Originally this chapter and the following chapter were one chapter but that was a lot of words to read. So I decided to separate it into two chapters. Now, there is still plenty of suspense. You will see some familiar characters and new surprises (including a change to the whole gym set-up.) Plus some references to Harry Potter. Also I added a few more lines to make the ending of this chapter more acceptable. So enjoy!
Chapter 6
Double the Fun, Triple the Battles (Part 1)
I was already on my journey and I already had an incredible day. Three pokemon battles in a row, I thought. Of course these trainers were amateurs or "newbies" but so was me. I might be a Venema but I still had a lot to learn. Of course, I had got some lessons on training pokemon from his siblings and it worked very well. As I sat down, I reflected on the past three battles.
"Beedrill, attack that Houndour with Twineedle."
I was up against a pokemon trainer named Samurai. He was a cousin of the Kanto's Samurai. When I first headed down the road to Cherrygrove city, I heard rumors of a trainer named Samurai. I knew that I had to train against this Samurai trainer. Even trainers who were first starting out were rough.
"Okay, Houndour!!! Dodge its attack and use Flamethrower." I yelled.
The Beedrill dove for Houndour but Houndour jumped out of the way. A stream of fire came out of Houndour's mouth and roosted the Bug Pokemon. Samurai returned it. He smiled at me and walked over. He shook my hand, said something about he would train better and walked off. Houndour walked over to me and rubbed my legs.
"Hey Kid, did you hear?"
I woke up from my daydream and there was a kid looming over me. A Plusle was on its shoulder. I wondered where this kid got a Plusle. I don't think there was a Plusle from Professor Elm. Also I never understood the idea of Plusle and Minun. They were just version of Pichu but they had different names. I will never get the concept of some pokemon names.
"Hear what, kid?" I asked.
"That there is a new gym in Cherrygrove City." He responded.
"Wait, I thought that the first gym you encountered was in Violet City. Isn't it?" I asked confusingly.
"Yeah, but some mysterious gym leader opened up a gym in Cherrygrove. Rumors are that he or she is supposed to be tough." The kid said.
Then the kid ran off leaving Lawrence alone. Strange, Lawrence thought. Isn't there are only supposed to eight gyms in the Johto league? That's the same for Houen and Kanto. Something smelled funny and Lawrence had to check this out. Lawrence got up and headed for Cherrygrove city. It would have taken him a day and a half if he decided that trainer battles were a waste of time, which he didn't think trainer or pokemon battles were a waste of time. Then my phone rang.
"Hello, this is Lawrence Venema. Who is this?" I asked.
"This is Sanfra. This is exciting news. There is a.. "
"... Pokemon gym in Cherrygrove City with a mysterious gym leader, I know!!!!" I said while interrupting her.
"I guess word gets out fast. I suggest you train for a while. The leader is supposed to be pretty tough. I don't know who the leader is or what type of pokemon he or she uses. So be careful, bro!!" Sanfra cautioned me.
I said I'd be okay and hung up the phone. I got up and head for Cherrygrove. That name reminded me of my mother's Cherry Pies she made every fall. I've tasted other cherry pies but nothing beats the taste of my mother's cherry pies. I was about to walk into a tree when something grabbed me. I opened my mind and saw the tree. I turned around and saw the person.
"Careful Brother. Wouldn't want you to get hurt!!!"
"Sanfra, you are here!! And ... why are you short?" I asked confusingly.
"I am not Sanfra. I am Duplica." She revealed herself.
"You mean the master of disguise Duplica? Wait, how do you know about my sister Sanfra?" I asked.
"I have read all about the Venemas. I don't think they are evil. Just misguided, well that's what I think."
"I now think that there are some good people in the world ... who actually trust us." I said.
Duplica and I walked the rest of the way to Cherrygrove City. We passed many trainers. There were a few battles but can you expect when you are on a trainer quest? The battles themselves were not that challenging but they were worth the experience. I would need that experience to beat the Cherrygrove Gym Leader. Usually the first gym leader is the easiest but this gym leader might be tougher than others including Clair. Clair was supposed to be the toughest gym leader ever and it is understandable due to her use of Dragon Pokemon.
"Here we are, Jenova. This is Cherrygrove City!!!! I bet you've never seen it before or heard of it" Duplica shouted.
