Waves of Battle

Brawly's appearance matched every other person on the beach at the crack of dawn every morning, and it was easy to understand why he was so popular. Dewford Island was known for its surfing with massive waves bringing the world champions of the sport there every year, and Brawly was no amateur. Surfing championships littered the Gym walls with images of his trophies and even how he toured the world as a young trainer competing against professionals and winning. Though now, in his most experienced years, he returned home to rejuvenate and protect its sandy shores and beautiful hills and tropical forests. He gained the respect, the key to Dewford Town and continued being one of the most strongest Gym Leaders in Hoenn. Wearing a white tank top and light blue striped board shorts below, Brawly stood with his always wet black hair and glanced at his challenger ahead with a slight smile. The Gym was entirely indoors with water surrounding them both, large rocks and boulders jutting out of the ground that had a smaller circle within where the battle would begin.

Rod had noticed the terrain, different to anything he had every experienced before, however what had shocked him was the lack of sight he had to some areas. The rocks were so large, connecting to the high ceiling that if any of the Pokemon went underwater, he would have no idea where they were or how to command them. It was a game of trust, and something Brawly was known for in his battling style where his Fighting Types would be able to command the battlefield and dominate whilst their opponents struggled. Three on three, no introductions and the Dewford City Gym Leader was already throwing a Pokeball into the air.

Brawly cleared his throat, his Pokeball flashing into life ahead, as he called, "Machop, let's go!"

The Superpower Pokemon appeared, landing on the circular battlefield with as it echoed around screeching at Rod who took a slight step back and adjusted his headband. Machop were known to be incredibly strong and agile, but also to be incredibly reckless if untrained and found in the wild, in addition they were naturally fit and in a Gym so full of rocks, this was the perfect Pokemon to fight with. Throwing his own Pokeball into the air, forcing himself to stick to the battle strategy he had been practising over the past week, Rod yelled, "Starly, I choose you!"

As the Starling Pokemon appeared above, Emma and Forrest watched on from the side as the tension in the Gym already begun to rise. Brawly had barely spoken a word as they arrived at the Gym, and immediately thrust Rod into the qualms of battle without any introduction. Emma turned and asked, her blond hair swaying and slightly frazzled from the humidity, "I know you said Rod would destroy him, but Brawly is looking so calm and confident."

Forrest knew too well what game Brawly was playing, and he had to do it numerous times back at the Pewter City Gym himself. Smiling slightly, and scratching his head, Forrest responded, "He has to show those aspects to scare his opponents, but Rod has to focus and use what he learnt from the S.S. Tidal and back at Rustboro City."

Brawly decided to begin the battle himself, with no mercy on the cards as always in his own Gym, "Machop, use Cross Chop!

"Use Quick Attack to get away from it!"

Machop charged in and used the nearby rocks to boost itself in height as it expertly manoeuvred up to Starly's airborne self at higher altitudes. However, the Starling Bird was quick to avoid the attack as it flashed white and spiralled away, the powerful Cross Chop missing completely as the Superpower Pokemon decimated a large boulder with frightening ease. Rod was already sensing a trend here with Brawly's strategy, and it came directly from the Fighting Type Pokemon he had in his arsenal. Machop continued to charge in, its stamina not wavering one bit as each Cross or Karate Chop destroyed more of the battlefield and made it immediately easier for Rod to see and his Pokemon to move around. Starly continued to circle around, but Brawly did not look concerned as Rod watched him closely and wondered what his next move would be, surely he would have to switch it up soon!

Brawly brushed his hair aside and commanded, raising an arm as his muscles flexed, "Machop, use Mach Punch. Don't miss!"

Starly was smacked down from high above as Machop's speed increased with the Mach Punch, allowing it to find its opponent and literally teleport in front to land the powerful move. It's fists glowed blue as it smeared across the Gym, revealing how fast it truly moved, but Rod had predicted an attack like that. Brawly needed more speed as Starly would be generally faster overall, but it was time to continue his strategy as he replied, "Starly, use Double Team!"

