Red's First Gym Battle
Red walked past the sign written in bold black font 'Welcome to Pewter Gym'. Happy to finally have gotten out of the maze, Red made the Pokemon Center a priority. Late it was, he decided to stay there for the night.
"Okay, Give me your pokeballs sir," replied Nurse joy with a cheerful tone. Red handed over his pokeballs. She gladly took them and placed them onto a metal tray before taking them with her.
Half an hour later she had them ready and called up Red to her desk.
"Your pokemon are all healed up," Nurse Joy announced, dropping the tray onto her counter. "We hope to see you again,"Nurse Joy announced. Red gave her a weird look while recieving his pokeballs.
"Urgh...thank you," Red replied unsure of her strange comment. Why give a weird comment like that? I only come here when my Pokemon are badly injured. Does she not realize she s asking me to get my Pokemon hurt again. He decided to drop the matter and left the center. He clipped on his pokeballs onto his belt.
Now where is the gym? Red realized his knew dilemma but came up with the simple solution. I will just have to look for it. He took a random path to begin his search.
"Hiyah!" A voice shouted. Red has been walking around with no clear aim but he came upon a patch of grass clear of any buildings. A muscular guy with a black belt tied around his waist kicked the lone tree in the vicinity. The tree that had the diameter of a dinner plate cracked and the black belt kicked it again. This time it snapped and toppled over.
He noticed Red for the first time. "Hey kid, did you like that?"he asked.
You just kicked a tree and managed to break it! Red just nodded his head dumbly. "But isn't that property of Pewter City?" Red thought up of the problem of attacking random trees in a city. "You will get arrested for that?"
"What?" the adult shouted in surprise. He took another glance at the tree before coming back to Red sweating bullets. "Hey! Then it's settled. I will teach one of your pokemon the greatest move. Mega Kick!"
Red blinked surprise by this man's sudden offer. "Are you…bribing me?"
"Bribing!" the man acted clueless. "I just wanted to teach one of your Pokemon Mega Kick! We just have to go away somewhere else to train for awhile."
He is hinting for me to keep this on the low, Red realized. But a new move will greatly help me in the long run. Might as well play along for a simple mistake the man might have made.
Red nodded in agreement. "Thanks sir...what is your name?" he asked.
"The name is Koul, the best black belt that uses only his feet!" Koul flamboyantly introduced himself. "Show me one Pokemon you would like for me to take under my wing as a student!"
Red frowned. "My name is Red," he irately said, reaching for his choice," and I want you to show the move to this pokemon." His Pikachu materlized in front of him and the black belt frantically jumped in front of it.
"I can't believe it. It's a Spiky-Earred Pikachu," he exclaimed.
"A spiky what?" Red asked with a confused look.
Koul cringed as if struck. "You mean that you didn't know it was the very rare Spiky-Earred Pikachu! The left ear has a few spikes which is where it gets the name Spiky Ear," he pointed out the subtle difference.
Who would have known I had a rare pokemon? Well...I guess everybody would have known Red thought.
-"You had to go and tell him,"- Pikachu sighed, hoping to appear as a regular Pikachu to his trainer. –"I better not get special treatment after this."-
"Well let's get to work," Koul interrupted Pikachu's monologue. "Watch! Then you copy it!" He yelled as he attacked the boulder next to him which shattered under his bare foot. Pikachu put on his serious face before jumped to kick a smaller boulder nearby. The boulder didn't crack, let alone break at all.
This would take a while Koul thought, hoping for utter destruction.
Red sat on a boulder continuing to watch the training ongoing. Pikachu kicked another boulder and this time managed to create a large crack in it but it wasn't enough to shatter.
"Don't worry Pikachu. You can do it," Red encouraged from his place waving a red flag he got out of nowhere. Pikachu took in a breath before taking another shot. He jumped at a new boulder. He did a somersault before stretching out his foot to strike. A white light engulfed his foot, but it didn't last for long. His normal foot struck the boulder and Pikachu dropped onto the floor disappointed.
