CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN
Having returned home at last, Daniel tiredly rubbed his eyes as got out of bed, carefully stepping over the sleeping bulk of Arbok and drawing the curtains so that the morning sunlight filtered in. Meowth watched him with one eye open, yawning loudly as he was forced to concede that surrounding activity meant he should get up. Weepinbell was sleeping outside, preferring the garden at length while Seel rested on the Pokebed usually reserved for, but forgotten by, Meowth.
He changed and came downstairs, surprised to find everyone at the breakfast table before him. His mother was cooking omelettes, while Natalie and Amy glanced up from their conversation and made room so that he could sit down. Mary served him a plate of omelettes which he hungrily devoured.
"Where's Beth?" he asked, glancing around.
"Vulpix is chasing Weepinbell," Mary restrained a smile as Daniel leapt up from the table in uproar. "Don't be silly, Daniel. She's just playing - but Beth doesn't like Vulpix to get dirty."
Beth stomped in, holding a wriggling Vulpix who tore out of her grasp and headed for the bowls of Pokefood that Mary was carefully doling out. A stampede of Pokemon rushed forth from throughout the house to congregate in the kitchen.
"Oh!" cried Mary, ducking to avoid Butterfree, jumping back in fright to see Arbok and almost toppling over to avoid stepping on Meowth's tail. "Goodness! This house is a riot!"
Smiling, Amy bent her head low to hide her pleasure and took a bite of her breakfast. Once they had all finished, Mary locked up and they headed north of Pallet Town, through the route which led to Viridian Forest. Branches waved in the wind where Pidgey were perched, and Rattata played about with their kin in the tall grass.
Daniel was glad to have introduced Amy to his friends and family. Amy enjoyed being around people with whom she could be herself. Beth was overjoyed by her luck at seeing Amy again, whom she idolised and looked up to. Mary was concerned over her son's adventures and how much turmoil in which he had placed himself.
As they reached Viridian City, only Natalie remained markedly discomforted beyond the norm. She waved goodbye and hurried off towards her house.
"Where's Natalie going?" asked Amy, turning to Daniel.
"Natalie hasn't seen her mother in a while," answered Mary diplomatically.
When his mother was out of earshot, Daniel moved close to Amy and whispered, "Natalie's mother is a bit controlling."
Breathing a sigh of relief, Amy was quick to respond, "My mother is controlling - "
"Not in that way," Daniel was quick to add. "She doesn't care if Natalie comes or goes. Natalie's mother is in a bit of money trouble."
"Oh," Amy reddened. "I didn't mean to - "
"That's enough, Daniel," Mary said firmly, as they watched the back of Natalie in the distance, red ponytail bobbing up and down. "You know not to gossip. It's a miracle Natalie turned out as sweet as she is."
"Mum! I'm sweet, too!" said Beth furiously.
"Yes, Beth," smiled Mary.
As though to throw her off-guard, Beth blurted, "So I'm your favourite child, right?"
Daniel frowned as Beth shot Daniel a superior glance.
"I love you both the same," Mary replied carefully.
"Aw, jeez!" Daniel and Beth rolled their eyes in unison. Amy tried to remember the last time her mother had said that.
They reached the Pokemon Trainer's School, where Beth was due to attend. The bell rang and students began to file in.
"Have a good day," Mary swooped down upon Beth, kissing her on the cheek.
"Not in front of Amy, Mum!" cried Beth, swatting her away. Not offended, Mary smiled and watched Beth approach Amy.
"Are you going to battle the Viridian Gym today?" asked Beth, wide-eyed.
"I am," nodded Amy, kneeling so that she was Beth's height. "If you learn enough in school, perhaps one day you can, too - "
"I don't want to battle Gym Leaders!" Beth screwed up her face in horror. "I want to catch Pokemon and care for them."
Amy watched Beth hug Vulpix, taking her in her arms.
"Don't you want to say goodbye, Beth?" Mary asked. "Your brother and Natalie leave for Saffron City today."
Beth rolled her eyes, turning to Daniel. "Bye."
And with that, Beth ran among the crowd of students, clutching the wriggling Vulpix and disappearing in a sea of chatter.
"Well, that was quick," Daniel turned to his mother. "Bye, Mum."
"Good luck," Mary hugged her son. "Don't get tripped up by those Diglett!"
"Thanks for having me, Mrs. S," Amy smiled, extending her hand but Mary gave her a hug and a quick pat on the back.