More Mach Punches rained down but the Starling Bird flashed white once again as it duplicated itself around the entire Gym with Machop frozen in its tracks unable to read its proper target. With a smile, Rod commanded a final Aerial Ace attack as hundreds of Starly now circling and charging in to a terrified Superpower Pokemon that cowered down in the middle of the battlefield. The fake Starly vanished into thin air as the real one made contact last, charging its beak into the back of Machop's torso as it flipped twice in mid air before landing heavily into another sharp boulder, screaming out in pain. Starly spiralled backwards, screeching loudly at its fallen target below as Machop, heavily bruised, was urged back onto its feet by its trainer. Brawly looked more impressed than concerned as he nodded in approval at Rod's battling style. If there was one thing he had learnt from the recent battle with Chris, it was to not get close to a physically strong opponent without a solid plan in sight.

Rod continued, wanting Machop to be out of the battle as quick as possible, "Starly, use Aerial Ace again!"

Machop could only look up before another powerful Flying type move struck it back down, this time hitting the water with an almighty splash, as the wake of the move echoed powerfully around the entire Gym. Emma stood up and cheered before nervously sitting back down, the tension still high as Rod's eyes were not moving from the spot where Machop had fallen. However, it's trainer coughed and returned it instantly to a Pokeball, the red light glistening as it made contact with the water and sending bloodshot colours in all directions.

Applauding slightly, Brawly smiled, his perfect teeth shining back, and called across the field, "Very nice battling style, Rod. Fluid and impressive, but this battle is not over yet."

Starly screeched, landing on Rod's shoulder as he responded with more confidence than ever before, "I refuse to lose, Brawly. I refuse!"

"That's the spirit, but it will take more than that!" Brawly twisted, revealing another Pokeball as she chucked it high into the air, "Heracross, you're next!"

Emma gasped in shock, leaning backwards and muttering, "Heracross? That has a double weakness to Rod's Starly, why would he choose that?"

Forrest had no answer as they watched the Single Horn Pokemon appear, its large central horn aimed towards Rod and Starly like a sword ready to strike. Starly returned to the air once again, unharmed from the first battle, but tiring slightly from flying around so much. Rod knew an Aerial Ace would deal powerful damage on this Pokemon, but why would Brawly choose it with a Flying Type being so much more effective?

Taking his chance to go first, Rod decided to go for it, "Aerial Ace, Starly! Let's finish this off fast!"

"Rock Tomb, Heracross!"

Starly was flattened instantly as large rocks appeared out of thin air with Heracross' horn glowing red as the Starling Bird felt the full force of the Rock Tomb move. Rod adjusted his headband and called for further commands but Starly could not avoid the onslaught of the powerful rocks that smashed and diminished all around with Brawly now looking even more confident. In one simple and quick move, the tide of battle had completely twisted into Brawly's hands as his Single Horn Pokemon screeched loudly in victory with a fainted Starly in front shivering in pain as heavy bruising appeared on its wings. Gripping his hands hard as they formed into fists, Rod was forced to return his defeated Pokemon as Emma and Forrest leaned back against the cool stone walls with realisation kicked in. Brawly was right, it wasn't over yet.

Reacting quickly, already punishing himself for charging head first into an attack without testing the strength of his opponent, Rod took out his next Pokeball and threw it high into the air as it exploded into life under his call, "Corphish, I choose you!"

The Ruffian Pokemon appeared, recently caught but ready for battle as Rod had spent extensive hours training it immediately after encapsulating it into his Pokeball. Slicing the air clean with its powerful pincers, Rod looked on at the much larger Heracross with a hint of caution in his movements. Brawly looked at his Pokemon choice and seemed to shake his head slightly before calling, raising a powerful arm again, "Heracross, use Arm Thrust! Charge it back!"

Rod swiped through the air, aiming at the water as he responded quickly, "Corphish, underwater!"

