Chapter 7: The Combat with Flint
Mandy's POV
We found the Pokemon Center when arriving in Pewter City and Teresa and I got our Pokemon checked over by Nurse Joy. She was quite surprised at how healthy they were.
"All your Pokemon are in perfect health," she said, amazed. Tersea and I smiled. I had healed our Pokemon earlier before we arrived in Pewter City.
'Lucky she doesn't know I have healing power,' I thought, sticking my tongue out. Teresa looked at me and I nodded to her. I knew why.
"Nurse Joy?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"D'you happen to know where the Gym is?" She looked at our Pokemon, then sighed. I looked at her puzzled.
"What's wrong?" I wondered.
"If you really must know, it's a couple of blocks to your left. But I doubt you'll win. Flint uses incredibly strong Pokemon, and a rookie like you wouldn't stand a chance," she told us.
The word 'rookie' resounded in my ears and my heart felt broken. It's like glass breaking. I hated it when I was called 'rookie'. Now, I gave up on fighting that I was more than a rookie and sulked. Do you know how many times I've been called rookie for the past few days!?
"Are you okay?" Al asked me.
"Sure. I'm fine," I laughed, hanging my head in despair while drawing circles on the floor with my finger and sulked. Teresa looked at Nurse Joy in the eye.
"We won't know until we try," she said stubbornly and turned to her Pokemon, not realizing she just said Pokemon language in front of Nurse Joy. The nurse gasped and began to run to the phone, but, fortunately, Al cut her off.
"You will tell no one about this," he told her gravely. "Her father, Shawn Helms, passed on that power. He's my adoptive uncle." Teresa and I looked at Al. He noticed Teresa's quizzical look. "Yes, Teresa, I was adopted, that's why I still had a crush after I found out that your father was Sandy's brother."
"Was her father born in the Viridian Forest?" Nurse Joy asked timidly.
"Yes," Teresa said.
"So was I," Al admitted. "I was orphaned at birth. Actually, that's what Sandy says happened, but when she told me of how I had been found I knew I was abandoned. I was left on her doorstep."
I felt sorry for him. I didn't know he had such a rough past till now. 'Losing both parents... It must have been hard on himself.'
I understood how he felt. It was hard on me when I lost my mother. He gave Teresa and me a meaningful look.
"We'd best go to the Gym now," he suggested.
"Right," Teresa and I said in unison.
Neither of us thought to jinx the other. I didn't feel like teasing Teresa since Al admitted he had a crush on her. We followed Al outside and all the way to the Gym quietly. Halfway, a memory flashed in my mind. The same memory that has haunted me since I was five. I quickly shook my head. But it's quite strange. The dream and the memory began a week after my mother died. Both didn't link in a way. Yet, for some reason, the dragon and another strange Pokemon that appeared 5 years ago, somehow, linked together.
"Hey." I snapped out of my thoughts when Teresa called me. I realized we had reached the doors of Pewter City Gym. "Mandy, you battle first."
I looked at Teresa like she was crazy or something. "And be the first to get clobbered? No way!"
Teresa just smiled. "Fine, I'll go first."
I slapped my forehead, falling for her little trick. I didn't mean to say that! I really wanted to battle first so I wouldn't have to worry. But I became anxious the moment we stepped in front of the Gym. We went in and I saw an old man in his fifties sitting at the other end of the arena. I guess this was Flint, the person Jane told about earlier.
'He doesn't look so tough,' I thought. 'Maybe this will be an easy battle.'
Teresa walked closer with her Pokemon, while Al and I stood behind.
"Did you come here for a Boulder Badge?" he asked as Teresa stopped.
"Yes," she answered. I could tell she was nervous the fact that this was her first battle just by the shiver of her voice.
"Very well." He stood up and clapped his hand. With a sudden, the Gym started to shake.
"What's happening!?" I yelled. Eevee clenched my leg tightly.
"An earthquake!?" Al shouted. Was it?
A rock field unexpectedly came out of the walls. Quickly, Teresa and her Pokemon jumped out of its way as the two sides crashed together, forming into a ground-type arena. Flint stood on one end of the field, Teresa on the other. I knew there was no turning back now.
"This will be a three-on-three battle!" Flint declared.
"Fine! Go! Lightning!" Teresa shouted. Lightning jumped onto the field. He looked at her apprehensively. She spoke to her, urging him on. He nodded and ran to the middle of the field. Flint laughed.
"A little Pikachu can't hurt my Rock and Ground-type Pokémon!" he exclaimed. "How long have you had that Pikachu?"
"Two weeks and a day," Teresa said defiantly. "And Lightning's much stronger than you think."
"Fine, then." Flint grabbed a PokéBall. "I choose you! Marowak!"
"Marowak," Teresa muttered. We both whipped out our PokeDex.
"Marowak, the Bonekeeper Pokémon. The bone this Pokémon holds is its key weapon. It throws the bone skillfully like a boomerang to K.O. targets. Marowak is the evolved form of the Lonely Pokémon, Cubone."
"Cubone..." I echoed. I've seen this Pokemon but where?
Flint was continuing without Teresa: "Beat that Pikachu into submission! Bonemerang!"
"Lightning! Duck!" She shouted as the Bonemerang came towards him. Lightning quickly lay flat on the ground, and the Bonemerang harmlessly flew over him. Lightning was smart enough not to get back up until the Bonemerang flew past him again and hit Marowak on the head.
The Bonemerang hit home, and Marowak fainted. Flint was shocked at her tactic.
"Knocking out my Pokémon with its own attack. That was quite unexpected," he said. "No matter. Go! Graveler!"
Marowak returned to his PokéBall and Flint threw a new one. A Graveler stood before Lightning. He looked scared. Teresa and I used our PokeDex again.
"Graveler, the Rock Pokémon. This Pokémon rolls down slopes to move. It rolls over any obstacle without slowing down. Graveler is the evolved form of the Rock Pokémon, Geodude. Graveler evolves into the Megaton Pokémon, Golem."
