=Chapter 14, The Knuckle Badge!=
*Jacob to Arky*
*Dear Arky, today I'm going to be fighting for my Knuckle Badge, after nearly three weeks of waiting!*
*Sorry again for not writing to you over the past few weeks very much, but there wasn't much happening outside of the occasional battle with trainers to pass the time, not to mention having nothing to do on a ferry but spar with other trainers. But there is good news, Karen managed to catch up to us just before we were to board the ferry, victorious after winning her own Stone Badge and having rushed through the Petalburg Woods to join up with us. Her Ziggles even evolved as they traveled the woods, and if what she says is true, her new Linoone is itching for a rematch with Harold, again.*
*Anyway, after me and my team passed through the Petalburg Woods, which took a whole week mind you, we made our way toward the shore where I and every other trainer would board the ferry to take us to Dewford Town. Years ago it would have taken several days to go from where we are to Dewford Town to the south. However according to the Pokenet, the water between here and Dewford Town has become more violent, at least in terms of the water Pokemon that inhabit the water systems there.*
*The water Pokemon have all become hostile toward trespassers into 'their' territories, or at least 'more' hostile when compared to several decades ago. There have even been reports of Pods of Tentacruels attacking passing by ships and ferries, and their smaller Tentacool counterparts as well. Now only one ferry is allowed at any time to pass between Dewford and route 104, and Dewford and Slateport. This means trainers have to wait in droves at the locations to travel between the two locations if they don't have a Pokemon that can safely ride the waves and seas between the three locations. Official Pokemon League trainers that have Pokemon strong enough to fend off the Tentacruel, and Tentacool Pods are stationed on each ferry. The two ferries that have been traveling between the locations are large, capable of fitting about fifty trainers and their Pokemon comfortably. We're even allowed to battle on deck, provided we keep the special abilities of our Pokemon to a minimum use, and we're only allowed to engage in brief sparring matches with our teams.*
*These ferries even have their own built in bathrooms. Which is precisely where I am writing from right now, we're about to make landfall in Dewford Town in half an hour. I've left Sara and the rest of my team on deck to watch as we approach land. We've been able to arrange our match in advance thanks to an on board radio between here and Dewford.*
*Ivan is really itching to take on the next Gym Leader, if what Karen said is true about it being a Fighting Type Gym. She said that the Gym Leader there is a really headstrong and direct person. He takes after the previous Gym Leader and uses his Fighting types for direct, one on one types of battles. Just the way Ivan likes to battle, so I promised to let him and Roran have some action for this next badge. I asked Harold and Sara to let the others try their luck with the badge and thy have agreed to sit out this time. Now I know you said that I should use Psychic Types against Fighting types because of their weakness to the type, but Ivan has really been pushing himself harder and harder with each sparring match we have with other trainers. The same goes for Roran, he told me that even though he won his battle against Tara's Geodude, he really wanted another chance to prove himself in another Gym match.*
*Sara told me that he felt he did almost nothing last time, despite exhausting himself against a completely unfavorable matchup. So that's why I've been training Ivan and Roran for the last two weeks, to get them ready for this next match. It's going to be three on three like the Rustboro Gym, and while Coral would like to fight, she's still a fish out of water for now. I've promised to help her train for future battles, but for now Ivan and Roran need more attention. As for the third member of my team, well Kora wants to battle this time, and boy will the Gym Leader for the Dewford Town Gym be surprised!*
(Jacob's PoV)
"Jacob hurry up, we're almost there!" Karen shouted as he got back on deck, his pack in its usual place on his back.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Jacob shouted back excitedly, jogging lightly to join Karen and their teams to get their first look at Dewford Town.
"Linoone…" Ziggles said in amazement while Shrew, Laura, and Nora looked on beside him.
"Grovyle…" Harold said with Ivan next to him and Roran flying above them in circles and watching as well.
All along the deck trainers and their Pokemon were watching their destination draw closer and closer. The island where Dewford Town was located is a very small location with about one hundred people living there; it was even smaller than Littleroot. There was nothing really special about the island or the town except for the Dewford Gym that many trainers go to for their second Gym Badge.
(Wow, it's smaller than I pictured it being.) Sara commented to him as she saw the town from atop Karen's shoulders. (So what's our first stop Jacob, the Dewford Gym?)
"No Sara, as soon as we make landfall we're going to the Pokemon Center to have you and everyone else checked out." Jacob said as he pulled out everyone's Pokeballs to return them. "Alright you guys, time to return for now, sorry about recalling you before we reach land but rules are rules."
"Grovyle!" Harold said, nodding in understanding as they watched Karen help Sara down before taking her own team's Pokeballs out.
