I'm sorry for the delay of updating. Real life has been quite rough on me, so I was unable to write anything at all.
This is going to be a short chapter, but I promise as compensation the next chapter will be packed with action.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Pokémon characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 36: Nerves of Steelix
It felt so nice being back on land after our adventure on the Whirl Islands. We took the ferry from Transit Town on Red Rock Isle after we contacted Janina for updates about the Gym. Sparkle was all good now and Jasmine had opened the Gym, so we could now challenge her. We reached Olivine City in the evening without any incidents. As soon as we were at the Pokémon Center, I contacted Professor Oak to switch Hikaru for Queendra. After the little mistake back on Ogi Isle, I wanted to have a water Pokémon in my team. Besides, Hikaru wouldn't probably do well in the last few remaining Gyms.
Ash and I woke up early next morning to do some light training before the Gym, so we called out our Pokémon and ran around the beach next to the Pokémon Center. I paid extra attention to Queendra and Victor as I had selected them for the Gym battle. I wasn't sure who I should pick as my third Pokémon yet, so I decided to wait with it.
Long before Ash and I left for our journey in Johto, I had trained Queendra a lot to be able to move on land by strengthening her wings. I have seen some videos of other dragon tamers who used their Horsea and its evolutions on dry land during battles. I wanted to accomplish the same thing for sea dwellers so I had Queendra flying next to me as I ran with my other Pokémon behind Ash and his team.
"One, two, let's go! One, two, get the badge!" Ash chanted as encouragement for us all.
"One, two, here we go! One, two, we will win!" I joined in, sweat running down my cheeks while my smile remained on my lips.
"For the Johto League!" we cheered eagerly. Our Pokémon shrieked in response, jumping up with bright smiles on their faces.
"That should be enough warm-ups!" Ash declared as he came to a halt. "Good job, everyone!"
"Everyone, have a good rest and we'll call you when it's time to battle", I added.
The Pokémon chirped in response before we recalled them to their Poké Balls. I wiped the sweat off my face, forgetting I had removed my jacket since it was still quite hot in the middle of July. "I could use a glass of water right now…", I panted softly and fanned myself with my hand.
"Me too, and I'm famished", Ash chuckled sheepishly as a growl erupted from his stomach. "It's about time we eat breakfast before we go to the Gym."
"Mm-hm", I nodded while Pikachu climbed up onto Ash's shoulder. "We can't go battle with empty stomachs. I hope Misty and Brock are awake now."
Lucky for us, our friends were awake so we had a large breakfast with our Pokémon before Janina showed up and led us to the Gym where Jasmine waited for us. The battlefield was prepared so Jasmine and I took our places on each end. Ash, Misty and Brock watched from the small gallery surrounding the field. Janina went to the referee square with two judge flags. She took her stand and held the flags in each hand.
"The Gym battle between Gym Leader Jasmine and challenger Ashley Ketchum for a Mineral Badge is about to begin!" Janina announced. "Both Trainers can only use two Pokémon each. The battle is over when one side's Pokémon are unable to continue battling. Only the challenger can switch Pokémon!"
"I appreciate your help, but I won't show you mercy as my reputation is on the line!" Jasmine called out before she picked up a Poké Ball from her hand pouch and threw it. "Go, Magnemite!"
"Magneee!" Magnemite buzzed as it was released from its Poké Ball.
"A Magnemite…", I mumbled to myself. If my prediction was right, then it was best to hold onto Queendra and use Victor. Besides, Queendra would take lots of damage against Magnemite.
"I choose you, Victor!" I called and threw his Poké Ball.
The device opened and released Victor. He howled aggressively and stood ready to battle, glaring at Magnemite.
"Begin battle!" Janina yelled out while raising her flags.
"Magnemite, use Thunder Wave!" Jasmine shouted.
"Maaagnee!" Magnemite shrieked before it fired a blue lightning bolt toward Victor.
"Dodge it, Victor!" I shouted.
"Hooun!" Victor yelped as he jumped to the side in time, the Thunder Wave striking the ground.
"Counter with Flamethrower!" I shouted, getting fired up by the Gym battle.
Victor opened his mouth and breathed a large Flamethrower toward Magnemite that didn't really panic at the sight.
"Use Sonic Boom on the Flamethrower, Magnemite!" Jasmine shouted.
"Maaagne!" Magnemite started spinning around, firing shock waves that resembled blades. The shock waves struck the ground around Victor, throwing up dust and dirt. He howled loudly when a couple of shock wave blades struck him and forced him skidding backwards.
"Are you okay, Victor?" I called out concernedly.
