A/N:- I think this is the fastest I've ever written something. I'm quite shocked! Just would like to thank everybody who read, reviewed and added to alerts etc. It's lovely to hear what you think, and I appreciate it so very much. I hope you enjoy the chapter; it gets rolling a little bit more now :) Any mistakes are mine, and I am terribly sorry.
Disclaimer: - I don't own Skins or Pokemon or anything related to them.
It was ten minutes after I'd seen the young girl dash to the Pokemon Centre, and I'd still not plucked up the courage to go inside yet.
The sun was beginning to set, blanketing the city in a yellow orange glow. Unfortunately, this in turn cast the Gym in a black shadow, making it look even more menacing than before. I glanced upwards taking in its shape.
It was a big building, with red bricks and a viridian green roof to symbolise the city's name. Above the door was a large version of the Earth Badge, and to the side, a list of Miss Fitch's past opponents.
Studying the list, I noticed that not that many people had actually beaten her in battle.
A familiar name caught my eye towards the bottom of the worn list. I could just about read what it said:
Effy Stonem. Victory. Earth Badge received.
Naomi, aged 13.
"Blaze use Ember!" I screamed at my Charmander in desperation, as his light flames barely had effect on the Eevee before him. It was too late though. The opponents Eevee used Sand attack again, effectively blinding Blaze for a period of time, before attacking him one last time with Tackle.
It was almost like watching in slow motion as I watched his body go limp, before he fainted, collapsing hard on the dusty ground.
I ran over to him as fast as my young legs could carry me, covering him with my jacket and making sure his tail flame was still lit.
Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision as I looked up. My opponent was laughing at my despair. This just made the tears fall harder.
What was I even thinking? I knew Blaze wasn't strong enough for such a tough battle, especially after the two-day walk we had endured before reaching Cerulean City.
"Nice try. But we both knew how this would end. See you around!" She said coldly.
"Oh, and have this. Who knows, maybe next time you'll win." A blue laminated card was flung in my direction, landing just by my feet.
I picked it up from the dirt, studying it carefully. It was a trainer card, just like I thought. Suppose I may as well look at the name of the trainer who defeated me so easily:
Effy Stonem
Pewter City
Trainer Number: 021345
End Flashback.
It had been a long time since I had crossed paths with Effy. The last time being about a year ago down in Celadon City at the department store. We battled of course, this time we were much better matched, but to my disappointment, I still lost shamelessly.
But right now, I was feeling stronger than ever. I had Blaze and Bolt, and we were a team, a team strong enough to defeat anyone!
Suddenly getting a boost of confidence, I took my chance and advanced through the Gym doors.
Woah. Inside the Gym was a whole other story. I thought the outside was intimidating.
The walls were made of granite and were closed in to create a single dirt pathway up the middle. Rocks and boulders were scattered haphazardly around the doorway. I was sure I just saw a Geodude scurry behind one of the larger ones.
The roof was also made of granite, it created a cave-like feeling, making me very claustrophobic, reminding me of my adventure through the Dark Tunnel. Not an adventure I want to be thinking of right now.
Anyway, I'm not here to dither about. I took a few tentative step forwards, not feeling very certain of the floors safety. After all, many Gym leaders think of it as fun to make it as difficult as possible to reach them in the first place, usually tiring out their challengers before the battle even begins.
But I'm determined not to let my game slip, however tricky it may be to get to Miss Fitch.
After I'd decided that the floor wasn't going to give way or anything of the sort, I picked up my pace and meandered down the long corridor, still keeping on my toes, just incase.
"BOO!" Someone screamed to the left, scaring the life out of me! My heart was pounding, grabbing at my chest I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm my out of control pulse. I readied myself with a scowl as I turned to face the idiot that shouted at me, they are so dead!
A Junior Trainer. Typical. I watched him brush the dust off his blue shirt, and khaki trousers.
"Ahaha! Got you!" He sneered, fiddling with the cap on top of his mousy brown hair. "Anyway, before you get to Emily, you have to beat me first!"
And at that I smirked. He was probably all of about 13. I remember how badly I battled when I was his age, my mind going back to Effy again. This was going to be so easy!
"Rattata, go!" Shouted the Junior, as I made a move to release Bolt.
Bolt's Pokeball opened as it hit the rocky floor, the red light bringing his form into the battle. His shoulders rippled as he stretched, and he cried a victory call.
"Not just yet Buddy! Though I doubt this will be very tough. You relax out there!" I yelled. "Now, start off with Tackle!"
Bolt charged towards the Junior's Rattata, it's eyes widening in shock, as it was struck from the side, and smashed to the ground.
Grinning, I called Bolt to his next move. "Good job Bolt. Now hit him with Thunder!"
The Gym floor rumbled as the power of Bolt's Thunder began to charge. The Rattata barely had chance to recover before the Thunder was unleashed upon it.
"Yes, yes, yes!" I called. The buzz from defeating the Junior's first Pokemon was amazing! I couldn't wait to send his next one to the ground as well.
"You may have beaten my Rattata, but when you see my next Pokemon, you won't know what will have hit you!" He smirked.
"Go, Rhyhorn!" Ut-oh. It suddenly all came crashing down. My dreams of winning the Earth Badge. Earth Bade. EARTH Badge! My Blaze and Bolt were going to be completely out of their league against Miss Fitch's Ground type Pokemon. Bolt's moves are barely effective, and neither are Blaze's.
This is going to be a lot harder than I thought.
It took real hard teamwork and effort, but eventually after one of the most excruciating battles of my life so far, the Junior's Rhyhorn finally fainted, and did I breathe a sigh of relief when it did!
He returned his Rhyhorn to its ball and scurried out of the Gym. Fair enough. Must have bruised his ego a little.
Chuckling, I reached into my satchel and grabbed two Hyper Potions, and sprayed both Bolt and Blaze with them. I discarded the empty bottles back in my satchel and carried on along the corridor, hoping that there would be no more surprises along the way.
I gasped as I reached the end of the path, and headed into a large room, which contained the stadium. It was incredible. The granite decor continued, and there were still boulders strewn everywhere, but the size of the room was baffling. You could probably fit 40 Charizards in here!
My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a cough behind me. I whipped my head around, but too quickly. I winced as pain shot through the back of my neck and lifted my hand to caress the sore area. A flash of red crossed my vision and I was met with the hard glare of a redheaded girl.
Despite the death glance, she was actually rather beautiful. No, scratch that. Stunningly beautiful for sure!
Miss Emily Fitch. Leader of the Viridian City Gym. Owner of the Earth Badge. Game on!
A/N:- Again, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for reading! Free Charmander eggs for everyone who reviews ;)
-iMakesPaxtch.
