The gym was somber, to say the least. A gray granite mountain where an alcove contained the actual gym itself was shadowed by the rising sun. Colin and Baz raced towards the gym, as if it mattered. Baz reached the door and almost slammed his head into the opening door. The blonde haired boy caught himself, but his Zubat perched on his shoulder was sent forward into a familiar face. Gordon was walking out of the gym as Baz's Zubat flew onto his face. Zubat, as any Pokemon would in this situation, flipped its shit. Gordon managed to, after several minutes, remove the Zubat from his face. "Nice to see you again, I think.", said Gordon, brushing himself off. Colin replied as Baz was trying to calm down Zubat. "Hey, Gordon. Did you challenge the gym?", asked Colin, noticing (among other things) Gordon's badge case. Gordon smirked and replied, "Yeah. That supply run I made the other day was for this gym battle. My Pokemon are really hyped from that fight. So I'm making a beeline to Eterna City." Colin tilted his head slightly and said, "Eterna City? Is there another gym there?" Gordon looked somewhat thrown off from that replying, "Uh, yeah." Before the conversation could get more awkward, Roark walked outside. "Gordon, I got your bad-. Oh, hey you two." "Hey Roark.", both Baz and Colin replied. "I guess you two are here for your gym battle? You two can see yourselves in while Gordon here gets his badge." Colin nodded and Baz quickly followed, with Zubat now once again on his shoulder.
The inside of the gym was near nothing like the exterior. The battlefield itself was a rectangle in the middle of the room, like a miniature mountain range. The rest of the room was pristine, covered in what appeared to be glass. The floor was chrome, the seats were chrome, most everything was chrome. The entryway opened out into the massive room. This looks like a professional battle arena, thought Colin. Roark rushed back inside, in his full miner outfit, Baz noted. "Ok. I'm going to go heal my Pokemon. While I'm doing that, the both of you need to decide who's fighting me first.", said Roark. As he sped by, the two looked at each other. Baz, with his Piplup in its Pokeball and Zubat asleep on his shoulder. Colin, with Croagunk on his back and Luxio in its Pokeball. The two looked at each with a new emotion, rivalry. The two then yelled at each other, "I think I should go first. No, me. NO, ME!" a fight could've broken out when Roark came back. He saw the tension in the air surrounding Colin and Baz and said, "Ok. I'll choose. Baz will fight me first, and Colin can ref. Then we'll swap after healing. Ok?" Colin and Baz looked giddy and nodded.
Baz and Roark stood across from each other. Colin stood at the line that separated the two sides. Colin thought to himself, "This is fun!" Roark looked over and said, "You alright, Colin?"
Colin turned his head so fast, his flatcap nearly fell from his head. "Yeah, Roark! Just...thinking." Before Roark could respond, Colin shouted, "The battle between Baz and Roark is about to begin! This battle will be over when one side cannot continue. Begin!" Baz sent out Piplup to fight first, Roark launched a Geodude onto the field. Colin watched in anticipation as the two began their battle. "Ok, Geodude! Start with Rock Throw!" Roark's Geodude dug and located the rock to fire at Piplup, who barely dodged it. "Piplup, fire back with Bubble!" Piplup launched a barrage at the rock Pokemon, most of which connected. Geodude was sent back, but was not deterred. "Once more, Geodude! Rock Throw!" The rock Geodude located was smaller than the first, but as effective as the first. Baz barely had time to react when Piplup was swept off its feet by the rock. Smacking the ground with a sickening thud, Piplup stood up again and steadied itself. "Piplup, come back with Tackle!" Baz's first mistake. The tackle not only barely fased Roark's Geodude, but seemed to hurt Piplup in the process. The Geodude didn't need Roark's order to launch the final blow. The Rock Throw was imminent and Piplup didn't seem able to recover on time.
But that appeared to be Baz's plan. He smirked as Geodude closed in for a point blank Rock Throw. When the rock Pokemon was in mere inches of Piplup, Baz yelled, "Piplup, now! Bubble!" Piplup stood up and delivered a devastating volley of bubbles in a direct hit to Geodude, who landed in front Roark. Geodude sported the spiral eyes of a K.O., as was evident when Colin yelled, "Geodude is unable to battle! This round goes to Baz and Piplup!" Baz was ecstatic until he realized he still had one more Pokemon to deal with: Cranidos. "Piplup, come back for now.", Baz said as Piplup. Zubat had been woken by the commotion of the battle and was perched on Baz's shoulder once more. Baz looked at Zubat. He hadn't done much training with it. But, he had one trick up his sleeve that could save this battle. "Go, Zubat!" Roark looked confused as he sent out his Cranidos. Colin began his spiel once more, "The final match between Roark and Baz is about to begin!"
