What's up, everyone? This is GKC here bringing you the next chapter of my Pokémon story.
Apologies for the wait. IRL stuff and all that plus other distracting interests. You guys understand, right? So, please understand and put down whatever objects you most likely have to threaten me with.
Now for the disclaimer: I do not own, except my OCs, the Pokémon series. All rights belong to their respective owners.
Now let's get this party started… BEGIN!
Chapter 6: Rustboro City! A Girl Named Luna?
The next day came without much trouble. Ivan allowed Brock and me to cook breakfast for the gang as well as our host himself. Mew had taken the opportunity to use my head as a resting place even as I ate my food after feeding my Pokémon.
"Mew's taking a liking to you, huh," May commented.
"I just seem to be a natural magnet for Pokémon," I replied, alluding to how animals naturally liked me.
It was something I had a natural talent for as a kid. At the time, I was scared of touching or interacting with them but over time, I grew to enjoy it. Respect was the key factor when it came to animals but let me assure you, I was not doing crazy things such as swimming with sharks like Ocean Ramsey. I can be brave but I ain't stupid. Let the actual experts deal with apex predators, I'll just stick to what I know.
"But why would it let itself be caught?" Max pondered in confusion. "Legendary or Mythical Pokémon usually don't interact with humans a lot."
"That's something I can't explain, kid," I replied with a shrug while glancing up at Mew, who was using my head as a pillow to nap on. "Pokémon are still rather mysterious, even rare ones like Legendaries and Mythical Pokémon like Mew. Sometimes, they can surprise us in the most unexpected ways."
"Never thought you the philosophical type," Brock commented.
I gave the casanova a dry glare, "And what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Just an observation," Brock shrugged.
"Well, philosophy is one of the few things I have learned throughout my life. Contemplating what my life and the lives of others might be like when affected by the world around us." I said. "I'm not just about battles and Pokémon, after all. Unlike Ash."
"Hey~ what's that supposed to mean?" Ash huffed, looking indignant.
"So, you're saying battles and Pokémon aren't all you think about?" I asked with a smirk.
"W-What's your point?!" Ash stammered.
I decided not to answer him and instead reached up to take Mew off my head and placed it on my lap. "Well, it's almost time for us to hit the road."
"Oh, how about I take you kids there? It's only a half-hour drive there by car." Ivan offered.
"Really?" May asked excitedly.
"Sure. I don't mind. Besides, I need to head over to town for groceries anyways, so it's convenient for me too." Ivan replied.
"Sounds good to me!" Ash chimed happily.
"Pik! Pikachu!" The electric mouse agreed.
The drive to Rustboro City was rather tame. Ivan's car turned out to be an old pickup truck. May and Max were able to get seats in the actual cab while Ash, Brock, myself, Absol, and Pikachu were in the back. Mew was still taking a nap on my lap as the drive went on uneventfully.
However, another problem reared its ugly head. Not a physical one. At least, not in the traditional sense.
"How the heck is Mew gonna go around town?" I said aloud. I looked down at the feline-like Pokémon that slept on my lap. "First thing people will see is a floating pink cat with a long tail."
"You could have Mew go back to its Poké Ball," Ash suggested.
"I mean, I could but Mew's a free spirit. I don't think it likes being cooped up in such a confined space." I remarked, petting the Mew's head softly. Then a thought came to me, one that slipped momentarily from last night. "God, I'm an idiot! Mew can just change form!"
"Huh?" Ash asked, confused.
"It can transform into any Pokémon and none would be the wiser." I pointed out. "It's got the DNA of every known Pokémon on the planet."
"So, if it wanted, it could be like Pikachu?" Ash asked, looking at his partner and best buddy.
"Pika?"
"That's right or it could be a Pidgey or even a Dragonite," I answered.
"That's pretty useful," Brock commented.
"It is." I nodded in agreement.
"Rustboro City, straight ahead boys and girls!" Ivan called out from the driver's seat.
Deciding to be a bit daring, I leaned my head over the roof to take in the sight of the first major city I'd seen since I arrived in the Pokémon world. Much like any other city, it was busy as ever with its tall buildings that lined up along the coastline. It's also where Devon Corporation is headquartered. There were so many apartment complexes, some of them being used by the Corporation's staff and employees. And if memory serves me right, in the anime, there's going to be a Pokémon Contest, and May's gonna be all interested in becoming a Pokémon Coordinator with the help of Janet and her Beautifly.
Overall, this would cement it as the first real test in my journey as a Pokémon Trainer. Roxanne is a Gym Leader that specializes in Rock-Types and I only have two Pokémon (I don't count Mew because I vowed not to use it in official battles) that I can utilize for an official Gym Battle.
"This is it. Everything starts from here for me." I said to myself.
"Chris?" Ash pondered in confusion.
"Just…warming myself up for an upcoming Gym Battle, is all," I replied.
"Heh, yeah, I can understand that feeling, right Pikachu?"
"Pika!"
Heh, that enthusiasm has never changed, even after so long.
"Just so you know, I will be battling first," I stated.
"Huh?!" Ash looked incredulous. "Why?"
"Is that a problem?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Well, no, but-"
"Let me make it easier for you. Dibs." I stated. "See? Now I get to have that Gym Battle first."
Ash gawked at me in shock, before hanging his head down with slumped shoulders. Pikachu tried to comfort him, but it wasn't helping him.
"Think of it this way. It'll make things easier for you when it's your turn. You'll figure out the Gym Leader Pokémon's weakspots and exploit them early on." I pointed out.
"That's not usually Ash's style but it might help him," Brock remarked.
