Disclaimer: I do not own anything, I make no money or profit from this.
Chapter 14
It was the next day and the 2 younger trainers were in the lobby of the pokecenter watching one of the TVs around the room. Lynn was talking to Professor Juniper and her students were watching a replay of Lincoln's match against Saffron City's gym leader Sabrina. All three of them enjoyed the show yesterday and now knew where to go for their gym battles today.
"Okay Sabrina scares me a bit" Clyde remarks after watching his old best friend receive the Marsh badge. "Her voice is monotone and seems to always have a cold and serious expression on her face."
"You do remember that we'll have to go against her too, right?" Ronnie Anne, her traveling companion with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah I know," Clyde replied with a shiver. "That doesn't mean I can't be afraid of her."
"Well you better get over fast McBride" Lynn voice said from behind the two, causing them to jump in fright. "Once we're done here, Saffron City is our next location. That means you'll be facing her very soon."
"All done talking to Professor Juniper?" Ronnie Anne asked, ignoring what she just said to focus on the gym match today.
"How's the Ponyta?" Clyde asked, also ignoring what he was just told.
"Yeah I'm done, so we can head to the gym now" Lynn replied. "Ponyta is getting looked at by a doctor and Professor Juniper will observe it for a few days to see if it needs any more help."
With that said, the 3 other worldly trainers made their way to the Cerulean City gym. Ronnie Anne was excited, Clyde was excited with a bit of nervousness, and Lynn was calm and focused. They soon stood in front of a familiar building. It was a larger building than Pewter City gym, it had the Water Type symbol above the doors with a sign of the Sensation Sisters show above that, and a sign beside the doors that say "Cerulean City Gym". Walking inside was different then the day before, there was only staff walking around. After looking around they were soon approached by a 12 year old girl with blue eyes and orange hair held in a spiky ponytail. She wore a white and blue sleeveless shirt that shows her midriffs and belly button, blue denim shorts, and red, blue, and white sneakers.
"Hi I'm Misty and I'm the gym leader of Cerulean Gym" the girl introduced herself. "Are you here for a gym battle or for the Sensation Sisters show? If you're here for the show, then you'll have to come back another day."
"All three of us are here for a gym battle" Lynn replied with a smile.
"Isn't she a little young to be a gym leader?" Ronnie Anne whispered to Clyde.
"Did you forget how old Roxie was when Lincoln met her?" Clyde whispered back to her. This caused the girl to frown, but did remember she was 13 years old when they met and she was a gym leader at the time.
"Great! Do any of you have any experience taking part in any leagues or is this all your first time?" The young gym leader asked with a smile.
"I competed in three different leagues, but it's these two first ever league runs," the red loving trainer replied with a smirk.
"Alright then, so does that mean you want me to use stronger Pokemon in our match?" Misty asked, to which Lynn nodded in agreement. "Okay then, so who's going first?"
"Hey, is it alright if I go first this time?" Ronnie Anne spoke up. Her companions looked at each other in slight confusion, but allowed the girl to go first.
"Then follow me and we'll go to the battlefield" Misty said with a smile as she guided them. She took them to the same area where they watched the show yesterday, but it looked slightly different. The large circle inground pool of water now had several floating platforms in it. "We can lend you a swimsuit if you want, if not then I suggest giving your personal items and electronics to one of your friends."
"What do you mean?" Ronnie Anne asked, confused at the situation.
"Both of us are going to be standing on those" Misty replied while pointing at the floating platforms. "It's not uncommon for challengers to fall into the water. So can you swim and do you want to change into a swimsuit?"
"Yeah I can swim and I'll take my chances" Ronnie Anne replied with a grin, as she gave the young gym leader her trainer license. While Misty scanned the license, Ronnie Anne gave Clyde her poketch and any personal items she didn't want to get wet. Clyde and Lynn made their way to the stands, Misty went to the backroom to retrieve the proper Pokemon, and Ronnie made her way to the proper platform.
"This is way different than Brock's gym," Clyde commented, taking a seat.
"Not all the gyms are simple like Pewter City," Lynn said, taking her beside him. "Some gym leaders get very creative with how they design their gym. Some theme them to their gym's type, some are designed to fit the gym leader's personality, talents, or hobbies like Roxie's, and some are designed to give challengers difficulties while battling like this gym. Here we will have to balance our weight on floating platforms, while focusing on the battle while the Pokemon make waves. It also wouldn't surprise me if she uses Pokemon that need to be in water like Seaking, Qwilfish, or Lumineon."
Ronnie Anne stood on the platform waiting, thinking this wasn't going to be that different from her battle in Pewter City. Misty soon came from the backroom with another woman dressed in the same outfit as the person at the Pewter Gym. Misty easily got on her platform while the official stood outside of the pool in between them.
"This is an official match between Misty of the Cerulean City Gym and Ronnie Anne Santiago from Great Lakes City." The referee's voice was loud, clear, and echoed throughout the building. "Both trainers will be able to use two Pokemon, with only the challenger being able to switch out Pokemon. The battle is over when both of someone's Pokemon is unable to battle or one forfeits. The match begins now."
