Pokémon Metal Platinum
Chapter 17: A high-stakes Pokémon battle
About two weeks had gone by since the very start of Dawn's journey. Two weeks since she was merely a naïve novice who was setting foot in the tall grass despite not having a Pokémon. Now that some time had gone by, she was still a novice, and still naïve, but she was a bit more experienced. And while still far and away from her goal of being champion, she was making steps. Baby steps.
She had already beaten her first major obstacle standing in her path. Defeating Roark. Even for the Trainers with the most promise, sometimes beating even a single Gym Leader could be a challenge, and although it clearly was one, at least Dawn had gotten through it.
Her second major obstacle was readily approaching her. A Gym Leader whom Roark himself spoke highly of. Gardenia, the "Master of Vivid Plant Pokémon," or so she was called. Dawn didn't know much about her, but she was sure that'd she was bound to be a strong opponent.
Of course even making it to Gardenia proved to be a challenge in itself, just reaching there meant journeying through the long and perpetual Eterna Forest, which she had been more lost in than a drunk trying to find his way home from a bar... blindfolded. But thanks to the help of a certain stranger she was lucky enough to run into she was able to make it to the city with daylight to spare.
First stop in the city, even, or rather especially before she challenged the gym, was making it to the Pokémon Center. While her team wasn't exactly in the worst shape imaginable, they weren't at their best either. After all, they were still recovering from all the drama that had went down in Floroama alone.
It didn't take too long for Dawn's Pokémon to be healed. Staravia was all better after just about half an hour, it was Shinx and Chimchar, the two of her Pokémon who had been the most injured in her recent travels who needed more treatment. But after just two hours, they were all healed up and ready to go. Ready to take on the Eterna Gym.
And that's exactly what Dawn did after exiting the center. Not even taking a second to observe or tour any of the sights the city had to offer, she made it straight to the gym. She stood outside the front door to the establishment feeling a nervousness in her gut.
The gym was large, yet only about half the size of the previous gym where she had fought Roark on not one, but two occasions. Just standing outside of the gym gave her flashbacks to that, further adding to the butterflies in her stomach.
Dawn had went about a minute without knocking on the door. It was a little concerning to her fire starter who rested on her shoulder as always. Chimchar reached over grabbing a strand of his Trainer's hair to get her attention.
The Twinleaf girl looked over to her Pokémon after having basically dozed off for an uncomfortable amount of time. She looked into the chimp's eyes, he seemed just as nervous as her, yet more so worried about his Trainer.
"Ahem, uh, sorry about that Chimchar, I was just uh... thinking." Dawn said in a cheerful tone which brought a smile to her Pokémon's face. "I was just thinking, about how you, me, Staravia and Shinx are going to beat this Gardenia woman so hard she's gonna regret not giving us that badge from the start! What's there to worry about!?" Dawn said with a laugh as she reached her arm over knocking on the door with the back of her fist.
After a brief wait with Dawn trying to close-off her apprehensiveness, the door finally opened. Standing in front of her was a man that was only about a few inches taller than her. He had dirty blond neatly-combed hair, small brown eyes, and an unevenly trimmed beard. He wore a dark worn-out looking blue business suit, a light blue paisley tie, and black shoes.
The man looked over to the Trainer standing before him, only he didn't look very welcoming. In fact he looked rather miserable, just one look at his face alone, clearly he was sleep-deprived and in need of a coffee.
Seeing as he wasn't speaking, Dawn began. "Hi there mister, my name is Dawn, I'm a-"
Before she could even finish, she was cut off. "Let-let me guess, you're a Trainer?" The man asked receiving a head nod from the girl. The man looked around before taking a glance over his shoulder clearly stressing over something.
He looked back towards Dawn. "L-look kid, I get that you want to battle Gardenia—believe me, I do... but um, maybe, you mayyyy want to come back just a little later."
Confusion brushed across Dawn. "Why, what's going on with her, is she coming down with something?"
"W-well, not quite, but um..." The man said not sure of what to say. Instead Dawn continued with another question.
"Who are you anyway, are you an official of the gym or whatever it's called?" Dawn asked thinking back to the referee from Roark's gym.
"Uhh, y-yes, that's right. The name's Eugene, and um... just, look, I'm just saying it might be best if you come back at a later time, maybe um... tomorrow?" He said with the last part being a no-no to Dawn, who despite how nervous she felt knew she couldn't risk halting her stay in the city for longer than she had to.
"You want me to wait another day!?" Dawn said in disbelief at the notion. "I saw the open sign on the gym! If this place isn't closed then I should be able to challenge it, c'mon mister!"
The girl brought a good point. Technically nowhere in the rule book was a referee allowed to enforce a Trainer to leave and come back at a later time, not unless the Gym Leader said otherwise. Eugene gave a light sigh before moving aside for Dawn to walk alongside him.
Both Dawn and Chimchar looked around as they walked through what felt to be a long hallway. It was simply a plain corridor which was plain white but with green pain on the walls in shapes resembling trees or bushes, along with other colors representing flowers.
But what really caught Dawn's eye, fine art canvases presented along the walls. Not all of which were of plants or Pokémon and what not. The one which garnered most of her attention was one which looked like a pink leaf with a fold in the middle; it wasn't until she saw some more... crude paintings before she realized they were paintings of vaginas.
