Battle of Metal, Chapter 38

The sun had just set by the time we arrived back in Olivine City. The lighthouse was still dark, meaning the Pokemon still hadn't recovered. I asked Yunie if she would accompany me to the lighthouse, but she had other plans.

"I have a few things to do in the city first," she said, her Pichu walking alongside her on the pier. "Sorry. I'll see you in a couple weeks, though! That is, if you're still planning on traveling to Hoenn with me?"

"Well, I have to make sure I can arrange it all, first. You'll be staying here in Olivine until then, right?" Most of the trip back I pondered how best to acquire the money from Mom and still get to visit the last couple gyms.

"Then I guess we'll see each other in a couple weeks! If you manage to get back before, though, I live here..." Yunie dug in her bag for a scrap of paper, then wrote something down on it. "Just swing by, since I'll probably be there."

"Alright, I will! Bye, Yunie!"

The girl waved as she walked off, and I went in a separate direction towards the lighthouse. While we were on the ferry, she told me of her employment under Professor Elm, who wanted pictures of Pokemon in their natural habitat. Lucky for Yunie, being my age and already working. Not that I was particularly jealous, since I was enjoying my 'job' as a Pokemon trainer. But it did get me thinking a bit about what I wanted to do when I grew up. Though that was still a long ways off.

I made it back to the lighthouse just as the last of the sunlight vanished from the sky. Inside, the halls were just as dark and eerie as outside, if not moreso. Vulpix led the way, coughing up small bursts of flame to keep the stairs lit so I wouldn't trip and hurt myself. Up on the second floor, I saw Preston standing against the wall, still staring at that newspaper even in the dark. He took notice of me right away, given the flashes of light coming from Vulpix.

"Star, I take it you've brought the medicine?" He stashed the paper under his arm, and tipped his hat to me. I dug the bottle of medicine out of my bag.

"Here it is! The lady at the pharmacy told me that you have to apply it to the Pokemon directly, and make it drink only a few drops." I offered it to Preston, but he refused to take it.

"Go on, you can inform Jasmine yourself. Best hurry along, that poor Pokemon is probably in great pain."

The older man finally moved to a side, allowing Vulpix to run ahead. I followed after her, treading slowly on the way up the next flight of stairs. Up on the third floor, there was some semblance of lighting, most of it coming from the next stairwell down the hall. I took the lead at this point, replacing the medicine bottle in my bag to be safe. After another flight of stairs, there was yet one more hallway to follow, and one final stairway to climb.

Up on the fifth floor, it was like being in a completely different place. The walls were lined in pink wallpaper, sporting a design of various cute Pokemon. In the center of the room there was a spiral staircase leading up to the top of the lighthouse, as well as a place for the Pokemon to sleep. By the large yellow critter was a girl, tending to the downed Pokemon. Vulpix ran up to both of them, startling the girl slightly. Vulpix only looked at her briefly, turning her attention to the Pokemon.

"Who are you?" She stood up, taking a step towards the Pokemon, as if to protect it. Her voice hardly left the range of a whisper.

"I'm Star, a Pokemon trainer. The man downstairs, Preston, asked me to rush the medicine from Cianwood here. I just got back." I pulled out the bottle, and handed it to her.

"The lady said to apply it on him, and for him to drink only a few drops." I instructed.

"Her," she corrected me in a soft whisper. "Amphy is a girl."

"Sorry." I walked over to Amphy, who was looking pretty bad, but Vulpix was having a pretty heated debate with the Pokemon.

"I'm Jasmine, by the way." The girl introduced herself, but kept her hands close to her chest.

Jasmine ran over to the desk on the other side of the room, collecting a few supplies to prepare the medicine. After extracting some of the medicine with a dropper, she applied the rest to a piece of cloth. I backed away from Amphy, dragging Vulpix with me. Jasmine asked the Pokemon to turn over, and she started rubbing the cloth all over her belly and neck. Once she was done, she gave Amphy the few drops from the dropper. Like the woman had said, Amphy was starting to look much healthier already.

"She's looking better!" I said, shocked at the speed of the recovery. If only medicine for people worked that fast.

"Yes, I'm glad. Thank you, Star, for your help." Jasmine stroked the Pokemon's face gently, making sure she was comfortable.

"No problem! Is there anything else I can help you with?" I didn't want to go right out and ask for a Pokemon battle, but I wasn't very good at beating around the bush.