"I'm glad to see my son's made some friends other than his Meowth," Mary smiled, heading off in the direction of the Pokemart, where she was to begin work. "Best of luck to both of you, and tell Natalie I said goodbye!"
They watched her go, humming to herself as she disappeared among the fruit stands and early shoppers.
"Your mother's a kind woman," observed Amy, as the two walked in the direction of Viridian Gym. "Are you sure you two want to leave so soon?"
"We'd stay, but it'll be a long trip. We have to take Diglett's Tunnel through to Vermilion, then up to Saffron City. By the time we come back, you'll already be on Victory Road!"
"Don't jinx it," Amy shivered, despite the warm breeze. "The final Gym Leader. I don't even know what type he uses!"
"You'll be great, I'm sure," Daniel nodded.
There was an awkward pause, for usually Natalie provided a helpful distraction for when conversation went south.
"Well, good luck with Sabrina," said Amy, meaning it.
"Yeah, good luck with - um, whoever runs this Gym." replied Daniel.
Hesitantly, Daniel moved forward to hug Amy, but they both ended up sort of patting each other in the back without letting their front bodies come close. Awkwardly, Daniel avoided eye contact while Amy tried to say something polite.
"Goodbye," she smiled, heading towards the Gym. She had barely turned around when Daniel called,
"Don't you mean, 'see you soon'?"
Back still turned, Amy offered him a wave and entered the Gym, sure of her feelings now.
Daniel turned away, wondering why girls were so complicated. He headed towards Natalie's house, but he had got no further than the front gate when Natalie burst from the front door, strands of red hair escaping her scrunchie. She looked like she had been crying, but wiped her face with her hand and smiled brightly though she did not feel it.
"Hey, where's Amy?" she sniffed, trying to smile wider. "Did she go to the Gym already?"
"Yeah," said Daniel, distracted by her displaced enthusiasm. "What - "
"Natalie!" barked a voice from inside. "This isn't anywhere near as much as your good-for-nothing sister gave me! Get back here!"
Hurriedly, Natalie tugged at his arm and spoke in a low voice, "Let's get out of here. You know how she gets when she starts; angrier than a Primeape."
Together they rushed for the Pokemon Center, glad for the calming white hues and soothing tones of the Chansey behind reception. They didn't discuss the matter further as they healed their Pokemon and headed outside, taking the route outside of Viridian. Trees and tall grass eclipsed that of small town civilization, hearing only Beedrill buzz overhead, returning to branches laden with Kakuna.
"Is it here?" asked Natalie, ducking low under a branch as they went off the track.
"It must be," Daniel consulted the Town Map. "I can't tell - "
They came out into a wooded clearing, but no sight of a cave. They continued further, through another unmarked path lined with trees.
"I can't believe we haven't been here before," said Natalie. "I don't - wait, there!"
Hidden underneath the bramble and growth, was a small cave opening where the sunlight penetrated only so far through the canopy of trees to illuminate the dark dwelling.
"Let's release our Pokemon," said Daniel, as Natalie nodded. Bright flashes of red light briefly illuminated the cave as they entered, their Pokemon front and rear.
Meowth's coin glowed on his forehead to provide a minimal source of light. Their footsteps crunched dirt underneath as Daniel and Natalie traversed through the cave, hearing unidentified sounds deep within the recesses.
"Digging," Daniel explained.
"Yeah, thanks," Natalie replied with sarcasm.
Further on they continued, minutes they lost track of until Daniel bumped into Meowth, whose fur had stiffened.
"Ow - oh - ow!" Natalie shrieked, as several Diglett popped up out of the dirt around her feet. The Diglett were small, brown Pokemon reaching no higher than their knees.
"Hey! Back off!" Daniel cried. "Seel, Water Gun!"
Seel drenched the Diglett with water, as they wriggled in discomfort and burrowed deep within the cave. Exhaling in relief, Daniel and Meowth led the way, followed by the Pokemon who were effective against Ground-types - Seel, Weepinbell, Squirtle and Poliwhirl. Seadra could not easily traverse land and remained inside its Pokeball.
"It's just like Rock Tunnel, but more confined," said Daniel. "Was the Seafoam Islands like this?"
"Dark, but slimier," admitted Natalie. "And strong currents of water to fall into."
Musing, Daniel replied, "This makes you think, what else can be discovered in Kanto?"