"Let's go Staryu!" Misty shouted, throwing her pokeball. What came out and landed on a platform was a brown star with golden metal covering most of its body and a large red stone in the center of it.
"Come out Nidoran!" Ronnie Anne shouted, releasing her own Pokemon. Nidoran landed on one of the platforms and glared at its opponent.
"Staryu start things off with Swift!" The young gym leader ordered. The Star Shaped Pokemon pointed the red stone at its opponent, then shot many stars of energy at Nidoran.
"Dodge those and try to get on the same platform!" Ronnie Anne shouted. Nidoran was able to dodge the first attack and started to hop from platform to platform to get closer to her opponent. However this changed when Staryu started aiming where Nidoran was planning to hop to and hitting her with Swift. "Now use Poison Sting on it!" the young challenger shouted, after Nidoran made it to the same platform as Staryu. Nidoran charged at her opponent hoping to hit it.
"Now Staryu, use Rapid Spin!" Misty called out, seeing the approaching Pokemon. Staryu started to hover and spin at a high speed, and charged towards its opponent. Both attacks made contact, but Rapid Spin sent Nidoran flying to the other side of the platform. Nidoran was a bit slow to get up, but Staryu started to slump over after it stopped spinning. "Staryu what's wrong?" Misty asked, seeing her Pokemon acting strangely.
"I think it's poison" Clyde said to himself, not realizing he said it loud enough for everyone to hear. "Staryu was most likely poisoned by Poison Sting or Nidoran's Poison Point Ability."
"Good eyes McBride" Lynn complimented with a smile. "I noticed the reason as well, how'd you figure it out?"
"Well Nidoran's Poison Sting shouldn't have done enough damage to seriously hurt Staryu" Clyde started to explain. "Also Staryu is acting similar to Samurai's Pinsir when it was poisoned. Knowing these things, I came to that conclusion." Lynn nodded in agreement, impressed with how quickly Clyde was picking up on the small details in battles.
Ronnie Anne heard this and scoffed in slight jealousy at being praised by the older trainer, not that she'd ever admit it. "Now's our chance, use Bite on it!" She commanded, focusing back on the battle. Nidoran immediately ran to the Star Shaped Pokemon and bit onto one of its limbs.
"Staryu use Water Gun to make it let go!" Misty shouted, realizing her Pokemon was on a time limit because it was poisoned. Staryu pointed its top pointed limb at Nidoran and water came shooting out of it. The attack hit and hurt Nidoran, but didn't she didn't let go.
"This isn't good," the young Mexican American girl said , watching her Pokemon fight on. "Try and use Fury Swipes while clinging to it!" Nidoran attempted too, but was only able to land a few hits before letting Staryu go because of pain.
"Finish it with Psybeam!" The orange haired girl ordered. The red stone on Staryu started to glow, but before it could fire the attack, it fainted from the poison.
"Staryu is unable to battle," the referee announced. "The winner is Nidoran." Ronnie Anne and a very tired Nidoran shouted in victory, while Misty recalled her Staryu. Lynn and Clyde clapped or cheered at the victory, when suddenly Nidoran started glowing. While the 2 younger trainers looked on in confusion, the young gym leader and their mentor knew what was happening and smiled. They watched the silhouette of Nidoran start to grow and charge shape, when the light faded everyone saw Nidoran had just evolved.
"Congratulations Santiago," Lynn shouted, standing up from her seat. "Your Nidoran just evolved into a Nidorina." Ronnie Anne was so surprised by what just happened, she didn't hear Clyde and Misty congratulate her as well. Nidorina let out a cry of happiness at evolving, she then looked to her trainer for her reaction. Said trainer was broken out of her stupor noticing her Pokemon looking at her. Her mouth broke out the biggest smile it could and she started praising Nidorina. She wanted to go over and hug her, but didn't think she'd make it over without falling into the water once.
"Now I know this is a happy and exciting moment for you…" Misty said, grabbing everyone's attention. "...However we are still in a battle, so it's time to come out Goldeen!" She threw the pokeball into the air, but the light that released the Pokemon went into the water. This confused Ronnie Anne, but Clyde and Lynn knew why.
"This is a test within the battle McBride" Lynn told her young companion. "She tests trainers on how they handle situations where trainers use their elements and surroundings to their advantage." Both trainers watched intensely, one to see how Ronnie Anne is going to handle the situation and the other to learn any tips for his upcoming battle.
"Start things off with a Horn Attack!" The orange haired gym leader shouted. Ronnie Anne and Nidorina looked around not seeing anything, until it was too late. From behind Nidorina Goldeen jumped out of the water, hit her with its horn, and jumped back into the water hiding in the depths.
