Chapter 45: VS Bertha
Roses prediction of the match wasn't far off from what actually happened. Upon entering the room through the large bronze doors, I discovered an arena covered in sand, dark stones used to create the standard pokeball in the center. Large boulders were scattered about, creating excellent hiding spots. Bertha herself stood at her post. She was an older woman, clearly passed her 50s, graying hair down to her shoulders. Despite the cool temperature in the building, she wore a large gray coat with a scarf. She leaned on a cane with one hand, and smiled sweetly. "So, you've beaten Aaron then. Well I hope I can give you a better challenge than he did." she said, tossing a pokeball into the air, revealing a Whiscash. The large blue catfish flopped around slightly before settling into the sand.
"Sorry, but I don't think ground-types are going to be that difficult." I replied, sending out Rose.
The fight was incredibly short. Rose used Magical Leaf to great effect, absolutely destroying the enemy Whiscash, whose dual water/ground typing didn't stand a chance. In retaliation to the threatening grass-type, Bertha revealed a Gliscor. The large purple bat-scorpion was intimidating, but I had a plan. I switched Rose out for Redwood, the Abomasnow easily tanking the Fire Fang attack that Gliscor launched. The following Ice Beam devastated the bat, and it was all over.
Switching back to Rose, she beat the Golem with another Magical Leaf, and when Rhyperior came out, switched to the more devastating Petal Dance. The whirlwind of sharp pink leaves flooded the arena, even digging up the hidden Hippowdon that was sleeping in a corner. With a single attack, Rose had defeated both of Bertha's remaining pokemon. The entire battle lasted less than ten minutes.
"I...I am astounded young man." Bertha said. "I have lost to grass and ice-types before, don't get me wrong, but the power that your pokemon posses, it's truly incredible. The bond you share runs deeper than just trainer and pokemon, I can tell. Go on then, through the door there. Flint is waiting for you."
In the break room, I healed Redwoods injuries from the battle with Gliscor while I talked to the rest of the team. "Rose, that was excellent work out there. You didn't even get touched, and defeated almost all of them single-handedly! Redwood, great job with that Gliscor too." I added, not wanting him to feel left out.
"Thank you sir." Redwood replied, beaming.
"There isn't a ground-type around that can go toe to toe with me." Rose boasted.
"That's right." I said, smiling. "But ground-types aren't what we'll be facing next. Flint is a fire-type trainer, and unfortunately for us, we have no advantage against him. I had always planned form the beginning for Franklin to lead the way here. His ground-typing as a Torterra would have helped immensely. But it doesn't matter now. The fact is, Flint's probably going to be the toughest fight in the Elite Four."
"That clown with the afro you saw earlier?" Cerberus asked. "Ha! I don't think he'll any more of a challenge than the rest of them."
"I'm glad you think that Cerberus." I said. "Cause you're going to be up first."