Some Rocky Battles
Gwen was more than enjoying her time with Brendan and May. They had been to a bowling alley, followed by dinner at a fun restaurant, and they finished the night with a stop at an incredible hard-serve ice cream shop which used Miltank milk to make their ice cream. Brendan got a vanilla cone, May got chocolate, and Gwen got mint chocolate chip, and they were some of the best ice cream cones any of them ever tasted. It was the perfect combination of sweet and creamy, and it wasn't too icy.
"This ice cream is phenomenal" Brendan said. "There is nothing like this in Goldenrod."
"Yeah, the food in Hoenn is really exquisite most of the time," May said. "But it has another purpose sometimes."
"Oh yeah, what's that?"
May swiped her finger through a melting portion of her ice cream and then dabbed that finger on the tip of Brendan's nose. "It can make you look so pretty," she said.
"Oh you're asking for it now," Brendan said as he did the same thing to her. "There, now we're both equally pretty." After a few seconds, they both burst out laughing before wiping off their noses and making their way back to the Pokémon Center.
Gwen was just basking in the joy that radiated from both Brendan and May, and she couldn't help noticing that sensing emotions was becoming much easier for her. You two were made for each other, I just know it, she said to herself quietly. I can't wait to see where you two go together. The group all arrived at the Pokémon Center and went to their room for the night. They all got comfortable and were soon asleep. Tomorrow would be a big day for both of them. They just didn't know how big of a day it was going to be.
Brendan woke up at nine the next morning to get some last minute training in before his gym battle with Roxanne. Currently, he was going through active stretching before with his team. Clint was still getting used to his new strength, but he was still clearly proud of his evolution. Gwen, however, seemed to look at Clint in what looked like jealousy. Brendan felt like he knew what was causing this, but he wasn't about to ask Gwen a question that would throw her off her game before the battle. May had woken up around ten in the morning and gotten ready for the day before going out to the practice fields to join Brendan.
"Hey Brendan, how are you feeling?" she asked.
"Good Morning May. I'm doing great, and we are just about to finish preparing for the battle," Brendan said.
"Have you eaten breakfast yet?"
No, he's working us like slaves! Gwen said with her eyes glistening like she was about to cry.
"Gwen, you know that's not true. You had three pancakes this morning," Brendan said.
Gwen just giggled. Yeah, but I wanted a fourth, and you said no to me.
"Dear Arceus, you would have gotten sick if you ate a fourth."
May just giggled as she watched the comical exchange. "You guys are so cute," she said. "Anyway, we have about forty-five minutes before the gym battle. Are you ready?"
"Hell yeah, I'm completely ready," Brendan said. "What about you three?" Clint and Gwen both nodded in approval, but Nikki just gave a slightly blank stare and a smile. "I'll take Nikki's response as a yes."
"Then we should probably get going. It should take us a little while to get to the gym," May said.
"Sounds good; Clint and Nikki, return!" Brendan said as he called them back to their Pokéballs. "Gwen, come on up," he said as he lowered his arm for her to climb up to his shoulder. She smiled and climbed up to his shoulder, ready for the battle.
Let's go, I am so excited to win that badge! Gwen said.
They all began walking toward Roxanne's gym. The building stood out clearly since it had an orange roof and a very distinct shape. They walked for about half an hour before they arrived at the entrance to the gym. "Alright, it's time," Brendan said as he opened the doors.
"Welcome Brendan, are you ready for our battle?" Roxanne asked from across the gym.
"You better believe it!" Brendan said. "We are completely fired up!"
You know it! Gwen said with enthusiasm.
"By the way, do you mind if some of the school's more advanced students attend this battle?" Roxanne said as she gestured toward a group of kids with notepads and pens.
"Not at all," Brendan said. "It'll be fun."
"Then let us begin. This is a 2-on-2 battle." she said once Brendan set foot on his side of the battlefield. "Let's go, Ginny!" She threw out her Pokéball, which released a Geodude.
"Then you're up Clint!" Brendan said as he sent out Grovyle.
Brendan, I want the next round, Gwen said.
"Alright," Brendan said.
"Alright Brendan, you may have the first attack!" Roxanne said.
"Thank you Roxanne, but you'll soon regret letting me go first. Clint, use Bullet Seed!" Brendan said. Clint spat a stream of green-glowing seeds at Ginny, which struck and caused serious damage. Ginny rolled back, but she was not beaten yet.
"Ginny, use Rollout!" Roxanne said. Ginny pulled her arms in close to herself and began to roll across the floor, bearing down on Clint.
