Chapter Eight: The Path to the Pokémon League

After a close bout in the Cerulean City Gym, Crash and company make their way to Vermilion City for his next Gym badge. Crash and friends eventually find themselves on Route 5 also known as "Trainer's Road", a route known for the numerous trainers that train there. Crash was in the midst of a battle with his Pidgeotto, Jetstream, to battle a younger trainer's Rattata.

"Jetstream, finish Rattata with Quick Attack!"

The Pidgeottos body glows with a white energy and dives at the Rattata, knocking it into a tree, knocking it out.

"Rattata!" the youngster called worriedly.

"Rattata is unable to battle! The winner is Jetstream the Pidgeotto!" Brock called in a referee voice.

"Alright! Nice work Jetstream!" Crash said. Jetstream preens himself, victorious.

As the two trainers called back their Pokémon after praising them for their good work, they shook hands. The younger trainer then hands some prize money to Crash.

"Your Pidgeotto is very strong", the younger trainer commented.

"Thanks, it's only natural that a trainer with two badges like me.", Crash bragged as he showed the trainer his badges.

"Really? That's impressive", the trainer beamed. "You know, there's a local here who has his own gym and a dream to enter the League himself."

"A gym?" Misty stepped up.

"I haven't heard of a Gym that's located in the middle of a Route", Brock pointed out.

"It's actually a large tent and a training ground", the young trainer explained. "A guy named AJ set up a rule that he would only go and challenge the official Gyms when he's won 100 battles. Last time I checked, he was up on his 97th victory and zero losses. And I was number 98. I came back here for a rematch until I battled you."

"Really? Now I'm curious about this AJ", Crash said. "Where is he?"

"His gym isn't that far from here", the trainer pointed west. "Just keep going in that direction."

"Thanks. We'll check it out", Crash smiled.

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It was at least 5 minutes until they reached a large tent.

"Found it!" Crash smiled. "It's way bigger than I thought."

"Big is an understatement…" Misty commented. "It's humongous!"

They looked at the area around the tent and noticed the perimeter was enclosed by a tall gate and had a digital sign above the gates that said "AJ's Gym". The counters were currently on 98 victories and 0 loses.

Misty approached a sign at the entrance, deciding to read it aloud.

"Note: Gym not sanctioned by Pokémon League".

"Must be just in case Trainers wouldn't mistake it as an actual Gym sponsored by the League." Brock deduced.

"He must've been training a long time to win so many times", Misty commented.

"Battling him could help me and my Pokémon learn something from him", Crash said.

"But don't get cocky," Brock reminded. "He has those 98 wins for a reason."

"Don't worry, I get it", Crash nodded, brushing the comment off.

"Are you here to challenge me?" an unknown voice spoke up.

The Kantonian trio turned around and saw a boy with spiky dark green hair walking out the tent. He looked to be around the same age as Brock, and was carrying a backpack and had a confident smirk on his face.

"Are you AJ, the famous local trainer?" Ash asked.

"In the flesh", AJ replied. "Now, are you here to challenge me?"

"Yeah!" Crash thumbed to himself. "I'm Crash Betchum from Pallet Town. And I heard that you're tough, so I wanna to challenge you!"

"A traveling Trainer, huh?" Akira smirked. "Well, I gladly accept your challenge. Step into my domain."

The green haired boy unlocked the gates and allowed the trio to walk inside, and the gym was even bigger than what it appeared from outside of the gates. There was a large battlefield next to the tent where Butterfree and Beedrill flew out. Misty shrieked at the bug Pokémon and hid behind Crash.

"Not bugs again!" she cried as she clung onto his arm.

"Aw jeez…", Crash sighed.

AJ's two Pokémon approached him and as he removed his backpack, he handed it to Butterfree who grabbed it before flying back inside the tent. Beedrill merely gave its Trainer a bow to acknowledge its trainer's return before it followed its ally back inside.

"Are those two…your Pokémon?" Misty asked, still hiding behind her companion.

"They're part of my team", AJ replied before turning back to the trio. "So… How many of you want to challenge me, besides Crash?"