"Houn!" Victor huffed and shook his head to collect himself.
"Let's go with a different approach!" I shouted. "Use Smog!"
"Ashley, poison moves are ineffective against steel-type Pokémon!" Brock yelled from the gallery.
I ignored him while Victor breathed a large cloud of smog enveloping Magnemite. I didn't mean to use Smog as an attack. It was an improvised version of Smokescreen to give Victor time to prepare himself for the next move.
"Quick, use Howl now!" I shouted.
Victor took a deep breath and howled so loud it echoed in the indoor Gym. I inwardly flinched at the noise that cut my ears. I could endure loud noises better as long as it was outdoors, but now the howl bounced on the walls and it sounded twice as loud.
"Magnemite, spin around to get rid of the Smog!" Jasmine shouted from the other side of the field.
"Maaagnemite!"
I heard the steel Pokémon making spinning noises as the Smog attack soon dispersed, leaving no traces behind. Magnemite looked completely unaffected by the move, but that was expected.
What Jasmine and Magnemite didn't expect was the next move of Victor's.
"Victor, use Fire Fang!" I yelled.
Victor growled as flames engulfed his mouth, his teeth shining bright by the reflection. He braced himself before he ran toward Magnemite, ready to inflict damage to it.
"Magnemite, stop Houndoom with Thunder Wave!" Jasmine called out.
"Magnee!" Magnemite hissed and unleashed blue lightning bolt from its body, determined to hit Victor.
"Dodge and keep going, Victor!" I yelled determinedly.
Victor jumped left and right while running toward his target, dodging the Thunder Wave. Magnemite grew irritated for each miss, but it then shrieked as Victor jumped toward it. Jasmine gasped in surprise and yelled out a new command. "Use Thunderbolt and fast!"
Victor had no chance to dodge the new move. He bit Magnemite with all his might just as it unleashed a Thunderbolt electrocuting him. I flinched at the sight of Victor getting shocked while the fire of his Fire Fang spread across Magnemite before he released the magnet Pokémon. Magnemite dropped to the ground like a rock, which surprised everyone including myself. Victor stepped backwards to the challenger's side of the field, snorting loudly to get rid of the dust in his nostrils.
"M-Magnemite is unable to battle!" Janina announced, raising the green challenge flag. "Houndoom wins!"
"That was a one-hit knockout!" Misty exclaimed in disbelief.
That's right, but I was concerned about Victor. He had taken a big hit of Magnemite's close up Thunderbolt and he was showing signs of fatigue, so he didn't have much energy left to battle. "You were great, Victor", I praised him with a smile.
"Houn!" Victor barked.
"Return, Magnemite", Jasmine recalled her Pokémon and gave the Poké Ball a small kiss. "You did a great job. Rest well." She minimized the device and stored it in her pouch before she grabbed a second Poké Ball. "You may have defeated Magnemite with ease, but you won't be able to defeat true defense! Go, Steelix!"
The Poké Ball opened and released a bright light that transformed into the huge figure of a Steelix. It was massive and twice as big as a regular Onix. I noticed it was a male because it had two teeth on its outer jaw and not one with females.
"ROOOOOOH!" Steelix roared so loud and in an intimidating way that it even made me shiver in fear.
"Oh boy…", I mumbled, feeling cold sweat run down my face. Steelix was said to be a very tough Pokémon to defeat, even for my experienced Seadra. The best choice, as of what I could come up with right now, was to keep Victor and have him weaken Steelix so Queendra could finish him.
"Victor, can you keep battling?" I asked.
"Houn", Victor barked with a nod.
"Stay focused, Ashley!" Ash called from the gallery.
"Pika pikaaa!" Pikachu shouted.
"Begin the battle!" Janina announced and raised both flags.
"Steelix, use Iron Tail!" Jasmine shouted.
Steelix raised his tail as it began glowing in a metallic color, reflecting the shine like actual metal. He let out a roar as he swung the tail toward Victor.
"Jump and run up the tail, Victor!" I shouted, getting ideas for a move Ash had done a few times before.
Victor jumped back in time before the tail crushed the ground instead of him, throwing up dust and dirt around. Victor jumped through the dust and ran up Steelix's snake-like body. Steelix himself got a little surprised by the unexpected move.
"Fire Fang!" I yelled out.
"HOOOOUN!" Victor roared with his mouth on fire. He took a huge leap and bit Steelix on his jaw, flames escaping his teeth as they spread across the large iron snake Pokémon.
"ROOOOH!" Steelix screeched in pain and tried shaking Victor off, but my Pokémon had a firm grip on him.