Alright Clint, use Dragonbreath!" Brendan called out. This was the first time he was using the attack in an official battle, and they needed to show the results of their training. Clint opened his mouth and let out a stream of electricity-laced dragon fire. The attack hit, but Ginny had already picked up a lot of speed. Despite a head-on hit, the Dragonbreath attack simply split apart and flew past Ginny, who proceeded to roll under Clint, throwing him into the air. Clint wouldn't be defeated that easily, and to prove it, he landed lightly on his feet. That was when Brendan saw something that made him grin confidently.
Ginny suddenly stopped rolling, electricity coursing through her and freezing her in place. "Great job Clint," Brendan said with a snap of his fingers. "Now, use Mega Drain!" Multiple streams of green energy spread from Clint and grabbed Ginny tightly. They then shifted to a more neon green as Ginny cried out in pain. Her health was being sapped rapidly from the attack, and Clint showed little sign of stopping. Ginny fainted and stopped crying out less than a minute later, so Clint stopped his attack.
"Ginny is unable to continue, Leader Roxanne, send out your last Pokémon," the referee said.
"Clint, come on back. You've earned a rest!" Brendan said as he had Clint return to his Pokéball. "Gwen, you're up!"
Alright! Don't worry about a thing! Gwen said as she teleported herself onto the field.
"So, you're going with Gwen. She is now quite famous in the school after your battle with May. Having said that, she will be facing an opponent she can't just throw around. Come on out, Chad!" Roxanne said as she let out a…blue stone with a red stone nose? "You look confused. Have you never seen a Nosepass before?"
"I admit, it's a new Pokémon to me," Brendan said. "It's probably very rare in the Johto region if it shows up at all."
"Well, regardless, let's finish this battle. Now, Chad, use Thunder Wave!" Roxanne said. The Nosepass's nose stone gathered lightning in a spherical shape before firing it at Gwen.
"Gwen use Teleport to dodge that!" Brendan said.
I know, Gwen said as she vanished as the paralyzing attack flew past where she had just stood, only to reappear behind Chad, her eyes glowing bright blue.
"Alright, now use Confusion!" Brendan said. Chad was shrouded in the blue glow and started to rise from the ground, but then Brendan saw Gwen's face. She was struggling to lift the Pokémon. He pulled out his Pokédex, scanned Nosepass, and his eyes went wide. No wonder Gwen was having trouble. Nosepass weighed over two-hundred pounds, something that Gwen had never even tried to lift before. "Gwen, drop him! Then use Disarming Voice!"
Gwen did as Brendan said, relief evident in her expression when she let the monolithic Pokémon drop to the ground. Holy Distortion World that thing is heavy, Gwen said before crying out, creating sonic waves that flew at Chad.
"Chad, use Harden!" Roxanne said. Chad's body began to shimmer with a silver sheen just before Gwen's attack struck. The attacks were powerful, and since it was a special attack, Chad felt it at full force, sending him staggering back. "Now use Rock Tomb!" Nosepass threw four boulders at Gwen, which all fell around her and trapped her in place. Gwen's body took on a purple glow as her speed dropped. That could be trouble if the battle continued much longer. They needed to end this quickly.
"Gwen, throw those rocks back at Nosepass with Confusion!" Brendan called out.
I was about to do that! Gwen said with a sassy tone as her eyes began glowing blue and she threw the rocks directly back at the compass Pokémon, but she was slower than before, which could be problematic for the rest of the battle. Luckily, Chad was not a fast Pokémon, and he was hit by the incoming rocks, taking some damage from the attack.
"Chad, use Thunder Wave again!" Roxanne said. Chad gathered purple electricity before firing it at Gwen.
"Gwen, Teleport out of the way!" Brendan said. Gwen nodded as she vanished from where she was, only to reappear behind Chad. "Now, finish this with Disarming Voice!" Gwen shouted out with a sharp, high-pitched voice, which caused Chad to flinch as he took significant damage. He was thrown from his position, and toppled onto his side and fell into unconsciousness.
"Chad is unable to battle, Gwen wins the round, which means that Brendan wins the battle!" the referee said.
"Alright!" Brendan said as he ran out onto the battlefield, picked Gwen up and embraced his first Pokémon. "You were amazing out there!"
Well of course. Did you expect any less from me? Gwen said in a sly tone.
"No, I'm still complimenting you on your battling."
Still, I didn't evolve. It's so frustrating.
"Don't worry, that will come soon enough. Just be patient," Brendan said.
