AN: If it's not obvious, I don't own Harry Potter or Pokemon, that's why I post on a fanfiction website
Chapter Six
Jumping the First Hurdle
Last time:
"Then we better make the best of what peace we have," said Leaf, fighting to keep her voice steady. She leaned in and hugged Harry to her chest and together they watched the night sky until they fell asleep sometime after midnight, cuddled together with small smiles on their faces.
000 0000 000
The chirping of what sounded like an entire choir of Pidgeys, thought Harry, stretching, was a wonderful way to wake up. He had been dreaming of home and his mother's treacle tart when he had been roused gently from his soft spot of grass by the quiet cooing of the Bird Pokemon.
Finishing his stretch and after one more yawn, he stood and brushed off his pants. Shivering, he gently grasped Leaf's shoulders and nudged her.
"Mmmn..."
Harry smiled at the mewling noise but he knew how to wake her. His smile turned into a devious grin when he fell to his knees and got close to his friend's ear.
"Leaf! It's time to get our first badges!"
With the first word, the brunette jerked awake before losing her footing and falling over where she lay, sprawled, on the dewy grass.
"Huh..." said Leaf, her hair stuck at an absurd angle.
"C'mon Leaf, we got Gym battles today!"
The girl from Pallet shook her head, mussing her hair even more and clearing the sleepy fog from her mind.
"Wuh? Gym battles, where!" shouted Leaf blearily.
Harry laughed and stumbled his way down the bluff they had fallen asleep on.
"Come on!"
"Harry James Potter! You wait just one minute!"
Harry just laughed again.
000 0000 000
Harry and Leaf jogged to the Pokemon Center. The prospect of a hot shower and a change of clothes driving them on. Leaf still hadn't noticed how absurd her hair look jutting out to one side and Harry was in no hurry to tell her. He had to avoid looking at her for fear of laughing and alerting her of her appearance.
Entering the nearly deserted Poke-hospital, the duo quickly made for their rented, yet unused, room. Leaf managed to beat Harry to the loo so the boy wizard was forced to wait as she claimed the first shower, but not before he barked out a laugh at the shrill scream when Leaf caught sight of her appearance in the wall mounted mirror.
000 0000 000
Harry and Leaf exited their room adjusting their clothes. The boy wizard was wearing a crimson and gold tee-shirt with the profile of a lion over his heart, an unzipped white and black striped hoody, and a pair of dark gray jeans held up by his Pokeball belt and his black trainers. Leaf wore a pale purple tanktop, an unzipped pink hoody, and tan short shorts. Her hair was fixed in a ponytail and she had a pair of red and white trainers on her feet.
The duo of young trainers walked back into the lobby of the Pokemon center, laughing over their chances at Brock's Gym, when they collided with Ash and Misty, still wearing the same clothes from the dinner the night before. The jovial energy leaking from Harry and Leaf subsided at Ash's forlorn face.
"H-Hi Red," began Leaf, "good morning!" The brunette would've been more reassuring had her voices' pitch not risen three octaves during the course of her sentence.
Ash ignored Leaf and stared at Harry who stared right back, both of them ignoring the concerned looks emanating from their friends.
"Harry," said Ash in a dry, reedy voice. "I-I want to thank you."
Apparently, Leaf and Misty were not expecting that because their mouths dropped open in shock.
"You taught me a lesson," continued the boy from Pallet, who's voice had gone back to normal now that the hard part was over. "You taught me that I needed to use my brain in a battle, and that I needed to listen to the advice of my friends."
Pikachu, who had been sitting on Ash's head the entire time, nodded in agreement.
"I can't promise that I won't make mistakes anymore, but I can say that I'll do my best to think before acting."
Ash turned to the red headed girl.
"Misty, yesterday you said you'd let me borrow a Water Pokemon?"
She nodded, a small smile on her lips.
"Is the offer still open?"
Misty's smile widened.
"You bet! I have the perfect one in mind. I just need to put in a call to home and I'll have his Pokeball 'ported over!"
Misty then rounded on Harry and bowed sharply at the waist.
"I'm sorry for overreacting yesterday! I thought you were being hurtful on purpose and I should've known you'd be incapable of that. Please forgive me, Harry!"
