The New Normal – 6-10 – Interlude – Brock
"Brock, could you come over here please?" Karen called out from her office. And it was HER office, even if she was only here temporarily. She had done so much for the Gym in the past few weeks, making sure that it was no longer the dilapidated Gym that it was once known as. Brock felt she easily deserved that distinction many times over.
Who knew the best way to repair the Gym after Flint had ruined it was to practically rebuild it from the ground up? Well, knowing Flint, it probably was best to get rid of anything he touched. Good riddance.
Not wanting to waste any more of her time, Brock quickly stepped into the room. As usual, Karen was buried deep in a pile of paperwork while Agatha sat to the side, observing everything with an amused expression on her face.
He had once previously considered confronting Agatha about her laziness, but he did notice that from time to time, Agatha did intervene whenever Agatha needed help. He grew to understand that Agatha was more of a supervisor, making sure that whatever Karen did remained up to a certain standard. She was just acting as the guiding hand.
He persistently ignored the main reason he didn't confront her – she terrified him.
But he would never forget that it was by Karen's efforts that this Gym was saved. He knew how hard she had worked.
"You there, Brock?" Karen asked as she leaned forwards, concern lining her face as she stared at him. Seeing her worried expression ignited something in his 13-year-old body, and Brock had to fight down a blush. She didn't deserve for him to think of her like that.
"I'm fine." He lied, trying to keep his expression blank, "What do you need me for?" Luckily, it didn't seem like Karen had noticed.
"Two things, really." Karen explained as she raised a finger, "One, I want your opinion on how we'll redecorate the Gym's exterior. Now that we've clean up some of the internal administration of the Gym, I think it's about time that we give the Gym a proper makeover to symbolize its new status."
Brock nodded thoughtfully. He remembered how vocal Agatha was when she first saw the Gym. She said some words that he was fairly certain that he wasn't meant to overhear and spent the next few days grumbling about it. However, they were forced to delay any redecoration efforts until they sorted out the Gym first, which he suppose they'd done now.
And, if he could be honest to himself, Brock had felt a certain level of vindication when the idea of redecorating was being floated around. He felt that it would be casting off the influence Flint had on the Gym.
Still, now that it was time for it, he hadn't a clue what they should change it to.
"Um…I don't know how we should change it." He admitted embarrassedly, "Sorry, maybe you could give me some time to think about it?"
Agatha let out a snort, "Bah! Did you think we'd let the redesigning of a Gym be decided by the hands of a 13-year-old?" She shook her head, "Don't worry about that, boy, we'll hire some experts that'll submit some designs. You can have a look at it with your siblings."
Her tongue was harsh as usual, but Brock had spent enough time around Agatha that he knew this was her way of showing that she cared. After spending so much time around her, it wasn't hard to notice that Agatha had always kept an eye out for him and his siblings, making sure they were all looked after and happy.
She put on a façade of being uncaring and unfriendly, but no matter how much she tried to hide it, the various gifts and toys that she frequently bought for them revealed her true feelings.
If only they had a moth-, no, he shouldn't think that. He knew that as kind as Agatha had been, she was only here temporarily. He wouldn't get his hopes up. It was just easier that way.
Unknowing of Brock's inner turmoil, Karen continued, "Yes, we'll let you have a look at a few plans later on." Her voice shook him from his thoughts, and he quickly returned his attention to what Karen was saying.
"As for my second point, I think you've done a good job with handling your duties as a Gym trainer, and now I want you to do more." Karen stated, with Brock nodding eagerly at her words. He had been waiting for these words for nearly a month!
"I feel like now would be a good time to let you take on more duties." She said, "Thus, your old role will be given to Forrest, who I'm sure you know has been quite eager to take up his own responsibilities in the Gym. In the meanwhile, you'll be shifted to serve as the assistant to the Head Gym Trainer. You'll work with them on a day-to-day basis, so that you can learn from all their duties while also continue training up your team."
"If you can accomplish this, boy, then maybe we'll let you handle a few of the harder Gym Battles for us." Agatha added, "We'll need to get you up to snuff, but I'm sure you can handle it."