"I know this is Cherrygrove City, Duplica. On the way to New Bark Town, we passed over and ... if I have never heard of it before, then why I am going to a unknown with a unknown gym?" I asked.
"Fine, burst my bubble, why don't you?" She said angrily.
Remind me never to anger her, I told myself. Cherrygrove was even prettier as I looked around. I guess you have to experience things for yourself instead of watching it from a helicopter window. I headed towards the Pokemon Center. If I was going to go against this unknown gym leader, I needed my pokemon to be in peak form. I handed my Pokemon to Nurse Joy and sat down. It would battle this gym leader tomorrow. Even Trainers need their rest. A room was already rented due to my parents planning ahead. I had a little lunch. Then later I had a dinner conversation with Duplica. Then I fell asleep on a comfy bed in my wonderful with nobody to wake me up.
The next morning, I had a hearty breakfast. Nurse Joy handed me my pokemon. I gave them some pokemon food. For this battle, we both had to fed and raring to go. My pokemon and I stretched out so we would be in good form for our battle. I didn't know who the gym leader was but he or she would get a piece of the Venema talent. I walked over to where the gym was. No sign of Duplica or Aquaria or ...
"ARRGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!"
There was Lance already storming out of the gym. It looked like he had lost a battle. I knew that not even Lance could go up against this mystery gym leader but could I? Stop it Lawrence, I thought, you can beat this shadowy gym leader. I walked up to Lance and wanted to see his expression. But it wasn't very happy for some reason. I guess he got a lesson taught to him.
"I can't believe I lost to her. Hello Lawrence. I have no time to chat. I have to heal my pokemon!!" He growled.
"I am guessing that you lost to this mysterious woman." I said.
"Who said it was a woman? How did you figure that out?" Lance asked.
"You just told me. Go on!!! I am going to waste your time." I said.
"Take my advice, Lawrence. She is impossible to beat." Lance said.
Then he stormed off. Poor Lance, I expected him to fail. He cares more about winning than the care of his pokemon. Lance's pokemon are probably exhausted because Lance pushed them further than they should have gone. That's in the past. It is time to battle this gym leader, Venema style. Lawrence walked to the steps. He walked up the steps. The gym was an ice color. Hmmm ... I thought Pryce was the ice gym leader here. Maybe there are two gyms that share the same element.
"Here I go. It is time to show this gym leader what it means to battle a Venema." I said as I pushed the doors opened.
I stepped inside and felt a draft. In fact, it was really really cold. Out of the frying pan and into the freezer, I thought. I walked down the path. At least the floor isn't made of ice but it is really really cold. I looked and saw a shadowed figure. That must be the gym leader. What was doing? I walked some more to figure out what was going on. I got a better visual. This gym leader was shining a Cloyster's shell.
"Excuse me, Ms. Gym Leader." I said.
The female gym leader lifted her head up. She and I stared at each other. She was pretty and familiar. Where have I seen her before? It doesn't matter. This wasn't a time to start recognizing people. This was a time to battle. I stepped up to the gym leader.
"I would like to challenge you to gym battle." I said but it wasn't that brave.
"Okay, it is my right as a gym leader to accept any challenge. By the way, my name is Lorelei." She said.
"Lorelei, as in one of the former Elite Four Lorelei?" I asked while shaking.
"Yes, that's me." She said.
Boy, going up against one of the former Elite 4 trainers. Now I knew why Lance might have had trouble but I am not giving up. I don't care if I was going against Bruno. I won't let even Lorelei damper my spirit. I would be brave. I would conquer any challenges. I would beat Lorelei.
"Okay, Lorelei. You have a deal." I said.
"Wonderful. How about a two on two battle?" She said.
"You mean two pokemon battling each other at the same time? I have seen it in action but haven't actually tried it myself?" I confessed.
"That's okay. We all are learning things everyday. And you are?" Lorelei asked.
"Oh, how silly of me. The name is Venema, Lawrence Venema." I said.
"How delighted to meet a non-rocket Venema. Or are you part of Team Rocket spying on me?" She said as she gave me the evil glare.
"Nope, I am the first Venema to not join Team Rocket so you don't have to bring out Officer Jenny." I assured her.
"Just checking. Okay Lawrence, get ready for the toughest match you have ever faced." Lorelei announced.