"What do you mean?" asked Natalie.
"Well, what do you intend to do after the Pokemon League?"
"I don't know," said Natalie, thinking hard. "I would like to spend lazy days with my Pokemon. Somewhere on a beach would be nice."
"That does sound nice," added Daniel, nearly tripping over a rock. "You were saying?"
"No, you go. What will you do?"
"After the Pokemon League?" Daniel considered this for a moment. "I don't know. I've grown fond of travelling, especially with you."
"Yeah," Natalie smiled. "It's been a good time."
"I'd like to think it would go on forever, but everyone settles down eventually."
Thinking of her home, Natalie replied, "Do they?"
They mused on this in some silence, not immediately noticing the shaft of light that illuminated the last stretch of cave. Running forth, Daniel and Natalie emerged out into the brightly lit city and glittering ocean vista of Vermilion City.
Amy entered the Viridian Gym, feeling an unease that added to her nerves. The battlefield was dusty brown and looked mostly spartan, but rough ground around the edges. There was no podium, only an empty square for Amy to stand in and an elevated balcony up above.
"Well done, challenger," spoke the deep voice. "You have managed to collect seven Badges and now here you stand. Have you trained your Pokemon to take on this last Gym?"
Nodding bravely, Amy began, "I am Amy. What is your name?"
From the balcony, the man stepped forward so that his face remained his shadow. "My name is Giovanni. I am the Gym Leader of Viridian City and in this Gym, I use Ground-type Pokemon."
Amy's face fell. Both Growlithe and Nidorina were susceptible to Ground-type attacks.
"Ah. Very well, then," Giovanni smirked in his tone. "I see that you recognise the danger you are in. Those who defeat me go on to Victory Road. Will you be the next?"
"I will," Amy said firmly. "I have come this far."
"Indeed, challenger... it would be a shame for you to lose at this point," Giovanni retrieved three Pokeballs from his pocket, placing them on a side table. "Shall we begin?"
Summoning confidence, Amy had no podium on which to place her Pokeballs, but took a deep breath as she chose one and threw it onto the battlefield.
"Go, Cubone!"
Red light flashed and illuminated the field, as Cubone walked forth with its bone club at the ready. Tense, Amy glanced up at Giovanni hidden in shadow. She could not lose to the final Gym Leader - she would strive to win. The Viridian Gym Leader threw his Pokeball upon the field, erupting with bright red light.
"Go! Dugtrio!" Giovanni ordered.
Dugtrio was the evolved form of Diglett, but with three Digletts joined together. Immersed in the earth of the battlefield, their individual heads bobbed up and down while their hidden body kept them together.
"Cubone, Bonemerang!" cried Amy. Cubone nodded and arched his arm back -
"Dugtrio, Dig!"
Dugtrio burrowed underneath the battlefield just as Cubone's thrown bone club spun through the air and missed, arching back in an arc towards Cubone. Glancing about wildly, Cubone was knocked from below as Dugtrio emerged, tackling Amy's Ground-type from above.
"No! Cubone!" cried Amy, filled with dread.
Cubone's thrown bone club knocked Dugtrio in the back of the head as it clattered back towards Cubone's fallen figure. He stood to collect it, as -
"Dugtrio, Sand-Attack!"
"Cubone, Bone Club!"
Dugtrio kicked up sand in Cubone's eyes, blinding him and knocking him off balance.
"Slash, Dugtrio!" commanded Giovanni.
Dugtrio surged forth, trail of paved dirt behind it as it readied to attack - but at the last second, Cubone dodged and whacked Dugtrio with its bone club. Dizzy, Dugtrio saw stars as Cubone tried further to rid itself of the remaining sand in his vision.
"Useless Pokemon!" Giovanni shouted. "Dugtrio, Dig!"
"Cubone, Rage!" cried Amy.
Gathering strength, Cubone rushed forth with its club only to bring it down upon the earth recess under which Dugtrio had burrowed.
"Cubone, watch out!" Amy warned. Cubone nodded, springing out of the way as Dugtrio resurfaced, swinging its bone club to hit it but missing again.
"Damnit!" growled Giovanni.
Back and forth, Dugtrio emerged from the ground only for Cubone to aim for it with his bone club, like a Pokemon whack-a-mole contest. Cubone's rage grew with every hit that missed, his fury building -
"Keep going, Cubone!" Amy cheered for her Pokemon.
