Chapter 15 – Earth

Pidgey were pecking the ground, searching for seeds in the sunny weather. A nice humid wind was blowing up from the south, creating the perfectly balmy weather for spring time in Viridian. Residents were out and wandering the city, meeting with friends, shopping through the local open market which was just starting up once more for the season. There was one thing on everyone's mind however, and that was that the gym leader was back in town.

A notice had gone up a couple days ago about an impending gym match, one in which the ex-champion would unleash his most powerful Pokemon on the challenger. It was all over the news about who was coming to Viridian. News anchors were replaying some of Blue's old matches and commenting on how the gym leader would fair against anyone these days. Most knew that Blue could still take on the Elite Four and probably win once more. He was arguably one of the most powerful trainers in the region. It was leading some people to wonder if perhaps Red had come back out of hiding.

Blue for his part was in his gym waiting. He knew that today would be the day. The champion was in town, meaning that he would be coming to battle. News stations all over Kanto had already been informed of the match today. And now people would start arriving.

"Sir?" one of the understudies who trained at the gym knocked at Blue's door. The leader turned around. Normally he wasn't one for training others, but as a gym leader, he was supposed to help those who wanted to get stronger. And who better to train the new trainers than the ex-champion of Kanto?

"What is it?"

"Your sister and grandfather are here, as well as some reporters who were hoping for an interview before the match?" The young woman looked shy. This wasn't a typical gym battle as far as she was concerned.

"Thank you. I'll be out in a minute."

Humid air mixed with grasses and other shrubbery filled Arthur's lungs as he inhaled deeply. He was ready to defeat the final gym in this region, but to do so, he would have to go through a trainer whom had already proven himself. Blue had been champion for a short time three years ago, before Red came and defeated him. The now gym leader was arrogant and powerful. He would not be a push over and would probably be the closest thing to battling Red as it got.

As he wandered the city, Arthur saw media trucks and crowds of people heading to the northern part of the city. The champion smiled slightly remembering a similar thing happening four months past when he had battled Lance. It appeared that this would be a similar situation.

Blue walked over to his grandfather, who was checking over Blue's Arcanine. Blue's sister, Daisy, was also there admiring the canine.

"Gramps, sis. What's happening?" The two turned around.

"Blue! Look at you all cleaned up! Who knew it was possible?" Daisy commented. Blue just rolled his eyes. His sister was the only one who could put Blue in his place and remind him that he wasn't as hot shit as he may think he is.

"Your Arcanine looks to be in superb health Blue" Professor Oak commented.

"Well of course he is! He's also ready to kick some ass out there today." At that, Arcanine let out a roar of approval.

"Is he here yet?" Daisy asked. Blue didn't have to ask who she was referring to.

"Not yet no. I don't know what time he's planning on getting here to be honest. But I know there's tons of people already here and filling up the damn place." Blue sounded annoyed but his family knew that he loved putting on a show. And this battle certainly promised that. As if on cue, another understudy entered the prep room and announced that the champion had arrived. Blue turned at that and nodded. Gone was his fun and easygoing manner, replaced instead with that intensity that overcame only the best of trainers.

Crowds of people were cheering and hollering, doing everything they could to get noticed by the champion. His fame and reputation preceded him it would seem, and once the reporters and TV crews figured out who had come, they raced to get a shot and sound bite from the young man. Columns of white marble created the entrance to the gym. Multiple lines had been created to allow entrance into the gym. Not only that, but a giant TV screen was being set up rapidly to show the battle on the grassy area outside the gym for those who wouldn't be able to get in. This battle was certainly going to be quite the spectacle Arthur noted.

The champion wandered up to the main entrance of the gym, the doors opening of their own accord. Media people were still trying to get a last minute interview, but Arthur was focused. Ignoring them all, he headed into the gym. There was a persistent gloom, broken by lights focused on the battlefield. Across from the champion was Blue, standing waiting. He was wearing black shoes, cargo pants and a black outdoors jacket over a white v-neck. His pendant hung loose, much like Arthur's concealed one.

"Took you long enough to get here!" Blue called out as Arthur stepped up to his position across the level and simple battlefield.

"My apologies to keep you waiting Blue. I see you didn't hesitate to invite the entire city out to the battle however."

