Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 15: Shapes of Things to Come!
Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock walking peacefully towards their next destination, Oreburgh City the home of the first Pokémon Gym in Sinnoh.
Not before long, the city appears over the horizon.
"There it is you guys, Oreburgh City!"Ash said happily.
"Pikachu!"Pikachu replied.
"Sure looks like a great place to have your first Sinnoh battle."Dawn commented kindly.
"Also a great place to get our first gym badges too."Denise admitted in excitement and thought. "If I can manage to be a coordinator then its possible for me to be a pokemon trainer too."
The four heroes reach the Oreburgh City Gym, which looks like a large building made out of stone.
"Just look at this place."Dawn said nervously. "Sure doesn't look like the kind of gym, you challenge unless you were serious."
"Yeah, but that's for me."Ash answered confidently.
"Okay, first one who finds the gym leader gets to battle him otherwise you'll have to wait."Denise challenged.
Ash smirked. "Oh its on."
But before they can enter, Paul and an older long haired man walk out of the Gym.
"Whoa, its Paul."Ash said in surprise.
"Do I know you?"Paul asked rudely.
"Just when things were looking up."Denise muttered under her breath.
"Paul are these friends of yours?"the man asked.
"No way."Paul replied.
"You just won a battle get a badge?"Ash asked.
"Hey that's none of your business."Paul answered cruelly.
"Huh?"Ash demanded.
"Pfft, of course he didn't get a badge, he's just too scared to admit it."Denise replied with a smirk.
Paul huffed at her statement and looked away.
"I'll bet you two are here for a battle too."the Man said.
Denise nodded. "Yeah, my name is Denise, I'm from Twinleaf Town."
"And my name is Ash, I'm from Pallet Town."Ash said with a smile. "This will be my first battle in Sinnoh is great to be here."
"Pikachu."Pikachu said.
"Say that's quite a long trip all the way from Kanto, welcome to the Temple for Rock pokemon, the Oreburgh Gym."the Man stated.
"You mean this Gym is for Rock pokemon?"Ash asked in surprise.
"Of course, dummy."Denise chuckled.
Paul looked at him with a dumb look.
"You got it and our gym leader's name is Roark."the man replied with a smile.
"Wait that means you must not be the gym leader."Ash said in realization.
"I take care of the pokemon here, the name is Ian and Roark is not here at the moment."Ian commented. "I'm sure both of you will be able to have a battle with Roark the soon as Paul is finished with his."
"Sounds great, thanks."Denise admitted.
"So until Roark gets back I'll be in the Pokemon Center."Paul stated and bows at Ian before walking away.
He took a little glance at Denise, while giving a smirk at her.
Denise blushes a little and frowns while looking away.
"Hey, Paul."Ash said. "Let the three of us give all we got."
Paul looks at him with a scowling look before walking away.
"What is with that guy?"Ash wondered.
"I don't know, but I don't like it."Denise replied with her arms folded.
"Pika pika."Pikachu said.
Inside...
Ian gives both Ash and Denise a Badge Case to keep all the Badges they will receive in Sinnoh.
Ash's was blue, while Denise's was purple.
"Here are your Sinnoh Region badge cases."Ian said.
"Wow, thank you Ian."Denise said kindly as she and Ash took their cases.
"Now if you both win eight badges you two can compete in the Sinnoh League."Ian stated. "Good luck to you both."
"Thanks."Ash said with a smile.
"Pika."Pikachu said brightly.
"Hey Ian, do you mind if I ask where Roark is?"Denise asked.
"His Coal Mining."Ian replied.
"Coal Mining?"Ash asked.
"Makes sense to me."Brock commented. "That's gotta be where Oreburgh City gets its name, I've heard Oreburgh City has some of the riches coal board any where."
"And Roark digs for coal his exploring for hidden treasure."Ian added.
"Treasure?"Denise said in surprise.
Outside...
Ash, Dawn, Denise and Brock walked up to three workers, who were standing around and were Team Rocket in disguise.
"Excuse me?"Ash asked.
The three workers turned around and were shocked to see them.
"Twerps?!"Jessie gasped.