"Well, first, I'm going to a Pokémon Center and get my Pokémon rested up," I told the kids. "I suggest you all do the same." I then glared at Brock. "And don't even think about it."
"Think about what?"
"You know what I'm talking about." I narrowed my eyes at him knowingly.
If his eyes were opened, they would be wide, "Oh…"
"Yeah. Watch yourself unless you want a reminder of the last time we had this discussion."
"Yes sir…"
"Good," I smirked, as the truck moved along.
When Ivan dropped us off at the Pokémon Center, we bid the man farewell as he drove off to do his business and left us to our own devices.
"Well, guess that leaves us to heal our Pokémon and find the Gym," I commented with a grin. "Right, Absol?"
"Sol." My partner chimed.
I glanced at my left shoulder to stare at my other passenger, "How about you, Mew?"
"Mew!"
Oh right, I gotta have Mew transform into a Pokémon so we don't get any unwanted attention. "By the way, do you think you can turn into a regular Pokémon?"
"Mew?" the feline tilted its head. Ahhhh, so cute!
"You know? Maybe a bird Pokémon or even a small mouse Pokémon?" I asked while giving it chin scratches.
"Mewwwwwwwwwwwwwww~" the feline-like Pokémon's eyes went half-lidded while scratching the air with their feet. Good god, Mew looks drunk when I'm giving chin scratches!
"Uh, Mew?" I paused in petting the Legendary.
"Mew?" The feline snapped out of it, looking at me.
"Can you transform into a different Pokémon?" I asked again.
"Mew! Mew!" The feline Pokémon then glowed, the light overtaking its body before shape-shifting and molding itself. The light faded to reveal Mew's disguise as a… "Spearow!"
"Well, this works," I said with a grin, rubbing the transformed Mew on the head. "Alright, shall we get going then?"
"Spearow!"
"Sol." Absol nodded.
We entered the Pokémon Center and approached the Rustboro City Nurse Joy. "Excuse me, Nurse Joy?" I greeted.
The resident nurse looked up at me and smiled, "Hello! Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I help you?"
"Hi, could you heal my Pokémon for me?" I gestured to Absol and produced Scyther's Poké Ball.
"Certainly. And your Spearow?" Nurse Joy gestured to the transformed Mew.
"Oh, uh, my Spearow is fine. It didn't take any damage." I replied.
"Very well. I'll be back with your other Pokémon shortly. Chansey?"
"Chansey!"
Approaching me was a pink, ovoid creature with stubby arms and dark pink feet. It has tiny eyes and three hair-like growths on each side of its head; the tufts of hair have dark pink tips. On the center of its belly is a dark pink pouch that contains a single white egg and has a short tail.
Chansey led Absol while Nurse Joy took Scyther's Poké Ball from my hand and headed to the ER Room to get them fixed up.
"Alright, while we're waiting, how about we take this chance to explore the city," I suggested Spearow-Mew.
"Spearow!"
"My thoughts exactly." I grinned as I stepped out of the Pokémon Center to begin my exploration of the city.
"Come on. Where is it? Where is it?" A soft feminine voice spoke aloud before a young girl stepped out of an alleyway, searching for a lost item.
The young girl looked to be around eleven or twelve with pale blue hair in a bob-cut with a cow lick on top, bright green eyes, light skin, and a heart-shaped face. She wore a light purple blouse with a fuschia shirt, a white knee-length skirt, black hiking shorts, and white-gray running shoes.
"Oh, I know it fell around here somewhere…" The girl whined as looked around the street.
"Hey, you okay there?" A voice called out, getting the girl's attention to focus behind her as a male teenager who seemed older than her by a good five or six years approached her with a Spearow on his shoulder.
"Oh, um…" The girl froze, nervously playing with her fingers.
"Something wrong?" He asked, looking concerned. "You seem to be looking for something."
"Um… uh, I uh…"
"Do you need help?" He offered.
"N-No, it's okay. Um… well, that is…"
"Yes?" He coaxed the young girl.
"I'm uh… looking for a Poké Ball I dropped."
He smiled, "I see. No problem, we'll be glad to help out."
"O-Oh, I don't want to impose or anything."
"Nonsense. If someone needs help, I'll gladly lend a hand."
"W-Well, if you insist…" She said timidly.
"So what kind of Poké Ball is it?" The young man asked.
"It's…a Cherish Ball. My mom gave it to me for my birthday last year and I used it to catch my friend." The girl answered.
"Cherish Ball, huh? Must be around here somewhere." He rubbed his chin before grinning, "By the way, I never introduced myself. I'm Chris Holmes."
"L-Luna…"
"Nice to meet you, Luna." Chris smiled, "Alright, let's look for it."
We checked every nook and corner of the alleyway, searching for Luna's Cherish Ball.
"Row!" Spearow-Mew pointed its wing at a glittering shine behind a trash can.
"Good looking out, buddy," I commented before approaching the object and reaching for it. When I pulled it out, it resembled a red-black ball. "Found it!"
"My Cherish Ball!" The girl ran over and snatched it out of my hand, nuzzling her cheek against the surface. "I'm so sorry that I dropped you."
"So, what Pokémon is in there anyways?" I asked while Spearow-Mew tilted its head in confusion.
"Oh, um…" Luna blushed a bit before she brought up her Cherish Ball and opened it to release the Mon inside.
The Infinity Energy shaped and molded before the light faded to reveal a humanoid Pokémon with a white body. It has thin arms and legs that widen toward the feet. A wispy extension trails off the back of its feet, creating the overall impression of a nightgown or oversized dress. Most of its face is covered by green hair that resembles a bowl cut, but a pair of pinkish-red eyes is sometimes visible. Finishing off the look are two flat, red horns on top of its head: a large one toward the front and a smaller one at the back.