Dawn looked over to Eugene who she walked to the left of. "This Gardenia, looks like she's got some exquisite taste. I mean, I don't care much for art, but I guess I admire her boldness." She said before realizing the man wasn't listening. But it didn't matter. There was no need for small talk as the two had made it to the entrance, where behind it remained the Gym Leader.
Eugene placed his hand on the door push plate before looking over to the young challenger. "Look, just remember I advised you to come back at a later time, alright?"
Dawn dropped her smile beginning to feel the same nervousness which she was trying to take her mind off of. She stiffly gave head nod before Eugene sighed again opening the door to which Dawn and Chimchar were immediately hit by a strong smell which was overpowering.
But she was quickly thrown off from the fact as she took in the sight of the room. It was like a miniature forest in there. Along the entire portion of the ring, grass, not a single missing patch in fact. Along with four or five trees, the largest of which reaching what looked to at least be thirty feet. Not to mention bushes which circled the battlefield.
Most notable of which upon Dawn noticing; the Gym Leader herself. She was a young woman who looked to be in about her early-to-mid-twenties. She had short half-orangish brown, half-black hair. She wore a black long-sleeved crop top which displayed her waist under a green cloak with a black "X" mark in the center. She also wore brown knee-length khaki shorts and a black belt with a silver buckle around the waist, along with green boots with black laces.
She was sitting upon a red velvet seated, gold plated chair. Beside her on her left was a strange looking devise Dawn didn't recognize. A small blue bowl at the bottom made from glass, atop it was a tall pipe with multiple small bulbs in it. From the side of the device, a flexible looking tube which was emitting smoke that she had smelt when coming in the room. To her right was a plate of green grapes on a glass plate.
Dawn covered her nose disgusted by the stench. She'd been surrounded by tobacco smoke her whole life thanks to her mother, but this definitely did not smell the same. She removed her hand from her face plastering her view upon Gardenia whose eyes were red, all around the sclera.
With her hand which wasn't holding the smoke-emitting tube she reached over grabbing a single green grape which she placed in her mouth, chewing with her mouth open. As she finished eating, she finally glanced to Dawn who was still standing at the middle of the room.
"So, what are you...? Some kind of girl scout or choir girl, heh heh." Gardenia said with a light giggle at the end, sounding oddly relaxed. "Hey, if you've got any cookies for sale, I'll buy all you've got, I could use some real food."
"Uhh, no, I'm not either of those. Actually, I'm a Trainer." Dawn indicated pointing to Chimchar on her shoulder. "I'm here to battle you for the... Forest Badge."
"Wait, you're a Trainer!?" Gardenia remarked which got a laugh out of her. "Damn maaan, they get younger and younger; in a few years they'll be coming out of the womb to catch Bidoof's and take on gyms and shit." The woman said placing her mouth on the tube taking a big inhale before blowing a smoke ring.
Dawn looked over to Eugene who appeared to have a "I told you so," look on his face before he continued speaking. "Well, now do you see what I mean? Clearly, she's not in any state to be battling, especially not with a Trainer."
"Wait, why?" Dawn asked. "She's just smoking a little tobacco or whatever, that shouldn't take anything away from her skill in battle."
Gardenia looked over to the young girl and gave another light giggle. "This isn't tobacco kid." She clarified which confused Dawn.
"It's not?" Dawn replied cluelessly.
"No ma'am, but uh, between you and me if any boys in blue ask... it is." Gardenia said as she set aside the device she was using to smoke. She gave a snap of her fingers getting the attention of the referee. "Eugene, the heck are you doing!? We gotta challenger, maaan, you should be rolling out the red carpet and all..." She said eating the last grape off the plate. "First of all, get my stuff out of the way, I don't wanna risk breakin' anything."
Eugene let out a sigh as he made his way towards Gardenia hanging his head and arms low. "I do not get paid enough for this..." He said under his breath as he made his way over there. As he retrieved Gardenia's belongings, the Gym Leader took another glance at Dawn.
"So, you were um... you were here for a Gym battle." Gardenia asked getting a head nod from both Dawn and Chimchar. "Sorry, my memory can get real hazy when I'm on the hookah."
"...Yeah, I have to defeat you and take that second badge, I got a friend who I'm competing with to collect the eight badges, I can't risk falling behind." Dawn mentioned.
Gardenia still seated in her chair stretched both her arms before getting up from it standing up with a slight hunch. "Awwee, you mean you got a rival, that is adorable. I used to have one myself; chick named Candice. Funny enough, we're both Gym Leaders now."
"Wow... that's um, can we battle now?" Dawn asked which got another laugh from Gardenia.
"Jeez maaaan, kids these days can't even hold up a simple conversation. It's always battle this, and battle that. Aye, lemme tell you, Pokémon battling ain't anything like it used to be, God do I miss the nineties." Gardenia muttered before she leaped back sitting in her chair which Eugene hadn't moved. She simply gave her challenger a stare down before she gave another smile. "So, what was your uhhh, what's your name kid?"
"Dawn." The Twinleaf Trainer answered.
"Huh, Dawn... charming." Gardenia said giving it some thought. "A classy name; reminds me of the big beautiful light in the sky before the sunrise"
"Well... that's what my mom named me after." Dawn replied. "Are you, just gonna sit in that chair like that the whole time?"
"Hmm, I dunno, depends on my mood I guess, know what I mean dude." Gardenia said shrugging, clearly still abnormally relaxed. "Alright well, I guess we better do this then. Eugene, you wanna get started with the formalities and all that shit?"