Heracross dived in, its arms flashing white and smacking the air repeatedly as it moved faster than Rod expected. Corphish took a second to react, still gaining its trainers full trust, before plopping itself into the water with a splash with the Arm Thrust missing from above. Forrest smiled and remarked, "Clever move from Rod! He's using the battlefield to his advantage, and Heracross would struggle with an opponent underwater!"

The Single Horn Pokemon continued to dive over the water, its wings flapping ridiculously fast as Corphish continued to dodge the attacks down under. Every single time an Arm Thrust made contact, the water began to swell as heavy waves soon began to splash around the Gym with Rod's clothes and bag getting soaked cold, but he remained focussed. Brawly began to get more frustrated at the lack of offensive strategy from Rod as he commanded further attacks, mixing a Brick Break and Close Combat into the mix that Corphish dodged again. The Ruffian Pokemon would be a lot faster in the water than on land, and Rod was counting on this before finding the perfect opportunity to attack.

A split second later, Rod saw the chance with Heracross pulling out of a Close Combat, its body flashing red in recoil as he yelled, "Corphish, use Bubblebeam!"

Powerful red bubbles shot out from the moving water as Heracross was forced back, using its horn to deflect some away before they dominated. Pushed backwards with Brawly now reeling at the unexpected attack, Corphish increased its speed as it continued to shoot bouts of bubbles at its opponent leaving Heracross unable to move and steadily getting confused. The waves had now increased as the entire central battlefield became more and more submerged with Emma and Forrest retreating to higher areas of the Gym to avoid getting sucked into the formed whirlpools. Brawly laughed and raised both hands, his eyes sparkling, "I am a surfing expect, Rod! You really think using the water against me is going to work? Heracross, use Pin Missile and push it all back!"

Spinning at a rate so fast it became a dark blue blur, Heracross unleashed an all encompassing Pin Missile attack as large spikes appeared from its body and hit the oncoming waves of water, pushing them back. Corphish was nowhere to be seen, but the Bubblebeam attack had halted instantly with the return attack coming from its opponent, but still the waves continued to increase velocity. Rod was losing track of where his Pokemon was he tried to look around, but the waves blocked his path with random Pins firing towards him and landing on a screeching Corphish underwater. Brawly followed up with a Megahorn, a move that Rod did not want to hear due to its sheer brutality and strength. The Single Horn Pokemon powered up its trademark weapon as it turned green and awaited for Corphish, now spinning out of control in the water nearby as Rod finally caught a glimpse, and prepared to strike.

"Protect!" Rod bellowed loudly as he swallowed a large bout of salty sea water, coughing loudly before glancing up. Heracross had made powerful contact, its horn angled and smashing down towards the smaller Corphish, but then a circular orb appeared around the Ruffian Pokemon. Megahorn hadn't landed and Protect had taken effect, forcing it away with Corphish screeching loudly once again. Rod saw the one final wave coming around the circular Gym once again, large and menacing, and it was now time to use it. "Corphish, use Crab Hammer! Finish this!"

Catching the wave with perfect ease, Corphish roared loudly with its pincers flashing white and hardening to land the move. Heracross was still faltering back from its failed move as the velocity sent Corphish flying forwards and landing the powerful Water based move heavily towards the middle of the Single Horn Pokemon. Surprised, shocked and severely winded, Heracross hit the deck with a disdainful thud as the water finally calmed around them all with Corphish screeching in victory in its first ever official battle. Rod punched the air in joy, knowing he had taken out one of Brawly's toughest Pokemon, the Gym Leader looking on with a stunned expression on his face.

Emma clasped her hands together as she exclaimed, "That was amazing! How did Rod learn to do all that?"

Forrest replied, immediately understanding Rod's strategy and why it had worked on Brawly's physical based Pokemon, "He is taking what he failed with against Chris to the next level. He has only struck his opponents physically maybe twice so far, and they were knock out blows. He's avoiding getting too close and it is paying off for him!"

Brawly overheard his words and nodded in agreement as he returned his Heracross safely to its Pokeball, and called, "Chris did defeat me recently, I remember the name."

