Kanto Chapter 30 - Mount Moon and the Boulder Badge
The sun was sitting low in the sky as Brock, Amber and Pikachu ambled over the rugged terrain of Mount Moon. Brock's Crobat flew overhead scouting and mapping out the area for them that she knew all too well. The area was a hotspot for wild pokémon, so the travellers managed to get plenty of training in and see some cool native species along the way.
Amber looked up at the jubilant bat flapping away just ways ahead. Uncle Brock is really great with pokémon … his Crobat seems so happy.
The older man turned to his travelling companion and smiled. "It's starting to get dark out. I think it would be a good idea to get Crobat to find us a place to set up camp whilst we still have some daylight."
"Yeah, sounds good." Amber scrambled over a collection of large rocks. This place was definitely not tourist friendly. The terrain was rugged and hard to navigate, without the added danger of accidentally mistaking a boulder for a geodude! "Pika chuuuuu" the electric mouse sighed in agreement, he was getting tired.
It wasn't long before the group had found a sheltered spot, and with Brock's years of experience in the wilds, had set up a decent camp in half the time it usually took Amber by herself.
A pot of curry was boiling over a roaring campfire. Brock stirred his creation and tended to the seasoning, tasting as he went to get the blend of flavours just right. Amber was almost drooling over the tantalising smells. It sure beat her usual go to camping meal - baked beans out the can.
Brock pulled up the ladle and tasted his concoction. "… Mmm yep that's ready."
Amber understood why her father and mother loved their time travelling with Brock. He was very level-headed, practical, a domestic god and selfless to a tee. How he put up with her parents for all that time baffled her. Amber loved them of course, but boy were they on a different spectrum.
As the two tucked into their evening meal, conversation between the travelling party flowed as Brock engaged in stories of the old days and Amber countered with stories of her own journey.
"And so, we actually got to see the wild Clefairy dance around the moon stone and evolve into Clefable right here on Mt Moon!" Brock finished his story.
"Wow, that's unreal!" Amber loved hearing the old travelling tales the older man had with her parents. They had done and seen so much, it was insane. No wonder her father was so experienced. The teenager looked around hoping to get a glimpse of the pink bouncy fairy type. As she did a thought entered her head.
"Hey Uncle Brock. You've travelled all over and met lots of people, haven't you?"
"Sure."
The teenager blushed slightly. "Have you ever met Volkner the Sunyshore Gym Leader?"
"Volkner? Yeah, I've met him. A couple of times actually."
"Um what's he like?" Amber pressed her two index fingers together and looked down at the ground sheepishly.
"Well, I don't really know him too well if I'm honest. We've only met briefly; he comes across very direct and to the point. A pretty serious kinda guy. He's a strong trainer though no doubt. Very dedicated to training his pokémon, you can tell by how well they respond in battle. I've heard he's even tipped for the Sinnoh Elite Four."
Amber gazed dreamily; her eyes half lidded as the world around her blurred pastel coloured with soft twinkled lights as she pictured the famous gym leader. Volkner…
"I guess you're interested in him as he's arguably the strongest Electric type specialist in the public eye? Must be quite the idol to you."
Amber snapped out of her daze "Yes! That's exactly it!" The teenager quickly defended herself and blushed with embarrassment.
A super strong, super talent Electric type trainer ... with the dreamiest eyes and coolest hair … and … and … Blushing harder as her thoughts wandered, the redhead brought her plate up to her mouth and wolfed down the rest of her food, hiding her beetroot red face. Eager for a diversion, Amber looked over to Crobat and Pikachu happily munching on Brock's special homemade pokéfood. She clamed down and placed her finished plate down.
"Crobat is so happy with you Brock, you must have a really strong bond."
"Well as a matter of fact I caught Crobat on this very mountain, she was a zubat back then of course. She was the first pokémon I caught when I went travelling with your parents. Of course, pokémon are always happiest training where they first met their trainer. It helps deepen the bonds of friendship we have with them, encouraging them to grow stronger and even evolve."
"Wow I had no idea!" Amber pulled out a pokéball and turned it around in her hand, deep in thought. It's exactly what Bill was talking about when Eevee evolved. … Pokémon friendships. I wonder if there's more to it than just helping them improve and evolve to a new level …
Brock continued breaking the teenagers train of thought. "We've been through a lot together, Crobat and I, and she was able to reach her final evolution due to that very special bond that we have."
Crobat flew over and landed just behind Brock peering over his shoulder. "Your Pikachu. You had him as a Pichu right?"