"Lightning, return!" she called. Lightning jumped back to her side. "Go! Q- T-Pie!" She threw Q-T-Pie's PokéBall, and her Gold Butterfree came out. Flint let out an audible gasp.
"The Gold Butterfree. It's legendary." he said in awe. "Only the most worthy trainers can catch and raise a Gold Pokémon. Well, let's see how worthy you are! Graveler! Rock Throw!"
Graveler began picking up rocks from the field and throwing them at Q-T- Pie. She began to take considerable damage, but withstood it with a determination I had seen present only in Eevee and Brave.
"Q-T-Pie! Dodge it and use Confusion!" Teresa ordered. Q-T-Pie wove in between the rocks and sent confusing psychic waves at Graveler. Graveler stopped chucking rocks and began running into them instead.
"Graveler's confused!" Al exclaimed.
"Good job, Q-T-Pie!" Teresa shouted. "Now! Finish him off with a Gust attack!"
Q-T-Pie said. She smiled. Q-T-Pie began flapping her wings, hard. A small tornado was formed, which was blown towards Graveler. He was knocked out.
"What!?" Flint shouted.
"Alright! She's gonna win!" I cheered.
"Go! Rhyhorn!" Flint shouted.
Graveler returned to his PokéBall and Flint threw his last PokéBall. A massive Rhyhorn burst out in a blast of white light and stomped his foot. For the last time, Teresa and I used our PokeDex.
"Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokémon. This Pokémon's massive bones are 1,000 times harder than human bones. It can easily knock a trainer flying. Rhyhorn evolves into the Drill Pokémon, Rhydon."
"Q-T-Pie, I think you should go see Mandy and take a rest," she hinted. She nodded and flew over to me. I promptly began healing her. Flint didn't notice. Teresa called Evolution into the fight. I could tell the Flint was confused by her ability to speak Pokemon.
'I hope he doesn't find out,' I thought worriedly.
"Um, Rhyhorn? Use your Stomp," Flint said uncertainly. Rhyhorn raised its foot.
"Evolution! Ice Beam!" Teresa shouted. Evolution blew out an icy cold beam, freezing Rhyhorn and ending the match.
"Rhyhorn, return!" Flint called. Rhyhorn returned to his PokéBall in a beam of red light. The field went back into the walls and Flint walked up to her. The match was over.
"You deserve this," Flint told me. He held out a Boulder Badge. She took it gratefully.
"Thank you," Teresa said and pinned the badge to her bag. She looked at me. "Your turn."
I gulped. I wasn't ever ready yet! Then I came out with an excuse.
"I think I'll let him heal his Pokémon first," I said. "I'll come back tomorrow."
Q-T-Pie flew up to Teresa just then and began tickling her with the breeze she made. She laughed and brought her back into her PokéBall.
"Let's go back to the Pokémon Center," Al suggested. "We can rest until tomorrow."
"Okay," Teresa replied.
"Good idea," I said before sighing with relief.
~*~*~*~*~
We arrived at the Pokemon Center and rested there. I felt the need to get out for fresh air. I got out from my seat and walked to the entrance, Eevee following me behind.
"Where are you going?" Al asked, stopping me.
"Just going for a walk," I told him. Teresa stood up.
"I'll come with you," she suggested.
"Nah," I explained, waving a hand and shaking my head. "It's okay. I need some time alone."
"Oh, okay," Teresa said and shrugged her shoulders.
"Come back at 6. We're having dinner later," Al told me.
"I'll be there." I turned to the door and grinned on the way. 'Besides, this is a good time for them to get along.'
Before I realized, Teresa grabbed me by the collar and glared at me with cold furious eyes.
"What did you just think of?" she demanded.
"Uh, n-no, no! It's nothing! Hee-hee-hee-heee..." I laughed nervously and broke away from her death grip. "Bye!"
I dashed away, hearing Teresa yelled, "Oooh! Mandy!". Eevee followed my heels and we disappeared around the corner. After a running start, we walked along a street. It was deserted and quiet. Pieces litter scattered across the road. I was thinking about the battle between Teresa and Flint.
'Flint's Pokemon seem pretty tough. I wonder...if I can beat him.'
I mean, my Pokemon aren't quite strong now. Eevee is among all but Rock and Ground Type can take Normal type single-handed.
"Ee?" Eevee asked. I knew he was worried of me.
"Oh, it's alright..." I assured him. "Eevee?"
"Vee?"
"Do you think we'll stand a chance against Flint?"
"Ee? Vee Ee," he squeaked, nodding his head.
"You might be confident but I'm not."
"Ee?"
"Well...Flint's Pokemon looks hard-hitting. I'm not sure if we'll win..."
Eevee looked at me with a bewildered look. "Ee ev vee! Vee ee-ee ev ve!"
I guess he was trying to encourage me. I shouldn't think that we might lose. "You're right. We'll just try our best and if we don't success, we'll try again."
Eevee smiled and nodded. The sun was about to set soon. Just when we were about to turn back, I heard voices not far. They were coming from a house and a light was streaming though a window. I looked through and found several children. The younger ones were playing around while one of the older children was reading about Pokemon. I noticed that there was no parents looking after these kids.
"Hmm... That's strange," I said.
"What is?"
Eevee and I jumped with fright when we realized someone asked that question behind our backs. A young boy, who was a bit taller than me and looked like an older brother of the children, stood behind in the darkness.
"Geez! Don't scare me like that!" I shrieked. "And exactly who are you?"
"What is so strange to you?" the boy asked instead of answering my question. I gave in and answered.
"...It's just that...those kids, I don't see a parent looking after them."
The boy sighed. "That's because their mother died a long time ago."
I was startled and felt guilty of what I said. I looked back at the kids.
"What about their father?" I asked. Surely, they must have someone looking after them.
