Thanks for the reviews! Hope you enjoy my longest chapter yet. I hope to improve my upper limit of word count, but I'm struggling.
I'm going to catch that Croagunk! "Starly, use Double Team!" Multiple Starly's appear, confusing Croagunk on which ones to attack.
Croagunk jumped at the copies of Starly, poison jabbing each and every copy of Starly. Unfortunately for him, he fell for the same strategy as Ash's Starly. Behind Croagunk was Starly, in position for his next attack. "Aerial Ace!" Starly swiftly bashed Croagunk with his attack, knocking Croagunk off his feet. Croagunk quickly regained his momentum however and hit Starly with a poison jab in retaliation.
Damn it, both hits aren't going to do a lot of damage. If Starly can pull off his training, this can be a much easier capture. As it is, they're just going to be trading hits. I have to get the advantage. I know what I should do! "Starly, charge towards Croagunk!" Swiftly answering my command, Starly glides in towards Croagunk. As soon as I saw Croagunk begin to jump in response I gave my command.
"Starly utilize your training. Steel Wing now!" Starly's wings blinked from his regular wings and to steel. He's done it. Croagunk's attack has no effect on Starly due to the steel wing and instead Croagunk is bashed hard with Steel Wing. A direct attack. Croagunk is bewildered by the attack, but it gets up all the same. One final push. That's all we need. Croagunk readied his mouth and then spat out a poison sting.
"Starly fly in with Steel Wing, one more time!" Shifting through the poison sting through the air, Starly's wings change into the shiny gray of steel. With Starly's wings turned into steel, victory is all but assured. "Starly fly into the Poison Sting!" With the Steel Wing active, the poison did nothing. Flying straight through Croagunk's barrage of Poison Sting, Starly eventually reaches Croagunk's mouth bashes into him. It's time.
"Pokeball go!" With my Pokeball hitting Croagunk square in the head, Croagunk's form materializes away into the pokeball. It twitched once, twice, thrice now. A few more moments and "Click". Croagunk has been caught. Perfect. "Good work Starly, you've learned Steel Wing in record time. Don't think this'll make me lay off your training." Starly, proud of himself, puffed up his chest and flew in the direction back to camp. I picked up the Pokeball and it disappeared as soon as I picked it up. Hmm, must've gone back to Reggie's place. I have my Pokémon registered to go there if I have over 6 Pokémon on hand. I'll meet Croagunk once I reach Oreburgh city. I need to switch around my team anyway.
Walking over to the camp, I push aside thoughts of my team adjustments and I make plans for lunch.
Reaching camp, I find everyone hard at work. Elekid and Shinx look to have been fighting each other this entire time. Torterra looks burned a bit, Magmar seems to be going over with Chimchar, the basics of Fire Punch. Well, I shouldn't let them exhaust themselves out. "Everyone, lunchtime. Time for a break." Shinx and Elekid stopped their fight. Chimchar's mock Fire Punch stopped. Torterra and Magmar looked at me. They began to make their way over to the Pokefood I got out for them. Starly was already there at his bowl. After letting them eat for a bit I decided to tell them of my latest capture.
"Starly and I managed to find another member of the team while on our way back to camp. With Starly's newfound mastery of Steel Wing, we caught your new teammate: Croagunk. I want you all to give warm welcomes to Croagunk once you see him. He'll be traveling with me after we reach Oreburgh city."
A cheer of Pokémon cries from Chimchar, Shinx, and Starly and a nod of acknowledgement from Elekid, Magmar, and Torterra is the response I get. Alright. "We'll resume training until sunset! Tomorrow will be our gym battle, so I want you all at your best. Now give this training your all!"
(-)
The sun had set in no time, but the work we put into training was invaluable. Merely witnessing the hard work that my Pokémon put into training was great and inspiring to see. I know we'll be ready for that gym battle tomorrow! Getting into the foldable tent from my bag, I got ready for the night. Oreburgh city will be in my sights.
And in my sights, it is. That first gym badge is going to be mine!
"I'm sorry, but Roark is out right now on a treasure hunt. If you wouldn't mind coming back in an hour, I'm sure he'd be back by then," the receptionist said.
