-Chapter 5 - Boulder Badge-

"You go first, I have something to do."

I looked at Red and he stared at me with confused eyes.

"Are you sure?"

I nodded my head and he looked at me in hesitance.

He then sighed and motioned me to go already.

"Alright, I'll be going first then. Be sure to get there sooner or you'll be missing out!"

He said as he ran off.

I looked at him for a few more seconds before walking off.

When I finally arrived from my destination, I walked towards Nurse Joy's direction and gave her my PokéBalls to heal.

"It may only take a minute, on the meantime why don't you sit there if you're ever tired."

She said and I just nodded my head in response.

I decided to call to my Mum and Professor Oak.

I walked towards the computer and called my mother first.

[Hello? This is Anne Kurenai speaking.]

"Hey, mom."

[Oh Crimson! How are things going by the way? Where are you right now?]

"Pewter City, doing fine and it's good that Red's here.."

[Oh, how's Red doing? Mayla wouldn't stop worrying about Red ever since he left with you..]

"Oh.. Red's doing great actually, caught some Pokémons, won against some trainers on the way."

[That's good to hear! I'll be telling Mayla about this so she wouldn't worry about Red getting injured along the way!]

"Haha.. Maybe you should, anyways how about you? Are you doing fine there without me?"

[Oh, don't worry about your old mom, I'm doing fine here. You should worry about yourself more.]

"Mm.. Anyways I'll be calling Professor Oak, tell Elaine and Chase that I said 'Hi'."

[Of course, bye honey!]

"Bye, mom.."

I said and smiled gently before hanging up the phone.

I then decided to call Professor Oak.

[Hello, this is Professor Oak speaking, who is this?]

"Professor Oak, it's me, Crimson."

[Oh! Crimson! How are you doing with your journey, lass?]

"It's going great, although we kinda bumped into someone who calls himself as your grandson."

There was a long line of silence from the other side.

[...Oh, I guess you knew Green my grandson now, huh?]

"Yeah, although he was kinda rude and prideful."

[Haha.. That's my Green, alright. I hope he didn't said anything else to you, he's an arrogant at first but once you get to know him, you see how nice he is.]

"Don't worry Professor, I don't think of Green that way."

[Ah, that's right. How about, Red? How's he doing?]

"He's going good, caught a Pikachu, and he's probably battling at the Tournament now."

[Tournament? Oh, you mean Brock's gym?]

I nodded my head.

"Oh, I have to go already Professor. I'll be sure to call you next time."

[All right, but be sure not to hurt yourself on the way, the same goes to Red as well.]

I nodded.

[Oh right, before you go I have something to tell you. Your Pokédex can allow you to hold more than six Pokémon with you.]

"Oh, I see. Thank you for the tip, Professor."

[No problem at all, plus you need to know that so you won't have to worry carrying multiple Pokéballs with you. Anyways, I'll see you next time lass.]

The call was then ended, and I made my way towards Nurse Joy.

"Here are your Pokéballs. Please come again!"

I walked out of the PokéCenter as I thought about seeing Martha again.

I wonder what lines he would say again, if I walked out of Pewter without the badge? One way to find out!

. . .

"What are you doing?! I'm sleeping!! My perfect skin needs rest!"

Ah...

"Pewter City Gym is currently holding a tournament. You'll be facing two Trainers in the Preliminary Round. After that, you'll battle the Leader, Brock, for the Boulder Badge. Do you understand?"

I nodded my head.

"Okay, good luck!"

With that, he walked off.

I then walked towards the Gym, when I got inside.

I could see Red in the stage holding the Boulder Badge in his hands.

When he noticed me, he immediately ran towards me.

"I got the Boulder Badge! Can you believe it?! Not only that, I beat Brock, with Pikachu!"

Red said as he gushed over his badge.

"Yeah, I do. And it seems like you and your Pikachu and buddies now, huh?"

The two males looked at each other giving wide smiles.

"Yeah!"

Before we could continue our conversation any longer, a loud voice resounded through the whole Gym.