Opting for a different tactic, Giovanni shouted, "Sand-Attack, Dugtrio!"
Dugtrio emerged behind Cubone, who spun in victory and leapt to avoid the sand pelted at him. It mostly obscured his bone helmet as Cubone brought his bone club crashing down on Dugtrio, all his rage in one hit. Spinning on the spot, Dugtrio burrowed underneath the battlefield, returning to Giovanni's side. It was too injured to fight further.
"Look what you did!" roared Giovanni, whose temper was a sight to behold. "Dugtrio, you are a disgrace. I expected better."
"Hey, that's not fair," Amy managed. "Your Pokemon tried its best."
"If my Pokemon only tried their best, I wouldn't be the Gym Leader I am today," scoffed Giovanni, returning Dugtrio to its Pokeball with a flash of red light. "As it stands, I underestimated your Cubone. I won't let that happen again."
Amy turned to Cubone as Giovanni selected his next Pokemon.
"Nice going, Cubone," she smiled, already perspiring from the match's exertions.
Giovanni would clearly win at any cost, but the stakes were high for her, too. Heart beating frantically, she watched as Giovanni threw his second Pokeball into the fray.
"Take that Cubone down, Nidoqueen!" Giovanni ordered, as the red light materialised to form a large Pokemon.
"Nidoqueen?" repeated Amy in disbelief.
Red light disappearing, Nidoqueen stepped forward in all its glory. The evolved form of Nidorina, Nidoqueen was bipedal and covered with harder scales, its hide a lighter blue. Besides her nerves over her Cubone's next battle opponent, Amy now knew why her Moon Stone would have been so coveted for Trainers. Nidoqueen was fearless.
"Cubone, Bonemerang!" cried Amy. "And be careful!"
"Nidoqueen, Body Slam!" Giovanni commanded.
Running forward, Nidoqueen leapt into the air to avoid Cubone's thrown bone club, slamming upon him with utter force. Cubone was trampled underneath, suffering great damage while the bone club ricocheted back to hit Nidoqueen from the rear, clattering close to Amy's feet.
Injured, Nidoqueen stood from Cubone's prone figure, greatly injured.
"No!" cried Amy, distraught. Cubone had been the only Pokemon without a Type disadvantage against Giovanni's Pokemon. She held out her Pokeball, nerves worried. "Return!"
Cubone struggled to stand, shaking his head in defiance as he clutched his bone club.
"No, Cubone! You're too weakened!" cried Amy, this time the Pokeball's red light absorbing Cubone, who was too weak to dodge it a second time and returned safely inside.
Almost trembling in her anxiety, facing the paramount pitfall of losing while this far ahead, she thought hard about which of her two remaining Pokemon to send out. Nidoqueen returned to Giovanni's side of the battlefield.
"I'll take you on with my Nidorina!" Amy threw the Pokeball so that red light coursed out and materialised Nidorina, on all four staring up at the Pokemon that was her evolved form.
"You're on the right road, kid," chuckled Giovanni. "With a Moon Stone, your Nidorina will become even stronger!"
"I disagree," said Amy. "Evolution may make a Pokemon have certain attributes, but it has to be the right choice for them. From what I can see, you are cruel to your Pokemon."
"I can't pretend to be offended," replied Giovanni. "But I'll take it as an insult worth avenging. Nidoqueen, Earthquake!"
"Nidorina, Fury Swipes!" shouted Amy, red-faced.
Nidoqueen leapt into the air, as high as heaving her bulk would allow and crashed down, while Nidorina raced forth in a hurry towards Giovanni's Pokemon. The shaking silence lasted only a moment, as the battlefield split and the Gym began to shake.
"No!" cried Amy. "Nidorina!"
Nidorina leapt up and slashed at Nidoqueen with her paws, who was slightly injured in surprise but grabbed Nidorina and tossed her onto the field, where she landed among the shaking split that the earthquake had caused. Trembling, Nidorina took great damage and could barely stand, limping as she faced Nidoqueen.
"Nidorina!" screamed Amy, clutching her hair. Nidoqueen was utterly powerful. "Nidorina, get up!"
Shaking, Nidorina tried to remain on all fours while Giovanni raised an accusing finger.
"Nidoqueen, finish it off! Thunder!"
"What?" shouted Amy. "But Thunder - "
There was no mistaking the crackle of electricity which coursed through Nidoqueen, directing the bolt of thunder at Nidorina.