"Alright guys come on back!" Karen yelled, recalling first Ziggles, then Shrew, Laura, and finally Nora.
"Harold, Ivan, Roran, return for now you three!" Jacob shouted, recalling his three Pokemon into their balls now.
Official Pokemon League regulations for the ferry from Route 104 to Dewford, and Dewford to Slateport, required all trainers embarking or disembarking the ferries to have their Pokemon within their Pokeballs unless they are wild. Of course because some trainers had Pokemon that preferred to remain out of their balls, the ferry drivers and League trainers always make a few exceptions. A few minutes later they reached the shore and the loading ramp lowered to allow trainers to disembark.
"Alright Jacob, let's get going." Karen said as she picked up her pack now in preparation to disembark.
"Right behind you." Jacob replied as Sara joined him at his side.
Thanks to her new evolved form, she no longer relied on Jacob to carry her so she could keep up with his longer strides. Although she still enjoyed riding his shoulder when she got tired, she found her newfound mobility really enjoyable, especially when it came to her habit of dancing every so often as she walked alongside her trainer.
Speaking of Sara and her dancing, Jacob watched his Kirlia twirl around every few steps as they waited in line with the other trainers disembarking. This made him and a lot of other trainers chuckle in amusement because they knew she couldn't resist the urge to dance.
He knew that she felt his excitement for the upcoming Dewford Gym match, as well as being able to set foot back on land. While he liked the sea as much as his fellow trainers, he preferred being near trees and especially walking on solid ground. Karen on the other hand, was clearly a land lover by sheer nature, as well as preference. During the two week voyage from Route 104 to Dewford, she got a severe case of seasickness, spending a good third of their time near the washrooms holding her stomach and mouth at the same time. She was more than eager to get off of the boat and get back on land.
He was surprised she lasted as long as she did without complaining about the trip.
Ten minutes later they and everyone else were off the ferry so that the next crowd of people, mostly trainers, leaving Dewford for Route 104 could begin boarding it. While Jacob wanted to head straight over to the Dewford Gym, he had to make sure his team was healthy and fit for the upcoming match. Karen was going as well because her match came right after Jacob's, and she wanted to make sure her team was ready to go. She also wanted to stock up on some food because we would have to wait here for several days before the next ferry to Slateport would arrive. The reason for this was that while the ferry was equipped to carry trainers, it was not equipped to feed them and their Pokemon.
This is why his bag was much lighter than usual, because while they had a kitchen on board to cook food for the passenger trainers and non-trainers, they didn't have enough food on board to feed the Pokemon as well. At most he and Karen had a combined four days left of food between them and their two teams, and thanks to Ziggles evolving he needed a little more food than he used to.
"Oh it's so good to be back on dry land again!" Karen moaned happily as she stretched her arms while walking into Dewford Town. "I hate boats, I don't care if we have to ride them those things don't deserve to sail if they make me sick!"
"I'm sure the boat did not mean to make you seasick Karen." Jacob said in agreement. "Now first things first, to the Pokemon Center, and after that we shop for food."
"Oh you can leave the food shopping to me!" Karen said with a grin and holding her hand out, as if asking him for money.
"As if, we both know that you'll spend our money on sweets!" He said with a smirk. "That's why you keep running out of food and you know it!"
"I can't help it, they're soooo yummy!" Karen moaned sadly.
Jacob had been wondering why Karen insisted on tagging along with him and his team, and now he knew why. It wasn't that she couldn't cook or didn't know how to, which she didn't, it was that she could not resist the urge to buy sweets and junk food for herself or her team. Since she never learned to properly cook for herself or others she just always purchased whatever was bagged up and could be eaten on the road. This he found out after checking on her supplies for when she was traveling on the road, and discovered chip bags, snack food wrappers, energy drinks, and special servings of canned Pokefood. How she maintained her figure eating such food, he didn't dare ask, and as for her team.
Well Sara told him that they didn't mind the food she bought them, but they practically begged her to make him to cook for them from now on.
"Well after we go visit the Pokemon Center we'll both go to the Pokemart to restock up on food and supplies." He said as they neared the Pokemon Center. "Then we'll pool our money together and purchase the food we need."
Karen sighed, pretending to be disappointed that she wouldn't be able to purchase the food she normally got, though she still smiled happily. "Oh well, so much for my sweet tooth." She said. "I guess I'll have to get used to it if I'm traveling with you Jacob."
"Yep, you decide to tag along with me, now you have to suffer with me." Jacob replied with a laugh as Sara danced in step alongside him.
