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The First of Many
They had reached the city limits around noon. Jason had split from the girls after they went by the police station. That visit had gone about as well he had expected. After telling the police what had happened in the forest they had pretty much written it off. Not that they did not believe them, it was more they had nothing to back it up. Which Jason figured was pretty much the same as not believing them. They left them with the number for Pokégear. He did not expect them to be calling anytime soon. The events from last had been put to the back of his mind at the moment anyway. After the police the girls had gone to the Pokémon Center to get the dragons checked on. They had taken a beating in the forest and needed some serious care. He wanted to go with them but they insisted they would be fine and that he should go find the gym. It took some time to find it but now he stood in front of the massive building. It looked like an average gym. A large, round, dome topped building with a sign on top that read:
Official Gym of Pokémon League
Leader: Daryl Monnroe
Jason took a deep breath and stepped inside as the doors slide open. He stepped into a large open area with foam mats. Electronic music played over loud speakers. A few people were on the mats sparing in a martial art that Jason barely recognized as Capoeira. A lone man towards the back trained alone as he kicked and punched a bag hanging from the roof. Jason made his way towards him. As he walked the fighters stopped and watched him knowing what was about to happen. He stopped a few feet from the man. He had long hair pulled back in a pony-tail and had glasses hanging on his nose. He wore simple, mildly tattered and baggy pants and shirt.
"Daryl Monnroe?" Jason said
The man stopped and caught the bag so it would stop swinging. He turned and looked Jason over. He laughed.
"Yeah, dude. You are so new here I can see it in your face. Follow me." Daryl answered.
Jason followed him through a small door behind the bag Daryl was hitting. He flipped a switch and lights flashed on to reveal a classic indoor battle field. Daryl pointed to the nearest trainer spot.
"You're over there, dude."
Jason went to his spot and watched Daryl walk over to the other side.
"I only have two Pokémon on me. Sorry dude. Caught me on a clinic visit."
"Well, I can come back if you don't feel it would be fair." Jason said. He was mildly surprised. He did not expect the first leader he met to be so…laid back.
"Ha!" Daryl laughed loudly for a long minute. "Two is all I'll need bro. This will be a one on one two Pokémon battle."
Jason surprise was immediately gone now that the familiar gym leader cockiness had shown.
I have no idea what kind type he uses. From the look of the place I'm going to assume fighting.
Jason reached into his bag and brought out a ball with an Egyptian eye on the ball.
"Espeon, showtime!"
The purple, alien looking cat appeared on field and mewed.
"Good call dude." Daryl said and brought out a ball from his pocket. "Crobat!"
A poison type! I did not see that coming!
"Welcome to the Cosheen league dude! This won't be easy! Crobat start things out with Haze!"
The flapping bat opened its mouth and a black cloud filled the room quickly. Jason knew if he was not able to see Espeon surely could not see.
Well if I can't see… Jason thought. "Espeon, light things up with TM Flash!"
The cat-like creature sat on its haunches and eyes started to glow. Jason covered his eyes just enough to not be blinded by the light. He squinted and as it flashed light he saw the shadow of the bat flapping above its master.
Good hiding place.
"Espeon, Psybeam just above the gym leader!"
The cat, still sitting, opened its mouth and the rainbow colored beam shot out. There was a thud and then the wall behind Daryl exploded, with Crobat wedged into a crater. It was definitely hurt for it slightly struggled to get itself out. It did not act phased though for immediately went on the offensive without being told. It opened its mouth and released a hellish screech that filled the room. Espeon stayed in the same spot, but shook its head furiously, trying to shake off the rigging in its ears. Jason clapped his hands over his ears, not too much effect.
"Now, Crobat, Air Cutter!"
The bat clapped its wings together once and the haze cloud was immediately split in two with a direct line of clear space going from Daryl to Jason. Espeon was thrown a few back from an unseen force and bounced across the floor. It had long gash going from its shoulder to its hip, slightly staining its shimmering purple coat with blood. It struggled to stand, but stood its ground. Jason could tell from the look in its eyes that hit took a lot out of its stamina.
"Now, hit it with Sludge Bomb!" Daryl yelled.
"Espeon, Magic Coat!" Jason said thinking fast.
The cat struggled for moment. The bomb came almost too fast, but at the last moment the yellow screen appeared in front of Espeon. The bomb hit it and bounced right back at Crobat. The bounce increased its speed and the bat did not have the time to move and the hit the direct hit from its own attack. The bomb explode on contact and covered Crobat in poisonous slime as it sank to the ground quickly. It rolled on the ground trying to rub off the burning acid.
"Now Espeon use this chance to get an attack in! Swift!"
The cat opened its mouth and out flew numerous small stars that hit the flopping Crobat dead on. It was thrown into the remaining haze and disappeared from sight. The room was quiet and still. The Espeon breathed heavily its strength waning.
Espeon's not going to last much longer. Jason thought, and there's no way for me to get rid of this Haze. This is a tough spot. For this thing to be a poison going up against a psychic it sure is taking the hits in stride. "Flash,one more time!" he yelled.
The room was once again flooded with light, and Jason saw the bat struggling to get back into the air.
"Do a sweeping Psybeam across the ground, go under the Haze!" Jason commanded.
The beam swept across the gym floor, destroying in the process. The Crobat was thrown from the haze and hit the wall. It laid there not moving, unconscious.
"Crobat, return." Daryl said and the red beam put the bat back in its ball. "Nice job dude. What's your name?"
"Jason Marin."
As soon as Jason said his name the Espeon collapsed unable to continue.
"Espeon, return. Seems it was a double knock out." Jason said. He went through his bag think about what to send out next. Dammit, Espeon is pretty much my only psychic.