"Can't let my fans down! They're looking forward to this battle. So am I as a matter of fact. You're a pretty powerful trainer, and that makes me want to battle. It was the same whenever Red and I crossed paths. Are you sure you're ready for this champion?" The way he made the title of champion sound, Arthur knew that the gym leader was trying to throw him off his game. It wouldn't work however.

"Just remember Blue, I am the current champion. This match is for keeps." Blue smiled. He knew what was at stake. And the leader also knew that he had nothing to lose.

"Then let's begin!" A ref strode up to the sidelines.

"This will be a six on six full battle. Both sides are allowed substitutions. Victory will be given to the trainer who knocks out all of the other persons Pokemon. Battlers ready?" Both trainers nodded that they were. "Then begin!" The crowd was roaring. Noise rose and defeaned everything. But Arthur didn't need to hear what Blue was saying anymore. He was ready, and he knew his Pokemon wouldn't let him down.

Blue began with his Exeggutor. The coconut Pokemon faced the young champion with its three faces and planted its trunked feet. Arthur's grin grew broader as he brought out his starter Pokemon. Blaze seemed tired. His eyes were half closed and there was no fire on its back.

"Well this should be easy if your Pokemon is half asleep!" Blue taunted. Arthur just continued smiling.

"Eruption" Arthur said quietly. How Blaze heard him over the noise of the crowd, no one could say, but suddenly the fire types deep blue eyes were open and his flame ignited. The heat thrown off was of such intensity that people were able to feel it throughout the gym. But that wasn't all they felt as the Typhlosion launched his eruption attack. The ground burst open and what appeared to be a volcanic eruption engulfed the grass type. Exeggutor cried out in pain as the flames and magma burnt its body and destroyed the leaves on its head. Blue had thrown an arm up to shield himself from the heat and blinding light of the attack, and quickly withdrew his unconscious Pokemon.

Cameras were focused in on the Typhlosion who appeared to have not used any energy whatsoever in its attack on Blue's Exeggutor. The heat was shimmering off the fire type in waves. Flashes were going off throughout the crowd like crazy as they tried to capture their own memories of this battle. A one shot KO from the champion was a sure fire way to start things off with a bang.

"That's a hard hit for Blue" Daisy said. Oak looked at his granddaughter briefly. She herself had been quite the trainer back in her day, so he wasn't surprised to hear her assertions about this battle.

"True, but he'll bounce back" the professor said.

"He should but you can see it on his face. He wasn't expecting quite this much power. Even Red didn't unleash everything he had right off the bat when they battled."

"My dear, this was just a taste of what Arthur can muster up. He hasn't even begun to reach his full potential." This time it was Daisy who looked at her grandfather staring out, not at the fire type, but rather the trainer. The young champion had impressed the professor over a year ago when they had first met as Arthur was running an errand for Professor Elm. But now, the two Oak's were seeing something completely different. Here was a young man who was becoming a legend in his own right.

"You think that Blue hasn't yet seen what Arthur can do?"

"I don't believe any of us have."

Blue was frowning but kept composed. Arthur should have known better than to unleash everything in the very beginning. So instead, Blue sent out his Gyarados. The long serpent-like Pokemon came out roaring its displeasure. Arthur countered by withdrawing Blaze to his side and replacing the volcano Pokemon with Spark. Gyarados' intimidate ability was in full effect with its massive jaws and roaring. Spark seemed to flinch back somewhat but Arthur called out to stand strong.

"You've got this Spark. Don't worry about how ugly the bastard is."

"Acknowledged. How shall we proceed?" Arthur smirked.

"I'm thinking lots of lightning." Spark whirled around facing the giant water type.

"Gyarados show them our power now! Use waterfall!" the gym leader called out. His Pokemon responded faster than Arthur expected, rushing forward, sending a jet of water that lifted Spark high into the air. Gyarados followed the water up, striking the electric type hard. Spark slammed back down into the gyms floor, rising somewhat slowly.

"Arceus that was some power…" Arthur said under his breath. Blue's Pokemon reminded Arthur of his own rampage Pokemon, Procellous. The two would have made for a perfect match in both size and power. However, Procellous wasn't here, so Spark would be the one to take down the monster.