"Watch out!" cried Amy.
Nidorina tensed, readying to spring and only just avoiding the Thunder attack that would've been her downfall. Lashing out at Nidoqueen, Nidorina delivered another Fury Swipes to Nidoqueen, injuring her only slightly again.
"Get rid of that pesky Nidorina!" Giovanni ordered. "Now!"
Again, Nidoqueen grabbed Nidorina and tossed her onto the battlefield, suffering damage and collapsing immediately. She was unconscious.
"No," Amy almost crumpled, seeing her Nidorina out of action. She thought of using Cubone, but he was too close to unconsciousness. "You did a great job, Nidorina. Return."
The red light from her Pokeball flashed, as Giovanni laughed, the hairs on Amy's neck standing up.
"Your Pokemon are worthless compared to mine! Do you see the strength of my Nidoqueen? That is what your Nidorina could wield if you only pushed her to evolve."
"I am not in the habit of pushing Pokemon to succeed beyond their limits, Giovanni!" Amy raised her voice. "Your Pokemon may be stronger, but mine have the will to survive!"
Reluctantly, she glanced to the Pokeball in her hand. Taking a deep breath, she threw it onto the field.
"Let's take this beast down! Go, Growlithe!"
Growlithe leapt onto the field, immediately running towards Nidoqueen, who stared back stonily and pumped her fists.
"Nidoqueen, Earthquake!" Giovanni ordered.
"Growlithe, Flameth - "
But Growlithe let out a snarling Roar, one that stopped Nidoqueen in its tracks. Still sprinting ahead, Growlithe opened his mouth and released his Flamethrower, the stream of fire burning brightly amid the battlefield which lit it up for a brief time. Nidoqueen backed away, the flames damaging though not leaving a burn.
"What's happening?" cried Giovanni. "You useless wench! Nidoqueen, attack!"
Enraged, Nidoqueen rushed forward towards Growlithe -
"Take Down!" cried Amy, fingers crossed as she jumped up and down, all dignity forgotten in the terror and excitement of fruition.
Leaping high to avoid Nidoqueen's lunge, Growlithe barrelled into Nidoqueen, sending her flat on her back as Growlithe landed behind, below Giovanni's balcony. Suffering recoil, Growlithe gave a harsh snap to the dual-type Poison/Ground Pokemon who had caused so much trouble.
"Well done, Growlithe!" screamed Amy, waving her arms frantically. "Amazing!"
Grumbling, Giovanni held out his Pokeball so that Nidoqueen could return. "Useless, idiot Pokemon - "
"That is why you lose, Giovanni!" Amy smiled, more triumphantly now that the tides of battles had turned. "You have no faith in your Pokemon!"
"Hah!" barked Giovanni. "Faith is for those who fail to enforce obedience! Trusting Pokemon to do what is right is a gambler's risk, not mine! My Pokemon follow my orders and mine alone!"
Growlithe ran back to Amy's side of the field for a quick pat, gaze feral as he glanced up to Giovanni. He selected his third and final Pokeball, tossing it into the field.
"You'll regret taking out my Nidoqueen! Here comes my ultimate - Rhydon!"
Rhydon was a large, bipedal Pokemon with strong arms and a tough hide. It had a powerful horn atop its head and looked unstoppable.
"No way," Amy watched as the Rhydon stared down at Growlithe, intimidating. Growlithe growled and tensed, readying to strike. "That thing looks huge."
"My Rhydon will crush your puny pup!" shouted Giovanni. "Rhydon, Rock Slide!"
"Growlithe, Roar!" screamed Amy futilely, knowing all hope was lost. As a dual Ground/Rock-type, none of Growlithe's moves would come close.
Rhydon was unaffected by Growlithe's Roar, crashing upon the ground so that boulders fell from all around the walls to crash upon Growlithe. Yelping in pain, Growlithe was buried underneath the avalanche.
"No!" cried Amy, running onto the battlefield. "Growlithe!"
Tripping over a falling rock so that her face banged into another, she wiped her face with an errant hand, dirt and blood coming off. She saw a patch of red fur somewhere within and aimed her Pokeball, the flash of red light illuminating the cavity within where Growlithe lay unconscious.
"Well, that about does it," smirked Giovanni, from atop his balcony. Rhydon removed the fallen boulders from the battlefield like a trained lackey.