"No, you've done more than enough. I can take care of Amphy from here on out." Jasmine spoke in such a soft tone, I couldn't be sure if she was asking me to leave, or just being sincere.

"Okay, well, I'll see you around. I hope you feel better, Amphy!"

Jasmine let me go without another word. Sure, I was feeling pretty good having helped out that Pokemon, and soon enough it would get right back to lighting the way for ships. But why was Jasmine so... unfriendly? Considering she looked not only cute, but very pretty, why was she so quiet and straightforward? Well, I let myself ponder this all the way back to the Pokemon Center. I was tired after an entire day of travel, and I could sure use something to eat and some sleep.

Tomorrow, I'd show up at the city gym, and we'd do battle like it was any other day. I still found it a bit hard to believe Jasmine was the leader, but I guess they come in all shapes and sizes. In another reality, I might've become one, I guess. That was a thought to sleep on.

~o~

The Olivine City gym looked to be closed the next morning. The shades were down inside, and since it was tucked away in a corner of the city, I wouldn't be surprised if people didn't know there was a gym here. I tried peeking through the windows, but couldn't see past the blinds. I knocked on the door a few times, but there was no answer.

"You think she's still at the lighthouse, Vulpix?" I looked down at my Pokemon, who was trying to claw her way into the building.

"Actually, she still is." I spun around, seeing Preston standing behind me.

"Preston! You scared me there," I said, clutching my chest. The old man chuckled.

"My apologies. You seek to challenge Jasmine, I take it?"

"Yeah, can she make it today?" The sooner I battled her, the sooner I could be off. Worst case scenario, I'd leave Jasmine for last and battle her before I left for Hoenn.

"I believe she can, though she spent the night over at the lighthouse. You should go and see her yourself. I'll set up the gym for your battle in the meantime." I stepped out of the way, allowing the old man to unlock the doors to the gym.

"You work here?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

"You could say that. I've been taking care of this gym since before it became an actual gym. When Jasmine took over as gym leader, she entrusted me with the care of the place. She was always stuck in that lighthouse, you see."

"Oh? So that Pokemon, Amphy, is hers?" Preston nodded, finally opening the last of the gym's three locks.

"Yes ma'am. She loves that Pokemon to death, but rather than use it in battle, she allows it to light the way for ships. Girl has the kindest heart I've ever seen. I love her like she were my own daughter." Preston opened the gym door, but turned to face me directly one last time. His attention was diverted, though, by Jasmine herself! She walked up to us, a slight blush on her face.

"Preston! I overheard you talking about me..." She tried to conceal her face from me, so I lent her a hand by looking away a bit.

"Nothing fiendish, I assure you. Star here just wanted to challenge the gym leader." The old man removed his hat in Jasmine's presence, stepping aside to let her into the gym.

"If you say so," she said, finally turning her attention to me. "Please, come inside. We can start momentarily."

Unlike other gyms, this one wasn't set up in the least with any noticeable motifs. The walls were painted a dull gray, the arena was clearly marked in black paint, though the floor was also that same dull gray color. I slipped my foot out of my sandal for a moment, and felt the ground. It was concrete, unpolished and rough. A slip and fall here would scrape my knees through and through. Jasmine walked across the arena to her side, while Preston took a spot on the sidelines on my end of the arena.

"You're going to support me, Preston?" I asked the elder gentleman. He tipped his hat towards me as he spoke.

"Not exactly. I will merely act as a spectator. I have always enjoyed watching Jasmine do battle, see. She almost turns into a completely different person."

I didn't see that as strange. After all, when I got into the heat of a battle, I seemed to forget everything else around me, and I often caught myself in the process, completely morphed into a battle junkie. Of course, Jasmine was quite demure compared to me, so I was actually eager to see how she'd turn out. While she was digging about her desk on the other end of the arena, I leaned in close to Preston.

"What kind of Pokemon does she use, Preston?"

"She specializes in the steel type," he said, keeping his voice down. "Best prepare yourself for a difficult battle, Star."

Indeed, I quickly reached for my Pokedex, mashing buttons on the little red device to find information on steel type Pokemon. There weren't many listed, but the Pokedex did warn of the type's amazing durability and few weaknesses. To my surprise, fire was one of the type's known weaknesses, which eased my fears a bit. Vulpix would be a great asset in this battle.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to take so long." Jasmine took her position, two Pokeballs in her hands.