"Not really, but that's all I'm good for..." Eugene muttered under his breath standing at the edge of the ring. He placed his hand on his forehead wiping some sweat before he continued. "Ahem, this will be a battle between young Trainer Dawn and Gym Leader Gardenia for the right of the Forest Badge! Both Trainers are allowed a maximum of three Pokémon! The battle ends under three conditions: One! All three Pokémon on one Trainer's side are unable to continue; Two! One Trainer chooses to surrender; Three! I myself as an officer of the ring deem one group of Pokémon unfit to continue with of course justification! Do both parties understand these conditions and wish to continue knowing them!?"
"You bet!" Dawn agreed giving a bob of her head.
Gardenia didn't mutter a word still seated in her chair. She simply looked over to her referee giving him a thumbs up before signaling for him to start.
"Okay, Gardenia, if you'd like to get started!" Eugene yelled over to her as she pulled out a Pokéball, enlarging it prior to tossing it into the air. Out from the Pokéball on the middle of the battlefield came a funny looking Pokémon Dawn couldn't quite put her finger on. She couldn't quite get a good look at it as most of its body was covered with two large purple petals with a short stem and a green leafy sepal sprout from the top of its petals.
What the heck am I looking at...? Dawn asked herself as she pulled out her Pokédex getting a scan on what she at first was thought was a literal flower.
"Cherrim, the Blossom Pokémon. If it senses strong sunlight, it opens its folded petals to absorb the sun's rays with its whole body."
"Hah, that doesn't look so tough." Dawn said before eying at Chimchar upon her shoulder who already knew what to do.
"Chimchar, Char, Char!" The fire type screeched as he landed on the battlefield opposing his adversary whom he held a type advantage over. Only the Cherrim didn't seem in the least bit intimidated, at least that's what Dawn assumed as she couldn't even get a grab at what the Pokémon looked like under its covers.
"Okay, let's start!" Dawn cried out before calling for the first move. "Ember, now let's go!"
Chimchar listened puffing up his chest before spitting out a ball of flames heading straight for Cherrim. Gardenia watched with a fist on her cheek and a smile. "Nahhh, don't let that hit you there Cherrim, how about a dodge, and then maybe a Magical Leaf!"
Her silent Pokémon obliged quickly sidestepping to its right avoiding the Ember attack which dissipated upon landing at the grass where the Blossom Pokémon previously stood.
With no further delay multiple leaves laying at the ground began to raise surrounded in a purplish-aura, before Dawn could anticipate it the many leaves began to spin like shuriken as they were launched towards her starter.
Chimchar staggered back before leaping back in the air with the razor-sharp leaves empowered by Cherrim slicing through the air forging their way towards him. As the fire type got close to the ground he placed one palm at the grass with the rest of his body off the floor. The many leaves passing right by him with just one leave slicing his cheek drawing some blood.
"Wow, that was some attack, better than any Razor Leaf I've ever seen!" Dawn couldn't help but exclaim. Still, Chimchar was a fire type, plus she had a flying type on the bench, despite how nervous she was earlier now that the battle was playing out she had more confidence. "Okay, how about a Flame Wheel!"
Chimchar used the back of his palm to wipe some of the blood trinkling down his cheek before he followed Dawn's command. The Pokémon sped forth hurling himself into the air and curling up into a ball as he was entranced in his own flames.
The fire type was in close quarters with Cherrim before it leaped in the air right above his opponent ready to crush it under his wheel. Only Gardenia didn't look very impressed.
"Lameeeee...!" She muttered before calling out another move. "Rollout, let's go!"
With that, a chunk of rock about the size of a softball formed before Cherrim which caught Dawn off guard. She never would've expected to see a normal-looking grass type to be able to pull out a move like that out of nowhere.
Before she could yell for her Pokémon to dodge, the formed rock launched with quick speeds crashing straight for Chimchar easily overpowering his Flame Wheel sending him hurling back with a thud.
"Charrrr!" Chimchar screamed in pain as he fell on his back in front of Dawn covered in broken chunks of rock. The girl crouched down in front of her Pokémon who almost immediately got up although with trouble.
Dawn looked over to Eugene noticing he was taking a good look at Chimchar. Clearly he was on the fence of declaring Chimchar unfit to continue, something she wouldn't have.
Before he could say anything, she did. "Why don't we take a break Chimchar, just for now and you can continue battling later."
Chimchar looked up to his Trainer. Although he felt that he didn't want to disappoint her by seeming weak, he also knew she was probably right. The Pokémon jumped back up walking off the battlefield.
Gardenia watched laying her head back in her chair. "Heheh, and they say that grass types are weak to fire types. Look girly, I stopped smoking for this so you could at least likeeee, make this worth my while."
"It will! And it is!" Dawn replied. Still crouched on her knees she turned around facing Chimchar as she pondered what would be her next move. She had two Pokémon she could choose between, Staravia and Shinx. Staravia technically had the type advantage, but with no flying types moves... there wasn't much of an edge there.
The girl stood up once she had her mind made up. Pokéball in hand, enlarging it, she raised her arm tossing the ball which open releasing her electric type upon the battlefield.
"Shinx, Shinx!" The electric type gave a howl surrounded by an electrical surge before landing at the battlefield forming his most threatening looking stance. In the distance Cherrim watched silently, still with its flower petals covering its face and most of its body.
"Hmm, a Shinx..." Gardenia said rolling back in her chair before giving another giggle. "That's a cute lil Pokéguy... where'd you get a thing like that?"
