Better and Tougher, the Real Adventures
Chapter 15: The Sleep that Keeps on Teaching!
Last where we left our tale. oh wait it's still raining! Dang! Oh well, lets skip ahead a few hours shall we?
***
A day has now passed since we saw Carl writing in his journal, (and even got a glimpse into things even he couldn't get to see, lucky us!) and are now up to date. Now the rain has gone, but it has left quite a bit of dampness to the environment around it. It is here that we find our friends on their way to the gym. Carl eagerly seeks to have a battle with the leader at long last, after a few days on the town.
"Yuk!" shouts Kim, as she walks along. "How can we live with all these puddles." She nearly freaks out, but then gets an idea. "Chikorita, go!" she says, releasing her verdant leaf headed pokemon. "Use Absorb on the puddles!" she commands, at which the grassy pokemon begins to have itself a drink of all natural puddle water. (High in vitamins, and low on fat!)
Carl meanwhile seems to not care about the puddles, as he runs right through them if he must. Dedicated trainers can be that way, after all. Now at last, Carl will earn a new badge! Hopefully.
"This is it." Elise says, having decided to stay the night at the center, rather than walk in the drenching rain. Who wouldn't? "I must warn you, the gym leader here has a few tricks up her sleeve." She slyly commented.
"Well," Carl thought for a minute, "Maybe I will too!"
***
If Elise was standing next to Carl, then who could that be in the gym? I mean she looks just like her, though maybe a bit more slender and tall. "Hey sis! Where were ya?" asked the lady who seemed to stand with a gym leaderish-type of pride.
"Oh, hi Sandra." she said all so unenthusiastically. "Yea, I'm back." She finished with a sigh.
"Who are they?"
"Me, I'm Carl." Said you know who, "And I'm here to Challenge the gym leader!"
"Well then, you're at the right place. I am the leader of Tenor Gym. My specialty is sleep pokemon."
"Sleep Pokemon?" asked Yetis, whom, although you think I've forgotten him, I haven't!
"That's right!" smirked the leader. "Now, we will have a 3 on 3 battle!" she smirked, grabbing for the first pokeball she had. "Ready?"
"You bet!" Carl smiled with enthusiasm. "Magnemite, let's go!" Carl begins, tossing his first pokeball to unleash the magnetic pokemon within.
"Wigglytuff! Do your stuff!" she began, tossing her first pokeball. "Say!" she noticed, "That rhymed! I always did like that saying!" Out from the pokeball came a big round rabbit-being, pink furred with a curly hair in the front, and big 'kawii' style eyes. (Enough to make you sick!) It also had a creamy white stomach.
"Magnemite, I know you can do this! Start out with Thunder Shock!" Carl commanded, causing the floating metal Cyclops to produce a bolt of electrical force, but the big rabbit leapt, using its lightweight body to jump out of the way.
Yetis however, had a slight thought as he watched from the sidelines, but we'll get into that in just a bit.
"Wigglytuff, use Dynamic Punch!" commanded the gym leader.
"Dynamic Punch?" Carl wondered, asking his Pokedex. 'Dynamic Punch is a Fighting move. This move uses the force of the pokemon's fists to make its opponents dizzy. It causes confusion, but because it needs to be wound up, it has low accuracy.'
"Carl!" yelled Yetis "Magnemite is a steel type. Fighting moves beat steel types!"
"Well that's not good." Carl blankly retorted, but watched as the rabbit began to wind up its tiny fists to go wham, right in the kisser, well whatever it is that Magnemite has there anyway. "Magnemite, don't let it hit you! Use Swift!" he commanded.
At this, the gravitationally deprived electromagnet produced a bunch of star, which went flying at the Bunny pokemon at a really fast rate. Wigglytuff was still running at Magnemite with its fist clenched and raring to go!
"Just hang in there! Now, hit it with that punch!" the gym leader commanded. The bunny pokemon positioned its fist, and wham! It missed! Magnemite only barely got out of the way in time. "Well then, use Sing now! He can't escape the song at this close a range."
