Episode 236: The Flames of Flannery
One the very next morning, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel all have gotten up and had themselves some breakfast. Sora learned he was going to be up against Fire Type Pokémon and it was a good thing he had Mudkip, Corphish, and Mudsdale with him. Sora decided to have one more Water Type just in case, so he exchanged Treecko for Wingull. Sora had trained Mudkip, Corphish, Mudsdale, and Wingull for his Gym battle.
"There," Sora said, looking at his girlfriend before putting his Pokédex away. "You making an adjustment to your team, Kairi?" She thought for a moment.
"I think I'm okay for right now, Sora. Thank you for asking," Kairi said. She took out a guidebook. "Check it out, Sora. Lavaridge Town is quite famous for its hot springs."
"Really?" Sora asked.
"Sure is. Also, it's famous for its sand baths. The heat from the sand is supposed to take away all your tiredness," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I'm down with that," Sora said.
The couple went and tried the sand bathes and they found it to their liking. Pikachu and Angel also enjoyed the sand bath as well. After they had their sand bath, they went to find the Lavaridge Town Gym.
"This must be the place," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I wonder if anyone's home," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Hello? Anybody home? Oly, oly, oxen free," Sora called out. "Anyone here?" Suddenly, a girl came running with her jacket on fire.
"Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot!" The girl yelled as she ran. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Mudkip! Go!" Sora shouted as Mudkip had come out of his Pokéball. "Use Water Gun!" Mudkip fired Water Gun on the girl, putting out the fire.
"Whoa, what a relief," the girl said. She took off the jacket. She is a slender, medium height girl with long, straight crimson red hair that is tied up in a high, spiky ponytail with a blue band with a side fringe at the front, and crimson red eyes. She wore a red undershirt with flames, expose her midriff and a black tied vest crop top over it. She also has on blue flared jeans with x's down the sides with a white karate belt. Her shoes were colored as black and red. "Thank you!"
"No problem," Sora said.
"How did your clothes catch on fire?" Kairi asked.
"I was training my Slugma and Magcargo when their Flamethrower caught me on fire by accident," the girl said. She looked at the couple. "So, what are you doing here?"
"I came here for a Gym battle with the Gym Leader," Sora said. The girl's face lit like a kid at Christmas.
"A Gym battle?! Alright! Finally, a challenger!" The girl exclaimed. She went into Sora's face. "I have been waiting so long for a challenger! I'm Flannery! I'm the Lavaridge Town Gym Leader!"
"I'm Sora and this is my girlfriend Kairi," Sora introduced.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Nice to meet you, Flannery," Kairi greeted. "And this little one is Angel."
"Eevee," Angel said.
Flannery took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Torkoal! Go now!" Flannery called out. Out of the Pokéball came a rust-red Pokémon that resembled a desert tortoise. It has a black shell with seven coal vents.
"Torkoal!" The Pokémon said upon entry. Flannery hold out a piece of coal.
"Are you ready? Here's some coal!" Flannery said, throwing the coal to Torkoal and it ate it. The Torkoal shot out black smoke from its nostrils and shell. "Yeah! Now you''re ready!" Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned the tortoise-like Pokémon.
Torkoal, the Coal Pokémon
Type: Fire
Torkoal digs through mountains in search of coal. If it finds some, it fills hollow spaces on its shell with the coal and burns it. If it is attacked, this Pokémon spouts thick black smoke to beat a retreat.
"Okay, Torkoal, let's show him the kind of battle that'll make my grandfather proud!" Flannery said.
"Koal!" Torkoal said as smoke shot out of its nostrils and shell again. Sora knew this was off.
"Shouldn't we have it on the battlefield?" Sora asked the Gym Leader.
"Oh! You're right. All Gym battles are fought on an official battlefield, aren't they?" Flannery asked, feeling embarrassed.
"Of course they are," Sora said.
"Well, come on and I'll show you," Flannery said, leading her challenger and his girlfriend to the battlefield. They were shocked to see that the battlefield is totalled.
"This is your battlefield?" Sora asked, feeling dumbfounded.
"It's a mess," Kairi said.
"Yeah, well, I seem to remember that my last opponent liked to use Dig a lot and I didn't get a chance to clean it up since I got caught up in my training," Flannery said.
"Oh well," Kairi said.
Inside, Flannery brought her guests some refreshments.
"Good time for a break, right?" Flannery asked.