They made the trip to the Pokemon Center short because there were so many trainers there, needless to say that between Jacob's cooking and their two trainer's constant sparring matches, both teams passed the checkup with flying colors. After the visit, they headed to the Pokemart to pick up the food and other supplies they were low on.
Jacob took charge when it came to selecting the foods to be purchased, wanting to buy necessary foods based on their team's dietary needs.
"Okay we need some Magikarp meat for our carnivorous team members, namely Ivan, Nora, and Laura." Jacob said as they passed by the frozen foods section. "We'll also need to get… fresh vegetables and fruits for the vegetarian members, as well as bottled drinking water."
"Can't we grab some sodas as well?" Karen complained as Jacob ignored the two for one sale on beverage drinks and walked right by it.
"Nope, that stuff is bad for you." Jacob said as he picked up a few small cans of sliced Magikarp meat. "Makes you slower and damages your teeth if you keep drinking it."
(Meat, yuck, how can Ivan stand to eat that stuff?) Sara asked Jacob as she watched him check the can's expiration dates before putting them in the basket.
"Well he is more of a carnivore than you are Sara." Jacob stated as they moved on. "I'm surprised you say that. You can eat meat as well; I don't know why you don't eat it."
(Well I only ever ate berries and the berry soups you make when we travel.) She commented when they walked near the 'greens' section. (I just prefer that over meat.)
After they go the food Jacob wanted to get, they packaged it and split it up evenly between the two of them. As he managed to stuff can after can, and package after package of food into his bag, Karen asked for probably the umpteenth time, "How do you manage to stuff everything inside that bag?"
Jacob only shrugged his shoulders as Sara peeked into the bag while he put the next bit of food into it. He was curious as to how the bag, despite its size, was able to fit all of what he put into it. It bulged slightly because of the contents, but he also wondered how it had so much space. It had been a gift from his teacher to him for his journey, and before when he had emptied it in the excitement of leaving Littleroot for the first time, he never wondered how it had so much space.
"Don't know Karen, but hey everything's on my shoulders so no problem right?" He said as he zipped up the bag and put it on his back.
"Yep, that's what guys are for, heavy lifting!" Karen said happily.
With their shopping done, their Pokemon ready, Jacob and company made their way to the Dewford Gym for their scheduled match. The Gym in Rustboro was indeed as its name implied, an exercising Gym where people and Pokemon went to work on their muscles and stay in shape. Inside there were rooms with weight lifting equipment, an aerobics therapy room, and a bunch of other rooms so that visitors could stay in physical shape, there was even a boxing ring where a trainer was going one on one with his Machoke. The Machoke, a four foot tall bipedal Pokemon with greyish colored skin, strong muscular arms and legs, and wearing a yellow belt was also wearing special boxing gloves as he traded jabs with the trainer.
"Hey can I help you?" A burly man in his late twenties asked as they looked around for wherever they were supposed to go. "You two here to take on the Dewford Gym Leader I guess?"
"Yea how did you…" Jacob asked.
"Well I kinda figured because you have a Kirlia staring around." He said with a grin. "Since she's a little small to be weight lifting or boxing, I took a wild guess and figured you two are trainers. So you have a match scheduled for tonight?"
"As a matter of fact yes, Jacob has his match in a few minutes and mine is right after." Karen said, looking at the guy's muscular arms more than his face. "So where is the Gym Leader, or are you him?"
"Me, oh no I'm not the Gym leader." The man said with a chuckle. "Wait a few; I'll get Max for ya. YO MAX!"
The man shouted at the trainer currently sparring with the Machoke still. "What is it Jack!" He shouted back, not looking up as he took a jab to his face and countered with his own.
"You're two and three o'clock matches are here!" He shouted.
"Hold on then let me wrap this up!" Max called back as he blocked another jab.
The two fought for a few minutes before Max delivered a strong uppercut, knocking the Machoke out in one blow. "Wow, he knocked out a Machoke?" Karen asked in amazement.
"Yea he always was a stubborn headed fool." Jack said with a laugh. "I'm impressed he managed seventeen full rounds this time considering his schedule."
"Seventeen rounds with a Machoke?" Jacob asked in amazement, Sara's own amazement at the thought of going over an hour fighting a Machoke one on one enhancing his own.
"Yea, if he didn't have any matches scheduled he'd probably have gone another twelve." Jack said with a chuckle as Max helped the Machoke up, bumping boxing gloves with the Fighting Type as a sign of friendship. "You ended that fight fast because of the match didn't ya?"
