CHAPTER 11: Gym Leader Brock!
After saying a quick prayer, i step up to the stand.
"Alrighty! GO, O-" I cut him off.
"Wait!" He stops mid sentence, looking at me with a confused look.
"How many Pokemon do you have?" I call out, and he holds up two fingers.
Sighing in relief, i smile.
"Double Battle?!" I call, and i see his confused look turns to a playful one, as he nods.
"Go, Onix and Geodude!" He sends out his two pokemon.
Geodude lands gracefully, or at least, as gracefully as a rock with arms can.
Onix, drops onto the ground, making the whole platform shudder.
Alto goes to fly off my shoulder, but i stop him.
"I have a plan, bud." I pat his head, and he nods, sitting back down.
"Go, Bane & Belle!" I release the two chicks, who land perfectly in sync, side by side.
Brock's eyes go wide.
"Um... You go first...?!" He points to me, unsure of my plan.
Nodding, i point towards the Onix.
"Belle, Hypnosis! Bane, Confusion!"
Belle sends a large rippling wave of psychic energy at the Onix, who is to large to avoid it. It hits him square-on, sending him into a deep slumber.
Then, Bane sends a quick burst of Telekinetic energy towards the giant rock snake.
It hits Onix, right between the eyes.
Onix is pushed back by a few inches, barely moving.
"Ha! My turn! Geodude, Rock Tomb!"
Geodude sends a large, hollow encasement of boulders at Belle.
"Belle, DODGE!"
But it's to late.
The boulders catch her, and throw her to the ground, covering her body and effectively encasing her in a tomb.
"NO! BANE, CONFUSION!"
He sends a burst at Geodude, who is thrown off the platform.
I didnt realize we had a referee, but i see him now, pacing the side of the platform.
"Geodude was knocked off the battle field! He is now UNABLE to battle! Win for the Challenger!"
Brock smiles as he returns Geodude, then points at Belle, who has just managed to shake off her rock tomb.
She limps over to Bane, when i hear Brocks order.
"Onix! USE ROCK THROW!"
My heart drops, as i watch Onix lift a large boulder, and chuck it at my pokemon.
I watch, helplessly, as the boulder takes out Belle, and Bane, who happened to be too close at the wrong time.
Both birds are knocked out instantly.
"Both Hoothoot are unable to battle, win to Brock!"
Before i can do anything, Alto swoops in and grabs both chicks, one in each claw, and gently carries them to Hilary and Misty, who are both standing at the edge of the field beside me, with revives and potions.
"Finish this, Serena! We got these two!" Hilary gestures towards the field, as they heal the chicks.
"Alto! Go, Ace!" Alto flies back onto the field, as Ace appears in a flash of red.
Brock gestures towards me.
Before i can say anything though, Ace happens to see the chicks, who are all battered and bruised, but now awake, and attentive.
He looks at the chicks, then turns to the Onix, who makes the mistake of grinning back at him.
Before i can stop him, Ace sends a huge whirlwind of static purple energy at the rock snake, causing him to be pushed back, right to the edge of the platform.
I have NO IDEA what move he used.
"TWISTER!" Hilary shouts, and i understand immediately, what my plan is.
"Alto, SING!"
Alto flies around Onix's head, murmuring a sweet tune into his ear-holes, causing him to doze off again.
"Damn it!" Brock swears, throwing a weird diamond shaped berry, blue and yellow at Onix, but i waste no time.
Since Onix was asleep when Brocks turn came around, it automatically jumps back to me.
Now its my time to smile, as i point at Onix, who is slowly waking up.
"Ace, TWISTER!" I shout, and Ace gladly performs.
He sends an even bigger twister of energy at the Onix, and this one throws it off the platform, and into the wall behind Brock.
It is unconscious before it hits the ground.
Brock sighs as he returns his pokemon, placing both pokeballs into the healing machine behind him.
Then he turns and jogs over to me.
"Wow, Serena! I haven't had a battle like that in years!" He embraces me, then holds out a small box.
"Whats this?"
"Badge Case, Badge, TM, and your winning money. Plus, my phone number, in case you ever wanted to battle again." He smirks, as i grab the box.