"...Before, he went on a Pokemon journey but failed. He was too afraid to face his family."
"Then who looked after them?"
"Brock did."
"Brock?" I echoed. "The Gym Leader?"
"Yeah. He's their older brother."
My jaw dropped. "Older brother...!?"
"Yeah. Brock looked after these children till his father came back. In the end, he joined two Pokemon Trainers to become the Greatest Pokemon Breeder."
"...Brock's kinda like my older brother, Jack," I said, turning to the children. "And I guess I understand how Brock must have felt..."
"Huh?" the boy echoed.
I sighed. "My mom died five years ago and my dad had to take care of Jack and me. When Jack left our home to help build up our bank account, my dad alone took after me...but it seemed like...I was looking after him instead."
We became silent for a while.
"...I wonder how my dad is looking after himself without me now. Maybe messing up his dinner tonight," I laughed and turned to the boy. I wished I could have seen his face. The shadows have clothed his face. "Now that I answered your question, it's your time to answer mine. What's your name?"
"It's-" I was distracted when I turned to the window. I heard a man's voice and it sounded like Flint's. I nearly gasped at what I saw. Flint was there, coming in and greeting the kids. I couldn't believe it. Then a thought came to my mind. Could he be the father?
"Well, I gotta go. My friends must be waiting for me. Bye," the boy said and ran away. I didn't even get his name yet!
"Hey! Wait! I didn't catch you name!" Oops. Bad choice of words in a world of Pokémon.
He didn't listen. Perhaps he was too far to hear me. He vanished around a corner as Eevee and I chased after him.
"Wait u-" Just as I turned, I bumped into something and fell onto the pavement. "Ouch!"
"What have we have here?" a voice sneered. I groaned and looked up. Daniel. "It's the loser."
Eevee hissed irately at him as I got up and glared at him.
"Just get out of my way! I don't have time for you!" I spat but he just smirked and laughed. "What's so funny!?"
"I see you have no badge," he laughed.
"So what!?"
"Check it out." He held a shiny Boulder Badge attached to his jacket in front of my face. "Looks like you're waaay behind."
I glared angrily at him.
"And you haven't evolve your Eevee yet," he continued. "Charm!" Waggling next to Daniel was a Charmeleon. "I evolved mine just before I battled Flint.
I just said a "Hmph.".
"So what? My Eevee doesn't need to evolve," I growled at him.
"Well, you got a long way then, rookie!" he laughed.
I wanted to kill him if he didn't shut up!
"Good luck. That is if you have any! Ha-ha!" Daniel shouted, laughing his head off and walked away with Charm following after him.
I growled louder. "When I get my hands on that jerk, I'll strangle him!"
"Ee vee ee." Eevee looked a bit anixous.
"Don't worry, Eevee. The next time we meet him, he's gonna crawl the pavement once I kill him!"
Eevee sighed and after I calmed down, I went to look for the boy. But I didn't find him so we headed back to the Pokemon Center.
~*~*~*~*~
I stepped into the Pokemon Center with Eevee trotting after me and yelled "Hey, I'm back".
I was still fed up with what happened and I didn't get the boy's name. It was then I noticed Al and Nurse Joy peeking over a corner.
"What are you two doing?" I asked
Al looked over his shoulder. "Oh, hi Mandy. Well..."
"Your friend is having a chat with a friend...I think," Nurse Joy replied.
I raised one eyebrow and looked over. "A friend?"
I could have never guess it was Jasmine there, arguing with Teresa. A sweatdrop tinkled down my cheek as I watched their fight.
"Well, let's see if you can get to the Pokemon League!" Jasmine retorted.
"Oh, I'll do that... And you'll be waaay behind!" Teresa yelled.
I kept quiet. 'I wonder how everything will go if Jasmine were to meet Daniel...' I thought. The answer was simple. Total chaos.
"We'll see..." With that, Jasmine walked away, leaving the Pokemon Center. I stepped in and smiled.
"You too, huh?" I asked.
"Huh?" she said.
"Hey. There's nothing to mope over right now. Let's go eat," I said, pointing to the exit. Al and I went out the Pokemon Center, hearing Teresa call, "Hey! Wait up!"
I smiled back at her. Still the same ole Teresa I know.
~*~*~*~*~
Morning broke and we arrived at the Pewter Gym. I looked at the huge gates, my knees shivering. Al turned to me.
"Well, Mandy, are you ready?" he asked.
Was I ready? Well, I got a strategy at hand and I trained my Pokemon last night.
"The thing is..." I began.
"Is what?" Teresa wondered.
"I'm still shaking. Can we come tomorrow?" I pleaded. Teresa, Al and the Pokemon face-faulted. Teresa got up quickly.
"Come on, Mandy!" she yelled. "Jasmine is way ahead of us, so get in there now!!!"
I sighed. "Okay! Okay! I'm going. I'm going. It's just... I'm still new to this," I admitted. Teresa sighed.
"Look. You can do it. Just believe in yourself and your abilities as a trainer," she assured me.
"Easy for you to say," I muttered. I gulped as the doors opened and we walked into the Gym. Flint was sitting at the other end of the field.
"So... Who will battle me today?" he asked. I stepped forward with Eevee trotting beside me.
"I am," I said boldly but still quivered.
"Then let's begin," Flint said. He clapped his hands and the rock field came out of the walls. I grabbed a PokéBall, ready for battle. I clenched it tightly.
"Let's see how good you are," Flint said, grabbing one of his PokéBalls. "Go! Marowak!"
Marowak burst out of the PokéBall he threw in a blast of white light.
'Good luck on this one,' I thought, ever though the Pokémon in this PokéBall couldn't hear my thought.
"I choose you! Brave!" I shouted. Brave flew out of his PokéBall. Flint laughed. I knew why.
"This is bad," Al said behind me. Flint stopped laughing and spoke.