"That's fine. I'll be back in an hour then." Having my gym battle delayed should've been expected, but I guess it slipped my mind. Hmph, I'll go check out the Pokémon center then. My team needs adjusting.
"Can you send over him and my new Croagunk?"
"Sure," Reggie replied, "That Croagunk sure was curious after I let him out of his Pokeball. I don't know what you have planned for him, but I hope you treat him well, as you should treat him and your other Pokémon."
"He'll be fine. I want him to watch my gym battle against Roark."
"Ahh, Roark. He's a tough cookie to crack. Do you have a strategy to deal with him?"
"Don't I always? Anyway, before I send you Shinx and Magmar, I wanna talk with them. Is that alright?"
"Yes, of course. I'm glad to see you're coming around to forming a more friendly relationship with your Pokémon."
"Tch, Shut up. I'm just giving them instructions on what they should train while with you. I handle my Pokémon differently and that will always be the case. Hold the call up while I talk with them, ok?"
"Will do." Hanging up the phone, I turn and release Shinx and Magmar.
"Mag?/Shinx?" They're questioning why they're in the Pokémon center.
"I'll be transferring you two back with my brother Reggie. Magmar, you can introduce Shinx to the rest of the crew. Keep up the training you two. I'll need you when the time comes."
Nodding their heads and saying their names, they indicate their understanding, so I recall them into their Pokeballs. Picking up the phone I continue the conversation with Reggie. "They're both ready. I'll send them over. Be ready for any other Pokémon I happen to catch."
"Alrighty. See you later Paul."
Placing the Pokeballs into the transfer machine, Shinx and Magmar's pokeballs disappear and in their place are two others, Croagunk's, along with an old friend's. Grabbing both of their pokeballs, I turn and walk toward Roark's gym. I have a battle to win.
Walking into the gym, I notice a hardhat-wearing man talking to the receptionist. "There's your next challenger," the receptionist tells the hardhat-wearing man.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Roark, the gym leader. Nice to meet you."
So that's Roark, huh. "Same here."
"If you would follow me, we can begin our battle." Following behind him, he leads me into the gym room. It was an open roof room with a field covered in rocks. Fitting for his typing. I release Croagunk into the stands nearby saying, "Maybe you can learn something."
Walking over to our respective side of the field the receptionist, now the judge of the battle, begins explaining the rules.
"The Oreburgh city gym battle between Paul, the challenger, and Roark, the gym leader is about to get underway. The battle will be 3 on 3 and as soon as all 3 Pokémon are unable to continue, the challenge is over. In addition, only the challenger may substitute Pokémon. Now let the battle begin!"
"Geodude, Let's go!" The rock with hands gave his battle cry and then stared at me, waiting for my Pokémon.
Time to test your training! "Stand by for battle, Elekid!"
"An electric-type eh? You may have the honor of going fist, but I wonder just what you are planning to do with Elekid," Roark asks?
"You'll just have to find out. Elekid, Brick Break!" Elekid's arm readied itself to chop at the Geodude.
"Geodude, Rollout now!" Geodude, in response, started building up energy as it spun towards Elekid. Elekid chopped Geodude out of the rollout, dealing critical damage.
Geodude looked to be hurt hard by that one move, but it doesn't look like he'd be giving up with just that. "let's work on our counterattack Geodude. Use Hidden Power!" Beams of energy began appearing around Geodude and then pushing off in the direction of Elekid.
"It's useless! Elekid, Brick Break forward towards Geodude. Break through the Hidden Power!" Elekid did as commanded and swiped at the beams of energy that targeted him. Using both arms, he hit through them all and started approaching Geodude.
"Geodude get outta there!" Geodude attempted to roll away, but it was useless. Elekid chopped at Geodude, knocking it out.
"Geodude, return," Roark said, recalling it, "You tried your best. That's all I can ask." Taking out another Pokeball, Roark yells out, "Onix, you're up next!" A giant rocky snake took the field.
Hmm, time for a switch in strategy. "Elekid return. You did well." Throwing out another Pokeball I declare, "Starly, stand by for battle!"