Harry smiled and pulled Misty into a hug before gently putting her back at Ash's side.
"Of course I forgive you!" said Harry with a smile. "Now go call home. We have our Gym matches soon, if you're still coming then you need to move quickly!"
"We'll meet you there!" yelled Ash with a wave.
Misty and Ash grinned and made for the video phones by the Pokemon Transference Machine.
Shaking their heads, Harry and Leaf left the Center and walked to the Gym.
000 0000 000
The Pewter City Gym was a tall building and stood imposing over many of the surrounding structures. It had thick granite walls, a flat roof, and tinted windows. Instead of grass, it's front garden was sandy and had sharp, obsidian boulders dotting it's corners.
"Shall we go?" asked Harry feeling a lot less confident now that he was here.
Leaf swallowed nervously but nodded silently all the same. At once, the two newbie Trainers stepped onto the path leading to the Gym's entrance.
The interior of the Gym was rather plain when compared to it's imposing facade. It had bare, sandy brown walls and security cameras that seemed to turn with the challengers. A large, circular desk sat in the middle of the room. It was manned by a teenage boy, perhaps thirteen years old, with spiky, black hair, brown skin, and slitted eyes. He had a tan tee-shirt and green cargo pants.
"Welcome!" called the teenager standing up to shake hands with Harry and Leaf. "I assume you're here to face the Gym Leader in an official match."
It was not voiced as a question but Harry and Leaf found themselves nodding in answer anyway. The teen stood and gestured the younger Trainers to an open arc in the wall behind the circular desk.
"If you would enter the arena, Brock will be with you momentarily to issue the terms of your challenge."
The two aspiring Trainers nodded shakily and stepped through the archway.
000 0000 000
Misty handed Ash a Pokeball that had a stylized drop of water embossed over the open button.
"He'll serve you well in your battle against Brock."
Ash stepped forward and hugged the red headed girl, missing her small blush as he stepped away to examine the Pokeball.
"Thank you very much, Misty!"
"Y-You're welcome, Ash," stuttered the flustered girl. "C'mon, let's get to the Gym."
Ash nodded and attached the borrowed Pokeball to his belt along with his own Pokemon.
Leaving the Pokemon Center, The two were hailed to the side of the road by a middle aged man with brown skin and a rough beard.
"Ash! Where have you been?" he grabbed the boy by the arm and started pulling, "We need to continue super charging your Pikachu if you want any chance at beating Brock!"
Misty, who had been shocked still at the site of a homeless man yell at Ash, unfroze and yanked the boy from Pallet away.
"Who the Hell are you!"
The bearded man looked taken aback.
"I'm just a rock salesman, I was helping your friend prepare to fight Brock."
While Misty was busy mouthing the words 'rock salesman,' Ash looked the man in the eye.
"Um, about that..." said the black haired boy, rubbing the back of his neck and looking skyward. "I'm not going to do that... You see, Misty here has loaned me a Water type... So, I don't think I'll have any trouble."
"Oh. I see. Well I'll just wish you good luck and go back to selling my rocks..."
The man turned and awkwardly shuffled his way back to the southern town gate.
The two tweens looked at each other and shrugged.
"C'mon Misty, Let's get to the Gym."
The Water trainer nodded and followed the boy from Pallet.
000 0000 000
A thirteen year old boy showed Ash and Misty to the spectator stands and left them alone.
"Ash," said Misty tentatively, "watch Harry and Leaf carefully. Look at how they fight; you might learn something."
Ash flinched, but peered at the arena alertly. It seemed as though Harry and Leaf had already decided on an order because Leaf sat on a bench at the side of the arena and Harry stood in the challenger's box looking at his Pokeballs with a fierce determination.
Suddenly, a door opened on the other side of the room, drawing everyone's attention.
000 0000 000
Harry looked up as a door opened on the opposite room and a young man who looked to be nearly seventeen entered the arena. He had dark skin, squinty eyes, and wild black hair. He wore an orange, long sleeve shirt, and brown cargo pants. He had a pendant on a string around his neck and he went barefoot.
"Hello, Challenger! I am Brock. I believe in balancing rock hard defense with shattering attacks. That's why I specialize in Rock and Ground types!"