Amber nodded.
"Pichu evolve into Pikachu when they reach a level of friendship with their trainer too. So, the two of you must be very close, as well."
Amber looked over to her little yellow friend and smiled "We sure are, right Pikachu?"
"Pi ka chu." The electric mouse nodded in agreement.
Amber and her best friend grinned at each other. Brock also smiled at the sight; it was déJá vu alright, it like he was travelling with Ash all over again way back when they were kids themselves ...
"Travelling with you sure does bring back memories of the old days Amber. It's nice. Like I'm back with both Ash and Misty again, but with far less bickering!" The elder man let out a hearty laugh.
Amber giggled, it was no secret her parents always wound each other up. "Brock, did you know mom and dad would end up together? Were they always in love?"
"Hmm good question. Yes and No. Your mother and father were always very close, not necessarily romantically, but hey we were just kids back then. When your mother went back to Cerulean to become the Gym Leader there, Ash carried on with his journey and made many, many new friends but no one really came close to the chemistry those two had. For better or worse. I don't think anyone was too surprised they got married."
"Like soul mates?"
"Um hum. I remember the day they parted …"
***Flashback***
12-year-old Ash with his friends, Brock and Misty, were making their way slowly out of Viridian City. Misty pushing her newly acquired bike by her side sadly. Her Togepi in the bicycle basket on the front handlebars. The Nurse Joy at the Viridian City pokémon centre had repaired the redhead's bike, the one Ash had trashed on the day they met. But this act what should have made her happy, left her feeling the exact opposite.
"It's because of this bike I met Ash. Togepi it was a coincidence that you and I met too." Misty spoke to her baby pokémon.
Turned out the same day she got her bike back, her sisters had requested she return home to help out at the family gym. Feeling she couldn't say no and with her bike repaired and returned to her, Misty felt she had no reason … or rather no excuse to be able to continue travelling around the world with her friends … and more so Ash …
It was time to finally go home to Cerulean City.
"Ours wasn't coincidence." Ash turned to the redheaded girl at his side. She'd always been at his side. … "I don't believe it could be coincidence that I met you out of all people."
"What do you mean Ash?" Misty stared into the chocolate brown eyes that had become oh so important to her.
"I guess what I mean is, even though that happened, I think we were meant to meet and become friends."
"Me too, we've been through so much together on our travels. I'd say we're best friends now." Brock chimed in.
"You mean it Brock? We're really best friends? Yeah!" Misty hummed happily.
The three exchanged smiles. Although they were parting, they knew they would never be apart in their hearts.
***End***
"Misty was the first person your father met on his journey, and a piece of them always stayed with each other. During my time travelling with your dad, Ash kept the napkin your mother gave him that day and also a special fishing lure she made him, on him, always. He wouldn't let anyone else use them either. So protective over those trinkets. From what I saw neither your mother or father had their heads turned by anyone else. It's sweet really, I'm jealous of what they have."
"Mom told me you were always looking for love, but mostly in the wrong places." Amber replied, almost too bluntly.
Brock put his hand behind his head and laughed. "She did, did she? Well, I think it's safe to say I was in a very different position to your parents. But it's true. In my younger days I dreamed of meeting my one true love, settling down and having a family. The problem was every girl was "my one true love." But actually, none of them were. See my true love was my passion for helping pokémon. I became so fulfilled in my dream of becoming a pokémon doctor, that as I got older, I realised my dream wasn't to settle down but to keep on travelling and learning and practising. Helping save pokémon lives and heal them has given me a sense of purpose I almost never thought I'd have. That's not to say I don't have my regrets of course…"
"Regrets?" Amber enquired, interested.
"Hum." Brock stared into space deep in thought, his mind drifting back to a beautiful paradise island … and an even more beautiful rock type trainer ...
"So is that why you never got married and had kids. Even though you always wanted to?"
The pokémon Doctor paled. This kid had no filter sometimes. She was as dense as her father and as cutting as her mother. It was a lethal combination.
"Well … I … erruh … well it's umm … well it's a little more complicated than that." Brock struggled to find the right words. Heck he didn't even know what the right words were!
"When I set off on my journey, I thought I'd meet my soul mate and fall in love." Amber confessed.
Once again, she pictured Volkner the Sunyshore City Gym Leader, her celebrity crush. His brilliant blue eyes, athletic physique, how he confidently commanded his beautiful and strong electric pokémon team in battles. Oh, he was just so perfect in the teenager's eyes.
