Ascending the Sprout

Violet City was quite a sight to behold, if you'd never seen a city with a Pokémon Gym before. Compared to the other, quite country villages, it was bustling with life and action. Trainers filtered in and out of the Poké Center, young children gathered around the door of the trainer's school and entrepreneurs milled around, trying to sell their merchandise to unsuspecting young trainers.

From his vantage point at the entrance of the city, Polo could see the Sprout Tower, a grand tower from the olden days of Pokémon, towering over the other buildings, right in the middle of Violet Lake. He wondered what it was for, then made a bee-line for the Gym.

A man was standing in front of the Gym's entrance. "Excuse me," Polo said. "Do you reckon I could go in?"

"Ah, so you're interested in challenging Falkner, eh?" the man was a well-built, aging man with receding black hair.

"If he's the Gym Leader, then yes."

"I'm sorry, young man," the man shook his head. "But Falkner does not accept any challengers who have not defeated Elder Li."

"Elder Li?" Polo asked, confused.

"Elder Li is the top Sage, who resides the top of Sprout Tower. To reach him, you must defeat all of the other Sages who train in the tower. Falkner will not let anyone challenge him who hasn't done so."

"Huh," Polo said. "Well, I guess I better be off to Sprout Tower, then."

"Yes, you probably should," the man said. "Come back when, and if, you're finished. Good luck!"

Polo nodded and turned to walk. The Sprout Tower was just a short walk through the town, and across the Violet Lake boardwalk. Polo walked there quickly, looking up at the gargantuan Sprout Tower. He had been told that the tower was 100-feet tall, and that the central pillar was thought to be a 100-foot tall Bellsprout. Before too long, he found himself at the front door, and entered.

The inside of the tower smelt of damp wood. Everything was dark, and a few oil lamps were the only source of light. A few people stood around, murmuring softly and looking at the amazing architecture of the building. When he looked up, Polo could see through the flimsy, wooden floors, through to the top of the tower where two trainers were battling. The tower's main pillar, a huge wooden pillar going all the way to the top, swayed in the wind, creaking.

"Welcome," a voice said from the far end of the room. A man dressed in long robes appeared. "I am a Sage here at Sprout Tower. Have you come to challenge Elder Sage Li?"

"Uh, yeah," Polo said.

"Elder Li is at the top of the tower," the Sage said, approaching Polo. "You can reach him by navigating a series of ladders. Be warned: there are many trainers in the tower who may wish to battle you."

"Alright," Polo said. "Thanks."

"The first ladder is down the back of the room. Good luck."

Polo nodded, then continued to the back of the room. A rickety old wooden ladder stood, leading through a hatch up into the next story. Polo climbed up.

"Pidgey, go!" Polo released his Pidgey, ready to battle anyone who came his way. Pidgey flapped its wings, hovering beside Polo as he walked through the darkness.

Polo crept forwards, conscious of the creak his every footstep made. Pidgey cooed nervously. The only light was at the end of the passageway, illuminating a ladder.

"Prepare to battle!" a voice whispered out of the darkness.

Polo cried out in shock as a Bellsprout was released before him.
"Pidgey, Gust!" he said quickly. Pidgey flew at the Bellsprout, flapping its wings madly, creating a small gust of air. The Gust hit the Bellsprout, knocking it backwards. It cried out in pain, then readjusted itself to face Polo and Pidgey.

Polo pulled out his Pokédex. "Let's see how this thing actually works." Polo pressed the Dex's big red button, which scanned Bellsprout, then began pouring out a torrent of information.

"Bellsprout, the Flower Pokémon. Grass/Poison type. Evolves into Weepinbell via level-up, then Victreebell via exposure to Leaf Stone. Native to Kanto and eastern Johto. Also found in Sinnoh. Weak to Flying, Fire, Psychic and Ice moves. Resists Fighting, Water and Electric attacks. Doubly resists Grass. The Bellsprout has a very limited moveset, which focuses mainly on status ailment-causing moves," the Pokédex paused, then scanned Pidgey. "Bellsprout should be taken out by a Gust attack and a Tackle attack. Damage to your Pokémon should be limited, because Bellsprout can only learn Vine Whip at this level. Risk factor: 1."