"Now for the next Block Preliminary! First Match! Participant no.21, Crimson VS Participant no.4, Mikey!"

"Well, that's me.."

I said so casually.

"Good luck out there, Crimson. We'll be cheering on for you out there!"

Red said as Pika nodded his head.

"Thanks, Red."

I said before going on the stadium.

...

"Come on, punk! Let's get this over and done with!"

"Alright, bring it on.."

I said, ready to bring Riolu out from his PokéBall.

"You know you can run if you want. I don't want you to get hurt."

The guy said smugly.

What? This little asswipe..

"Grrrr..."

"Save it for the fight! This will be a 1 on 1 battle!"

The referee said loudly.

"All right, 3...2...1... Go!"

""Riolu/Graveler!""

""Riolu/Graveler!""

Two Trainers said at the same time as they brought out their Pokémon.

Hm? A Riolu?

I looked at the female trainer who had a Pikachu on top of her shoulder, as she commands the Riolu to attack.

Looks like she will have it easy in this round. Considering her opponent is a Rock type and Riolu's a Fighting type.

I thought with interest.

Hmm? Wh-

A black aura surrounds the girl for a second, and the second I blink it was instantly gone.

What..? Is it my eyes playing tricks on me, or is it my imagination..?

I looked at her figure with furrowed brows.

No.. It's just probably.. An imagination..

The image of that black aura surrounding that girl hadn't left my mind.

"Force Palm, one more time!"

POW

Graveler fainted.

"Graveler is unable to battle! The winner of this round is, Riolu!"

"What?!"

"We can't afford to lose."

I glared at the guy as he went off from the stage, cursing.

"The next match will be between Alisa and Uranium..."

. . .

"Cubone, use Bonemerang!"

"Sandile, Assurance!"

"Cubone is unable to battle! The winner of this round is, Sandile!"

"NOOOOOOO!"

. . .

"The winner is Uranium!! The final battle in this preliminary round will be between Crimson and Uranium."

"..."

"... What? Is there something on my face?"

I looked at the white hair male in front of me.

"N-no..! It's just that.."

He trailed off as his eyes went wide for a moment, before he composed himself.

"N-never mind.."

He said quietly as I raised a brow at him.

Weirdo..

"This will be a 2 on 2 match! Are both parties ready?"

We both nodded our head.

"All right, 3...2...1... Go!"

""Riolu/Sandile!""

We both said at the same time as we sent out our Pokémon.

"Force Palm, Riolu."

"Sandile, Assurance!"

POW

Sandile doubled the attack as he hit Riolu.

"Sandile, use Iron Tail!"

"Counter it Riolu!"

Riolu countered the attack, doubling the force.

"Now use, Force Palm!"

"Dodge it and use Sand Tomb, Sandile"

Sandile dodged the attack as he summoned up some Rocks.

"..."

The two parties looked at each other with hard gazes.

"Force Palm one more time!"

"Use Assurance!"

POW

Riolu and Sandile both fainted.

Crimson sent back her Pokémon in.

"You did good, Riolu.."

"Pikachu."

The Mouse Pokémon hopped off from her trainer's shoulder as he went onto the middle of the stadium in a fighting stance.

"Rufflet!"

Damn it..! An Electric type..

Uranium thought as he clicked his tongue.

"Pikachu, use Fake out!"

CLAP

Rufflet Flinched.

"What-"

"Thunderbolt!"

ZAP

"Rufflet use Quick Attack!'

Rufflet charged at the Pikachu, barely damaging him.

Damn it..! At this rate, I really am gonna lose..!

"Electro Ball."

A ball of electricity was formed at the tail of Pikachu, and launched it towards the Eaglet Pokémon.

"Tsk... Use Leer, Rufflet!"

Pikachu's Defense went down.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack."

Pikachu rammed towards the Rufflet.

The trainer then took out a Potion and sprayed it to his Rufflet.

"Thunderbolt."

"Dodge it and use Leer!"

Rufflet dodged the Thunderbolt and successfully reduced Pikachu's Defense.