"Looks great, Flannery. Thanks," Sora said, taking his drink.
"Anyway, let's talk business. For starters, Sora, how many Badges have you won?" Flannery asked.
"Since Kairi and I came to the Hoenn region, three," Sora said.
"Just three?" Flannery asked.
"Uh-huh. We made a stop to Petalburg City and there was another trainer named Brendan who beat me to challenging him into a battle, so I decided to put that on hold until I saw some of the others," Sora said.
"Oh, so you met Norman," Flannery said. "I heard he's a great Gym Leader; not as good as my grandpa."
"Your grandpa?" Sora asked.
"Yep. He was the Gym Leader of the Lavaridge Gym until he retired and handed it off to me," Flannery said.
"Just, how long have you been a Gym Leader, Flannery?" Kairi asked.
"Um, just three days," Flannery said. Sora almost choked on his drink.
"Yeah. Everyone in town knew him as Old Man Moore. And boy has he ever had a strong Typhlosion," Flannery said. "They were absolutley an unbeatable team. And then one day, he really began to get into Pokémon poetry."
"Sound familiar, Kairi?" Sora asked his girlfriend, making her laugh.
"Professor Oak and my grandma are the same way," Kairi said.
"Is that so? My grandpa got so into it, he formed his own Pokémon poetry club. One of his old friends named Gavin came to Town with a book on Pokémon poetry called 'The Hidden By-way' and it became a best-seller, at least among the older crowd. They couldn't get enough. It tells of his poetry and his travels and about Pokémon. So, he retired from his position as Gym Leader and set off on his travels and to write his own Pokémon poetry. His friends and I wished him luck and he was off."
"That explains how you got the job. Just how could you forget the important stuff about being a Gym Leader?" Sora asked.
"I have a habit of dozing off in his lectures," Flannery said, feeling embarrassed.
"If you want, Flannery, we can help you clean up the battlefield. Make it presentable for our battle," Sora said.
"It'll make the job go faster," Kairi said.
"That'll be great! I do need a hand since the staff aren't here to help me out," Flannery said. Flannery, Sora, Kairi, and their Pokémon got set for cleaning up the battlefield to make it look good. "She looked out to the distance. "Grandpa, while you're traveling, I hope you're keeping an eye on me."
Just outside of town, an elderly man, wearing tradional Japanese clothing suited for Japanese elderly. He had graying curly hair and wore a pair of glasses over his brown eyes.
"Just as I'm loving my journeys, I just can't help but worry over my Flannery. I hope she's doing alright with al her Gym Leader duties," the old man said to himself. It was revealed that he is Mr. Moore, Flannery's grandfather. He did embark on his journey to write some poetry, but he didn't go to far since he was worried about his granddaughter.
"Mr. Moore has been gone for three days now," an elderly woman said from behind. He winced when he heard his friends coming. Thinking fast, he hid behind a tree and hoped he would not be seen or heard.
"I'd love to know where he is. I wonder if he has passed through Fallarbor Town yet," one of the old men said.
"I wonder how his poetry is coming," the old woman said.
"I would like to read some of it," the old man said.
They walked right by him and he waited for them to be gone before he came out of hiding. He sighed, feeling relieved that he hasn't been seen.
"I can't just waltz right in town, especially after that send-off they gave me," Mr. Moore said.
Back at the gym, Sora and Kairi were carrying a rock as Pikachu, Corphish, and Angel were helping out with another. They set it down as Pikachu's and Angel's paws touched and blushed. Mudsdale, Mudkip, Electrike, Corphish, and Wingull gave them a cheeky grin as Plusle, Minun, Skitty, Stufful, and Feebas couldn't help but swoon. Flannery's Pokémon could tell there was a fire of love burning between them.
"Sorry about the mess, guys, but I was planning to do all this cleanup by myself," Flannery said.
"Kairi and I don't mind, Flannery," Sora said.
"We're just happy to help out anyway we can," Kairi said.
Up on a ledge, Mr. Moore is wearing a brown wig, fake mustache and a pair of round sunglasses. He gasped at what he was looking at.