"Steelix, shake off Houndoom with Sandstorm!" Jasmine shouted.
"ROOOOOOOH!" Steelix began spinning his body around just as a controlled Sandstorm swirled around him like a tornado. I couldn't see the Pokémon's silhouettes, the sandstorm being too thick to see through.
"Hold on as tight as you can, Victor!" I shouted, praying he could hear my voice.
The next thing that happened was Victor got thrown out of the sandstorm and he crashed onto the ground. I shrieked in surprise, not expecting him to get launched like that. "Are you okay, Victor?!" I asked worriedly.
Victor got up on his paws, but his eyes told me he was feeling weak. "Houn…", he barked with a light wag of his tail before he turned around to face Steelix.
Except…all that he faced was a giant hole on the ground.
"Steelix used Dig…", I mumbled concernedly, feeling nervous. "Victor, Steelix is underground, so start running around! Don't let him hit you!"
"Hou!" Victor began running around the field and jumping occasionally so Steelix couldn't hear where he was going.
Jasmine smirked confidently at the scene. "Trying to distract Steelix with speed won't help you. Now, Steelix!"
The ground rumbled as her Pokémon was preparing himself to come up to the surface. Victor landed on his paws just as the ground beneath him crumbled. He rapidly let out a confused bark before Steelix ejected himself up and struck Victor so hard he was sent flying into a wall of the gallery. I flinched at the impact as it echoed around us. Victor barked in pain before he fell onto the ground.
"Victor!" I yelled in fear and rushed to his side. I knew normally the Trainers and Gym Leaders weren't allowed to touch their Pokémon during battles, but I was so scared that Victor might have broken a bone at the impact and I needed to check him.
I crouched down in front of Victor and leaned my head to his body to check it, but I made sure not to touch him. "A-Are you okay, Victor…?"
"H-Houn…", Victor responded weakly and shivered by all the pain he was feeling in his body.
Janina rushed to us and inspected him before she raised the red flag. "Houndoom is unable to battle! Steelix wins!"
"ROOOOOOH!" Steelix's cheerful cry echoed in the Gym as he stood tall and proud of defeating Victor.
"I-Is Victor okay?" I asked Janina before she could go back to the referee square.
"He should be, but you better let Nurse Joy treat him as soon as you return to the Pokémon Center", Janina told me.
"I will", I nodded before I recalled Victor to his Poké Ball. "You did your best, Victor. Rest up and hold on before we make it to the Pokémon Center."
"Hey, Ashley!" Brock called from the gallery right above me. "If you're so worried about Victor, I can bring him to the Pokémon Center right away!"
"Are you sure?" I asked hopefully before my lips twitched downwards. "B-But…isn't that against the official rules about Gym battles?"
"I'll make an exception just for you, Ashley", Jasmine informed me. "I can tell you're extremely worried about your Houndoom and I would be too if I were his Trainer."
"Thank you, Jasmine", I nodded, relieved that she bent the rules for me. I threw Victor's Poké Ball to Brock as the distance between us was too far and he caught it with ease.
"I'll give you a call in an hour!" Brock shouted before he rushed out of the Gym.
"Okay…", I mumbled tiredly and walked back to the field, dusting my pants after they got a little dirty.
"Don't worry too much, Ashley!" Ash yelled from the gallery. "Focus on the match!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu shouted.
"You can do it! Battle for Victor!" Misty added.
"Togi togi!"
I took a few deep breaths to calm down and forget about Victor in the moment. It wouldn't do me good if I focused on him during an important battle. He wouldn't want me to worry too much. My Pokémon depended on me and I didn't want to disappoint them.
"Call out your Pokémon, please!" Janina called out, giving me a verbal warning if I kept delaying the battle.
I grabbed Queendra's Poké Ball and threw it toward the field. "I'm counting on you, Queendra!"
The Poké Ball opened and released a white light that landed on the battlefield before it shapeshifted into Queendra. "Seaaadra!" she hissed as she moved the fins on her back, flying above the ground.
"Begin battle!" Janina called out and raised both flags in her hands.
"Steelix, use Crunch!" Jasmine shouted.
"ROOOOH!" Steelix opened his mouth wide and leaned fast toward Queendra like he was about to eat her.
"Dodge with Agility, Queendra!" I yelled.
"Seeaaa!" Queendra hissed as her moving wings increased their speed and flew quickly to the side, making Steelix strike the ground with his open mouth. He raised his head and crunched on the earth he had accidently swallowed, some remnants falling from the side of his jaw.
"Use Hydro Pump, Queendra!" I shouted.