"That's enough," Koul said sweating. "You almost mastered it; all you need is to practice it. There nothing more I can do." Koul stood up from where he was sitting, and walked up to Red.
"You said that you were going to challenge the Pewter City Gym," Koul remembered what Red told him as he trained Pikachu and Red nodded. The black belt pointed to a path that went to the west. "The gym is close by, in fact it straight ahead. It was great trying teaching your rare Pikachu," Koul bowed before Red.
"Thanks!" Red replied rejoiced.
"I hope our paths cross again," Koul brightly smiled with stars in his eyes. "And you as my disciple must be strong enough to finally defeat me!" He held a fist to the sky.
Red raised an eyebrow. "Sure…" he uttered awkwardly.
"See you around!" He shouted before running off to the distant.
"Well that went well Pikachu. Let's go challenge the gym," Red said excited. Pikachu's disappointed look turned into an excited one.
-"Gym battles! The true challenge for a Pokemon as myself!"- Pikachu shouted ecstatic.
Red returned him back into his pokeball then followed the simple directions of the black belt. Pretty soon, he found himself at a dome shaped building with a sign in front comfirming it was the Pewter City Gym.
He took in a breath, feeling nervous and excited. He pushed the doors open with all his might and let the doors slam against the walls to announce his arrival. "I am here to challenge the gym," Red announced, his challenge echoing off the walls.
All he saw was empty darkness, but then all of a sudden the lights turned on. Countless boulders scattered in front of Red made him believe he stumbled into a cave. At the far end a dark skin young man with brown spiky hair stood in a white square drawn around him.
Arms crossed as if expecting a challenge, the man lifted his head. An orange v neck sweater with a simple black tee underneath kept the intimidating man warm from the cool temperature the place gave off. Dirt stained cargo pants kept up with a black belt gave him a rougher appearance as if he was no stranger to cave exploring.
"I am Brock the Pewter City Gym Leader," the Gym Leader introduced himself in the deep tough voice Red expected from the Gym Leader. "Take your spot in the white rectangle in front of you, challenger."
Red nervously took his spot. He forgot his anxiety when he noticed the Brock's eyes were closed the entire time. "Hey, open your eyes. We have a Gym Battle to deal with!" Red rudely said.
Brock clenched his teeth together with rage. "Why you! Have you come to insult me?" he snapped back angrily. "I'll show you to insult me in my Gym! How many badges do you have?"
"I don't have any," Red honestly replied.
"No badges," Brock said in a judgmental tone. "Then this battle will be a three on three Pokemon battle. Only you are allowed to switch Pokemon. Two times is the limit." Brock respectfully stated the rules before throwing his pokeball, and released a rock with two arms coming out its side.
Is that a Geodude? Red thought taking out his pokedex.
"Geodude: the Rock Pokemon. This pokemon hides itself by burying itself in the soil and acting as a rock," the Pokedex blandly informed.
A rock type if I remember correctly. "Stand by for battle Pidgey." Red released his bird pokemon.
"Are you trying to insult by sending out a pokemon at a disadvantage or are you plain stupid?" Brock shouted.
Red ignored him and called out his order. "Pidgey! Quick Attack."
"Geodude, Rock Throw."
Geodude picked up a rock and threw it at the bird. With its above average speed, Pidgey easily dodged it and slammed into the rock pokemon. After his attack, Pidgey flew back to Red's side of the battlefield.
"Boy, normal attacks don't work very well on rock pokemon," Brock informed. Geodude, proving Brock right, looked unharmed. "Geodude, Rock Throw now."
Geodude threw another rock but threw another one after it. He soon began throwing a frenzy of rocks. Pidgey had a hard time dodging them all.
But I do have super effective move. I just need to find the right time to reveal it! Red realized."Pidgey use Double Team to dodge," Red ordered. Pidgey created multiple copies of itself scattered around the field. Some copies disappeared after a rock went through them.