"No! Flannery didn't even take care of the battlefield like she was supposed to! And to top it all off, she has her challengers help with the cleanup, it's disgraceful!" Mr. Moore said, accidentally stepping on the head of a Geodude, sleeping in the dirt. The wild Geodude floated up, looking at Mr. Moore with an extremely angry look. "Oh, I didn't see you there." The Geodude attacked him, making him run for it. The Geodude fires Rock Throw right at the elderly man and he ducked out of the way. "I don't have time to deal with this!" He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Wingull! Go!" He threw it and it lets out a Wingull. "Water Gun!" Mr. Moore's Wingull fired Water Gun and the pursuing Geodude stops in its tracks and flees from the water. He panted as his Wingull flies back to him. "Good save, Wingull. Now I'll have to have a closer look and becareful not to be seen by Flannery or anybody else I know."
"So, how are fixed on Gym Badges? You'll going to need those when you lose the battle," Kairi pointed out.
"I don't plan on losing," Flannery said.
"None of the Gym Leaders I battled planned on losing either, but they all had Badges anyway. So, what Badge do you hand out?" Sora asked.
"My grandpa does hand out Heat Badges whenever he loses. I think he keeps them in his office," Flannery said. She and her guests went into his office and searched for them. But she was having a hard time finding them. "Oh, where are they? He always kept them in a small safe."
Her grandfather was was watching the scene from a nearby tree, still in his disguise. He couldn't help but sigh.
"I'm always moving the Badges around every week just so they wouldn't be stolen. Flannery, you should know where I put them!" Mr. Moore said in a frustrated sigh. Mr. Moore puts on another disguise and dresses up like he was a tourist.
Inside, Flannery is searching the closet.
"Oh no! They're gone!" Flannery gasped. She feared her grandfather will give her several pieces of his mind when he hears the Badges are lost.
"Don't panic, Flannery, I'm sure they're not too far," Sora said, trying to make her feel better.
"He's right. I'm sure he moved them somewhere just so they wouldn't be lost," Kairi said. Just then, Mr. Moore came in with his disguise.
"Excuse me there, miss," Mr. Moore said, disguising his voice. They turn around to see him. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm wondering if I could use your restroom for a moment."
"Sure, it's just down the hall," Flannery said.
"Thank you very much," Mr. Moore said as he headed down the hall. Flannery looked at him with a weirded out look on her face. He opened the bathroom door.
"Oh, here's the bathroom," Mr. Moore said as he spotted a small blue safe.
"Oh, look! Here's a safe!" Mr. Moore said, taking the safe. Flannery stepped into the bathroom as the old man in disguise opened the safe. "Why aren't these some Lavaridge Gym Badges."
"So, that's where they were," Flannery said, taking the safe.
"You're welcome," Mr. Moore said, stepping out. He sees the couple in front of him.
"Um, who are you?" Sora asked.
"Who me? Why, I'm just a tourist just passing through," Mr. Moore said as he took his leave. Flannery stepped out.
"You needed the bathroom!" Flannery called out as the old man froze in place, realizing he did say he needed to use the bathroom, so he had to think of a getaway fast.
"I just realized that there must be one in my hotel room! So, if it's not too much trouble, I'll just go and use that instead! Ta-ta!" Mr. Moore said as he dashed off fast as a cheetah.
"Okay, he was weird," Flannery said.
"Weird or not, at least he found the Badges," Sora said.
"I guess, that's true," Flannery said, closing the case. "After this Badge fiasco, I should start getting more organized."
They got back to work on fixing the battlefield, but there was just one more problem that had to be resolved.
"Say, isn't there a referee to judge the battle?" Sora asked. Flannery winced she realized there isn't one to judge the battle.
"Oh no! He's on vacation with his family, so he can't be here!" Flannery gasped.
"Figures," Sora said, hanging his head.
"Grandpa always had one of his students to judge the battles, but none of his students are available at the moment," Flannery said. Just then, a doorbell rings. "Who can that be?" She, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel went to the door and sees Mr. Moore disguised as a referee.
"Excuse me, are you by chance Flannery?" Mr. Moore asked, disguising his voice.
"Yes. Who are you?" Flannery asked.
"I represent the CPPGJ, as in the Committee for Popularizing Pokémon Gym Judging," Mr. Moore said.
"Committee for Popularizing Pokémon Gym Judging?" Kairi asked. She turned to Flannery who just shrugged her shoulders since she never heard of them either. Sora was starting to get suspicious.
"Are you really a referee?" Sora asked.
"Yes I am, sonny. I was sent here by the request of Mr. Moore," Mr. Moore told him.
"I knew my grandpa was worried about me to have someone sent over to help," Flannery said. "What a sweetheart."
