Camilla: Jordan is still depressed, if you didn't know, but we'll get on no reason for a long A/N.

12. A fight for flight

I was a bad person.

I knew I was a bad person, I would probably class how bad as I was near enough at the same level as the hunters. I know that's low, but that is just how I felt at the moment.

I was pacing back and forth across the Pokémon centres lobby in front of the doors that led to the emergency wing.

'Come on, Jordan, it's not that bad.' Jasmine told me. Not that bad? I had seriously hurt Mareep, I let it battle and as a result it was hurt.

'It was not your fault, Mareep wanted to battle.' Brock added. Brock was right, but it was in pain I shouldn't have let it battle, that was my fault letting it battle like it wanted to.

Camilla did say anything, I was glad that she didn't add to my despair, I know that Brock and Jasmine were trying to help me, but I was too unhappy at the moment to pay any notice.

I kept replaying what happened in my head, what I could have done differently, what should I have done differently? What I should have done was been able to beat Falkner with my Cyndaquil and Heracross and not let Mareep battle at all.

I was angry at myself for being a bad person, I knew the nurse was unhappy with me.

'Oh my goodness!' Nurse Joy cried from over the counter as soon as we entered the Pokémon centre.

She was looking at the limp Pokémon in my arms.

She ran around the counter towards us with her Chansey hot on her heels.

Chansey brought the trolley with her.

I put Mareep on the trolley and the nurse ran toward the emergency doors, she shot me a glare before she followed her Chansey through.

The nurse walked through the emergency doors.

I immediately stopped pacing.

She looked at me, a face of-I'd like avoid the word hate, but I couldn't think of another word for it-annoyance.

She didn't say a word, she just went behind the counter.

Did she just blank me? I was concerned for Mareep, that was my number one concern.

I walked to the front of the counter.

'How's Mareep?' I asked.

'You're lucky I don't call the authorities.' She started. I was taken aback by that threat. 'In all my career I have not seen a Pokémon in as sick as that, she is clinging to life by a very thin thread, how could you bring in a Pokémon like that?' She asked. I could tell she was angry at me, but she was keeping her voice so low so no-one else could hear our conversation.

'I found her like that.' I said, a little white lie wouldn't hurt.

'Where?' She asked as if she didn't believe me.

I would never intentionally hurt a Pokémon.

'She was tangled up in a Pokémon hunters trap on the route just south of here, her wool was caught in a wire and she looked like she had cuts all over her. I treated her as best as I could.' I told the nurse, hoping that she believed all I had for Mareep was good intentions.

She looked quite angry, but I knew it was no longer directed at me.

'Those savages.' She remarked. She obviously meant the Pokémon hunters, I had a worse word for them, but I was too busy wanting to know how Mareep was.

'May I please go and see her?' I asked.

She looked at me shocked like she was still thinking about the hunters, I had learnt not to dwell on such a toxic thought, it wasn't healthy and wouldn't do us any good.

'Through there, last door.' She said.

I practically ran through the emergency doors and ran to the last door. I opened it and there was a hallway that split left and right with a door leading to who knows where, but my main concern was the room in front of me

It was a room that had glass panes from the floor to the ceiling. On the opposite wall was a huge board with many buttons and switches, very technological-medical stuff. Inside on a table with a dome over it-breathing tubes in the side and heat laps over the dome-was Mareep.

It looked worse than when I had brought it in. I put my hands on the glass panes and saw that the Mareep was asleep.

It had almost no wool on its body, it was quite thin, like it hadn't eaten and I could see the static charged around its body, with nowhere to store it, it was hurting the Mareep, I didn't want to see it in such pain.

I wanted to go into the room and just make it feel better, but the nurses here were the best, it would do Mareep no good if I went in and tried to do their job for them. I would only worsen Mareep's condition.

I just stood there watching one of nurse Joy's aids tending to Mareep's needs, she had a clipboard and kept writing things down, she flipped switches, pressed buttons, did anything that she had to.

She came out after a few more minutes.

'Are you Mareep's trainer?' She asked.