"That was a great battle," Roxanne said as she held out a bronze badge that looked like a disfigured diamond. "You two were so in-sync that it was shocking. This Stone Badge belongs to you now."
Brendan smiled as he took the gym badge from Roxanne. "Thank you for that battle. We certainly grew from the experience, and we will put that experience to good use in the future."
Yeah, and by that he means become the champion of Hoenn and his ace Pokémon! Gwen said enthusiastically.
Roxanne giggled. "Well, I wish both of you luck in that endeavor. If I may be of some more help on your road to greatness, please accept this TM34. It can be used to teach Rock Tomb an indefinite number of times.
"Wait, not just once? In Johto, TMs can only be used once," Brendan said.
"Yeah, the Unova region just recently created the technology to make TMs usable infinitely. Pretty cool, isn't it?"
"Yeah, that's cool and really convenient," Brendan said.
"And there is one other gift that you get as the victor," May said as she grabbed Brendan's shoulder, turned him toward her and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
Oh come on. Couldn't you two wait until later? Gwen said with mock disgust.
May broke the kiss and looked at Gwen. "Nope, it had to happen now," she said with a slight giggle.
Well fine, you can keep going then, Gwen said with her arms crossed sarcastically.
"Well now you kind of ruined the mood," Brendan said.
Perfect! Mission accomplished!
Brendan just rolled his eyes before turning back to Roxanne. "Any way, thank you so much for the battle. If you ever want a rematch, just contact me!" he said.
"I intend to, but only after you've collected more badges and I have redone my training. In the meantime, where were you planning to go for your next gym battle?" Roxanne asked.
"We haven't actually decided," Brendan said.
"Then if you'd like my suggestion, you should head to Dewford Town. It's an island resort, and it's where my good friend, Brawly, lives. He's the gym leader there, but he'll be a lot harder to beat than I was for this battle."
"Well, the island resort part alone is enticing, but pairing it with a gym battle is even better. Gwen, May, what do you two say?"
"I'd love to go to Dewford. The beaches there are beautiful and there's even a few caves there, we could catch more team members there.
You know I'm okay with it. I really love beaches! Gwen said with glee.
"Then it's settled, next stop Dewford. Thanks for everything Roxanne!" Brendan said as they turned to leave the gym.
"No problem, come back any time!" Roxanne said. Then Brendan and May exited the gym.
"Well that was a fun time," Brendan said.
"Yeah, but for some reason I've got this feeling that something is about to make this day interesting in a bad way," May said.
You're right. Look over there! Gwen said as she pointed toward the path leading to the biggest office building in the city, which the trio assumed belonged to Devon Corporation. What caught Brendan's and May's attention was the duo of Team Aqua members, the same duo that ambushed the Devon employee in Petalburg Woods. They were running away from the same employee who they ambushed earlier.
"WAIT! DON'T TAKE MY GOODS!" the employee said as he chased them to the north.
"Oh boy, looks like we need to help him again," Brendan said.
"It seems that way," May said as she grabbed Brendan's arm and pulled him with her, following the Devon employee. "Come on." They ran for nearly five minutes before arriving at a fork in the road, the one to the north leading to a series of dreadful, three-foot high, impassible ledges (countless physicists are still trying to find out why it was physically impossible to climb them). That left only one option: the path going to the east.
They went along the path to the east, where they ran into the employee they followed. As soon as they arrived behind him, the man turned around and got an elated look on his face. "Oh praise Arceus it's you two! Please help me, those thugs from earlier stole some very important machine parts from Devon. I lost them as they went onto Route 116."
"Sure, no problem," May said.
Well, it may be a slight problem, but he doesn't need to know that, Gwen said to only May and Brendan, earning a silent giggle from both of them.
"We will take care of it for you," Brendan said as they ran off to Route 116. Unfortunately, the various trainers on the route, including multiple youngsters, bug catchers, school children, and hikers, all seemed to want a battle, and none of them took "no" for an answer. That, however, probably proved to be much more helpful in the long run, as this gave both Brendan's and May's teams much needed experience before battling the thugs of Team Aqua. Luckily, most of those battles lasted for only one attack, which left their opponents in shock, but it also earned them some information on where Team Aqua went.
Alright, there is the tunnel up ahead. We should be able to catch those pricks in a few minutes. Gwen said. But, who is that old man in the sailor get-up? She was referring to a tall man wearing a blue and white striped shirt with a naval commander's hat and a pair of dark-washed jeans.