At this, Wigglytuff knew just what to do. It grabbed onto the flying magnet and hung on tight. Magnemite couldn't shake it off. At this, Wigglytuff started to sing. With practice, the song's targeting has been perfected over time, and now it was putting Carl's pokemon to sleep. Magnemite closed its eye, and decided to get a few winks.
"Magnemite, return!" Carl sighed.
We join Yetis again as he thinks, 'I think I should challenge the leader here too.'
Back to the battle, the leader speaks. "Wigglytuff! You did a great job!" she smiled, at which the plump rabbit began to cheer and chant its name. 'Wiggly!' it cheered.
"Go Rattata!" Carl shouts, as the purple rat screeches as he's released.
"Hmm. Wigglytuff, return! I choose Paras!" came the gym leader's choice.
"A Paras." Carl wondered, remembering Team Rocket (Who we might see again soon, or never again, who knows? I do! I'm the author!) "Rattata! Don't let it get you with its Spore attack!" he yelled, getting a slight nod from the basic pokemon. "Start out with Quick attack!" he commanded, managing to get the mouse to build up some speed and strike the unsuspecting, slow bug with great force.
"You can do this Paras! Hit it with your slash attack!" commanded Sandra. At this, the mushroom bug stabbed its claw right at the unsuspecting pokemon and took a sword-like swipe, hitting the rat across the face.
"We're not done yet! Use Super Fang!" Carl gave the order. At this, the rat went right back at the overgrowth bug and bit with a great force that cut its life right in half.
"Use Counter!" commanded the Gym leader. At this, the pokemon in question took the bite gracefully, but then Rattata felt an even greater force in return. Carl assumed it worked just like bide! But he'll learn soon enough.
"Use Protect!" Carl commanded of the small rat, deciding to not let him take any more pain.
"Well then, if that's how you're gonna play!" smirked Sandra, "Sword Dance now, Paras!" at that, the sloth of a bug began to move in a funny manner, as special effects gave a swordfish look to the background, as they surrounded Paras, building up its strength.
Carl decided not to let this wasted turn get to him, but instead gave the command. "Use your Quick attack now. We can't afford to waste any more time!" he stated, noticing how Rattata was beginning to look tired, but it went through with another quick one anyway.
Sandra wasn't going to let it happen though, Paras was nearly going to fall too. "Ok, lets play serious now! Spore!" she hoped it would work before the rat smacked into the mushroom bug.
However, as the spores hit the air, the bug was sent flying from a head smack by the purple mouse. It landed with a thud, and didn't stand back up.
"Good job Rattata! Huh?" He noticed that the rat had fallen asleep on the job. "At least I won that round." He smiled, returning his trusty pokemon to a pokeball.
"Well, here's the tie breaker. I'm impressed. Most don't manage to beat the sleep inducement. You're pretty good." She recalled the small rat, "But now here's my champ. Drowzee, it's your turn!" the leader commanded. Out from the ball came a Taper that stood on 2 legs. It had a yellow face, and had brown squiggly pattern at its legs. Below, it was all brown colored. It looked rather silly at first glance.
"Charmander, you're up!" Carl commanded. Then he looked at Pokedex, 'Drowzee, the hypnosis pokemon. This taper uses its hypnotic movements and psychic powers to put its foes to sleep. At which point, it will eat the dreams of its foes in self defense.' "Wonderful!" Carl sarcastically stated. "Charmander, lets begin with Flame Thrower!" he commanded, and watched as the pokemon did as it was told. The flame dinosaur exhaled a stream of fire, aimed right for the hypnosis pokemon.
"Double Team!" commanded the gym leader. At this, Drowzee split into 3, and the Flames harmlessly hit a fake copy. Though it dispersed, there were still 2 Drowzee left to deal with.
"Try to find the real one Charmander!" Carl commanded, "Use Fire Spin, and be careful." He put his trust in his pokemon. The flame lizard nodded, and began to make a swirl of fire.
"Teleport, and use Thunder Punch!" commanded the leader. At this, the hypnotic one was all in the pokemon's face, with its fist wide, and hitting the dinosaur right in the face, with electricity. both copies did. However, only one left a mark.
"It's the one on the left!" Carl commanded, as his Charmander then lunged at the one on the left with its claws extended, and slashed at it. It managed to phase it, since it is after all the real thing. No imitations will do!