Even though he delivered his speech with enthusiasm, Harry could see hesitation, a weariness, in the way he held himself.
"We'll use two Pokemon each, and no items!" decided Brock. "I'll give you a moment to make your decisions."
'Alright,' thought Harry, 'Rock and Ground, Rasta's definitely in, but what about my second...'
"Time's up!"
Brock turned to the Official Referee from the Pokemon League and Harry was surprised to see the same man from the Battle Cafe.
"Trainers, declare yourselves!"
"Brock, Gym Leader of Pewter City!"
"Harry Potter, of the Viridian Forest!"
The ref raised his flags.
"In the name of the Kanto Pokemon League, I declare this official match open!"
"Go, Sandslash!"
A three foot tall, anteater-like Pokemon burst from Brock's Pokeball. Its body was mostly covered in sharp, brown quills, with a tough, dry hide. on it's underbelly. It had two long white talons on each hand
"Come on out, Rasta!"
The familiar ball of green vines appeared in a flash of light and with a happy exclamation of it's species.
Harry heard Leaf's Pokedex ding.
Sandslash (M):
The Mouse Pokemon. Sandslash can roll up its body as if it were a ball covered with large spikes. In battle, this Pokémon will try to make the foe flinch by jabbing it with its spines. It then leaps at the stunned foe to tear wildly with its sharp claws.
Harry nodded while Brock grimaced; the Pokedexes really did make battling too easy for his challengers.
"Sandslash, use Crush Claw into Defense Curl!"
The Mouse Pokemon snapped off a nod and fell into a stance before launching itself at the Vine Pokemon, a hazy, black nimbus forming around his claws.
"Dodge it, Rasta! then counter with Vine Whip!"
Sandslash lead with his right paw. Jabbing it at Tangela's body. The green ball jumped to the left and took a grazing blow from the Ground type, ripping a few vines from his side. Vines leapt from Tangela's back and slapped against Sandslash's back, only to be shredded to bits.
The two Pokemon separated after the brief exchange and waited for their Trainer's commands.
"Sandslash, use Dig and wait for my command!"
The Mouse Pokemon burrowed underground with surprising speed, leaving a tunnel behind.
"Rasta, Get ready to dodge!"
Moments later, Brock yelled, "now!" and Sandslash burst from the ground and made for Tangela's back.
"Jump and use Confusion!"
Tangela used his red feet as a springboard and jumped clear over his opponent. Landing behind the Ground type, he sent a burst of psychic energy at Sandslash while it was turning around, forcing it to the ground while his limbs went wonky.
"Follow it up with Absorb!"
"Sandslash, move!"
But it was no good. Short vines burst from atop Tangela's head and started glowing bright green. A similarly green haze appeared around Sandslash and a connection formed between the two Pokemon. As Tangela's vines glowed brighter, the stronger he looked, and the weaker Sandslash appeared until finally, the Mouse Pokemon fainted, damaged by the super effective attack.
"Sandslash is unable to battle!" cried the ref, raising his flag in Harry's direction. "Round One to Harry Potter!"
Brock scowled and recalled his Pokemon allowing Harry to do the same.
"Go, Onix!"
He threw his Pokeball into the arena and a thirty foot long snake made from boulders appeared in a flash of light.
Again, Leaf's Pokedex dinged.
Onix (F):
The Rock Snake Pokemon. Onix has a magnet in its brain. It acts as a compass so that this Pokémon does not lose direction while it is tunneling. As it grows older, its body becomes increasingly rounder and smoother.
Harry gulped at the sheer size of his opponent and wondered who to send out to fight the monstrous thing. Finally, the answer clicked; this was his first Gym battle and it wouldn't feel right not to use-
"-Cendio!"
Charmander jumped from his Pokeball looking ready for a fight.
Both Harry and Charmander growled when they heard Brock laughing at the wizard's choice in Pokemon.
"And here was me, thinking you were smart! Why would you send out a Fire type at a Gym like mine! You would've been better with a Water or another Grass type!"
"Just you wait," muttered Harry. "Cendio, use Metal Claw!"
Charmander leapt forward, claws glowing, and dragged them across Onix's flank, leaving deep gouges in her stone skin.