'Um...no, Mareep doesn't have a trainer.' I told her.

'Are you the one that brought Mareep in?' She asked when I pushed her first question back.

'Yes.' I replied.

'Then come with me.' She said.

She led me back to the lobby and asked me to stay just in front of the emergency doors, she went to speak with nurse Joy, that must mean something was wrong.

I hadn't killed Mareep had I? The dread I could feel was slowly creeping up on me threatening to swallow me until I never existed. I could feel the foreshadowing of my doom from one of the worst things I could think of.

The aide walked back through the emergency doors.

The nurse cleared her throat.

I went up to the counter.

'Mareep is in critical condition, we may have a solution, but is very risky.' Nurse Joy started. 'We could keep Mareep here where it will probably need care around the clock, all day every day. It may die within the next few hours, the next few days, months or even years.' The nurse told me. 'Or, we can send it to Ecruteak where they have the medical technology to help it get better, but the risk with that is that the transfer might kill it.' The nurse continued. 'The choice has been left to you.'

So, Mareep may die here, but it would have to stay here to be kept under care all day every day, or I could let them transfer her to Ecruteak?

I couldn't dwell on this fact, I decided that if Mareep got better I would have it on my team, that made my mind up, but if Mareep made it I couldn't wait until I saw it again.

'I'd like you to transfer it to Ecruteak.' I said.

This was the best thing for it, if Mareep made it they could make her better and by the time I got there she might be okay, it was best to let a Pokémon get better than keeping an eye on her until she died.

I went to sit down with my friend feeling the stress weigh on my shoulders.

I could feel my friends looking at me, my eyes stayed on the table as I hung my head.

It felt like forever passed while I was silent, my friends said nothing at it was driving me insane.

'Someone say something.' I pleaded.

'How are you going to tackle Falkner tomorrow?' Camilla asked.

'Tomorrow?' I asked.

'Have you not noticed it's dark, I don't think he'd take challengers in the dark.' Camilla responded.

I didn't know it had got so late.

'I believe you can dwell on that tomorrow.' Brock said. 'We should get some sleep.'

He was right I had a battle with Falkner tomorrow, if he forgave me for running out on him earlier today.

I followed my friends to the rooms.

I found my bed relatively quickly and it didn't take me long to fall asleep which surprised me, I thought I'd be up most of the night worrying about Mareep and my battle tomorrow.

I woke up with light filtering through the blinds.

I was the last one up which was a rarity.

I got dressed quickly and made my way to the lobby.

My friends were sitting down talking animatedly while eating breakfast. I grabbed myself a slice of jam on toast. I wasn't that hungry and that was always the way I was before a battle. I knew this would be my last battle against Falkner whether I would win or lose. I was determined to win, even with one of my Pokémon having a double disadvantage, I just hoped that Cyndaquil was strong enough to win this gym all on his own he was strong and I knew he would make me proud, but I didn't want him to push himself, just for my sake.

At least I had an advantage, I knew exactly which Pokémon Falkner would use, like he had in our first battle and exactly like he had when he battled Liam.

I wish this gym leader had flying Pokémon from this region ones I hadn't seen before. I already knew about Pidgey and Pidgeotto, Rachel had raised both of them and then evolved her Pidgeotto into a Pidgeot.

It would be nice if Falkner could shake it up a little, but I guess that was asking for too much.

I ate my toast as my friends talked amongst themselves.

They knew I was nervous and there was no way that they could get me to talk about the gym badge it would make me doubt myself and I would get more nervous and might throw this one away and just accept the badge from Falkner, but no. I had to win this badge fair and square. Falkner would just have to keep the Zephyr badge for a while longer, just until I had beaten him with Cyndaquil and Heracross. I needed to use Heracross, even if he was weak to flying he may be able to help out a little but, plus Falkner was going to use two Pokémon, so why shouldn't I?

Once I finished my toast I decided to listen on my friends conversation, I had been so busy thinking about my battle I had no idea what they are talking about.

'So, Jordan, you know what you're going to do against Falkner's team?' Brock asked.

'No idea.' I replied.