Immediately curious, Rod returning his Corphish to the Pokeball as he decided to go with a fresh partner for Brawly's final Pokemon, he asked, "How did Chris manage to beat you? Similar strategy?"

"Chris battles very differently, more direct." Brawly seemed uninterested, or even unwanting, to mention anything further on the topic as he revealed his final Pokeball from within his board shorts and called, "This final Pokemon will test you again, Rod! Meditite, let's go!"

"Ivysaur, I choose you!"

Rod's Seed Pokemon appeared first, exploding from the Pokeball as it bounced back to its trainers hand, and roared loudly. It's bulb on the back was still blossoming as its leaves gathered water instantly from its surroundings and glimmered in green Grass energy. Brawly's final Pokemon appeared next, the Meditate Pokemon, as Rod glanced at it completely unaware of what it was. Floating mysteriously in the air, Meditite's blue body was shivering as if it was cold as its white coloured head flashed and released a shock wave of energy in all directions.

Taking out his Pokedex, Rod aimed it as it spluttered into life. 'Meditite, the Meditate Pokemon, only eats one berry a day. By enduring hunger, it's spirit grows stronger and becomes stronger.'

Psychic and Fighting hybrid, and another blend of Pokemon types that Rod was not expecting or had ever come across properly before. Ivysaur had the disadvantage here, especially if it was going to use its Psychic powers, but also that the Seed Pokemon was not anywhere as mobile as his Starly or Corphish in the arena. Brawly raised a hand, offering Rod the first move as he immediately obliged and commanded, hoping that his strategy would work, "Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"

Sharp leaves appeared under its growing ones as they fired across the battlefield, the power resonating around as the water began to shift and turn once again. Brawly did not need to command his Pokemon as Meditite immediately moved to dodge every single leaf approaching. Rod could only look in awe and shock at how quick and agile this Pokemon was as it remained in midair and twisting its body in so many waves to avoid damage completely. Ivysaur roared in shock as Brawly smiled and replied, "Meditite, use Psyshock! Test how agile they are!"

Purple orbs formed around the Meditate Pokemon as Rod immediately called for his partner to avoid the attacks, but it was near impossible as they fired in from all angles. Ivysaur jumped and rolled as best as it could to avoid the first couple, but then was completely helpless as the remaining charged in and landed for devastating damage. Smoke and dust exploded from the battlefield as the remaining boulders and rocks shattered into nothing under the weight of the attack, but Ivysaur still seemed to remain standing, albeit already shaking from the damage done. Coughing, Rod wiped his face from the dust and forced himself to focus, but Brawly had completely changed his battling style.

From a physical based style, he now was using a Pokemon that would attack from a distance and keep Rod away from striking more directly. Rod had to change things up, and he commanded, "Ivysaur, charge in and use Vine Whip to block the attacks!"

The Seed Pokemon dived forwards as Meditite unleashed another barrage of Psyshock that fired forwards as it continued to hover in mid-air with its psychic powers. Ivysaur dived through the first round as its four powerful vines were unleashed ahead to repel some of the attacks. For a second, Rod thought his plan at worked, but Ivysaur was just not able to get much closer with the intensity increasing and Meditite revealing no indication of holding off at all. Ivysaur was thrust aside easily as it screeched in pain, skidding across the floor before preventing itself from falling into the deep water with its vines. Brawly looked on with a sense of arrogance now, knowing that Rod could get nowhere close to his Pokemon and Emma could be heard muttering to Forrest as to how he could possibly be beaten.

Rod scanned the entire battlefield gazing at the disintegrated rocks from the first battle against Machop, and the swirling water from what Corphish had done against Heracross and then back down at the circle in the middle. The floor had been heavily cracked, and as Ivysaur regained balance and snarled at the Meditation Pokemon in front of it, Rod knew he would have to do something completely different here to win. An idea sprung to mind, but it came down to if Ivysaur could pull it off. Agreeing and adjusting his headband once again, Rod aimed at the water and cried, "Ivysaur, use Leach Seed!"