"Unacceptable! Unacceptable! Absolutely unacceptable!" Spark stammered out. Arthur smiled. At least his partner wasn't out of this yet. "Protocol dictates that action is required!" The magnet Pokemon unleashed a powerful discharge, sending lightning throughout the stadium. Invisible barriers stopped the attacks from hurting any of the spectators, but the cameras capturing the battle closer to the field were suddenly filled with static. The Gyarados screamed in rage and pain and fell to the floor. Everyone save Arthur seemed to hold their breath. Was this to be another one hit knock out by the current champion? Even Blue was stunned into complete stillness.

Slowly the water type rose up, breathing heavily. The attack had left heavy damage on the blue scaled beast, but he wasn't down just yet. Another attack like that however, and he would be. Instead, Blue returned his Pokemon, bringing out his fastest Pokemon Arcanine.

"Are you going to face down my fire type with that steel type?" Blue asked tauntingly. He was trying to goad Arthur into making a mistake, but the champion was having none of it.

"Not this time Blue." Arthur switched out Spark for Delphin. The water type was quick in appraising the situation. Arcanine burst forward building speed with its extreme speed attack. The fire type became a red blur as it slammed into the water type with devastating force. Air exploded out from Delphin's lungs and the Vaporeon had troubles regaining its feet. Arthur was frowning at how powerful Blue was. His Pokemon were stronger than even Lance's were, and their attacks were taking a serious toll on the current champions Pokemon.

"You alright Delphin?" Arthur asked.

"I'll be fine. Just winded." The champion nodded.

"Let's attack back then with surf." Delphin pooled water at its feet, then flicked his tail. A wall of water went up and crashed into Blue's Arcanine. The soaked canine was seriously unimpressed with the attack, and sped off once more to crash into the bubblejet Pokemon.

"Quick attack!" Arthur called out. Delphin was fast in responded to the command racing out to intercept the fire type. The two Pokemon crashed into one another once more with serious force. Both were sent sprawling. Arthur and Blue held their respective breaths as they waited to see if their Pokemon would rise. Already Arthur could see bruises spreading across Delphin's body, and he couldn't be sure, but there was a possibility of broken bones as well. Slowly and agonizingly however, the water type regained his feet. Arcanine was still lying on the ground, unconscious.

Frowning Blue called his Gyarados back out to the field. He was not willing to admit defeat just yet. Though Arthur was making it more and more difficult. He had not faced this kind of power in over three years. Thoughts that even Red would have trouble against Arthur were starting to creep in. Delphin flinched back from the Gyarados' intimidation but was quickly recalled. Arthur figured he might need his water type at least once more. And besides, Spark had some unfinished business with this particular beast.

"It is time for me to eradicate this beast!" Spark said as lightning arced around the magnets. The water type began a rather interesting dance which seemed to allow it to avoid the bolts of electricity sent toward the towering Pokemon. However, there were just too many to dodge. One finally hit, forcing the Gyarados into convulsions, with unconsciousness finally taking it.

Blue was stymied. He was throwing everything he had at Arthur and it still wasn't enough. Growling, the gym leader sent out his Rhydon. The drill Pokemon roared at Spark and Arthur, knowing that now half of Blue's team had been brought down. Arthur knew that this battle was still far from over. Recalling Spark, Arthur sent out his injured water type.

"You okay to go one more bud?" Arthur asked of his friend. Delphin nodded, spreading his legs somewhat to show he was indeed ready. "Alright, then send him below the waves." Delphin swept up another wall of water, this one striking the rock type square. However, the drill Pokemon made no move to dodge. It simply brushed off the attack, bursting through the wave stunning both Delphin and Arthur.

"That's not good Arthur…" Delphin trailed off as the rock type roared once more. Blue was grinning fiercely.

"You didn't think that was really going to be enough did you?" Blue said. His confidence seemed to be still fully intact even though he had lost already three of his Pokemon.

"Normally it is with a dual type that's weak to water" Arthur responded.

"Now taste our true power!" The Rhydon thundered down a powerful stone foot, causing the ground to start shifting and shaking. The battlefields surface looked more akin to water than it did a solid footing. Delphin was thrown to the ground and buffeted by the earthquake. Even Arthur was brought to a knee as the shaking ground seemed to go on for minutes. Mercifully it finally ended allowing Arthur and Delhpin to regain their feet.