"Yea well, he understands why, I have responsibilities as a Gym Leader to fulfill; besides I ended it respectfully instead of just leaving our fight unfinished." Max said as he and Machoke left the ring, hanging their boxing gloves on a hanger and stretching. "So you're Jacob and Karen? Pleased to meet you both, I'm Max the Dewford Gym Leader, are you ready for your fights today?"
"You bet we are." Jacob said. "Although I hope we don't have to go one on one with you."
"Nah, that's not how it works." Max said with a laugh as he led them down a small flight of stairs and into a large battling arena below the Gym that looked like a larger version of the boxing ring upstairs. "Now as is tradition with every Gym Leader, we have to teach every trainer that passes through our gyms a very important lesson so that they know what they'll need to defeat us. So tell me Jacob and Karen, do you two know why I was boxing my Machoke earlier?"
"Uh because you like boxing Machokes?" Karen said sheepishly.
"No, you see I believe that every trainer has to have a strong body to go with a sharp mind." Max said as he walked toward one side of the field. "That's why I try and go at least one round more with my Machoke each week than I did the previous week. If I can go another round than I've gotten stronger with my endurance and know I can keep going when another wouldn't be able to. The same goes true with every trainer; you see I believe that in order to ensure that trainers can endure their journey they need to hone their bodies to endure the long hard trials in every kind of weather imaginable with their Pokemon. If you can't go the distance with your team than you can't last the journey, that's my motto for the Dewford Gym."
Jacob nodded in understanding, knowing that this was true. If he couldn't train himself or his team to last a long drawn out battle, than there was no way he'd make it in his journey as a trainer. "So how does this match go?" He asked.
"Simple, it will be three on three with a special rule in place for my particular Gym, now let's see how well you've trained your team because I guarantee that they will need to in order to win against me." Max said as his muscles flexed when he pulled out a Pokeball from the belt around his shorts. "I've trained all of my Pokemon to outlast any other Pokemon, each day they train hard so that they can go another five minutes than they could the previous day. As for the special rule, the rule is that neither of us can recall our Pokemon until they have been defeated or if their trainer admits defeat for that particular member of our team. So do you think your Pokemon have what it takes to go the distance?"
"Only one way to find out." Jacob said, taking out Roran's Pokeball first.
"Then let's see what you got Jacob!" Max said excitedly as he tossed the ball out onto the field. "Match Time, Machop!"
In a flash of light, a Machop appeared, looking like a smaller version of Machoke, though without the belt. It gave a fist bump as it saw its opponents, clearly ready to fight.
"Alright Roran, you are up!" Jacob shouted before tossing Roran's Ball.
Roran appeared in a flash of light, face set and already in his battle stance. "Taillow!" He chirped, ready to show his stuff.
"Alright Machop, let's see if these two can go the distance with us!" Max said with a smile. "Machop, start things off with Focus Energy!"
"Machop!" Machop said, nodding as he closed his eyes, cupped his hands together and took a deep breath.
"Roran, use your own Focus Energy!" Jacob shouted.
"Taillow!" Roran called back before closing his own eyes and taking a deep, calming breath.
Jacob knew that despite his training, Roran did not have the endurance to go the distance against a Fighting Type like Max's Machop. Even without knowing Max's training regime, he could tell that this Machop could probably outlast all of Jacob's Pokemon in a marathon without even breaking a sweat. His best hope was to use Roran's speed and type advantage to take down Max's Machop before it became a battle of who could outlast the other.
"Alright Machop, take on that Taillow with Karate Chop!" Max said after a few seconds of their Pokemon focusing their energy.
"Machoooop!" Machop said as he ran at Roran, palm outstretched to strike Roran.
"Roran get in the air quick!" Jacob called.
Roran responded instantly, and before Machop could even get close enough to strike he was in the air and circling the muscular Pokemon. Roran eyed the Machop, using his focus to search for a weakness to deal the critical blow that could end the match in an instant.
"Machop, use Endure!" Max shouted.
Machop responded with a nod and stood strong on the ground, never taking his eyes off his flying opponent in the air.
"Roran, give him a taste of your Wing Attack!" Jacob called out, not knowing what Endurance was but knowing Roran had to strike now while he had the advantage.
"Taillooooow!" Roran yelled as he swooped in, wings prepared to strike at the Machop who was still just standing and waiting for Roran's attack.
The attack connected and Machop grimaced in pain as he was knocked well back from where he had been standing. However Max's Machop stood tall and was holding Roran as he tried to get away.
"Good job Machop, now take that bird for a spin with Seismic Toss!" Max shouted.
"Maachoooop…" Machop said, gripping Roran tightly as he started swinging the bird in a wide circle around and around. "Ma… chop! Ma… chop!"