"What?"the four heroes asked in unison.
The three workers quickly turned around in panic.
"Look at that it's the earth tray and all of its little en-frays."James said.
"Gee, I wonder what they entree?"Jessie asked.
"We heard Roark, the Oreburgh Gym Leader is here is that true?"Denise asked.
Jessie tries to think of a way to get out of talking to them in fear of revealing themselves.
Then two men pushing forward a mining cart with a huge lump of rock in it walk out of the mine followed by Roark.
"Okay, you can leave her right there."Roark stated.
"Okay, Roark."One of the men answered.
"Did he say Roark?"Ash asked.
"Hey that must be him."Denise said in realization.
Roark walks over to the mining cart and begins to rub the large stone that it is carrying smiling as the rock appears to have some sort of face.
"Welcome from your century to mine."He stated as he rubbed the stone.
The four heroes walked up to him.
"Excuse me, Mr Roark?"Ash asked.
"Just a moment."Roark replied. "I'm having a talk with this fossil right now."
"You talk to fossils?"Denise asked in surprise.
"I sure do."Roark answered. "And right now is telling me all about the good old days, I can still feel its warmth and its brag, one day I know you'll come back to life you can be sure of it."
Ash, Pikachu and Denise looked at each other in confusion.
"Alright, let's get it to the museum."Roark stated.
"Okay we got it."One of the workers replied.
The four men took the cart away.
"What were you two saying?"Roark asked.
"I come to the Oreburgh Gym for a battle."Ash said.
"Me too."Denise admitted.
"But someone is ahead of us."Dawn commented.
"Well what do you know, I got three challengers waiting for me."Roark said with a smile.
"You know Ian told us when you dig for coal your looking for treasure too."Brock said.
"Treasure of course."Roark answered.
"That fossil?"Ask asked.
"True, a lot of pokemon fossils turn up on coal mining, I really enjoy my work as a format for the miners."Roark admitted.
"Your the format?"Denise asked.
Back at the Gym...
Roark explains his discovery to Ian at the desk, saying that he found something amazing.
"Welcome back, Roark."Ian greeted. "How was the treasure hunt?"
"We discovered something this time."Roark replied. "This may be our best fossil yet."
Then Paul walks into the Gym.
"Oh there's Paul, his your first challenger."Ian commented.
Everyone turned around to see the trainer, who Ash and Pikachu frowned at the sight of him.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I'm Roark the Gym Leader, nice to meet you."Roark said as he walked up to him.
"Same here."Paul replied.
"So why don't we get started it then?"Roark asked with a smile as Paul followed him.
"I can't wait to see a gym battle!"Dawn admitted in excitement.
"This should be interesting."Denise stated.
Ash, Brock and Pikachu looked at them in confusion.
"You two never seen one?"Roark asked in surprise.
"Nope, but we want to learn everything about them."Dawn commented.
"Well then fine with me."Roark replied."Hey Paul, how about you?"
"No prob."Paul stated eyeing the two sisters. "I really couldn't care less."
He then walked away with the Gym Leader.
"You can be sure I'll be watching you guys battle!"Ash said angrily.
Pikachu frowned. "Pika!"
At the Gym Battle Field...
The field opens up to reveal a large rocky field.
"Awsome, so this is want is like in a Gym."Dawn said with a smile.
"When it comes to battlefield there are all sorts of different types."Brock commented. "Now of course, this is a Rock Type Gym, so you'll have to battle Rock Type pokemon in mind."
"Cool, right?"Denise asked.
But Ash and Pikachu kept focusing on the battle that was going to start.
"The Oreburgh City Gym Battle between Paul the challenger and Roark the Gym Leader is about to get underway!"Ian stated. "The battle will be three on three and as soon all the three pokemon on either side are unable to continue the challenge is over in addition only the challenger will substitute pokemon now let the battle begin!"
"Geodude, let's go!"Roark said.
He threw his pokeball and the Rock Pokeon came out.
"Geodude!"
"Oh wow, it's a Geodude."Dawn said with a smile as she opened her pokedex.
