Chapter 4: Overcoming A Rocky Challenge
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Just as she predicted, her body was extremely sore the next morning and she could barely move. She sat at the edge of her bed with her head in her hands. "I overdid it." Sakura groaned, barely able to move her joints. She circulated chakra throughout her body to soothe her joints and muscles and only then was she able to move.
"Next time, I won't push my body so hard. I'll just have to train without chakra." Sakura got up reluctantly and quickly got ready for her gym battle. She was out through the door of the Pokémon Center and heading towards the gym.
When she got there, she was greeted by Mr. Guide, who she recognized from the memories of the original Sakura. He was always nice to her no matter how many times she lost and often gave her advice. She smiled at the older man and waved at him.
"You're here to challenge the gym again young Sakura?" Mr. Guide offered her a smile as he guided her into the gym and towards the battlefield.
"Yes, and this time I'll win," Sakura said, her tone filled with confidence, as she patted her poke balls at her side.
Seeing her confidence and noticing the other poke balls he let out a sigh of relief. "Don't worry," He said softly, "Try your best and try to read your opponent's moves."
Sakura nodded as he brought her onto the battlefield and left. She looked at the audience seats and saw that Riley was already there with his Lucario. She waved at him with a smile, and he wave back with a smile of his own. When Roark walked in, she put her entire focus on him.
"It's great to see you again, Sakura." Roark greets with a smile, "Shall we begin? Go Geodude!" He wasted no time and sent out his first Pokémon.
"This will be a 3 vs 3 Pokémon battle seeing as Miss. Sakura has additional Pokémon." The Referee announced, "The side that loses all their Pokémon loses the battle. You may begin!"
Sakura grabbed her first poke ball and threw it out onto the field. "Eevee! Let's get some revenge!" She shouted as Eevee emerged from the ball with a grin, landing on the rocky battlefield in his battle stance. Geodude knocked out Eevee many times and since she knew that her Pokémon was prideful it was only right that he gets this battle.
"You came back to get thrashed again, runt!" Geodude smirked.
"I'm going to win this time!" Eevee growled, glaring at the rock type.
"Geodude, let's start off with Seismic Toss!" Roark ordered with a swipe of his arm. Geodude charged across the rocky field with his body tucked into a ball, rolling effortlessly across the terrain.
"Eevee, let's use Sand Attack." Sakura calmly ordered.
"Vee!" Eevee turned his body around and use his tail and back feet to kick up a cloud of sand, effectively blinding Geodude.
"Geodude, stand firm and listen for any movement." Roark raised an eyebrow, noticing the change in Sakura.
"Shadow Ball," Sakura said with a smile, and a large ghastly black ball burst through the cloud of sand before the sand cloud could disappear. The shadow ball crashed into Geodude, knocking him backward in an explosion of darkness. When the cloud cleared, Eevee could be seen standing on top of a large rock with a grin.
"Use Hidden Power and knock Eevee off that rock!" Roark barked with a smile, feeling the excitement building up inside him for some reason.
"Dude!" Geodude roared as white orbs spiraled around him before he shot them at Eevee.
"Evade that attack, Eevee!" Eevee jumped off the rock swiftly at her orders, "Then use Sand Attack and follow up with Baby-Doll Eyes!" When he landed on the ground, he kicked up another cloud of sand and followed up with his beady eyes to weaken Geodude.
Sakura was pleased by Eevee's reaction time to her orders and quickly followed up with another attack before Roark could make his move. "Charge up your Shadow Ball!" Eevee charged up his attack and waited.
"Move Geodude!" Roark called out wildly, making Geodude roll out of the sand cloud.
"Now Eevee!" Eevee released the ghastly blob of energy and scored a direct hit, knocking out the rock-type Pokémon.
The referee was surprised by Eevee's win. "And the winner of this battle is Eevee!" The Referee announced after a while.
"Great job, Eevee!" Sakura praised her Pokémon.
"YES!" Eevee smirked, lifting his head with pride. "I finally beat him. Who got thrashed this time?! Huh?!"
"Return, Geodude!" Roark called back his Pokémon, "I can't believe how fast you've improved, Sakura. I won't go easy on you this time!"
"I wouldn't want you to," Sakura smiled as held out her poke ball, "Return Eevee!"
"Let's show them whose boss, Onix!" Roark roared, releasing the large Pokémon from his ball. Onix landed in the battle with a loud crash and curled up like a snake.
Sakura threw out her next Pokémon. "It's your turn, Machop!" Machop burst from the poke ball and landed on the rocky ground with a smirk. "Machop, prepare to evade every attack!" Sakura quickly ordered with a smile. She was using this battle as a training exercise for her Pokémon as well.
"Chop!" Machop focused on Onix as he slid into his battle stance.