Cranidos made the first move. "Cranidos, start off with Headbutt!" Cranidos sped toward Zubat with lightning speed, but Zubat was faster. "Zubat, dodge and counter with Supersonic!" Zubat was practically invisible. Cranidos lost it and by the time Cranidos had found it, Zubat launched its Supersonic. Supersonic worked and Cranidos looked around like a drunkard. Colin looked on in awe at Baz. Baz could strategize, but apparently only when he needed to. Zubat, on Baz's command, launched a series of Leech Lives. Cranidos was unsure where to attack. As such, the fossil Pokemon launched itself in a Headbutt at what it thought was Baz's Zubat. What it really was was a rock. Cranidos had clearly hurt itself from the attack on the rock. But, Zubat had gotten too close to launch a Leech Life at Cranidos and recieved a direct hit Headbutt. The bat Pokemon was flung backwards into a wall, and slowly slid down the wall and spirals where Zubat's eyes might've been. "Zubat is unable to battle. Cranidos is the winner of this round!", shouted Colin. Cranidos tried to celebrate, but was still confused. Baz took out Piplup's Pokeball and looked at it. "It's all up to you, buddy.", Baz whispered to himself. "Go, Piplup!" The penguin Pokemon exited its Pokeball with fire in its eyes. "Begin!", shouted Colin once again.
Once more, Cranidos made the first move. Headbutt barely missed and the fossil Pokemon connected with yet another rock. "Piplup, use Bubble!" The Bubble connected, but seemed to barely do worse than Cranidos had done to itself. Roark looked at his Cranidos with decisiveness when he yelled, "Cranidos, smack your head against the ground!" Cranidos followed the order and smacked tiself against the ground. Cranidos looked up with staring daggers at Piplup. It had cleared its mind and was ready to fight. Baz knew Piplup couldn't Bubble forever. Cranidos was barely hurt by the last few volleys. The two Pokemon were back in their respective corners. Facing each other, they awaited their trainers orders. "Cranidos, use Headbutt! Full Power!" Piplup, use Peck! Give it your all!" The two Pokemon shot toward each other. The sound of the two Pokemon connecting was loud. The actual force of the connecting shots brought dust from the ground around the two. When the dust cleared, Piplup was standing, with Cranidos on the ground, spiral eyes prominent. "Cranidos is unable to battle! The winner of the match and battle is Baz of Twinleaf Town!", Colin shouted. Roark met Baz in the middle of the field, badge in hand. "As leader of the Oreburgh Gym, I am proud to present you the Coal Badge, showing that you have bested me in battle." Baz shook Roark's hand and, taking the badge, placed it in his badge case. "Alrighty. After I go heal, It's your turn, Colin.", said Roark as he ran off to the healing center.
Later, Colin stood across from Roark. It was his turn to fight. He was nervous, excited, and terrified all at the same time. Colin's blue eyes gleamed as he sent out Luxio to start the battle. Roark sent out his Geodude as Baz yelled, "OK! The match between Colin and Gym Leader Roark is about to start. This fight will be over one of you can't fight anymore! Ok, enough talking. BEGIN!" "Geodude, use Stealth Rock!" Rocks began rising from the ground and... floating? Ok, then, thought Colin. "Luxio use Bite!" Luxio sped forth and bit Geodude. Geodude was hurt somewhat by Luxio's attack, suprisingly. Geodude responded with a Rock Throw that hit Luxio's side and sent the lion Pokemon backwards. Luxio recovered in time to receive a second Rock Throw, this time sweeping it off the ground, like with Piplup earlier. "Luxio, use Tackle!" Colin knew this wouldn't do much, but it did something. Geodude had hurt itself on recovery. The rock Pokemon had been launched into a Stealth Rock and said Stealth Rock had fallen on it. Both Luxio and Geodude were beaten down. But, the two were ready to figth until they couldn't go on. "Geodude, Rock Throw! Close Range!" "Luxio, Tackle!" The two Pokemon rushed at each other. Luxio connected the Tackle, but Geodude also landed the Rock Throw. Baz looked on and saw what had happened before either Roark or Colin could. Baz ran forward and yelled, "Both Geodude and Luxio are unable to continue! This one's a draw!"