"Geodude, the Rock Pokémon."Dawn's Pokedex said. "Geodude is often found on mountain roads with half of its body buried in the ground so it can observe mountain travellers."
"Azumarill stand by!"Paul stated.
He threw his pokeball and a Aqua Rabbit pokemon appeared in the battlefield.
"Azumarill!"
"Wow, Paul is using a water type pokemon."Ash said.
"Adorable."Denise mumbled as she checked Azumarill in her pokedex.
"Azumarill, the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon."Denise's Pokedex said. "Azumarill lives in rivers and lakes and while in water its body colour and pattern confuses its enemies."
"Since water type moves are really powerful against rock type pokemon, Azumarill is a smart choice."Brock commented.
"Then Paul got the upper hand right?"Dawn asked.
"I guess so in theory."Brock replied.
Denise raised an eyebrow. "Theory?"
The four heroes turned their attention on the battle
"Paul you have the honour."Roark stated.
"Azumarill, Hydro Pump go!"Paul ordered.
Azumarill shot water towards Geodude.
"Geodude, Hidden Power!"Roark ordered.
Hydro Pump was cancelled by Geodude's Hidden Power and the Aqua Rabbit pokemon was blasted toward the ground.
Ash, Brock and Denise were shocked.
"It took back that Hydro Pump!"Ash said.
"And that was a water type move too."Brock commented.
"Eevee...I hope I made the right decision."Denise thought worriedly.
"Alright, Geodude Rollout!"Roark said.
Geodude rolled towards Azumarill.
"Water Gun, Azumarill!"Paul ordered.
Azumarill was about to use Water Gun, but it was too late and the Aqua Rabbit pokemon was slammed as it was sent flying into the air.
"Not giving its challenger any time for counter attack is how Roark keeps up the pressure."Brock admitted.
Geodude used Rollout at Azumarill making it hit the ground and fainted.
"What?!"Paul snapped.
Azumarill had swirls on its eyes.
"Azumarill is unable to battle!"Ian stated. "Geodude wins!"
"A Water Type pokemon just lost to a Rock Type."Dawn said.
"Every time Geodude's Rollout hits it, it keeps getting stronger."Brock commented. "Even so getting knock out in the second attack..."
"Now I understand, what you meant before when you said Paul's upper hand was in theory."Dawn stated.
"Oh boy..."Denise whispered.
"Hey Denise are you alright?"Ash asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine just a little nervous."Denise replied with a small smile.
Paul returned Azumarill back to its pokeball.
"Good for nothing."He said coldly.
"That creep!"Ash growled.
"What an idiot."Denise muttered with a frown.
Pikachu nodded angrily. "Pika!"
"Now Elekid standby!"Paul ordered.
Elekid appeared in the battlefield.
"I'm sure Paul knows full well that Geodude is a ground type and also Elekid's electric type moves won't work very well at all."Roark said. "So I wonder what he got in his sleeve."
"Now Elekid Brick Break!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised its hand for an attack.
"They're using a fighting type move, but were gonna stick on using rollout!"Roark stated.
Geodude rolled towards Elekid.
Elekid slammed Geodude to ground making it get knocked out.
"Geodude is unable to battle!"Ian stated. "Elekid wins!"
"And they did it with just one hit."Roark whispered.
"Amazing to think Elekid had a high disadvantage."Denise commented.
"Your right, Dennie."Dawn said in agreement.
"See? That goes to show you that you can overcome any disadvantage by using the right move."Brock said.
"Geodude return."Roark said and returned it in its pokeball. "Thanks a lot good friend."
Elekid started to grow impatient.
"Onix your up next!"Roark stated.
Onix appeared and roared at Elekid and Paul.
"He's gonna use Onix."Ash said with a smile.
"Its huge!"Dawn commented.
"Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon."Dawn's Pokedex said."It tunnels through the ground which shakes when it raises its thunderous roar, it can move the ground at fifty miles per hour."
"This Onix can do it."Brock stated.
"How do you know?"Denise asked.
"Because I raised one myself and I can tell just by looking that this Onix has been already been through very tough battles."Brock replied
"I'll be staying with my Elekid."Paul stated.