"No more games! Use Hypnosis now!" commanded the leader. At this point, very dreamlike waves swirled around in the starter pokemon's head. Charmander became dizzy, but fought for her life. She wasn't going to lose now, but it wasn't enough though, and was sent into a deep slumber. Still, it tried to battle the dream-waves. "Finish the deal! Use Nightmare!" At this, Drowzee produced a darker energy, and sent it right at Charmander, and it went down on its face. But now we step into the dream world!
***
This is the dream world. Enjoy your stay, because Pokemon can actually talk here as to make things easier to understand. We're in a pitch- black nothingness, and Charmander is there. Alone, she stands on the empty nothingness. Then from nowhere, other Charmanders appear. They looked familiar. They were family and old members of the home Charmander knew before being taken in by Oak.
"You reject!" came one of the other Charmanders. They stood towering over her, "You disgrace us all!"
"Yea!" came unison of snide remarks from the other fire tailed lizards.
"You went with a human!" came another Charmander. "You were always weak like that!"
"I-I never liked you guys anyway! You were always mean," came Carl's Charmander with a nervous response.
"We know. You like that new trainer you have! Carl!" came another of the angry pokemon "But wait! You also like one of his pokemon. An Ekans! A freaking snake!"
There was a great deal of laughter at this. "But we have a surprise for you." Came the first Charmander to scoff. "Look what we have!" he showed Carl and his Ekans tied up and over a fire.
"Let us go!" came Ekans as he yelped in pain.
"Quiet fool! Everyone, slash attack now!" Came another Charmander, as a few surrounding the fire lifted their claws and took slicing swipes. The lizard was cut into pieces, and soon Carl followed. It wasn't bloody (The rating is too low! Plus it's a dream!), but it was horrifying, in a way.
"Looks like we're eating good tonight!" laughed a Charmander.
"NO!" screamed the tormented pokemon of the now severed Carl. If this wasn't enough, the Charmander villains then decided to attack the tormented beast with. water gun? Well it IS a dream, or nightmare, which ends now!
***
All this time, during the nightmare that Charmander had, not even one minute had passed, and then so suddenly, Charmander burst awake, 'CHA!' it screamed, and then started to glow.
"Well, this is new." Sandra said plainly, with slight fear in her voice.
"I'm impressed," Kim stated from the sidelines. "That must have been 'some' nightmare." To which Yetis and Elise both nodded in agreement.
"Charmander?" Carl asked, but instead, a dark red lizard stood. It had a slight horn on its head, and a more devastating appearance. 'Charmeleon!' she yelled in rage.
'Drowzee?' gulped the psychic taper, noticing the flaw of his plan.
"Charmeleon, use Thrash!" commanded Carl, as the big buff lizard rendered it claws at the psychic and dug into the skin. It was an onslaught of slashes and swipes that Drowzee just couldn't withstand, and fell, flat on its back in pain.
"Duh." everyone went in unison, save for Carl, who ran up to his first ever pokemon and gave her a hug.
"Good job Charmeleon!" he cheered, and got a lick on the face in response. He looked at the gym leader then. "Now, I believe you owe us a badge!" he stated.
"Well." she started, with a look of innocence, "We don't give badges at this gym."
"WHAT?" yelled Carl in a high-pitched voice that would carry to Jupiter? "But."
"Instead, you get to choose from a pokemon." She said, holding out a group of pokeballs. "In here, there is one of each of the pokemon that you battled. Had I used other pokemon, they'd be in here instead. The way this gym works is simple; you prove your ability to overpower sleep moves, you are worthy of them yourself." She giggled slightly at the thought "So which would you like to have, you earned it."
Carl merely sighed, "Actually, I didn't earn it, my pokemon did." He said with deep seriousness in his voice.
"Carl! What are you doing?" exploded Kim, feeling he was making a foolish decision.
"Kim, let him speak." Yetis halted her, "He has a point. His pokemon 'do' happen to do the fighting."
"Well, I guess." Sandra began, "But did you ever think? Without your guidance, they'd be completely slaughtered. They need you, and you need them. Your friendship, trust, and they need yours. That is why we do this here." She again paused. "We want only the most worthy trainers to take one of the available pokemon!"
