Welcome to the Ikimono League
By Neko (Silver Tru-Neko)
Disclaimer: Don't own Pokemon.
Author's Note: Though it doesn't really relate to the plot, Konoha means Tree Leaves. Yes, I am a Naruto fan :)
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Chapter 12 – A Test of Durability
Ash felt a blow to his self-esteem as he was stripped of his Pokémon and his friends for this gym. He glanced one last time over his shoulder at Misty, Brock, and Pikachu as Officer Jenny opened the gate of the sanctuary for him. He gave her a slight nod before stepping into the forest.
He was alone, yet again, for this task. This time, however, that reality sank in much deeper: each time previously, he had still had Pikachu and his other Pokémon for comfort. Now, the spot on his shoulder where Pikachu rested was empty, and a part of him was hollowed by that loss.
Ash thrust his way through the foliage, not sure where to look first. Oh, if he could just have Noctowl with him now! The owl Pokémon would find the gym with ease from the air.
Ash shook his head; he couldn't think like that, if he wanted to win this gym. Noctowl, however, gave him an idea. He ran at the nearest tree, grasping at the lower branches as he began to climb. Maybe he didn't have Noctowl, but he could still look around from up high!
Ash's foot slipped on the bark and his body weight yanked him back down to the ground. He fell hard on his backside, but was quick to rise and give another attempt. He was at last ahead of Gary; he couldn't give up that easily!
This time Ash paid attention to crevices in the wood where he could stick his feet. He climbed steadily, occasionally tripping and finding himself dangling by his arms alone. Torso scraping in the bark, he would then square his feet on some branches and set off again.
Eventually Ash reached the top, and he sat among the branches with a grip on either side of him. Nervously he glanced around below, noticing for once how high he was. The midday sun beat at his back as his breath came in short gasps; sweat dribbled down his neck.
"Hey," he said to himself, "I can see the warden's office from here!" He smiled at the wooden lodge, knowing Misty, Brock, and Pikachu were there now, waiting anxiously for his return.
That brought him back to the task at hand. He scanned the horizons for any sign: a building, a clearing, anything. Nothing came to him immediately. He took a slower observation.
Suddenly a flock of Pidgey streaked across his field of vision; he turned to watch them flutter out above an inlet of sparkling water, smiling to himself at the wild Pokémon's free spirits. A frown creased his face as he saw an odd shape beside the inlet. Before, he had simply dismissed it as a fallen log; now, he saw, it was a brown rectangle, just like the office on his other side.
Ash squinted at the office, and then found this new place again. The second lodge (if it was indeed one) was smaller, but it still had the same resemblance.
"That must be it!"
Excitement growing, Ash traced a path through the woods to the lodge. He would need to head southward until he hit the shore; then, it was just to the east. He was sure it would be easy to spot once he hit the water.
Ash grinned, pleased with himself. I didn't even need my Pokémon to solve that one, he thought. I bet Gary won't get it this quickly!
Now Ash glanced down, and blanched. There was still the matter of climbing down from the tree.
Cautiously he set a foot on a branch below him; then, he found a second protrusion nearby for his other foot. He grasped two branches at eye-level and, keeping his gaze on the branches just below him, lowered himself.
His foot found another branch, and his other foot, too. In this fashion, Ash climbed down gradually.
A snap broke him from his trance; suddenly, his right foot plummeted. With a wild cry Ash scrabbled at his handholds, swinging his leg to a new branch.
"Phew," he panted, realizing how close he'd been to falling. He continued.
Once he reached the ground, Ash set off with determination in his eyes. This badge would be easy to get!
*
Gary peered around what seemed to be a living room; the wrestling ring of his imagination was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a fireplace tucked into one corner, with a cluster of couches around it. A table was stacked high with Pokémon observation books.
Charlie sat in one of the armchairs, gesturing for Gary to do the same. He sank into the seat gratefully, trying not to show how much pain he was feeling.
"In this gym," Charlie informed him, "your goal is to win this." He rummaged in his pocket and showed Gary a green, camouflage badge glittering in the shape of a leaf. "The Nature Badge. To do so, you must complete at least two out of three tasks." Charlie held up a finger. "First – which you have already done – is to find this gym in the wilderness, without the use of your Pokémon. Then you must successfully swim across Konoha Lake; finally, you'll climb the cliff at the other side."
Gary absorbed this slowly. First came relief; he wouldn't have to fight, after all. Then he realized that this was just as bad; with his ankle in the state it was, how could he possible swim or climb? Gary recalled the lake's chill and shuddered involuntarily.
Charlie got up and took a key from its hook on the wall. "Of course, I'll be coming with you, and Nurse Joy'll follow us on land."
Gary rose, forcing himself to nod and follow Charlie out of the house.
Outside, a forest-green jeep awaited their arrival. Nurse Joy sat in the driver's seat, pink hair tied back in a bun. She gave Charlie a nod and turned to Gary. "Is there anything you'd like me to take to the other side for you?"