"Woah," Polo said, fazed. "I did not expect that much information."
"Your machine is something," a Sage said, stepping out of the shadows. "But it will not predict the outcome of this battle! Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"

A vine protruded from the Bellsprout's sides, and whipped itself at Pidgey. Pidgey almost dodged it by flying, but the vine clipped its wing. Pidgey was not hurt at all, however.

"Oh really?" Polo chuckled. "Pidgey, Tackle!"

Pidgey threw itself at the Bellsprout, slamming it in the side.

"Spraaaaaa!" the Bellsprout cried, then fainted.

"Pidgey!" Pidgey cried.

"Yeah!" Polo said. "Take that!"
"You are indeed a good trainer," the Sage said, recalling his Bellsprout. "You may now past. There are many more trainers waiting to face you, however."

Polo saluted the Sage, and him and Pidgey moved on, towards the second ladder.

After navigating the tower, going up and down its ladders, Polo had finally come to the last ladder. Upstairs, he could hear the sounds of battling, and the voice of a young boy.

"Hm," he said to himself as he grabbed the first rung. "Perhaps it's Hazza, or Ywazeey."

He climbed up the ladder and through the small porthole, his Pidgey cooing behind him.

Polo set eyes on two people standing opposite each other, a triumphant Zubat and a fainted Bellsprout in between them. The person standing furthest away from Polo was an old, bald, bearded man in a long, purple robe, frowning worriedly, not satisfied with the result. The person standing nearest to Polo, was a young boy with red-hair, who Polo quickly identified as…

"Silver!"

Silver, who had been laughing with triumph, stopped and turned to Polo.

"Ah, if it isn't Polo!" he smirked. "What are you doing here? You really think you're tough enough to challenge the Gym Leader here?"

"Well," Polo said, slightly nervously. "All I can do is try…"

"Pah!" Silver said, letting his Zubat back into its Poké Ball. "Well, good luck, loser."

He pushed past Polo and climbed down the ladder.

Polo stood, staring down the ladder, his Pidgey coming to rest on his shoulder.

"What an incredibly rude young man!"

Polo turned to face the old man, slightly surprised. He stood at the other end of the dark, damp room, the floorboards creaking as he pushed a small yellow object into his unconscious Pokémon's mouth.

"Allow me to introduce myself," he said, letting his Bellsprout back into its Poké Ball. "My name is Li, and I am the Elder Sage here at the Sprout Tower. For over forty years I have accepted young challengers who are making their way through the land, and for the past twenty, I have been the prerequisite for challenging the Gym Leader here."

"Wait," Polo said. "You mean the Gym hasn't been here for very long?"

"No," Elder Li said. "But you'll find out more about local history when, if, you defeat me and you challenge Falkner. So, my young friend, are you ready to battle?"

Polo nodded. "Readier than ever."

"Alright," the Elder said, bowing slightly. With lightning speed, he reached for a Poké Ball that hung at his side, and tossed it towards Polo. "Go, Bellsprout!"

Polo had become well accustomed to the Flower Pokémon, and nudged his, shoulder, sending Pidgey into the air.

"Come on, Pidgey!" he said. "Gust!"

Pidgey flew towards the Bellsprout, cooing, and with a flap of its wings, sent a small gust of wind towards the Bellsprout, executing the now-familiar Gust technique. The Bellsprout took the attack, flying backwards, but rolled over as it fell, remaining upright.

"Spraaaa!" it cried.

"Bellsprout!" Elder Li said. "Use Vine Whip!"

"Quick Attack, Pidgey!"

As the Bellsprout's vines whipped towards the Flying Pokémon, Pidgey flew at the Bellsprout with lightning speed. The vines hit Pidgey, but didn't stop it, and it continued flying, until it crashed into the Bellsprout, knocking it even further back and weakening it even more.

"Now, Pidgey!" Polo said. "One more Gust attack!"

Pidgey circled around from behind Bellsprout, who was still recuperating from the attack, and flapped its wings from behind the Pokémon, knocking it towards Polo. The Bellsprout let out one final cry of defeat, and fainted.

"Bellsprout, come back!" Elder Li said. The Pokémon returned to its Poké Ball, and the Elder looked at Polo, amused. "I say, you are quite the trainer. I wouldn't be surprised if you defeated my next Pokémon." He reached for another Poké Ball. "Go, Hoothoot!"