"… I'm 16 and I haven't …"
The blonde spikey haired man then morphed into a brunette floppy haired teenager. Shane the defected Rocket Agent she met on her journey. She visualised their awkward kiss but then him instead professing his undying love to his teammate, the bottle blonde girl, Thea.
"Really met anyone …" The teen gritted her teeth slightly.
Amber thought back to leaving the two of them holding hands as she flew up and away from the Celadon Rocket HQ on the legendary pokémon Zapdos to save Kanto. They looked so happy together. So in love …
"I really thought it'd happen, just like it did with mom and dad. But it sure hasn't panned out that way …" her voice was tinged with disappointment.
"Your parents meeting like that and sticking together for all those years apart, it's pretty rare. You can't compare your own love life to theirs." Brock reasoned. "Life doesn't work out that way."
"Aunty May and Drew. They met when they were kids on their journey and stayed together and got married too. Didn't they?"
"… Well sure, but that's still only …"
"And Aunty Dawn with …"
"OK!" Brock quickly cut her off and ended the subject. "I think it's time we call it a night. We've still got a way to go tomorrow, and you have a Gym Battle to prepare for!"
Amber recalled her pikachu and pulled out her sleeping bag to settled down by the fire. "Yeah, I guess you're right.
Brock recalled his Crobat and began to pack away some of their gear. He pulled his own sleeping bag out and rolled it out the opposite side of the roaring fire to his travelling companion.
"Well. Night Uncle Brock!" The redhead slid into her sleeping bag and turned over, her back now to the fire.
"Night kid." Brock got into his sleeping bag and pulled out a trinket with an Akala trial emblem stamped onto it. The man stared at the item for a few seconds before clasping his fist around it tightly and putting back into his chest pocket. Oh Olivia … Am I too late? … He then lay down and stared up at the stars.
It was late morning as Brock and Amber entered Brock's hometown. The place had barely changed.
"Let's take your pokémon to the Pokémon Centre and then make our way to the Gym."
"Good idea." Amber nodded in agreement.
The duo walked into the centre, Nurse Joy stood smiling at the counter ready to help. "Hi, Welcome to the.!"
Brock slid up to the counter and gave a strong confident smile, leaning over, he clasped the woman's hands. "Hi Nurse Joy. I'm your locum pokémon Dr, do you need any help today? I'd be more than happy to assist you and give you any and all aid you may or may not need, it would be my pleasure and! Ow!"
Amber grabbed her honorary uncle by the ear and pulled him away "You're supposed to be helping me win a Boulder Badge Uncle Brock! You can flirt afterwards!"
Amber handed her team over to Nurse Joy and then loitered in the foyer waiting for them to be fit and battle ready. Pewter City … Famous for Rock Pokémon …
"Hey Uncle Brock, any idea what pokémon Forrest will be using to battle?"
Brock raised his eyebrows at the question but shook his head dismissively. "Sorry Amber, but I couldn't possibly say. It would be unethical of me to give you that advantage."
"I understand." Amber sighed. The teen went back to her thoughts.
Most rock pokémon a dual ground types ... electric types are weak to rock and ground types … electric attacks totally are ineffective against ground, meaning I can't use electric attacks ...
The time flew by as Amber strategized over her current team. The light above the treatment door went off and pinged as Nurse Joy emerged with 6 pokéballs. The beep brought Amber out of her deep thoughts.
It's time.
Amber pushed open the doors of the Pewter City Gym. Brock stood just behind her taking in his old home.
"I've come to challenge the Pewter City Gym Leader for a Boulder Badge!" Amber declared loudly.
"BROCKS HOME!" A chorus of voices screamed out.
"Wha!" The young Ketchum teen was stampeded over by a horde of adults, all swarming the Ex-Pewter Gym Leader, Brock.
"Brother how have you been?" "Oh it's been too long!" "We missed you!"
"Hey! Forrest, Salvadore, Yolanda, Tommy, Cindy, Suzie, Timmy, Billy, Tilly, you're all here?"
"Of course! I rang round everyone and let them know you were coming home for a visit. We couldn't miss our dear brothers return home." Forrest smirked at his big brother.
"It's a family reunion!" Tilly clapped excitedly.
"Wow this is great!" Brock declared with a smile. "I can't remember the last time we were all in the same room together."
"owwww…" Amber whimpered out meekly, inaudible against the chatter of the siblings. She looked up. So these are all Brock's brothers and sisters … there sure are a lot of them. The young pokémon trainer got back up and dusted herself down. Forrest approached her. "It's nice to see you again Amber, how are you doing after Cinnabar Island?"