Jacob could do nothing but watch as his brave Roran was swung around and around by the Muscle Pokemon, before he stopped swinging him and slammed Roran into the ground with a resounding thud. Roran's head was spinning as he wearily rose from the ground, trying to get his bearings despite the beating he had taken.
Even though the Flying Type had the advantage, the Machop had clearly used it against him and brought the bird into close ranged combat where it was more prepared. Also despite how heavy the hit had been, the Gym Leader's Machop was apparently so strong that it still looked capable of fighting in the long run.
"Roran try to get back in the air!" Jacob called out to his Taillow, knowing he had to get Roran back into the air where he was safe.
"Tai..llow!" Roran replied before he managed to get back into the air, just as Machop moved in to attack with a Karate Chop.
Jacob took note of Roran's flight, he was definitely not going to last another Seismic Toss if he got within range of that Machop a second time. However Jacob had a surprise that Roran had been working on all the time they were on the ferry to here. "Roran start flying in a circle!"
Roran nodded, understanding the tactic and started flying around in a circle, picking up his speed every time he completed a full circle above Machop.
Machop meanwhile was mesmerized as he watched the bird above him just picking up his speed, but was quickly brought back to its senses as Max called out, "Machop, use Endurance one more time!"
"Machop!" It said as it braced itself just like before.
Jacob waited for just the right moment, when Roran's speed was at its peak before he gave Roran his next instructions. As he watched, he kept timing how fast Roran was going based on how long it took him to complete a full circle. Once he finished a full circle in one second, the fastest time he took to complete a preset circle flight, he called out loudly so Roran could hear, "Roran use Aerial Ace!"
"Taaaaillooooow!" Roran called as he spiraled down and smacked head on into Machop, knocking him all the way into the wall and disengaging before Machop could recover in time.
As Roran took to the air and admired his work, Max's Machop wearily stood on his two legs for a brief moment before falling face forward into the ground.
"Machop return." Max called out, recalling his Pokemon back. "Well you've beaten one of my Pokemon, which only leaves two to go."
"Roran, do you think you can keep going?" Jacob asked his Taillow, knowing the answer but also knowing he had taken a heavy hit from Machop.
Roran only nodded confidently as he took his position again for the next round.
"Well that answers your question Jacob; now let's see how much longer your Taillow can last against my next Pokemon." Max said, taking out a second Pokeball and tossing it. "Match time, Mankey!"
In a flash, a smaller version of the Primeape that Jacob had seen with Team Snagem appeared. "Mankey!" The monkey screeched as it hopped around, eager and ready for the fight to begin.
"Alright Roran, take to the air quickly!" Jacob ordered, knowing Roran was weakest on the ground.
Roran nodded and no sooner had Jacob finished talking did Roran take off. In contrast to his Mankey's eagerness, Max had yet to give the eager fighter any instructions. Instead he looked content to just let Jacob make his moves without making any offensive moves himself.
"Mankey, use Focus Energy." Max called out confidently.
"Key…" Mankey said, cupping its hands together and closing its eyes before taking a deep breath.
"Roran start flying in circles again!" Jacob called out to his Taillow, to which Roran nodded and started repeating his last pattern of flying in a circle to build up his speed.
As soon as Roran reached his max speed, Jacob gave the order to use Aerial Ace and Roran immediately went into a fast paced dive toward Mankey. However just as Roran started diving, Max gave a loud shout, "Mankey, dodge and use Seismic Toss!"
As Roran almost reached his target, Mankey's eyes snapped open and spun around, grabbing Roran with its hands and using both the spin's and Roran's momentum to send Roran into a rapid series of spins, before slamming him forcefully back onto the floor. Roran's eyes were swirling around, and judging by the way he was breathing he was not going to get back up anytime soon.
Roran was down for the count. "Roran!" Jacob called out as Sara used her powers to lift Roran and bring him into arms reach for Jacob. "Are you okay Roran?"
"Is Roran okay?" Karen asked as she looked over Jacob's shoulder to see Roran's condition for herself.
"Tai…ai…ai…llow…" Roran chirped weakly, his eyes still spinning around.
(He says, he will be after he stops seeing six of you.) Sara translated for him.
Jacob nodded as he pulled Roran's ball out to recall him. "Alright Roran you've done enough, take a long and well-earned rest for now." He said before recalling the bird into his ball.
"Now we're even Jacob, so which of your Pokemon will you use against my Mankey here?" Max said with a smile.
Jacob smiled as he already imagined which of his team would go next, and boy would it be a surprise for Max as he pulled out Kora's ball. "Oh I have my next one in line." Jacob said as he prepared to toss the ball. "Kora, you're up!"