"Okay this is harder than fighting with Staryu" Ronnie Anne muttered to herself. "Stay on guard Nidorina, we don't know where it'll come from next." Goldeen attacked again, but this time Nidorina was able to avoid it. "Try to use Scratch or Bite on it when you dodge!" She knew this wasn't a good plan, but she didn't know what else to do. She also realized just how difficult it was to stay balanced on the floating platform while Goldeen was jumping in and out of the water. As Goldeen continued its assault, Nidorina attempted to dodge every attack while trying to counter attack. Being still tired and hurt from the battle with Staryu, Nidorina was obviously starting to get frustrated. Knowing she couldn't take much more, she waited for an opening to make her last strike. Taking the hit from the Goldeen, her tail glowed purple before smacking the Goldfish Pokemon back into the water and then fainting.
"Nidorina is unable to battle," the referee announced. "The winner is Goldeen." Ronnie stood in shock, not at losing the match but at the new attack Nidorina just used. She eventually snapped out of it and recalled Nidorina back to her pokeball.
"What did Nidorina just use?" Clyde asked himself, surprised and bewildered.
"That was Poison Tail," Lynn answered the young boy's question. "Nidorina isn't able to learn that naturally, so it must've been an egg move. Judging from Santiago's shocked expression, even she didn't know about it."
After putting Nidorina pokeball away, she now had to think of which of her 2 remaining Pokemon to use. 'Poochyena doesn't have any disadvantage against Goldeen, but she still won't listen to me.' The young trainer thought about trying to come up with a plan. 'Houndour has the type disadvantage, but she will listen to me.' After a few seconds of debate in her head, she came to a decision and picked the Pokemon she was going to use. "Let's end this Houndour!" She called, throwing her pokeball out. Houndour landed on one of the platforms and let out a howl.
"I hope she knows what she's doing," Clyde said with worry, hoping she made the right choice. Lynn meanwhile just watched on with a blank expression.
Misty wondered why her opponent would pick that Pokemon to go against her, knowing she must've had her reasons. Besides, it was too late to do anything now. "Goldeen use Water Pulse!" The Goldfish Pokemon popped out of the water and charged a medium sized ball of glowing water. It then fired the orb at the Dark Pokemon.
"Hit its attack with Flamethrower!" Ronnie Anne shouted. Houndour listened and shot a stream of fire from its mouth at the orb. The combined attacks start covering the area in steam and shrink the size of the water orb, but not enough to destroy it. What was left of the attack hit Houndour, hurting her a lot.
However, seeing the steam gave Ronnie Anne an idea. "Houndour use Flamethrower on the water around the platform!" She shouted with a small smile. This confused not only the Cerulean Gym Leader, but also Clyde. Lynn however leaned forward in her seat while narrowing her eyes, more focused on her student and her Pokemon. Houndour then started shooting fire into the water around the platform. This blanketed not only the platform Houndour was on, but half of 2 other platforms that were close by.
"I'll admit you hid your Pokemon well…" Misty said, not impressed by the makeshift smoke screen. "...But I still know where your Pokemon is. Goldeen use Water Gun and sweep it across the hidden platform!" Goldeen obeyed and came out of the water and sprayed water from its mouth, then started moving it from one side to the other.
"Now's your chance, Houndour! We can now see Goldeen, use Thunder Fang on it!" Ronnie Anne shouted in hope. Out of the steam Houndour appeared and jumped at the Goldfish Pokemon, electricity circulating around her open mouth. While the Dark Pokemon fell into the water, she bit on her opponent before doing so. Houndour then lifted Goldeen out of the water to try not to electrify herself, while Goldeen could only cry out in pain from the electric attack.
"Since when did Houndour know Thunder Fang?" Lynn asked the younger trainer beside her.
"Since before Ronnie Anne got her" Clyde answered nonchalantly. "The both of you were elsewhere when I battled her at the festival. She used it in our battle, Milcery was faster and was able to avoid the attack."
"So you told her about it after she caught her then" Lynn commented, with Clyde nodding in agreement.
Soon Goldeen's cries stopped and it fainted, making Houndour let it go. "Goldeen is unable to battle" the referee announced while holding her hand on Ronnie Anne's side up in the air. "Houndour is the winner and Ronnie Anne has won the match." The young trainer cheered in excitement and attempted to make it to her Fire and Dark Type Pokemon, only to falter and end up in the water. Although she didn't care and swam to her and happily hugged her while praising her. Clyde stood up and started cheering for his friend, while Lynn simply stayed seated clapping with a smile on her face. Misty recalled Goldeen and thanked it for its hard work and asked a staff member to get a towel for her challenger. The young gym leader then walked over to where her opponent was getting out of the pool with her Houndour.
"One of the staff members is going to bring you a towel," Misty told her with a smile. "Congratulations on winning the match, I honestly didn't think you were going to when you sent out Houndour. So as proof of your victory, I'm proud to give you The Cascade Badge." She then pulled out a water drop badge from her pocket and gave it to the smiling girl.
Ronnie Anne happily took the badge and stared at it in her hand. She was brought back to reality when a staff member handed her a towel. "Thanks for the awesome battle and towel," she said, taking the towel.
"So who's next?" Misty asked, looking up at the 2 trainers in the stands.