Queendra was right behind Steelix so she had the field wide open to attack and hit the opponent. She launched a massive water beam from her snout, striking Steelix on his back. Steelix released a painful screech as soon as the water touched his body.
"Use Sandstorm, Steelix!" Jasmine called out.
"ROOOOH!" Steelix screeched before he started spinning his body again, creating a shield with the roaring sandstorm engulfing him. I knew for certain he was going to use the Sandstorm and Dig combination, so Queendra had to stop him.
"Queendra, fly around Steelix with Agility and counteract the Sandstorm with Twister!" I shouted in panic.
"Draa!" Queendra flapped her wings faster and started flying around Steelix while summoning a twister with her head pointing up. The sandstorm tornado was caught in the middle of the twister, so it was like two tornados were clashing against each other. I was hoping the Twister move could cancel the Sandstorm before Steelix could hide underground.
The Twister move actually made the Sandstorm more intense and it sped up the swirling air and sand until it started spraying the dirt around. The Sandstorm was the first move to be cancelled when Steelix successfully dug underground, leaving another massive hole on the field.
"Not again…", I growled at myself before I suddenly got a new idea. If the opponent was hiding underground, then I had to force it to come out. And since Steelix was partially ground-type…
"Queendra, use Hydro Pump to fill that hole with water!" I shouted.
"Huh?!" Jasmine exclaimed with a soft gasp.
"Dra!" Queendra hissed before she started pumping a massive water beam from her snout into the hole. The noise of swooshing water was heard underground or it could have been Steelix who was trying to avoid the water pouring onto him through the tunnels.
The ground started shaking under my feet before a gap opened on the field. Steelix forced his way out screeching with debris flying around him. Queendra quickly flew in zick zack to dodge the larger debris.
"Steelix, are you okay?!" Jasmine called out to her Pokémon.
"Rrrr…!" Steelix growled deeply with his body soaked by water from the Hydro Pump. His head was nodding a little and he had a tired look in his eyes. It was hopefully a sign that he was getting weak, so Queendra was close on defeating him.
"We're almost done, Queendra!" I informed her. "Stay strong!"
"Draaa!" Queendra hissed determinedly.
"Steelix, don't give up yet!" Jasmine encouraged her Pokémon. "Use Iron Tail!"
"Rooooh!" Steelix raised his glowing tail and swung it toward Queendra with all his might.
"Dodge and use Hydro Pump, Queendra!" I shouted quickly.
Queendra's speed had increased thanks to Agility, so she dodged the Iron Tail before it struck the ground, cracking it open. Queendra aimed her snout at Steelix and fired a Hydro Pump on the side of his face. Steelix released a cry before he collapsed on his side, throwing up dust and sand. The crash caused the ground to rumble and even made me flinch a little, even though I had expected the collapse the second Steelix fell to his side.
Steelix rumbled weakly from his mouth as he shook from the pain he was feeling in his steel body. Janina took a closer look at him before raising the green flag. "Steelix is unable to continue battling! Seadra wins! The winner of this Gym battle is challenger Ashley!"
"Yes!" I eagerly pumped my fist with a big smile. "You did it, Queendra!"
"Seaaadra!" Queendra hissed happily and flew over to me so I could give her a hug. I was careful not to come in contact with her spikes because of her Poison Point ability.
"You and Victor were great, Queendra", I praised her as I gently caressed her head. "Victor will be happy to hear the good news."
"Raa."
Jasmine and Janina walked over to us with big smiles. The Gym Leader had called back Steelix so he was no longer resting on the field. "That was an excellent battle, Ashley", Jasmine praised me. "It was a great idea using your Seadra's Hydro Pump to force Steelix up from the ground."
"Thank you…", I replied shyly, feeling my cheeks turning a little warm by the compliment.
Janina gave Jasmine something which she in turn gave to me. "This is the Mineral Badge, the proof that you defeated the Olivine Gym", the young adult said.
"Thank you, Jasmine", I smiled and accepted my sixth Johto badge.
Ash and Misty rushed out to the field to join us. "You were awesome, Ashley! Now I can't wait for my battle!" my brother said excitedly.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu smiled widely.
"You utilized Queendra's moves so well, Ashley", Misty giggled gently. "It might not take long enough for her to evolve into a Kingdra."
"Togipriii!" Togepi chirped joyfully.
"And I can't wait for it", I smiled before I pinned the badge inside my jacket where my other badges were. "I've got to hurry back to the Pokémon Center and check on Victor."
"Let's go to the Pokémon Center together", Jasmine suggested. "My Pokémon need to heal up before I can battle you, Ash."
