CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"You sure about this, Natalie?" Daniel asked.
"I'm sure. Ready?" Natalie asked.
The dazzling afternoon sun shone across Cerulean City, causing a golden glow on the surface of the ocean. Daniel and Natalie had walked up Nugget Bridge to the coast, where they had decided to battle each other on the beach, as practice for Natalie taking on the Cerulean Gym Leader.
Daniel selected a Pokeball from his belt. "Go, Ekans!"
Ekans appeared in a flash of red light, hissing faintly as the Pokeball returned to Daniel's hand. Natalie smiled, throwing her Pokeball into the sand. "Go, Butterfree!"
Butterfree burst forth from its Pokeball and flew up into the air, twittering as it considered its new opponent.
"Ekans, Poison Sting!"
"Butterfree, Confusion!"
Ekans opened its mouth and released a volley of poison barbs at Butterfree, while Butterfree swooped to the side to avoid them and blasted Ekans with a telekinetic force. Ekans writhed on the sand, unable to grasp what had happened.
"Butterfree, Tackle Attack!"
Butterfree ducked and headed for Ekans, its little wings flapping madly.
"Ekans, Bite Attack!" Daniel shouted.
Ekans leapt up and bit its own tail in confusion as Butterfree slammed into Ekans, sending it further into the sand.
"Ekans, get up!" Daniel called.
"Butterfree, finish Ekans! Use Confusion!"
Daniel retrieved Ekans' Pokeball just as Butterfree released another telekinetic wave, returning Ekans to its Pokeball in a flash of red light as Butterfree's Confusion attack blasted grains of sand everywhere.
"That was close!" Natalie remarked. "Nice job, Butterfree."
Butterfree twittered and flew around her master's head.
"Meowth, I choose you!" cried Daniel.
Meowth stepped forward from Daniel's side, unsheathing the claws in its paws.
"Butterfree, Poisonpowder!"
"Meowth, Pay Day!"
As Butterfree released a stream of poison spores at Meowth, Meowth's forehead glowed and blasted Butterfree from the air, causing it to fall onto the sand. Meowth began coughing from the poisonpowder as Butterfree lay, heaving.
"Meowth, Scratch Attack!" Daniel called, reaching for an Antidote in his backpack.
"Butterfree, Confusion!" Natalie cried.
Butterfree weakly got to its feet, managing to release the telekinetic wave as it caught sight of Meowth; but Meowth avoided the blast and scratched Butterfree on its face. Crying weakly, Butterfree's head hit the sand. It had fainted.
"Come here, Meowth," Daniel said, as Natalie scooped up her unconscious Butterfree in her arms.
Daniel sprayed the antidote on Meowth, who began to feel a lot better. He looked up at Natalie, who had returned Butterfree to its Pokeball and had selected her second Pokemon.
"My next Pokemon will be Squirtle! You're up, little guy!" Natalie said.
Squirtle walked forward, its expression concentrated.
"Meowth, Bite Attack!"
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
Meowth leapt towards Squirtle, receiving a face full of water as Squirtle's jet blasted him off his feet.
"Squirtle, Tackle Attack!" Natalie shouted.
Squirtle raced towards Meowth, but Meowth got onto its feet all of a sudden, its forehead glowing.
"Squirtle, quick! Use Withdraw!"
Squirtle disappeared inside its shell just as Meowth sent a blast of light at Squirtle. Protected inside its shell, Squirtle was hurtled across the beach and into the shallow end of the ocean.
"Squirtle, Bubble Attack!"
"Meowth, dodge and use Bite!"
Squirtle emerged from its shell and released a stream of bubbles towards Meowth. Meowth avoided the attack and leapt at Squirtle, catching him on his tail and biting hard. Squirtle squealed in pain as Meowth then grabbed Squirtle by his tail and sunk his claws in, scratching liberally.
"Squirtle!" Natalie screamed, reaching for her Pokeball. "Return!"
Squirtle disappeared safely inside its Pokeball in a flash of red light. Natalie selected her third Pokemon from her belt.
"Your Meowth's getting better." Natalie said, throwing her Pokeball into the sand. "But here's my newest Pokemon! Go, Poliwag!"
Poliwag appeared from the Pokeball, standing on its little two legs and facing Meowth with alarm.
"It's alright, Poliwag. Go ahead," Natalie encouraged. "You'll do great!"
"Meowth, Growl!"
"Poliwag, Bubble!"
As Poliwag drew in its breath, Meowth released a canny growl which caused Poliwag to hesitate.
"Meowth, Scratch Attack!"
Meowth ran at Poliwag, its claws drawn. Poliwag shook a little in fear, but this was only a precursor to the glowing wave which shot out from its chest and blasted Meowth off its feet.
"Oh no! Hypnosis!" Daniel cried in alarm, while Natalie cheered for the newest addition to her Pokemon team.
"Nice work, Poliwag!" said Natalie.
Meowth had fallen asleep on the sand, its chest heaving with instantaneous slumber.
"Meowth!" Daniel cried out in concern, reaching for an Awakening.
"You shouldn't use all your items, Daniel," Natalie scolded. "This is just a practice battle. Return him if need be."