"Well, when you word it like that. ok. I'll take," Carl began to think.
"However! It would only be proper if you let the pokemon who battled to also have a say." She smirked.
At that, Carl released Rattata, Magnemite, and Charmeleon. It would be easy to get them to comply and choose. There was just one problem. "Rattata and Magnemite are still asleep!" Carl shouted in worry.
"They'll awaken soon. When this happens, you and those that are awake can make the choice." The gym leader again spoke, then giving the pokeballs to Carl.
The pictures made things a synch to choose, and it was hardly a surprise that Charmeleon chose Drowzee. "Ok buddy. We'll take the Drowzee."
"Very well. I suggest you treat your pokemon with respect, but you already know that."
"I'll treat him with respect, don't worry." He opened the pokeball, and out came one of the hypnotic pokemon that horrified Charmeleon in her sleep.
"It's a her." Smiled the gym leader. "The nose is stouter, and a bit less rotund. Plus, the females have more pointed ears, like this one."
"Oh, I will." Carl smiled. "Thank you. I learned a good deal from battling you today. But I think you helped me get closer to my pokemon than ever!"
"That's good to hear." Commented the gym leader. "As for you sis." She turned away from the battle, "Glad you're finally home."
"Well, I'm not staying." She nearly shouted.
"What?" came the astounded leader, "Why?"
"I'm tired of it. I want to travel and go on adventure!" she shouted, "I want to travel, and raise my own pokemon. Please!"
"Oh alright! I have a feeling Carl here can whip you into shape." Smirked the gym leader, "And I bet you think he's so cute!" she taunted.
"What!" both stated in unison. Even though Carl had to agree, the sly dog that he is!
***
It had been a few hours since the battle at the gym. Now Carl has gotten back to the Pokemon Center for a little healing, and a slight deposit. He called Oak on the videophone to check up on a few things, like the Drowzee that was sent there. "Hi Carl!" came a girlish voice. The only thing was that Sheryl was there instead. "How are you?"
"Hi Cheryl, I'm fine. Enjoy working at the lab?" he asked with curiosity.
"Yea! It's great!" she smiled, "I'm having fun. By the way, the Professor wanted to study your Sudowoodo a bit further. However, if at any time you want to see him, or need him, just give us a call. It's not extensive study, just observational." She smiled widely, "Oh yea, your Drowzee seems to like it here. We'll take good care of him. Good luck Carl. I'm rooting for you all the way. After all, a few of the trainers who started when you did have already quit."
"What?" Carl was astounded, "Why? Too much responsibility?" he pause "Its awful."
"Maybe it isn't for everyone. I think it's perfect for you, Carl." she blushed oh so slightly.
"Thanks Sheryl, it was great talking to you, as always." He smiled, "Tell everyone at home I said hi!"
"You got it. Take care!"
At that, the phone went off.
It would be a few minutes, but then, Nurse Joy came about "Carl, your pokemon are healed." She smiled, handing him his 6 contained friends. From their containment came Rattata, Charmeleon, Magnemite, Chinchou, Weepinbell, and Ekans, at the toss of their pokeballs.
"You guys are the greatest!" he said to them, as he brought them all in for a big group hug! A touching moment, but we don't end yet, and it gets even touchier.
***
It is now late at night, and Carl has gone to sleep. His pokemon are still outside of their pokeballs, and are also sleeping. well most of them are. We see 2 pokemon still up, and sitting together. Who can these 2 reptilians be? Whoops, didn't mean to give that part away! Oh well, Charmeleon and Ekans are staying with each other, sitting, and talking about. well, I can't speak pokemon, so I don't know. It seems that romance is budding from great places, and if you couldn't tell they were, then shame on you. (Or shame on me for bad hinting, either one. It matters little.)
And at this sweet moment, the scene fades out. Carl will continue with his friends tomorrow.
A/N: Well, the longest Chapter yet, and at over 3000 words too. Wow! Anyway, big fun, and more adventures next time on 'Better and Tougher'. Remember to review in whatever manner you wish. And suggest things too if you want to. Just let me know you read it!