Crimson furrows her brows, knowing what the other party was doing.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack."

"Again and again!"

"?!"

Rufflet fainted.

"Rufflet is unable to battle! The winner of this round is, Pikachu!"

"That.. Oh well.. There's always a next time though."

Uranium said with a shrug as he sent back his Pokémon to their PokéBalls.

"Anyways, thanks for the battle, Crimson. I'll see you around!"

He said as went off from the stage.

That guy.. His Pokémon.. They're all from Unova..

Crimson thought as her eyes were glued to the white hair male, until he was out of sight.

Hmm... At last, an opponent who is worthy of battling me.

Brock thought as she stared intently at the young teen.

"Well done, Crimson. You'll be up against me now."

. . .

I stared at Brock with a look of anticipation before giving my Pokémon some revive and potion.

I then walked up to him, readying to battle.

"Let's go, Pikachu!"

"Geodude!"

"Riolu."

"Riolu, use Force Palm."

"Geodude, Rock Throw!"

POW

"Riolu, use Screech!"

"Dodge it, Geodude!"

SCREECH

Geodude failed to avoid the incoming waves.

Geodude's Defense went down.

"Use Defense Curl, Geodude!"

"Quick Attack, Riolu!"

"?!"

"Defense Curl again!"

"Riolu, use Screech."

It looks like I'm making fun of Brock right now..

Crimson thought in amusement as she noticed Brock's annoyed face.

"Rollout!"

"Copycat."

Geodude summoned up some rocks and threw it towards Riolu.

Riolu then used the Copycat move and imitated Geodude's move.

Geodude's health is now in the red.

"Tsk.. Mega Punch!"

"Counter it, Riolu!"

POW

Riolu countered the attack, doubling the power.

Geodude had fainted.

"You did good out there, Geodude..."

Brock said as he sent back his Pokémon.

Meanwhile, Crimson just sprayed potion onto Riolu, praising him.

"Geodudes!"

Brock had specially sent out his Geodudes.

Damn.. This is gonna be so hard...

"Geodudes, use Magnitude!"

"Chh.. Riolu, Copycat."

RUMBLE

Magnitude 7

Riolu copied the move and both Pokémon are in the yellow.

"Rock Throw!"

"Dodge it and use Double Kick!"

WHAM 2X

"Defense Curl!"

Geodudes Defense went up.

"Use, Bide Riolu!"

Riolu is conserving energy.

"Magnitude!"

RUMBLE

Magnitude 5

Riolu is now in the red.

Riolu unleashes it's energy.

Geodudes had fainted.

"You did great, Geodudes.."

"Now... Onix!"

All right.. Just one more..

Crimson thought as she stared at the Rock Snake Pokémon.

She then looked at her Riolu, and took out a potion.

She then sprayed it to the Riolu and went back to their match.

"Onix, use Harden!"

Onix' Defense went up!

"Riolu, use Low Kick!"

WHAM

Onix' health went down greatly.

Hehe.. Low Kick, it inflicts more damage to heavier targets.. This is very useful in a situation like this..

Crimson thought with a smile.

"Tsk.. Use Harden!"

Onix' Defense went up!

But of course.. If he keeps using Harden.. It will be hard to reduce his health..

"Again, Low Kick!"

WHAM

Onix is now in the yellow.

"Onix, use Bide!"

Onix is conserving energy.

Well, crap..

"Use Double Kick!"

WHAM 2X

Onix unleashes its energy.

Riolu is now in the yellow.

"Bide!"

"Tsk... Screech!"

SCREECH

Onix Defense went down.

Onix unleashes it's energy.

Riolu is now in the red.

"Damn it..."

Crimson then looked at her Pikachu and nodded, and back to her Riolu who looks back to her and nodded as well.

"Riolu, Screech one more time!"

SCREECH

Onix' Defense went down.

Onix unleashes it's energy.

Riolu had fainted.

"You did great out there, bud.."

Crimson sent back her Riolu as she stared at the PokéBall.

"Pikachu!"

"(Right here!)"