As he tossed the ball and released his Bug Type, a pair of colorful wings was the first notable thing that everyone saw. Then it was Kora's main body, which was mostly black and white with two large blue eyes and two thin antennae sticking out of her head. For a mouth she had a long proboscis which was curled in a spiral, along with four stubby limbs for legs and arms. "Beautifly…" She cried as she flapped to maintain her altitude.
Kora had evolved on the trip to Dewford, her metamorphosis cycle completed, leaving behind the Silcoon shell she had once been, and assuming her final form as a Beautifly. She stayed in her ball most of the trip because, like Karen, she somehow had a case of seasickness, though it was not as severe, so she was able to get some training done and practice during the voyage.
"A Beautifly huh, well this will be a challenge indeed." Max said with a smile. "Course I think my Mankey can handle your insect. Question is can your insect handle my Mankey?"
"Let's see if she can, Kora, start things off with Stun Spore!" Jacob shouted confidently.
"Beaauuuuu…" Kora yelled as she flapped her wings quickly, sending a cloud of dust floating toward Mankey.
"Mankey get away before it touches you!" Max shouted quickly.
"Mankey!" Mankey shouted as it hopped back instantly before the spores could reach it.
Jacob wished he and Kora had more practice with her abilities, while she could perform her moves easily they still weren't perfected. Plus the two of them had yet to develop any strategies and tactics outside of, stun first, attack with Gust, and follow up with Absorb. The proof of their inexperience was that her Stun Spore cloud was so agonizingly slow that it would have no hope of reaching the target without being at close range. However he couldn't risk Kora getting in close range with Max's Mankey, she may be fully evolved but she was still not one hundred percent a master of her own capabilities. Plus her wings were not only the source of her abilities but they were also fragile, if they got hit and she became grounded, she was finished.
"Kora try to keep using Stun Spore until you hit his Mankey!" Jacob called out to the butterfly.
"Beeauuuuuu…" Kora replied before flapping her wings and sending another cascade of dust toward the Mankey.
"Mankey ignore the spores and circle that Beautifly, keep running as fast as you can and don't stop." Max called out.
"Mankey!" Mankey shouted as it took off to obey Max's instructions, circling Kora with a speed that all but matched Roran's.
Kora tried to keep the spore cloud pointed at Mankey, but it was moving too fast for the spores to hope to keep up. As the Mankey continued to run in circles, Jacob noticed that every time he completed a full circle the spore cloud became more and more condensed in a spiral beneath Kora. That was when he realized too late what Max's plan was, and why he told his Mankey to ignore the spores and simply run in a circle as fast as he could.
He had set up a trap for Kora. "Kora stop using Stun Spore and switch to Gust, quickly!" Jacob called out quickly, but he was too late.
"Now Mankey, jump and use Karate Chop!" Max called out, and instantly his Mankey used its momentum to jump above Kora.
"Maaaaan… KEEEEEY!" Mankey shouted as he smacked Kora's back, knocking her down through the dense spore cloud she had created.
"Beeeau…" Kora moaned as she landed heavily on the ground, covered in her own stun spores and trying desperately to get her wings out from under her.
Her sudden burst through the spore cloud had paralyzed the parts of Kora's body that were coated with the spores; she couldn't move her wings or her limbs. She was grounded.
However as he noticed Kora struggling to just flip herself over, he saw that Max's Mankey was also having difficulty moving. Apparently the swift motion of flying through the spore cloud had dispersed the spore cloud into multiple directions, and sent some of it into Mankey as it landed. It was moving its legs around with a grimace, as though his legs weren't quite working properly.
"Kora can you get up?" Jacob asked his grounded Beautifly.
"Beau…ti…fly…" She moaned as she managed to finally flip herself onto her four limbs, but she was struggling to just get her wings to move, let alone fly her off the ground.
(She can't move Jacob!) Sara translated. (End the round before she gets more hurt!)
"Kora, return!" Jacob called out, surrendering the round to Max and his Mankey so he could make sure Kora would be alright.
Max nodded and signaled to his Mankey that the fight was temporarily over so that Jacob could go to his grounded Beautifly. As Jacob and Sara rushed over to Kora he picked up the Beautifly to see how she was doing. "Kora, you okay?"
"Beau…tifly…" She moaned softly, tickling him a little bit as she used her proboscis to give him her imitation of a lick.
(She says, she's sorry she didn't last as long as she wanted to.) Sara told him as he scratched her head.
"You did alright Kora; you gave it your best shot, now rest and let Ivan finish the job." He said with a smile, taking Kora's ball and recalling her back into it.