"Cinnabar, yeah, wow, it was pretty crazy wasn't it?! But I'm doing OK thanks, your brother has been taking really good care of me." Amber smiled.
"Glad to hear it. He's the best, isn't he?" Forrest grinned.
Amber nodded in agreement.
"Speaking of, brother will you make your famous chilli cheese burgers for us? Please please!" Billy asked his elder sibling. "It's been an age since I've had them!"
"Cheese burgers? Grow up and act your age Billy, Brock will be making his famous stew, won't you bro?" Timmy nodded eagerly.
"Stew? Gross. I want Sushi!" Suzie chimed in.
"You lot have no manners!" Cindy walked between her siblings and clasped Ambers hands in her own. "Amber Ketchum is a guest in our family gym, so she can decide our dinner menu. You want fish curry right?"
Amber sweat dropped. "Actually, I just want a battle with Forrest." The redhead turned her head and made eye contact with the Gym Leader. "I formally challenge you to a gym battle for the Boulder Badge."
"A gym battle? Of course, but I'm not the one to ask." Forrest stepped aside and Brock stepped forwards. "Actually Amber, today you'll be battling me." The older man announced.
"Wha!" Amber's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
Brock crossed his arms in front of his chest and smiled knowingly. "When I heard you were competing for gym badges, I had to come out of retirement. I Brock, acting Gym Leader of the Pewter City Gym accept your challenge."
"No ... way ..." Amber looked on amazed.
Brock and Amber faced off opposite each other. Forrest stood to the side playing the part of referee. The rest of his siblings watched from the fans seating area above, like they used to when they were children and used to watch their big brother battle all those years ago. "Yay we get to watch Brock battle again!" "Just like when we were kids!" "Guys it's about to start!"
"I can't believe I get to battle you Uncle Brock!" Amber called over, clearly excited.
Brock smirked. "Well, it's not every day you get a chance to battle a pokémon prodigy, I want to see how I'll fair. Hopefully I haven't got too rusty."
Amber smiled back. "Fine by me! Let's do this!"
"As you already have 5 badges, this will be a 4 on 4 battle. No time limit. Any questions?" Brock called out.
Amber nodded her head and pulled out a pokéball. "Only one. When do we start?"
Brock pulled out a pokéball. "I see no point in starting the battle off with Geodude or Onix for a trainer of your skill level. Think you're ready for my Graveler?"
The red light beamed onto the bathe court and formed into the giant rugged rock type. "Gravvvelrooarr!" The pokémon flexed his arms and roared.
"Geodude evolved!" Amber's eyes softened as she looked into the pokémon's eyes. There was no doubt this was the pokémon she grew up knowing. Her mind flashed back to when she was a toddler and Uncle Brock would visit. She fondly reminisced flinging herself over the rock pokémon, him easily taking her weight and lifting her above his head with his arms, creating a "flying effect." Baby Amber gurgling and giggling with glee playing with Geodude. He was such a great pokémon playmate.
Arw Geodude … it's been so long since I've seen you … and now you're a Graveler …
"That's right this is my original Geodude, the first pokémon your father ever defeated in an official gym battle. Seems only fitting to battle with him against you first."
Snapping back to the present Amber threw out the pokéball in her hand. A blue and yellow pokémon formed.
"Chinchou!"
"Chinchou. A dual water pokémon. Good strategy." Brock commented.
"Mom gave her to me." Amber replied.
"Oh, I could have guessed. Chinchou's skin is so smooth and radiant and that bouncy antennae, she's in tip-top condition. A true blue Cerulean Gym pokémon. Part water, part electric, the perfect combination pokémon for you. Looks like you're raising her very well."
"Hey less chat! More battle!" Forrest cried out.
The two-family friends blushed and laughed. "Right!"
"Chinchou use Bubble Beam!"
"Graveler start out with Roll-Out!"
The bubble beam attack hit head on, but Graveler was able to push through and hit Chinchou directly, sending her skidding across the floor.
"Wow…" Amber looked on surprised at how strong Graveler was to resist the water attack.
"You'll have to do better than that to get the upper hand over Graveler." Brock commented. The Roll-Out attack continued, the rock type pokémon hurtling towards Chinchou for another round. The little pokémon was hit again and again. It wasn't looking good.
Amber gritted her teeth. "Chinchou use Flail Attack!"
Chinchou bounced up and carelessly flung herself into her opponent, hitting him directly and stopping the continuing roll out, causing significant damage to the large rock type in the process.