"I was lucky to run into someone. That's all." Dawn vaguely explained as her gaze slowly drifted off from her opponent to her opponent's Pokémon, then back to her own. Shinx turned his head over looking into his Trainer's eyes, determined.
Dawn gave a smile. "Okay, Shinx! Let's end this quickly, Bite!"
With no hesitation the electric type bounced off the grass below it lunging towards his opponent with his front paws reaching for the Cherrim and most importantly, his fangs sharpened. From below Cherrim watched waiting for the command of its master.
"Boringgggg...!" Gardenia groaned out before calling a move. "Bullet Seed let's go!"
Slightly spreading apart its leaves to reveal its mouth, a group of seeds moving at supersonic speeds came forth straight for the lunging Shinx. Before the Flash Pokémon could even react, he was hit face first by the seeds causing him to whimper in pain prior to being hit by another array.
As he fell towards the ground floor he flipped midair redirecting his paws towards the ground where he landed safely despite the damage he took.
"Continue with Thunder Shock!" Dawn continued much to the surprise of her opponent. Shinx followed her order charging with electricity before the current lifted from his body quickly crossing the battlefield to Cherrim who merely stood still.
Upon landing, the attack barely managed to push the grass type back by even an inch. Cherrim merely stood in place until the electricity subsided much to Dawn and Shinx's dismay.
Gardenia watched Dawn intently, despite her intoxication she was still clearly in her right state of mind, or at least she was when it came to on the battlefield. She finally once again gave the same familiar smile. "Don't you know, girly, grass types easily resist electric moves. You would've been waaaaay better off keepin' that Chimchar in."
"Ah well... whatever!" Dawn argued. "We're still in this, you'll see!"
"Ohhh, are you?" Gardenia mumbled before calling out another move. "Rollout once more!"
Just like earlier, the same move that nearly did Chimchar in was repeated. A formation of rock no bigger than a baseball formed in front of Cherrim before blasting off at similar speed to the earlier usage.
Alright, well if Thunder Shock or any other moves won't do the trick, then I guess I've got to put my money on Bite...! Dawn assessed the situation. She put her arm out calling forth a move. "Okay Shinx, dodge it and then use Bite again!"
The hurling rock zoomed through the air upon being launched. Shinx glued his eyes to the upcoming attack as he ran forth. As the move got within a meter distance he leaped to his side avoiding the attack which broke into a million pieces upon smashing into the ground.
Shinx was close enough to Cherrim to smell the grass type's aroma; with only about a five-meter gap between him and his opponent he leaped into the air, revealing his sharp fangs once more going in for the strike.
"Laaameeeeeeee..." Gardenia muttered giving a yawn. She was right about to call another move, until she noticed steam emitting from Shinx's mouth which formed into flames.
Cherrim's calm demeanor suddenly faded into pure unbridled fear but by that moment it was too late. Shinx with eyes red with fury pounced landing atop Cherrim before going for the bite empowered by flames.
Dawn watched just as dumbfounded as Gardenia. She perked her head over to Chimchar beside her. "Maybe watching you use Ember and all that stuff taught him that," she speculated to which her starter agreed giving a head bob.
They returned their glances to Shinx who stood over a defeated Cherrim. The Pokémon turning over his shoulder looking at his Trainer with a light smirk.
Gardenia's jaw was glued open almost like a few imaginary screws were loose. Her utter surprise then turned to a bright smile as she gave a slow clap along with a laugh.
"Wow-how-owww!" Gardenia said in awe. "That just now was Fire Fang! Veryyyy impressive, I meaannnn... hold on a sec—Eugene, ain't you forgetting something!?"
"Huh?" Eugene questioned before realizing just what she meant. "O-oh, right, right-right. Ahem, Cherrim is unable to continue battle! Gym Leader Gardenia, if you would, please release your next Pokémon!"
"Awrighty then, Cherrim, back to me!" Gardenia said recalling her Pokémon to its Pokéball. "Real shame you took him out so early ya know, he didn't even get to show off his real power."
"Sure, but I promise you this; no matter what Pokémon you'll use it won't matter!" Dawn cried. "I'm still gonna win this!"
"We'll just see about that!" Gardenia yelled pulling out another Pokéball before tossing it midair. Both Dawn and Shinx kept their eyes glued to the ball as it opened and ejected a red light which released Gardenia's Pokémon upon the battlefield.
Before Dawn could even process the Pokémon sprung upon the field, she, as well as her Pokémon felt the sheer weight of the grass type landing against the ground. A shroud of smoke covered Dawn's entire field of view, along with bits of debris that felt like being hit with light pieces of hail.
As Dawn shielded her eyes and face, she couldn't help but wonder. What kind of Pokémon is she using!? The girl asked herself before slowly removing her arms to get a full glance at the Pokémon before her. She immediately gave a gasp taking in the sight of the Pokémon before her.
It was large. Perhaps seven feet tall or eight feet tall. And that was despite the fact it was on all fours. Whatever it was, it was very bulky, kind of resembling a muscled-out tortoise. It had a large shell covering its back with a single, oak-like tree sprouting from the top as well as some spiky stones almost akin mountain to mountain peaks. Its body was sectioned, with the upper half being green and its lower half being brown. What stood out most to Dawn however, well, besides its size, was its crimson red eyes which were almost staring through her.