"A Ralts, huh?" I mused.
"Yeah, she's been my best friend since I found her," Luna admitted as her Ralts toddled over to her and laid a paw on the girl's leg, causing her to smile.
I nodded, "Well, they are known to feel the emotions of their trainers. And I can already tell that she loves you deeply." I pointed out.
"Ehehe… yeah, she does." Luna giggled. "We went through everything together and have been inseparable ever since."
I smiled at the duo, "So, we found your partner. What will you do now?"
"Um…" Luna said, thinking about it. "I don't know at the moment. I mean I just got here in Rustboro City not too long ago, so…"
"Oh? Same here. I'm here to get my first Gym Badge." I told her with a grin.
"You're a Pokémon Trainer?" Luna blinked in surprise.
"Something like that, yeah." I nodded, "I'm about to head over to the Rustboro City Gym now. If you want, you can come along and watch me."
The girl sheepishly shuffled her feet, "I mean, I wouldn't want to be a burden…"
I chuckled, "I don't mind. Oh, I need to stop by the Pokémon Center to pick up the rest of my team."
"I see."
"So, wanna come along? We can talk on the way, and I learn more about the new friend I just made." I grinned at her.
Luna nodded with her Ralts climbing onto the girl's shoulder to sit on it. "Sure!"
"Then onward!" I exclaimed, enthusiastically.
And so the trek to the Pokémon Center was anything but boring. Luna and I were just happily chatting away as we talked about our likes and dislikes. It was like having a little sister. When we arrived, I already spotted Nurse Joy setting out a tray that had two Poké Balls on it. The pink-haired woman reached for the phone before she spotted me.
"Oh, Mr. Holmes! I was just about to call you." She smiled at me. "Both your Absol and your Scyther are completely healed. They're in amazing health too. You must be quite a Trainer."
Rubbing the back of my head sheepishly, I grinned, "Nah, I'm just a natural magnet for animals."
"Given your Pokémon's health, you certainly take good care of them." Nurse Joy giggled, before taking the Poke Balls off the tray and handing them to me, "I couldn't find a better Trainer to look after them even if I dreamt it."
Seizing the offered balls, I pocket Scyther's ball and then released my main and partner Pokémon. "Come on out, girl."
"Sol. Absol." The Disaster Pokémon chimed after shaking her fur.
"Eek!" Luna suddenly hid behind me.
"What's wrong, Luna?" I blinked in surprise.
"D-D-D-Dark Pokémon…" She whimpered. "T-They scare me…"
I raised a brow at that little tidbit. "Why? Did something happen?" I asked her. Even Absol seemed confused as to why the girl was suddenly afraid of her.
"I…" Luna hesitated and I could see her eyes staring out into space as if she were reliving her worst nightmare.
"Uh, forget I said anything," I told her. Still, this presented a problem. "Is this going to be a problem? Absol is one of my Pokémon, after all. And I'm going to be using her for my Gym Battle."
"A-As long as I stay a good distance from her, then it should be fine," Luna admitted hesitantly. "I'll just be sitting at the bleachers."
Well, that's about as good a result as I'm going to get. "Well, alright then." I shrugged.
"Hey, Holmes!" I heard a familiar voice call out. I turned and saw Ash and company walking towards me. "We're about to head over to the Rustboro Gym." He said, before turning to see Luna, "Huh? Who's this?"
I gestured to the girl beside me, "This is Luna. She's someone I met after I helped her find her Pokémon. She decided to watch my Gym Match."
Ash, being the friendly kid that he is, greeted the girl with a grin, "Hi, there! My name is Ash and this is my partner, Pikachu."
The electric mouse raised a paw in greeting, "Pika!"
"I'm May." The fledgling Trainer greeted the girl with a grin of her own.
"And I'm Brock." The former Pewter City Gym Leader added.
"My name is Max." The small boy greeted Luna.
"H-Hello, everyone," Luna said, shyly.
"So, ready to go to the Gym?" I asked the rest of the group.
"Yeah, let's do it!" Ash cheered.
"Pika!"
"Always the eager ones, aren't ya." Brock chuckled, while shaking his head.
I nodded before looking down at the two Poké Balls currently attached to my belt. "Hopefully, I'm good enough to win this badge."
"I mean, given that we've seen you battle, I thought you'll knock this Gym right out of the park!" May said.
"You're right. I got this." I said with a grin.
So, with that, Ash and company and our new friend Luna made our way towards the Rustboro City Gym. It didn't take long for us to find it. Upon arrival at the facility, we were met with the sight of its exterior. Just how I remembered it in the anime. It was a building made completely out of rock and stone with some concrete on the front of the building. A stone path led to it and two statues of what looked like Golem flanking the paths.
"Alright, let's do this. And Brock, behave yourself." I glared warningly at him.
"Why?" Brock pondered.
"You'll see." I remarked as we entered the building… and were met with a receptionist. "Hello?"
"Yes, can I help you?" The receptionist greeted me with a smile.
"My name is Chris Holmes. I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader." I spoke.
The woman gave me an apologetic grin. "I'm sorry but the Gym Leader is busy with a class right now."
"A class?" The group parroted. Oh yeah, I forgot about that part of Roxanne. She's a schoolteacher for those upcoming trainers.
"Yes, she's a teacher at Rustboro's Trainer School, so she'll be unavailable at the moment. But I'll let her know as soon as she's done."