A field opened up and I gulped. I hoped I had enough strength to take on Lorelei's pokemon. I knew what types she used as an Elite Four Trainer but she might have changed since then. But I had to be ready for anything, no matter what. A referee appeared on the field and announced the beginning of the match.
"Well, here it goes, Lawrence. It is all or nothing." I thought to myself.
"This official gym leader battle is about to begin. Each trainer will use two pokemon each together. The gym leader can't recall any pokemon and neither can the trainer. If either pokemon are fainted, the match is over for both you. There is no time limit. Let the battle begin."
"Go Walrein and Jynx." Lorelei shouted.
First popped out something that looked like it came from Antarctica. Its skin was frozen blue. It fangs or tusks were sharp. It had white hair running down its neck and its sides. I could see it clapping its flippers. This must be an Ice/Water type pokemon, I thought. Then I saw the other pokemon. Jynx had to be the weirdest pokemon. According to most researchers, it was one of the few human-like pokemon. But what I did know about it was it was Ice/Psychic type Pokemon. That certainly gave me the advantage.
"Okay. It is my turn to impress you. Adnocana and Houndour, I choose you." I shouted.
Now this was going to be a treat for Lorelei. Out popped out Adnocana and boy was she surprised. Adnocana's purplish-black snakeskin definitely stood out in this gym. Its eyes were the color of ruby but the color was much darker. You could see both red and black in there. Its fangs were sharper than Walrein's. I could already see the referee in panic mode but Lorelei seemed to be impressed by my snake. Houndour appeared out. That's when I was surprised by it. It skins wasn't black. It was a grayish gold. I had gotten a shiny Houndour. I was stupid for not noticing this. I have been training all of my pokemon equally. I guess that shows when you get focused on something, everything is blocked out.
"Fascinating Pokemon you have there, Lawrence. Let's see how they do in battle" Lorelei said, "scared, Lawrence??"
"You wish ... I was. I have trained this pokemon from the day I got them to the time I got here. Trust me I am going to more of a challenge than that Lance kid." I said.
"Yes, he had all the toughness, but there was plenty of weakness. Let's get this battle going. Jynx, use Psychic on that Adnocana." Lorelei said.
Big mistake, I said. Jynx used it psychic power to use a Psychic attack on Adnocana but it didn't work. I ordered Adnocana to shake things up. The gyms shook like there was an earthquake going on. Lorelei was impressed but she was confused. So was the referee. I guess Professor Elm hadn't informed any of the gym leaders about Adnocana.
"Lorelei, Adnocana is a Dark/Poison type. Psychic attacks won't work like that." I said.
"Impressive. But don't think you are going beat me that easily." Lorelei said.
"Let's see you try. Adnocana, use your poison sting on Walrein. Houndour, try to Bite Jynx." I said.
I knew it was a risky effort but I had to start somewhere. I could see Adnocana firing off its many Poison Sting needles. I could see Houndour rushing at Jynx. Lorelei was smiling. Jynx teleported to another side of the room and Walrein had all ready iced down the Poison Needles. If I could stop knockout Jynx, it would be so easy. Wait, Lance's battle was a good way to this. I motioned for my pokemon to come to me. I whispered into Houndour's ear. Then I gestured Adnocana to come down. I whispered to it my plan. We separated and we looked like this battle was over.
"Houndour, try another Bite Attack." I said.
"You tried that already and Jynx teleported. Oh well, I guess you will learn the hard way." Lorelei sighed.
Lorelei thought she knew what I was about to do but she didn't. I was about to use the "Adnocana shake-um" strategy. It worked on Lance so surely it should work on Lorelei. Though I wasn't sure about that, I had to test fate. Houndour ran towards Jynx was about to teleport. Okay, all the pieces are set.
"Okay, it is your turn to shine, Adnocana. Hit your tail against the ground to shake things up." I shouted.
Adnocana used its tail to hit the ground. The gym started to shake and Jynx lost its concentration. That's when Houndour attacked. Its Bite attack weakened Jynx. Since Jynx is a Psychic type, it is week against Dark type pokemon like Houndour. Jynx wasn't down yet. I ordered Houndour to tackle it. Jynx dodged it and teleported right behind Houndour.
"Houndour, turn around and finish with Ember." I shouted.