After a moment's hesitation, Gary threw his bag in the back of the jeep; he noted Charlie was stripping out of his bulky clothing, wearing a swimsuit beneath. Following this example, he removed his necklace and boots, leaving them with Nurse Joy.
Charlie led the way down the beach; Gary limped after him reluctantly. He had no idea how he would win this race.
Looks like I'll just have to hope I'm lucky, like Ash does, he remarked grimly as he stepped into the surf. Water lapped at his bare feet, and, as he waded deeper, greedily soaked into his clothing. Suppressing a shiver, Gary strode out further. Once he was waist-deep, he stopped and glanced over at Charlie.
"Ready when you are," the leader acknowledged. Gary turned back, swallowing hard. He counted to three in his head and lunged forward into the water, feeling it close around his shoulders and chill him to the bone.
How can Charlie stand this? Gary wondered briefly before focusing on what he was doing. He pushed off from the murky bottom, pumping himself forward with arms and legs alone.
He grimaced as pain stabbed into him again and again as he thrashed his legs; Gary pushed on, telling himself the pain would go away when his feet grew cold.
And grow cold they did; before he was even very deep, Gary could only feel numbness in his hands and feet. However, that only intensified his pain. If only he could stop for a moment!
Breathing grew harder as the cold shock hit his lungs; the water knocked his ankle around ruthlessly. It was all he could do not to cry out.
Gary swam on, eyes on the horizon, hoping soon to see the cliffs ahead and Nurse Joy's waiting vehicle. He spurred himself on with the thought that, upon reaching the shore, she could somehow heal his ankle…
Gary never did see the shore. After a couple more pained, unfeeling strokes he knocked his feet together by accident; then his ankle completely gave out on him.
Gary bit down hard on his lip, refusing to scream at the sudden pain that engulfed him. He floundered with arms alone for one helpless moment before the water converged over his head.
No! Gary thought with a surge of desperation. I won't go down like this! He tried to kick back to the surface, but his body refused to respond to him. He closed his eyes.
Strong arms suddenly grasped him, pulling him upward. Gary's head burst up into the air and he gasped for breath.
"Can you walk?" a voice shouted in his ear; turning his head, he recognized Charlie. He was the one holding him up.
"I don't know!" he called back, honestly. The pain was back full force, and with his current loss of feeling in his limbs, he doubted he could even stand.
"The lake's nearly shallow enough for someone to walk across," Charlie explained. "It starts getting shallower up ahead. If I bring you that far, can you walk?"
Gary nodded; he'd try. He allowed Charlie to tug him along, understanding a bit how Charlie could set these crazy challenges. They weren't as dangerous as they seemed; but what about the cliff? Now that he was dependent on winning that bout, Gary felt nervousness rising in his stomach. Could he even climb in this state?
In a daze Gary suddenly sensed Charlie stop swimming; the leader stood, head bobbing above the water. Gary's feet touched the bottom and he stood, taking a cautious step away from Charlie. Wincing, he began to limp toward shore. His feet sank into the sand below, rocks pricking at his skin. He moved cautiously, applying his weight on his right.
"You're in pain," Charlie noted, keeping even with him easily. "What happened?"
Gary grimaced but didn't answer, intent on his course. He had to show he was strong, after falling out halfway through this test.
Finally, after what felt like ages, he reached the shallows. Wading out onto the sand, he fell to his knees, gasping. Gary rolled to a sitting position, careful to keep off his left side. He was soaked, shivering in the not-quite warm air.
Nurse Joy hurried toward them with two towels; as Charlie went to fetch his clothing she knelt beside Gary.
"Are you all right?" she asked anxiously.
"My ankle," he mumbled, brushing slick hair from his eyes, "I think I twisted it."
Nurse Joy examined his left foot, its wet bandages unravelling. She prodded experimentally at his ankle, and Gary winced.
"You did," she noted, and unrolled some fresh bandages. As she expertly bound his ankle, Charlie approached. He took in the injury silently before glancing at Gary.
"You up for the next part?"
Gary nodded, determined. He had to get this badge; he wasn't giving up now because of his ankle!
Charlie turned, gesturing to the cliff face behind them. "Then we'll scale this cliff. If you reach the top on your own, I'll give you the badge."
Gary followed the climb with his eyes; handholds and footholds were littered about in the form of crevices and protruding boulders. He shuddered at the thought of getting his foot stuck again.
Nurse Joy stepped back, finished; Gary hoisted himself to his feet, wobbling slightly for a moment. Steadying himself, he limped toward the jeep to collect his boots. He slipped them on, knowing he'd need the sturdy footwear for the climb.
Gary stepped up to the wall of rock, where Charlie was already waiting. He slipped his hands into gaps at about eye level, readying himself. He took a deep breath. I have to win this! Gary pushed off from the ground, finding a hold for his right foot. Gingerly holding his weight on that, he began to climb.
To be continued...
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