"That's good since we now have a referee," Sora said. "After we finish fixing up the place."
"You know I can help with that," Mr. Moore offered.
"The more the merrier," Flanery said.
They continued to fix up the battlefield, Sora was pretty suspicious of the so-called referee.
"Something is off. First there was that weirdo that wanted to use the bathroom and now there's that referee that just shows up," Sora said in his thoughts. Kairi looked right at her boyfriend and became concerned about him.
"Is something wrong, Sora?" Kairi asked. Sora looked at her and smiled.
"Nothing you need to worry about, but in this case, it's him," Sora said, pointing to Mr. Moore. She also looked at him. "Doesn't strike you as odd that he just happens to show up and walks around the place like he knows it like the back of his hand?"
"It kinda does when you put it that way," Kairi said. "And what about that tourist from before?"
"I was just thinking the same thing. It struck me as odd when he found those badges pretty easily," Sora said. "I thought it was a coincidence, but it's too much of a coincidence."
"You're right. We'll have to keep our eyes on him," Kairi said.
Mr. Moore noticed how suspicious they were getting and he started to sweat upp a storm.
"Gotta keep calm before they get too close for their own good. Just gotta try to think of something if some things comes up," Mr. Moore said in his thoughts before letting out a fake cough.
"Are you alright, sir?" Kairi asked.
"Oh, I'm fine, little lady. Just a little something from lunch," Mr. Moore lied, putting up a fake laugh.
"Are you sure? That sounds pretty nasty," Kairi said.
"I'm fine. Nothing is wrong with me," Mr. Moore said, putting on a smile. Kairi went with that.
"Whew, that was close, Mr. Moore whispered to himself. He looked over to Pikachu and Angel and how close they were, more than friends. He saw there was a potential of Pokémon poetry. "Maybe I could write a romance poem on that Pikachu and Eevee. Later."
Just when when the battlefield was finished and all fixed up, it took all day and lasted right until sunset.
"There, it's all done," Flannery said, wiping off some sweat.
"Gotta say, it took all day, but it was worth it to have it fixed up," Sora said. All of their Pokémon were tired out from the hard work and Sora knew it wouldn't be right to send his team out to battle in such a condition. "Better rest up, guys. You've earned it." He calls back his team.
"You too, everyone," Kairi calls back all of her Pokémon except for Angel who is resting next to Pikachu.
"Thanks for the help, you guys. The job did get done faster when we did it together," Flannery said.
"It's the least we could do," Sora said. "At least your grandpa won't see the place totalled when he gets back here."
"Not like I have already have," Mr. Moore said out loud. Sora, Kairi, and Flannery all looked at him. Flannery recognized his voice. He winced he realized he was thinking out loud, as the wig starts to fall off his head. "I didn't say that outl loud, did I?"
"Grandpa?" Flannery asked. Mr. Moore saw the wig and realized it has fallen off. He puts it back on, but his facial disguise fell off. He chuckled nervously.
"It looks like the Torracat's out of the bag," Mr. Moore said.
"I knew there was something fishy going on," Sora said. "I bet that you were that tourist from earlier!"
"Okay, that was me," Mr. Moore said.
"You've been gone for three days. Why did you come back?" Flannery asked.
"The reason I came back is because I was a tad worried about you, so I came back just to check up on you," Mr. Moore admitted.
"Still a big ol' worrywart," Flannery said.
"That explains it," Sora said.
"That explains a lot," Kairi added.
"Anyway, we should have our battle tomorrow since we should have our battle since our Pokémon are too tired," Flannery said.
"Good idea. It wouldn't be right to force them into battle as they are," Sora said. He turned to his partner. "Right Pikachu?" He saw Pikachu and Angel sit together and their heads against each other's. Mr. Moore took out a brush and a pad of paper.
"I think I just thought of my first poem. A blooming romance between Pikachu and Eevee," Mr. Moore said. "I'm sure it'll be a bestseller for wedding anniversaries." Sora and Kairi could only laugh as they picked up their Pokémon.
"I'm sure it would," Kairi agreed.
The couple went back to the Pokémon Center to rest for the night before coming back to the Gym for the upcoming battle. Sora laid down on the bed as Kairi laid next to him.
"Man, what a day," Sora sighed.
"It sure was," Kairi said. He looked right at her.