"Fine since I already seen your Brick Break, I wonder how well you'll do now."Roark commented with a smirk.
"Quick Elekid, Brick Break!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised his fist to attack Onix.
"Dodge Onix!"Roark ordered.
Onix dodged Elekid's Brick Break.
"That's fast!"Ash said.
"How can something so big move so quickly?"Dawn asked.
"Now use Slam, Onix."Roark stated with his thumbs down.
Onix swings its tail around and brings it down hard on Elekid's head.
"Protect!"Paul ordered.
Elekid manages to use Protect at the last minute and stop the attack.
"Double Ledge, let's go!"Roark said.
Onix smashed through the Protect and Elekid goes flying.
"Wow!"Denise said in shock. "Onix caught Elekid right when its protected barrier went down."
"Yeah, Denise your right."Ash replied. "But Onix got hurt when it counter attacked that Double Edge!"
"But Onix just looks fine to me."Dawn admitted.
"That's cause Onix can use Rock Head."Brock responded. "Rock Head is a special ability it takes moves that would normally cause recoil damage and completely prevent it for ever taking place."
"Wow..."Dawn whispered.
"Stay strong or else..."Paul threatened.
Elekid was beginning to feel weak.
"Stealth Rock go!"Roark ordered.
Onix sent sharps towards Elekid.
"Elekid look out!"Denise warned.
Shards of rock all fly to the edges of the arena and implant themselves into it.
"Did he say Stealth Rock?!"Paul said in shock.
"What kind of move is that?"Ash asked.
"Pika."Pikachu whispered.
"Stealth Rock causes damage to pokemon, who appear later in the battle."Brock replied. "It has no effect on pokemon currently out there."
"You mean if Paul decides to call Elekid back and choose another pokemon then that pokemon will take all the damage?!"Dawn asked.
"Right."Brock answered. "It looks like Roark is taking care of Paul's substitutions before they happen making things that much trickier to Paul."
"I see..."Denise whispered.
"If your going to exchange pokemon you should've done it earlier."Roark reminded. "Slam Onix let's go!"
Onix then slams right into Elekid with its tail.
It jumps back however as Elekid's Static Ability makes any Pokémon that touches it paralyzed.
"Hey, what's wrong with Onix?"Dawn asked.
"Its called Static."Brock responded. "A special ability of Elekid."
"How does it work?"Denise asked.
"When Elekid made physical contact Onix became paralyzed."Brock stated.
"Brick Break Elekid now!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised his fist to slam Onix.
"Double Edge, Onix!"Roark ordered.
The two Pokémon clash causing the four heroes and Pikachu to gasp in shock.
Elekid fell on his knees while Onix was still paralyzed.
"Don't get too comfortable with Static sometimes moves can be used even when paralyzed."Roark stated and smirked. "I'm impressed Elekid is an Brazilian pokemon."
"Now Elekid return."Paul stated.
He returned the electric type back in its pokeball.
"What is Paul doing?"Dawn asked.
"I guess he really doesn't care about the stealth rock."Brock replied with a frown.
"Stubborn fool."Denise muttered.
"Yeah, he doesn't care if his next pokemon gets hurt or not."Ash agreed.
"Now Chimchar stand by!"Paul stated.
The pokeball opened and the Chimp Pokemon came out.
"Chimchar!"Chimchar said sweetly.
But then he was instantly attacked by the Stealth Rock.
Chimchar was hurt but manages to survive the attack.
"A fire type next eh?"Roark asked. "Impressive the way you come at me with pokemon that aren't very good match ups."
"Chimchar use Dig!"Paul ordered.
Chimchar went down the ground.
"Try to sense where Chimchar's moves, Onix!"Roark said.
Chimchar appears right below Onix and damaging it much to Roark's surprise.
"Making a huge Onix jump like that is no small feet."Dawn admitted.
"Using Dig should have a powerful effect on Onix as well."Brock said.
"So that's why Paul had Chimchar use Dig, awsome strategy."Ash stated.
Denise nodded in agreement.