Houndour turned and sent a wave of Ember at Jynx. Since Jynx was an Ice/Psychic type pokemon, it wouldn't be able to stand the heat. I was right because Jynx hit the ground. Lorelei was amazed that I had beat her Jynx but then she smiled. The Referee held up a flag. That meant I had won the match.
"Lorelei's Jynx is unable to battle. Since one of her pokemon is knocked out, she loses the match. Lawrence is the winner." The referee announced.
"Well, Lawrence. That was an interesting move. I thought I would win but you shaking up the place stopped my Jynx from teleporting." Lorelei said.
"I know. I tried this before. When I battle against Lance, I tried the same thing. It is a good tactic but I think I shall try other tactics also." I said.
"Yes, here is the money. It is not very much but I can't give that much. Oh, here is the Iceberg Badge. And here is the first clue to the 10th gym." Lorelei said.
"10th gym? You mean there are now 10 gyms in the Johto league?" I asked.
"Yes, and it is supposed to be the toughest gym ever. I guess Clair has some competition." Lorelei said.
I recalled my pokemon. Then I took the items and walked towards the entrance. 8 gyms, I thought? This was going to be tougher than I thought. I opened the piece of paper Lorelei gave me. It had some words on it but they did make sense. This is what it said;
To find the place where the gym will hide,
It is the place where light and dark collide.
Now that didn't make any sense. The place where light and dark collide. Are we talking about pokemon here? I don't think there is such thing as light pokemon type before. I hope the other clues are that easy. I headed for the pokemon center. My battle against Faulkner wasn't going to be tough but it is better safer this way. I entered the pokemon center and handed over my pokemon. I had a light dinner and went to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be another day, I thought. I just hope Giovanni doesn't ruin my day.
The next day, I woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs. I looked up and saw the tray in front of me. I saw a note next to the tray. It was from mom. She sent this via Gesper. She just heard the news that I was the first person to beat Lorelei. I was kind of confused but I read on. It said for me to turn on the TV. There was a TV so I picked up the remote. I turned it on. It was on the Pokemon Channel. Pokemon Channel was great for upcoming Tournament matches and it broadcasted the announcement of a recent gym battle winner. The picture showed a Gym. The same gym I battled at.
"We are live at the Cherrygrove City Gym with the gym leader. For reasons unknown, she has kept her identity a secret. So you have finally been beaten. I expected it to take a while. But I guess there are some good trainers out there. Who is this trainer to beat you?" The reporter asked.
"His name is Lawrence Venema. He is the first Venema to not join Team Rocket according to Professor Elm. He is a very good battler. He even has a rare and unknown pokemon. To think, he is the first trainer to beat me. All have tried and failed. Good luck, Lawrence." She said.
I turned the TV off. Now I was blushing. I was a good battler, she said. That made me happy but I kept that emotion down. I didn't want to think I was unstoppable. No trainer can be unstoppable. We all have our weaknesses. I pulled the tray towards me and started eating. I had a big long day or week ahead of me. My next stop was the Violet City Gym. Faulkner might not be that tough but I didn't want to get a big ego just because I had beaten Lorelei, one of the former Elite Four Members. I finished my breakfast and a Chansey came in. It took my tray and left. I made my bed, checked to see if there were any messes, and took my stuff. I headed for the front desk to get my pokeballs. Nurse Joy handed them to me.
"Nice job, Lawrence. You know you are the first person to beat the gym leader since she set up the gym here." Nurse Joy said.
"Please, I don't want to be famous. That's the last thing I want. I don't want to be famous like that Harry Potter person in J.K. Rowling's book series." I said.
"No, I don't think you will be famous yet. And don't compare yourself to Harry Potter. You aren't having trouble with anyone yet, are you?" Nurse Joy.
"Would be chased by Team Rocket counts as trouble enough? I keep on telling myself there is a difference between Voldemort and Giovanni but they are both evil." I said.
"Yeah, but at least you don't have a annoying rival like Draco." She laughed.
"I wouldn't be so sure about Nurse Joy." I said back.
The expression she gave was memorable. I took my pokemon and left. Lance made Draco look like nothing. I bet Lance could give worse insults than Draco could ever give. I headed out towards the entrance when I ran into Duplica. She was happy. She knew I won. That's what you get when the media goes primetime. She hugged me and shook my hand.