"Hey, that's Mr. Briney. He's retired now, but he used to be a legendary sea captain," May said.
"He looks concerned about something," Brendan said, noting the disconcerted look on the man's face as they got closer.
"Gaah those scoundrels. Both of 'em. They just assaulted me and took my beloved Peecko hostage," Mr. Briney said.
"Don't worry sir, we will get your Pokémon back from them," May said.
"Thank ye fair lass, and ye as well young lad," he said. As Brendan and May entered the cave, they heard Mr. Briney give an echoing shout of "WROOOARRR PEECKO!"
It didn't take long for Brendan and May to find the two grunts in the tunnel, having come to a dead end. "DON'T TELL ME THAT THE TUNNEL ISN'T COMPLETE! HOW ELSE CAN WE POSSIBLY FUCK UP THESE OPERATIONS ANYMORE?!" the woman said. "THE BOSS WILL HAVE OUR HEADS ON A PLATTER FOR THIS!"
"Just calm down, we can still get away. We just need a Pokémon that knows Rock Smash," the man said.
"I'M SORRY, DO YOU HAVE THE DYNAMO BADGE?!"
"No, I don't."
"Then Rock Smash is worthless outside of battle!" the woman said angrily.
"How does that make any sense? A Pokémon can use an attack at any time. It doesn't require a gym badge," the man retorted.
"Shut up, that logic doesn't apply here!" the woman said. Brendan, May, and Gwen looked at each other, all of their faces asking whether this was a bad comedy routine or if these two were serious. They looked back and saw two machine parts and a sad-looking Wingull in a small cage by the feet of the two grunts. The little Pokémon screeched softly when it saw the trio, and Gwen translated.
That Wingull is Peecko, and she is begging us for our help, she said with anger in her voice, directed at Team Aqua.
Brendan stepped forward, getting Team Aqua's attention. "Oh no, as if this day couldn't get any worse, now we have to deal with you two kids from before!" the woman said.
"Yeah, that's right. Now, hand over the machine parts and that Wingull and I will let you walk away. If you don't leave now, then I will not hesitate to take you both down!"
"And I'll be fighting right beside him," May said.
"You know what? You only beat us because of a fluke last time. Now you will lose to the great Team Aqua!" the woman said. "Let's go Danni!"
"I agree. Come on out Sal!" the man said. Both grunts sent out their Poochyenas, who looked stronger than the last battle in Petalburg Woods.
"Well then, Gwen, do you want this battle?" Brendan asked.
Yes. I need to put these two assholes in their place! Gwen said, which caused Brendan to smile at her confidence.
"Then I will use Miranda!" May said as she sent out her Combusken.
The two grunts initiated the battle. "Sal/Danni, use Tackle!" they both said. The two dogs began running at Miranda and Gwen with their heads lowered.
"Gwen, use Disarming Voice!" Brendan said. Gwen smirked.
Of course, she said as she shrieked at a high pitch. The sound hit both Sal and Danni, but Miranda was unaffected.
"Miranda, hit both of them with Double Kick!" May commanded. Miranda ran at the Poochyena and lashed out with two powerful kicks to each of the little dogs, sending them sprawling.
"Now, Gwen, use Disarming Voice one more time!" Brendan said. Gwen didn't need to be told twice, or once for that matter. She was already shrieking like she had been earlier by the time Brendan had given the command. Both Poochyena were thrown back by the force of the sound and were subsequently knocked out by the attack at the same time.
"Wow, that was easy," May said.
I guess these two really are just useless bitches, Gwen said with an angry tone. I mean, what kind of sick bastards kidnap a Pokémon from their trainer?
"You'd really hate Team Rocket in that case," Brendan said under his breath before speaking to the Aqua Grunts. "Now, hand over the machine parts and let that Wingull go. The police are probably on their way by now."
"You know, you're speaking to members of one of the only two mafias in Hoenn. You should know that we will not just let you off the hook just because our Pokémon are beaten," the man said as he drew a revolver from one of his pockets. He pulled back the hammer and aimed it at Brendan. The woman did the same thing, but she aimed at May. Both guns used .22 caliber bullets and they gleamed from a fresh polishing.
"Now, back away slowly if you know what's good for you, and let us through, or we will empty these guns into both of you," the woman said.
Gwen was wide-eyed. No, I will not lose Brendan and May like I lost my mother, she thought.
"Recall your Pokémon, put your hands in the air where we can see them, and get up against the wall or we will fire," the man said. May called Miranda back, but Brendan did not do the same with Gwen. "Did you hear me? I said to recall your Pokémon!"