"You and your type advantages. I assume you'll have another move to deal with rock types. Well, we'll just see about you getting to use it! Onix, use Slam!" Onix jumped into the air with all of that weight of rock with him and attempted to whack Starly with his tail.
"Don't let it hit you, use Double Team" Copies of Starly began to flood the field. Onix slammed into Starly, but it turned out to only be a copy! "Starly use Steel Wing!" Multiple forms of Starly using Steel Wing surrounded the falling Onix. The attack managed to hit cleanly, doing a ton of damage with it, the copies disappearing once hit.
"While being hit, Roark ordered, "Onix, while it's close, use Slam. One more time!"
"Get out of there Starly! Don't let yourself get hit!"
Unfortunately for Starly, Onix was fast and so it didn't have time to dodge. Onix slammed all of his weight onto Starly. With dust filling the stadium, what was left of Starly, was a knocked-out expression.
Well, I figured Starly would have trouble handling an Onix. "Return. You did well." Bringing out Elekid, only to take him out for my third Pokémon would be a bit too convoluted. Well I hope he can handle it. "Stand by for battle, Chimchar." Chimchar took to the field with a big grin on his face, ready for battle.
"How commendable of you to challenge a gym with all type advantages. You're doing very well, but will it be enough?"
"We'll have to wait and see, won't we? Chimchar, use Dig!" Chimchar burrows into the ground, safe from any attack of Onix's.
"Onix, try to listen to the vibrations of the ground. You'll be able to predict where Chimchar is if you predict right."
"It won't work! Now Chimchar come on out!" Out from under Onix came Chimchar who toppled over Onix with the move. "Finish it with Flamethrower!" Chimchar puffs up his cheeks and then releases a powerful stream of fire. It may not be effective but combined with the damage Onix took beforehand from Starly, it's the finisher. After the blast of fire subsides what's left is the dazed face of Onix, knocked out.
"Return. You sure put up a tough battle, even with type advantages."
"Oh, spare me the complements. We both know you have ways to handle Pokémon with the type advantage. The only challenge I'm putting on is on Pokémon to dodge attacks. If they get hit, then they're going to take a lot of damage."
"U-uh wow. That's quite intense. Let's see if Chimchar can avoid his next opponent's attacks. Cranidos, let's go!" The blue and gray Pokémon stepped onto the stage with a roar. It's going to be tough, but Chimchar can handle it.
"Chimchar, use Dig!" Chimchar, once again, burrowed into the ground. Chimchar is safe for now, but once he comes out, he'll be vulnerable to Cranidos' attack. I doubt Roark will fall for the same trick twice, so we'll have to be extra careful.
"Cranidos, use Headbutt!" Cranidos bashes towards a nearby spot that looked to be Chimchar coming out of the hole.
"Heh, Chimchar, use Fire Spin!" Coming from behind Cranidos, instead of the spot Cranidos attacked, Cranidos was wide open to be hit with the fiery tornado. That Fire Spin will be chipping health out of Cranidos from now on.
"Cranidos, try to get out of there," Roark ordered. Unfortunately for him, Cranidos couldn't. He was trapped in fire spin and he'd have to tough it out. Too bad I won't let him.
"Chimchar, use Flamethrower!" A powerful blast of fire was shot into the fire spin, hitting Cranidos directly. Even if it's a rock type, it can't keep tanking all these fire attacks and with constant damage from the fire spin, I'd say one more move will do it.
"Cranidos, Zen Headbutt!" Jumping free from the fire spin, Cranidos attacked Chimchar headfirst, knocking Chimchar up into the air.
"Chimchar! Recover from that hit and burrow into the ground with Dig!" Chimchar opening his eyes wide with battle spirit, readied itself to burrow into the ground.
"Cranidos don't let it Dig, use Headbutt!" Cranidos running towards the diving Chimchar, managed to Headbutt him right before he would've dug into the ground.
"Tch, Chimchar, on your feet. Cranidos is coming." Chimchar picked himself back up and got into his battle-ready position.
"Cranidos, use Zen Headbutt now!" Cranidos charged towards Chimchar.