"Say, Kairi, doesn't your grandma worry about you when you're out with me?" Sora asked. She knew what he was talking about. She knew it was because of Flannery's grandfather suddenly showing up after three days.
"I know she does. I know she even worried about my mom when she traveled with my dad when they were our age. I can bet all of my ribbons that they're doing the same thing, but they know I'm in good hands," Kairi said.
"Yeah, it's the same with my mom. I know she's already thinking about how thin I might have gotten," Sora said. She giggled.
"You are a bit on the scrawny side," Kairi teased her boyfriend. Sora was about to retort, but Kairi wrapped her arms around him. "But I love you all the same." That made Sora smile. She gave Sora a kiss on the cheek.
"Goodnight, Sora," Kairi said.
"Goodnight," Sora said. The couple fell asleep and drifted off to dreamland. Pikachu and Angel slept closely. Pikachu had his arm wrapped around Angel.
On the very next day, after a night's worth of sleep, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel all returned to the Lavaridge Town Gym as Sora has his strategy all planned out.
"This is it," Kairi said.
"After I win this battle, I will be halfway there," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I can bet Flannery has something planned out even when she's just starting out," Sora said. They get to the battlefield as Flannery stared right at her challenger. Mr. Moore is acting as referee for the battle.
"The battle between the beginning Gym Leader Flannery and Sora from Pallet Town will now begin! Both trainers will be using up to four Pokémon each!" Mr. Moore announced.
"Grandpa, do you have to say that I'm beginning?" Flannery asked.
"There's no grandpa stuff here! You will refer me as referee!" Mr. Moore said to her.
"Yeah, alright," Flannery said.
"I repeat, both trainers will be using up to four Pokémon each! Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions!" Mr. Moore announced.
"Say what?!" Flannery exclaimed, learning only Sora will be allowed to switch Pokémon.
"Don't you know the rules?" Mr. Moore reminded her.
"Yeah, of course I do," Flannery said, rubbing the back of her head. Mr. Moore sighs in frustration. "Well, Sora, it's showtime."
"Just remember that I am not gonna go easy on you since you're a newbie Gym Leader," Sora told her.
"Well, there's more to it than that," Flannery said. "The thing is, it's going to be my very first Gym battle, so I think I can try to learn as we battle."
"Gimmie everything you've got, Flannery!" Sora said.
"You too, Sora!" Flannery said.
"Are the contestants ready?" Mr. Moore asked.
"Yes!" Sora and Flannery answered.
"Then, begin!" Mr. Moore shouted. Flannery took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Slugma! Come on out!" Flannery called out as her Slugma has entered the battlefield. Sora takes out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Wingull!" Sora called out as Wingull takes flight.
"Let's go, Sora!" Flannery said.
"You are so on! Wingull! Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Wingull fired Water Gun right at the lava Pokémon.
"Slugma! Dodge that!" Flannery called out. Slugma barely avoids Wingull's attack. Wingull takes a hit from Water Gun.
"That's the way, Wingull! Now use Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Wingull came down to strike at Slugma with his wings out. Flannery was starting to get frustrated with Wingull's speed. "Now use Air Slash!" Wingull fires multiple Air Slashes by flapping his wings at a rapid rate.
"Slugma! Flamethrower!" Flannery ordered. Slugma fired Flamethrower right towards Wingull, but Wingull easily dodges Slugma's attack due to his speed. Flannery was really getting frustrated. "That Wingull's speed is really pissing me off!" Mr. Moore kept watching the battle closely.
"Flannery's temper is getting the best of her," Mr. Moore said in his thoughts.
"Now use Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Wingull fired another Water Gun on Slugma. "Now use Quick Attack!" Wingull dove down right at Slugma and landed another hit.
"I gotta think. What's granpa always telling me?" Flannery asked in her thoughts. "Let's see, let's see. To succeed as a Gym Leader, one must remain cool and calm during battle. When under pressure, you won't make the right decision unless you're calm. That's it! I just have to remain calm. Maybe I can try a Smog just so Wingull can't see."
"Wingull! Use Another Air Slash!" Sora ordered. Wingull fired Air Slash again.
"Slugma! Use Smog!" Flannery ordered. Slugma lets out a Smog to cover itself in a thick black smoke. Wingull stopped firing Air Slash as the smoke makes its way towards the seagull Pokémon.
"That's a good move on your part, Flannery!" Sora complimented.