"It's okay! What are the rules?"

"Two Pokemon against two. Let me thank you again, for yesterday. But know, that won't influence today's battle. I will give it my all, and you should, too."

"Wouldn't have it any other way!" I smiled at her.

Jasmine nodded, and threw one of the Pokeballs out onto the field, releasing a Magnemite. I quickly remembered the incident at the power plant in Kanto, so Vulpix wouldn't have any trouble taking it out. I ordered my faithful critter out onto the field. With the sound of a bell, rung by Preston of course, the battle began.

"Vulpix, Flamethrower!"

"Magnemite, use Sonic Boom!"

The small floating Pokemon charged up some energy in its two magnet arms, releasing a burst of energy towards Vulpix. She leapt over the shockwave, releasing her blast of flames all over Magnemite. After a few seconds, Vulpix landed back on the ground, and Magnemite crashed onto the ground. It was a one hit wonder!

"Magnemite, return!" The small Pokemon was housed back in its Pokeball. If this was all Jasmine was capable of, this battle would be over in no time flat.

"It seems I've underestimated you, Star. Very well, don't disappoint me now!" Jasmine threw her second and final Pokeball onto the arena. The device exploded into a flash of light, and a massive figure emerged from the miniature cage. It was far larger in size than anything I had ever seen before, even bigger than Onix! I aimed my Pokedex at the beast, trying to identify it.

"Steelix, the Iron Snake Pokemon. Its body has been compressed deep under the ground. As a result, it is even harder than a diamond."

"Whoa..." I stared in awe at the massive Pokemon before us. Vulpix would be mistaken for a bug type compared to that thing. She held her ground, though, ready to battle with all her might.

"Steelix, Iron Tail!"

"Vulpix, Quick Attack!"

Of course, I knew very well that move wouldn't even scratch Steelix, but I had to buy myself some time to plan a strategy. Such a massive Pokemon wouldn't go down in just a few attacks, meaning I'd have to pace myself to whittle it away with fire attacks. None of my other Pokemon could stand a chance against this thing, so it was all up to Vulpix. Steelix swung its massive tail, but missed Vulpix just as she vanished from sight.

"Vulpix, Ember!"

Vulpix reappeared just behind Steelix, spinning around in place a few times to shower Steelix with small fires. The Pokemon felt the burn, and retaliated without awaiting for Jasmine's order. It's massive tail swung with almost lightning-fast speed, striking Vulpix high into the air.

"Steelix, Tackle, but softly!"

Confused at her order, I watched as Steelix caught Vulpix with his mouth out of the air, then chucked her towards me. I managed to catch Vulpix out of the air, avoiding any further harm from landing on the hard concrete.

"Vulpix, you okay?" She opened her eyes, but was hardly moving. That one attack had taken her out almost instantly.

"I hope your Pokemon is okay!" Jasmine sounded like her usual self, if just a bit excited all of a sudden. I put Vulpix down on the ground beside me, unsure how to proceed at this point. None of my other critters could hope to stand up to Steelix.

"Star, will you be choosing another Pokemon?" Jasmine called out to me. I wouldn't be able to stall-

Then it hit me.

I reached for Eevee's Pokeball, and released the small Pokemon out on the field. Of course, his reaction to seeing Steelix was to be expected. Both Preston and Jasmine looked at each other like I had just lost my mind. Anyone would think so, I guess.

"Star, are you sure you want to continue the battle like this?" Preston asked me, no doubt concerned over Eevee's welfare.

"I am." I did my best to sound confident, though I it would only take one false step on either my part or Eevee's for this plan to backfire entirely. Preston turned back to Jasmine and nodded.

"Very well. Steelix, Iron Tail!"

"Eevee, use Quick Attack and dodge!"

The large snake Pokemon sent his gigantic tail crashing down onto the field, but missed Eevee by quite a margin. My eyes remained glued to the Pokemon's expression, however. Just like before, without even awaiting a command from Jasmine, Steelix moved to strike Eevee with its tail again from the side.

"Eevee, jump!"