"Keep going Geodude until you find the real one," Brock called out.
"Pidgey, before he can get you, go in close for a Steel Wing attack," Red called out. A steel coating covered all the Pidgeys' wings, and they all charged at the rock throwing Geodude. A few more vanished after getting hit by a rock. One of the Pidgey got close and slammed its wing into his side. The super effective move knocked Geodude into the side of a boulder. It rolled to the floor with a dazed look.
"That's one down," Red exclaimed in success. "Great job Pidgey!"
"Not so fast," Brock shouted. "Geodude, Stealth Rock then use Rock Throw." A few boulders dislodged themselves from the ground and flew to the other side of the field. They crashed into the ground.
"Ha you missed," Red mocked.
A rock flew out of the crater in the boulder, hitting the flying pokemon. Pidgey stumbled backwards, but suddenly got slammed by a spinning rock. The rock rammed Pidgey into the boulder, then jumped back and uncurls to reveal it was Geodude still ready to battle despite his injuries.
That was a Rollout attack, Red figured.
"Rollout again, Geodude."
"Dodge it Pidgey" Red instantly called out.
Curling back into a ball, Geodude started to rapidly spin. He rolled towards the injured bird in the crater. Geodude jumped and in a split second Pidgey took into the air. Geodude missed and slam into the place where Pidgey was before.
"Excellent dodge, Pidgey," Red praised his Pokemon. "Now, Steel Wing one more time." Forming his attack, Pidgey dive-bomb towards the Geodude.
"Geodude intercept it," Brock commanded before Pidgey could strike. Geodude used both of hands to grab the Steel Wing. The wing cut into Geodude's hand but he endured the pain to keep a tight grip on his foe.
"Now Seismic Toss it to the ground," Brock ordered.
"No Pidgey!" Red cried out to his helpless pokemon being lifted up in the air. He formed a quick plan for his escape. "Pidgey send a Sand Attack into his face."
Pidgey, with one wing, slashed at the ground to send dust flying into Geodude's eyes. He miscalculated the throw and send Pidgey soaring into the air instead of into the solid rock ground.
"Yes! Pidgey now Steel Wing once more," Red called out. Pidgey did a u-turn and speeded towards the blinded Geodude.
"Watch out Geodude," Brock cried out but was too late as the steel coated wing slammed into Geodude. He was sent flying into the wall, knocking him out cold. Releazing his pokemon was unable to battle anymore, Brock returned Geodude into his pokeball.
"I'm surprise. You managed to defeat me even with a type disadvantage," Brock said taking out another pokeball. "But I won't underestimate you this time. Go Geodude!"
Another geodude appeared on the field. Red returned Pidgey to give him a good rest.
"Pikachu, standby for battle." Pikachu appeared with a look determination on his face. Two giant boulders floated out of the ground and smashed in to the surprised electric pokemon.
-"Hey! Who would attack a pokemon who just came out,"- Pikachu screamed, staring angrily at his opponent.
"What was that?" Red thought out loud.
"That was Stealth Rock," Brock informed. "It attacks every new pokemon that enters the battlefield.
That must be part of his strategy…and He still has his eyes closed. How can he see though those slits? Red thought.
"Another pokemon at a type disadvantage," Brock muttered. "Well, Geodude use Magnitude."
"Pikachu use Agility." Pikachu closed his eyes to relax his muscles thus giving him an extra boost in his speed. Geodude slam his hands into the ground and shook the ground.
"Jump in the air Pikachu," Red ordered. Pikachu, obeying, ran up a boulder and jumped straight in the air. The ground violently shook making Red stumble a bit.
"Pi…kachu…iron…tail," Red tried to order while being shook by the ground. Pikachu still understood the command. He twisted his body so he began to fall towards the occupied Geodude. When the rock pokemon stopped his attack, he looked up just in time to get hit by an Iron Tail. Pikachu did a somersault in air and landed on fours in front of the stunned pokemon.