"I'll continue helping you out with your training whenever I have some free time." Karen continued, shooting him a smile, "You've been making good progress, so let's hope that keeps up."
Brock nodded eagerly, an excited smile on his face. Aside from all the help that they did with the Gym, the thing that he always appreciated was the fact that the two of them treated him with respect, and they never acted condescendingly around him as if he was just some kid.
Though it was hard work, he remained thankful that Karen was willing to give him more and more responsibility, while always being careful to never give more than he could handle. He recognized that his was just their way of preparing him for when he became the Gym Leader after his majority.
Or at least, give him the best chance of doing so.
However, beyond the administrative tasks that they gave him, he was most excited and eager for their occasional sessions of personal training. Brock was greatly honoured that these two excellent trainers were willing to put aside time in their already busy schedules just to give him a few pointers.
He grew up watching Agatha's battles on TV, and now he was being trained by her! And Karen was far more formidable than he first thought – she was easily better than most Gym Leaders that he saw!
Admittedly, he couldn't help but envious of Karen's Tyranitar when he first laid eyes on it. Previously, he would occasionally imagine how much easier his life would be if he could have simply started off with a strong Pokémon to begin with, and how much easier his time as a trainer would have been.
But Agatha and Karen were both quick to knock him out of his naivety. There were no shortcuts to strength, only hard work. And he had seen the sheer effort that Karen would put to train her Pokémon, both under the instructions of Agatha and by herself. And this was on top of all of the standard administrative duties as temporary Gym Leader.
He wished he could have even half of that dedication.
And if there was one thing the two of them drilled into him, it was to never let an advantage go. If his Geodude managed to get the pounce on an opponent, then he was to beat them into submission before they got a chance to react. Sneak attacks, capitalizing on weaknesses, and never allowing your opponent to play to their strengths were repeatedly drilled into his mind, day after day.
And his Onix was taught the same lesson. Who says that Onix 'must' be slow? If he could play into those perceptions, he could land a surprise attack that just might win him the fight.
It was very unlike how he was 'taught' to battle, and he wasn't sure if he could fully absorb all of their lessons, but he strove to never let them down. And his increase in strength was very much noticeable. Of course, every time he wanted to show off, Agatha was quick to humble him and never let his head get too big. She was very good at that.
"There's always someone stronger than you." Karen had put it best to him. And it was a motto that he tried to hold close to his heart.
Shaking himself out of his thoughts once again, he politely asked if there was anything else the two needed from him. They didn't, and Brock was about to make his way out before Karen spoke up once more.
"Oh, that's right! Brock, isn't it Yolanda's birthday this weekend?" She asked. Brock gave her a surprised look, not thinking they would even remember. He valiantly stomped down on the emotions that instantly sprouted within him. Eventually, he managed a small nod.
"Excellent. I'll have something ready for her then." She smiled at him, and Brock had to channel whatever inner strength that he had to not react as the flood of emotion threatened to leak out. Unaware of his feelings, Karen just patted him gently on the shoulder, "Off you go then. Try to settle into you new duties and feel free to ask for help if you need it. I'll always be available."
Not trusting himself to react, Brock quickly fled from the room after a quick goodbye. As soon as he was certain that he was out of sight, he punched the wall as the dam finally burst, and the emotions came surging out.
Why?! Why did they have to be so nice to him!? Why couldn't they stay for longer?! It was a bitter realization, but Brock knew that Karen and Agatha, even in the short time that he knew them, were both better parents than his actual ones.
A.N. I wanted to highlight a bit of what was happening at the Pewter Gym and what Karen and Agatha had done to it. We haven't seen them in a while, so I thought this chapter would be nice little insight into their efforts at the Gym.
Of course, I also wanted to shed some insight into Brock at the moment. He's in a better place right now, though his emotions are quite the mess. Overall, he's happier, but he still has a lot of trauma and resentment to work through. Oof.
This chapter has been BETAed by Allute! Big thanks! And to anyone who wants to support me, please check out my p atreon at CartecTNN where you can read 8 advanced chapters! Thanks to those who have supported me already!