Chapter 5

City of Stone

Pewter city, finally after four days in Viridian we had made it to our first gym town. I couldn't help but smile brightly as Gary and I walked through the streets the city of Stones.

I personally had a lot to do here, find Brock's dad, check out the rock and gem shops and most importantly challenge Brock himself.

If we were lucky Trev and Grace would be here. I knew for sure Ash and Misty would've, In the anime Ash had spent about two weeks or more lost In Viridian forest. I was worried that Gary and I would be lost considering we were in deep Viridian but we made fine time and with Gary's Pidgey we made fine time.

It was currently noon so the day was still fresh and many people were out and about. We got friendly smiles and waves from the people around us.

It wasn't hard to tell why the city was considered the city of stone. Most of the buildings looked to be carved by stone with a few odd brick buildings here and there. There were plenty more shops selling rare and beautiful stones and outside many people walked with some kind of Ground or Rock type.

"Hey Gary I'm going to look around a bit if you don't mind." I said as I glanced at him.

"I've got no problem but I plan on challenging Brock immediately."

"That's fine with me, I guess I'll meet you at the Pokémon center then in a few hours."

"Sounds good to me, see ya around." I said as we separated. Now that I was alone I gave a sigh.

Ok if I'm correct Flint, Brock's father is set up just outside the city. He was near the river at that so that narrowed it down.

It didn't take but 15 minutes to reach the edge of the city from where I had started and after a bit of asking around I was easily able to find the river and the small water mill that Ash had used after Pikachue got the shit smacked out of him in the anime.

I smiled at the thought of that, I really never liked ash in the anime and the same went for here. He was still childish, he never actually learned anything about Pokémon even though we went to the same classes, I wasn't even sure how he got his trainer's license. But my real problem was one he never trained his Pokémon properly and two he used the same Pokémon through each region and when he went to new regions he never even swapped for his old team, not even for even a day.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts as a building came into view. It was a small wooden shack with multiple stones laid out on the outside. I took a few moments to inspect them, his larger stones before I went to the door and tapped lightly. I didn't really have to wait because I heard a few footsteps before the door opening revealing Flint.

The man looked at me with those anime closed eyes of his and Brocks. Personally I didn't have a clue how they could see and I was a bit tempted to ask but I quickly pushed the question to the side.

I smiled at the man as he looked down at me. "A Tourist come to buy Pewter city's finest rocks…. No a trainer?"

I gave a small nod, "I may be a trainer but I'd still love to see your collection and maybe buy something." Said with a small gesture of my head.

"I usually don't get trainers, but by all means if you want to buy something." He said as he moved out of the doorway letting me in.

Immediately when I stepped in Masa released himself and to my surprise the ant pit Pokémon charged making a mess as he moved about all the stones before he found one of interest and clamped his jaws on a rock. It was a pretty good size and it didn't quite fit in Masa's jaws but the Pokémon still held it tightly.

I had a good idea of what had happened, I always told Masa my plans so he knew I was looking for a special rock and I think he had just found it for me.

I turned towards Flint and bowed, "I'm so sorry about that. I didn't Expect my partner to do that nor make a huge mess."

Flint gave a tired sigh and looked at the ground type that held the stone in his jaws by my feet. "Your quite the interesting ground type army you." The man said as he kneeled down to get a better lol at the ground type.

To my utter horror and surprise the man reached out to touch Masa and the ant Pokémon let him. When Gary had tried to touch him Masa tried to bite his hand off not too long ago.

The man seemed to see my surprise because he smiled at me before he continued to rub my partners chin and after a few seconds Masa dropped the stone.

My jaw literally dropped at that, "how?

The man's smile, "I'm pretty familiar with Rock and Ground type but mostly Rock types." The man said as he stood up with the stone in his hands which now had very visible bite marks on its smooth surface.

I gave a nod, I guess I forgot he was the Gym leader here before Brock and will be soon again.

"Your Trapinch is very well taken care, most people usually have a hard time with Trapinch because they tend to let them eat whatever they get their jaws on. What do you feed him." The man asked as he began to put all the stones back in place.

"Well I feed him basic Pokémon food but I add pebbles and sometimes I let Masa hunt on his own." I explained as I myself picked up a few of the stones.

The man gave a thoughtful hum, "letting him hunt on his own was a good idea, he out of everyone will know just what he's lacking."

"Yes but I worry sometimes, his line is slower growing and he doesn't really have any good attacks yet. And our attacks are limited till he evolves, not many long range attacks and nevermind the fact that most of the long range attacks Trapinch can learn Aren't learned naturally through leveling." I finished as I placed the rocks in my arms down.

The man gave a laugh, "you are a good trainer, most of the kids that come here for their first battle don't even consider their Pokémon's restrictions, you'll make it far with the way you think kid." He said as he once more faced me.

When he said that I couldn't help but think of Ash and his fight he would have with Brock. The boy did have a clue about type advantages in the anime and here. I knew Masa would do well enough with the gym but I still went out and got a water type but ash would never do something as sensible as that.