"Any good trainer knows that Flying Pokémon can't damage Rock or Ground Pokémon very easily," He told me. I just smiled, trying to show no fear.
"We'll see," I said. "Brave, Gust attack, now!"
Brave flapped his wings, creating a mini-tornado. He sent it towards Marowak.
"Marowak! Use Bonemerang!" Flint ordered. Marowak threw the bone club it carries, and its weapon broke through the wind currents that Brave's Gust had made, and sent Brave to the ground.
"Brave!" I shouted. My strategy didn't work!
"No way! Marowak's Bonemerang is so powerful, it can cut through wind!" Al cried.
"Then Mandy doesn't stand a chance!" Teresa exclaimed.
I should stand a chance. 'There's got to be another way...' I thought, trying to come up with another strategy.
Then, Brave slowly struggled to his feet and I noticed his left wing was broken. I wished I could go in and heal him. But I couldn't. And I could tell Brave didn't want to give up.
"Marowak! Use Bone Club now!" Flint ordered. Marowak aimed at Brave and began charging at him.
"Brave! Sand-Attack now!" I shouted. It would only give us time to think of a strategy.
Brave turned around and kicked sand in Marowak's eyes, blinding him temporarily. Brave hopped aside to a safe distance.
Suddenly, he started to glow with a bright light that filled the room. I gasped, bewilderment turning to joyfulness.
"What the-!?" Al shouted.
"Brave's evolving!" Teresa shouted with glee.
As the light dimmed, a Pidgeotto flew up, showing off its magnificent wings. I quickly seized my PokéDex.
"Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokémon. This Pokémon is very protective of its sprawling territory and will fiercely peck at any intruder. Pidgeotto is the evolved form of the Tiny Bird Pokémon, Pidgey. Pidgeotto evolves into the Bird Pokémon, Pidgeot."
"Amazing!" I heard Al gasp in awe. I smiled and turned away. Now I didn't need another strategy.
"Ready, Brave?" I asked. Brave nodded.
"Marowak! Use Bonemerang!" Flint ordered, apparently unimpressed at Brave evolving in the middle of the battle.
"Brave! Whirlwind!" I shouted.
Brave summoned a huge whirlwind, similar to Gust, only stronger, as the Bonemerang spun toward him. The wind current was so strong, however, the weapon bounced back to Marowak, hitting its hit. It fainted.
"Marowak, return!" Flint called. Marowak returned to his PokéBall. Fline turned back to me.
"Using wind currents to backfire my Marowak's attack was an impressive and, quite frankly, unpredictable move. No matter," he said. He grabbed another PokéBall. "Go! Graveler!"
Flint's Graveler came out of its PokéBall. I decided to return Brave for now. He was too tired from the previous battle to fight anymore.
"You've had enough, Brave! Return!" I called. Brave gratefully returned to his PokéBall. I took out another PokéBall.
"Go! Pika!" I declared. Pika came out of his PokéBall in a blast of white light, ready for battle. Flint laughed.
"Another Pikachu? Don't you already know that lightning doesn't affect Rock and Ground Pokémon?" he wondered.
"That I know..." I said with an evil grin. "But I also know that Rock Pokémon are affected by water! Pika! Aim at the ceiling!"
Pika understood where I was going at. He fired a Thundershock at the ceiling, aiming for, and hitting, the emergency water sprinkler. A rain of water poured onto all of us. Graveler roared as the water soaked its rocklike body.
"Graveler!" Flint cried.
"Now! Thunderbolt!" I ordered. Pika unleashed a bolt of lightning on the wet rock Pokémon. The bolt of electricity fried Graveler, and it fell onto the wet field.
"Incredible!" Al exclaimed.
"Mandy might win this battle!" Teresa shouted.
"Graveler, return!" he called. His weak Graveler went back into its PokéBall in a beam of red light. Flint threw his last PokéBall.
"Go! Rhyhorn!" he shouted, throwing his last PokéBall. His very powerful Rhyhorn burst out of the PokéBall in a flash of white light and roared.
Pika shivered as he took a look at the Rhyhorn. He was scared out of his skin.
"Pika, return!" I called. Pika, terrified of the huge Pokémon, jumped back into his PokéBall. "Eevee, get ready!"
Eevee stepped forward. Flint smiled.
"This should be easy. Rhyhorn! Horn Attack!" he ordered. I tsked.
"Better not be overconfident. 'Cause you're in for a big surprised!" I declared. "Eevee! Transform into Vaporeon!"
Eevee glowed with a bright white light. Rhyhorn stopped in its tracks, scared of the strange light. Flint gasped as Eevee transformed into Vaporeon.
"Impossible!" he gasped.
"Oh, but it isn't!" I assured him. "Vaporeon! Hydro Pump!"
Vaporeon let out a powerful stream of water, bubbles, and foam from its mouth. The powerful current hit Rhyhorn, and he fainted. The match was over.
"We did it!" I cried. Vaporeon transformed back to Eevee.
"Eeev ve!" he cheered. Flint made the field recedes and walked up to me.
"You deserve this," he said. He handed me a shiny Boulder Badge. I smiled as it gleamed in my hand.
"Thanks," I said.
~*~*~*~*~
We waved good-bye to Flint and his family once we left the Gym and walked to the road that led to Route 3. I found out that the boy I had met was one of Flint's sons and to tell you the truth, I bet that was Brock himself but I never told Teresa and Al that I met him. I looked at the shiny badge pinned to my jacket.
"So. You're not afraid of challenging Gym Leaders anymore?" Teresa asked.
"Nope. Now I know I can win with some help," I said and looked down at Eevee as he looked up at me. We both smiled. Al and Teresa looked at each other and smiled too.
"It will take all night to reach Mt. Moon," Al said.
"Then why don't you stay at the Pokémon Center tonight?" asked a voice from behind us. Nurse Joy was standing there.
"Good idea. Let's go, guys," Teresa said. We followed Nurse Joy back to the Pokémon Center.