Hm, I have a better idea. "Actually, would you kindly give me the directions to the Trainer School?" I asked politely. Ash and the others were confused by what I had in mind.
"Oh? You're going to go there yourself?" The receptionist blinked.
"If it's not too much trouble." I smiled nicely at her.
The woman's face turned red, but she nodded. "Um, sure. Here's a map."
Heh, the Ukitake Smile works every time.
"Well, here we are." I said with the map in hand. We found ourselves at the Trainer School, where like any other building, it was one story. It was made of drywall and concrete but had warm and bright colors to welcome any kid into the school. It was barred off by the brick wall where the only way to enter is through a steel gate that was currently closed.
"This is the place, huh?" Ash mused.
"Do we…go inside?" Luna asked, timidly.
"The Gym Leader is there. So, I'm going in." I told the group.
"Wouldn't we be intruding though?" Max pondered. "We're not students here. And I'm pretty sure the gate is locked for a reason."
"Not to worry. I think she'll like what I'm about to propose to her." I assured the young boy.
"Hey! What are you all doing here?" A voice asked. We all turned around hearing the sound of the voice nearby and… to my dismay, and for different reasons altogether, there was Officer Jenny, standing there. She had a Growlithe next to her.
In 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
"I'm here because you've put a warrant out on my heart!" Brock declared with his face red, a goofy grin on his face as he sped past us and took hold of the surprised Jenny's hand. "And now that I've been caught by the very picture of beauty, I hope you will grace me with being your-"
*PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINCH!*
"Owowowowowowowowowowowow!" Brock cried out in pain when I pinched his ear and twisted it very hard, flailing erratically.
"Brock, what did I say about behaving yourself?!" I growled.
"Sorry, sorry!" The Pewter City native cried out in pain.
"Corner. Now." I scolded the teen. Brock nodded wordlessly as he faced the brick wall and sulked.
"Wow… and here I thought I've seen it all." Ash blinked in amazement.
"Pikachu." The electric mouse nodded in agreement.
With the wannabe Casanova properly dealt with, I turned to face the officer. "Sorry about that. To answer your question, Officer. I was going to challenge the Rustboro City Gym Leader, but I learned she had a class to teach. So, I came here to offer a proposition."
"I see." Officer Jenny nodded. "Wait right here." She said before she went over to the gate and next to it was a keypad. She pressed a few squares before a beeping noise was heard and the gate opened. "Follow me."
"Hey, should we-" May got out.
"Brock is staying there in his corner." I interrupted May's train of thought.
"For how long?" Max asked.
"Until he learns not to flirt with every woman in sight." I answered, following after the Officer with my hands in my pants pockets. I then followed the officer into the school, then looked over my shoulder, seeing the group still standing there, "Well? You guys coming or what?"
Ash was the first to snap out of it as he followed after me. Luna trailing behind him. May and Max took one last look at a sulking Brock before following after us.
Trailing behind Officer Jenny was a bit nerve-wracking. Not because she was an officer of the law or anything like that. Rather it is because I had a clear view of her swaying hips and the police skirt, she wore with her uniform that seemed a might smaller than what I remembered. No, stop. You're not Brock. You're not some playboy. I have to stop thinking about Officer Jenny's ass.
…
Dammit, this is going to be more difficult than I thought. Her curves were just… right, in all the right places…
"We're here." Jenny said, drawing my attention away from her rear end and the double-ended doors that led to what could be the classroom. "The Gym Leader is behind these doors. When you enter, please remain quiet until she's finished teaching her students."
"Understood." I nodded in understanding.
I then looked towards the kids and placed a finger on my lips to tell them to be quiet, which they all understood with a nod.
Slowly and quietly, I opened the door and all of us softly filed into the classroom one-by-one until we were in. Rows of desks were filled with children who looked like they were in kindergarten while standing at the front of the classroom was the person I had come to meet.
She was a young girl with red eyes and brown hair, which is tied up into two pigtails with a red bow, with a small black U-stripe. She also wears pink tights and a small tie-like pink scarf around her neck. Her attire consists of a white shirt with a purple school uniform dress and a pair of purple shoes.
This was Roxanne, leader of the Rustboro Gym.
I enjoyed her as a character while watching the series. She enjoys fostering young Trainers and offers them real-life experiences, such as filming her Gym battles and taking her students on excursions. Not to mention that she values collaboration, confidence, and consideration in her students and earmarks those qualities as critical to a Trainer's success with handling their Pokémon.
Overall, she is a Gym Leader that I respect. Not to say that there aren't others with good intentions or worthwhile qualities but I'm rather particular when it comes to certain characters.
"That's her?" May whispered to me.
"Yup… that's her. Roxanne." I muttered back with a nod.
"Wow. She's not at all what I expect to see in a Gym Leader." May admitted.
I almost laughed, especially since the girl is the daughter of a Gym Leader who looks the definition of a family man.
So, I decided to point out a little something. "It's best to never judge a book by its cover. A Gym Leader can appear as anything."
"Really?"
"Yup, they can be a surfer, an old man, a hot-headed newbie, a family man like your father, an elegant flier of the skies, they could even be twins, or even love water. You never know." I went on. Of course, I listed the Hoenn gym leaders vaguely, but hey, it gets the point across.
May looked at me in surprise, "Wait, you know about my-"
"I took the time to study the names of all the Gym Leaders in Hoenn. Prepare myself for what's to come." I interjected with a smirk.
"Er-hem!"
Uh-oh, busted.
Facing the front, I was greeted with a stern face from Roxanne. The girl was most likely annoyed that I had probably interrupted her time teaching her students.