"Onix, use Stealth Rocks!" Roark ordered, bewildered by Sakura's strategy. Onix roared as summoned rocks that hovered above the battlefield before disappearing. Roark watched as Machop, and Sakura didn't react to his move and made another move. "Use Double Edge!"
Machop instantly reacted, darting to his left to hide being a large rock. When Onix was upon him, he quickly jumped out from behind the rock as Onix crashed into it, destroying it completely. He ran across the battlefield as Onix followed him relentlessly.
'What is she thinking?' Roar narrowed his eyes at Sakura, "Onix, corner Machop and use Slam!" Onix used its large body and curled around Machop quickly before bringing down its head to slam Machop into the ground. However, Machop swiftly jumped dodged the attack by jumping over its tail.
"Don't let him escape!" Roark roared as Onix launched another attack at Machop's back and launched him across the field. He skidded across the field and landed in front of Sakura who was still calm.
"Machop, I've seen enough." Sakura calmly said as Machop got back to his feet. She was observing the movements of Onix herself but also giving Machop enough time to observe its movements also. Onix was naturally faster than Machop for some reason, so she'll have to change strategy. "Have you read its movements Machop?"
"Machop!" Machop nodded his head with a grin.
"Great, use Focus Energy!" Sakura ordered calmly and Machop closed his eyes as orange energy wrapped around his body briefly, giving his skin an orange sheen.
"Use Double Edge Onix!" Roark commanded and Onix let out a loud roar and rushed across the rock battlefield with a glowing white light surrounding his head.
"Machop, block it and use Revenge." Machop crossed his arms as Onix crashed into him with its heavy body with a loud boom. Machop winced as his feet dug into the ground as he was pushed back across the battlefield. However, the damage from that attack charge his body with strength and his body erupted in an orange aura.
"Onix, get out of there!" Roark shouted in a worried tone, but it was too late.
Machop drew his fist back like he saw Sakura did in the mines and the energy that surrounded his body surged to one point in his fist. Onix tried to move away but Machop was already upon the large rock type. He threw his fist forward, and it connected with the rock Pokémon. The energy surged forth like water bursting from a dam and enveloped Onix completely in a large explosion. Onix's large heavy body was launched across the battlefield while Machop was launched backward.
Sakura was surprised at the move Machop pulled as she didn't teach him that. This meant he mimicked what he saw her do in the mines. Even though she was sure he couldn't see chakra, the way the energy went to his fist was enough evidence that she was right to teach the fighting type personally.
"Onix!" Roark called but Onix was knocked out from the attack.
"Chop!" Machop grinned, barely standing on his spot before fainting.
"Both Pokémon are down!" The Referee announced.
"Return Machop." Sakura was extremely pleased with Machop. "You did an amazing job. I was right to choose you as one of my Pokémon."
"Sakura, you're not like you were when we first battled. Your confidence is shining through." Roark suddenly said with a smile, "You have improved vastly but your story ends here! Let's go Rampardos!" He threw his poke ball and a menacing Pokémon emerged from the ball.
Rampardos stomped his feet two times before releasing a loud roar. "Rampardos!"
Sakura eyed the large Pokémon with a gleam in her eyes. "Tyrunt!"
She threw out her poke ball and Tyrunt burst from his poke ball with a roar, landing on the rocky ground. Rocks from the Stealth Rocks Roar set up with Onix smashed into him, doing some damage but he shook it off with a grunt. "Great job, Tyrunt!" Sakura praised, seeing how easily he shook off the damage. She looked up and studied in the rocks that were invisible and floating in the air. 'That's a good move to learn for future battles.'
Tyrunt scratched the ground multiple times with his feet before he started to walk on the outskirts of the battlefield, circling Rampardos slowly, and stalking him.
"I know you." Tyrunt roared at Rampardos, "from the museum!"
"How are you doing little one?" Rampardos replied with a grunt, "Let's have a good battle."
"Yes, let's have a good battle!" Tyrunt rumbled.
"That is the fossil you won from the lottery." Roark commented with a chuckle, "What is he doing?"
"He's following his instincts." Sakura simply replied.
"Then I'll follow mine!" Roark suddenly shouted, "Use Flamethrower Rampardos!" Rampardos sucked in a deep breath and blew hot flames towards Tyrunt.
"Rock Polish." Sakura steadily commanded.
Tyrunt shed the out layer of his rocky skin and easily dodged the flaming attack. He was much faster and lighter now, so he trotted around Rampardos, resuming in circling the rock-type Pokémon. His eyes never left Rampardos who was watching him with confused eyes and a hit of nervousness.
Roark clicked his tongue, wondering what strategy she was using now. It was like she had completely different strategies for her Pokémon which was unusual for first-time trainers like her. "Rampardos, stop Tyrunt with Head Smash!"
"Dodge and use Bite at his legs!" Sakura ordered.