With a blaze of white light, a small bird appeared, flapping its short wings, which were barely keeping it upright. Polo flipped open his Pokédex, and pressed the big button.

"Hoothoot," it said. "The Owl Pokémon. Normal/Flying type. Evolves into Noctowl via level-up. Found only at night-time, found all over Johto, and in far-south-western Kanto. Weak to Rock, Electric and Ice attacks. Resists Grass and Bug attacks. Immune to Ghost and Ground attacks. The Hoothoot learns a few Flying type moves and a lot of Psychic moves. Analysis: A formidable opponent, but a chance to get some experience for weaker Pokémon. At this level, along with low attack stat, its attacks are not very powerful." The Pokédex bleeped, then flipped off.
"Hm," Polo said. "In that case, I guess I'll let Sentret get some experience. Pidgey, come back!"

Pidgey cooed, then returned to its Poké Ball via the beam of light.

"Go, Sentret!" Polo threw another Poké Ball, releasing the Scout Pokémon before the Hoothoot.

"Sennnnnn!" it cried.

"Hm," Elder Li said, stroking his bearded chin. "You are quite a smart trainer, Polo. But are you strong enough?"

"You know what?" Polo said cheerfully. "I'm starting to think I am."

"Well, good!" the Elder said. "Go, Hoothoot, Peck!"

The Hoothoot flew at Sentret, trying to catch it by surprise, but it countered well, throwing its shoulder into the incoming Pokémon, sending it flying over.

"Hm!" Elder Li said. "Very smart. And powerful."

"That's right!" Polo said, smiling. "Go, Sentret! Scratch!"

Sentret ran at Hoothoot, and jumped up, its claws extended, and scratched it across the face. The Hoothoot gave a yelp of pain, and was knocked backwards by the attack.

"Now, finish it off with a Quick Attack!"

Sentret again ran at the Hoothoot, but this time jumped up and slammed its body into the Flying Pokémon, bringing it to the ground. The Hoothoot hit the hard, wooden floor with a smack, and fainted.

"Hoothoot!" Elder Li said. "Come back!"

The Pokémon returned to its Poké Ball.

"Now," the Elder said. "I have only one Pokémon left, and I very much believe you can defeat it." He paused, reaching to his belt. "Another Bellsprout! Go, Bellsprout!"

Elder Li sent out another Bellsprout that looked very similar to his first one.

"Alright," Polo said. "Come back, Sentret!"

Sentret returned to its Poké Ball.

"Go, Pidgey!"

Again, Polo sent out the Tiny Bird Pokémon, its small wings flapping as it flew in front of the Flower Pokémon.

"Use your Gust attack, Pidgey!"

Pidgey flew at the Bellsprout, executing its Gust attack yet again. The Bellsprout was knocked back, just like the last one.

"Now, quick!" Polo said. "Use your Gust attack again!"

Again, Pidgey flew at the Pokémon, knocking it back yet again, and knocking it out.

"Yeah!" Polo cried. "Good work, Pidgey!"

Pidgey flew towards Polo, cooing excitedly, and landed on his head. Polo laughed, and stroked the Flying Pokémon gingerly.

"Well done, young trainer," Elder Li said, returning his Bellsprout to its Poké Ball. "Unlike the last trainer to challenge me, you have true compassion for Pokémon. That is why, as well as giving you permission to challenge the Violet Gym, I am also giving you this Technical Machine."

Elder Li strolled over to Polo and handed him a small disc in a plastic CD case.

"Ah, a Technical Machine," Polo said. "Haven't seen one of these for a while."

"This particular one contains is TM70, which contains Flash," the Elder said. "It cuts the foes accuracy by blinding it with a flash of light. It can also be used to light up dark caves, like," Li coughed. "Dark Cave, which is just outside of Violet City."

"Well, thank you!" Polo said.

"No thanks necessary, young trainer," Elder Li said. "I had a lot of fun in our battle. Your battle techniques are interesting, and innovative. Good luck, Polo, I really think you can defeat Falkner."

"Thanks, Elder Li," Polo said. "Goodbye!"

"Good luck, Polo!" Elder Li said again. "Remember your time in the Sprout Tower!"

Polo waved one last time, and climbed down the ladder, his Pidgey on his shoulder, cooing.