Chapter 15: The Sleep that Keeps on Teaching!
Last where we left our tale. oh wait it's still raining! Dang! Oh well, lets skip ahead a few hours shall we?
***
A day has now passed since we saw Carl writing in his journal, (and even got a glimpse into things even he couldn't get to see, lucky us!) and are now up to date. Now the rain has gone, but it has left quite a bit of dampness to the environment around it. It is here that we find our friends on their way to the gym. Carl eagerly seeks to have a battle with the leader at long last, after a few days on the town.
"Yuk!" shouts Kim, as she walks along. "How can we live with all these puddles." She nearly freaks out, but then gets an idea. "Chikorita, go!" she says, releasing her verdant leaf headed pokemon. "Use Absorb on the puddles!" she commands, at which the grassy pokemon begins to have itself a drink of all natural puddle water. (High in vitamins, and low on fat!)
Carl meanwhile seems to not care about the puddles, as he runs right through them if he must. Dedicated trainers can be that way, after all. Now at last, Carl will earn a new badge! Hopefully.
"This is it." Elise says, having decided to stay the night at the center, rather than walk in the drenching rain. Who wouldn't? "I must warn you, the gym leader here has a few tricks up her sleeve." She slyly commented.
"Well," Carl thought for a minute, "Maybe I will too!"
***
If Elise was standing next to Carl, then who could that be in the gym? I mean she looks just like her, though maybe a bit more slender and tall. "Hey sis! Where were ya?" asked the lady who seemed to stand with a gym leaderish-type of pride.
"Oh, hi Sandra." she said all so unenthusiastically. "Yea, I'm back." She finished with a sigh.
"Who are they?"
"Me, I'm Carl." Said you know who, "And I'm here to Challenge the gym leader!"
"Well then, you're at the right place. I am the leader of Tenor Gym. My specialty is sleep pokemon."
"Sleep Pokemon?" asked Yetis, whom, although you think I've forgotten him, I haven't!
"That's right!" smirked the leader. "Now, we will have a 3 on 3 battle!" she smirked, grabbing for the first pokeball she had. "Ready?"
"You bet!" Carl smiled with enthusiasm. "Magnemite, let's go!" Carl begins, tossing his first pokeball to unleash the magnetic pokemon within.
"Wigglytuff! Do your stuff!" she began, tossing her first pokeball. "Say!" she noticed, "That rhymed! I always did like that saying!" Out from the pokeball came a big round rabbit-being, pink furred with a curly hair in the front, and big 'kawii' style eyes. (Enough to make you sick!) It also had a creamy white stomach.
"Magnemite, I know you can do this! Start out with Thunder Shock!" Carl commanded, causing the floating metal Cyclops to produce a bolt of electrical force, but the big rabbit leapt, using its lightweight body to jump out of the way.
Yetis however, had a slight thought as he watched from the sidelines, but we'll get into that in just a bit.
"Wigglytuff, use Dynamic Punch!" commanded the gym leader.
"Dynamic Punch?" Carl wondered, asking his Pokedex. 'Dynamic Punch is a Fighting move. This move uses the force of the pokemon's fists to make its opponents dizzy. It causes confusion, but because it needs to be wound up, it has low accuracy.'
"Carl!" yelled Yetis "Magnemite is a steel type. Fighting moves beat steel types!"
"Well that's not good." Carl blankly retorted, but watched as the rabbit began to wind up its tiny fists to go wham, right in the kisser, well whatever it is that Magnemite has there anyway. "Magnemite, don't let it hit you! Use Swift!" he commanded.
At this, the gravitationally deprived electromagnet produced a bunch of star, which went flying at the Bunny pokemon at a really fast rate. Wigglytuff was still running at Magnemite with its fist clenched and raring to go!
"Just hang in there! Now, hit it with that punch!" the gym leader commanded. The bunny pokemon positioned its fist, and wham! It missed! Magnemite only barely got out of the way in time. "Well then, use Sing now! He can't escape the song at this close a range."