"All right dude round two. Muk, time to come and play!" Daryl announced.
The purple monster appeared on the tattered field. A noxious, horrible smell filled the room. It was not strong, but it was just enough to have Jason lose what appetite he had developed. He pulled out a ball with a metal cylinder sticker on it.
Forgot I had you. Now, I know I have this in the bag.
"Metang lets win this!"
The floating metal disk, with two arms appeared facing the Muk.
"Let's start things fast, Bullet Punch!"
Metang quickly sped across the field, its left arm glowing.
"Minimize!"
The Muk immediately shrank and Metang flew right over, it's punch hitting nothing but air.
"Now, quick Mud-Bomb!" Daryl commaned.
Muk quickly grew back to normal size and opened its mouth. A ball mud spewed forth and hit Metang square in the back. It flew forward its arms flailing in surprise. Jason closed one eye in embarrassment.
Now, I remember why I don't use you that often. You get surprised WAY to easily…and then you panic. Jason let out a heavy sigh at the thought.
"Umm…" Daryl said, surprised at the Metang's lack of self-control. "Hit it again Muk!"
The Muk's mouth opened again ready to fire.
"Metang, calm down! Get out of the way with your Agility!"
Metang disappeared as the shot was fired. It missed completely and headed straight at Daryl. He quickly dove to the gym floor as the shot sailed over him and hit creating another small crater.
Got to love that aspect of battling. Daryl thought cynically.
Metang reappeared in front of Jason, shaking.
"Hey, hey buddy it's ok. Let's beat this guy quick and then a walk ok?"
The Metang starting doing loops in the air in excitement.
You also get way too excited. Jason thought, scratching the back of his head.
"Muk, do it again!"
"Metang, move it! Agility!"
The Metang disappeared again. The shot had been fired and went right at Jason, hitting him square in the chest. He was thrown off his feet and hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him.
"Dude! You alright?" Daryl yelled
"Ow." Was all Jason could manage.
The Metang saw its master get and anger soared through its body. Without being told it started to attack. Its eyes started to glow and Muk was surrounded by a pink light. It was picked up off the ground and slammed it into the wall. It sped over to the Muk its arm once again glowing.
"Muk, Acid Armor!" Daryl said, surprised at the sudden change in nature. This is the most bipolar Pokémon I've ever seen. Daryl thought to himself.
The Muk melted into the ground and again the Metang's punch missed completely.
"Now, Pound!"
Muk popped back up from the ground and head-butted Metang towards the roof. It slammed into one of the beams and destroyed it on impact. Jason saw this as he got back to his feet.
And that's why I keep you around. It's handy when you get pissed. Jason stood and watched Metang pop itself out of the wooden beam.
"Muk, give it another Mud-Bomb!"
The muddy orb fired from Muk's mouth up towards the roof.
"Metang, Batter up!"
Batter up? Daryl thought, confused, The hell is that?
Metang's arm glowed like it was about to throw a punch. The shot got closer and at the last moment Metang swung around and hit the Mud-Bomb. It was sent backwards from the direction it came and hit Muk in the face. Growled in pain and shook its head to try and get rid of the mud on its face.
Huh, a self-created move. Kid's good. Daryl thought.
"Now! One more time, Bullet Punch!"
The Metang flew forward and finally made contact with Muk. Metang hit it right between the eyes and went sailing backwards into the wall. A large crack went upwards and portion fell off and landed on the Muk, burying it and knocking it unconscious.
"Muk return."
"Muk is unable to fight." A voice said over an intercom. "Gym leader Daryl Monnroe is out of usable Pokémon. The winner of this match is Jason Marin."
Daryl ran over to Jason and held out his hand. Jason took it and the shook hands.
"Gotta admit, you pretty much stomped me. Here, take this." Daryl held out his other hand and in his palm was a small lapelled pin. It looked like a small medicine bottle colored gold. "This is the Antidote Badge."
Jason reached out and took it. Metang swooped down and starting doing somersaults in the air and gave off strange metallic cries in celebration of its victory. Jason brought out the small case that Maple had given him and placed the badge in the first slot.
"Well, good luck dude.I'll be watching the headlines for you."
"Thanks." Jason said and turned around and left the gym, a big toothy grin across his face. Metang followed behind him still flips in the air.
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He went to the Pokémon Center first thing to get his Espeon healed. The girls were still there and they told him the word on the dragons. Danny's Dragonair was for the most part fine just some major bumps and bruises. Windy, on the other hand, was in some serious trouble. Since it took a direct hit from a poison attack on a major blood flow area the poison had spread quickly. Nurse Hope was optimistic, but did say it would take some time possibly a few days just to get it out of the red zone. Miz said she was not too worried but Jason could see in her face she was about to faint with worry. They sat for some waiting for any word as Jason recounted his gym battle. Metang would chime in with its metallic noise when Jason told of its anger charged attack after he got hit with the Mud-Bomb.
"Speaking of which." Looking down at his muddy shirt, "I'm going to go change."
He put Metang back into its ball and left the girls as went to the bathroom to change. He came back after a few minutes and saw Nurse Hope walking away.
"What's the word?"
"He's about the same." Miz said, "It's definitely going to be a few days before he can leave."
"Well, I guess we'll need to claim some beds for the next couple of days." Jason chimed.
"No." Miz said. "You two need to go ahead. There's a contest in the next town in a couple days and I don't want you to miss it Danny."
"But—"
"I'll be fine. I'm a big girl. I'll catch up with you guys eventually."
Jason could tell she was not going to budge on the issue. "Well, we'll leave in the morning then. Right now let's go get something to eat." He suggested.
The girls agreed and the rest of the day passed without event.
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