I had no idea how I was going to beat him, I just knew that I was going to use both Heracross and Cyndaquil.

'I'm sure you can do it with Cyndaquil and Heracross.' Camilla supported.

'Aren't both Heracross types weak to flying?' Jasmine asked as if it was an issue.

'Yes, but even if a trainer has a type disadvantage can come out on top with the right strategy, type matchups aren't everything.' Brock said.

Brock was extremely informative, not only had he experienced this first hand when my Pikachu wore his Onix out so my Squirtle would have an easier time on defeating it, but he was a gym leader and I'm sure he'd been able to defeat a few water types in his time as a gym leader.

'I'm not starting this region out like I did my first journey.' I said.

'Someone's pumped.' Brock observed.

'Then let's go.' Camilla said.

Jasmine didn't say anything of encouragement, she just whispered something in Camilla's ear. It was probably how my journey started in Kanto. I knew Camilla would know. I had told her and I guess Brock had too.

My friends and I headed out of the Pokémon centre and just standing outside was Falkner.

I was surprised to see him away from his gym.

'Jordan Hale.' He greeted me. 'Thank goodness you're still here.' He said as if it was a surprise. 'I was just about to come in and give you this.' He said showing me the Zephyr badge I had left at his gym yesterday.

'I was just about to come and challenge you again.' I told him.

'Whatever for?' Falkner asked. 'You won it yesterday, completely crippling my Pokémon in the process if I might add, I was definitely surprised.' He told me.

'But it wasn't fair,' I protested. 'The Mareep I used was ill, so she shot out thundershocks randomly, she couldn't control them or keep them stored in her wool, she didn't have a lot of wool to do that, so it was an unfair battle.' I told him.

'This is unexpected.' Falkner commented.

'If it's okay, I would like a rematch.'

Falkner was still a bit muzzled at my decline to the badge and at my request for a rematch.

'What if you lose the rematch?' He asked.

'I don't get the badge.' I replied. It was simple enough, right? I was probably the first trainer to ever do this, but it didn't feel right that I won by default, like I did with Misty in the Water tournament just outside Fuchsia. I had received the Cascade badge because I had saved Cerulean gym from Team Rocket. When I found out that Misty was taking part in the water tournament I put my Cascade badge on the line. This was a similar situation, but this time I asked for a rematch instead of placing the Zephyr badge on the line in some tournament.

'I'd be happy to accept your rematch.' Falkner exclaimed after a few seconds of silence.

I was glad he accepted, what would I do if he declined? I didn't even think about this, whether he'd decline or accept my rematch proposal.

'Shall we?' He asked after I didn't reply, I wasn't going to lead in this, we were to battle at his gym it is only right that he led the way back.

When we walked in I looked up and remembered painful memories, but this wasn't the time for that, I needed to concentrate.

'I'll wait for you at the top, challenger.' Falkner said before he left for the back platform.

'Good luck, Jordan.' Camilla said.

I nodded before my friends headed for the lift.

I breathed in a sigh and stood on the platform that took me up high to the platform.

Falkner was eagerly waiting with his signature stance. Facing away from me.

'I am looking forward to this battle.' Falkner said.

I knew this battle would be interesting.

This is an official gym between Falkner, the Violet City gym leader and the challenger, Jordan Hale of Pallet town, both trainers will have the use of two Pokémon, only the challenger is allowed to substitute, the battle will end when both Pokémon from one side have been defeated.' The referee announced.

'You first.' Falkner told me.

I swayed with the idea of using either Cyndaquil or Heracross, I knew that Heracross was weak, but I trained with Jasmine yesterday, so I knew he might be fast enough to dodge attacks and keep that up, hopefully I would be able to wear one of Falkner's Pokémon out.

'Heracross, I choose you.'

Heracross came out and didn't look fazed at the challenge he would be facing.

'You know Heracross won't fair well against my flying Pokémon.' Falkner said.

'Heracross and I don't care about a type disadvantage.' I replied.

'Fantastic! Pidgey, you're up.'

