"Alright, rematch time." Brendan said, running in place.
"Remember don't rely on just Aqua Tail, we still haven't worked out all the kinks of it just yet." Ash said, placing some food down in front of the Pokemon.
"Exactly, Rhydon still has Crush Claw, MegaHorn, and Rock Blast at his disposal." Brendan said. "Noland doesn't stand a chance."
"Yawn. Why are you two up so early?" Wally asked, walking into the main area of the Pokemon Center.
"Couldn't sleep, too excited." Brendan said.
"No clue, I just woke up and couldn't fall back asleep." Ash said.
"So I'm the only one who woke up when they wanted to." Wally sighed. "So you really think you're ready?"
"Only one way to find out." Brendan said.
"Now that's what I like to hear from a competitor." Scott said, startling the group.
"Scott? What are you doing here?" Brendan asked.
"Well after all that training you were doing yesterday, I figured you'd like a ride back to the Battle Factory." Scott said.
"You're offering us a ride!" Ash exclaimed.
"Of course I am, now come on, we don't have all day." Scott said.
"Guys, its like 7 am." Wally groaned, as everyone left. "Guys?"
At the Battle Factory
"Glad you could make it Wally." Brendan said affirmingly.
"Would've been nice to at least have breakfast first." Wally groaned.
"Here." Ash said, handing him an energy bar. "I snagged one for later, but you can have it."
"Alright, enough chit chat. The rematch between the Factory Head Noland, and the challenger Brendan will now begin. The match is still a one on one battle and the winner will be decided when either Pokemon are no longer able to battle." Scott said. "Trainers, whenever you are ready."
"Ready." Noland said.
"Ready." Brendan replied.
"Well then, battle begin!"
"Rhydon I choose you!" Both trainers said in unison.
"Rhydon use Hammer Arm!" Noland called out.
"Rhydon stop him with a Rock Blast!"
While covering the distance of the battlefield, Noland's Rhydon was struck back by the flying rocks.
"Rhydon use Fire Blast!" Noland called out.
"Rhydon use Crush Claw!"
Brendan's Rhydon hugged the ground, tearing up the arena as he galloped towards the other Rhydon as flames scorched the tip of his armor.
"Rhydon use Hammer Arm!" Noland called out.
"Use Aqua Tail!"
Brendan's Rhydon dug one arm into the ground before pivoting off of it, slamming his tail into Noland's Rhydon as he struck his arm down hard on Brendan's Rhydon.
"I see that training with the local gym leader paid off." Noland said.
"You knew I trained with Misty?" Brendan asked in shock.
"We flew overhead when it was just starting." Noland admitted. "Then we spied on you."
"Hey! That's cheating!" Wally argued.
"It's knowing your opponent." Noland said. "The rules never said Brendan had to use Rhydon again, or even face my Rhydon a second time. He chose those, knowing what he'd be up against, just as I made sure to know what I'd be up against. Now Rhydon, show them our training! Use Horn Drill!"
"Horn Drill!" Brendan shouted. "Rhydon get out of there!"
Noland's Rhydon's horn began creating a vortex of energy around it, before attempting to pierce Brendan's Rhydon's armor.
"It's just like with Sheer Cold." Ash remembered. "Horn Drill can't hit an opponent stronger than it."
"That, or it just has a low success rate." Noland said. "There's no guarantee on that move. No matter, Rhydon use Hammer Arm!"
"Rhydon get out of there with Aqua Tail!" Brendan called out.
Brendan's Rhydon swung his tail upwards, slamming it into Noland's Rhydon's arm, sending the standing up rock type crashing a few feet away.
"Now Rhydon use Crush Claw!" Brendan called out.
"Rhydon use Rock Wrecker!" Noland commanded.
Brendan's Rhydon sliced through the giant rock, rushing right for Noland's Rhydon.
"Rhydon use Aqua Tail!"
"Rhydon use Horn Drill!"
The two Rhydon collided, crashing to the ground in a giant cloud of dust.
"Ventilation on." Noland called out, as giant fans sucked away the kicked up dust.
"Wait, but whose Rhydon is that?" Wally asked.
"Rhy." Rhydon said, giving a flex towards Brendan.
"Brendan won!" Wally cheered.
"Congratulations Brendan, you just took your first step on a long journey. Don't get discouraged, and remember what you learned here." Noland said. "As proof of your victory today, I present you with this, the Knowledge Symbol. Knowing your opponent is just as important as knowing your own Pokemon."
"Thank you Noland." Brendan said.
"Now for your next challenge, I recommend heading to Lavender Town. Just West of there you will find the Battle Arena, and an old friend waiting for you." Scott said.
"Thanks for the information, but right now our next challenge is still here, for Ash's next contest." Brendan said. "Once that's done, we'll be heading that way. We can get that way from here, right?" Brendan asked, looking at Ash who simply nodded.
"Well then, I'll see you kids then." Scott said.
In an undisclosed location
"So what kind of mission do you think Giovanni has for us?" Jessie asked.
"Probably pilfering primo Pokemon to use for the glory of Team Rocket here in Kanto." Meowth said.
"That may be, but then why did we have to turn in our Pokemon?" James wondered aloud.
"Jessie. James. Meowth." Giovanni said. "I recently sent you to Hoenn to begin work on Team Rocket's first base there, am I to assume it is up and running?"
"Uhh, yes sir! We infiltrated the Team Aqua base and kicked them out!" Jessie lied.
"Good, the three of you will be returning to Hoenn to finish the setup, and begin work on your next assignment." Giovanni said.
"Wait! We're going back, but we were promised!" Jessie stopped herself.
"I don't remember promising you anything but another mission." Giovanni said. "This one however will require a certain skill set." Giovanni said, pressing a button. Your mission is to find the Red and Blue orbs and bring them to me, along with these three Pokemon."
"But sir, how are we supposed to do that without our Pokemon?" James said, looking at the Pokemon they were tasked with getting.
"I've done my research, and believe these six will help you." Giovanni said. "Jessie you will be in control of Machamp, Weavile, and Wailord. As for you James, you have been given Sandslash, Dusknoir, and Relicanth." Giovanni said. "Report back to the base and hook this up. Troops will be sent as will your mission coordinates."
"Thank you Master Giovanni." The trio said giving a salute.
"So much for a reoccurring role." Meowth muttered as they left the office.
"I'm sure there are bigger plans at work than even we know." James said. "Surely we won't be gone for long."
"You keep that enthusiasm Jamesie." Meowth sighed.