"Oh we're just here to watch!" Misty said rather quickly. Brock nodded, affirming his answer for AJ's question.

"So just you then, huh?" AJ asked. Crash gave a confident smirk. "Yup. So, any rules that you have or something?"

AJ smiled. "Like my other battles, I'll only use one Pokémon, while you can use as many Pokémon as you can. You can also make substitutions." "A 1v4?" Crash asked. "That's too easy. I only need three Pokémon to beat you!"

Misty and Brock heard the conditions of the match and were concerned. Either this AJ kid was overconfident, or he was tougher than he looked. And by the look on his record. It was most likely the latter.

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AJ stands to one side, and Crash on the other, both prepared to send in their Pokémon.

"Sandshrew, I choose you!"

Crash pulls out his Pokédex and scans the sand Mouse Pokémon.

Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. A Ground type. Burrows deep underground in arid locations far from water. To protect itself from attackers, it curls up into a ball.

Crash smiled. "Ok, Jetstream! Go!"

Jetstream squawks before sizing up his opponent.

"Why don't you have the move?" AJ offered.

"Alright then, Jetstream, use Quick Attack."

Jetstream charges at a high speed towards Sandshrew.

"Sandshrew, Sand-Attack!" AJ commanded with the crack of his whip. Sandshrew immediately dug its claw into the earth and flung a great amount of sand into the bird Pokémon's face.

Jetstream, having sand flung into his face, crashed into the ground as Sandshrew dodged.

"Jetstream! Use another Quick Attack!

Jetstream charges at Sandshrew again, with some sight regained, but at the crack of AJ's whip, Sandshrew uses another Sand-Attack, lessening Jetstream's vision further.

As the bird Pokémon thrashed about with his impaired sight, AJ whips the ground again.

"Now, use Fury Swipes!"

"Jetstream, get outta there!"

Sandshrew pounces on the grounded flier, standing on its tail feathers, and rakes his claws against the bird Pokémon's underbelly. The bird Pokémon cries out in pain.

"Alright Sandshrew, that's enough." AJ said, whipping the ground three times. Sandshrew stops and goes back to his trainer's side.

"Jetstream!" Crash called out in worry.

"Wow, Jetstream couldn't land a hit on AJ's Sandshrew." Misty murmured.

"That goes to show how well AJ's trained his Sandshrew…" Brock replied. "If he was able to beat Jetstream that easily, then Crash will have an uphill battle ahead of him."

Crash retrieves his fallen avian, thanking him for a job well done.

Well, this isn't going how I thought it would. Jetstream got beat quicker than his fight with Misty's Staryu. This AJ guy is good at close combat, but what about from range?

"Wormwood, you're next!"

The Butterfly Pokémon flits about happily as he enters the battlefield.

"Another flying type, huh?" AJ raised a brow. "This'll be over just as quickly."

"Oh you'll see!" Crash smiled. "Wormwood, use Gust!"

The Butterfly Pokémon flaps his wings, causing a strong whirlwind.

"Sandshrew, curl up into a ball!" As the whip hits the ground with a crack, Sandshrew curls into a ball, shielding itself from the powerful whirlwind.

"Use Confusion!"

Wormwood fires a weak telekinetic force from his eyes, causing the sand Mouse Pokémon to stagger.

"Nice job Wormwood!" Crash cheered.

"You landed a decent hit!" AJ congratulated, acknowledging his opponents efforts. "But that's not enough to beat Sandshrew and I!"

"Me and Wormwood are just getting started!" Crash smiled, getting pumped from the fight. "Wormwood, use Confusion again!"

Wormwood fires another weak telekinetic force from his eyes.

"Sandshrew, roll outta the way!" The whip cracks again and Sandshrew complies, rolling out the way of the blast.

"Don't let up Wormwood! Keep it up!"

Wormwood continued to use Confusion, but Sandshrew proved too quick to hit while it was rolling. Wormwood was exhausting himself using Confusion over and over again.

Wormwood's getting tired… I gotta slow Sandshrew down so he can hit him.

