So, another chapter! Hope you enjoy it. I know some Pokemon to catch, but they appear later so it's useless to talk about them. Paul's reserves on the other hand, are worth training since in there he has Murkrow and Weavile.
If you want to chat about the story with me, you can join [discord . gg / yARsw4UtaC]. I frequently am online.
It was an early morning when I decided to leave for Eterna City. Walking out of the Pokémon center, I did not expect to see anyone on my way out.
"Ursaring, use Slash on Pikachu now!" Ash is trying to build up trust with Ursaring by training with it, I guess. A basic, but effective tactic. I'd rather not deal with Ash so early in the morning so I might as well leave before he notic- "Oh, hey Paul!" Damn it all. "Didn't expect you out here so early. Are you on your way to the next gym?"
"Yeah. There's no point to me staying in this town any longer. I'd just be wasting time."
"O-oh, well good luck on your next gym battle. Next time we battle, you better be ready," Ash says with a grin.
"I don't need luck. Trusting the time, me and Pokémon put into training is all that's needed. Later." I turned and walked away.
"Paul, do you not plan to ever enjoy your adventure with you and your Pokémon," Ash mumbles towards the already gone Paul. "There's more to life than training, even if it'll get you far."
(-)
Deep in a forest en route to Eterna City, I stood, setting up camp to get ready for training. Did you know that there are various ways to get to the gyms? The established route system and roads are more of a suggestion if anything. The route system has its faults though. If I were to follow the route system, I'd have to go back through Jubilife City, through route 204 and 205 just to get to Eterna. That's absolutely insane. Anyway, now that camp is set up, it's time.
"Come on out, Electabuzz, Torterra, Nidoking," I call out, throwing their Pokeballs. Today is going to be a little more specialized. My stronger Pokémon will be getting all my attention today. "Torterra and Nidoking, you two are going to have a practice battle against each other. You'll have no guidance from me with moves or strategy. Don't get carried away but treat this as a real battle. This should not only help you with your battle sense when I'm not giving you orders on the field, but this'll help me gauge your strength in battle. You two are undoubtedly the most durable Pokémon I have. Let's see which one of you is better at battling. Electabuzz, you're here to watch. This is the kind of battling I want you to be capable of eventually. The rest of the team would get overwhelmed with this level of battling."
Positioning myself and Electabuzz on the sidelines, Torterra and Nidoking face off. "Are both participants ready," I ask.
"Nido/Torterra."
"Then let the battle begin!"
Nidoking attempted a Sludge Bomb, hurling it at Torterra. Torterra fired a powerful Razor Leaf, nullifying any sludge. Torterra, using his vines, reached and attached himself to Nidoking using Giga Drain. Nidoking while attached, broke away one of his arms and Poison Jabbed the rest of the vines away. Nidoking began racing towards Torterra, dodging any and all Razor Leaves thrown at him, trying to Poison Jab at close range. He has the type advantage there, I'll give Nidoking that, but he's going about this wrong. Torterra has been sowing his seeds of victory with every move of his. His Leech Seeds anyway. Nidoking running towards Torterra was about to jump to land on Torterra with a Poison Jab was hurt back by the Leech Seed that Torterra placed during his Giga Drain. Very smart of you, Torterra.
With Nidoking standing in front of Torterra, struggling to move, Torterra had an open shot. Torterra's vines grew with size. They looked denser, spikier, and more dangerous. This was Torterra's Frenzy Plant. All of the Frenzy Plant raced towards Nidoking. Nidoking, in an act of desperation, used Thrash and so hit all the nearby vines. Unfortunately for Nidoking, the vines of Frenzy Plant were not rebuffed with that and instead began slamming into Nidoking while Nidoking felt the effects of Thrash. The giant stalks of vines laid into Nidoking, bashing him repeatedly. This battle is over.
"Alright that's enough Torterra," I call out, allowing Torterra to release his vines off Nidoking. "I'm very proud of both of you. Nidoking, you tried to utilize your type advantage to the best of your abilities. Your downfall was being caught off guard by the speed of Torterra's vines. Try to be more prepared next time, ok?"
"Nidoking," he responds, lowering his head in embarrassment.
"Torterra, you played your cards pretty perfectly. You are not a mobile Pokémon. Any attack aimed at you would need to be canceled out just like what you did with Nidoking's Sludge Bomb. Your Leech Seed and Giga Drain combo worked amazingly. I'd wager that Nidoking had no idea about the Leech Seed," I say turning to him for confirmation.
"Nido."
"Your Frenzy Plant worked well as a powerful attack to deal at close range. My only criticism would be that more powerful opponents could deal with you frenzy plant with ease. So, how does mock battling each other after lunch soun-,"
"That was so cool," a boy with blonde hair said walking out from behind some nearby trees. "I can't believe your pokemon are so powerful. IsthataTorterrathefinalevolutionofturtwig, thestarterPokémon?" A bunch of words all jumbled together as his mouth moved faster than I could listen. "If you don't tell me, I might have to fine you!" Ah, the signature phrase of his.
"Yes, that is a Torterra. I raised it from when it was a Turtwig. And you would be?"