Mandy's POV
We found the Pokemon Center when arriving in Pewter City and Teresa and I got our Pokemon checked over by Nurse Joy. She was quite surprised at how healthy they were.
"All your Pokemon are in perfect health," she said, amazed. Tersea and I smiled. I had healed our Pokemon earlier before we arrived in Pewter City.
'Lucky she doesn't know I have healing power,' I thought, sticking my tongue out. Teresa looked at me and I nodded to her. I knew why.
"Nurse Joy?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"D'you happen to know where the Gym is?" She looked at our Pokemon, then sighed. I looked at her puzzled.
"What's wrong?" I wondered.
"If you really must know, it's a couple of blocks to your left. But I doubt you'll win. Flint uses incredibly strong Pokemon, and a rookie like you wouldn't stand a chance," she told us.
The word 'rookie' resounded in my ears and my heart felt broken. It's like glass breaking. I hated it when I was called 'rookie'. Now, I gave up on fighting that I was more than a rookie and sulked. Do you know how many times I've been called rookie for the past few days!?
"Are you okay?" Al asked me.
"Sure. I'm fine," I laughed, hanging my head in despair while drawing circles on the floor with my finger and sulked. Teresa looked at Nurse Joy in the eye.
"We won't know until we try," she said stubbornly and turned to her Pokemon, not realizing she just said Pokemon language in front of Nurse Joy. The nurse gasped and began to run to the phone, but, fortunately, Al cut her off.
"You will tell no one about this," he told her gravely. "Her father, Shawn Helms, passed on that power. He's my adoptive uncle." Teresa and I looked at Al. He noticed Teresa's quizzical look. "Yes, Teresa, I was adopted, that's why I still had a crush after I found out that your father was Sandy's brother."
"Was her father born in the Viridian Forest?" Nurse Joy asked timidly.
"Yes," Teresa said.
"So was I," Al admitted. "I was orphaned at birth. Actually, that's what Sandy says happened, but when she told me of how I had been found I knew I was abandoned. I was left on her doorstep."
I felt sorry for him. I didn't know he had such a rough past till now. 'Losing both parents... It must have been hard on himself.'
I understood how he felt. It was hard on me when I lost my mother. He gave Teresa and me a meaningful look.
"We'd best go to the Gym now," he suggested.
"Right," Teresa and I said in unison.
Neither of us thought to jinx the other. I didn't feel like teasing Teresa since Al admitted he had a crush on her. We followed Al outside and all the way to the Gym quietly. Halfway, a memory flashed in my mind. The same memory that has haunted me since I was five. I quickly shook my head. But it's quite strange. The dream and the memory began a week after my mother died. Both didn't link in a way. Yet, for some reason, the dragon and another strange Pokemon that appeared 5 years ago, somehow, linked together.
"Hey." I snapped out of my thoughts when Teresa called me. I realized we had reached the doors of Pewter City Gym. "Mandy, you battle first."
I looked at Teresa like she was crazy or something. "And be the first to get clobbered? No way!"
Teresa just smiled. "Fine, I'll go first."
I slapped my forehead, falling for her little trick. I didn't mean to say that! I really wanted to battle first so I wouldn't have to worry. But I became anxious the moment we stepped in front of the Gym. We went in and I saw an old man in his fifties sitting at the other end of the arena. I guess this was Flint, the person Jane told about earlier.
'He doesn't look so tough,' I thought. 'Maybe this will be an easy battle.'
Teresa walked closer with her Pokemon, while Al and I stood behind.
"Did you come here for a Boulder Badge?" he asked as Teresa stopped.
"Yes," she answered. I could tell she was nervous the fact that this was her first battle just by the shiver of her voice.
"Very well." He stood up and clapped his hand. With a sudden, the Gym started to shake.
"What's happening!?" I yelled. Eevee clenched my leg tightly.
"An earthquake!?" Al shouted. Was it?
A rock field unexpectedly came out of the walls. Quickly, Teresa and her Pokemon jumped out of its way as the two sides crashed together, forming into a ground-type arena. Flint stood on one end of the field, Teresa on the other. I knew there was no turning back now.
"This will be a three-on-three battle!" Flint declared.
"Fine! Go! Lightning!" Teresa shouted. Lightning jumped onto the field. He looked at her apprehensively. She spoke to her, urging him on. He nodded and ran to the middle of the field. Flint laughed.
"A little Pikachu can't hurt my Rock and Ground-type Pokémon!" he exclaimed. "How long have you had that Pikachu?"
"Two weeks and a day," Teresa said defiantly. "And Lightning's much stronger than you think."
"Fine, then." Flint grabbed a PokéBall. "I choose you! Marowak!"
"Marowak," Teresa muttered. We both whipped out our PokeDex.
"Marowak, the Bonekeeper Pokémon. The bone this Pokémon holds is its key weapon. It throws the bone skillfully like a boomerang to K.O. targets. Marowak is the evolved form of the Lonely Pokémon, Cubone."
"Cubone..." I echoed. I've seen this Pokemon but where?
Flint was continuing without Teresa: "Beat that Pikachu into submission! Bonemerang!"
"Lightning! Duck!" She shouted as the Bonemerang came towards him. Lightning quickly lay flat on the ground, and the Bonemerang harmlessly flew over him. Lightning was smart enough not to get back up until the Bonemerang flew past him again and hit Marowak on the head.
The Bonemerang hit home, and Marowak fainted. Flint was shocked at her tactic.
"Knocking out my Pokémon with its own attack. That was quite unexpected," he said. "No matter. Go! Graveler!"
Marowak returned to his PokéBall and Flint threw a new one. A Graveler stood before Lightning. He looked scared. Teresa and I used our PokeDex again.
"Graveler, the Rock Pokémon. This Pokémon rolls down slopes to move. It rolls over any obstacle without slowing down. Graveler is the evolved form of the Rock Pokémon, Geodude. Graveler evolves into the Megaton Pokémon, Golem."