I sighed and smiled at Flint, "again I'm sorry for the mess."

"It happens, I'm not upset or anything." He said as he handed me the stone that had Masa's tooth prints in it.

"You alright if I buy it off you right?" I asked

Flint nodded, "go ahead, of f you didn't by it I was just going to let a tourist buy it and tell them it's the bite mark of an ancient Pokémon or something but this will do."

I seat dropped at that and glanced at Masa who was chuffing at me and Flint.

I rolled my eyes then paid the man for the stone before me and Masa headed back into the city. I wanted to check the stone out but Gary was probably waiting for me.

As I expected he was waiting for me at the Pokémon center along with Trevor.

"Hey Trev it's good to see you again but where's Grace?" I asked glancing around in hopes to see her.

Trevor gave me a nervous look and he looked at his feet.

"Trevor did you do something?" I asked accusingly.

"What! No it's just that… we'll yo see I was wondering if you could go talk with my sister."

"Why, what's wrong?" I was a bit concerned.

"Well you remember Gary said that those to kids that moved to Pallet were setting off on their own journey."

I gave a stiff nod.

"Well we met the girl today and Grace got in a fight with her apparently when I was getting my badge and apparently the girl said something that made Grace really upset and now she won't talk to me and is crying in our room." Trevor said looking at the ground sadly.

I gave a sigh and rubbed my temple with my fingers. "How am I not surprised that girl caused trouble, stupid rich kids. What room is she in?"

"She's in 05. Thank you Saber."

With that I head inside the center and I went to the room where I softly, "Grace it's me Saber, can you let me in?" I asked gently.

I heard so shuffling around before the door opens revealing a red eyed Grace.

" Oh Grace what happened to you?" I said as I stepped in.

Grace immediately clung onto my shoulder and cried. I gave a soft sigh and held her tightly while I soothingly rubbed her back. I think she cried for a good five minutes before she was calm enough to talk.

Now calm, she sat down on her bed with me. "Ok so tell me what happened so I know what to beat this girl up for it." That seemed to amuse Grace because she smiled slightly.

"Well we both went to the gym to get our badges and I battled first. Apparently that girl walked in at some point and watched and when I finished I left to heal my Pokémon while Trev started his battle." She said with a sniff.

"Lira was outside and at first she didn't seem like she wanted any trouble. She asked me about Petal and then she started calling me a bad trainer and said I only won because I flirted with the gym ledger. I got my badge fair and square. Thorn and Petal did so well and I couldn't be prouder but that stupid bitch!" Grace growled out.

"Also you should of seen her! She was had this one boy following her every word and he was definitely not not her brother, the kid looked like a big catcher. Little witch probably seduced the poor boy."

"Then show her how good of a trainer you are, let's go challenge her and show her. She's probably long do a good beat down. Your a great trainer Grace, one of the best I'm my opinion. Pokemon are naturally attracted to your kind heart. Well show her how ring she was when she called you, of all people, a bad trainer." I said as I stood up and healed my hand out to my friend. She grabbed it with a dark gleam in her eyes.

Together we made our way downstairs and outside to were the boys were waiting.

"Grace are you ok?" Trevor asked as he looked her over as if she might be hurt.

"I'm fine, thanks for the concern though."

"So Who are we going to beat up this time Saber?" Gary asked as he crossed his arms.

I smiled, "how did you know?"

"I can see it in your eyes, you always get this certain look in your eyes when you want to beat the living Arceus out of someone." He said with a slight shiver, his friend could be quite violent when it came to protecting her friends.

"So how are we finding this person?" Trev asked.

"Well Trev I doubt they'll be at the Gym, Brock can do only so many battles in a row before he has to rest up his team so she probably isn't there so the best beat is one of the nice fancy hotels or restaurants." I said with a sweet smile.

"The poor souls that have to face you in a fight." Gary said as he shook his head.

"What was that Gary Oak?"

"Nothing! I.. I was just saying we should start looking for this kid." He said with a sweat drop.

--

Saber's team

Masa - Trapinch

Darya - Horsea

Gary's team

Squirtle

Pidgey

Kakuna

Nidoran - Female

Grace's team

Thorn - Bulbasaur

Petal - Butterfree

Tora - Pikachue

Trevor's team

Charmander

Pidgey

Poliwag

--

I deeply apologize everyone for doing only one chapter yesterday and today, it is very un YOUTHFUL of me so to regain my YOUTHFULNESS I shall run around my yard a hundred times on my hands.

Ok but seriously I apologize, Today I meant to get to win but I ended up going to the city with my brother and his girlfriend and spent most of the day there. Sadly because of this reason I didn't really didn't have a solid set up for today's chapter. If it's a bit funky I apologize but I'm tired and to lazy to read it over more thoroughly. If things kind of seem strange in this chapter or a little bit mixed up that's all on me.