Onix roared in pain and retaliated out of reflex by jabbing her tail at Cendio, knocking him back to Harry's side.
"Onix, use Slam on Charmander!"
"Dodge and use another Metal Claw!"
But it was no good. Cendio just wasn't quick enough to dodge something so big and he took the large, stone head of the Rock Snake Pokemon to the everything, knocking him to the ground and kicking up a dusty cloud.
"No, Cendio!"
The dust cleared, revealing a bruised and cut up Charmander trying his hardest to stand against the pain in his limbs.
"Onix, end this round with Tackle!"
Harry pulled his Pokeball, fully intending to recall Cendio, when the Lizard Pokemon started glowing white, stopping a surprised Onix in her tracks.
"Wha-What's happening?" asked Ash
"Cendio is evolving..." replied Misty with a sense of awe.
It only took scant moments for the glowing to stop, and where once was a tiny orange lizard now there stood a larger, red-scaled Pokemon, the flame on his tail had doubled in size. He had grown sharp, white talons, and a knob of bone jutted from his head, angled back, like a blunt horn. Cendio roared his new species and stood strong, his evolution healing him.
Leaf's Pokedex dinged.
Charmeleon (M):
The Flame Pokemon. Charmeleon mercilessly destroys its foes using its sharp claws. If it encounters a strong foe, it turns aggressive. In this excited state, the flame at the tip of its tail flares with a bluish white color.
"Harry!" shouted Leaf after looking at her Pokedex, "Cendio's learned new attacks, Swords Dance and Iron Tail!"
Harry grinned.
"Nothing's changed," shouted Brock, "end this Onix, Bind!"
"Dodge it, Cen and then use Swords Dance into Iron Tail!"
Onix's tail snaked across the arena and grabbed at the Flame Pokemon but at the last second, Cendio jumped over the tail and started glowing a dark purple. His muscles expanded and a tension appeared in his limbs. Cendio then landed and shot forward. He whipped a glowing tail directly into Onix's face, slamming her to the ground and leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
When Onix didn't move, the Ref slowly raised his flag.
"Onix is unable to battle, Harry Potter wins the Official Gym Match!"
"Yes!"
Harry deployed his remaining Pokemon and they ran (or floated, in the case of Zeru) to Charmeleon for an implausible group hug.
Harry stood and was tackled in a hug by his best human friend.
"Hary-that-was-awesome!"
Harry laughed and disengaged from Leaf. Turning to Brock, who was switching out his two Pokeballs for another set of Gym Pokemon, he waited. Brock stuffed the minimized capsules into side pockets on his cargo pants and approached, pulling out a slim case similar to a tin box one would hold cigarettes in.
"Here," said Brock, handing the case to Harry, "it's a badge carrying case, it also acts as a registration for the Pokemon League."
Harry nodded at the explanation and opened it. Inside was a shiny, gray badge in the shape of a octagon. The case had seven other padded indents for the other Kanto badges.
"This is the Boulder Badge and you earned it. Evolution aside, you battled wonderfully." He turned to Leaf. "I assume that you're the next Challenger?"
Leaf nodded and gulped while Harry recalled his Pokemon and grinned at Leaf
"Good luck and kick some butt." Harry's grin slipped away when he saw his friend's obvious distress. "Leaf," said Harry seriously. "You'll be fine, you have a Grass type and a Pokemon that knows Fighting type moves. You even have a new mystery Pokemon! Come on, where's that confidence from yesterday!"
Leaf smiled tremulously and Harry grinned once more. They switched places, Harry going to the side bench and Leaf to the Challenger's square.
"Same rules apply!" shouted Brock, readying a Pokeball. "Two Pokemon each!" He looked to the Ref who nodded.
Trainer's declare yourselves!"
"Brock, Gym Leader of Pewter City!"
"Leaf Green, of Pallet Town!"
The Ref raised his flags and swished them downwards.
"In the name of the Kanto Pokemon League, I declare this official match... Open!"
Brock threw his Pokeball which burst open and revealed a brown, mole-like Pokemon which quickly buried itself in the ground, only to stick it's head out.
Harry's Pokedex dinged.
Diglett (M):
The Mole Pokemon. Diglett are raised in most farms. The reason is simple - wherever this Pokémon burrows, the soil is left perfectly tilled for planting crops. This soil is made ideal for growing delicious vegetables.
