A/N: Hey. It's been a long while. You know, life getting in the way. I'll try to upload more consistently but I just wanted to put out a chapter to let you know I've not forgotten or given up on this.
Pokemon Journey: Indigo League
Chapter 36: Defining style
Blastoise instinctively fires off a water gun, meeting the fire attack dead on, causing a smoke bomb to envelope the area. Brandon covers his face, coughing as a black dog with white horns leaps through them, landing a critical thunder fang on Blastoise.
"BLAST!" Blastoise shouts in pain, throwing an ice punch to knock off the new Pokemon.
"Houndoom, keep up the pressure!" a familiar voice shouts, though this voice Brandon hasn't heard since the cruise. "Use flamethrower again!"
"Blastoise, use water pulse!" Brandon counters, his eyes still burning from the smoke cloud.
Blastoise aims, and fires off a water pulse, meeting the flaming jet attack from Houndoom. Blastoise narrows his eyes and digs into the ground as he's losing this fight. Suddenly, that water pulse got more powerful, as a water jet erupted from his cannons and pushed back the fire attack.
"Way to go Blastoise," Brandon praises his partner. "Not sure what move that is but keep it up!"
Blastoise tried again but this time, it was weak compared to the first time, with Blastoise visibly looking tired. Brandon watches on with concern before the voice speaks again.
"You ruined my family's name!" Zoe shouts at him, glaring daggers. She sats behind Houndoom. "Now you will pay for it!"
"How did I ruin your family's name?" Brandon wonders, as his friends are also looking confused. Kyle, Saul, and Ava use their water Pokemon to help quell the flames that randomly started.
"You cheated with your Tangela!" Zoe accuses him. "How else would that vine ball beat my awesome Bagon?"
"If I recall, Joltik helped out," Brandon points out, before waving his arms around the training facility. "Even if that was true, which it isn't, do you think attacking a Pokemon Center would help your cause?"
"Maybe not the best idea I had," Zoe replies sheepishly, looking around. "Nonetheless, I demand a rematch, and I will get it. Houndoom use dark pulse!"
Brandon sighs. "Fine. Blastoise, counter with rapid spin!"
Houndoom opens its mouth and releases dark purple rings aimed at Blastoise, who tucks into his shell and begins to spin in place as the rings hit him. Grunting, Blastoise launches forward, using his cannons, and attempts to try a rapidw gun but he's still not used to his size, and instead smashes into a tree, dazing him.
"Houndoom, use thunder fang!" Zoe commands, thrusting her hand forward.
"Blastoise, can you stand up?" Brandon shouts out.
Blastoise looks around groggily. He hears Brandon's voice but he's still dazed as Houndoom sinks his teeth into his shoulder and releases an electrical surge. Blastoise cries out in pain, trying to get his shoulder free.
"Houndoom, thunder fang again!" Zoe shouts gleefully.
"Blastoise, can you shake Houndoom off?" Brandon cries out.
No matter how much Blastoise tried, he couldn't shake Houndoom's iron jaw as another electrical surge went through Blastoise, causing him to thrash about. Brandon grits his teeth, racking his brain to escape this situation but nothing comes to mind.
"Don't let up Houndoom!" Zoe cheers on her Pokemon. "Finish him with another thunder fang!"
Houndoom releases another thunder fang, causing Blastoise to cry out in pain. Houndoom finally releases Blastoise's shoulder, content with the damage it dished out. Blastoise is panting heavily but still shakily gets on one knee. Grunts can be heard as Blastoise stands up, wobbly, looking like he will pass out, but he still has enough energy to glare at Houndoom, who is almost shocked.
"What? How is Blastoise still standing?" Zoe shrieks. She glares at Brandon. "You are cheating again!"
"How's that cheating?" Brandon asks bewildered. Behind him, the others also look confused.
"I have the best Pokemon money can buy. How is your pitiful Blastoise still standing?" Zoe replies hotly.
At that comment, Brandon can just feel the anger coming from Ava though he doesn't turn around. Instead, he glares back at Zoe. "Let me get this right. You buy Pokemon?"
"If you have money, why not use it?" Zoe retorts.
"Training Pokemon is half the fun," Brandon replies, watching Blastoise. "Training Pokemon yourself builds a bond that can't be broken. Sure, there will be ups and downs but a strong trainer will welcome the challenge."
"Oh please," Zoe says, rolling her eyes. "Why waste time training when someone else can do it for you?"
"That's the difference between Blastoise and your Houndoom," Brandon says, smirking again. "Where you spend money to buy Pokemon, I know Blastoise very well. And in battles, having that bond can come in handy, like this. Blastoise, use your new move!"
Blastoise, still feeling the effects of the thunder fang, plants his feet and aims at Houndoom. With what strength he had left, he put into the attack. Hydro pump is enough to score a critical hit as Houndoom falls and can't get up.
"But how?" Zoe asks, confused, recalling her Houndoom.
"Training forms a bond between you and your Pokemon," Kyle says, stepping forward. "Without that bond, it can be rough in battles."
"But money is supposed to buy everything," Zoe says, really confused. "My parents always said money solves everything."
"And I thought I had it rough," Ava mutters, her anger fading away with that last statement. "Money is nice to have, sure. But what's the point of going on a journey if you half-ass it?"
