Chapt 3, When the Coal Badge requires you to explore the mines

Route 202 was full of grass and eager trainer, just waiting to bump into new trainers and challenge them. After a long and tiring walk through the road, I found myself at the entrance of a mysterious cave. The sign in front of it said "Ravaged Path" and it kind of gave me the chills but I decided to go in anyways. Moreover, I had acquired two new pokemons (a magikarp and a Budew) so they can keep me company. After walking in, I noticed many rocks blocking my way and no matter how hard I hit them, they wouldn't budge.

"How am I going to get to Oreburgh city if I can't even get past this tunnel?" I cry out in frustration.

Then I remembered that on the map Barry gave me, Oreburgh city was to the west of Jubilife City. Sighing, I return to the city annoyed that I had done all the walk for nothing and heal up. I then head towards west only to come face to face once again with Barry.

"Hello again, Barry" I greet

"Hey! Haru! Tell me you got a little tougher!"

"Uhh well I'm not too sure about that..what about you?" I reply, surprised

"Me? Do you even need to ask? Of course I got tougher! Come on! Let's battle it out!"

He then challenges me to a duel, to which I accept. He used two pokemons and, thanks to the trainers and wild pokemon I had to fight on my way to the cave, I was able to win after a close battle.

"Hehe! It's my win!" I chime after defeating Barry

"Waah! What do you mean you won?" He pouted

"Well I did beat you" I replied

"Well that's it! That's the last time I'll ever lose! I'm going to be the world's toughest trainer and you know it!" he declares

"Heh, I don't plan on losing at that either!" I reply

"The first thing to do is to take on the Oreburgh City Pokemon Gym!"

"Okay, see you there!"

With that being said, Barry once again runs off to heal his pokemon. With my resolve strengthened once again, I walk towards route 203.

The road towards Oreburgh city was twice as long and tiring as route 202. Countless people wanted to test their skills against passing trainers and endless patches of grass were in the way. Upon successfully reaching the cave connecting route 203 to Oreburgh city, I noticed that the sun had already set. I then hastily make my way towards the city where I will heal up and rest.

Oreburgh city, unlike Jubilife city, didn't looks as modern and lively but it did give off a heartwarming feeling. I was greeted by a boy in blue cap, who offered to show me where the Gym was. The gym was a big building and certainly stood out from the grey-ish colored houses that composed of most houses in the city. In front of it stood a confused Barry.

"Hey Barry, what's wrong?" I asked

"Huh? Oh, it's you, Haru! You finally got here? You're slow as always." he replied

"Well excuse me for wanting to train my pokemons" I retort

"Anyways, the gym leader's long gone now. He said he had to go to...uh… Oh, yeah, to the Oreburgh Mine!"

"Oh...really?"

"I got my badge already, so it's no big deal to me but…"

"No it's fine I'll go look for him" I sighed.

"Well then, good luck"

After getting enough rest andstopping by the pokemon center, I head for the Oreburgh Mine in hopes of finding the Gym Leader.

One can hardly miss the Oreburgh Mine as the railroads are taller than most of the buildings in the city and it is very noisy because of all the workers there. Machokes could be seen helping out and I was amazed by the friendship between human and pokemon. They worked together as a team and were very effective on their tasks. I walk past the railroad and take walk down into the underground. The slope leads deep down, where many wild zubats nest and on the very bottom stands a gate. I walk through the gate and being to wander around, occasionally bumping into wild Zubats (and defeating them as they were being quite unfriendly) and battle quite a few workers, thanks to which chimchar finally evolved to Monferno. After walking around and exploring every corner of the mine, Monferno and my other pokemons became more and more exhausted. I picked up a few items such as potions and repels, however, Roark was nowhere to be seen. Tired I go back to the pokemon center to heal up and decide to check the gym once more.

"Huh? It's open" I voice, surprised that the doors let me in.

Inside the gym were platforms with stairs leading to the Gym leader. There was, however another path where two youngsters eager to battle stood. Feeling sorry for walking past them, I decided to take them on. Budew did a great job with absorb as Rock type pokemons didn't fare too well against grass and I made made way to the gym leader quite easily as I braced myself for the last battle.

"Howdy!" Roark greeted. "I'm but one Trainer who decided to walk proudly with Rock-type Pokemon! As the Gym Leader, I need to see you potential as a Trainer, and I'll need to see the toughness of the Pokemon that battle with you!"

Oh, I'll show you toughness ,I thought as the battle took a start. Though Roark's Geodude, Onix and Cranidos did prove to be quite a challenge, I did manage to beat him despite his constant use of potions. With Budew's absorb, these three pokemons went down without a hitch.

"Yess!" I joyfully shout as I take the win.

"This is embarrassing…" Roark says as he scratches his head. "I went and lost to a Trainer who didn't have a single Gym Badge…"

"Hmm so THAT's what the lad meant when he said they'd look down on you…" I mumbled, offended.

"Pardon?"

"Nope, nothing! I'm sorry about your loss" I blurt out, shocked that he heard my inner thoughts earlier.

"Oh well. You were strong and I was weak. That's all there is. According to Pokemon League rules, I have to give you our Gym Badge since you've beaten me, the Leader. Here's your official Pokemon League Coal Badge" he says as he hands me a small round badge. I store it in my case, thank the Gym Leader and walk out of the gym, happy that I've won my first battle against a Gym Leader.

Wait till mom hears about that hehe she'll be quite surprised I chime pensively as I heal up at the pokemon center. My next stop, according to the map was Eterna City. I had heard many things about it and was eager to explore it so I pack up as soon as possible and head for route 207. Unfortunately, my excitement was cut short as the only route to Eterna city required a bicycle to pass it and I wasn't lucky enough to get one. Disappointed, I make my way back to Oreburgh and back into the Oreburgh gate. Just as I was about to enter the cave, Barry comes running into me.

*THUD*

"Ouch...what was that?" I cry as I hold my knees in pain.

"Whoops! Haru! You got the Gym Badge, huh?" Barry says, excitedly

"Yeah… "

"Eterna City is the next place with a Gym that gives away Badges, right?"

"I think so…"

"So yeah, I went to Route 207, but you can't go there without a Bicycle."

"Mhmm I noticed too"

"But I made my team battle and toughened them up, so it wasn't a waste."

"Haha, same here!"

"So, I'm going back to Jubilife City. NExt stop, the Eterna Gym Badge!" He chimed, as excited as ever. "Ten seconds before I dash!"

"Huh? What? W-wait-"

"Ten...Nine, Bah! Who's got time to count?!" he yells as he runs off inside the gate and disappears.

"Ehh.. there he goes again…" I sigh as I walk into the gate myself.