"U-ugh... t-that's, that's." Dawn said in a trembling voice. Before her body realized it, she took a few steps backwards in fear. She only realized it when she stepped on a broken tree branch and snapped it. She looked down towards it, before looking over to Chimchar, who despite not having to battle against it, looked just as intimidated as her.
Dawn glanced back at the giant Pokémon standing opposed to her Shinx. The more she thought about it, the thing kind of looked similar to Lucas' Grotle; but before she could give it any more thought, the Pokémon was recalled to its Pokéball confusing the girl endlessly.
"Wait... what!?" Dawn cried out not understanding what was going on. She glued her focus back to Gardenia who was laughing.
"Haha, sorry, sorry, that's my bad, I accidentally grabbed my Torterra's Pokéball, sorry 'bout that." Gardenia apologized so nonchalantly it was almost as if nothing just happened.
Dawn peered her head over to Eugene at the edge of the corner. His left hand was covering his forehead in exhaustion. Not that he was necessarily tired, more so tired of the Gym Leader. "Sigh, just... move it along already."
As Gardenia sorted through her Pokéballs, Dawn took a moment to recollect on what she had just seen. Torterra, I know I've seen a Pokémon like that from somewhere, isn't it the final evolution of- But before she could finish her thought, the red flashing light from a Pokéball came from her opponent's hand. Dawn looked over in astonishment at Shinx's next opponent.
Standing before her was a much smaller, less-intimidating looking version of Torterra. Just from the sight of it, Dawn immediately recognized it. A small, light green, quadrupedal Pokémon about ten times smaller than the previous. Its body was covered by a light brown shell with a thick black stripe and a black rim, with a small seedling with two leaves poking out from the top of its head.
The Pokémon tilted its head at Dawn and then focused its attention at the Shinx standing before it. The Shinx that would be its opponent.
Although Dawn only had a vague idea of what the previous Pokémon Gardenia used was, she would've known this Pokémon from a mile away. "That's a... Turtwig. You see that Chimchar? That's one of the Pokémon I was offered by Professor Rowan."
"Char!" Chimchar grunted before taking his eyes back to the battlefield.
Dawn reached into her satchel pulling out her Pokédex quickly getting a scan of the little grass starter.
"Turtwig, the Tiny Leaf Pokémon. The shell on its back is made of soil. On a very healthy Turtwig, the shell should feel moist."
"Yepppppp, see ahh, this Turtwig here is who I meant to release earlier... hey, in my um, professional opinion, if I were you I'd send that Chimchar in, cause clearly a Shinx isn't going to fare you too well." Gardenia said giving a warning. Something Dawn wouldn't take.
"Really?" Dawn cried. "Shinx, let's finish this quickly with that new move of yours, Fire Bite—Wait sorry, I mean... Fire Fang!"
With not even a moment to dither, Shinx immediately sped forward bouncing off the ground diving towards Turtwig mouth wide open with fumes brewing followed by flames.
"Woahhhhhh, that move again?" Gardenia said still with the same relaxed color to her voice. "Sorry kid, but no move's gonna work on me a second time. Turtwig! Use Protect!"
"Turtwig!" The little grass type growled before shutting his eyes with a green plasma-like barrier forming directly in front of him. At the rate Shinx was moving he'd smash head first into the shield, but then again, the Protect was only in front of Turtwig.
"Go around him and then lay those fangs into it!" Dawn cried out changing the attack and its trajectory. Shinx listened with the flames at his fangs vanishing in midair. He instead slammed his tail against the barrier giving him just the boost he needed to land right behind Turtwig who was wide open.
"Shinx! Shinx!" The electric type screeched with the flames from his fangs reappearing and blazing at twice the intensity as he quickly landed right behind his opponent who's back was still turned.
"Turt-" Before the grass type could even turn its head around to face its opponent, it was struck in the back by the full brunt of the attack. A large smoke cloud formed upon the battlefield enveloping both Pokémon from their Trainer's sight.
"Yes! Just like that, Shinx!" Dawn cried out pumping one fist into the air. The girl looked over to the other side of the battlefield once some of the smoke began to part. Over to Gardenia who still had the same smug smile plastered on her face.
"Maaaann, that was a cute maneuver. Gold star for you!" Gardenia complimented. "But uhhhhh, I'm not so sure it's gonna work."
"Oh yeah, and why's that?" Dawn asked, gaining some more confidence. A super effective move had landed upon her opponent; or at least it looked like it did. She wasn't at all sure of why Gardenia could still have a glimpse of sureness. But then, the smoke cleared.
There wasn't an inch of the arena that wasn't covered in grass, trees, or some kind of plant. But vines... she hadn't noticed it around the ring, but in front of her, Shinx. Wrapped with vines all over his body tight enough she could see the chafing upon his skin.
Shinx with grit teeth struggled to break free from the clutch of the vines, but it didn't amount to much. After just about a few seconds tops the vines one-by-one unlatched from his skin much to his and Dawn's surprise. Just like that, he was released.
The Spark Pokémon turned his head looking behind him as he felt a breath nearing the back of his neck. And with that, his eye met with his determined-filled, bug-eyed opponent. Not giving Turtwig any chance to strike Shinx leapt forward putting some distance between the two of them landing on all his fours.
Taking in a good glance at Turtwig, the Pokémon was clearly put through a lot from that Fire Fang, but there he was, still standing, and still ready to fight. The grass starter had some burns across its skin, and some bruises and scratches but aside from that it was still ready to continue.