I remember that Liam used his Spinarak against this Pidgey. His Spinarak won, but that because its move pool was more diverse than Heracross move pool.

I wish I had as much enthusiasm as Falkner did, sure I was optimistic, but Falkner showed enthusiasm even in defeat.

Pidgey came out, but Heracross didn't seem like it affected him that much.

'Pidgey, use gust.'

'Dodge it,' I said.

Pidgey caused a small gust of wind that was sent straight for Heracross, but Heracross was quick enough to move out of the way. The gust wasn't really that quick, but if it did hit Heracross it would be devastating.

'Heracross, use arm thrust.'

Heracross ran toward Pidgey.

'Pidgey, use peck.

Pidgey's beak glowed and it headed straight for Heracross.

'Heracross, dodge.'

Heracross moved to the side as Pidgey was on top and with its arm it clipped Pidgey's wing.

Pidgey spiralled towards the ground and crated a dust cloud on impact.

'Heracross, use leer' I knew this was a good time to use a move.

The best time to use a stat reducing move on your opponent or a stat raising move on yourself was when your opponents Pokémon was otherwise preoccupied.

Heracross executed the leer just as Pidgey got back up.

The arm thrust hadn't worked as well as I had hoped, it hadn't clipped his wing to reduce the ability to fly it just made the Pidgey lose its balance.

'Pidgey, use wing attack.'

Pidgey's wings glowed white and it sped toward Heracross.

I had to think of something quick, this was one of those moves that would be devastating.

'Arm thrust.' I called.

I had nothing else that would be of any use. Arm thrust may be the best move maybe I could actually stop the Pidgey from being able to fly this time.

'Pidgey was on top of Heracross within a few seconds, but Heracross was ready it thrust its arm up and hit Pidgey's body, not its wing.

Pidgey flew in arc straight back to Falkner.

It landed just in front of Falkner, it looked pretty beaten up.

'Use leer.' I said while Pidgey was standing up and looking exhausted.

I knew that Pidgey couldn't last much longer.

Pidgey still looked like it could fly, but barely.

'Sand attack.' Falkner called.

'Heracross, shield you eyes.' I said.

Heracross put an arm over his eyes as soon as Pidgey started to kick up sand.

Me telling Heracross to cover his eyes was futile, Heracross would still lose its accuracy. I did not like sand attack. I disliked any moves that lowered accuracy.

Falkner was gaining an advantage, he knew Heracross was quick and could dodge most if not all of Pidgey's moves, so he was making sure Heracross would miss, but instead of speed raising stat moves he was using accuracy lowering moves.

'Heracross, use leer.' I called. Hopefully Pidgey's defence was low enough now so I could deal some damage, Pidgey was also a normal type Pokémon, so maybe my Fighting attacks would be effective instead of being not very effective.

Heracross sent out the leer just before Falkner called out his next attack.

'Wing attack!'

Pidgey's wings turned white before it flew toward us, maybe I could use a move that I hadn't used yet, maybe it would help and it was a stronger move than arm thrust.

I waited until Pidgey was close and it was too late for Falkner to alter Pidgey's course.

'Brick break.'

Heracross fist glowed and he brought it down just as Pidgey reached it.

Pidgey was forcefully pushed into the ground.

A small dust cloud emerged and clouded both Pidgey and Heracross.

I was sure that Pidgey had fainted, its defence was low and it was a hit at point-bank range. How could any Pokémon had survived that with low defence?

The dust cleared and miraculously Pidgey was still standing.

How? How was Pidgey still able to stand?

It looked like it had beaten up from all sides, but it was still standing.

'Pidgey, use gust.' Falkner called in my shock.

Uh oh.

Pidgey used a gust and Heracross flew backwards toward me and landed on the ground almost directly in front of my trainer box.

I saw it had fainted.

Well, that was a rookie mistake, I chided myself for me being careless.

'Heracross is unable to battle, Pidgey is the winner.' The referee announced.

I called Heracross back.

'I'm sorry, Heracross. You did great.' I apologised before praising its performance, it had battled well, bit it was at a great disadvantage.