"Thanks Sora! This battle is barely getting started! Slugma! Use Rock Slide!" Flannery ordered. Slugma had let out a powerful Rock Slide.
"Wingull! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Wingull flew to avoid the rocks, but one of them hits the seagull Pokémon hard and started to fall. "Try to regain your balance!" Wingull kept going down, but he regains his posture and flew back up into the air. "Great! Now, try to sense where Slugma is! Fire Water Gun as soon as you do!" Wingull looked deep into the smoke and his eyes spots the slug-like Pokémon in the smog an fires Slugma, forcing it in the air.
"Slugma!" Flannery gasped.
"Now wrap it up with Air Slash!" Sora ordered. Wingull sends out another Air Slash and it hits Slugma, earning a knockout for Sora's favor.
"Slugma is unable to battle! Wingull wins!" Mr. Moore announced.
"Way to go, Wingull!" Sora praised the seagull Pokémon as he flew back to Sora's shoulder. Flannery calls back her Slugma.
"Good job, Slugma. You deserve a good long rest," Flannery said. She took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Magcargo! Go!" Her Magcargo comes out as an ember comes gushing out of its shell. Sora takes out Wingull's Pokéball.
"You should take five, Wingull," Sora said, calling Wingull back. He takes out another Pokéball and threw it. "Okay, Corphish! Go!" He threw it and his Corphish enters the battle. "Corphish! Use Bubble Beam!"
"Magcargo! Dodge it!" Flannery called out. Magcargo dodges the attack as Bubble Beam had missed. "Now use Flamthrower!" Magcargo fires Flamethrower right at Corphish.
"Corphish! Dodge by using Dig!" Sora ordered. Corphish dodges by using Dig and the flames misses.
"Good dodge, Corphish!" Kairi cheered.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Keep your cool, Magcargo! Corphish will come back up at any moment!" Flannery called out. Magcargo looked around for any signs Corphish might come popping out of the ground. Corphish jumps out from behind. "Magcargo! Light Screen!" Magcargo forms a golden-yellow barrier in front of itself and Corphish's attack bounces off.
"Corphish! Use Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Corphish fires Bubble Beam to strike at the fire snail Pokémon.
"Magcargo! Double Team!" Flannery ordered. Magcargo makes multiple images of itself as Corphish's attack missed. Sora knew it wasn't going to be easy to find the real one. "How do you like them apples, Sora?"
"Corphish! Fire Bubble Beam on all of them until you find the real one!" Sora ordered. Corphish fires Bubble Beam on all of the duplicates until he did find the real Magcargo. "Now use Crabhammer!" Corphish dives down to deliever a Crabhammer, but the attack is bounced off by the Light Screen left by Magcargo. "Forgot about Light Screen."
"Magcargo! Use Sandstorm!" Flannery ordered. Magcargo gets into its shell and spins around, creating a sandstorm.
"Use Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Corphish fired Bubble Beam again.
"Sandstorm again!" Flannery ordered. Magcargo spins around in its shell, making it harder for Corphish to fire Bubble Beam, and get hit by it as well.
"Use Crabhammer against that Sandstorm!" Sora ordered. Corphish uses Crabhammer to cut through Sandstorm and jumps up. Magcargo turns over on it shell to keep Sandstorm going. Corphish comes straight down at Magcargo with his pincer out. Corphish lands a powerful hit onto Magcargo, and it ends up being knocked out.
"No! Magcargo!" Flannery gasped.
"Magcargo is unable to battle! Corphish wins!" Mr. Moore announced.
"Two down and two to go!" Kairi cheered.
"Pika!" Pikachu also cheered.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Didn't I tell you Sora is resourceful?" - Pikachu subtitle.
"You did. Just like you are. - Angel subtitle. Pikachu could only blush.
"Thanks for the nice compliment, Angel." - Angel subtitle. Flannery calls back Magcargo.
"Good job, Magcargo. You should have yourself a good long rest," Flannery said. She takes out another Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn now, Numel!" Out of the Pokéball comes a Numel. Flannery's Numel has a much larger hump than Sora's Numel. Sora thought of switching Corphish, but he decided to keep in it.
"Okay Corphish! Crabhammer!" Sora ordered.
"Numel! Dodge and use Tackle!" Flannery ordered. Numel avoids Corphish's Crabhammer and lands a strong Tackle onto the lobster-like Pokémon.
"Corphish! Use Dig!" Sora ordered. Corphish dug underground, but Flannery wasn't going to have it.