Jacob went back to his position and took out Ivan's ball now in preparation. "So Jacob it's two to one, and you are down to your last Pokemon." Max said with a smile. "Think your last choice will be able to hold out against two of mine?"
"Only one way to find out, Ivan you're up!" Jacob called out, releasing Ivan from his ball.
In a flash his Poochyena appeared with a bark and a determined expression, knowing that if he was out than he was Jacob's last hope for a victory. "Alright then, resume the match, Mankey take on that Poochyena with Karate Chop!" Max called out.
Mankey obeyed the order but instead of a running charge, he only moved at half speed because of the Stun Spores from before.
"Ivan, counter with Leer!" Jacob called out.
"Grrrr…" Ivan growled, his eyes glowing red as the leer went into full effect.
"Man…key…" Mankey whimpered as it slowed to a screeching halt, its defenses being dropped as the leer caught him off guard. Coupled with the spore's effects, Mankey couldn't move properly.
"Alright Ivan now's your chance, move in with Tackle!" Jacob declared.
"Arf!" Ivan barked before breaking into a full run and slamming into Mankey head on.
Max's Mankey was down for a few seconds before it struggled to get back onto its feet. However just as it stood up, its legs gave a short wobble before giving out. "Mankey return!" Max called out, recalling his Pokemon back into its ball. "Well done Jacob, you've managed to last up to my final Pokemon. Now let's see if you can overcome the final hurdle in your challenge for the Knuckle Badge!"
"Bring it on Max; Ivan is still ready and raring to go!" Jacob called out confidently, to which Ivan barked in agreement.
"Alright Jacob, match time Makuhita!" Max shouted as he sent the ball out and released his last Pokemon.
In a flash of light a stout yellow Pokemon with black boxing glove hands, two stubby legs, pink circles on its cheeks, and a black bib around its neck. As it fully materialized it pumped its fist-like gloves against one another, its expression set and stance ready.
"Alright let the final round begin, Makuhita start things off with Focus Energy!" Max called out.
"Maku!" Makuhita said before it held its fists together and took a deep breath.
"Ivan, don't give it a chance to finish focusing, hit it with a Tackle attack!" Jacob called out.
"Arf!" Ivan barked, breaking into a sprint and smacking head on into the Makuhita.
Unfortunately the Makuhita's girth and weight threw the Tackle's momentum off, and there was almost no damage done to the fighting type. It completely ignored Ivan as it continued to take deep calming breath, focusing its energy so that it could deliver critical blows in battle.
"Ivan, use Howl!" Jacob called out, deciding to switch tactics while the Makuhita was busy focusing still.
"Arf!" Ivan barked in response before taking a deep breath himself, and releasing a loud howl. "AROOOOOOOOOWR!"
Jacob and Ivan had been working on this tactic all the time they could on the ferry here. Ivan's Howl temporarily increased his attacking power by focusing his more natural instincts and channeling it into his attack power. His Tackles would have more impact now as soon as he used it again.
"Makuhita, Vital Throw!" Max called out.
"Maku!" Makuhita said, taking a defensive stance in response to Max's instructions.
"Ivan move in with Tackle!" Jacob ordered, not knowing what Makuhita's Vital Throw was, but knowing that he had to go on the attack with Ivan while the Howl was boosting his attack power.
"Arf!" Ivan barked as he broke into another run for the fighting type and smacking into it head on.
The Makuhita was knocked back quite a bit, but before Ivan could disengage it grabbed the pooch. "Maku… hiiiiiTAAAAA!" It shouted as it tossed him over its shoulder and smacking him hard onto the floor behind him. Ivan whimpered a little as he managed to get back on his feet, a little in pain but still fighting fit.
"Ivan, are you alright?" Jacob called out.
"Arrrf." Ivan barked, shaking himself and glaring at the Makuhita across from him.
(He says he's fine!) Sara translated for him.
"Alright then, move in for a bite attack!" Jacob called out.
"Arf arf!" Ivan replied before moving in, fangs bared and ready to sink into Makuhita.
"Makuhita, Vital Throw again!" Max called out.
"Maku!" It said, resuming its previous stance again.
Ivan jumped at the Makuhita as he reached it and with his fangs primed and ready, clamped down on its arm as hard as he could. The Bite did its wonders and caused Makuhita to flinch painfully, missing its chance to grab and throw Ivan again as Ivan let go and retreated to a safe distance.
"We have no choice Makuhita, Belly Drum!" Max called out.
"Maku…" It said with a nod of understanding before it started beating its belly like a drum. "Makuhita Makuhita hita hita Makuhita Makuhita hita hita Makuhita Makuhita hita hita!"