The Mouse Pokémon jumped down from her Trainer's shoulder as he stared at the Rock Snake Pokémon with a hard stare.

"Onix use, Bide!"

Onix is conserving energy.

"Iron Tail!"

Pikachu's tail turned to steel as he charged towards Onix and slapped him with his tail.

Onix unleashes its energy.

"Harden, Onix!"

Onix' Defense went up.

"Double Kick, Pikachu!"

WHAM 2X

"Rollout, Onix!"

"Reversal, Pikachu."

Four rocks were summoned and charged towards Pikachu.

Pikachu is now in the red.

Why do I always forget that Pikachu has low health especially in the games... But this is a good thing though..

Thought, Crimson.

Pikachu sent back the attack, double the power.

Onix is now in the red.

Fuck..

Both parties looked at each other with hard and serious gazes.

I have to win this.. Can't... afford to lose.!

"Onix, use Rock Throw!"

"Pikachu, dodge it and Double Kick him!"

Pikachu effortlessly dodged all the rocks, and elegantly kicked Onix.

Did.. We won..?

I looked at Onix, as I bit my lips.

The Rock Snake Pokémon stood there, not moving, until...

He crashed down on the ground.

Onix had fainted.

"Onix is unable to battle! The winner of this battle is, Pikachu!"

"That can't be!"

Brock shouted in disbelief.

"It... It can't be. The winner is... Crimson."

Brock said in utter shock as he stared at Crimson.

Crimson just looked at her Pokémon with a proud smile, including Riolu who in his PokéBall.

"We did it.."

"(We did it!)"

Brock then cleared out his throat as finally managed to composed himself.

"Congratulations, Crimson. You are truly worthy for this Boulder Badge. This Boulder Badge boosts your Pokémon's attack."

Brock said as he handed the badge to Crimson, who accepted it enthusiastically.

"Thanks, Brock."

"You might want to pay Cerulean City a visit. A friend of mine there is a Gym Leader."

"You'll need to pass through Mount Moon to get to Cerulean City, but that should be no problem for a Trainer of your calibre."

He continued.

"I see... Once again, thank you."

Crimson lowered her head, greatful, as she walked off from the stadium.

She then saw that Red was waiting for her.

"You did awesome back there! You completely dominated them!"

Red ranted enthusiastically, as they went outside the Gym.

"Yeah, anyways let's head to the PokéCenter first? I want my Pokémon to be in full recovery before we head out. Not to mention, buy some potions and revives as well."

Red nodded his head in agreement.

After all, they need to be prepared and ready for their upcoming wild journeys.

After we brought what we needed, we head out to Route 3, towards Mt. Moon.

On our way there, we could hear distant yelling behind us.

"Wait up!!"

We turned our back around and saw Green jogging towards us.

"What do you want? Here to gloat?"

Red glared at him.

"That DOES sound appealing, but I have more class than that, Red. It's a shame that we never got to fight each other in the Tournament."

"That's because we were in a different tournament bracket."

Red said in an obvious tone.

"You don't say, my simple minded friend."

Green said in a provoking tone.

"Grrr! Okay! No need for that sarcasm, what do you want?!"

Red snapped.

"How about a good old friendly battle between two rivals. After all, our little match back in Viridian Forest wasn't really a testament to who's the strongest Trainer."

True.. But still..

I thought.

"Hmph! Okay, my Pokémon will beat you."

Red said confidently.

This isn't gonna to end well for him..

I thought.

"Just a heads up, Red. As you may have noticed, my Charmander is now a Charmeleon. It's in a whole different league now!"

. . .

"Huff... Huff..."

"You're too naive, Red. Charmeleon, use Take Down!!"

"No!!"

"Smell ya later, Red. Hahahaha!"

"Grrrr! I really hate that guy."

-End of Boulder Badge Chapter-

(Here's a little cameo!)

Red's POV...

Earlier at the Museum...

"This model of a rocket is simply amazing... One day, I'm going to start a team called Team Galactic."

"Pfft! Right! Sounds like a good idea."

"Thank you, stranger. Your kind words have given me the motivation."