At this, Wigglytuff knew just what to do. It grabbed onto the flying magnet and hung on tight. Magnemite couldn't shake it off. At this, Wigglytuff started to sing. With practice, the song's targeting has been perfected over time, and now it was putting Carl's pokemon to sleep. Magnemite closed its eye, and decided to get a few winks.
"Magnemite, return!" Carl sighed.
We join Yetis again as he thinks, 'I think I should challenge the leader here too.'
Back to the battle, the leader speaks. "Wigglytuff! You did a great job!" she smiled, at which the plump rabbit began to cheer and chant its name. 'Wiggly!' it cheered.
"Go Rattata!" Carl shouts, as the purple rat screeches as he's released.
"Hmm. Wigglytuff, return! I choose Paras!" came the gym leader's choice.
"A Paras." Carl wondered, remembering Team Rocket (Who we might see again soon, or never again, who knows? I do! I'm the author!) "Rattata! Don't let it get you with its Spore attack!" he yelled, getting a slight nod from the basic pokemon. "Start out with Quick attack!" he commanded, managing to get the mouse to build up some speed and strike the unsuspecting, slow bug with great force.
"You can do this Paras! Hit it with your slash attack!" commanded Sandra. At this, the mushroom bug stabbed its claw right at the unsuspecting pokemon and took a sword-like swipe, hitting the rat across the face.
"We're not done yet! Use Super Fang!" Carl gave the order. At this, the rat went right back at the overgrowth bug and bit with a great force that cut its life right in half.
"Use Counter!" commanded the Gym leader. At this, the pokemon in question took the bite gracefully, but then Rattata felt an even greater force in return. Carl assumed it worked just like bide! But he'll learn soon enough.
"Use Protect!" Carl commanded of the small rat, deciding to not let him take any more pain.
"Well then, if that's how you're gonna play!" smirked Sandra, "Sword Dance now, Paras!" at that, the sloth of a bug began to move in a funny manner, as special effects gave a swordfish look to the background, as they surrounded Paras, building up its strength.
Carl decided not to let this wasted turn get to him, but instead gave the command. "Use your Quick attack now. We can't afford to waste any more time!" he stated, noticing how Rattata was beginning to look tired, but it went through with another quick one anyway.
Sandra wasn't going to let it happen though, Paras was nearly going to fall too. "Ok, lets play serious now! Spore!" she hoped it would work before the rat smacked into the mushroom bug.
However, as the spores hit the air, the bug was sent flying from a head smack by the purple mouse. It landed with a thud, and didn't stand back up.
"Good job Rattata! Huh?" He noticed that the rat had fallen asleep on the job. "At least I won that round." He smiled, returning his trusty pokemon to a pokeball.
"Well, here's the tie breaker. I'm impressed. Most don't manage to beat the sleep inducement. You're pretty good." She recalled the small rat, "But now here's my champ. Drowzee, it's your turn!" the leader commanded. Out from the ball came a Taper that stood on 2 legs. It had a yellow face, and had brown squiggly pattern at its legs. Below, it was all brown colored. It looked rather silly at first glance.
"Charmander, you're up!" Carl commanded. Then he looked at Pokedex, 'Drowzee, the hypnosis pokemon. This taper uses its hypnotic movements and psychic powers to put its foes to sleep. At which point, it will eat the dreams of its foes in self defense.' "Wonderful!" Carl sarcastically stated. "Charmander, lets begin with Flame Thrower!" he commanded, and watched as the pokemon did as it was told. The flame dinosaur exhaled a stream of fire, aimed right for the hypnosis pokemon.
"Double Team!" commanded the gym leader. At this, Drowzee split into 3, and the Flames harmlessly hit a fake copy. Though it dispersed, there were still 2 Drowzee left to deal with.
"Try to find the real one Charmander!" Carl commanded, "Use Fire Spin, and be careful." He put his trust in his pokemon. The flame lizard nodded, and began to make a swirl of fire.
"Teleport, and use Thunder Punch!" commanded the leader. At this, the hypnotic one was all in the pokemon's face, with its fist wide, and hitting the dinosaur right in the face, with electricity. both copies did. However, only one left a mark.
"It's the one on the left!" Carl commanded, as his Charmander then lunged at the one on the left with its claws extended, and slashed at it. It managed to phase it, since it is after all the real thing. No imitations will do!