"Nice going…" Ash deadpanned at me.
"May I ask who you all are and what you're doing here?" Roxanne asked, with a hand on her hips.
I stood up from my seat and gave her an apologetic grin. "My apologies. I'm Chris Holmes. I'm a Trainer who came to the Gym to challenge you to a Gym Battle but then I heard you were teaching a class. So, I came here to make a proposition of equal opportunity." I told her.
Roxanne raised her delicate eyebrow at this, "Explain."
"You like teaching your students, right? And they love to see Pokémon?" I asked her.
"Naturally." Roxanne nodded.
"Then I propose we have our Gym Battle here at this school and your students can watch us. They can film it, analyze our strategies, and you can teach them as we go along in said Gym Challenge." I explained to her, to which she was considering, "So? What do you say? Care to try?"
Roxanne looked at me for a few moments then looked at the faces of all the children she had as students who looked excited to see it. Her gaze returned to me and she grinned. "Very well. I accept your proposal."
"YAAAAAAAAY! We get to see a Gym Battle!" One kid cried out.
"This is another best day ever!" Another one said.
"Come on, we wanna see it!" A third one added, as they all now clamored and begged to see this battle happen.
"Alright, alright. Everyone, let's calmly make our way to the training field." Roxanne told her students with an exasperated smile.
There was excitement in the air as Roxanne led the kids to the training field, with myself and my group following behind. Said training field was found outside of the school on the right-hand side. Or rather… there were several training fields for multiple battles to take place. So picking a random battlefield, Roxanne and I took our respective places while Ash and the others, along with the rest of the kids stayed on the sidelines.
One of the teacher aides' then took their place as referee.
"This Gym Battle between the challenger Chris Holmes and Gym Leader Roxanne will now begin!" The teacher aide referee announced. "Each Trainer will use two Pokémon and the winner will be declared when one side is completely unable to battle! Furthermore, only the challenger can be allowed to substitute Pokémon!"
Roxanne looked at me with a confident grin. "I hope you have suitable Pokémon for this battle."
I returned her expression with a smirk of my own. "Trust me. I've got some pretty strong Pokémon to battle with."
"In that case, I'll hold nothing back," Roxanne said, before taking out a Poké Ball and throwing it. "Geodude, come on out!"
Appearing in a brief flash of light is a small rock-like bring with two rocky arms, big eyes, and a humanoid mouth.
"Geodude." Roxanne's first Pokémon chimed as it seemed eager for a fight.
I took a Poké Ball off my belt and threw it out, "Scyther, you're up!"
My lone Bug-Type appeared as his arm blades gleamed with the intent of a battle. "Scyther! Scy!"
"Cool! A Scyther!" One kid said in awe.
"This is gonna be an awesome battle!" Another said in excitement.
"Very well, Geodude vs. Scyther!" The teacher aide referee said, before holding both their arms up. "Let the battle begin!"
"Scyther, use your speed and get in close with Night Slash!" I commanded.
"Scyther!" My lone Bug-Type took off with a flap of its wings, dashing towards Roxanne's Geodude as his arm blades glowed with Dark-Type energy.
"Geodude, dive underground!" Roxanne ordered. The Rock Pokémon used its hands to dig up the dirt quickly and went into the hole, prompting the Mantis Pokémon to miss his mark.
"Did it just use Dig?" Max pondered in surprise.
"Not exactly." Brock corrected after he, for some strange reason despite being put in the corner, arrived with his arms folded over his chest as he watched the match with interest due to his own experience as a Gym Leader who used Rock-Types. "Geodude can dig underground without the need to use the move. All Rock-Type Pokémon can do this since they usually live underground or in caves."
"How can Scyther win then?" Luna pondered.
I narrowed my eyes at the hole, "It has to come up sometime. Scyther, stay on guard."
"Now Geodude, come out and use Rock Throw!" Roxanne commanded.
The ground behind Scyther suddenly cracked and Geodude emerged from the hole, the rocks flying up with him. The Rock Pokémon then grabbed the debris of rocks that flew up with him and threw it at Scyther.
"Double Team!" I quickly ordered.
"Scy!" Scyther suddenly began to multiply from two to four until the numbers grew as sixteen of the Mantis Pokémon became the targets for the rocks thrown at it. When the projectiles struck the afterimages, they all vanished…with no Scyther in sight!
"Geo?!" The Rock Pokémon looked shocked.
"Scyther's gone!" Luna gasped in surprise.
"Where did it go?" May wondered.
The sight of the confused Rock-Type made me smirk as I answered the girl's question, "It's simple. Scyther can't be around and certainly can't be underground. What's the last place anyone ever looks?"
Roxanne's eyes widened in realization, "Geodude, get underground quick!"
Geodude looked at its trainer in confusion before a shadow passed overhead causing the Rock-Type to look up and was surprised to see a rapidly descending Scyther approaching it.
"X-Scissor!" I declared.
Scyther crossed his arms blades as he approached Geodude and slashed at his opponent. Geodude couldn't react in time as the Mantis struck the Rock-Type dead-on, causing it to cry out in pain.
"GEOOOOO!"
"A direct hit!" Luna gasped.
"Geodude!" Roxanne cried out as it rolled backward but it managed to get back upright. "Are you okay?"
"Geo… dude!" The Rock Pokémon gritted its teeth but gave a thumb-up.
"Alright, then use Rollout!"
Geodude then curled itself, then started rolling in place like a certain blue hedgehog before rolling forward toward Scyther.
"Take to the sky!" I told Scyther.
The Bug-Type followed my order, spreading his wings and leaping to the air, just as Geodude passed his feet.