"Lightning, return!" she called. Lightning jumped back to her side. "Go! Q- T-Pie!" She threw Q-T-Pie's PokéBall, and her Gold Butterfree came out. Flint let out an audible gasp.
"The Gold Butterfree. It's legendary." he said in awe. "Only the most worthy trainers can catch and raise a Gold Pokémon. Well, let's see how worthy you are! Graveler! Rock Throw!"
Graveler began picking up rocks from the field and throwing them at Q-T- Pie. She began to take considerable damage, but withstood it with a determination I had seen present only in Eevee and Brave.
"Q-T-Pie! Dodge it and use Confusion!" Teresa ordered. Q-T-Pie wove in between the rocks and sent confusing psychic waves at Graveler. Graveler stopped chucking rocks and began running into them instead.
"Graveler's confused!" Al exclaimed.
"Good job, Q-T-Pie!" Teresa shouted. "Now! Finish him off with a Gust attack!"
Q-T-Pie said. She smiled. Q-T-Pie began flapping her wings, hard. A small tornado was formed, which was blown towards Graveler. He was knocked out.
"What!?" Flint shouted.
"Alright! She's gonna win!" I cheered.
"Go! Rhyhorn!" Flint shouted.
Graveler returned to his PokéBall and Flint threw his last PokéBall. A massive Rhyhorn burst out in a blast of white light and stomped his foot. For the last time, Teresa and I used our PokeDex.
"Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokémon. This Pokémon's massive bones are 1,000 times harder than human bones. It can easily knock a trainer flying. Rhyhorn evolves into the Drill Pokémon, Rhydon."
"Q-T-Pie, I think you should go see Mandy and take a rest," she hinted. She nodded and flew over to me. I promptly began healing her. Flint didn't notice. Teresa called Evolution into the fight. I could tell the Flint was confused by her ability to speak Pokemon.
'I hope he doesn't find out,' I thought worriedly.
"Um, Rhyhorn? Use your Stomp," Flint said uncertainly. Rhyhorn raised its foot.
"Evolution! Ice Beam!" Teresa shouted. Evolution blew out an icy cold beam, freezing Rhyhorn and ending the match.
"Rhyhorn, return!" Flint called. Rhyhorn returned to his PokéBall in a beam of red light. The field went back into the walls and Flint walked up to her. The match was over.
"You deserve this," Flint told me. He held out a Boulder Badge. She took it gratefully.
"Thank you," Teresa said and pinned the badge to her bag. She looked at me. "Your turn."
I gulped. I wasn't ever ready yet! Then I came out with an excuse.
"I think I'll let him heal his Pokémon first," I said. "I'll come back tomorrow."
Q-T-Pie flew up to Teresa just then and began tickling her with the breeze she made. She laughed and brought her back into her PokéBall.
"Let's go back to the Pokémon Center," Al suggested. "We can rest until tomorrow."
"Okay," Teresa replied.
"Good idea," I said before sighing with relief.
~*~*~*~*~
We arrived at the Pokemon Center and rested there. I felt the need to get out for fresh air. I got out from my seat and walked to the entrance, Eevee following me behind.
"Where are you going?" Al asked, stopping me.
"Just going for a walk," I told him. Teresa stood up.
"I'll come with you," she suggested.
"Nah," I explained, waving a hand and shaking my head. "It's okay. I need some time alone."
"Oh, okay," Teresa said and shrugged her shoulders.
"Come back at 6. We're having dinner later," Al told me.
"I'll be there." I turned to the door and grinned on the way. 'Besides, this is a good time for them to get along.'
Before I realized, Teresa grabbed me by the collar and glared at me with cold furious eyes.
"What did you just think of?" she demanded.
"Uh, n-no, no! It's nothing! Hee-hee-hee-heee..." I laughed nervously and broke away from her death grip. "Bye!"
I dashed away, hearing Teresa yelled, "Oooh! Mandy!". Eevee followed my heels and we disappeared around the corner. After a running start, we walked along a street. It was deserted and quiet. Pieces litter scattered across the road. I was thinking about the battle between Teresa and Flint.
'Flint's Pokemon seem pretty tough. I wonder...if I can beat him.'
I mean, my Pokemon aren't quite strong now. Eevee is among all but Rock and Ground Type can take Normal type single-handed.
"Ee?" Eevee asked. I knew he was worried of me.
"Oh, it's alright..." I assured him. "Eevee?"
"Vee?"
"Do you think we'll stand a chance against Flint?"
"Ee? Vee Ee," he squeaked, nodding his head.
"You might be confident but I'm not."
"Ee?"
"Well...Flint's Pokemon looks hard-hitting. I'm not sure if we'll win..."
Eevee looked at me with a bewildered look. "Ee ev vee! Vee ee-ee ev ve!"
I guess he was trying to encourage me. I shouldn't think that we might lose. "You're right. We'll just try our best and if we don't success, we'll try again."
Eevee smiled and nodded. The sun was about to set soon. Just when we were about to turn back, I heard voices not far. They were coming from a house and a light was streaming though a window. I looked through and found several children. The younger ones were playing around while one of the older children was reading about Pokemon. I noticed that there was no parents looking after these kids.
"Hmm... That's strange," I said.
"What is?"
Eevee and I jumped with fright when we realized someone asked that question behind our backs. A young boy, who was a bit taller than me and looked like an older brother of the children, stood behind in the darkness.
"Geez! Don't scare me like that!" I shrieked. "And exactly who are you?"
"What is so strange to you?" the boy asked instead of answering my question. I gave in and answered.
"...It's just that...those kids, I don't see a parent looking after them."
The boy sighed. "That's because their mother died a long time ago."
I was startled and felt guilty of what I said. I looked back at the kids.
"What about their father?" I asked. Surely, they must have someone looking after them.
"...Before, he went on a Pokemon journey but failed. He was too afraid to face his family."