"Shinx may not have noticed it, and you probably didn't either... but likeeeee, that just now, that was Leech Seed, it finesses some nutrients and other junk from whatever Pokémon it hits!" Gardenia clarified while twirling some of her hair across a finger. "...Oh yeahhh, it's great that Shinx isn't actually a fire type, otherwise that Fire Fang prooobablyy would've been the end of it."
Dawn ignored Gardenia's boasts and continued forth. "Who cares about that, Shinx! If one Fire Fang's enough to weaken it that much then another should finish it!"
For the third time in the full length of the battle, Shinx's mouth opened wide with a blaze followed by a trail of smoke. With a fierce growl the electric type leaped forth once more springing towards his combatant who merely watched until his Trainer called a move.
Gardenia smirked. "Okie dokie then! Turtwig, use Sand Tomb!"
"Woah, hold on, Sand wha-" Before Dawn could even finish, sand began to kick up off the battlefield. And moreover, it quickly began to spread into the air in a tornado-like spiral around originating from the top of Turtwig's stem. Shinx, still soaring into the air, had no time to dodge and was completely engulfed by the attack.
"Shinxxxxxxx!" The last thing she could hear from her Pokémon as the sound of screams was easily surpassed by the deafening roaring of the Sand Tomb. She couldn't even take a glance at what was going on as if she did her eyes would have sand up on them.
Dawn felt Chimchar gripping tightly upon her back, trying to shield himself from any amounts of sand, even if small. And she couldn't blame him, especially considering he, just like Shinx had a weakness to ground type moves like Sand Tomb.
Once she felt she could, the girl finally slowly uncovered her eyes to try and spot her Pokémon. She immediately glanced towards the sky, to maybe see if Shinx was dangling to some branch.
But he in fact wasn't, she then looked over to the ground, where she found her fighter. There he was, laying helplessly unconscious surrounded by coarse sand.
Eugene took notice. "Shinx is unable to continue battling! Trainer Dawn, please send in your next Pokémon!"
"Shinx, return!" Dawn said as she raised the electric type's Pokéball recalling him back. The Trainer raised the ball closer to her face once he was recollected. "Thanks for giving it your all boy, you don't know how much it means to me." She said before returning it to her satchel.
From across the field Gardenia took her eyes off Dawn taking a glance around the room. "Hey, I reallyyy outta get these walls painted some time, place is as white as an albino Dewgong, wouldn't you agree, kid?" Something which only irritated her opponent more.
"Quit acting like this isn't a battle! I'm a challenger and you're gonna treat me like one!" Dawn declared before pointing at the battlefield before her. "Chimchar, let's go and finish the job!"
Chimchar, no longer hiding behind his Trainer's back, rushed past Dawn's side back to the battlefield with sand being caught between his toes almost as soon as he stepped in. "Chim, Chim!" The fire type yelled giving a battle cry once standing about just a few meters apart from another fellow starter.
Turtwig kept his beaty eyes locked on the fire type. Returning the Pokémon's fiery gaze with an equally determined-glare.
It was true that fire beat grass. The same way water beat fire or ground beat electric. But things weren't as clean cut as that when Turtwig had a move up his sleeve like Sand Tomb.
Yet at the same time, he was weakened from the earlier Fire Fang. The Pokémon, while trying to hide it, was breathing quite heavily. Something the faded Gardenia took notice of.
Hmm... maybe Sand Tomb wasn't the right call, Turtwig could've continued feeding off of Shinx's energy until he was fully healed... She analyzed before giving another smile. Still seated she reached beside her grabbing her next and final Pokéball. Aweee, whatever, It don't matter, especially when I have you battling on my side.
"Well, if you're not gonna start then I will!" Dawn yelled calling out a move. "Chimchar, how about another Flame Wheel!"
"Char!" Chimchar screeched banging at his chest before jumping into the air curling up all the while the signature sheet of nice orange flames surrounded him. Speeding across the ground like a spin top he kicked up bits of sand while moving at sonic speeds.
"Hah! That's nothing, Protect!" Gardenia laughed before giving a command.
Without the slightest set back, just like earlier, a green half-dome formed right in front of Turtwig without any time for Chimchar to move out of the way. The Pokémon instead slamming right for the force field with no hopes of breaking it.
The friction of the bullet-fast Flame Wheel and the Protect was enough to emit sparks as Chimchar continued to struggle trying to force his way through the barrier. But it was of no use, any usage of Protect... it was impossible to penetrate.
However, Chimchar wouldn't give up foolishly trying to overcome the barricade in front of him. Only while his tenacity would do him favors; it was just what Gardenia was hoping for.
She grinned. "Bingoooo! Now Turtwig, while it's strugglin' get it with a Leech Seed!"
Before Dawn could realize how badly she messed up, from behind its Protect, Turtwig shot tiny seeds from his mouth which she wouldn't have been able to see if not for its shiny glow they protruded with them planting into the ground in seconds.
"Oh, anything but that!" Dawn muttered before thinking fast. "Ugh Chimchar, quickly, get the heck out of there!"
Heeding her word, Chimchar escaped from his coat of flames giving no time to jump back. But right as he did, it would prove to be too late. As soon as the Protect vanished, the same vine-like roots from the previous battle which briefly entrapped Shinx broke through the ground grabbed and groped Chimchar holding him across his arms, neck, and legs.
"C-Char, Char!" The fire type groaned trying to shake himself free from the Leech Seed's shackles. Only it was easier said than done, their grasp was tighter than what he could shake. That was the point of the attack after all, to keep a Pokémon trapped so the opposing Pokémon could sap some energy.