Firing three small seeds towards Meditite, Brawly's facial expression changed slightly, and it started to absorb energy as it began to struggle to remove them. Ivysaur regained strength and Rod continued with another Vine Whip attack, but this time aimed towards the water. Large waves began to fervent around as they smacked against the stone walls, ricocheting towards Meditite. Brawly called, trying to keep a straight face in Rod's unusual battling style, "Use Confusion, push the waves away from you."

"Keep it going, Vine Whip!"

Ivysaur dived from side to side and extended its long vines as they slammed against the water rhythmically with more waves appearing. Meditite flashed purple as it pushed the waves back, but Ivysaur watched carefully with the Leech Seed attack still taking effect. Brawly began to grow frustrated as he commanded, his voice getting louder as it echoed around, "Meditite, use Confusion and push the waves away! Then use Psyshock!"

The waves were completely repelled back as the Gym was left back in the calm for a second with Brawly about to command the completed Psyshock move. However, Rod was one step ahead this time as he stood there smiling with a sense of finality in the air. Ivysaur was nowhere to be seen on the battlefield as the water settled to silence. Rod aimed his finger at Meditite, now hovering lower than before, and called, "Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf! Finish this!"

From high above, Ivysaur reappeared as Brawly looked up, his eyes widened in horror, as a barrage of Razor Leaves struck down with Meditite completely taken unawares. Rod's strategy had worked, and Ivysaur was able to get close without being noticed using its most trademark technique. With the waves distracting the opponent and its trainer, Ivysaur had launched itself into the air with its Vines and struck down from above. The Meditation Pokemon was completely shell-shocked as the powerful attack sent it collapsing to the ground with heavy bruises appearing all over its body before it limped to one side. Ivysaur landed back next to Rod as it roared in victory with Brawly looking over, his eyes still widened as reality set in. Rod had won by three Pokemon to one in his greatest victory yet as a Pokemon trainer.

Forrest and Emma began to applaud loudly as Brawly returned his Pokemon and jumped the rocks until he stood in front of Rod, his face now relaxed. They shook hands immediately, Rod breathing heavily after the intensity of the battle, and still not believing he had so much confidence in his strategy and that he pulled it off. Brawly spoke, clearing his throat first, "I have been a Gym Leader for many years, Rod, but I have never seen someone battle like that before."

"T-thank you, Brawly. It was a really fun battle, I guess I got a bit lucky!" Rod replied with a smile as Ivysaur jumped up and down with joy.

"You had a strategy and it worked along with avoiding my traps, you completely nullified them and transformed this Gym into your own. You deserve the Knuckle Badge."

A small blue badge was passed from hand to hand as Rod lifted it up towards the rocky ceiling, a circular pane of glass releasing light into the gym as it shone. Small, blue with a tinge of orange, but yet something so incredibly uplifting and gratifying. The second Gym Badge of Rod's trainer career was finally his and he punched the air with joy again as Ivysaur leaped on top of him, forcing him to the ground as they laughed.

Brawly smiled and commented, "I recommend heading to Slateport City, and with your skills I would challenge the Slateport Regional Tournament."

Looking up, confused, Rod asked as he returned Ivysaur safely away, "Regional Tournament? What is that?"

Forrest was the one that answered as he helped Emma over the water, jumping from rock to rock, "A Regional Tournament takes place every month somewhere in Hoenn, and they allow Pokemon trainers earning their badges to compete. The winner of each one gets given a token which acts like a badge when applying for the Pokemon Championships."

"Sounds incredible..." Rod replied, looking around the Gym with his whole body throbbing in confidence and excitement. "I'll definitely compete! Let's head to Slateport City!"

Dewford Island began to cool down that evening with the news of Brawly losing to yet another trainer pounding through the village as many were shocked and surprised. The S.S. Tidal would pick them up the next morning, returning from its weekly trip around the Hoenn Seas as Rod looked forwards into the sunset to await his next adventure...