"Now Chinchou, Aqua Ring!"
A veil of water surrounded the pokémon, healing the damage dealt to her.
"Graveler use Smack Down!"
"Chinchou, one more time finish with Bubble Beam!"
The attack hit head on and Graveler fell to the ground, finally succumbing to his water weakness.
"Graveler is unable to battle. This round goes to the challenger." Forrest called out.
"Boooooooo" "Hissssssssssssssssssss" "Booooooooooo" Brocks brothers and sisters cried out loudly from the stands above. Amber sweat dropped slightly.
You'd think they were still little kids the way they're acting …
Brock recalled his feinted pokémon. "You battled well Graveler, take a good rest."
"You battle really well Uncle Brock, it was dicey there for minute, but, well, I've got extensive experience dealing with ground types." Amber bragged, her tone coming off a little condescending. "I've thought of every counter measure."
Brock humbly smiled back. "Well, with your background I should expect nothing less from you."
Amber smiled smugly; turning her nose up in the air, her eyes closed. Brock continued, his smile turning into a smirk. "But I've had a lot of practice against water types too. Let's see how good you are when we take that advantage away."
Amber opened her eyes and looked over.
"Go Swampert."
Oooh a swampert, now there's a challenge … Amber looked over to Chinchou. She was still able to battle but possibly not the best choice here against Swampert. No doubt her water traits would come in handy later …
"Chinchou, return. You were amazing. I'll keep you in reserve for later." Amber paused and then pulled out her next pokéball.
"Swampert is a really cool pokémon, but there's more than just water weakness for a ground type pokémon. I chose you, Pikachu!"
"Pikachu?!" Brock raised an eyebrow. Not a smart choice against his Swampert, but then Brock knew better than to underestimate a Ketchum and their Pikachu …
Pikachu bounced out of his pokéball, ready to battle. "Pika chu!"
"So, I see you take after your father too, let's see if you battle like him."
You'll see "Pikachu use our special move! Floaty Fall!"
"Pika!" The little yellow mouse charged the ground and sprung up high into the air, somersaulted and dived down towards his opponent.
Brock looked up at the sight, he'd never seen a move like it, especially not from a pikachu, and he'd seen some pretty special things come from a pikachu before…
What the … "Swampert! Dodge and use Bulldoze!" Brock commanded.
Swampert dived to the side but was not quite quick enough as Pikachu dived bombed into him. The force of the move sent Swampert skidding across the floor. The pokémon was no able to unleash his ground-type attack.
"That's a pretty crazy move!" Brock commented, clearly impressed.
"Thanks, it's an original move we learned in Celadon City. It packs a punch, but it's not quite perfected."
"Sure does, shame it wasn't nearly enough! Swampert let's go! Stomping Tantrum!"
The water ground dual pokémon rose to his feet, ready to continue the battle. He began to stomp his feet and launched towards Pikachu. The little mouse held his ground, trusting in his trainer's directions.
"Oh we're not done yet! Floaty Fall wasn't the only special move we picked up in Celadon City! Pikachu finish Swampert off with Gross Knot!" Amber commanded confidently.
"Pikaaaaaaa chu!" Pikachu smashed the ground, as thick grassy vines came up knocking up into Swampert with force. Swampert rolled on his side, eyes swirling.
"Swampert is unable to battle! Pikachu is the winner." Forrest held his arm up.
"Thank you Swampert, you take a good long rest." Brock recalled his friend. "Wow and I thought I'd see everything a pikachu could do, but a grass type move? That's some out the box thinking. You're truly a chip off the old Ketchum block, Amber."
Amber smirked. Pikachu stood confidently on the battlefield awaiting his next opponent.
"Forretress it's you're turn." Brock threw out his third pokémon.
"Forretress, ha this will be easy! Pikachu use Grass Knot again, win this round with one hit!"
"Pika!" Pikachu repeated the move with gusto, the thick vines travelled along the ground, lunging up and smacking Forretress head on. The move hit directly but it did very little damage. Forretress was unfazed.
"Huh? But rock types are weak against grass! What gives?!" Amber cried out.
Brock's eye twinkled. "That is true, rock types are weak against grass moves. But Forretress isn't a rock type."
"It isn't?!" Amber and Pikachu exchanged worried glances. What is this thing?!
"Forretress use Earthquake!"
"Pikachu use floaty fall! You need to dodge that attack!"
"Pikaaaaaaaaa" Pikachu once again sprang up into the air.