"Get in close with Night Slash!" I added in.
Scyther dashed towards Geodude, blades regaining the glint of Dark-Type energy as he prepared to slash at the Rock-Type's back.
"Dodge that!" Roxanne shouted, to which the Rock Pokémon suddenly gyrated around and behind Scyther, surprising the Mantis Pokémon. "Now use Mega Punch!" She commanded. Geodude then uncurled itself and one of its fists glowed before it proceeded to slug Scyther right on the jaw, sending Scyther slamming into the ground with a loud thud, dust forming after.
"Scyther!" I shouted.
"Now drop down on Scyther with Rollout!"
The Rock Pokémon once again curled and started spinning rapidly, before as ordered dropping down on Scyther and even grinding against Scyther's body to deal more damage.
Alright, looks like it's time to try out that move. "Scyther, use Counter!" I declared.
Scyther's eyes shot open, gleaming with an intense fire as he used his arm blades to push himself off the ground, sending the rolling Geodude off his back. Now, using his arm blades as a kickstand, bracing to use his legs that channeled Fighting-Type energy and struck the descending Geodude square in the face.
"GEOOOO!"
"Geodude!" Roxanne gasped as the Rock Pokémon was sent tumbling to the ground, but to my mild surprise and slight interest, the Geodude was still ready to go and fight again. That Pokémon wasn't a quitter. "You still want to fight, don't you?"
"Geo… dude!" The Rock Pokémon growled. "Geo! Dude! GEO… DUUUUUUUUDE!" That's when its body started glowing!
Wait, what?! That didn't happen in the anime!
"What's happening?" May gasped.
"Geodude's evolving!" Max gawked.
Geodude's body began to change as it grew to match Scyther's height. Once it finished, the glow subsided to reveal a bipedal, boulder Pokémon. Its round body is covered with small bumps, and it has a rocky crest above its small eyes and mouth. It has four arms, each with a three-fingered hand.
"Gravelerrrrrr!" The Boulder Pokémon roared.
"Awesome, a Graveler!" Ash smiled widely, as he took out his Pokédex.
["Graveler, the Boulder Pokémon and the evolved form of Geodude. They descend from mountains by tumbling down steep slopes and are so brutal, they smash aside obstructing trees and massive boulders with thunderous tackles."]
"Wow, Miss Roxanne's Geodude evolved!" One kid cried out in amazement.
"This is awesome!" Another one shouted happily.
"Now that guy doesn't stand a chance!" A third one said.
"Graaaavelerrrr!" The Boulder Pokémon jumped up and slammed down on the ground and to my surprise, spikes of stones trailed towards Scyther! Graveler just learned Stone Edge!
"Get in the air, quick!" I shouted.
Unfortunately, the jabbing stone was too quick for even Scyther to dodge as it stabbed him and the stone exploded on impact.
"SCYTHERRRRRR!" Scyther cried out in pain as the attack lifted him in the air and gravity took over, dropping roughly onto his back.
"Scyther, you okay?" I called out to the Mantis. Rock-Types are effective against Bug-Types like Scyther. Geodude's Rollout attack hurt him but Graveler's Stone Edge must've hit him with the force of a speeding truck.
"What move was that?" Ash wondered.
"That's Stone Edge!" Max answered. "It's a powerful move with a high chance of the opponent taking a critical hit, and Scyther got on the receiving end of it!"
"Not only that, Bug-Types are weak against Rock-Types so that attack dealt massive damage," Brock added with a grim look on his face.
"Come on, Scyther! You got to get up!" I called out to the Mantis.
Scyther struggled to get up, his exoskeleton covered in scuff marks and wounds. He glared at Graveler, the fire in his eyes burning with a need to beat this opponent. The warrior in him crying out to best it.
"Graveler evolved because it fought you," I told Scyther. "So, we're not going to let it end this quick. Let's show this guy that Bug-Types can match Rock-Types!"
"SCYTHERRRRRRRR!"
"Alright Graveler, let's wrap this up, use Stone Edge!" Roxanne smirked.
Graveler once again jumped up and down and the stone spires traveled towards the Mantis Pokémon.
"Use Counter! Deflect those stones!" I declared.
Scyther brought up his arm blades in the stone spires approached the Bug-Type, he began batting away the spires with his arm blades. "SCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCYSCY!"
"Now Graveler, use Rollout!" Roxanne shouted. The Boulder Pokémon then curled its four arms and rolled rapidly toward Scyther, breaking the stone spires along the way. When it broke the final stone spire, Graveler crashed into Scyther. "Follow up with Mega Punch!"
Graveler uncurled itself and two of its fists glowed before punching him hard, sending Scyther straight up into the air.
"Scyther!" I cried out as Scyther fell to the ground… and didn't move.
"Scyyyyyyyyytherrrrrrrr…" The Mantis Pokémon groaned having swirls in his eyes.
"Scyther is unable to battle! The winner of this round goes to Graveler!" The teacher aide referee declared, extending their arms towards Roxanne.
"Yeah! Graveler won!" One kid cheered.
"Told ya that Scyther didn't stand a chance!" A second kid grinned widely.
Grimacing at the sight of the first Pokémon I caught being defeated, I took out his Poké Ball and gestured it towards the mantis. "Scyther, return." A red beam of light shot out and hit the fallen Bug-Type, returning him to the ball. I smiled down at the ball. "You did your best, Scyther. Thank you."
"Your Scyther is pretty tough," Roxanne commented. "He took Graveler to the limit as a Geodude, but now that he's evolved, it won't get any easier defeating me now."