Now Colin was scared, yet ambitious. His Croagunk, with no Fighting-type moves, would now have have to go up against Roark's Cranidos. Even Piplup had trouble fighting it. How was he supposed to combat something that was powerful even to its weakest type? Colin sighed, and Croagunk lept off Colin's back and onto the battlefield. Before Colin could give an order to Croagunk, one of the floating stones launched itself at Croagunk, hurting it slightly. Stealth Rock, Colin thought, forgot about that. "Alright Croagunk, use Astonish!" Croagunk was practically already in Cranidos's face when it used Astonish. Croagunk's faster than it lets on, noted Colin. Cranidos was not amused. "Cranidos, use Headbutt!" Roark's order led to a Headbutt that seemed to take the wind out of the frog Pokemon. Croagunk was taken aback when Cranidos launched a Pursuit that sent Croagunk off its feet. Colin was trying to formulate an attack plan when Croagunk used Poison Sting on Cranidos without warning. Cranidos was the one caught off guard and was backing up from the attack. Poison had taken effect on Cranidos, as the fossil Pokemon's eyes appeared sunken. But that wasn't stopping Cranidos from trying to fight, this time launching another Headbutt. Croagunk didn't have to be told to dodge. Cranidos couldn't stop itself in time and hit a rock. Colin had lost sight of Croagunk, but out of the corner of his eye, saw the frog Pokemon. Croagunk had perched itself on of the floating Stealth Rocks. Colin then had an idea, a fantastic and manaical idea. "Croagunk, kick up some dust!" Croagunk had understood almost immediately. The frog Pokemon jumped from Stealth Rock to ground, kicked up some dirt and back again. Roark was taken back by what was going on and said, "Cranidos! Use Pursuit and don't stop!" Cranidos used Pursuit, but to no avail. Everything was falling into place. It was like something out of a movie. Colin was hyped from the events going down in front of him. He could see Croagunk in the Rocks, keeping its assault on track, Cranidos was in a stupor below, using Pursuits in an attempt to connect one with Croagunk. Then Cranidos fell.
Cranidos had stopped in a moment of confusion to gather itself. Colin saw the opportunity and took it. "CROAGUNK, BRING THE HOUSE DOWN!", yelled Colin in the most ecsatic he'd been in a long time. Croagunk grabbed the Stealth Rock closest to Cranidos and launched it directly at the fossil Pokemon. Roark saw what going down too late to take action. Cranidos received a Rock directly to its head, courtesy of Croagunk and Colin. Cranidos was sent skidding across the battlefield floor to Roark's feet, sporting the spiral eyes of defeat. Baz ran to the middle of the field and yelled, "Cranidos is unable to continue! The winner of the battle is Colin of Petalburg City!" Later, (after eveyone had calmed down and healed up) Roark walked up to Colin. "Colin,", Roark began, "That was some of the most strategic battling I've seen in a long time. The way you turned my Stealth Rock against me was insane." Colin could've died right then and he'd have been happy. "Anyway, as a Sinnoh League Gym Leader, it is my honor to bestow to you the Coal Badge." NOW Colin could die happy. Baz shook Colin back to his senses. "Either way, it's only about 2 in the afternoon. I suppose you two should get started toward Eterna City. But, be warned. The Eterna Gym Leader, Gardenia, is no joke. You'll need to bring your A-Game to fight her." Baz and Colin nodded and bid Roark adieu as they began on the trail back to Jubilife and then, Eterna.
"It says here that to get to Eterna from here, we need to go back through Jubilife, go up Route 204, through Ravaged Path, past Floaroma Town, into Route 205, and trek through Eterna Forest and THEN we'll be in Eterna." Colin smiled as he finished talking. Baz looked like he was about to pass out. "That much for ANOTHER gym badge? Can't we just take a boat there or something?" Colin looked back at his friend and said, "Well, we could, but Route 205's river is blocked by some rocks." The pair had spent so much time talking that they had not noticed the oncoming night lights of Jubilife City. "Look. We're in Jubilife City. We'll go onto Route 204 and set up the tent for the night." Colin said with a smile. Baz groaned as if he couldn't go on even if he wanted to. Croagunk smacked Baz to get him going. Baz galred daggers at the frog Pokemon, who was "sleeping". Colin laughed. It felt good to laugh now.
Route 204 was here and the pair had decided to set camp near a fenced up area. Baz was setting up the tent and Colin was sitting watching Luxio play with a wild Bidoof. Colin patted his head and felt his own wavy hair instead of his flatcap. He looked at Croagunk, who really was asleep this time, and realized that the frog Pokemon was wearing his flatcap. Colin was alright with this. But Colin couldn't help but think back to his match with Roark earlier. Croagunk took orders Colin had thought about giving them. Colin could've questioned it more, but Baz called him over as the tents were set up. Colin laughed at Zubat, which had nested in Baz's hair. Baz spent the next five minutes getting Zubat out of his hair, with Colin laughing himself to death in the corner. But Baz's hair was fixed, Zubat now on Baz's shoulder once more, Luxio was called in from the now sad looking Bidoof, and everyone settled in for the night. Baz was half asleep, with Piplup next to him and Zubat in his hair again. Colin stared up at the ceiling of the tent, Luxio asleep between himself and Baz, and Croagunk. Sitting up, looking at Colin. Colin sat up and Croagunk dropped. Colin dropped and Croagunk sat up. They had a time doing this about 30 minutes until Croagunk dropped for the final time that night. Colin lay down and smiled, at his new badge, his Pokemon, and Baz. At everything. Then he slept a dreamless sleep.
-AUTHOR'S NOTE-
Hello, everyone! I took longer than expected with this one but it's finally here! Their first Gym Battle! Aren't you excited? Having just read to get here? Or did you just skip down here for the next chapter? EITHER WAY, next chapter out sometime soon. Best Wishes! 3
-S