If Forretress isn't a rock type, then it must be a ground type. And ground is weak to flying!
Pikachu dived down and hit Forretress, whilst the attack hurt, it was nowhere near enough to knock the pokémon out.
"Pikachu! Ground types are weak to flying moves, try it one more time!"
"Pika pika…" Pikachu cried out sadly.
"No Pikachu … you used up your energy …"
"Too bad Forretress isn't a ground type either." Brock remarked. "Earthquake one more time!"
The ground shook and pounded, Pikachu was fully exposed, taking the attack full on. He fell to the floor.
"Pikachu is unable to battle. This round goes to the acting Gym Leader. Brock" Forrest put his arm out in Brock's favour.
"Yaaaaayyyyy!" Brock's siblings cheered from the stands.
"No Pikachu!" Amber ran out onto the battlefield and scooped up her friend. "Pikachu are you ok?"
"Piiii kachu" The pokemon opened his eyes and smiled weakly.
Amber smiled with relief. "You were amazing, I'm sorry it's all my fault you got beat up. You take a good long rest now." Amber recalled her pokémon.
Hmmm not a rock type, not a ground type …
"Electabuzz I choose you!"
"Electaaaabuzzzzz!" The showboating pokémon formed out his pokéball and instantly began to flex, jumping into a handstand, Electabuzz began to do standing push ups.
"Ok Electabuzz lets start out with Thunder Punch!"
"Electabuzzzzzz!" The pokémon jumped to his feet and thrashed out wildly, fist sparking with electricity.
"Forretress defensive curl."
Forretress spun, creating a barrier cancelling damage from the incoming electric punch.
Electabuzz continued with his onslaught, but Forretress continued to defend.
Think Amber, think … It's not a rock type, it's not a ground type … then maybe it's a ….!
"Electauzz, use Fire Punch!"
"Buzz!" Electabuzz raised his fist, the electric sparks fizzled out and were replaced with flaming embers.
The attack landed perfectly, burning the bagworm pokémon.
"So, you figured out Forretress weakness. Well done." Brock commented. Seeing no reason to continue Brock recalled the burned up pokémon.
"Forretress has resigned from battle. Acting Gym Leader Brock is down to his last pokémon."
"Oh no!" Brock's family chorused from above.
"That's fine, because one is all I need. I choose you, Steelix!"
Brock threw out his last pokéball revealing his trump card pokémon.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy" "Steelix can't possibly lose!" "Brock is unbeatable with Steelix!" "Show 'em who the best is Steelix!" Brocks siblings cooed from the stands.
Amber looked up at the imposing steel snake. His giant toothy grin bearing down on them. "I knew you'd save Steelix for last."
Brock smirked. "Then I hope you know this won't be easy."
"Maybe not, but I spent a lot of time thinking up strategies against him and I've got the perfect pokémon moves! Electabuzz, use your fire punch again!"
Electabuzz once again lit up his fist with flames and lunged at Steelix.
"Steelix bind Electabuzz now! Don't let that punch land!"
The mighty snake pokémon wrapped himself around the failing fire fisted electric pokémon and squeezed hard preventing Electabuzz from landing a hit.
"Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!"
"Ah! Electabuzz, try using a Focus Blast!"
The electric pokémon tried to break free to attack, but he was completely confined and disarmed.
"No Electabuzz can't land a hit …" Amber's eyes jittered with concern.
"Steelix, keep the pressure on!" Brock commanded.
The snake pokémon squeezed and squeezed.
"ElectaaaaaaaAAAA …" Electabuzz let off a Thuderbolt attack in a last-ditch effort, but it did nothing to the offending Steelix. "….. buzzzz." The electric type slumped forwards, spent out.
"Electabuzz … no … return!" Amber pulled forward the pokéball in her hand and recalled her friend. "I'm sorry, take a good rest."
"Electabuzz has been recalled from battle." Forrest called out. "Steelix wins the round."
Hmm I was kinda counting on his fire and fighting moves against Steelix … good thing I have a backup plan.
"Jolteon I choose you!"
"Jolteon?" Brock raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you had a Jolteon in your party?"
"I had Surge send her to me whilst you were flirting with Nurse Joy." Amber teased as her newly evolved eeveelution emerged ready to fight.
"Guess I should have been paying more attention." Brock put his hand behind his head and laughed sheepishly, as Forrest and the rest of his siblings blushed.
"Oh Brother, you never change." Forrest sighed with embarrassment.