And the energy moved fast, before Chimchar knew it he felt the tightened vines around him loosen, with him feeling suddenly less nutriated than before, he began to fall towards the ground before he glanced at an erupting sand storm emerging from around his opponent.
Sand kicking up from the ground once again surrounded Turtwig centering around its little stem. The attack began to spread straight for him with no time for him to dodge it. And once again, Dawn was forced to look away and cover her eyes as her Pokémon was caught in the move.
"It just had to be Sand Tomb, why wouldn't it be Sand Tomb!" Dawn yelled angrily before shutting her mouth as some sand had gotten in. It was only in the midst of her worry, she decided to force through the pain of stinging sand in her eye and look over to her Pokémon who was being carried in the air by the miniature sand twister.
The attack was super effective, just like the last time with Shinx, no way he was getting out of this one. And once she felt the sand finally subsiding, she was ready to take a full look.
To her dismay, Chimchar was laid out on the ground floor, surrounded by sand with some even leaking from his mouth. Clearly, there wasn't a chance in hell he was getting back up to battle.
From the edge of the room, Eugene took off some shades he had worn to protect himself from the attack taking in the full sight of the knocked-out Chimchar. "Chimchar is unable to battle further, Trainer Dawn, please bring in your final Pokémon!"
Dawn hadn't listened a word of his. She was already at her knees besides Chimchar lifting the little guy into her arms. "Chimchar, Chimchar, can you hear me!?" She shouted nervously, until her Pokémon's eyes lifted.
"C-Char..." Chimchar muttered sounding more exhausted than ever. Despite the pain he was feeling all over, the little guy was at least able to get back on his feet only for Dawn to place her hands right below his arms placing him on her shoulder as she got up and continued back to her side on the ring.
"You did great Chimchar; I mean, that Sand Tomb attack was crazy, I can think of Pokémon triple your size that would've went down do it, so don't be hard on yourself." Dawn told her Pokémon who was still upset about his loss. Before she could return to her side of the field, she heard her opponent call out to her.
"Two Pokémon down, aye? I'll give you this kid, you've got spirit, guts, tenacity, and so do you're Pokémon." Gardenia complimented bringing a smile to Dawn's face.
"That's fancy talk coming from you! You're finally starting to make a lick of sense! Looks like the silly finally left your system, huh?" Dawn replied which gave Gardenia another laugh.
"Hah! The silly you said? Sure, that's what we'll call it." She continued to laugh before continuing. "But uhh, in all seriousness. Guts and tenacity is only as good as a Feebas on land if your Pokémon can't back it up! To be frank, you're about an eighty's movie training montage away from being able to actually challenge me!"
"Oh yeah!?" Dawn raised her voice as she reached into her satchel pulling out her next Pokéball. "Staravia, let's make her eat those words!" She yelled right as her Pokémon was released upon the battlefield.
"Staravia! Ravia!" The flying type cried out along with an elegant bow of his head. Afterwards turning his head back giving a reassuring glance to his Trainer that he would take the victory with open arms... well, if he could open his arms, considering his wings.
"What you're looking at right now is my strongest Pokémon!" Dawn squealed out excitedly before she felt her starter tightly pinch her ear.
She looked over to him before correcting herself. "Well,scratch that,my second strongest Pokémon tied with Chimchar... also tied with Shinx for that matter, but wait a sec, wouldn't that actually mean they'd be my first strongest Pokémon tied with each other and— argh, why am I thinking about this right now!? Staravia, let's quickly finish this with a-"
Before she could even finish, Turtwig was immediately recalled back to its Pokéball, much to the surprise of Dawn who hadn't expected it. She looked over to Gardenia who already had another Pokéball in hand.
"So you're saving Turtwig for later?" Dawn asked to Gardenia who stood back up from her chair.
'"Saving Turtwig for later?"' Gardenia repeated. "Nope. Sorry honey, but you won't be seeing Turtwig again, at least not for this battle. Because my next Pokémon is more than enough to take down your tumbledown Starly." She said confidently before throwing the ball with a one-arm toss.
Along with sparkles, a new Pokémon was released upon the battlefield. One Dawn definitely hadn't ever glanced at before. It was a bipedal Pokémon with an appearance that looked right out of a masquerade ball, it had hair made of white rose petals, and a leafy, green cape with a yellow, collar-like bangle on its neck. The cape pattern reaching towards the back of its head, in spiky, sepal-like extensions on the hair. It had a dark-green mask over its red, yellow-lidded eyes which immediately caught Dawn's eye.
"Who's that Pokémon?" Dawn asked herself as she took out her Pokédex taking a quick scan of it.
"Roserade, the Bouquet Pokémon. Each of its hands contains different toxins, but both hands can jab with near-fatal power."
"Well, one thing is for sure, it is pretty-looking! But pretty and strong don't always equate to each other!" Dawn cried out as she returned her device to her bag. Her comments not at all affecting Gardenia.
"I think after the course of this battle until now, it would be, like, a huge understatement to judge one of my Pokémon by how they look, wouldn't you agree?" Gardenia retorted.
"It doesn't matter. Cause it's not gonna be so pretty once Staravia's done with it!" Dawn assured the Gym Leader. "Okay, let's do this! Start with Quick Attack!"
Feeling the speed building up within his talons, Staravia leapt off the ground sprinting across the battlefield with immaculate speed and a white trail of light behind him and his disjointed wings dangling behind him.