"Wormwood, slow Sandshrew down with string shot!"

Wormwood fires silk from his mouth, aiming for Sandshrew. As the sand Mouse Pokémon rolls out the way of the attacks, the string that follows it is left on the ground.

Sandshrew is eventually stopped by the large amount of string left on the ground, leaving it's underbelly exposed.

"Good job, Wormwood!" Crash smiled. "Now use Confusion!"

The Butterfly Pokémon panted slightly but shot the wave of psychic energy at the trapped Sandshrew.

"Just a few more of those and we'll win Wormwood!"

Wormwood let out a tired but determined "Freeee" in response.

"Use Confusion again!"

"Sandshrew, cut yourself free with Slash!"

With another crack of his trainer's whip, Sandshrew's claws sharpen and with one swift motion, it cuts itself free for its silk prison and avoids the attack.

"Sandshrew, knock Butterfree out the sky with Swift!"

As the whip cracks again, Sandshrew sprays star-shaped rays at the fatigued Butterfree, knocking him to ground.

"Wormwood!"

"Finish this with Fury Swipes!" The whip cracks again, and Sandshrew finishes off its opponent with a barrage of scratches.

Crash retrieves Wormwood, thanking his first capture for its efforts.

At least Wormwood was able to get some hits in… But this Sandshrew's tougher than I thought!

Crash looked at his third Pokémon and took a deep breath.

"Your foe's weak! Get'em Ekho!"

The Zubat happily screeches, eager to battle.

"Ekho, use Bite!"

"Sandshrew, roll outta the way!" The whip cracks again and Sandshrew complies, rolling out the way.

"Ekho, use Supersonic!"

Ekho shoots out a sound wave from his mouth, disorienting Sandshrew, causing it to spin out and unfurl.

"Now use Leech Life!"

Ekho clamps on Sandshrew's neck and drains its blood.

"Sandshrew, snap out of it!"

As AJ cracked his whip on the ground, Sandshrew snaps out of its confusion, and shakes off the bloodsucker.

"Use Fury Swipes!" The whip cracks again and Sandshrew complies, charging at the Bat Pokémon.

"Use a Double Team!" Ekho moves at a high speed, leaving behind afterimages. Sandshrew swipes at the illusionary copies aiming to hit the real one.

"Now use Supersonic!"

Ekho shoots out another sound wave from behind Sandshrew before it could dodge.

"Use Bite!"

Ekho clamps down on Sandshrew's arm, causing it to thrash about.

"Sandshrew, snap out of it!"

AJ cracked his whip on the ground, hoping that Sandshrew would snap out of its confusion. But Sandshrew continued to flail about wildly, its claws making contact with its face.

"Ekho, Bite down harder!"

AJ calls out to Sandshrew, hoping that it could hear him. Luckily, Sandshrew hears its trainer's voice and shakes off the biting bat.

"Ekho! Double Team."

"Sandshrew, counter with Swift!"

Ekho moves at a high speed, leaving behind afterimages. As Sandshrew sprays star-shaped rays at the illusionary copies, Ekho dives at the Mouse Pokémon, recognizing this as the strategy that Crash used against Misty's Starmie.

Before Crash could say another word, Ekho prepares a Leech Life. But AJ anticipated this.

"Sandshrew, finish this with Slash!"

With a final crack of the whip, the two Pokémon charged at each other.

Then a pained screech is heard as Ekho falls to the ground, unconscious.

Crash dropped to his knees, defeated.

"Toldja." AJ smirked. "But, ya did better than I thought ya would."

He holds out a hand to Crash, which the trainer from Pallet Town takes with a grain of salt, and shakes his hand. Crash then hands AJ his prize money.

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Crash looked down to the ground, upset with his loss.

"Hey, you can't win them all, right?" Misty said, trying to cheer her friend up.

"Yeah," Crash groaned. "But I was so close." Crash looks to his left as Brock is treating his battle worn Pokémon.

"But you did learn something new, right?" Misty asked. Crash rubbed his chin. "Guess so…"

"Then it wasn't a total waste!" Misty smiled.