"Then who looked after them?"
"Brock did."
"Brock?" I echoed. "The Gym Leader?"
"Yeah. He's their older brother."
My jaw dropped. "Older brother...!?"
"Yeah. Brock looked after these children till his father came back. In the end, he joined two Pokemon Trainers to become the Greatest Pokemon Breeder."
"...Brock's kinda like my older brother, Jack," I said, turning to the children. "And I guess I understand how Brock must have felt..."
"Huh?" the boy echoed.
I sighed. "My mom died five years ago and my dad had to take care of Jack and me. When Jack left our home to help build up our bank account, my dad alone took after me...but it seemed like...I was looking after him instead."
We became silent for a while.
"...I wonder how my dad is looking after himself without me now. Maybe messing up his dinner tonight," I laughed and turned to the boy. I wished I could have seen his face. The shadows have clothed his face. "Now that I answered your question, it's your time to answer mine. What's your name?"
"It's-" I was distracted when I turned to the window. I heard a man's voice and it sounded like Flint's. I nearly gasped at what I saw. Flint was there, coming in and greeting the kids. I couldn't believe it. Then a thought came to my mind. Could he be the father?
"Well, I gotta go. My friends must be waiting for me. Bye," the boy said and ran away. I didn't even get his name yet!
"Hey! Wait! I didn't catch you name!" Oops. Bad choice of words in a world of Pokémon.
He didn't listen. Perhaps he was too far to hear me. He vanished around a corner as Eevee and I chased after him.
"Wait u-" Just as I turned, I bumped into something and fell onto the pavement. "Ouch!"
"What have we have here?" a voice sneered. I groaned and looked up. Daniel. "It's the loser."
Eevee hissed irately at him as I got up and glared at him.
"Just get out of my way! I don't have time for you!" I spat but he just smirked and laughed. "What's so funny!?"
"I see you have no badge," he laughed.
"So what!?"
"Check it out." He held a shiny Boulder Badge attached to his jacket in front of my face. "Looks like you're waaay behind."
I glared angrily at him.
"And you haven't evolve your Eevee yet," he continued. "Charm!" Waggling next to Daniel was a Charmeleon. "I evolved mine just before I battled Flint.
I just said a "Hmph.".
"So what? My Eevee doesn't need to evolve," I growled at him.
"Well, you got a long way then, rookie!" he laughed.
I wanted to kill him if he didn't shut up!
"Good luck. That is if you have any! Ha-ha!" Daniel shouted, laughing his head off and walked away with Charm following after him.
I growled louder. "When I get my hands on that jerk, I'll strangle him!"
"Ee vee ee." Eevee looked a bit anixous.
"Don't worry, Eevee. The next time we meet him, he's gonna crawl the pavement once I kill him!"
Eevee sighed and after I calmed down, I went to look for the boy. But I didn't find him so we headed back to the Pokemon Center.
~*~*~*~*~
I stepped into the Pokemon Center with Eevee trotting after me and yelled "Hey, I'm back".
I was still fed up with what happened and I didn't get the boy's name. It was then I noticed Al and Nurse Joy peeking over a corner.
"What are you two doing?" I asked
Al looked over his shoulder. "Oh, hi Mandy. Well..."
"Your friend is having a chat with a friend...I think," Nurse Joy replied.
I raised one eyebrow and looked over. "A friend?"
I could have never guess it was Jasmine there, arguing with Teresa. A sweatdrop tinkled down my cheek as I watched their fight.
"Well, let's see if you can get to the Pokemon League!" Jasmine retorted.
"Oh, I'll do that... And you'll be waaay behind!" Teresa yelled.
I kept quiet. 'I wonder how everything will go if Jasmine were to meet Daniel...' I thought. The answer was simple. Total chaos.
"We'll see..." With that, Jasmine walked away, leaving the Pokemon Center. I stepped in and smiled.
"You too, huh?" I asked.
"Huh?" she said.
"Hey. There's nothing to mope over right now. Let's go eat," I said, pointing to the exit. Al and I went out the Pokemon Center, hearing Teresa call, "Hey! Wait up!"
I smiled back at her. Still the same ole Teresa I know.
~*~*~*~*~
Morning broke and we arrived at the Pewter Gym. I looked at the huge gates, my knees shivering. Al turned to me.
"Well, Mandy, are you ready?" he asked.
Was I ready? Well, I got a strategy at hand and I trained my Pokemon last night.
"The thing is..." I began.
"Is what?" Teresa wondered.
"I'm still shaking. Can we come tomorrow?" I pleaded. Teresa, Al and the Pokemon face-faulted. Teresa got up quickly.
"Come on, Mandy!" she yelled. "Jasmine is way ahead of us, so get in there now!!!"
I sighed. "Okay! Okay! I'm going. I'm going. It's just... I'm still new to this," I admitted. Teresa sighed.
"Look. You can do it. Just believe in yourself and your abilities as a trainer," she assured me.
"Easy for you to say," I muttered. I gulped as the doors opened and we walked into the Gym. Flint was sitting at the other end of the field.
"So... Who will battle me today?" he asked. I stepped forward with Eevee trotting beside me.
"I am," I said boldly but still quivered.
"Then let's begin," Flint said. He clapped his hands and the rock field came out of the walls. I grabbed a PokéBall, ready for battle. I clenched it tightly.
"Let's see how good you are," Flint said, grabbing one of his PokéBalls. "Go! Marowak!"
Marowak burst out of the PokéBall he threw in a blast of white light.
'Good luck on this one,' I thought, ever though the Pokémon in this PokéBall couldn't hear my thought.
"I choose you! Brave!" I shouted. Brave flew out of his PokéBall. Flint laughed. I knew why.
"This is bad," Al said behind me. Flint stopped laughing and spoke.
"Any good trainer knows that Flying Pokémon can't damage Rock or Ground Pokémon very easily," He told me. I just smiled, trying to show no fear.