"No more games! Use Hypnosis now!" commanded the leader. At this point, very dreamlike waves swirled around in the starter pokemon's head. Charmander became dizzy, but fought for her life. She wasn't going to lose now, but it wasn't enough though, and was sent into a deep slumber. Still, it tried to battle the dream-waves. "Finish the deal! Use Nightmare!" At this, Drowzee produced a darker energy, and sent it right at Charmander, and it went down on its face. But now we step into the dream world!
***
This is the dream world. Enjoy your stay, because Pokemon can actually talk here as to make things easier to understand. We're in a pitch- black nothingness, and Charmander is there. Alone, she stands on the empty nothingness. Then from nowhere, other Charmanders appear. They looked familiar. They were family and old members of the home Charmander knew before being taken in by Oak.
"You reject!" came one of the other Charmanders. They stood towering over her, "You disgrace us all!"
"Yea!" came unison of snide remarks from the other fire tailed lizards.
"You went with a human!" came another Charmander. "You were always weak like that!"
"I-I never liked you guys anyway! You were always mean," came Carl's Charmander with a nervous response.
"We know. You like that new trainer you have! Carl!" came another of the angry pokemon "But wait! You also like one of his pokemon. An Ekans! A freaking snake!"
There was a great deal of laughter at this. "But we have a surprise for you." Came the first Charmander to scoff. "Look what we have!" he showed Carl and his Ekans tied up and over a fire.
"Let us go!" came Ekans as he yelped in pain.
"Quiet fool! Everyone, slash attack now!" Came another Charmander, as a few surrounding the fire lifted their claws and took slicing swipes. The lizard was cut into pieces, and soon Carl followed. It wasn't bloody (The rating is too low! Plus it's a dream!), but it was horrifying, in a way.
"Looks like we're eating good tonight!" laughed a Charmander.
"NO!" screamed the tormented pokemon of the now severed Carl. If this wasn't enough, the Charmander villains then decided to attack the tormented beast with. water gun? Well it IS a dream, or nightmare, which ends now!
***
All this time, during the nightmare that Charmander had, not even one minute had passed, and then so suddenly, Charmander burst awake, 'CHA!' it screamed, and then started to glow.
"Well, this is new." Sandra said plainly, with slight fear in her voice.
"I'm impressed," Kim stated from the sidelines. "That must have been 'some' nightmare." To which Yetis and Elise both nodded in agreement.
"Charmander?" Carl asked, but instead, a dark red lizard stood. It had a slight horn on its head, and a more devastating appearance. 'Charmeleon!' she yelled in rage.
'Drowzee?' gulped the psychic taper, noticing the flaw of his plan.
"Charmeleon, use Thrash!" commanded Carl, as the big buff lizard rendered it claws at the psychic and dug into the skin. It was an onslaught of slashes and swipes that Drowzee just couldn't withstand, and fell, flat on its back in pain.
"Duh." everyone went in unison, save for Carl, who ran up to his first ever pokemon and gave her a hug.
"Good job Charmeleon!" he cheered, and got a lick on the face in response. He looked at the gym leader then. "Now, I believe you owe us a badge!" he stated.
"Well." she started, with a look of innocence, "We don't give badges at this gym."
"WHAT?" yelled Carl in a high-pitched voice that would carry to Jupiter? "But."
"Instead, you get to choose from a pokemon." She said, holding out a group of pokeballs. "In here, there is one of each of the pokemon that you battled. Had I used other pokemon, they'd be in here instead. The way this gym works is simple; you prove your ability to overpower sleep moves, you are worthy of them yourself." She giggled slightly at the thought "So which would you like to have, you earned it."
Carl merely sighed, "Actually, I didn't earn it, my pokemon did." He said with deep seriousness in his voice.
"Carl! What are you doing?" exploded Kim, feeling he was making a foolish decision.
"Kim, let him speak." Yetis halted her, "He has a point. His pokemon 'do' happen to do the fighting."
"Well, I guess." Sandra began, "But did you ever think? Without your guidance, they'd be completely slaughtered. They need you, and you need them. Your friendship, trust, and they need yours. That is why we do this here." She again paused. "We want only the most worthy trainers to take one of the available pokemon!"