Crash perked up slightly. "Yeah, I guess not! There's still room for improvement!"

Crash walks over to AJ, who's currently patching up his damaged Sandshrew.

"Hey, AJ!" Crash waved. " Is it okay if I watch you train your Pokémon?"

AJ smirked. "Sure, I'd be happy to."

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As Crash walks into the tent with AJ, notices multiple Pokémon hard at work, pushing themselves to their physical limits.

Crash made a face.

"What with that face?" AJ asked with a smug look. "Are you still mad that I beat you?"

Crash shook his head. "No, it's just that…" he paused before continuing. "Is the whip really necessary?"

AJ pulled the whip away from Crash direction. "Course it is, it's how I train my Pokémon."

"There's other ways of training you know."

"Look I'm training in my own way, my Pokémon respond to it, and it's gotten me some pretty good results."

Crash paused at this and thought.

I don't like how he's using that whip to train and command his Pokémon

But he's not really hitting them with the whip, and he's treating his Pokémon well. And he's right. AJ's getting results from his training.

Crash's thoughts came to an end as a smokescreen filled the tent. The smoke cleared, revealing three figures Crash was all too familiar with.

"Team Rocket!" Crash spat out angrily.

"Who let you in without my permission?!" AJ growled.

Hello, little twerp!" Jessie laughed. "It's been a while!"

"You must've missed us!" Meowth commented.

"What do you three want this time?!" Crash growled.

"What else? Your Pikachu and AJ's most powerful Pokémon", James replied. "We've heard rumors that the owner of this gym has a special-trained Pokémon and we want it."

Sandshrew took a defensive stance and hissed threateningly.

"We want your Sandshrew, boy", James added. "Give it to us if you don't want any trouble."

"And we promise we won't tear your gym apart", Meowth laughed. "Well more than we already did."

"Ok Mark, let's go." The Pallet Town trainer growled. "Thunder-"

"Wait!" AJ held up his hand. "Sandshrew and I'll handle them. If you want my Pokémon, you'll have to defeat me in a battle!" He stared down Team Rocket.

"Sounds fair to me", Jessie snorted.

"But be prepared for double trouble", James chuckled.

The duo send out their starter Pokémon and get ready to battle the green haired boy.

Misty and Brock had heard the commotion in the tent and went to investigate. They stopped when they saw the intruders. "Oh, not you guys again!" Misty growled.

"They're here for Sandshrew," Crash said. Misty and Brock prepare to take out their own Pokémon to help.

"AJ's got this guys." Crash said, holding out his own hand, signaling then to stop.

"Sandshrew, go!"

With a crack of its trainer's whip, Sandshrew ran toward the two poison-type Pokémon.

"Ekans, use Bind!" Jessie shouted.

The snake Pokémon tried catching Sandshrew with its coils, but upon a whip crack, the Pokémon rolled into a ball and knocked it back.

"Koffing, use Sludge!" James shouted.

Koffing spat sludge multiple times at the rolling Pokémon, but due to how hard its hide was, and the type disadvantage, the move was ineffective.

AJ whipped the ground again. "Sandshrew, end this!"

Sandshrew bounced up to the air then uncurled itself as it flew back down to the ground stomping on the ground with both feet, causing the battlefield to shake violently. A water like ripple in the ground surged towards Team Rocket, causing the villains to be launched into the sky.

"IT LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" they yelled as they became nothing but a twinkle on the horizon.

"What the-" Crash gasped.

"That was Earthquake!" Brock echoed. "Sandshrew learned a new move."

"Sandshrew, well done! You finally learned how to use Earthquake!" AJ congratulated his mouse Pokémon on a job well done as he hugs it.

AJ, with the trio's help, fixes some of the damages on his property while he packs his backpack to leave on his own journey.

They stood with AJ and Sandshrew now standing outside of the gates.

"I've learned a lot from you while we were here, AJ", Crash held out his hand. "Thanks."

"Nah, I was glad to give you some pointers ", the Sandshrew trainer grinned. "I've been a Trainer for two years, so it's only fair that I'd give newbies some pointers."