"I should be thanking you. Scyther was a recent capture but I wanted to see how tough he is. He gave it his all against a foe with a Type Advantage and even though he lost, I've got a feeling that he's going to be pumped for some more training." I said with a grin, looking at the Rustboro Gym Leader with respect.
"That's good. It's essential that in life, there's always room for improvement." Roxanne nodded with a smile of her own.
"That we can agree on," I said, before taking out my last Poké Ball. "But now, it's time you face a real challenge! Absol, come on out!" I said, before throwing the Poké Ball. A stream of white light came out of the ball, taking shape and molding itself into the Disaster Pokémon after the light faded.
"Absol." My ace spoke as she stood ready for battle.
"Wow! An Absol!"
"That's a rare Pokémon!"
The children all gawked and gushed over Absol's appearance. And it seems my partner preened at the praise as she showed off her snow-white fur and glared at the Graveler.
"Eeeek!" Luna squeaked, suddenly hiding behind May.
"What's wrong, Luna?" May asked in bewilderment.
"D-D-D-Dark Pokémon… s-s-scary…" Luna whimpered.
"Scary?" May repeated in confusion.
"I don't see anything scary about Absol." Max pointed out.
Luna didn't answer. Her eyes remained focused on Absol as she nervously and fearfully gripped the hem of May's shirt.
Brock noticed this but didn't say anything. It was something that only Luna would have to deal with when she was ready.
"Hope you're ready, Roxanne," I told my opponent with a smirk, "Absol here is my strongest Pokémon and she's itching for a good battle."
"Graveler vs. Absol!" The teacher aide referee said, before holding both their arms up. "Let the battle begin!"
"Absol, Extremespeed with Psycho Cut!" I immediately called out.
Absol's body is surrounded by a familiar white aura as she takes off toward Graveler while her horn glows with Psychic-Type energy that she used to slash the recently evolved Rock-Type Pokémon.
"Block it!" Roxanne commanded as the Boulder Pokémon used all of its hands to stop Absol dead in her tracks.
"No way!" Max gawked.
"Graveler blocked it like it was nothing. Even with Extremespeed." Ash said bewildered.
I smirked, "Actually, I was counting on it." I said with Absol mimicking my expression. "Hyper Beam!"
Absol's mouth opened, revealing an orb of untapped power gathering before she fired point-blank at a surprised Graveler.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*
"Graveler!" Roxanne cried out. When the smoke cleared… Graveler had already fainted.
"HUUUUUUUUUH?!" The kids cried out. "ALREADY?!"
"Graveler is unable to battle! The winner of this round goes to Absol!" The teacher aide referee declared, extending their arm to my side.
"Nice work, Absol." I praised my partner.
"Sol." Absol beamed at the praise.
"Well, Roxanne? What do you think of her?" I asked my opponent.
"That… is a very strong Absol," Roxanne praised as she pointed her Poké Ball at Graveler, and a beam of light shot towards the fainted Boulder Pokémon, being absorbed into the device. "But the only reason you won is because you took advantage of the damage that your Scyther dealt to my Graveler." She then took out her other Poké Ball. "But now let's see how strong your Absol is against my last Pokémon!"
She then threw it to the field. "Go, Nosepass!"
The Poké Ball opened up and a stream of white light shot out, changing shape and molding itself to form a blue, angular, hard bipedal Pokémon that closely resembles a Moai. Its bright red, triangular nose is highly magnetic and slightly resembles a 3D arrow. It has arms and legs without any visible joints and small, circular holes on the undersides. Its arms also resemble compass needles and have similar circular holes on the sides of its head. Its eyes, covered by dark, somewhat mask-like markings, have the appearance of being closed.
If this thing were a Probopass, then I'd seriously be in trouble.
But as of now…
"Absol, let's win this battle!" I told my partner with a grin.
"Absol!" The Disaster Pokémon cried out, eager for a fight.
"Nosepass vs. Absol!" The teacher aide referee said, before holding both their arms up. "Let the final battle begin!"
"Let's start strong! Shadow Ball!" I ordered.
Absol opened her maw as she unleashed a Shadow Ball at Nosepass.
"Counter that with Zap Cannon!" Roxanne declared.
"Noooooosepass!" The Compass Pokémon gathered a ball of electricity and magnetism and threw it at the Shadow Ball causing an explosion to occur, and dust blowing harshly.
"I can't see a thing!" May cried out.
"That's how powerful their attacks are!" Brock gritted.
"Absol, get in close and hit it with Shadow Claw!" I declared.
Absol launched herself out of the smoke, the tips of her claws shrouded in a dark aura as she slashed at Nosepass. While her target, the Compass Pokémon didn't seem fazed at all!
"Crap…" I cursed.
"Use Rock Tomb!"
Nosepass jumped into the air and landed on the ground. When it landed, giant rocks protruded from the ground and surrounded Absol, making it unable to move.
"Now use Lock On!"
Ahhh shit! That means whatever attacks are thrown at Absol, won't miss! Nosepass glowed as an ethereal red-colored target appeared and shrank onto Absol's body, marking her.
"Follow it up with Zap Cannon!"
"Noooooosepass!" The Compass Pokémon gathered a ball of electricity and magnetism and threw it at pinned Absol, destroying the Rock Tomb in the process Absol and debris from the previous attack flew with her.
"Absol!" I shouted as she fell to the ground. Electricity crackled around her body, now realizing that she's been Paralyzed.
"Oh no, that did some serious damage!" Max cringed worriedly.
"And now Absol's been paralyzed," Brock said with a frown.
Ash grimaced, "If she can't move then Absol will be target practice."