"Well, when you word it like that. ok. I'll take," Carl began to think.
"However! It would only be proper if you let the pokemon who battled to also have a say." She smirked.
At that, Carl released Rattata, Magnemite, and Charmeleon. It would be easy to get them to comply and choose. There was just one problem. "Rattata and Magnemite are still asleep!" Carl shouted in worry.
"They'll awaken soon. When this happens, you and those that are awake can make the choice." The gym leader again spoke, then giving the pokeballs to Carl.
The pictures made things a synch to choose, and it was hardly a surprise that Charmeleon chose Drowzee. "Ok buddy. We'll take the Drowzee."
"Very well. I suggest you treat your pokemon with respect, but you already know that."
"I'll treat him with respect, don't worry." He opened the pokeball, and out came one of the hypnotic pokemon that horrified Charmeleon in her sleep.
"It's a her." Smiled the gym leader. "The nose is stouter, and a bit less rotund. Plus, the females have more pointed ears, like this one."
"Oh, I will." Carl smiled. "Thank you. I learned a good deal from battling you today. But I think you helped me get closer to my pokemon than ever!"
"That's good to hear." Commented the gym leader. "As for you sis." She turned away from the battle, "Glad you're finally home."
"Well, I'm not staying." She nearly shouted.
"What?" came the astounded leader, "Why?"
"I'm tired of it. I want to travel and go on adventure!" she shouted, "I want to travel, and raise my own pokemon. Please!"
"Oh alright! I have a feeling Carl here can whip you into shape." Smirked the gym leader, "And I bet you think he's so cute!" she taunted.
"What!" both stated in unison. Even though Carl had to agree, the sly dog that he is!
***
It had been a few hours since the battle at the gym. Now Carl has gotten back to the Pokemon Center for a little healing, and a slight deposit. He called Oak on the videophone to check up on a few things, like the Drowzee that was sent there. "Hi Carl!" came a girlish voice. The only thing was that Sheryl was there instead. "How are you?"
"Hi Cheryl, I'm fine. Enjoy working at the lab?" he asked with curiosity.
"Yea! It's great!" she smiled, "I'm having fun. By the way, the Professor wanted to study your Sudowoodo a bit further. However, if at any time you want to see him, or need him, just give us a call. It's not extensive study, just observational." She smiled widely, "Oh yea, your Drowzee seems to like it here. We'll take good care of him. Good luck Carl. I'm rooting for you all the way. After all, a few of the trainers who started when you did have already quit."
"What?" Carl was astounded, "Why? Too much responsibility?" he pause "Its awful."
"Maybe it isn't for everyone. I think it's perfect for you, Carl." she blushed oh so slightly.
"Thanks Sheryl, it was great talking to you, as always." He smiled, "Tell everyone at home I said hi!"
"You got it. Take care!"
At that, the phone went off.
It would be a few minutes, but then, Nurse Joy came about "Carl, your pokemon are healed." She smiled, handing him his 6 contained friends. From their containment came Rattata, Charmeleon, Magnemite, Chinchou, Weepinbell, and Ekans, at the toss of their pokeballs.
"You guys are the greatest!" he said to them, as he brought them all in for a big group hug! A touching moment, but we don't end yet, and it gets even touchier.
***
It is now late at night, and Carl has gone to sleep. His pokemon are still outside of their pokeballs, and are also sleeping. well most of them are. We see 2 pokemon still up, and sitting together. Who can these 2 reptilians be? Whoops, didn't mean to give that part away! Oh well, Charmeleon and Ekans are staying with each other, sitting, and talking about. well, I can't speak pokemon, so I don't know. It seems that romance is budding from great places, and if you couldn't tell they were, then shame on you. (Or shame on me for bad hinting, either one. It matters little.)
And at this sweet moment, the scene fades out. Carl will continue with his friends tomorrow.
A/N: Well, the longest Chapter yet, and at over 3000 words too. Wow! Anyway, big fun, and more adventures next time on 'Better and Tougher'. Remember to review in whatever manner you wish. And suggest things too if you want to. Just let me know you read it!