"It won't hit! Chimchar dodge and hit him with another Flamethrower!" Chimchar, barely dodging the Cranidos' Headbutt, jumps onto a nearby rock and fired a Flamethrower right in Cranidos' face.
The fire from the Flamethrower burned Cranidos, knocking him out.
"Cranidos is unable to battle. Chimchar wins. The victor is Paul, the challenger," the referee said.
"Return Cranidos, sleep well," Roark said to his Pokémon. "That was an impressive strategy you had Paul. Not only do you not rely on type advantages, you've taught your Pokémon moves that can help their flexibility in battle." Walking to the front of the gym, he presents my prize.
"Here, your Oreburgh gym badge. You earned it!"
"Thank you very much Roark," I say, taking it, "I appreciate it. See you." Turning to Croagunk, who was watching from the sidelines I call, "Croagunk, I hope you learned something. Return," I say holding out his Pokeball. I walk out of the gym, planning to rest at the Pokémon center. Little did I know, my battling for the day was not finished.
While walking in the direction of the Pokémon center, I happened across Ash and his entourage.
"Paul? What are you doing here," Ash questioned?
"Isn't it obvious? I'm returning from my gym battle," I say showing off my new badge.
"Wow, the Oreburgh gym badge," Dawn shouted!
"Looks like you handled the gym well," Brock commented.
"Well enough. My Pokémon followed my orders and fought well. That's all I can ask."
Ash cut in excitingly saying, "I'm going to challenge the gym right now! You better be ready for a battle after that!"
"Sorry to break it to you, but you won't be challenging Roark today. I wiped out his Pokémon, so they'd need time to rest."
"Oh yeah? Well then, how about you battle me?"
"While my Pokémon are also tired from their long, hard fought battle, I guess I can spare two Pokémon to battle you."
"I'll referee if that's fine with everyone," Brock states.
"Fine by me, meet me behind the Pokémon center to fight though. I don't want you to be far from it when your Pokémon lose to mine."
"Why you," Ash grits, "We'll just see about that!"
Standing across from one another, Brock gives the rules. "This'll be a 2 on 2 battle with no substitutions. Is that alright with both of you?"
"Fine by me," I respond.
"Sounds good to me," Ash said.
"Then once you call out your Pokémon, the match can begin!"
"Turtwig, I choose you!" So, he caught his Turtwig by now. I wonder if his Turtwig is a skilled battler yet.
"Croagunk, stand by for battle!"
"A Croagunk," Dawn asks, pulling out her Pokedex.
"Croagunk, the toxic mouth Pokémon. Its cheeks hold poison sacs. It tries to catch foes off guard to jab them with toxic fingers," the Dex reads.
"Now that, whoever that was, got her fill of information about Croagunk, we can begin our battle. I'll let you have the first move."
"Whoever that was? I was there when you first battled Ash and you're pretending to forget me," Dawn yelled in an angry voice.
"Tch," escapes my mouth.
"You clicked your tongue! You didn't forget me you jerk!"
Ignoring her, Ash called out, "You'll regret giving me the first move, Turtwig, use Tackle."
How predictable. "Croagunk dodge it and then use Poison Jab!" Even for as fast Turtwig is, Croagunk is as fast, if not faster. Especially with those legs of his, helping his jumps. Croagunk easily avoided the Tackle and swiped at Turtwig with his Poison Jab.
"Things aren't looking good for Turtwig," Dawn commented, "I'm pretty sure poison types are super effective against grass types like Turtwig."
Turtwig, while hurt by the attack from Croagunk, stood up raring for another go. "Turtwig, let's try something else. Use Razor Leaf!" Turtwig shook his head and then a dozen sharp leafed attacks targeted Croagunk.
"Croagunk, use Poison Sting at the Razor Leaf!" The poison attack hit the Razor Leaves that targeted Croagunk. Croagunk let out a cry of hurt as one Razor Leaf got through. "Shake it off! Now attack Turtwig with Poison Jab!" Croagunk jumped straight at Turtwig, ready to slam it with his fist.