"Geodude be strong. Give them a Rock Smash attack they will never forget," Brock encourage. Geodude's fist turned white.
"Block with Mega Kick then strike again with Iron Tai," Red cried hoping Pikachu will get the move right. Geodude moved first by charging at the electric mouse with his glowing fist. Pikachu jumped and his foot began to glow white. Both attacks made contact and neither moved. Pikachu and Geodude pushed against each other with no side giving up.
"That was an excellent Mega Kick," Red shouted encouragement to his pokemon. Pikachu tried to push back even harder but Geodude wouldn't budge. They fought for while before Geodude lost his balance. The electric pokemon pushed the rock pokemon and swung his tail around once more. This time the Iron Tail slashed across Geodude's face and sent him crashing into a boulder.
"Great job Pikachu," Red praised his pokemon believing it was the end but Geodude hopped out of the crater he formed when he crashed into the boulder.
"Rock pokemon are sturdy if you didn't know. It will take more than that to take down my Geodude," Brock informed Red who frowned. "Geodude, Roll Out. Now his Iron Tail won't hit you, it will just slide off when you are spinning."
Geodude curled up in a ball and began moving. Now what do I do? The rest of Pikachu's attack won't work Red thought.
"Pikachu get out of the way," Red ordered in desperation. Pikachu jumped out of the way at the last second, nearly getting squashed. He has Pikachu dodge the next Roll Out as an idea sparked in Red's mind.
"Pikachu stick your tail underground," Red ordered.
-"My tail into the ground? Won't I just get stuck?"- Pikachu gave him a confused look but decide to trust him. He coated his tail in iron so he could easily slide his tail into the rock hard ground.
"I don't know what your doing but we won't let you. Geodude turn around and keep using Roll Out," Brock called out. Geodude did a u-turn and began to pick up speed.
"Pikachu fire your strongest Thunder Shock but channel it through your tail towards Geodude," Red ordered making Pikachu even more confused. Not wanting to disapoint his trainer, Pikachu followed his orders.
He sent electrical currents through his tail and fired it at the rolling Geodude. The force of the electricity caused the ground to burst open. The shock wave reached Geodude which threw Geodude off his course and sent him rolling straight into a boulder. The giant rock exploded as a Geodude crashed into it.
Pikachu took out his tail of the ground, amazed by the result. A deep fissure lay in the middle of the field caused by the force of the electric attack.
"I am impressed. Never have I seen an electric type beat one of my pokemon with minor injuries. I can see you're an excellent trainer from the start," Brock commented returning his pokemon. "Well it is time to send out my strongest pokemon. Go Onix!"
A giant rock snake pokemon with a horn on its head roared on the battle field. The pokemon towered over Red making him flinch.
"Onix: the Rock Snake Pokemon. Living under ground, this Pokemon bores at 50mph by twisting and squirming its massive body," Red's Pokedex relayed info to Red.
"Pikachu, return!" Red shouted. "Let's see... Charmander stand by for battle." Charmander appeared with his arms crossed but was immediately assaulted by the Stealth Rock.
-"Ahh...who will do such an underhanded trick,"- Charmander asked glaring at his opponent but he had looked up to meet stares with the large pokemon. His jaw slightly dropped as fear was instilled within him but he managed to feint a brave face.
"Ha, your Charmander won't stand long against Onix," Brock remarked. Such a rare Pokemon like Charmander in this boy's hands and so early in his journey, Brock remarked in his mind. This boy is different from rest of the beginners I fought with Weedles and Rattatas.
"Let's see, Charmander start out with Ember." Charmander fired a ball of fire at Onix but he wasn't at all fazed from the meager attack.
Forgot fire moves don't work on rock types, Red reminded himself, nearly face palming.
"That was a poor attack," Brock mocked. "Onix, Rock Throw." Onix picked up a rock from the ground using his tail and threw it at Charmander.