It was a close call, but Eevee managed to leap high enough into the air to avoid the second attack by Steelix. I noticed Jasmine pout a little, so I figured the follow-up attack was a tactic she used often with Steelix. I'd never go so far as to say it was a cheat, but it was a bit cheap. I looked down at Vulpix, who was watching the battle intently. One look at me, and she knew what I wanted her to do. It was cruel of me to even ask, but victory rode on her this time.

"Steelix, Bind!" Jasmine shouted.

"Eevee, keep away!"

Steelix moved in with its tail to ensnare Eevee, but my Pokemon was quick enough on its feet to avoid the larger critter. I shot another glance at Vulpix, who was making an honest effort to stand up again. Eevee was just out there to buy Vulpix some time to recover, after all. I'm pretty sure Jasmine noticed it as well, so why she was being so lenient during the battle was beyond me. Was she going easy on me on purpose?

"Steelix, Screech!"

That answered my question. Steelix let out a cry so sharp, even my ears started ringing. Eevee instinctively went to block out the sound, only to get swept up by Steelix's tail in the moment he remained stationary. He tried to break free of Steelix's grip, but there was no way that was going to happen.

"Steelix, just give him a little squeeze, okay?" Jasmine asked in her usual soft voice.

The Pokemon nodded, looked to Eevee, then moved to drop the Pokemon onto me. At first, I thought Steelix hadn't done anything, but Eevee landed in my arms knocked out completely. I tried waking him up, but he wouldn't be battling anymore today.

"Star, I'm afraid you've lost this battle."

I put Eevee back in his Pokeball, and looked down at Vulpix. She was back on her feet, but still clearly sluggish and tired. Sending her back out now would only serve to cause her far more pain. I let my head hang low for a moment.

"You win," I said. I had no choice but to admit it.

It was at this moment that I noticed Vulpix was standing before Steelix, back out on the arena.

"Star? Didn't you just forfeit?" Jasmine asked.

"Vulpix! Are you sure?" My faithful little fox looked back at me, nodding her head. She looked tired and beaten, but still she stood tall against Steelix. Nothing short of a miracle would win this battle for me now. I wanted to tell Vulpix to come back, to call it quits. But deep down, I knew I had to keep going.

"Vulpix still wants to fight," I said. "We'll continue battling, if that's alright with you.

Jasmine remained silent for a moment. I had already thrown in the towel, so it was completely within her power to deny my request and claim victory. A part of me actually wanted her to do that, for Vulpix's sake.

"Very well," she finally said. "Steelix, Tackle!"

"Vulpix, Flamethrower!"

The large snake closed in on Vulpix. The closer it got to her, the more I worried why she hadn't used her attack yet. The few seconds it took for Steelix to close the distance between them seemed to drag on, to the point I started screaming.

"Vulpix! Run!"

I had panicked, but Vulpix had somehow managed to keep her cool. Once Steelix's face was practically within spitting range, Vulpix blasted the Pokemon with a spray of flames. The large steel snake pulled back in pain, but it still had plenty of energy left. That was when it happened. Vulpix leapt as high as she could into the air, and used Flamethrower again. How she had managed to muster up all that energy I'll never know, but the second Flamethrower ended up being more powerful than the first. Steelix was engulfed entirely in flames for only a moment, but that was all it took.

When the attack ended, Vulpix landed back on the ground, her legs shaking. Steelix remained upright, but he was clearly burned and charred. If he so much as breathed on Vulpix at this point, she'd surely tumble and be out for good. The air was hot and tense for a few seconds.

The large snake flashed red for a moment before it was drained into its Pokeball on the other side of the arena. With her opponent gone, Vulpix let out a small bark before collapsing on the ground. Jasmine walked across the arena towards me, while I ran to Vulpix's side. She was now exhausted completely, and collapsed in my arms. Jasmine kneeled down before me, offering me two things in her hands.

"Here," she said as she handed me the items. "Take this for your Pokemon, and this Mineralbadge. Congratulations."

I sprayed the potion she gave me on Vulpix, which quickly renewed her energy. She still needed plenty of rest, but at least she wasn't in as much pain now. I took the badge and put it in my bag, intent on attaching it to my card later on.

"Thanks, Jasmine. That was one of my hardest battles." Not to mention one we managed on sheer luck alone, I guess. I picked up Vulpix, and stood up myself. Jasmine and I locked eyes, this being the first time since we met.

"It-" she started, but stopped short. After a deep breath, and a smile, she continued, "It was an honor to battle you. I hope we see each other again, Star."