"Turtwig, dodge it," Ash called out. His command was in vain because Turtwig just stood there and took the attack. "Why didn't you dodge Turtwig," Ash muttered. "Use Synthesis Turtwig, now!" Turtwig took in the sun's rays, healing up.
"I won't let Turtwig heal anymore! Use Poison Jab, one more time!" Croagunk, once again, jumped at Turtwig with his fist ready.
"If you can't dodge then attack with Tackle," Ash commanded. Turtwig with a shout of his name, ran quickly towards Croagunk.
"Croagunk, continue with that Poison Jab!" Croagunk and Turtwig clashed with a fist and a head as the focal point. After a moment of both being held in place in a struggle of strength, both sides were pushed back. After that blow, Turtwig wobbled for a bit and then fell over. Croagunk was hurt but stood strong.
"Turtwig, you did well pal," Ash said, returning Turtwig. Ash takes out another Pokeball. He's not using Pikachu? So, he must be using Starly, right? "I choose you, Ursaring," Ash calls out. An Ursaring? Is that the Ursaring I originally captured? Must be. Doesn't matter all the same.
"Croagunk, I'm taking you out of the match. You fought well, but you're still new." Recalling him, I take out another pokeball. "Elekid, stand by for battle!" Elekid materializes from the pokeball and looks to the roaring Ursaring. A little intimidated, Elekid steps back.
"Don't be scared. Use Thunder!" Elekid motioned his arms and a burst of powerful electricity made its way towards Ursaring, hitting it directly.
"Ursaring, you alright buddy," Ash asked. A grunt being his response, Ash commanded, "That's great. Then use Hyper Beam."
"Elekid, use Protect quick!" An invisible shield around Elekid formed and when the hyper beam fired from Ursaring's mouth, Elekid got pushed, but was unaffected by the attack. "Elekid, hit Ursaring with Brick Break!" Elekid readied his arm with Brick Break and then jumped at Ursaring.
"Ursaring, counter that Brick Break with your Hammer Arm," Ash commanded. Ursaring, unfortunately for Ash, just stood and took the full hit of Brick Break.
"Ursaring must've been unable to use Hammer Arm having used Hyper Beam before, which takes some time after use to recover from," Brock commented.
Ursaring was not only in pain from being hit with Brick Break. It looked to be in a fit of rage! With a growl it lept at Elekid with both arms using hammer arm
"Ursaring, what are you doing," Ash yelled. That Ursaring is out of control, I'll have to end the battle here and now!
"Elekid, meet its Hammer arms with your Thunder Punch!" Elekid did as ordered and prepared both arms with thunder. Ursaring and Elekid were in a standoff, both holding each other in place with both attacks. Elekid, with a cry of his name, pushed over the raging bear. Elekid, surprised by his deed, looked at his hands as they were glowing. In fact, his whole body was glowing. He was evolving.
"Electabuzz," cried out Elekid in his new evolution.
Looking over at Brock, I say to him, "Don't you think you should call the match already?"
"U-uh, right. Ursaring is unable to battle. Eleki- I mean Electabuzz wins, meaning Paul wins the match."
"Return Ursaring," Ash says with his cap turned down.
"Return Electabuzz, you did well," I said, recalling my new evolved Pokémon. I turn to leave, but not without saying, "You know, you should make sure you can actually command a Pokémon before using him in an official battle, especially an evolved Pokémon as aggressive as Ursaring. I shouldn't have to explain this to you. Any trainer worth their salt knows this. Your Turtwig, on the other hand, did well, despite not following your dodge command. Improve his defense, and he'll be ready to go up against my Torterra."
Ash looks up, a little teary eyed, saying, "Wait, you have a Torterra?"
"Yep, later. Hope you're ready for your gym battle tomorrow. Roark is pretty tough." Turning to leave, I make my way to the Pokémon center. Today has been a productive day. I hope tomorrow will be as productive.
So, Paul battled both Roark and Ash. Hope you enjoyed that. While editing this, I got told it lacked emotion a bit. Whether that's a byproduct from the anime or my story only, I hope to improve this so more moments between his team will be the next focus of the story! So, if you have any suggestions please review. I try to take in any review I get into consideration (like talk about increasing my word count).