"I know, but I can't let Meowth lose! He's my no. 1 guy!" Daniel exclaimed.
"Very well! Poliwag, Bubble!"
Poliwag released a stream of bubbles at Meowth, sending it hurtling across the sand to rest at Daniel's feet.
"Here, Meowth," Daniel said, administering Awakening by spraying it on Meowth. He woke with a start.
"Poliwag, use Hypnosis again!" Natalie cried.
"Meowth, dodge and use Bite!"
Poliwag released a wave of hypnosis, but Meowth avoided the attack and leapt at Poliwag, biting hard on Poliwag's body. Poliwag let out a squeal of pain and a red light engulfed Poliwag, causing it to disappear inside Natalie's Pokeball.
"That's enough!" Natalie said, attaching the Pokeball to her belt.
"You did a great job, Meowth." Daniel said, as Meowth bounded up to him, receiving a pat on the head.
"C'mon," Natalie said, adjusting the straps on her backpack. "Let's head to the Pokemon Centre."
"You're not a sore loser, are you?" Daniel taunted, catching up to her.
"I think Poliwag was at a disadvantage, facing Meowth. Poliwag hasn't had any battle experience." Natalie was quick to add.
"Well, why don't you face another Trainer then?" Daniel asked sourly. "If I'm too good for you - "
"You're not, Daniel," Natalie gave him a sardonic smile, turning to face him. "I'll need a bit more time to train my Pokemon, that's all."
"Well, if you say so..."
Together, they headed down the lane, enjoying the sights and smells of Cerulean Cape near midnight, heading back to their hotel.
Meanwhile, the next morning in a hotel suite across the block, Amy woke up and bounded out of bed, surprising the three Pokemon who rested at the foot of her bed.
"Did I wake you up?" Amy asked. "We've got a big day ahead of us. A new start."
Amy checked out early and strolled Cerulean City with her three Pokemon beside her, out of their Pokeballs for once. She entered a PokeMart and stocked up on a few items.
"How are you going with your journey, dear?" asked the cashier, ringing up her purchases.
"I'm going to battle the Cerulean Gym Leader today," Amy smiled.
"That's nice, dear. Keep in mind it's a Water-type Gym," the cashier said, eyeing Amy's Growlithe and Cubone.
Amy felt a wave of apprehension as she looked down at her Pokemon. A Water-type Gym? Both Growlithe and Cubone were weak to Water-types.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," the cashier said, handing over Amy's bag of purchases with a smile.
"Thank you."
Amy exited the store, roaming around for a bit more before finally arriving in front of the Cerulean Gym. The placard on the window informed Amy that the Gym Leader was Misty.
"We've got to get that Badge!" Amy told her Pokemon. They made accompanying noises of assent and followed her as she entered the Gym.
"Welcome!" Misty said, towelling herself dry from a lap in the pool. "I'm Misty! I'm the Gym Leader of Cerulean City."
"I'm Amy," Amy walked over and shook the girl's hand. "Nice to meet you."
"Would you like to battle?" Misty asked, shaking the water out of her ear with manic fervour. Amy watched with mild interest.
"I'm here to win!" Amy smiled.
"Well, so am I." Misty grinned. She pointed to the diving board above. "Climb a ladder and let's get started."
Amy took a look at the high ladder. She wasn't properly dressed - a flowy skirt and a tunic top.
"Can I change?"
"Are you going to fall in?" Misty asked, beginning her climb of the ladder. "The last Trainer to face me did!"
Amy steeled her resolve. Discomfort was a small price to pay to fight a Gym Leader.
"I won't fall in!" Amy shouted, a little doubtful. She turned to her Pokemon and returned them into their Pokeballs. "Okay..."
Amy climbed the ladder one rung at a time, feeling anxious as she glanced at the towering height. Finally, she reached the top, unsteadily gaining balance as she stood.
"Are you ready?" Misty asked, unlatching a Pokeball from the belt strapped around her bathing suit. "I'm not easy to defeat!"
"Neither am I, Misty!" Amy smiled encouragingly, selecting her first Pokemon. "Go, Nidoran!"
Amy pointed the Pokeball at one of the many floating platforms in the pool. The beam of light which shot out formed Nidoran, who kicked up her heels and readied herself for the battle.
"Go, Staryu!" Misty cried, tossing her Pokeball into the water.
A flash of red light burst forth and Staryu surfaced from the water, spinning to rest onto an opposing floating platform.
"Staryu, Tackle Attack!"
"Nidoran, Poison Sting!"
Nidoran opened its mouth and released a volley of poisonous barbs, striking Staryu as it spun towards Nidoran. Staryu stopped mid-air and fell into the water with a resounding splash.
"Staryu!" cried out Misty. "Tackle Attack!"
Staryu would not rouse from the water's depths. Misty glanced over the edge. "Staryu?"
Amy glanced to Nidoran, thinking hard. "Was it poisoned?"
Furrowing her brow, Misty retrieved her Pokeball and pointed it at the pool, where a red light covered the pool's surface and collected Staryu into its Pokeball.
"Well, Misty," Amy smiled. "That was a rather short battle."
