." Ash said.
"We need something better to hit it, but I don't know what." Brendan said, beginning to panic. "Wait, a water type attack can hit from a distance, but who knows if Mudkip knows one. One way to find out. Mudkip use Hydro Pump!"
Mudkip looked at his trainer in confusion. How was he supposed to know that move already?
"Try for something smaller like Bubble or Water Gun!" Ash shouted.
"Right, right. Mudkip use Water Gun!"
Now that one, Mudkip could figure out. Planting his feet firmly, Mudkip tilted his head back before opening his mouth as a stream of water launched out, pushing Aron backwards.
"Now use Mud Slap again!"
"Aron use Harden!"
Mudkip sped forward, using the muddy arena to increase his momentum before slamming his hand into Aron's face, knocking the Pokemon out.
"Aron is unable to battle, the winner is Mudkip." The gym worker said.
"Alright!" Brendan exclaimed.
"Don't get your hopes up yet, you've yet to meet my ace. Nosepass come out!" Roxanne said. "Use Block!"
"Mudkip use Mud Slap!"
Mudkip leapt forward, a blob of mud in his hand as he hit Nosepass in passing.
"Nosepass use Rock Tomb!"
Rocks fell from the sky, trapping Mudkip in the center of them.
"Mudkip return!" Brendan said, trying to get his partner out of the trap, only for the red light to bounce right off of the water type.
"Thanks to Block, your Pokemon is unable to switch out." Roxanne said. "Meaning every movement you make is key."
"She's fighting backwards, and its giving her an advantage, the one thing Brendan had on her is now gone." Ash said to himself. "I just hope Brendan can figure something out."
"Mudkip use Water Gun, full power, straight ahead!"
Mudkip replanted his feet, letting out a burst of water at one of the rocks surrounding him, only for it to not be able to budge.
"Nosepass use Tackle!"
"Mudkip get out of there!"
Nosepass charged forward, smashing through the rocks with ease, launching Mudkip into the distance.
"Mudkip is unable to battle, the winner is Nosepass." The gym worker declared.
"I need to be fast to beat Nosepass. Come on out Taillow!" Brendan said.
"Nosepass use Rock Tomb!"
"Taillow dodge it!"
The small bird was easily able to out maneuver the falling rocks, zooming around the battlefield.
"Taillow use Peck!"
"Nosepass use Harden!"
Taillow dove down, striking Nosepass on it's forehead, causing the rock type to go off balance.
"Now switch!" Brendan said, tossing out two Pokeballs, Seedot having quickly replaced Taillow. "While he's dazed, use Bullet Seed!"
A flurry of seeds launched at Nosepass, toppling the rock type to the ground in defeat.
"Nosepass is unable to battle, the winner is Seedot and Brendan!" The gym worker said.
"Congratulations on a hard fought battle Brendan. I'd like to present you with this,as proof of victory here is the Stone Badge." Roxanne said, holding out a badge. "I wish you luck in your future battles."
"Thanks Roxanne." Brendan said. "Look Seedot, we just got our first badge!"
Ash watched from the stands, happy for Brendan at his first win.
Brendan's Current Team and their moves
Mudkip: Tackle - Mud Slap - Water Gun
Seedot: Bide - Harden - Bullet Seed
Taillow: Peck