"A digger, huh? Fine then!" Leaf detached one of the Pokeballs from her wrist strap and tossed it into the arena. "Come on out, Costello!" Leaf was vaguely aware of both Harry and Ash's Pokedexes scanning her Jigglypuff.
"Use Scratch, Diglett!"
The Mole Pokemon burrowed it's way under the ground and tunneled it's way towards the Balloon Pokemon.
"Costello, Defense Curl into Pound!"
Jigglypuff curled into a tight ball and minimized the damage he sustained when Diglett burst forth from the ground and raked his claws across the pink Pokemon's back. Costello unwound his body like a spring, unintentionally launching the Mole Pokemon into the air. Still, orders are orders, Costello used his large feet to jump after Diglett. With an exclamation of his species, Costello's fist reared back and lashed forward in a Pound attack, throwing the tiny ground type back to his trainer's side of the arena.
Diglett slowly stood on his hind legs, before jumping and diving into the ground like a human using a springboard to enter a pool.
"Diglett," shouted Brock before Jigglypuff could land, "Fissure!"
The ground under Jigglypuff started shaking before it cracked open like a localized earthquake. Jagged pillars of stone erupted from the maw and slammed in the slowly descending Normal type. The impact forced Jigglypuff to release the oxygen he was using to stay airborne in a breathy gasp. Costello slammed into the ground with a such force that he actually distended and flattened out slightly. Diglett burst from the tilled ground and waited for an order.
"Costello, use Wish!"
Jigglypuff, who had been struggling to stand under the steady gaze of the Gym Leader started glowing a light blue. Sparkles of light floated around the Normal type, healing the worst of the damage.
"Now use Sing!
For the first time that day, Brock's eyes opened, revealing hazel orbs. He shouted out an order for his Ground type to burrow it's way underground but it was too late; Diglett was entranced by a song only he could hear. It only took a moment for Diglett to start swaying in time before the Mole Pokemon collapsed, asleep.
The Ref waited for a moment while Brock tried to rouse his Pokemon only to raise his flag.
"Diglett is unable to battle! Round One to Leaf Green!"
Both trainers recalled their Pokemon, Brock slightly sullenly and Leaf heaping praise on Costello.
"Come on, Graveler!"
"Alright, It's up to you, Nico!"
Graveler, burst from it's Pokeball looking like a large, rough boulder with two sets of strong arms and stubby legs, It had face on it's rotund body and a ridge of jutting stone like a forehead.
Harry's Pokedex dinged with new information.
Graveler (M):
The Rock Pokemon. Rocks are Graveler's favorite food. This Pokémon will climb a mountain from the base to the summit, crunchingly feasting on rocks all the while. Upon reaching the peak, it rolls back down to the bottom.
Leaf gulped, Gravler like to fall down mountains for fun and eat rocks; how was she supposed to stop that?
"Graveler, use Tackle!"
Graveler rocked back on his heels before springing forward, arms crossed in front of his face, toward the smaller Pokemon.
"Dodge it, Nico and use Focus Energy!"
Nico clenched the muscles in his hind legs and waited until Graveler was nearly on top of the Poison Pin Pokemon before jumping straight over the Rock type. Unfortunately, for Leaf, Nico was sucked into Graveler's slipstream and thrown, arse over teakettle, towards Brock's side of the arena where he landed hard on his flank.
Standing, Nico clenched his muscles and cracked the ground with power. Steam rose from it's body as it waited for an order.
"Jump and use Double Kick, Nico!"
Nico jumped nearly ten feet into the air where he turned and struck out with his hoofed feet.
Brock punched his hand into the air.
"Counter it, Graveler!"
One of Graveler's hands lashed out and snatched Nico from the air and used his own momentum to whip him around and slam the small Pokemon into the ground with a fleshy smack not unlike someone tenderizing a piece of meat.
"Nico!" cried Leaf in worry
Nico glared up at his smug looking opponent and started glowing white.
"More evolutions?" whispered Leaf in astonishment.
The glowing took only a moment to cease and when it had, what looked like a larger, more muscular version of Nidoran with a bigger horn and more spines on it's back stood in the Poison Pin Pokemon's place
Leaf heard a faint dinging noise.