"Not so fast, Giovanni!" cried Amy. "I still have one Pokemon remaining!"
"What?" Giovanni frowned, as Rhydon paid no attention to this at all. "Who - which one?"
Defiantly, Amy held out the Pokeball which contained Cubone. Giovanni erupted with laughter.
"You like to think you're high and mighty," called Giovanni. "But you're just as willing to push your Pokemon like I am!"
"No," Amy shook her head, arching her arm back and throwing the Pokeball into the battlefield. Sensing the new entrant, Rhydon returned to Giovanni's side, below the balcony. "But I know their limits, Giovanni - and Cubone is not yet down for the count!"
Flashing with red light, Cubone re-entered the battlefield, visibly injured from Dugtrio's Dig and Nidoqueen's Body Slam.
"Your pesky little runt pales in comparison to my great Pokemon!" roared Giovanni. "Rhydon, let's send this challenger and her Cubone back to where she came from! Horn Drill!"
"Cubone, Bonemerang!" cried Amy, consumed with terror and worry.
Rhydon's horn spun like a drill as it rampaged forward, flinching as Cubone's bone club bashed it in the face and spun back to hit it in the head. Aching, Rhydon stumbled off its intended track, as Cubone leapt into the air to catch the bone club, mid-air.
"Bone Club!" screamed Amy, caught up in the anticipation that was preamble to every last effort. "Club some sense into that Rhydon!"
Mid-air, Cubone brought the bone club down upon Rhydon. Staggering and flailing in fury, Rhydon toppled over, flat on its face. Cubone landed, glowing with a bright light.
"Cubone - " Amy breathed, watching the Rhydon wrestle to remain conscious, while Cubone remained still and changed shape. "This is not the time to evolve!"
Cubone evolved into Marowak, taller and with a broader belly, longer tail and most notably, the bone helmet that it wore completely concealed its face. It raised its bone club in triumph.
"You've matured, Cubone - I mean, Marowak - " Amy was flustered, not the least of which because Rhydon began to stir, getting off its haunches. "C - Marowak, watch out!"
Marowak evaded the savage lunge dealt by Rhydon, raising its bone club to crash upon Rhydon's head. Groaning in agony, Rhydon slumped back down to the battlefield, out for the count.
Tendrils of disbelief crawled up Amy's arms, aware of a buzzing in her head and the dampness that was in her eyes. Excitement flooded through, bursting like a canal of water as the dam was removed and burst into laughter.
"We did it!" cried Amy, her face and clothes covered with dirt and grazes as she raced into the field, to swoop Marowak into her arms -
Awkwardly, the two collapsed upon each other, Marowak's heavier bulk no longer fit for Amy to handle.
"Oh, C - Marowak," Amy buried her face in Marowak's shoulder. "You're no longer a little Cubone anymore!"
Brooding and silent, Giovanni returned Rhydon to its Pokeball as he disappeared from sight, emerging seconds later from a side door. He walked out onto the battlefield, disapproval etched over his dark features. Amy glanced up, Marowak unblinkingly by her side as her defender.
"I shouldn't be surprised, given you won with a Ground Pokemon," Giovanni looked at Marowak. "I should've known better, but never mind. Here you are."
Slowly, Giovanni retrieved from within his jacket the Earthbadge, glittering in green. Amy tried to restrain snatching it out of his hand with fervour.
"Thank you," she managed, though she didn't respect him as a Trainer, let alone a Gym Leader. "I don't agree with your views, but there's no doubt your Pokemon are powerful."
"Care and love are fleeting," replied Giovanni mysteriously. "Power is the only thing that matters."
He sounds like Liam, thought Amy. Liam feeds his Pokemon a strict diet of do-what-I-say-or-else. Stubborn, bad-tempered recklessness.
"Where do I go from here?" asked Amy, the smile lighting up her features, tinged with sweat. "Where is Victory Road?"
Chuckling, Giovanni replied, "It's a short walk west of Viridian. If you thought my Pokemon were tough, try taking on a whole cave of them."
"Cave?" asked Amy, who had pictured a red carpet before entering the Pokemon League. "What do you mean?"
"Victory Road is the final challenge before the Pokemon League. It's filled with Pokemon just as strong as mine, where Trainers who battle only the best go to train," explained Giovanni. "You didn't think I was the last obstacle left, did you?"
Amy paled, her shoulders suddenly feeling heavier all of a sudden.