"Good luck trying to bind this one! Jolteon's spikey fur will be more than a match for Steelix's coils! Use Double Kick!" Amber commanded confidently.
"Steelix, dodge with dig!" Brock called out confidently.
The giant pokémon dived underground, narrowly missing Jolteon's back legs launching out at him.
"Argh, Jolteon, follow Steelix, use dig as well!" Amber countered.
The electric fox jumped up and dived into the ground burrowing under. Brock and Amber stared intently at the ground as seconds passed. The ground began to rumble as the two trainers looked on, knowing this would be the deciding factor of the battle.
Soon a molehill like mound appeared and Jolteon flew up out the ground, falling to the floor her eyes swirling. Steelix appeared closely after unharmed.
"No ... Jolteon …" Amber sighed sadly.
"Ground type moves are stronger being performed by ground type pokémon. Your newly evolved Jolteon just doesn't have the experience to match up to my Steelix."
Amber recalled her feinted pokémon as Forrest called out in Brocks Steelix favour once more.
"I have just one pokémon left … I know you're tired, but I need you once more, Chinchou, go!"
Chinchou came out, her skin showing signs of damag from the previous battle.
"Hmm this will be interesting, Steelix use Sand Tomb!" Brock commanded.
A whirlpool of sand enveloped Chinchou, trapping her in a raging storm of biting ground debris.
"Chinchou! Hang on!" Amber called out to her pokémon in desperation. That attack is ground based … oh no it must be really hurting her … think Amber think! … I can't let my pokémon down … I can't let my friend down!
"Chinchou use Aqua Ring! The water will heal you against the sand!"
"Chinnnnchou!" The little pokémon let out another round of her Aqua Ring attack.
A veil of water once again surrounded Chinchou, but as the liquid touched her skin she began to glow and morph. Her body getting bigger and longer with a back tail fin forming. Chinchou evolved into Lanturn.
"Chinchou … evolved?!" Amber looked on in awe.
As the glow subsided the larger pokémon smashed out of the swirling vortex, the whirlpool of sand instantly subsiding.
"Lanturn, you broke free!" Amber beamed.
"Lan lanturn lan lan" The newly evolved pokémon looked back at her trainer, eyes sparkling.
"You broke free because you didn't want me to worry about you ... Lanturn ..." Ambers eyes glistened with emotion.
"Hmm she broke free ..." Brock muttered. "I guess I can't say I'm too surprised, she has been well raised. But Steelix is still more experienced! Steelix finish this with your Gyro Ball attack!" The acting gym leader called out.
Steelix spun and launched the fierce attack but Amber's newly evolved Lanturn dodged with ease.
"Alright! Lanturn! Now finish this battle with your Hydro Pump attack!" The dual type launched the powerful water attack and hit Steelix head on.
The mighty steel type pokémon roared loudly as the water slammed against his diamond hard skin. His weakness to water gave way and it wasn't long before the beast hurtled to the floor, slamming against the ground with a mighty thud.
Seconds past with no movement.
Forrest raised his arm. "Steelix is unable to battle. The challenger Amber is the winner."
"Noooooooooo Steelix lost!" Brock's brothers and sisters wailed from the spectator stands. "How!"
"You did it … YOU DID IT!" Amber ran over and bear hugged her newly evolved pokémon. "Oh wow! We beat Brock! We beat Brock!"
"Turn turn." The pokémon's antenna glowed and flashed in celebration.
"Steelix. You were amazing. Rest now." Brock recalled his faithful old pokémon and walked over to Amber. Seeing the teenager celebrating with her pokémon, his mind flashed back to how Ash would whoop and cheer with his pokémon whenever they were victorious in battle. It was like a mirror image. The sight was very comforting to the aging pokémon doctor.
He smiled. "Can't say I'm surprised at the outcome. You're every bit the trainer I knew you were and more. Even with the type disadvantage, you still came through for your pokémon."
"Not for my pokémon. For my friends." Amber looked at Lanturn and smiled.
Brock nodded. "Congratulations Amber, you and your friends thoroughly deserve this. Great job." The gym leader pulled out a small grey octagon badge and handed it over to the red headed trainer.
"We got the Boulder Badge!" Amber spun on the spot, showing off her new trainer badge.
"And here, I want you to take this." Brock handed over a TM disc. "With this move in your arsenal you'll be unstoppable."
Amber flipped it over. "Rock Smash. Cool! Thanks Uncle Brock."
"When you reach the stage of mega evolution, I'd love an all-out rematch with Steelix."