Nidorino (M):
The Poison Pin Pokemon. Nidorino has a horn that is harder than a diamond. If it senses a hostile presence, all the barbs on its back bristle up at once, and it challenges the foe with all its might.
"Leaf!" shouted Harry. "Nico knows Horn Attack!"
Leaf grinned.
"You heard the man, Nico! Horn Attack!"
"Catch it, Graveler!"
The newly evolved Pokemon's horn started glowing a bright white and he stabbed at Graveler's face with a great thrust. But it was no good, Graveler wrapped two hands around Nico's horn and another two around his shoulders, trying to push the feral Pokemon away.
The two physically strong Pokemon struggled against the other's might for several moments until Nico was able to gain some unseen advantage and actually lift the boulder-like Pokemon by using his horn as a shovel. Nico reared back and threw the Rock type towards the Gym Leader where he landed, spider webbing the ground underneath the heavy Pokemon and kicking up a thin cloud of dust.
"Graveler!" exclaimed Brock in alarm.
"Nico! Finish it with Double Kick!"
Nico didn't need telling twice. The pink Pokemon charged forward and landed two devastating kicks, knocking out the Rock Pokemon before jumping back to his trainer's side.
The Ref swished his flags.
"Graveler is unable to battle, Leaf Green wins the Official Gym Match!"
"Yes!"
Like Harry before her, Leaf deployed her other two Pokemon and hugged them all at once as they celebrated their victory. Leaf disengaged from her group hug and turned to embrace Harry before putting all her attention on Brock.
"Congratulations!" said the Gym Leader pulling out a second badge and case. "You've definitely earned this!" The dark skinned man handed Leaf her reward. "The closest Gym is in Cerulean City. You'll have to travel through Mt. Moon to get there, though." Brock handed his Pokeballs to the boy who had been sitting at the front desk and left through a side door.
Both Harry and Leaf nodded and Misty joined the group.
"You guys were great!"
Harry grinned while Leaf thanked Misty for her praise.
"You're still staying for Ash's match, right?"
"Of course!" said Harry while Leaf nodded with a smile. "Do you know where he went?"
Misty nodded and made to leave.
"He wanted to get in some training with the Pokemon I let him borrow."
"What Pokemon was it?" questioned Leaf.
Misty's smiled over her shoulder while walking to the exit. "You'll see tomorrow..."
Harry and Leaf turned to each other and grinned, holding up their badges, they'd support Ash tomorrow, but today was for celebrating their own victories and a hurdle jumped.
000 Chapter End 000
Author's Note: Finally! That chapter was such a pain to write. I was only able to type out a few paragraphs a day and even that took several hours to do...
Author's Note, Part Deux: Good news everyone! I've finalized the teams for Harry and Leaf. Just remember that I took liberties with Move Pools and Pokemon Locations.
Character Profile: Ash Ketchem (a.k.a Red)
Age: Ten
Height: four feet, ten inches
Goals: Ash's goal (like many children) is to be the world's greatest Pokemon Master.
Ash's Party:
Name: Pikachu
Species: Mouse Pokemon
Gender: Male
Type: Electric
Nature: Brave
Ability: Lightningrod- Draws in all Electric-type moves to up Sp. Attack.
Original Trainer: Ash
Received From Professor Oak.
Nickname: None
Moves Known: Quick Attack, Thunder Shock, Agility, Flash
Name: Butterfree
Species: Butterfly Pokemon
Gender: Male
Type: Bug/Flying
Nature: Bashful
Ability: Compoundeyes- The Pokemon's accuracy is boosted
Original Trainer: Ash
Caught in the Viridian Forest
Nickname: None
Moves Known: Gust, Stun Spore, Confusion, Sleep Powder
Name: Pidgeotto
Species: Bird Pokemon
Gender: Male
Type: Normal/Flying
Nature: Hasty
Ability: Keen Eye- Prevents the Pokemon from losing accuracy
Original Trainer: Ash
Caught in the Viridian Forest
Nickname: None
Moves Known: Quick Attack, Roost, Wing Attack, Air Slash
Mysterious Water Pokemon
On loan from Misty