"Ah, I'm Barry. I'd have you know I'm a pretty powerful trainer."
"Names Paul. Would you be willing to prove your strength with a battle," I challenge?
"I thought you'd never ask."
"So, how about a 3 on 3 battle with no substitutions?"
"Sounds like a plan. Don't hold back."
I'll gauge his Pokémon's strength this early in the series. "I don't intend to, Starly, stand by for battle!"
"Hmm, a Starly eh? Let's get going, Staravia!" So, he either already evolved his Starly or he caught it as a Staravia. This'll be a tough matchup, but we haven't trained hard just to lose! "I'll let your puny Starly have the first move," Barry said looking smug, "Staravia and I have this in the bag."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that. Starly, use Aerial Ace." Starly tucked in its wings for a white burst of energy. We'll test the skill of Barry's Staravia. If it's strong, I'm going to have to get creative.
"Staravia, counter with your own Aerial Ace!" Ah, so he's going to go for that strategy. One of intimidation that is. Staravia's and Starly's Aerial Ace ended with both of them in a stalemate in the air. Both Starly and Staravia were not giving up the attack. Unfortunately, Starly got pushed back by Staravia, tacking Aerial Ace at full force.
"You see that" Barry started, "Staravia is faster, stronger, and overall, too much for Starly to handle."
"Starly and I will just have to put in more effort to win. So, don't you worry your little head about us," I taunted, angering Barry and reaffirming my resolve to Starly to win. Starly got up from the Aerial Ace and flew with renewed determination.
"Staravia, use Wing Attack!" Time for some strategy to win this!
"Starly, use Double Team." Multiple forms of Starly began to flood the field. Confusing Staravia on who to attack.
"Grr, Wing Attack them all!" Barry's getting too frustrated, bad move.
"Starly, use Steel Wing!" A swarm of Starly surrounded Staravia and transformed their wings to appear as tough as steel.
"Staravia, destroy them all with Whirlwind. A strong gust of wind destroyed the clones in front of Staravia. Too bad Starly was behind Staravia. Starly's Steel Wing hit Staravia directly in the back. It may not be super effective, but it'll help.
"Staravia, use Agility! Their tricks aren't going to get to us!" Staravia's speed improved greatly. Starly could barely keep up before, but now, he's significantly faster. "Staravia use Double Team and then Take Down!"
Going for my tricks, huh. Well, I know how to get out of this one. "Starly use Steel Wing and fly towards the flock of Staravia." Starly took out a few of the copies that got hit by the Steel Wing when suddenly he hit the real one, head on. Between a Steel Wing and a Take Down, Take Down is the stronger attack, but with the Steel Wings, hardening Starly's attack, Staravia is going to take more damage in recoil. While locked once again in a stalemate in the air a bright light started to come over Starly. Yes. Starly is evolving. In a burst of strength, the evolving Starly knocked Staravia out of the air and onto the ground.
"Star-avia!" the newly evolved Staravia cries out.
"Perfect. Use your Quick Attack!" Zooming towards the tired Staravia, my new Staravia was about to finish off Barry's Starly when-
"Staravia use Endeavor!" Tch. The two Staravia's clashed. Barry's came out knocked out, but my Staravia came out extremely injured. Endeavor is a great last resort move. Barry played that well.
"Return, Staravia," Barry said, "You did amazing Staravia." Pocketing the pokeball, he gets out another one. "Let's get going, Prinplup!" So, his starter has not evolved fully yet either.
"Return, Staravia."
"Are you sure about that? You just locked Staravia out of the match since this was supposed to be no substitutions."
"Your Endeavor attack left Staravia in bad shape. It'd be cruel to let him continue fighting." Looking over towards Electabuzz who was waiting on the sidelines with Nidoking and Torterra, "Electabuzz, stand by for battle!" I announce. The rest of my Pokémon wouldn't stand a chance against a Prinplup. Croagunk is newer and Chimchar's move set can't compete against a water type yet. Nidoking and Torterra are far too high level to gain anything off battling small fry. Electabuzz walks over to my side of the field. "You can have the first move. I wanna see how you deal with a type advantage."
"Prinplup use Peck." Prinplup races towards Electabuzz, jumping for a Peck. I mean, to be fair, there's not many options that he has. If he hasn't trained his Prinplup is attacks that are effective against electric types, he's going to have a hard time.
"Electabuzz, use Thunder." Electabuzz easily hits Prinplup full on with that super effective attack. Surprisingly, Prinplup gets up from that attack. "Your Prinplup must be trained well to withstand an attack like that."
"Of course, it is. He's my Pokémon after all," Barry says with a hesitant grin. He must be thinking of what his next move is. He's very limited. I won't let him think anymore though!
"Electabuzz, use Shockwave!" I'll bind his moves, cornering him. The Shockwave radiated off of Electabuzz and then targeted Prinplup. Shockwave, like Aerial Ace, doesn't miss. You'd have to face the attack head on or cancel it out with something else. Unfortunately for Prinplup, it looks like Barry is panicking a bit.
