Flame is reunited with his friends and, after a little rest, they continue their mission to beat the tar out of the Gym Leaders. This time, it's Cerulean Gym's turn. Let's play Pokémon!

Episode Fifty-Eight: Battle of Courage

We both stopped just outside the door. I looked up at Moron, afraid of entering.

"I'm sure that everyone will be happy that you're alive," Moron said with a smile.

I tried to grin back, but came short. I didn't want one of them to be happy that I was okay, I preferred Pika when she was angry. At least, then I knew what I was up against.

Moron turned away and swung open the door. I could see most of the others gathered in the lobby, many of them crying.

"Hey everyone! Look who I found," Moron called, pushing me inside. I spotted everyone turn and many of them stared at me.

"What? Oh come on. I'm not that ugly," I laughed nervously.

Next thing I knew, I was tackled to the floor by Spiral and Blacky. Squirtle managed to pry them off, and nearly crushed my with a hug.

"Gerrof!" I yelled, trying to get out of the embrace.

"Sorry," Squirtle said, releasing me, "I thought you actually had died that time."

"So did I. Listen, I'f love to stay and chat but I really must get my arm looked at. It's starting to hurt, alot."

"It's dislocated at the joint, I'll fix it," Squirtle said, grabbing hold of it and pushing hard.

I yelled out as it bloody hurt, but there was a small popping noise and the pain faded.

"There we go, give 'er a whirl," Squirtle said, laughing.

"With pleasure," I replied, punching him in the face.

After Squirtle regained consiousness and I finally got a bandage for my face, I told everyone of the events that occured. Scyther was confused at first, so I had to go into detail about the first time I had encountered Hypno. Both Scout and Squirtle seemed annoyed that they missed out on smacking the crap out of it but they soon got over it when I told them that I had killed it.

"Normaly, I would have disagreed with your actions there," Scout said, "but that thing was a demon and would have caused many more deaths had you not ended its reign."

"I can't say that I was worried about anyone else, I was too focused on the fact that it tried to kill Blacky. And used me in order to do it."

"I guess you owe Spiral for that one. If she hadn't ran out while I was dragging Moron out of bed, literally, then both Blacky and you would probably have been slain," Squirtle sighed.

"And if Blacky hadn't attacked the Hypno on his own, I probably wouldn't have had the chance to finish the job I started the first time," I added.

"But how did you survive falling off of the bridge?" Squirtle asked, "I would have jumped after you but I was busy stopped these two kits doing the same."

I laughed, scratching the itchy bandage, "now that is something that will have to wait. I don't know about you but I'm starved and tired."

"Me too!" Blacky yelled, leaping into the center of the group. Everyone laughed.

"Lets get us some grub then."

"Not literally though," Scout said, "grubs do not taste nice. Trust me on that one."

A few days later, when I had recovered from my injuries. We left the kits in the care of Joanne and headed into the Cerulean Gym. Moron challanged the leader to a good ol' scrap. Before we could begin, the rules were laid down.

"Best of three rounds, different Pokémon for each. Cannot leave the arena."

I followed Moron to his side of the arena. I really hoped that I didn't have to fight in this one, seeing as it was essentially a large pool of water with floating sections. I was way out of my depth.

"Goldeen!" The Gym Leader, a female this time, yelled as she threw a Pokéball into the pool and a fish Pokémon appeared.

"Squirtle, go beat up some fish," Moron said, looking down at Squirtle.

Squirtle dived strait into the pool and I lost sight of him. The Goldeen dived underwater as well and a fierce battle must have taken place, as there were spurts of water flying everywhere. Squirtle surfaced and climbed onto one of the floating parts, catching his breath.

"Goldeen, use Horn Attack!" the Gym Leader called out as the fish Pokémon apeared behind Squirtle and shot strait towards the back of his head. I yelled at him to duck, but he lept up instead and the Goldeen slammed into his shell. The impact knocked Squirtle into the water but the Goldeen wasn't so lucky and was stuck on land. Its lack of legs left it flopping there, helpess as Squirtle climbed back up and pushed it out of the arena.

"Nice tactic, but you won't get off so easily this time," the Leader called as both her and Moron recalled their Pokémon.

"That's what the last Gym said too," Moron laughed, throwing another Pokéball, "Scyther!"

"Staryu!"

Scyther watched as a star shaped Pokémon formed and spun through the air. Scyther swiftly slashed at the water Pokémon twice before leaping to another platform. Two of the Staryu's points fell of but a bright light shone and they suddenly regrew.

Scyther looked shocked but quickly hid it behind his usual stonic expression.

"You cannot regenerate forever," he told the Staryu, who didn't seem to be doing anything.

"Scyther!" I yelled, "go for the center!"

Scyther nodded and dashed fowards, arm blades ready to slice. The Gym Leader suddenly yelled out, "Swift!" and the Staryu fired off loads of small yellow stars. Scyther was unable to get out of the way in time and was pounded relentlessly.

Moron quickly recalled him, ending that round. The Gym Leader recalled the Staryu and grinned.

"Last round wins it."

"Well, I saved my best for last," Moron said.

"So did I. Go Starmie!"

What looked like two Staryu's stuck together appeared, the only difference was that it was a purple colour. Moron knelt down beside me and whispered his plan. It was risky, but I was used to risk. I was going to trust Moron on this one, he'd gotten me out of a few scrapes on his own so this should be easy for him.

"Go Flame!"

"Rodger that, Moron!" I said as I ran along one of the platforms.

The Gym Leader laughed at this, "you are sending a fire Pokémon up against me? You are completely clueless."

"Why do you think that my Pokémon affectionatly call me 'Moron'," Moron said, "but that's not the point. Game on."

I looked the Starmie in the eye (Well, ruby thing. It didn't have a face.)

The thing suddenly dived underwater and I lost sight of it. I kept looking fowards, trusting Moron to warn me of any attacks from behind.

"Flame! It's on your right!" Squirtle yelled from the sideline. I turned to see it spinning strait towards me, aiming for my face.