"I think we did more damage than they're letting on" Arthur said in a low voice to Delphin as the crowd attempted to bring about its sense of composure once more and root for their gym leader.

"What should we do then?"

"Use aurora beam to finish him off." Delphin charged in somewhat. The ground type was grinning as it brought its stone encased foot once more. Arthur's partner used this preparation to connect with its ice type attack. Rhydon seemed to freeze in place and Blue looked on with worry. Slowly the rock type teetered over, crashing into the battlefield with a resounding crack.

"No! You're not winning this match Arthur!" Looking across the field, Arthur could see that Blue was sweating rather profusely. Of course, Arthur was as well, as this match was taking its toll. The champion could see that his water type was close to collapsing so he returned it as Blue sent out a Machamp. The muscle bound fighter grinned in readiness, but an ache in Arthur's heart immediately formed. Muscle was still recovering from the ordeal at Clair's gym. Professor Elm and Lyra had been helping the fighter but they doubted that she would ever be able to battle competitively again.

Arthur sent out Syrio. The mantis watched calmly as Blue ordered Machamp to use stone edge. The superpower Pokemon slammed its four fists onto the ground, throwing up rock fragments and hurling them at Syrio. The bug type shifted its stance, and began dancing through the attack, his scythes knocking the stones which came to close away. The flurry was so fast that almost none were able to see what was happening. Then the mantis was in front of Machamp, which seemed to surprise the fighter. Wings beat into the solid chest knocking the fighting type to the ground. The entire crowd gasped.

"Dynamicpunch!" Blue called out. Syrio was slammed into by a massive fist, one that sent the bug flying back.

"Syrio are you alright?" Arthur asked worried. The attack had left Syrio's left arm dangling somewhat uselessly.

"I'll be fine, but I'm taking this brute down now!" He shot off, a green blur which Machamp failed to track until it was struck once more by the hardened wings of Syrio. The mantis knocked out his opponent, but had suffered greatly to do so. While technically Blue was down five Pokemon now, he had unknowingly taken down two, possibly three of Arthur's as well. They weren't quite down for the count, but there was no way Delphin or Syrio would be seeing any more action.

"This is it, let's see if you're prepared for this!" Blue said upon sending in his last Pokemon. A beautiful Pidgeot flew forth stunning the crowd with its plumage. The avian circled around the field awaiting Arthur's answer to this last Pokemon. The champion paused in his contemplation. Spark could be sent back out, but Arthur had a feeling that Blue had a way of dealing with electric types that would backfire in the young champions face rather quickly. Thus he was left with three options, however, type advantages told Arthur to pick Tusk.

The mammoth came out and frost could be seen steaming off the giants Pokemon's fur. Blue frowned slightly but his strategy should still hold. At least, that's if Arthur played into his hands. Both trainers were watching one another waiting to see who would choose to strike first. Tusk was following the bird up in the air intently waiting for Arthur's direction. The champions problem with brining Tusk out was that he didn't have many ranged attacks, so he would have to find a way of drawing the flyer in.

"Pidgeot I'm tired of waiting around! Use air slash!" The bird banked sharply bringing a current of air under its wing which it then sent flying down to where the mammoth stood waiting. The attack struck hard, staggering Tusk, but not moving him.

"That hurt" the low voice rumbled.

"How powerful is it?" Arthur asked.

"It's strong but I can take him."

"We'll need to knock him out of the sky, but they probably have a strategy to deal with ranged attacks from electric types" Arthur explained looking around for anything Tusk could use. Then inspiration hit. "Tusk chill the air!" Blue cocked his head slightly wondering what the champion was up to. For Tusk's part, he didn't question what his trainer had concocted but rather just went about creating a frigid area around himself. The air began to grow colder and colder and a mist began to shroud the area. No one seemed to know what Arthur was up to.

"Ah, excellent strategy" Oak said mostly to himself. Daisy looked over at her grandfather questioningly.

"What is he doing?" she asked.

"He's creating an environment that will make it near impossible for Pidgeot to get any height in its flying. By creating cold air currents, he will force Pidgeot closer to the ground or make it use more and more energy to stay above. Either way, he'll drag it down and then move Mamoswine in."