"U-uh, Prinplup, use Bubble Beam." Prinplup countered the Shockwave narrowly with that attack.
"Electabuzz, hit him with Thunder Punch." With a speedy run towards Prinplup leaving little time for dodging. Electabuzz landed a direct punch to Prinplup's head, knocking it out. With a type advantage and no way to counter it, it made for a quick battle.
"Tch, return Prinplup." Looking at the pokeball, Barry mutters, "You did great. I just need to catch up to your strength." Pulling out another pokeball, Barry calls out, "Let's get going, Skarmory." Interesting.
"Take the first move. You'll need it."
Barry calmed himself before ordering his attack. "Skarmory use Agility and then use Air Cutter." Skarmory speeds up its flying and then fires wind-like razors towards Electabuzz. Simple.
"Electabuzz, use Light Screen!" A field appeared in front of Electabuzz which immediately shattered after the air cutter hit it. Little damage was taken in that exchange and Barry knows it. Pokémon battling is more than a show of the Pokémon's skill. It's a show of a trainer's temperament and their strategy. Barry is struggling to keep his cool, but he's doing his best. He's a cut above the rookie trainers. Time to go on the offensive.
"Electabuzz, use Thunder!" Powerful sparks of electricity were radiating off of Electabuzz as he prepared his thunder.
"Skarmory, you gotta dodge it!" Skarmory, still feeling the effects of agility, flew away from his current position, strafing the sky in an attempt to dodge.
After the Thunder barrage was over, Barry yelled out, "Skarmory, use Steel Wing!" Flying straight into Electabuzz, Skarmory prepared an attack as strong as steel!
"Catch it."
"Wa-" And Electabuzz caught the attacking Skarmory. The wings were in Electabuzz's grasp. Electabuzz was pushed into the dirt a little bit due to the impact of the attack. It's time for the finisher.
"Electabuzz, use Thunder!" A blast of electricity shocked Skarmory head on. An attack at that range and power was enough to overwhelm Skarmory, knocking him out.
"Looks like my victory," I commented while Barry recalled Skarmory.
"Yes, it is," Barry comments, saddened. Bouncing back, he said, "But that was an amazing battle! I can't believe you're so strong already! How many badges do you have?"
"Just one from Oreburgh. How about you?"
"Oh, I have two," he says, showing two badges I don't recognize, "I'm surprised you have only one badge! You're as strong as a three-badge trainer!" The number of badges is a show of strength for many trainers. The gym challenge is not one to take lightly after all.
"Thanks. I appreciate the kind words. I plan to head over to Eterna city for the forest badge."
"You're going over to Eterna city? I am too!" Oh no. "Why don't we head over there together?" I was afraid this would happen. I'm not one for group traveling, preferring to keep it to me and my Pokémon, but looking at the wide-eyed Barry it's tough to refuse.
"Sure, just be sure to keep up."
"Oh, I'll keep up alright. That and some."
"Before we head out, why don't we get some lunch while we tend to our Pokémon's wounds?"
"Sounds like a plan," Barry responded with a smile.
"Alright, then come out, everyone," I say, throwing Croagunk, Staravia, and Chimchar's pokeballs.
"I'll send mine out as well," Barry says. "Let's get some lunch, Staravia, Skarmory, Prinplup, Tyrogue, and Roselia!" Sending out his Pokémon, I begin tending to the injured with some Super Potion. Staravia and Skarmory screech a bit in pain, but Prinplup grits his beak so as to not tell his pain out loud.
"Wow, you're so prepared!" Barry seems a bit too impressed with me and my preparedness.
"This much is normal. Now, get out your Pokémon food. I'm not sharing mine. Reaching for the bag in my backpack, I take out 4 bowls for me and my Pokémon. Nidoking and Torterra get their own bowl, Chimchar and Croagunk share one bowl, and Staravia and Electabuzz get their bowl. Barry seems to have handled his Pokémon's lunch as well.
Getting out my lunch, I try to make some conversation. "You seem like an experienced trainer. What's your story?"
Barry looked a bit embarrassed to say anything. "Well, do you know Sinnoh's battle tower? My father is the head of it, so I was born into Pokémon battling pretty early in life. I have a lot of respect for my dad so a lot of inspiration in battling, I gain from him."
"I can tell, you seemed to have some great strategies that would've worked had it been any other opponent."
"Isn't that a little arrogant of you to say. Eh, whatever. You have the skills to back it up so I guess you can say that. If you didn't have your skills, I'd have to fine you for saying that! So, what's your story? I gave mine so you have an obligation to tell," Barry nags.
"My brother used to do the gym challenge when I was younger, so I guess he rubbed off on me," I say a little reserved.
"What? But you're so skilled! You gotta give me a little more than that!"
"I've travelled a bit before doing Sinnoh's gym challenge. I've attempted Kanto's, Johto's, and Hoenn's Pokémon League and I didn't win any of them. That'll change now. Mark my words!"
Hope you enjoyed the battles. I'm trying to get more creative with them. So, Barry will be accompanying Paul for the foreseeable future. Good idea? Bad idea? Tell me all about it in the reviews!