"Exactly," Brandon replies gently. "Houndoom is strong, not going to lie. But imagine how much stronger it can be if you develop that bond?"
Zoe looks confused but you can see the wheels turning in her head, as she mulls over the information she has just gotten. She looks down at her Pokeball still in her hand before looking back at the group. "I certainly have a lot to think about."
"I do wonder something," Saul speaks up. "You said Brandon ruined your family's name. How would a random battle regain it?"
"My pa told me that any defeat would work," Zoe explains.
"What exactly was ruined?" Brandon asks.
"My family has a reputation for being powerful trainers," Zoe tells them. "My pa and ma won the Helvan League when they did the circuit. Then my brothers won it, then my parents became rich with the leading manufacturing of Pokeballs. Like I told you earlier, winning means everything in Helvan. The more you win…"
"The more money and sponsors you get," Kyle finishes her statement, knowing full well what that means.
"Exactly. Sounds like you have experience," Zoe replies. Kyle nods, as Zoe goes on. "In Helvan, it's very common that the more wealthy people tend to buy their teams."
"So it seems like only the wealthy win," Saul comments, piecing together the information.
"Correct," Zoe says, nodding her head. "If you lose to some random nobody, your family name is tarnished. And in Helvan, your family name is everything. And since I lost to Brandon, my legacy has been tarnished. My family has been ostracized. They have lost their place."
"Makes sense on why you attacked me," Brandon says. "But like Saul asked, why a random battle? Wouldn't someplace, like an official tournament, be better?"
"That would be ideal," Zoe says, nodding her head. "But if you have an opportunity to defeat the person that ruined your name, you take it."
"Wow," Kyle and Ava whispered in unison.
"How about this," Brandon says, thinking. "You train, and I mean, really train and we will battle again at the Indigo League, where it will matter."
Zoe thinks for a moment, then nods. "That sounds like a deal. Be prepared though. Now I have a question."
"Shoot," Brandon says.
"Why are you being so nice?" Zoe asks, waving her hands around the Pokemon Center. "I did try and ruin you."
"Simple," Brandon responds, looking at her. "Taking a journey has opened my mind. If you would have tried this at the start of my journey, I would have been angry. But now, experiencing all I have, I've learned not to judge anyone without understanding why they do things. You had a certain upbringing so I won't judge you based on that. Your actions will show me what kind of person you are from here on out."
Zoe nods again as her mind is still trying to figure out Brandon's game yet she somehow realizes he doesn't have one. That is surprising for her. She's used to everyone trying to get something from her, including her parents yet Brandon is the first person who didn't. Maybe this is what it means to have a real friend?
"Thank you for your honesty," Zoe says. "It's apparent there are things I need to think over. I look forward to our next battle."
With that Zoe leaves the battlefield. Brandon watches her leave before turning towards the others, cocking an eyebrow at them. "What?"
"Nothing," they respond, as they also re-enter the Pokemon Center. Kyle moves to the PC and sits down. "Anyways, you have a gym match coming up right?"
"Right," Brandon says, thinking about his options. "Still not sure who to use."
"Erika, the grass leader of Celadon City," Kyle says, pulling up her PokeNet Profile. "Her profile lists her usual 3v3 team that consists of Tangela, Vileplume, and Weepinbell."
"That site is useful," Brandon mutters, leaning closer to the screen to read. "She likes to use status against her opponents to weaken them for Vileplume to come in and clean up."
"Right," Kyle nods, agreeing with him. "That should help with forming a team against her right?"
"Just be careful Brandon," Ava speaks up. "Analytics is one thing but don't forget about using your gut out there."
"Analytics? This is just having a game plan," Kyle responds.
"Having a game plan is fine, but battles aren't won on paper," Ava responds."Just don't overcrowd your mind."
"I won't," Brandon says, smiling at her. He thinks, going over his team in his mind. "If she uses statuses, I think Tangrowth will be a good pick. It might make for a longer match but Tangrowth can't be spored. But he already battled against Sabrina."
"Why does that matter?" Kyle asks him curiously.
"From what I've seen, Brandon loves to give his team a chance to battle," Saul responds.
"Correct," Brandon nods toward him. "Nidorina, Tangrowth, and Taillow fought against Sabrina, so that leaves Joltik and Blastoise as two members I would like to battle Erika."
"Joltik I can see," Kyle says, thinking. "I'm going to assume Joltik can slow down Erika's team enough but would Blastoise be a wise choice? You will be at a disadvantage."
"Maybe type disadvantage but I trust Blastoise," Brandon replies, still thinking. "What if Blastoise, Joltik and Tangrowth?"
"Brandon, we can't tell you what to bring," Saul tells him. "It'll come down to what you feel in that moment."
"Yeah," Ava adds in. "So far, your gut has been pretty spot on what to bring, including using Talliow last match. Trust it."
"They are right," Kyle says, turning off the PokeNet profile. "Your style is different than mine. It doesn't mean mine is better, it just suits me. Whatever your style is, it has been working since you got 3 badges. Keep developing it."
"Good. Now that is settled, what say we grab lunch?" Saul asks, his stomach growling.
"Sure," they agreed and headed out into Celadon.