"You sure you don't want to come with us?" Crash asked.

AJ shook his head. "Sandshrew and I have our own journey to go on, but I promise we'll meet at the Pokémon League."

"Then I'll be looking forward to battling you two again",Crash smiled.

"Oh, 'fore I forget, Crash catch." AJ said, tossing a disc towards the Pallet Town trainer.

Crash catches the gray colored disc, recognizing it as a Technical Machine.

"That's the TM for Swift!" AJ explained. "A Pokémon like your Zubat could make good use of it."

Crash nodded. "Thanks AJ! Take care"

"I will! See ya later!" The green haired boy called as he turned around and waved goodbye, leaving with Sandshrew.

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It was two days after the traveling trio had met AJ and said their farewells. They eventually stopped to camp and eat. As Brock put together everything needed for them to have lunch, Crash and Misty were once again, arguing with one another.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" asked a skeptical Misty.

Crash glared at her. "I'm sure, I'm sure! If you have a problem with my sense of direction you can leave!"

"I'm not leaving until you pay for my bike, Crash Betchum!"

"My bike, my bike, that's all you ever say!"

"Well that bike cost me a lot of money! The least you can do is pay me back!"

"Alright you two that's enough." Brock said, cutting their argument short. "Misty, why don't you help me prepare lunch. Crash, why don't you grab some firewood."

The two trainers stick their tongues at each other as they go in separate directions.

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Crash picks up multiple sticks and twigs of various sizes.

"Ok, this should be enough for a fire right Mark?"

The mouse Pokémon shrugged.

"Well it seems enough to me. Now to make our way back…" As Crash turns around to walk back to camp, he notices something. A thick mist was setting in.

"Crap, we need to get back." Crash said, picking up his pace, with Mark not too far behind.

After walking for what seemed like hours, Crash stopped to look around. The trees either looked similar or he was walking in circles.

"Darn. We're lost." Crash grumbled. Mark looked at his trainer worriedly. Crash noticed his starter's worry.

"Don't worry Mark, we'll find our way back to camp." Crash's smile faded away as he looked away. "I hope…"

Crash looks around and notices a bright light ahead. "A light! Maybe it's Brock and Misty!"

As Crash and Mark approached the light in the fog, the trainer pauses and hears an unfamiliar voice.

"What's this Pokémon?" One voice said.

Crash quickly ducked into some bushes nearby and began eavesdropping. From his cover, he spies a group of no less than five boys his age and a sixth boy running on a treadmill.

"Is-is it a Spearow?" Another said, panting between words.

"Look Joe," Another said. "Just because it's foggy out, doesn't mean that your brain is too."

"Now tell me, what's this Pokémon?" The first voice asked.

"Pidgey." Said the boy named Joe, panting heavily.

"Now what's the moves that Pidgey can learn naturally?"

"Umm-" Joe stammered, "Gust, Sand-Attack, Quick Attack, Whirlwind, Wing Attack-"

"Pshhh, that's way too easy!" Another voice number three said. "I got a good one. "What Pokémon does Pidgey evolve into?"

"Ummm…I don't know…Pidgeot?" Joe panted. Crash could feel the other boy's evil grin from where he was crouching.

"Bzzzt! Wrong answer! You know what that means Joe?"

"Oh boy…" Joe audibly gulped.

With the press of a button, the treadmill's speed increased. Joe's jogging soon became sprinting.

"Ok, Joe," the voice repeated. "What Pokémon does Pidgey evolve into?"

"P-P-Pidgeotto! Pidgey evolves into Pidgeotto!" Joe cried.

"Like I thought."

The treadmill's speed returned to what it was before. Joe gave a tired sigh of relief.

"Ok, what move does Fearow and Pidgeotto share together?"

"I-ummm…" Joe panted, visibly exhausted. Joe's legs eventually buckled, causing him to fall off the treadmill.

As his classmates all looked at him, the one talking walked towards Joe. "So… what's the answer?"

"I forgot." Joe managed to say with his face on the ground. His classmates all sigh in disappointment.