"That was a fluke," said Misty, with great dismay. "Clearly I underestimated you - but it won't happen again! Go, Starmie!"
Misty tossed another Pokeball into the water, revealing Starmie in a flash of red light. Starmie stood proudly on the floating platform, facing Nidoran.
"Nidoran, Poison Sting!"
"Starmie, dive underwater!"
Nidoran released a volley of poison barbs at Starmie as Starmie dived underwater to avoid the attack.
"Starmie, rise out of the water and use Water Gun!"
"Nidoran, Poison Sting!"
Starmie emerged from the water, spinning wildly as one of its appendages released a jet of water in Nidoran's direction. Before Nidoran could release its poison barbs from its mouth, Starmie's jet of water knocked Nidoran back. Starmie's Tackle was the finisher to send Nidoran flying into the pool with a splash.
"No way!" Amy cried, holding out Nidoran's Pokeball. "Nidoran, return!"
Nidoran returned to its Pokeball in a flash of red light.
"I told you you'd be in for a challenge!" Misty warned. "My Starmie won't be beaten so easily."
Starmie launched itself out of the water and landed perfectly on the floating podium. Amy glanced down at it, wondering how it was able to see without any eyes. Then again, stranger creatures were called Pokemon.
"I choose Cubone!" Amy cried, throwing the Pokeball below.
Cubone appeared in a flash of red light, balancing precariously on the floating podium. Stoic, Starmie regarded its opponent coldly.
"Starmie, Water Gun!"
"Cubone, use Headbutt on Starmie!"
Cubone took a running leap and jumped over to the floating podium in the middle, dodging Starmie's attack in the process. It took another leap, bowing its head and slammed into Starmie, knocking it back so that the two stood face-to-face.
"Starmie, Harden!"
"Cubone, Bone Club!"
Cubone smashed its club on Starmie's core jewel, but Starmie's hardened body repelled the attack. Cubone staggered back a few paces.
"Tackle Attack, Starmie!"
"Cubone, Tail Whip!"
As Starmie spun towards Cubone, Cubone whipped its tail around to hit Starmie at the same time Starmie tackled into Cubone. The two were knocked backwards by each other's blast, both falling into the water on either side.
"Cubone, return!" Amy cried, the flash of light from her Pokeball capturing Cubone safely in its Pokeball.
As Amy selected her third and final Pokemon, Starmie emerged from the water, a little bruised but no worse for wear.
"You sure are feisty!" Misty commented. "Your Cubone lasted longer than I thought."
Growlithe, you're my only hope, Amy thought, throwing the Pokeball onto the podium opposite Starmie.
"A Growlithe?" Misty asked in disbelief, as Growlithe nervously padded the floating podium, regarding its Water-type foe with a growl. "This one will be easy! Let's go, Starmie!"
Starmie spun the second star on its back in a display of pride and stepped forward a few steps to intimidate Growlithe. Growlithe's hackles were raised in response.
"Starmie, let's show this Trainer how powerful we are! Bubblebeam!"
"Growlithe, dodge it and use Roar!"
A stream of bubbles erupted from Starmie's core jewel and just missed Growlithe as he jumped out of the way, landing on an adjacent platform to the left. Growlithe let out a fierce roar which stopped Starmie in its tracks, halting its Bubblebeam attack.
"Growlithe, I trust you! Get Starmie with a Bite Attack!"
"Starmie, Water Gun!"
Starmie shook off its momentary fear of Growlithe and shot of a jet of water at him as Growlithe jumped to the podium in the middle. Growlithe was agile enough to avoid the jet of water, however, and leapt onto Starmie's platform, jumping at Starmie and sinking his teeth in.
"Starmie, Harden!" Misty cried.
"Growlithe, Roar!" Amy shouted.
Growlithe roared fiercely at Starmie, causing Starmie to stiffen before it could Harden. Instinctively, Growlithe leapt into the air as Starmie shot its Water Gun right where Growlithe had been standing. Mid-air, with gasps from Amy and Misty, Amy cried, "Ember!"
Growlithe opened its mouth as it hurtled back down and released a stream of flames at Starmie, pelting it and causing Starmie to trip over in surprise.
"Finish it, Growlithe! Bite Attack!"
Growlithe landed on Starmie, pinning it down and taking a bite out of Starmie's top appendage which it utilised for its Water Gun attack. Starmie writhed to no avail, then lay flat on the platform. It had fainted.
"No way!" Misty cried.
"Yes!" Amy clapped her hands happily, as Growlithe barked enthusiastically, stepping off of Starmie as Misty returned her Pokemon to its Pokeball. "We won!"
As Amy climbed down the ladder, she met Growlithe at its base and patted him on the head.
"You did a great job, Growlithe. You're a winner," she said, snuggling him close.
Misty came up behind her. "You're a good Trainer. I never thought I'd see the day I'd get defeated by a Trainer using a Fire-type."
"Thanks," Amy smiled.
"Here," Misty extended her hand, revealing the Cascadebadge. "You've earned it."
Amy took the badge, a rising sensation of joy in her stomach. "Thanks. I'll take good care of it."