"Congratulations, Lawrence. I knew you could do it. I don't know how but you are good. Now don't tell who this gym leader is and what pokemon he or she uses. I want to be a surprise." Duplica said.
"Trust me. I won't. See you later, Duplica. I am off to Violet City." I said.
"Good luck, you will need it." Duplica said.
Then I walked off. It is time to head for Violet City. This trip wouldn't be easy. There would be trainers lurking around every bush but that doesn't matter. Maybe I could catch a pokemon or two. I exited the city. Some person stopped me. He had a stand up. He was selling Magikarps. Oh, the old Magikarp scheme was still going on. I passed him by not even saying a word. He tried to drag me back. That's when I released Arbok. Arbok's glare made the seller back off and run back to his pathetic stand. I recalled Arbok to his pokeball then I set off. The area between Cherrygrove City and Violet City was expansive I didn't know how I would make it to Violet City in time. That's when I saw it.
"Natu!! Natu!!"
There was a trainer abusing a Natu. I started to get angry. How can you abuse a pokemon like Natu? I walked up to the trainer. It wasn't Lance but I didn't care. Pokemon were supposed to be our friends, allies and partners not they are something that can be mistreated. I knew what he had to do.
"Hey kid, leave that Natu alone." I shouted.
"Hey, I know what I am doing. So bug off or I will call my big brother." The kid said.
"Oooh, your big brother. I am so scared. What is your name?" I asked.
"My name is Davien. My big brother name is Damian and he got this Natu for me. Though it isn't doing what is supposed to." He said.
"Well, mistreating it won't help." I said.
"What do you know about training pokemon?"
I told around and saw Damian. He was a tall and mysterious fellow. He was standing next to me. He looked proud of himself but he looked like one of those abusive pokemon trainers. I knew what I was going up against but we Venemas don't like trainers who abuse their pokemon.
"I am a trainer and I just beat the Cherrygrove City Gym Leader." I said showing my new badge.
"There isn't a gym in Cherrygrove City. Do you think I am stupid?" Damian laughed.
"No, I think you are a idiotic abusing Pokemon trainer." I laughed back.
"What??? How dare you!!! I might have lost my Charmander but my little brother is not going to lose his Natu." Damian said.
"Maybe he should ... if he can't treat it right." I said back.
Damian was just about to sucker punch me when Officer Jenny arrived. Good timing I thought. Officer Jenny was probably watching the whole thing. I wasn't probably in trouble but I stood still. I didn't want to get in trouble with the law. I was trying change the Venema name. She looked at the two brothers and picked up the Natu. She walked over to me and gave me it. That's when the abusive brothers exploded.
"What do you thing you are doing? That's my Natu." Davian yelled.
"Yeah, I got that Natu far and square. So give it back!!" Damian shouted.
"Neither of you are getting that Natu. You have broken the Pokemon Law. There is a Law stating that No pokemon may be abused. This is just a warning but next time you will end up in jail." Officer Jenny said.
"Then why did you give the Natu to me, Officer Jenny?" I asked.
"Because according to the Pokemon Law, I am supposed to hand the Pokemon in abusive hands to a more responsible trainer." Officer Jenny said.
She gave me a pokeball and sped off. Davian and Damian left towards Cherrygrove City. Apparently, they didn't want to get in a fight. I looked at the Natu. I pulled a Super Potion out of my backpack. I sprayed the Natu with it. Poor Natu, I thought. I rubbed my hand against it. The Natu looked at me and I looked right back at it. I sat down and it hopped on my lap. It rubbed against my body. This Natu needed love and attention. I felt sorry for it after being treated by those two sorry excuses.
"Natu, do you want to be my pokemon?" I asked.
It hopped up and down. That probably meant yes, although I wish I could understand pokemon. I held out the pokeball to Natu. Natu pecked at the button and Natu disappeared inside. I put Natu's pokeball by my side and kept on walking. I already had a new pokemon while I saw it disappear. I wondered what was going to happen next. I took out my Pokegear. According to the map, there was a Poke Center a couple miles ahead. That would be a good resting point. I started to jog so I would reach there before midnight. But I wouldn't let that stop me. If someone wanted to battle me or there were pokemon to be captured, I would stop. To achieve my ultimate goal, I must be able to take on anything ... no matter the challenge. So I headed towards the pokemon center as my journey continued.