"Thanks." I'm still processing what just happened, when i remember the chicks.
"Oh!" I almost drop the box, as i run over to where Hilary is just finishing with Belle's injuries.
"Bane! Belle!" As hard as i try not to, i feel the tears as they roll down my cheeks.
"They just need some sleep, but other than that, i healed them up as go-" Shes cut off as i throw her into a hug.
"Hills, i cant thank you enough!" I sob quietly into her shirt, and she rubs my hair.
Finally, i clam down enough, and step back, to get embraced by both chicks.
"Babies, i am SO SORRY!" I hold them, and they both nuzzle my cheeks, cooing softly.
"If i may?" Brock taps my shoulder.
"Your chicks... are they..."
"Yes. They are that burden of a Noctowl's." He flinches at the word burden.
"Sorry, that was uncalled for." I smile weakly at him, but he shakes his head.
"The amount of maturity those two showed, blew my mind, Serena. They needed someone like you, and they are way tougher than i thought they would be. Geodude's Rock Tomb has been known to one-hit-K.O most SECOND evolution flying types, so the fact that... Belle, was it?... could stand up to it, AND free herself? Thats almost unheard of in my gym. So, on behalf of the Pewter City Gym, i would like to present them with gifts." Brock explains.
Tilting my head in confusion, i carefully grab the box hes handing to me.
"In there are two extra TM's. Nightmare and Dream Eater. With Belle's precision shooting of her Hypnosis, you could benefit from having two sleep damage moves." He smiles, and i tear up again.
"Brock..." I hug him, and he just laughs.
"Now stop crying, for gods sakes! You just beat your first gym!" He steps back, and wipes the tears from my cheeks as i laugh.
"I have an idea! Why don't i treat you all to lunch! How does that sound?" Brock offers.
At the sound of food, Ash's stomach screams is agreement, and we all laugh as Brock leads us to the Gym's Kitchens.
"I'll make something, if thats okay?" He asks, leading us there.
"Of course! And i'll help!" Hilary volunteers.
We all sit down around a HUGE dining room table.
"11 brothers and sisters, kind of need a big table!" Brock laughs as he sets water to boil.
As Brock and Hills chat while cooking, me, Ash, and Misty have our own conversation as well.
"Who battled first?" I ask, and Misty raises her hand.
"I flew through the gym trainers Onix, and got to Brock in no time. I got kind of lost in the maze though." She explains.
"And i got there just after she wiped the floor with Brocks team!" Ash exclaims, and we all laugh, including Brock, who must have heard the conversation.
"And then you and Hilary showed up!" Ash finishes.
"How did Pikachu battle, Ash?" I ask, sipping the water Brock gave me.
"Oh my gosh! He was SO FAST!" Ash starts running around the room, pretending to simulate Pikachu's speed, and setting us all laughing.
"That he was! I couldnt keep my eyes on him!" Misty exclaims in excitement.
"Heso nly going to get faster, Ash. Keep training, and you may have the fastest Pikachu in the world someday!" Brock laughs from the kitchen, sending Ash into a look of amazement.
After some more idle chit chat, Brock and Hilary FINALLY present us some food.
"So! We made whole wheat spaghetti, with a tender, sweet and savory bologna meat sauce! Dig in!" With that, they place the LARGEST POT OF SPAGHETTI I'VE EVER DREAMED ABOUT in front of us!
And trust me, we DO dig in!
They sit down, each picking at their own bowls, still chatting away with each other, as me, Ash, and Misty go HAM on ours.
I eat three bowls, Misty two, And ash has just polished off his fourth, and is reaching for another, when Brock raises his hand.
"Hmm?!" Ash says with a mouth full.
Laughing, Brock responds.
"So, tomorrow i'm assuming you guys are going to head to Cerulean to challenge the gym there, correct?" Brock asks, and we all nod, mouths full.
"I was wondering... if you guys would mind me travelling with you?"
I almost spit my food out.
"Whahfiayhdf?" I mumble, and he laughs again.
"I have to make my way to Saffron anyways, so i thought i could escort you guys to Cerulean, at least." He explains.
Swallowing, i nod.