"Gwen hates being in her Pokéball, so no. I will not comply," Brendan said.
"Then you'll be six feet under in no time!" the male grunt replied aiming his gun at Brendan's head.
GET AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS! Gwen shouted as she sent a wave of psychic energy, knocking the Aqua Grunts to the ground.
The man stood up with a groan and an angry look. "Forget you boy. I'll just shoot your Ralts and be done with it!" He leveled the gun at Gwen, only to be tackled by Brendan who began wrestling and fighting the man. The gun discharged, lodging a bullet in the cavern wall.
Gwen was beyond scared for Brendan now. If that fight continued much longer, he might get seriously hurt, or maybe killed. Damn it. I won't lose you too! she shouted as loudly as she could as her body began to glow white and blue. The glowing caused everybody to stop moving and watch as she began to evolve. She grew by about a foot, and her dress turned into a ballerina's tutu. Her hair grew longer, turning into two strands that looked like wide pig-tails to the side, and her bangs took a triangular shape. Her two horns moved to the sides of her head, one on each side, and they grew longer, stretching from the front of her head to the back.
"Gwen?" Brendan said in amazement as the glow ceased, revealing a Kirlia where a Ralts once stood.
Alright, you Team Aqua grunts, I will give you until the count of three to drop the guns and leave this cave. Gwen said, but her voice now sounded like that of a teenager. Despite her evolution, the two grunts didn't seem to be backing down. Brendan, get off him, then you and May get behind me. I can't promise that I won't hit you by accident if you're so close to him. Brendan did what she said, getting away from the grunt, grabbing May and pulling her with him behind Gwen. Now, you two can get the hell out of this cave, she said as she threw both her hands forward and sent a wave of psychic energy at the grunts that, while neither Brendan nor May had psychic abilities, they could sense that it was far more powerful than anything she had ever produced as a Ralts. The force was so great that the duo of grunts were taken off their feet and thrown out of the cave completely.
"Gwen," Brendan said with amazement in his voice as he pulled out his Pokédex, and scanned her:
"Kirlia, the Emotion Pokémon. Kirlia uses the horns on its head to amplify its psychokinetic power. When the Pokémon uses its power, the air around it becomes distorted, creating mirages of nonexistent scenery. It is said that a Kirlia that is exposed to the positive emotions of its Trainer grows beautiful. This Pokémon controls psychokinetic powers with its highly developed brain."
YAY! I finally evolved! Gwen said joyfully as she leapt into Brendan's arms. Brendan caught her as a wide grin spread across his face.
"I'm so proud of you. That was awesome," Brendan said.
"Yeah, you were amazing Gwen!" May said as she joined in the embrace, hugging both Gwen and Brendan at the same time.
"Peecko, you're safe!" Mr. Briney called out as he entered the cave and approached the cage holding the Wingull, and opened the door. The little bird hopped out of the cage and onto Mr. Briney's shoulder as Mr. Briney turned to Brendan, May, and Gwen. "You young'in's saved me darlin' Peecko's life. I owe ye much to pay that debt. If you ever need a favor, come by my cabin on Route 104. It's right outside of Petalburg City and it's right by the ocean," he said.
"It was no trouble, but we may take you up on that offer soon," Brendan said. "By the way, my name is Brendan. These two are May and Gwen."
"Well Brendan, May, and Gwen, I thank all of you," Mr. Briney said. "Alright Peecko, let's go home." With that, the old sailor departed the cave, leaving the trio on their own.
Hey Goldenrod! Gwen said. Where am I going to sit now? It will be really hard for me to stand on your shoulders now.
"Hmmm…I don't know. Would you be willing to walk?" Brendan asked.
I was afraid you'd say that, Gwen said with a slightly annoyed pouting expression. But I guess walking will help get me stronger for the Hoenn League Championships.
"I like your attitude," May said as she picked up the two machine parts and handed one to Brendan. "Now, what do you say we return these to the Devon Corporation?"
"Sounds like a great plan," Brendan said. "Let's go!" They departed the cave and walked back to the city, excited to see what adventures awaited them next.
Hey, sorry this chapter took so long. My life was a shit storm of biblical proportions for the past few weeks, and I wanted to focus on the novel I have in the works.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As always, reviews are welcomed, just keep them polite.
Thank you for all your support for my stories, and I hope you continue enjoying them.
Next time is the trip to Dewford Town, and meeting Steven Stone. Until then, keep enjoying life.