Rampardos rushed towards Tyrunt his head lowered, ready to smash into the dinosaur Pokémon. Tyrunt waited until he was close and swiftly moved out of the way as he crashed into a large rock. Tyrunt sunk his teeth into his right leg, biting down hard, before retreating. He started circling Rampardos again, moving slightly faster than before.
"You're using the ole hit and retreat tactic." Roark commented with a smile, "Use Head Smash again!"
"Tyrunt, run at Rampardos!" Sakura called out a shocking order, surprising everyone. Tyrunt grunted before running towards the charging rock type.
"Don't let up, Rampardos!" Roark grinned.
"Now use Roar then follow up with Bite.!" Tyrunt let out a loud and ferocious roar that unleashed a shockwave that spread throughout the gym.
Rampardos who was charging ahead stopped in his tracks. His body was shaking as he looked down at Tyrunt who suddenly felt very intimidating. Tyrunt jumped up, sinking his teeth into Rampardos' neck who let out a pained cry.
"Snap out of it Rampardos!" Roark ordered but his Pokémon was too frightened to listen. Roark cursed inwardly as he only discovered her strategy when it was too late. Since Rampardos was his last Pokémon, it couldn't switch out which was one of the effects of Roar. However, the effect of frightening the Pokémon was still in effect. He never saw anyone use that move like this and it was certainly very smart.
"Use Bite repeatedly." Sakura calmly ordered with a smile playing on her lips. 'Checkmate.'
There wasn't much Rampardos could do unless he breaks out of this fear with his willpower alone. She didn't know Roark's other Pokémon beyond Geodude from her memories, but it didn't matter because her strategies revolved around her own Pokémon's moves and what those moves can do.
Tyrunt roared before carrying out Sakura's orders as she sunk his teeth into the helpless Rampardos multiple times before he was knocked out from the repeated attacks. Roark watched helplessly as his ace Pokémon went down easily.
"Rampardos is down. The winner of this battle is Sakura Haruno!" The referee announced.
"That was easy!" Tyrunt roared, running up to Sakura happily.
"You did an amazing job, my predator." Sakura rubbed his head affectionately.
Roark walked up to her with a badge in his hand. "Sakura, I'm proud to say that you deserve this badge. You're a true tale in what resilience can do."
"Thank you very much." Sakura took the badly proudly, feeling her heart soar as soon as she held the piece of metal, 'Sakura, we finally earned out first badge. Wherever you are I hope you're watching this.'
"Sakura, your battle was exhilarating," Riley said, walking up to them with his Lucario behind him.
"Mister Riley." Roark bowed his head slightly, "Did you come to watch Sakura's battle?"
Riley nodded his head briefly at Roark before turning to Sakura. "The training you did pay off. I'm very impressed."
Sakura shrugged but still found herself smiling. "Well, Roark was a tough battle I had to prepare for."
Roark chuckles, his cheeks reddening, making Riley look at him strangely. "I wouldn't say tough as you still won in the end."
"I'm afraid I have to go and get my Pokémon healed up at the center," Sakura said, putting away her new badge and recalling Tyrunt into his ball.
"Why don't I escort you there." Riley offered and Sakura nodded with a smile.
"I'll see you around then," Roark mumbled as he watched them walk away with a complicated expression.
Before she could leave the gym she was stopped by Mr. Guide who was joyful at her win. "Miss Sakura, I'm overjoyed that you won your first gym battle. I hope to see you at the other gyms and winning as you did today."
"I will and thank you for everything you did, Mr. Guide," Sakura replied before saying goodbye and leaving the gym.
She was all smiling on her way to the center with Riley basking in her happiness. "I must say that last tactic you did use Roar was brilliant. I have never seen anyone use that move like that before in all my time as a trainer."
"You just have to think outside the box." Sakura looked at the man next to her before asking, "So, Riley why don't you ask me what you want to ask me?"
Riley looked surprised, his cheeks reddening from embarrassment. "Was it that obvious?"
Sakura chuckled, finding him a little cute. "Maybe."
"Well, this may be presumptuous of me, but I wanted to ask you if I can accompany you on your journey across the region," Riley asked her nervously.
"Why do you want to travel with me?" Sakura questioned even though she didn't mind it as she liked him a bit and it would be quite lonely traveling alone.
"I wish to learn more about chakra and maybe I can teach you more about auras." Riley quickly said, coming up with an excuse. That was part of his reason, but his main reason was that he fell in love with her and wanted to be around her, but he couldn't exactly tell her that.
Sakura stared at him for a long time before agreeing. "Fine." She shrugged, turned away, and headed towards the Pokémon Center. "We'll have to get more supplies if we're traveling together."
Riley was shocked that she agreed and ran up to catch up with her. "Um- I can get everything we need after you're done healing your Pokémon."
Sakura laughed, knowing that he wasn't telling her his true reason for coming with her, but she could wait. "Our next stop is Eterna Forest so we should prepare for some camping."