"Oh, no you don't, Sora! That's not gonna work on me again! Numel! Use Bulldoze!" Flannery ordered. Numel slams its front hooves against the ground and Corphish comes flying out of the ground. Sora was caught by surprise when he saw his Corphish go flying. "Now use Flamethrower!" Numel fires a powerful Flamethrower and Corphish goes crashing down and lands on the ground, totally beaten.
"Corphish is unable to battle! Numel wins!" Mr. Moore announced. Sora calls back Corphish.
"Good work, Corphish. Get some rest," Sora said. He takes out another Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn, Mudsdale!" His Mudsdale whinnies upon entry.
"So, he has a Ground Type Pokémon handy. Also, Flannery has improved. Using Bulldoze to counter Dig is living proof. Maybe she can turn this around as long as she remains calm," Mr. Moore said in his thoughts.
"Okay, Mudsdale! Use Mud Bomb!" Mudsdale fired Mud Bomb right at Numel.
"Dodge it, Numel!" Flannery ordered. Numel avoids Mudsdale's Mud Shot just by running. "Now use Flamethrower!" Numel fires Flamethrower right at its target.
"Mudsdale! Dodge and use Mega Kick!" Sora ordered. Mudsdale lands a kick onto the camel-like Pokémon.
"Numel! Bulldoze!" Flannery ordered. Numel slams its hooves onto the ground. Mudsdale tried to maintain his footing. "Now use Tackle!" Numel charges towards Mudsdale.
"Mudsdale! High Horsepower!" Sora ordered. Mudsdale's aura became surrounded by an orange aura and charges towards Numel and both collides into each other. Numel holds its own against the draft horse Pokémon. Mudsdale overpowered Numel since being a Ground Type attack.
"Numel! Fight back with Heat Wave!" Flannery ordered as Numel fired Heat Wave right at the draft horse Pokémon.
"Mudsdale! Another High Horsepower!" Sora ordered. Mudsdale charges and lands a powerful attack onto Numel and knocked it out.
"Numel is unable to battle! Mudsdale wins!" Mr. Moore announced. Flannery calls her Numel as she is now down to her last Pokémon.
"Sora is way better than I thought. I was certain Numel was going to take it out just like she did with that Corphish. I have been saving you for last," Flannery said, taking out her fourth Pokéball and threw it. "It's your turn now, Torkoal!" Her Pokéball opens and her Torkoal comes out to battle.
"Gotta end it quick. Mudsdale! High Horsepower!" Sora ordered. Mudsdale charges at Torkoal, hoping to have a quick win.
"Torkoal! Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and the attack bounced right off.
"No way!" Sora exclaimed.
"Now use Overheat!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal fired a strong stream of fire and it struck Mudsdale hard. The power of Torkoal's Overheat had earned a knockout for Flannery.
"Mudsdale is unable to battle! Torkoal wins!" Mr. Moore announced.
"Way to go, Torkoal! You got two more opponents to take out!" Flannery said.
"Koal!" Torkoal said as smoke erupted from its nostrils and shell. Sora calls back Mudsdale and he looked at his Pokéball.
"You did your best, Mudsdale. You should rest up, because you've earned it," Sora said. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Back to action, Wingull!" The Pokéball opens and Wingull flies in the air. "Wingull! Water Gun!" Wingull fires Water Gun right at Torkoal.
"Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and Water Gun bounced right off.
"If Water Gun won't work, then I'll go with this! Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Wingull flew right at the coal Pokémon to land a hit. Flannery waited for Wingull to get in closer and unleash her trap.
"Torkoal! Body Slam!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal waited at the last minute and jumps right on the seagull Pokémon, knocking him out.
"Wingull is unable to battle! Torkoal wins!" Mr. Moore announced. Both trainers had one left to use.
"Everytime I launch an attack, Torkoal uses that Iron Defense to make it bounce off. I gotta find a way around it. But how?" Sora asked, taking out his last Pokéball. "This is my last Pokémon. Gotta make it count." He threw it. "Go! Mudkip!" The Pokéball opens and Mudkip enters the battlefield, ready to battle Flannery's Torkoal. "Mudkip! Mud-Slap!" Mudkip kicks up some mud right at Torkoal.
"Torkoal! Use Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and Mud-Slap bounces off, making Sora frustrated.
"Mudkip! Use Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Mudkip fires Water Gun right at Torkoal.
"Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and Water Gun bounced right off. "Now use Overheat!" Torkoal fired Overheat right at Mudkip, but it's a little weaker than the first one.
"Mudkip! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Mudkip avoids Torkoal's Overheat.
"Tackle! Let's go!" Sora called out. Mudkip charges right towards Torkoal with a full force of his body.
"Torkoal! Body Slam!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal jumps and heads down right at Mudkip. Mudkip stops and looks up.
"Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Mudkip fired Water Gun and it hits Torkoal on the undershell. Sora figured out Torkoal's weakness. "That's it! Torkoal can't use Iron Defense if it's not on the ground! Just the edge I need!" Torkoal lands on the back of its shell.
"Torkoal! Try to get up!" Flannery called out. Torkoal struggles to get up on its feet.
"Help Torkoal on its feet," Sora said. Mudkip helps Torkoal on its feet, confusing Flannery and her grandfather.
"Why did you do that?" Flannery asked.
"Because it wouldn't be fair if attacked while it's on its back. Wanna keep going?" Sora asked.
"You know it, Sora!" Flannery stated. "Torkoal! Overheat!" Torkoal fired another Overheat and it was weaker than the last one.
"Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Mudkip fired Water Gun and it blocked Overheat. Both held on with their attacks. Overheat was taking advantage at the moment before Water Gun pushed back Overheat and it struck Torkoal. "Now use Mud-Slap!" Mudkip kicks up some mud and it heads for Torkoal again.
"No you don't! Torkoal! Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and Mud-Slap bounces off of Torkoal again.
"Great! Now use Tackle!" Sora ordered. Mudkip charges towards Torkoal again. Flannery wasn't gonna go for that.
"Trying that again, Sora? I don't think so! Torkoal! Use Body Slam!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal waited for Mudkip to get close enough and jumps out of the way of Mudkip's Tackle.
"You're the one trying that again, Flannery. Mudkip! Waterfall!" Sora ordered. Mudkip surrounds himself with water and lands a hit onto Torkoal. Torkoal goes down right to the ground. "Now use Water Gun!" Mudkip fires Water Gun and it struck Torkoal on the spot and fell straight to the ground. Mudkip lands on his feet. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, Flannery, and Mr. Moore waited anxiously to see if Torkoal can keep going. Torkoal tries to get back up, but Torkoal fell on the ground out of exhaustion.
"Torkoal is unable to battle! Mudkip wins! The victory goes to Sora of Pallet Town!" Mr. Moore announced.
"Way to go, Mudkip!" Sora cheered.
"Mudkip!" Mudkip said.
"I knew you could do it!" Sora said.
"So did I, Sora!" Kairi said. She gave her boyfriend a deserved kiss on the cheek as Pikachu spun Angel around in his arms, celebrating Sora's victory. Flannery calls back her Torkoal and sighs.
"I was sure I had him," Flannery said. Her grandfather walked up to the young Gym Leader with a stern look on his face. Flannery feared she was going to get scolded for her loss, but his stern look turned into a smile.
"I am so proud of you, Flannery. The way you battled today is living proof that you will make an excellent Gym Leader someday," Mr. Moore said. Flannery was happy to hear her grandfather say that to her.
"You really mean it, grandpa?" Flannery asked.
"I do. You lost your cool at first, but you used your Pokémon's weakness to water to your advantage. Since you lost, you know what that means," Mr. Moore said.
"Yes I do, grandpa," Flannery said. She walked up to Sora with a smile. "I have to say, Sora, I had a great time battling you. Just so everyone will know of your victory here at the Lavaridge Town Gym, I am giving you the Heat Badge." Flannery hands Sora a badge that is shaped like a wisp of fire. He accepts his Gym Badge.
"Thanks Flannery. Even if it was your very first Gym battle, I gotta say, you're going to do great as a Gym Leader," Sora said, making Flannery smile.
"Thank you, Sora. And I gotta hand it to you, you turning my Torkoal's Iron Defense on me was clever. You were even better than I thought you were," Flannery said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel took their leave of the Gym and headed back to the Pokémon Center for some rest. After seeing some of the other Gyms in the Hoenn region, there was one Gym he knew very well to challenge next; it was the Petalburg City Gym and its Gym Leader Norman. He knew it wasn't going to be easy, so he had to train hard for it. Some more adventures awaits Sora and Kairi along the way.