Jacob knew what Belly Drum did, but was amazed that this Makuhita was performing it, however that amazement changed to determination as he realized Max was going all out on his Makuhita's attack. He had sacrificed most of what remained of Makuhita's stamina to increase its attack power. This fight would be determined by whoever got the next hit first.
"Ivan move in with Tackle!" Jacob called out.
"Makuhita, take it down with Arm Thrust!" Max called out.
"Arrrrf!" Ivan cried as he moved as fast as he could at his opponent.
"Makuuuuu!" Makuhita roared as it thrust its left arm forward toward Ivan, running as fast as its stubby legs could move.
In seconds they reached each other midway in the arena, and it was Ivan's Tackle that connected with Makuhita first! The resilient fighting type fell onto its back, and briefly tried to get back up before it collapsed back onto the ground.
Max smiled as he recalled his beaten Pokemon.
"You did it Ivan!" Jacob called out as he and Sara ran to the pooch that had turned around with a big grin on his face.
Ivan jumped into Jacob's arms and licked him happily, immensely proud at the fact that he was being praised by his trainer. In a few flashes of light, Roran and Kora appeared as well, and just like the first Gym, joined in the after battle group hug as they reveled in the fact that together they won the second of Jacob's badges.
Through his link with Sara, who was dancing around them because of Jacob's feelings about winning, he felt his team's brief emotions about the match. He felt that Roran was pleased about how he defeated his first opponent, and though he and Kora both lost to the second of Max's Pokemon; their combined efforts helped Ivan defeat it in and redeem their defeats. Ivan was proud that he had proved himself in his Pack Leader's eyes, and showed that he was just as strong as Harold and Sara were even without evolving. Kora was pleased that even though she fell to her own Stun Spores, she had managed to hit Mankey to paralyze him enough for Ivan to finish the job she and Roran couldn't accomplish.
"Well Jacob I can clearly see that you and your team have truly got what it takes to go the distance in your journey to come." Max said as he watched the group enjoying their moment with a smile. "It gives me great pleasure to hand over this badge to you; I present to you the Knuckle Badge."
Jacob nodded as he took the small badge in the shape of a boxing glove. "Thanks Max." He said as he put the badge alongside the Stone Badge on his hat, he had decided to pin all his badges to the hat until he could find a case to put them in. "This badge is more for my team than it is for me though, I don't think I really deserve it compared to them."
"That's not how they think of it Jacob." Max said, looking at Jacob's team. "You see Jacob, Pokemon don't obey just anyone that happens to capture them or whoever they decide to follow with. They obey us only because we've earned their respect and admiration."
Jacob's team nodded in agreement, especially Ivan who had deep respect in his eyes.
"Sure a Taillow will fly further than most people do in their lives, and a Poochyena's bite is much worse than its bark when compared to ours, but they need our help in order to realize their strengths. We grow as they grow, as they become stronger, we become stronger because it is we who help them achieve that greatness. And if your team is anything from what I've seen in the past, you will all go the distance if you work together."
"Thanks Max, and thanks guys!" Jacob said as he gave each of his team a pat on their heads or a scratch behind their ears.
"Alright now when's my match!" Karen called out excitedly, shocking Jacob because he had almost forgotten she was there as well!
"When I come back, I need to heal up my team upstairs!" Max said with a loud laugh. "You two can wait here until I get back. See you soon!"
(Eleven PM, outside of Dewford)
*Jacob to Arky*
*I'll keep this as brief as I can Arky because I am just so exhausted, seriously how can being happy and enthusiastic at earning a second badge tire me out so much?*
*In any case ya, as I just said I have earned my second badge. Ivan, Roran, and Kora have all earned their stars as I put it with this badge. They really worked hard to get it individually, even though it's a team effort that won the badge.*
*As for Karen, she won as well, though it was mostly Ziggles and Laura who did the work. She said that Shrew was her third choice, but he never got the chance. Ziggles is really strong, probably the strongest on her team because of how often she trains him.*
*We celebrated our victory over the Dewford Gym with a feast, made mostly by me. I need to teach Karen how to cook one of these days, it's the least she can do besides helping pay for the food!*
*Anyway Arky, I'll write to you again when something interesting happens. We have to wait a few weeks before we can take the ferry from Dewford to Slateport! Karen is not going to enjoy that, three weeks at sea on a ferry? Well at least this ferry is more designed for large numbers of passengers, both Pokemon and Humans, which means I won't have to be waiting in line to use the kitchen so I can cook our team's meals."
*Wish me luck Arky, next stop is Mauvile City for my next badge!*