"You forgot?"

"I'm sorry…" Joe sighed.

"You call yourself a Pokémon Tech student? That's basic work, Joe."

"Hey! Leave him alone!" Crash said, hopping from his cover and placing himself between Joe and his classmates. "What's the deal here?"

"The deal here is that it's none of your business."

"Well I'll make it my business!" Crash barked back.

"This is a private training session. There's no room in our school for losers that don't know what move Pidgeotto and Fearow share. A school like our needs to have standards you know."

"Well this school's standards have to be pretty low if you guys were allowed in…" Crash snarked as he helped up the exhausted Joe.

"More like rock bottom." Misty chimed in. "If you guys think you're so great, why don't you take us on?"

"Misty?" Crash shot her a surprised glance. "What're you doing here?"

"I-Brock was worried that you'd get lost, so he had me go and look for you."

"Well you can stay outta this." Crash glared. "Just leave this to me."

"Wow Crash, you're right." Misty said, putting on a confident smirk. "The two of us against these dopes would be overkill. You can handle these guys just fine."

"Wha-"

"I'll just stay here and cheer you on from the sidelines." Misty clapped with sarcastic delight. "And in the unlikely event that you lose, I'll make sure your remains get home, no pressure!"

Crash had felt nervous hearing that last sentence, but steeled himself.

"We don't have time to waste on someone like you." One student said.

"And even if we did, it'd stain Pokémon Tech's name if we beat an insect like you into the dirt." Said another.

"See you later Joe." Said a green haired student.

"Ah- see you too…" said an exhausted Joe.

The five students walk away into the mist.

"Hmph! They think they're all that and a bag of chips huh?" Crash snorted.

"Wow, I heard rumors, but to think this is how Pokémon Tech students act." Misty sighed.

"Pokémon Tech students?" Crash asked.

"Yeah, they're students of the Pokémon Technical Institute, a very high-class Trainers School." Misty replied.

"It's also a boarding school where people like me can learn and become trainers, without going on long journeys to collect gym badges." Joe added. "But in exchange, it's extremely expensive to get in, and you've gotta work hard to stay in."

"That's why they were asking you those questions huh?" Crash deduced.

"Yeah. But they were only doing it to help me." Joe said, scratching his head embarrassed.

"Why don't we take this back to our camp? And you can tell us more there." Misty suggested.

"That sounds nice." Joe smiled. "And by the way, my name is Joe."

"I'm Crash."

"And I'm Misty."

The duo and Joe make their way back to camp to have lunch, and on the way, Crash resells his journey up to this point to Joe, with Misty correcting Crash at timed.

After making it back to their camp, eating lunch, and explaining everything to Brock, Joe shows the trio the way to Pokémon Technical.

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"You really call those jerks your friends, Joe?" Crash asked.

"Like I said, they were only trying to help me." Joe frowned.

"But with friends like yours Joe, who needs enemies?" Brock said disapprovingly.

"If they're treating you so badly, why don't you leave?" Misty raised a brow.

"Well, my parents paid a lot of money to send me to this school, I'd be wasting their hard earned money if I up and left." Joe sighed.

"So why don't you stop the bullying at its source?" Crash asked. "I for one wouldn't tolerate this sort of behavior! As a matter of fact, I'll put a stop to this personally! This is a blatant violation of students rights!"

"Well if you wanna know," Joe pulled out a picture of a girl from his pocket and showed it to the trio. "Here's her picture."

"A girl's behind this?" Misty gasped.

"Yeah she's certainly a girl…" Crash smiled.

"One that can violate my rights any time." Brock chuckled.

Crash, Misty, Joe and even Mark shoot a collective disappointed look at Brock.

"Your friend's weird." Joe said, turning to the only two trainers that had finished looking at his photograph.

"First time we've seen it." The duo admitted with a sigh.

"Hey, wait a minute," Misty said, snapping out of her state. "If she's treating you so badly, why carry around her picture."

"I don't like the way she treats us, but I do like the way she looks." Joe said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, unlike other girls who treat you badly and look even worse." Crash snarked, shooting Misty a look.