'Well done, Jordan. Your Heracross battled admirably, not many bug types can actually stand up to Pidgey, and not only did your Heracross have bug as a type disadvantage, but also had fighting and you still put us in a bit of a pickle.' Falkner praised, it wasn't exactly any tips it was just a small congratulations. 'But in the end, flying will always trump bug.' Well that was complete turn around from the praise he had just given me.

I clipped Heracross Pokéball to my belt and unclipped Cyndaquil's.

'Cyndaquil, I choose you.' I called sending out my last Pokémon.

I knew he'd be able to beat Pidgey, since Pidgey was already in a rough state, but I was wary about battling Pidgeotto. It would be so much harder and I wouldn't obtain my first badge. Pidgeotto was a second stage evolution and probably a lot stronger than my Cyndaquil.

'Cyndaquil quick attack.' I called wanting to get rid of Pidgey quick without any complications.

I caught Falkner off guard and quick attack was a move that was really quick, hence the name.

Cyndaquil ran really quickly, you wouldn't think it possible for a small Pokémon with short stubby legs, but Cyndaquil hit Pidgey before Falkner could get a word out.

Pidgey fell and we knew it had fainted, but it was expected especially with how worn out it looked after its battle with Heracross.

'Pidgey is unable to battle, the winner is Cyndaquil.' The referee announced.

Now I was expecting Pidgeotto, it was what he used against me in the last battle we had, well he tried to use, I expected that. It was also what he used against Liam after Liam beat Pidgey.

'Pidgey, return.' Falkner said as he returned Pidgey. 'Well done, Jordan, that was quick thinking on your part, and your Heracross played a big part in taking down Pidgey, but this next Pokémon won't be so easy.' Falkner promised me.

Pidgeotto, I thought.

'You're up, Spearow.'

I was not expecting a Spearow from Falkner, he used Pidgeotto before, maybe he wanted to shake things up, but I had already seen a Spearow before, it wasn't exactly a new Pokémon either. Camilla had a Spearow and she had also evolved it, it would have been nice to see a new flying type, but I guess I wasn't lucky enough.

I looked to Camilla briefly, remembering her Spearow, she was too interested in the battle. I wondered if Falkner's Spearow would be as hot-headed as Camilla's was.

'Spearow, use peck.'

'Counter with quick attack.' I countered.

I knew peck was fast and any other move I had would not hit before peck landed so I countered with a quicker move.

Both Pokémon hit each other and they both flew back. Cyndaquil brought up dust as it skidded back.

Spearow spiralled for a second before it regained its balance.

Cyndaquil was okay, but if the battle was going to be like this there was no doubt I would lose. I had to have another idea, not just using quick attack, it only chipped away at Spearow's health little by little. But Cyndaquil's other moves were not quick enough to counter Spearow.

Maybe they didn't have to be quicker, maybe Cyndaquil just had to be quicker, it was already quick despite its small size and stubby little legs.

'Spearow, use fury attack.'

'Cyndaquil, counter with ember.'

Spearow flew toward Cyndaquil and pecked at its body repeatedly, after its assault Cyndaquil was looking quite beat up. I could not lose this battle, else we would be here tomorrow, that is if Falkner would even let me have another rematch.

Cyndaquil stood up taller and I saw a red aura around it. My aura wasn't activated, but I could still see Cyndaquil's blaze ability being activated. Maybe my aura was strong enough to recognise others without mine being activated.

Now Cyndaquil's fire type moves would be more powerful.

'Cyndaquil, us smokescreen.'

I knew that Spearow wouldn't be able to disperse this as it didn't have gust like Pidgey did.

It didn't have wing attack it only had one flying move that I knew of and that was peck.

Cyndaquil coughed and smoke came out of it covering a lot of the battlefield.

'Cyndaquil move around so Spearow can't see or attack you.'

I got this idea from Jasmine, she used it in our battle yesterday.

Cyndaquil moved around, I couldn't see it, but I knew it was moving around.

'Quick attack.' I called.

'Pursuit.' Falkner called.

I heard connection of one Pokémon hitting the other, but I didn't know which one it was.

