Chapter 22: Next Badge
Cell forced us, me and Latios, on an airplane in one swoop. He just told us randomly the morning after I defeated Aqua.
His words exactly, "Good morning, Latios, Yoshi. We're getting on a plane today, so you know we've got to hurry up and get to the private one, in the airport of this town."
"What?" I asked. I could tell he wasn't doing it to get either of us into trouble or something. He wasn't hiding anything, but he explained to me that if the next town's gym leader is too strong for me, especially since I only have 3 members on my team.
Latios wasn't so easily convinced. Instead he insisted on flying beside the plane, invisible. Taking a plane to Bealton town, was strange. Well the flight was strange.
I was truly blind on a plane. I was walking around practically deaf, because of how loud the engines and air conditioning was. Cell had to lead me back to the seat, because I was so confused and blind.
After half an hour past we got off the plane and met with Latios, who hadn't even broken a sweat. I think it had taken more effort on my part to stay on the plane.
"The gym leader in this town is an easy one." Said Cell as we left the airport. "His name is Verde, and he likes his grass types. Unlike the last gym, you fight in an easier environment. I don't know if it's advantageous or not, but with scyther I don't think you'll be having that much of a hard time, like the last match."
"I hope so." I agreed.
'Yeah, I want to go save my sister already,' complained Latias.
'Have you made a plan?' I asked him with my mind.
'Not yet.' Said Latios.
I sighed through my nose and said," Let's make this snappy."
Bealton town's gym was in the direct center of the town. Well I didn't know if I could call it a gym. Maybe somewhere along the lines of a greenhouse was correct. Well not even a greenhouse exactly fit the description.
Imagine a garden the size of a billionaire's mansion, and lawn. The area of the two combined, but replace the whole thing with a forest. Around it is a greenhouse dome, and some of the trees are the height of the mansion. That is what you get when you leave it up to a gym leader named Verde, to create a gym.
"That's a greenhouse?" I asked Cell, my mouth agape.
"Yeah, world's biggest greenhouse, and the owner of the lushest, fruitiest, greenest greens. Verde." Said Cell, also surprised.
'Why do humans care about a really, really big forest, stuffed inside a glass building?' asked Latios.
"Well you see, when you have a building in general this big, you're generally impressed, moved even. When you have a 'greenhouse' the size of Hearthome, you've got to at least let one compliment pass through your mouth." I said.
"It houses, fruits, vegetables, herbs, everything." Said Cell proudly. "and also Pokemon."
"This is awesome. This is so awesome, even though I'm not so strong in herbalism, this place is magnificent." I said, moved.
'You idiots can either stand here, slack jawed with drool piling at your feet and let my sister get hurt, over a massive glass dome, or we can go in take on this stupid gym guy, and get going.' Said Latios irritably.
"He has a point," I said. I left my goggles off and stepped forward. The doors slid open and a wave of heat hit us. It wasn't as bad as the hot spring though. It gave off the feeling that summer started. Inside were trees that stretched out to the ceiling. There was no wind though, making the building feel stuffy.
"Where's the gym leader?" I asked Cell.
"No clue." Said Cell shrugging.
"This place is inspiring isn't it?" asked N his voice not too far away. He stood behind a tree and started to walk towards us.
"Hello N." I said softly.
"You again," said Cell, irritably.
'This guy,' said Latios, speechless.
"This place is gorgeous," claimed N.
"Right," I agreed. I can smell plants and Pokemon everywhere.
"I'm glad people like my greenhouse." Said a voice from above. I looked up towards the sound. I could hear someone climbing down a nearby tree to my right. I heard the person jump to the ground a short distance. Then he walked over to us and said," There's not that many people that enjoy nature. Now everyone's interest is in the tallest buildings, as to the tallest tree."
Yeah, I thought to myself, I was amazed by the tall greenhouse rather than the tall tree.
"Anyway I'm guessing one of you two want a battle." Said the man, he sounded young like he was in his twenties. I could see he was kind of short and scrawny. His aura reads that he's a neutral guy. "Oh right, I'm Verde. And you two are?"
"N," Announced N.
"Yoshi," I said.
The gym leader said, "And I'm guessing the two of you are here for a battle?"
"Yeah," we both said.
"You can go first." Said N.
"Thanks," I said walking forward, to the gym leader.
"Are you ready?" asked Verde.
"Yeah." I said.
The two of us walked through the gym to a more central area where the sunlight beamed down on us.
"I'm starting this battle off, go Tropius!" said Verde. I put my goggles down as his Tropius landed. I can see the Tropius, or rather feel it. "Fighting blind?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes, my eyesight is quite terrible." I said with a shrug. If it's a tropius then it's flying and grass. Starting off with Scyther is no good. The best I can do is bring out Eevee or Zorua. I eventually decided to throw out Eevee, due to her Secret Power.
"Go, Eevee!" I threw eevee onto the field. "Eevee, let's kick off the match with Secret Power!"
"Tropius! Use Magic Leaf!" shouted Verde.
Nearby leaves started to glow with a white color, and then they flew forward.
"Eevee, Duck!" I shouted. Eevee ducked down, beneath the magical leafs. But they wouldn't keep going.
"Eevee, run!" I shouted. Eevee ran as the magical leaves chased her from behind. She slammed into the Tropius, and immediately the magical leaves stopped following her. I sat there for a second, did that one his do the trick?
Tropius stumbled for a second, and his eyes started to close. Only then did I hear him crunch on something and he woke back up. I sat there in shock. My plan to make him fall asleep had failed. Terribly.
"What do I do?" shouted Eevee.
"Eevee, return!" I shouted, she tackled the Tropius, and moved away.
Verde yawned while saying, "Tropius, Leech seed!"
Tropius shot a seed from his mouth, and it landed on Eevee. Quickly vines entangler her, as she fell to the ground.
"I am a teacher," announced Verde suddenly. "Attacking isn't the only thing that matters here. What matters more is the strategy. In my case, my strategy is to stall. I also don't expect you to win this match. I just want to see your way of thinking. I can tell your plan with the Eevee. On low level Pokemon it makes sense, but on higher levels make sure to change it. Well that's all. Here have the badge."
I stared at him dumbfounded, as he threw the badge at me.
"Wait, I won?" I asked, grabbing it in the air.
"Yeah." said Verde plainly. "But the next gym leader, is where people start quitting. Beast will make mincemeat out of you." Verde waved and shouted," Though that does raise a question." Verde quickly returned Tropius to his ball. You're the guy the Wizards are after, right?"
"Yeah." I admitted. I saw no reason to try to hide it at this point. "What about it?"
"What are they after you for?" asked Verde.
I quickly explained to him what happened over the past few days, while leaving out Latios and Latias.
"I guess they're coming to replace me too, huh?" Verde smiled sinisterly. His aura growing red with excitement," I'm excited to see what these guys have cooked up for me. Well see you later. Good luck with Beast."
With that said I left saying, "Thanks."