"Dodge it Charmander." Charmander hop to a side avoiding the object. "Hide in your Smokescreen." Charmander opened his mouth and smoke fired into all directions.
"Now use Metal Claw until he faints," Red ordered with no strategy in mind. Charmander, who could see in the smoke, attacked Onix with his claws.
"All your pokemon seem to have learned steel-type moves. You came well prepared…but that will not stop us," Brock remarked. "As a Gym Leader, I must push trainers to their limit. Onix use Slam on Charmander."
His Onix had a hard time seeing through the smoke and trying to find a small opponent made it nearly impossible for Onix to attack. Every time he slammed his tail to where he felt a scratch, Charmander had already moved away, leaving the Rock Snake to attack empty ground. The smokescreen soon cleared by Onix's repeated slamming and sending air outwards. Charmander was left vulnerable.
-"I got you this time,"-Onix roared slamming his tail into Charmander.
"Charmander!" Red cried at his crushed pokemon. Onix lifted up his tail to see Charmander get right back up. "Charmander, can you keep on fighting?" Charmander gave him a nod and put on a determine face. "Alright then use Leer." Charmander gave Onix a scary glare that made Onix lower his defenses.
"Onix don't let that childish face scare you. Use Rock Tomb." Onix roared before slamming his tail into the ground and firing rocks into the air.
"Try to break the rocks by using Metal Claw," Red called out. The fire pokemon got ready as the rocks came down. He jumped at one of the rocks and slashed at it with his Metal Claws. The rock shattered and slashed another incoming rock, reducing it to rubble. The next rock Charmander wasn't prepared and it his him right in the head. He was sent falling and many more rocks pelted his body. He was soon covered in rocks.
"Onix use Slam into that rock pile," Brock ordered and Onix complied by lifting up his tail to strike.
"Charmander you got to get out of there before you get hit," Red cried. The pile didn't move which made Red heartbroken but suddenly a fiery red Charmander jumped out of the pile just before Onix used slam. Charmander landed a few feet away from the rock snake pokemon and had a red aura surrounding him.
"Charmander burn them with Ember," Red ordered after seeing his ability activated. Charmander fired a large fire ball which struck Onix's forehead. Even with it being resistant to the attack, Onix still got hurt pretty badly and was left with a nasty burn.
"We even managed to burn it," Red cried in happiness.
Onix screeched before attempting another Slam, tail sweeping across the floor. Charmander jumped behind boulder to avoid the tail. Onix stopped at Charmander's boulder and slowly tumbled onto the ground. Sounding like a building collapsing, Onix'y body completely collapsed with not peep from its massive jaws.
Being unconscious meant Red finally won the battle. The giant snake sprawled before him left a burning feeling inside him that he turned into excitement. A kid finally living his dream to challenge the Pokemon League and he just received the first taste of victory.
Brock returned his Onix and walked up to the winner. "You defeated me even though you had a type disadvantage. I have never seen anything like that before," Brock remarked not a bit angry about losing. "As for defeating me you will get this badge which is the Boulder Badge." Brock handed Red a small piece of metal in the shape of a boulder. Red took it and examined it.
"I also need to hand out this TM called Rock Slide." Brock handed him a brown disk that Red took also.
"How do you use it," Red asked, flipping the disk over to see his distorted face in an array of colors the disk reflected.
"The disk will be absorbed by the Pokemon when you give it to them," Brock explained and took out a blue case out of his pocket. "Since this is your first gym, I am obliged to hand you a badge case. This is the best place to keep your badges that you earn." He handed the case over. "The next gym you should try is in Cerulean City," Brock informed turning around. "It's the closest from here for sure which is why I recommend it."
Red thanked Brock for the excellent match before he left the building with his newly acquired badge in his case, and the TM in his bookback.
"Well Charmander, we took our first step into our journey," Red said, glancing down to see his pokemon has fainted of exhaustion. "I should have probably placed you back into the Pokeball."