"Now Nosepass, use Rock Blast!"
"Nooooosepass!" The Compass Pokémon formed rocks from thin air and started firing at my paralyzed Absol. Each one hit hard as much as the next.
"Hang in there, Absol!" I told my partner as she gritted her teeth and fought through the pain.
Rock after rock pelted her but Absol endured each blow. Not surprising considering she fought against a prehistoric rock dinosaur but this time, all the attacks are guaranteed to hit.
Then I realized something. Absol being paralyzed would probably be a boon right now.
"Absol, absorb the electricity into your horn with Psycho Cut!" I told her.
"Huh?" Ash said confused. "What is he-"
"Absorbing the electricity?" Roxanne looked equally confused.
Absol, however, understood what it was I wanted her to do. Even though her body couldn't move, she could still focus her Type Energy. So, she released a loud cry as she pushed more of her Psychic TE into her horn it pulsed pinkish-purple and used the power to draw in the electricity that coarse through her body. The electric currents flowed from her fur and her body until it cloaked the Psycho Cut that made up her horn. The energy unleashed a chirping noise that reminded me of birds.
"Aw yeah, just what I was waiting for." I grinned almost manically.
"Is it just me or am I hearing birds chirping?" May asked.
"It's coming from the electricity Absol's absorbing!" Brock realized.
"I don't know what you're up to, but it's not going to happen! Nosepass, use Rock Tomb!" Roxanne commanded as her ace began to unleash its attack.
"Absol, use Extremespeed to get in close! Use the rocks to help you!" I told my partner.
Absol dashed forward then, just as the rocks from Nosepass's Rock Tomb erupted from the earth, she jumped into the air her paws landed on the spire then she leaped off of it and descended towards Nosepass with her horn sparking with Electric and Psychic energy.
"Have a taste of our new signature move, Roxanne!" I called out with a wide grin. "Use Lightning Blade!"
"Lightning WHAT?!" Ash and the group exclaimed.
"AAAAAB-SOOOOOOOOL!" Absol roared, slashing down with her horn as the combined energy struck Nosepass directly in its face.
*BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!*
"NOOOOOOSEPAAAAAASS!"
"Nosepass!" Roxanne cried out as dust bloomed from the impact. Every one of us waited with bated breath, waiting for the outcome of the attack. Slowly but surely, the dust settled and Nosepass… was still standing!
"It's still up?!" Luna gasped, but then she noticed the electricity that crackled around Nosepass's form, and moments later… it dropped face-first into the ground.
"Ah, Nosepass!" Roxanne gasped in shock as her ace remained unmoving, its eyes filled with swirls.
"Nose…" It groaned.
"Nosepass is unable to battle! The winner of this round goes to Absol! Which means the victory of the match goes to the challenger, Chris Holmes!" The teacher aide referee declared, extending their arm to my side.
"Alright, Holmes won!" Ash cheered.
"Pik! Pikachu!" The electric mouse cheered as well.
"That match was so awesome!" Max said with stars in his eyes. "Absol was so cool!"
"Using the electricity to their advantage was a good strategy. That's the kind of unexpected and unorthodox style of battling that Ash would do." Brock said with a grin.
"Awwwww, Miss Roxanne lost!" One kid whined.
"She's supposed to be strong! What happened?" Another complained.
Roxanne smiled sadly as she returned Nosepass to its ball and approached her students. "Now, now children. Accepting loss is also a fundamental part of being a Trainer. It allows you to learn and grow from the experience."
Even though I won, I decided to help Roxanne out with her class, "Also, the match could've gone either way. If I hadn't figured out and used Absol's paralyzed state to my advantage, I would've been the one who lost. Miss Roxanne is strong, never doubt that." I glanced at the girl with an amused grin. "After all, she helped me create a new move that I thought was a one-off bit of luck."
Absol took that moment to nudge Roxanne in appreciation for the battle and for helping her with a new attack. "Sol, sol."
Roxanne giggled as she laid a gentle hand on the Disaster Pokémon's head, running her fingers through the smooth white fur. "You're quite welcome, Absol. You should be proud of your trainer." Her gaze landed on me. "I can already tell. He's got a talent for this." She then reached into her pocket and pulled out a pin. It was shaped like a rectangle with two of its corners more emphasized than the others.
"Is that what I think it is?" I grinned.
"Yes. As proof of your victory over me, I hereby present to you the Stone Badge."
I took the offered badge and grinned. The pride I felt not only in myself but also in my Pokémon. The excitement I felt during the battle and the euphoria that the victory was due to my achievement.
I couldn't help but hug Absol, "Check it out, girl! We won our first badge! One down and seven to go then it's off to the Hoenn League!" I exclaimed with a wide grin.
"Sol! Sol!" Absol smiled at me, then I saw the electricity crackling.
The smile was still present on my face but the dread I felt from that familiar crackling made me nervous, "Oh, no…"
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT!*
"OYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA!"
OH GOD, WHY DO YOU STILL TROLL ME LIKE THIS?!
A/N: And that shall be the end of the chapter. Finally!
You guys have no idea how long I've been banging my head trying to get this chapter going. Originally, it was just going to be a meeting with a new character but I figured that it might as well include the Gym Match with Roxanne.
And now the MC's Absol has fully embraced and utilized her new combo attack: Lightning Blade.
Scyther may have lost but he gave it his best and that's something to be proud of. Not only that, this loss will embolden him to get stronger.
And what sort of adventure will be next for the heroes? Who knows? You'll just have to find out next time.
Review and comment on this chapter. Love it, hate it, but just know that you've read it.
Peace out, everyone!