"We'll see," I said. "Brave, Gust attack, now!"
Brave flapped his wings, creating a mini-tornado. He sent it towards Marowak.
"Marowak! Use Bonemerang!" Flint ordered. Marowak threw the bone club it carries, and its weapon broke through the wind currents that Brave's Gust had made, and sent Brave to the ground.
"Brave!" I shouted. My strategy didn't work!
"No way! Marowak's Bonemerang is so powerful, it can cut through wind!" Al cried.
"Then Mandy doesn't stand a chance!" Teresa exclaimed.
I should stand a chance. 'There's got to be another way...' I thought, trying to come up with another strategy.
Then, Brave slowly struggled to his feet and I noticed his left wing was broken. I wished I could go in and heal him. But I couldn't. And I could tell Brave didn't want to give up.
"Marowak! Use Bone Club now!" Flint ordered. Marowak aimed at Brave and began charging at him.
"Brave! Sand-Attack now!" I shouted. It would only give us time to think of a strategy.
Brave turned around and kicked sand in Marowak's eyes, blinding him temporarily. Brave hopped aside to a safe distance.
Suddenly, he started to glow with a bright light that filled the room. I gasped, bewilderment turning to joyfulness.
"What the-!?" Al shouted.
"Brave's evolving!" Teresa shouted with glee.
As the light dimmed, a Pidgeotto flew up, showing off its magnificent wings. I quickly seized my PokéDex.
"Pidgeotto, the Bird Pokémon. This Pokémon is very protective of its sprawling territory and will fiercely peck at any intruder. Pidgeotto is the evolved form of the Tiny Bird Pokémon, Pidgey. Pidgeotto evolves into the Bird Pokémon, Pidgeot."
"Amazing!" I heard Al gasp in awe. I smiled and turned away. Now I didn't need another strategy.
"Ready, Brave?" I asked. Brave nodded.
"Marowak! Use Bonemerang!" Flint ordered, apparently unimpressed at Brave evolving in the middle of the battle.
"Brave! Whirlwind!" I shouted.
Brave summoned a huge whirlwind, similar to Gust, only stronger, as the Bonemerang spun toward him. The wind current was so strong, however, the weapon bounced back to Marowak, hitting its hit. It fainted.
"Marowak, return!" Flint called. Marowak returned to his PokéBall. Fline turned back to me.
"Using wind currents to backfire my Marowak's attack was an impressive and, quite frankly, unpredictable move. No matter," he said. He grabbed another PokéBall. "Go! Graveler!"
Flint's Graveler came out of its PokéBall. I decided to return Brave for now. He was too tired from the previous battle to fight anymore.
"You've had enough, Brave! Return!" I called. Brave gratefully returned to his PokéBall. I took out another PokéBall.
"Go! Pika!" I declared. Pika came out of his PokéBall in a blast of white light, ready for battle. Flint laughed.
"Another Pikachu? Don't you already know that lightning doesn't affect Rock and Ground Pokémon?" he wondered.
"That I know..." I said with an evil grin. "But I also know that Rock Pokémon are affected by water! Pika! Aim at the ceiling!"
Pika understood where I was going at. He fired a Thundershock at the ceiling, aiming for, and hitting, the emergency water sprinkler. A rain of water poured onto all of us. Graveler roared as the water soaked its rocklike body.
"Graveler!" Flint cried.
"Now! Thunderbolt!" I ordered. Pika unleashed a bolt of lightning on the wet rock Pokémon. The bolt of electricity fried Graveler, and it fell onto the wet field.
"Incredible!" Al exclaimed.
"Mandy might win this battle!" Teresa shouted.
"Graveler, return!" he called. His weak Graveler went back into its PokéBall in a beam of red light. Flint threw his last PokéBall.
"Go! Rhyhorn!" he shouted, throwing his last PokéBall. His very powerful Rhyhorn burst out of the PokéBall in a flash of white light and roared.
Pika shivered as he took a look at the Rhyhorn. He was scared out of his skin.
"Pika, return!" I called. Pika, terrified of the huge Pokémon, jumped back into his PokéBall. "Eevee, get ready!"
Eevee stepped forward. Flint smiled.
"This should be easy. Rhyhorn! Horn Attack!" he ordered. I tsked.
"Better not be overconfident. 'Cause you're in for a big surprised!" I declared. "Eevee! Transform into Vaporeon!"
Eevee glowed with a bright white light. Rhyhorn stopped in its tracks, scared of the strange light. Flint gasped as Eevee transformed into Vaporeon.
"Impossible!" he gasped.
"Oh, but it isn't!" I assured him. "Vaporeon! Hydro Pump!"
Vaporeon let out a powerful stream of water, bubbles, and foam from its mouth. The powerful current hit Rhyhorn, and he fainted. The match was over.
"We did it!" I cried. Vaporeon transformed back to Eevee.
"Eeev ve!" he cheered. Flint made the field recedes and walked up to me.
"You deserve this," he said. He handed me a shiny Boulder Badge. I smiled as it gleamed in my hand.
"Thanks," I said.
~*~*~*~*~
We waved good-bye to Flint and his family once we left the Gym and walked to the road that led to Route 3. I found out that the boy I had met was one of Flint's sons and to tell you the truth, I bet that was Brock himself but I never told Teresa and Al that I met him. I looked at the shiny badge pinned to my jacket.
"So. You're not afraid of challenging Gym Leaders anymore?" Teresa asked.
"Nope. Now I know I can win with some help," I said and looked down at Eevee as he looked up at me. We both smiled. Al and Teresa looked at each other and smiled too.
"It will take all night to reach Mt. Moon," Al said.
"Then why don't you stay at the Pokémon Center tonight?" asked a voice from behind us. Nurse Joy was standing there.
"Good idea. Let's go, guys," Teresa said. We followed Nurse Joy back to the Pokémon Center.