"I have no issue with it! In fact, i think it could be fun!" Ash says excitedly.
"Me too! The more the merrier!" Misty raises her fork in a mock toast, before shoving another forkful down her throat.
"I would love that, Brock. Thank you!" I reach over and rub his arm, and Hilary laughs.
"And i guess i have no choice! Haha! Just kidding! We'll have a blast!" Hilary laughs, eating another forkful.
We all happily eat and chat, then Brock escorts us to the PokeCenter.
"What are your guys'es plans for the rest of today?" He asks, leaning against my bed.
"Me and Misty are going swimming in the lake!" Ash exclaims quickly, causing us all to laugh.
"You know, that doesnt sound like a bad idea!" Hilary laughs.
"So you'll come to!?" Misty asks pleadingly.
"Sure, why not! Brock? Serena? You guys in?" Brock laughs and nods, then takes off to grab his swimsuit, but i shake my head.
"Oh, why not Ser?" Hilary asks, instantly looking concerned, but i smile sheepishly.
"I... uh... I dont have... a, uh..." I start, but Misty finishes.
"A swimsuit?! Did somebody say... SHOPPING?!" She giggles as she grabs my hand, shouting that we would be right back, and drags me to the nearest store.
We have a blast, as i try on multiple swim suits. One pieces, bikini's, boy shorts, you name it! Misty is throwing everything she can find in my size over the change room door.
At some point, Hilary shows up to, saying Brock and Ash were going to meet us there after they'd changed.
I finally pick out a pair of boy shorts and bikini i like, and we go back to the Center to change.
Theres a note on our door;
Meet you there!
Ash & Brock
We get changed quickly, grabbing our pokemon, and we head to the lake, just off of Route 2.
By time we get there, Ash and Brock are already in the water, their pokemon splashing and having fun.
We release all ours, and take our shirts off, ready to swim.
I notice both boys turn away, faces red as we strip to our swim suits, and i laugh.
We splash, swim, dive, and more, for god knows how long.
Our pokemon have races, and just laugh and play as much as we do.
The chicks have finally mastered the art of flying AND landing, so they are floating around lazily above us, with Ace, Alto, and Sunshine, who has opened her petals.
Geodude and K.O make sandcastles... well, more like rock castles.
Spritzer, Onix, and Pikachu are racing around, or more like it that Pikachu is lapping the poor Skuntank and Onix.
And Goldeen and Horsea are splashing around with us, taking us to the lake floor to meet new pokemon, and just lazing.
After a while, me and Brock head up to the beach, just to hangout in the sun for awhile, get out of the water.
"I hope its okay, me barging in on your guys'es day like this." He mentions as we towel dry off.
"Oh, of course its okay! We are having a blast!" I laugh and pat him on the shoulder, and he sighs in relief.
Me and Brock sit on our towels and talk for what seems like hours, while everyone else plays.
The sun starts to go down after a while, and Brock hands us all sandwiches he made for the trip, much to our delight.
Then, Pikachu helps us start a fire on the beach, and we all pull up rocks, stumps, anything we can to sit on.
We spend the rest of the night singing, dancing, just hanging out.
We find out that Brock isn't actually a bad performer, when he shows Alto up on most of his tunes.
Alto takes this as a personal challenge, and soon we are all taking sides in a pokemon vs. Brock riff off.
Even the other pokemon join in after a while, and it turns out to be the best night we've had in a while.
Brock finally escorts us back to our rooms, and tells us to meet him at the gym in the morning, 9am SHARP.
We say our goodbye's in the lobby, and head to our rooms.
I plop on the bed, Alto beside me, and doze off.
I hear, faintly, Hilary's voice as she sings to herself while brushing out her hair.
I'ts a song Mom used to sing to us, and i open my eyes, suddenly awake.
"Ser?" She asks, looking up at me, "Did i wake you? Sorry hun."
I have tears in my eyes before i speak.
"I miss her."
Her eyes go wide, then tears form as she comes to sit beside me, pulling me close.
"Me too, babe. Me too..."
And so thats how we cried ourselves to sleep, with Hilary singing the same song over and over, until we both drifted off.