"Now use Double Edge!"Roark ordered.
Onix charges at Chimchar with Double Edge.
"Chimchar use Dig one more time!"Paul ordered.
Chimchar went back to the ground.
"Onix stand still!"Roark ordered. "Just feel Chimchar's movement!"
He notice Onix was still paralyzed.
"When will that static go off?"Roark wondered.
"Chimchar do it!"Paul stated.
Chimchar uses Dig on Onix causing the Rock Snake to get knocked out.
"Onix is unable to battle!"Ian stated. "Chimchar wins!"
"Not bad Chimchar."Paul remarked.
"Onix return!"Roark stated and returned the rock snake back in its pokeball. "You were great take a nice long rest."
He then took out another pokeball.
"Well Paul your giving me quite a run for my money."Roark commented. "Its time to bring out my finale pokemon, I suggest you get ready, Cranidos let's go!"
Then Cranidos appeared in the battle.
"Cranidos!"
"Cranidos looks just like that fossil."Ash admitted with a smile.
He then opened his Pokedex.
"Cranidos, the Head Butt Pokémon."Ash's Pokedex said. "Cranidos lived in the deep woods about one-hundred million years ago and its cranium is as hard as steel."
"Roark I can read you like a book."Paul stated."Chimchar use Dig!"
Chimchar dug into the ground.
"Cranidos Headbutt now!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos waits for Chimchar to emerge and then smashes into it using Headbutt.
"What a hit!"Denise remarked.
"Cranidos is anticipating Chimchar's movement."Brock commented.
"Chimchar use Dig one more time!"Paul ordered.
Chimchar dug into the ground.
"Cranidos Zen Headbutt!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos smashes into Chimchar sending it sliding across the ground.
"Hey that's a much stronger move than headbutt."Ash said.
"There's no doubt Zen Headbutt got more power than a normal headbutt."Brock admitted. "I heard it can scare an opponent to Flinch."
"Zen Headbutt again!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos charged at Chimchar.
"Quick Chimchar use Dig!"Paul ordered.
But Chimchar was too scared.
"Amazing, Chimchar is so scared that doesn't hear anything what Paul says."Brock remarked.
Cranidos repeats its attack over and over battering Chimchar to almost being knocked out.
"Come on!"Paul stated.
"Focus Energy!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos head begins to glow.
"What's going on now Brock?"Dawn asked.
"Focus Energy focuses your attack to make it easier to hit a weak spot."Brock replied. "I think Roark is using one shot to knock out Chimchar."
"Poor Chimchar."Denise said sadly.
"You gotta get Chimchar out of there!"Ash called out.
Chimchar begins to glow a fiery red signaling the unlocking of its special Ability, Blaze.
Paul smirked while Roark was shocked.
"I was waiting for this."Paul admitted.
"For what?!"Denise said in shock.
"Chimchar is using Blaze, watch out!"Brock warned. "Blaze is a special ability that makes Chimchar's fire type moves much stronger when its endures it low, but I'm not sure how much effect will it have on a rock type like Cranidos."
Chimchar let out a happy cry.
"Zen Headbutt again!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos charged at Chimchar.
"Now Flame Wheel!"Paul ordered.
Chimchar runs towards the oncoming Cranidos turning into a blazing ball of fire.
"That's fast!"Ash remarked.
"Aim for the legs!"Paul ordered.
Chimchar smashes straight into and past Cranidos causing it to reel back in pain at the force of the attack.
"That flame wheel is strong."Denise admitted.
"Flame Wheel was so juiced up from Blaze and it was faster than Cranidos was."Brock stated.
"Flame Wheel, Chimchar once more!"Paul ordered.
Chimchar repeats the attack and Cranidos got hurt even more shocking Ash and Pikachu.
"Chimchar use Dig let's go!"Paul stated.
Chimchar dug into the ground.
"Cranidos Focus Energy now!"Roark ordered.
Chimchar sent Cranidos flying.
"Use Headbutt!"Roark ordered.
Crandios charged towards Chimchar.
"Dodge it quick!"Paul ordered.
Crandios smashes Chimchar down into the ground and knocking it out.