Amber's eyes lit up at the prospect. "It's a deal!"
The two family friends shook hands firmly on their new promise.
"That was an awesome battle. I'd love a match against you sometime too." Forrest joined in the conversation.
"Sure!" Amber smiled and nodded at the Pewter City Gym Leader.
"I have something else for you also." Brock reached into back pocket and pulled out a small pokéball, instantly enlarging it in his hand and handing it over to the young electric prodigy.
"For me?" Amber enquired wide eyed as she grasped the pokéball in her hands.
"Yes, from what I've witnessed, I know you are the perfect trainer to raise this pokémon for me. She'll be a great addition to your team and great new friend."
Amber released the contents of pokéball, the red beam of light forming into geodude. The pokémons rock hard skin taking on a silvery appearance adorned with dark thick eyebrows and strands of black "hair".
"Arw a geodude! Cool! … Wait? She looks … different?" Amber raised an eyebrow and put her hand to her chin, looking over the pokémon with confusion.
"This a geodude from the Alola region. She differs from the geodude you find in Kanto as instead of being a ground rock variant, she's part rock and part electric."
"An electric geodude?! Oh wow! Uncle Brock thank you! I promise I'll take good care of her!"
"I know you will." Brock smiled and nodded.
Amber knelt down and patted the head of her new pokémon. "Hi Geodude! We're going to be good friends."
"Geo dude, geo dude" The pokémon looked to her new trainer and nodded along.
Amber recalled the rock type back, the pokéball crackled and vanished, instantly transporting back to the Vermillion Gym. Amber smiled having the new addition.
"So where does your pokémon adventure take you next?" Brock asked after the young trainer.
"To Viridian City! I've got a rematch with Gary waiting for me and I know I'm going to win this time!" Amber clenched her fist with excitement thinking about her next challenge. "Do you want to come with me Uncle Brock?"
Brock shook his head dismissively "Thanks, but I'm going to stay here in Pewter City for a little while and spend some time at the gym with my family. After that I'm going to head back to Alola."
"To Alola?" Amber and all Brocks siblings chorused together at the same time.
"Yeah, I have some stuff to take care of." Brock put his hand to his chest pocket and clenched it tight. He looked to Amber and winked "No regrets."
"Right. No regrets." Amber nodded and smiled thinking back to their conversation on Mount Moon.
"Speaking of no regrets, who wants dinner?" Brock called out loud.
"I DO!" voices boomed out from all over the gym in unison.
"I want cheeseburgers!" "I want sushi!" "fish curry, fish curry!" "No way! I want tempura!" "Pizza for me!" Brock's siblings began to call out, the adults reverting to their child like ways.
Amber sweat dropped at the family scene. Maybe my parents aren't so bad after all ...
"You failed."
"… Yes Sir."
In a dark undisclosed location Cassidy and Butch of the fallen Team Rocket lowered themselves to the floor on bended knee before a figure cloaked in shadow.
"Due to your sheer incompetence, we've now incurred a major setback, and for what? For you two to indulge your own ego with over the top ludicrous schemes and delusions of grandeur?"
Cassidy and Butch both grimaced. "But Sir! We …"
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" The figure shouted angrily. He slammed the palms of his hands hard on the large desk in front of him. "I should have known better than to leave the Kanto division to pair of knit wits like you two."
Cassidy and Butch both ducked their heads down and gritted their teeth with fear.
The shadow figure straightened out the collar of his jacket and composed himself.
"Send a message out to the grunt force. I need a complete set of qualifying gym badges for the upcoming Pokémon League tournament using any means necessary. Do you think you half-wits can manage that?"
"Yes sir" The two chanted in unison.
"Good. Now get out of my sight."
"… Yes Sir."
The disgraced duo got up and exited the room.
The cloaked figure turned to look at a portrait of Giovanni hung up on the wall behind him. Giovanni standing proud next to an unknown woman. The woman was sitting in a glorious looking armchair, in her arms she held a baby, wrapped in a shawl sporting a head of striking red auburn hair.
"Team Rocket will be avenged. You have my word … Father."
Authors note: OMG this was so hard to write. I must have re-written it a thousand times. I can't believe it ended up being so long too. I realllllly struggled to make it interesting. I hope it's more interesting to read than it was to write. Please bear with me!
I both love and hate the idea of Brock not settling down and getting married as it was one of his main driving forces in the anime - but when I thought about shipping Brock no one really stood out as he has so many potential suitors and the man is such a flirt! Could he really settle down?