"Quick Attack?" Gardenia muttered. "Hah! An Aerial Ace would've done you more favors, but well... it's not like it matters much anyhow. Roserade, use Petal Blizzard!"
The grass type Pokémon eyes shimmered a bright pink color for a split second, all before a strong breeze began to form around it followed by, pink cherry blossoms not giving Dawn much time to admire its beauty as the leaves quickly began to expand in both amount and speed. Before they knew it, the vicious leaves completely covered the entirety of Roserade.
"Star!?" Staravia gasped stopping himself from dashing into the leaves. The Pokémon simply kept his eyes locked on the Petal Blizzard unsure of what to do. No opportunity to strike.
This gave Gardenia another smirk. But it wasn't like any of her earlier smirks. She was practically proclaiming she had won. With the same amount of certainty as an "I win" Gardenia called for another move. "Now Roserade, use Swords Dance!"
The Bouquet Pokémon was barely even visible from within the layers of cherry blossoms it was surrounded in. All Dawn and Staravia could get a glance at between the possible thousands of aroma-filled flower petals was the blank silhouette of the Pokémon from behind the leaves, spinning upon one leg. It was entrancing.
But before they could get even more entrapped by the sight of the attack. Dawn remembered Gardenia had called for another move. One which she had no clue of. No time to dawdle around.
"Staravia, back to me!" Dawn cried out with her Pokémon listening not taking any chances. He jumped back several feet still sliding back some after landing on his talons. It was at that moment, when the endless flowing leaves began to soar apart in multiple different directions of the battlefield with rocket speed.
Dawn, Staravia, and even Chimchar were finally able to return their gaze to the Pokémon in front of them. It stood confidently, with one leg forward and one leg back, and both arms upon its hips.
"Roserade, Rade!" The Pokémon said with an air of smugness which bothered Dawn.
"What the heck was that!?" Dawn cried out. "Well, whatever it was, one thing's for sure, that was the most eloquent block I've ever seen in my life!" She cried out before feeling a single cherry blossom fall upon her neck. She reached and grabbed it raising it to eye view before releasing it.
Upon looking back, Roserade was already gone, or at least not where it had previously been. Already, it was right in front of Staravia, who was a pretty fast Pokémon at that.
The grass type simply stood confidently before its opponent, not even taking into consideration the type disadvantage it possessed. Almost like it was a non-factor.
"Hmph, okay kid, this was fun, but I say it's time we end this." Gardenia said crossing her arms with her eyes closed. "Now, end it with Poison Jab!"
"P-Poison Jab!?" Dawn cried out, but before she could even call out for Staravia to dodge, it was already done. From that up close, there was no chance of dodging. Roserade raised its left arm with the flower bouquet glowing purple in color with light radiating around it, all before smashing into Staravia's neck.
The flying type gave a loud screech of pain before being sent across the field with a trail of smoke accompanying him. It was more than shocking to Dawn considering Poison Jab was more an attack which usefulness relied on its ability to inflict its poison.
Before she knew it, her flying type was laying at her feet with his wings spread apart and his beak wide open. Over and done with, just like that.
"Staravia, Staravia!" Dawn cried out in shock dropping to her knees in concern along with Chimchar who leapt off her shoulder trying to shake his partner back to.
Both Dawn and her fire type shook at Staravia's belly. But it was futile. He was already flattened out like a pancake. No way was there a chance he would be getting up, at least not until a Pokémon Center.
Gardenia took in the sight of her challenger's third and final Pokémon out for the count. She gave a smile beaming with arrogance before raising her arm returning her mighty Roserade back to its Pokéball.
Eugene took note as well. No way Staravia could make a comeback. "Staravia is unable to battle, Leaving Trainer Dawn out of Pokémon! Thus making Gym Leader Gardenia today's victor!" He announced right as Dawn recalled her Pokémon to his Pokéball.
"Staravia..." Dawn said with a gloomful smile as she held her Pokéball in her palm. "You fought like a true champ. That's more than what I could ask for." She said retrieving the Pokéball to her satchel and returning her glance to the match's victor.
Gardenia jumped back in her chair laying her arms against the back of her head. "Say, Dawn. You lost. But you no doubt grew along the course of this battle. Who knows, perhaps in our next battle... or the one after that, maybe you'll win yourself the Forest Badge. Just make sure you get in some training, kay?"
Dawn couldn't even bring herself to muster the proper words. Instead all she could even mumble was "one shot," which Gardenia heard.
"Yeah, but don't let it sweat you, call it a derivative of that earlier move I had Roserade use, Poison Jab would've never taken down Staravia on its own." Gardenia clarified before clasping her hands together. "Anyways, since that's over with, Imma continue—you know, doing what I was doing before... maybe call the Gym a close for today, so ugh, nice battling you and all."
Dawn let out a sigh before she turned around taking steps towards the exit to the gym. "Yeah... nice battling you." She mumbled with sadness echoing through her voice.
Hey guys, whew, it feels nice to even be able to say those words again. I haven't uploaded in a while, let's just say some things have been happening in my personal life, things I don't even feel comfortable sharing on this site. But I feel a lot better than I did just a little while ago, so there is that. Anyways, I decided to make Gardenia a stoner since it was hard not to, (I mean, cause you know, grass and all) I've never dabbled with that stuff, so I hope my portrayal wasn't too far off the mark. Alright, I'll try and release the next chapter within a week, see you then y'all.