I then heard a quick clip and Cyndaquil skidded on its belly, it stopped a foot or two in front of me, the cloud slowly dispersed, and I saw Spearow was worn out, but it still looked in better shape that Cyndaquil.

'Pursuit is a quick move, but usually moves last depending on what the foe does on the turn that pursuit is used, this move also doesn't check accuracy.' Falkner told me.

Check accuracy, what did that mean?

'This move will always hit, if the Pokémon switches our pursuit will hit before the Pokémon is switched out and the moves attack is doubled. The only tying that can stop pursuit from hitting, it a shield based move that protects Pokémon, or the Pokémon faints beforehand.' Falkner explained. That was extremely informative.

I'm glad he was informative, it was good when gym leaders give you advice in battle, there are two reasons why they do that, one is to help you succeed, the other reason is to distract you, to make you lose focus.

I had to end this before I lot with Cyndaquil, I could not lose this battle, I had to come up with an idea.

'Cyndaquil, use smokescreen.'

I knew exactly what to do

'Cyndaquil run around to make sure Spearow doesn't see you.'

I couldn't see Falkner, but no matter what he thought he would not have guessed of what I was going to do next.

'Ember.' I called.

Cyndaquil shot the ember from somewhere and almost instantaneously the fumes caught fire and caused explosions, one after the other, after a couple of seconds Cyndaquil emerged from the explosions on my side of the battle.

'Be ready.' I told him as the explosions stopped.

I had no idea what had happened.

The clouds slowly dispersed and there was Spearow, on the ground, looking really weak, but still willing to fight.

I had to admire this Spearow's spirit, either that or it was Stubborn.

'Cyndaquil, use quick attack.' I said.

There was no way this would miss, even if Spearow could somehow land or even perform an attack I was sure it would faint them, I thought the explosions would take care of that, bit this Spearow was formidable.

Cyndaquil connected within seconds and Spearow fell, this time it didn't get up.

'Spearow is unable to battle which means Cyndaquil is the winner and that means the victory goes to Jordan Hale of Pallet Town,' The referee announced

'Yay!' I exclaimed. We did it, Cyndaquil.' I said as I made my way to it.

I crouched down and called it back, it was tired and needed to rest.

'You were brilliant Cyndaquil, thank you.' I praised it before strapping his Pokéball to my belt.

I stood up and made my way toward Falkner as he recalled his Spearow.

'Congratulations, Jordan. You did not disappoint me, it was one of the best battles I've had in ages. Falkner said. With so much enthusiasm it would be hard to believe that he lost not even a minute ago.

'Thank you.' I replied.

'I now officially grant you the Zephyr badge.' Falkner said giving me my first Johto badge.

It took ages to win my first badge in Johto, longer than it did with my first badge in Kanto.

I hoped the next win wasn't so far as this one was from my last gym win.

'Good luck on the rest of your journey.' Falkner said.

I went down the platform, my friends were already waiting for me.

'Congratulations, Jordan.' Camilla said giving me a hug.

'Thanks.'

'You happy you won by your standards?' Brock asked.

'I think I understand gym battles a bit better.' Jasmine added.

'Yes, I am happy. Jasmine, if you want to know why don't you ask Falkner for an unofficial battle, I'm sure he would oblige.' I told her.

'Um...I don't think I'd be able to beat him, besides I only have one Pokémon.' Jasmine said.

'We could always lend you one of ours.' Brock said as we exited the gym.

It was getting to lunch, I think it would be best to wait until tomorrow to travel who knew how long it would take to get to the next Pokémon centre, the routes here in Johto seemed quite long, probably a days walk at least.

'Excuse me, you four. A feminine voice said from behind us.

We all turned as the gym doors closed.

'Have one of you just won a Zephyr badge from the Violet City gym leader?' This woman asked.

'Yes.' I replied. 'I have.'

'I happen to have an egg for a worthy trainer, would you like to take it?' She asked me.

Jordan: Okay, if you couldn't tell, I'm better now.

Camilla: And we are both back to doing these now, quick sign off.

Jordan: See you next time.