"No problem!" Ash replied and clenched his fist determinedly. "I want to battle your Pokémon with all their strength!"
XXXXXXXXXX
To my huge relief, Victor didn't suffer any broken bones, but Nurse Joy told me he had to take it easy for next couple of days since his body was extremely sore. I praised him for his great work during the battle and showed him the badge that he and Queendra won for me.
Ash used Cyndaquil and Dunsparce for his Gym battle. Cyndaquil took out Magnemite with ease and my brother switched to Dunsparce against Steelix. Dunsparce knew the ground-type move Drill Run that was super-effective against Steelix, so he managed to inflict some damage before he got defeated by an Iron Tail. Cyndaquil finished the battle with a surprising Flamethrower move that heat up the Sandstorm shield before Steelix could dig underground. His body got scorched by the intense fire and fainted with his energy drained.
This resulted with Ash receiving his own Mineral Badge, so we were now both two badges away from participating in the Johto League. Just thinking about the League made me nervous, but it was a good feeling.
XXXXXXXXXX – Silver's POV
Sneasel screeched as he used Night Slash on the wild Magnemite I had found. The magnet Pokémon buzzed weakly as it could barely levitate. I threw an empty Poké Ball at Magnemite and caught it with ease. I walked over to the Poké Ball and picked it up.
"Well done, Sneasel", I told my Pokémon as I stared at the capture device.
"Sneaa!" Sneasel hissed.
I had caught new Pokémon ever since I stole Croconaw from Professor Elm's laboratory months ago. I was still at large, so I had to lay a low profile whenever I visited a town or city to buy supplies and get a roof over my head for a night.
I still had my goal to find Team Rocket and get the answers to my questions. I wanted to destroy them, especially their leader. I had a bone to pick on him and my mother for abandoning me and my big sister.
"Sneas!" Sneasel cried out in a warning tone.
I quickly turned around and strapped Magnemite's Poké Ball on my belt and reached for Haunter's, thinking I got found by somebody. It wasn't a human, but it was one of those mysterious hound Pokémon I saw back in Ecruteak City with those weird twins. It was the yellow one known as Raikou.
It stared intensely at me like it was trying to look into my soul. I fell into a trance staring at the beast like we were synced. There was something Raikou wanted to convey to me, but I had no idea what.
A rumble escaped its mouth before it dashed in the speed of lightning, leaving nothing but a harsh breeze and grass it had kicked up with its paws. I snapped out of the trance, blinking my eyes to get rid of the remnants of grogginess. I massaged my face and breathed in deeply. I have never experienced something like this before, not even with my Pokémon.
"Snea?"
I glanced down at Sneasel. He had a concerned expression and touched his claws against each other like he wanted something. I frowned lightly and turned away, but I noticed Sneasel looked even sadder with me turning my back. I held back a groan and reached my hand out to pat his head. Sneasel released a soft rumble and rubbed his head against my palm.
I swiftly remembered the warm touch of my sister whenever she comforted me while I was crying my heart out. She always made me feel better so I guess this little touch brought comfort to Sneasel. Now that I thought about it, I hadn't paid that much attention to my Pokémon. I only brought them out for training, eating and battles, nothing else. I wanted them to be the strongest Pokémon so I could confront Team Rocket.
Of course there were no other options on how to make Pokémon powerful…right?
XXXXXXXXXX
Ashley's party:
Cedric the Pupitar (male)
Mystic the Togetic (male)
Victor the Houndoom (male)
Axel the Scyther (male)
Lily the Espeon (female)
Queendra the Seadra (female)
XXXXXXXXXX
Ashley's Pokémon at the Lab:
Trica the Furret (female)
Wanda the Gyarados (female)
Aria the Lapras (female)
Hikaru the Ampharos (male)
XXXXXXXXXX
Ash's party:
Pikachu (male)
Bayleef (female)
Cyndaquil (male)
Croconaw (male)
Shiny Noctowl (male)
Dunsparce (male)
XXXXXXXXXX
Ash's Pokémon at the Lab:
Heracross (male)
Tauros (male)
Ivysaur (male)
Snorlax (male)
Kingler (male)
Poliwrath (male)
Wartortle (male)
XXXXXXXXXX
Misty's party:
Staryu (genderless)
Psyduck (male)
Togepi (female)
Poliwhirl (male)
Lanturn (female)
Corsola (female)
XXXXXXXXXX
Misty's Pokémon in the Cerulean Gym:
Goldeen (female)
XXXXXXXXXX
Brock's party:
Geodude (male)
Onix (male)
Crobat (male)
Pineco (male)