"Chimchar is unable to battle!"Ian stated. "Cranidos wins!"
Paul scowled in anger.
"Cranidos how do you feel?"Roark asked.
Cranidos let out a positive response.
Paul returned Chimchar into its pokeball.
"Chimchar, I'll deal with you later."He said cruelly and took out a pokeball. "Elekid stand by!"
Elekid appeared and got attacked by the Stealth Rock laid down by Onix before.
Ash, Denise and Pikachu gasped in shock.
"That was Stealth Rock again!"Dawn said in surprise.
"Yep once you get used to it, the effect just keeps going."Brock commented.
"Now use Brick Break!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised its fist to attack.
"Flamethrower!"Roark ordered.
Elekid dodges before smashing its fist right into Cranidos' knee and causing it to reel back in pain as the Static Ability of Elekid runs through its body and causes it to be paralyzed.
"What was that?"Ash asked.
"Hey that was Static!"Denise responded in surprise.
But then Cranidos shook it off.
"A hit!"Ash said.
"You just witnessed Cranidos special ability Mold Breaker."Roark stated. "Ruining your special ability."
Then Cranidos winced in pain.
"Use Zen Headbutt now!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos's head glowed, but the knee injury that Elekid just gave it kicks in as it charged at Elekid.
"Cranidos is just moving too slow right now."Ash admitted.
"The leg injury was worse than I thought."Brock stated.
"Brick Break one more time!"Paul ordered.
Elekid slammed his fist at Cranidos head smashing it.
"No more headbutt huh?"Paul asked.
"I see you don't rely on moves and types on your strategy you just use the attacks that are best for the moment."Roark said.
"Cranidos power seems to be totally depending on the strength of its legs."Dawn stated.
"Paul sure looked to me, he was waiting Chimchar's blaze to take effect, which explains his way of using pokemon."Brock admitted.
"Of course that's how he taught Chimchar to battle."Ash said in realization.
"Is that so?"Denise said and clenched her fist a little.
"Brick Break let's go!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised its fist to attack.
"Cranidos Flamethrower!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos then smacks Elekid square in the chest with a Flamethrower.
"Now Zen Headbutt!"Roark ordered.
Cranidos head started to glow.
"Elekid Brick Break!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised its fist to attack again and bashed Cranidos head causing both Pokémon to be knocked back.
"Now Brick Break again!"Paul ordered.
Elekid raised its fist to attack.
"Cranidos Flamethrower!"Roark ordered.
The two attacks hit and there was an explosion creating a strong wind.
The two Pokémon the stand facing each other.
Both of them very tired.
But Cranidos then falls down leaving Elekid the only one standing.
"Cranidos is unable to battle, Elekid wins!"Ian stated. "The Victor is Paul!"
"Paul did it."Ash said.
"Okay Elekid return."Paul stated as he returned the electric type back in its pokeball.
"Thanks, Cranidos enjoy a nice long rest."Roark commented and returned his Rock Type. "That was some impressive battling Paul."
He then presents Paul with a Coal Badge for his victory.
"And here is your Oreburgh Gym Badge congratulation Paul."Roark stated.
"Thank you very much, Roark."Paul said as he took the badge and bowed. "I'll see you."
He then began to walk away.
"Hey Roark, I would like to have my Gym battle next!"Denise admitted as she put her hand up.
"Where are you going?"Ash asked.
Paul turned around and looked at his rival.
"Aren't you gonna stay and watch Denise and my battle?"Ash asked.
Paul didn't say a word and just glared at him.
So Paul won his Oreburgh Gym Badge, but will Denise and Ash win theirs as well?
Next is Denise's first gym battle...
Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter
Feel free to review what you think so far:)
Denise's Team:
Turtwig (Male): Quick Attack, Absorb, Razor Leaf and Bite
Eevee (Female): Water gun, Shadow Ball, Attract and Thunder
Luxio: (Male): Spark, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Thunder Wave
Ralts: (Female): Psychic, Double Team, Magical Leaf and Confusion
Hoot Hoot: (Male): Peck, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Hypnosis