"By creating cold air?"

"Cold air pushes flying types down because they don't allow for as much lift." Daisy looked back to the field as the mists continued to swirl. Arthur was simply waiting, knowing that he would bring the bird down to a level where he could simply attack.

"You're Pidgeot knows mirror coat doesn't it?" Arthur asked after a couple minutes of inactivity while Blue was still trying to work out what Arthur was up to.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because you're waiting. You want us to use an attack like blizzard say so that you can throw it right back in our faces. Smart move. I'm sure more than one person has succumbed to that strategy."

"You're pretty smart" Blue noted. "But enough is enough. Yeah Pidgeot here knows mirror move, but if you're not going to attack, then we will!" The avian dropped down and sped up for a return attack.

"Tusk use ice fang when it's in range!" Arthur countered. The mammoth slowly encased his tusks in ice, but the bird was closing in too fast and the champion wasn't sure if the air was cold enough yet. His worries were for naught however; Blue was too hasty, and thus wasn't able to see what Arthur was trying to do. His bird flew right into the cold air and dropped, hitting the floor hard and skidding to a stop close enough to Tusk for the ice type to attack.

And attack he did. Tusk slammed the normal type hard with his ice sheathed ivory not once, but twice. The attack left the poor avian completely helpless, even as it tried to stand. The damage was done though. Pidgeot staggered upright, only to fall forward once more, its feathers messed up and parts covered in ice. Blue was stunned and the crowd was on their feet. Arthur had come through with another victory.

The two trainers met in the middle of the battlefield. The ground was torn up, scorched and wet. It would require serious effort to put it back, but that was part of running a gym. Sometimes you came across a challenger who really pushed the limits of what a gym leader had to give.

"You're strategy at the end was impressive Arthur" Blue said as they shook hands.

"Thank you but you certainly had me going there for a minute. I wasn't sure if I was even right about the attacks, and if I was walking into exactly what you were expecting. That was some battle Blue."

"Yeah I suppose it was, even if I did lose. Doesn't happen very often." Arthur laughed.

"I can see why. That power you let loose there was pretty damn impressive" the champion replied.

"Arthur well done!" professor Oak exclaimed causing both Blue and Arthur to turn. "I believe you've now defeated every gym leader in this region as well then?" Arthur nodded. "Well I should contact some people then. Have you heard of Mount Silver?" the professor asked.

"I have yes. It stands between Johto and Kanto."

"Exactly. Because of the types of Pokemon that live there, hardly anyone is allowed to visit, baring the strongest of trainers and some researchers. I'll arrange to allow to you visit as you wish. It would be a very tough place to train, but would make you and your team even stronger I know."

"Thank you professor! That's amazing of you to do that for me." The elder waved his hand. What no one noticed was the flash of recognition on Daisy's face.

Reporters began filling in and wanting to talk to the two trainers, both of whom seemed to be rather exhausted. They fielded questions quickly, but they still weren't able to leave for another hour and a half. Finally the last of the reporters left, and Arthur was able to breath.

"Your Pokemon are going to need some rest if they're to head off to Mt. Silver" Blue stated.

"Yes well I'm not sure I'll head there straight away."

"Why not?" the gym leader asked.

"I need to investigate something that's been nagging me for some time first." Blue nodded his understanding. Arthur looked around the gym at the floor once more thinking. Blue had tested him beyond anything he'd experienced before and Red was supposed to be even more powerful. So where was the old champion? The one who had never actually stuck around to be a champion. Could he be where only the most powerful were permitted? Arthur frowned. He was now faced with a choice. Did he search out for other legends? Or did he walk this seemingly destined path to meet the most powerful trainer the Kanto region had ever seen?

Arthur's team:
Blaze (Typhlosion) - lv. 59
Lucky (Togekiss) - lv. 56
Delphin (Vaporeon) - lv. 58
Syrio (Scyther) - lv. 59
Spark (Magneton) - lv. 60
Tusk (Mamoswine) - lv. 59

This was the hardest battle I've done so far in-game. Blue legit almost took out Spark, Delphin and Syrio. In fact, Delphin was left with 4HP after the battle with Rhydon because his first attack missed. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! There will be some more fun coming soon!