"Well if you two are gonna keep slobbering over that picture, I'll handle that wrench myself!" Misty shouted as she marched inside the schoolhouse.

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"Her name is Giselle and she's the best of the beginners here." Joe said.

"If that's true, then I can match her," Crash said, opening his vest, revealing his badges. "I have two badges."

"Giselle is a top beginner here at Pokémon Tech, so she's better than a trainer with even three badges. I can take on a trainer with two badges with relative ease, and I'm at the top of my class."

Before Crash could open his mouth to speak, Misty pushes him aside.

"Hold on! I'm a Cerulean City Gym Leader and as a Gym Leader, I can't just let that slide!" she said.

"Cerulean City? That means you have water Pokémon, right?" Joe asked, walking to a computer.

"How do you know I use-" Misty asked, before being interrupted by Joe.

"Simulator."

"Well everything can't be decided on just a simple simulation!" Misty pouted. "Why don't I show you the difference between a real life battle and a simulated one?"

"Ok but you'll be sorry." Joe shrugged.

They walk into an indoor battlefield and prepare to battle.

"You got this Misty!" Crash cheered. "Win one for our pride as trainers!"

"Will do, Crash, will do." She smiled back.

Brock stood between the battlers as referee.

"This'll be a one-on-one battle. Both Pokémon are to continue battling until either cannot continue. Let the battle begin!" the rock type user said.

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"Starmie, come on out!"

"Alright, Weepinbell!"

The two Pokémon are sent out, awaiting orders from their trainers.

"Weepinbell, use Razor Leaf!"

A barrage of sharp leaves are launched at the Starfish Pokémon.

"Use Light Screen!"

The Mysterious Pokémon constructs a barrier in front of itself. As the Razor Leaf connects, it seems to do very little damage.

"What the?" Joe said, shocked. "Razor Leaf is a grass type move, it should have done more!"

"I stopped a lot of the damage with the Light Screen. Now Starmie, use Tackle!"

Starmie spins towards its target, knocking the Flycatcher Pokémon down.

"Weepinbell, use Slam!"

Weepinbell's back stem becomes elongated and attempts to strike the Starfish Pokémon.

"Starmie, use Bubblebeam!"

Starmie sprays a jet of bubbles at the Weepinbell, knocking the Flycatcher Pokémon into the wall and leaving some bubbles on it.

"Weepinbell, get back up and use Stun Spore!"

Weepinbell spews a yellow colored powder at the Mysterious Pokémon, but Misty smiles.

"Finish this with a Water Gun!"

Starmie blasts a forceful shot of water at the Flycatcher Pokémon, tearing through the powder move and landing a direct hit.

"Weepinbell! No!"

Weepinbell lies against the wall with spirals in its eyes.

"Weepinbell is unable to battle, that means the winner is Misty's Starmie." Brock said.

"How did Weepinbell lose? It had the type advantage." Joe pondered.

"That's obvious. Experience." A girl's voice said from behind Joe. Everyone turned around and saw a girl wearing a school uniform. She also had long hazel colored hair. "Misty and her Pokémon have more battle experience, due to her being a Gym Leader."

Joe gave a mortified gasp. "GISELLE!?"

Crash and Brock blushed.

"Wow, she's prettier in person." Crash smiled.

"Yeah, like a movie star." Brock agreed.

Misty glares at them utterly disappointed. "If those two want stars, I'll show them stars."

"I'm the beginners class top student here at Pokémon Tech. Lots of people call me a star, but I'm just Giselle!" The girl giggled.

"Giselle! What are you doing here?" Joe asked nervously.

"I heard from Bradley and the other you were having a battle with a Gym Leader. And I must say, I'm very disappointed in you Joe."

"Ah!" Joe shook in fear.

"Your classmates are taking time out of their day to help you, but you still seem to lag behind." Giselle crossed her arms and continued."If you keep up this pitiful performance Joe, I'll have to report you to the headmaster and have him expell you. The Pokémon Technical Institute has standards to uphold, and if you can't reach those standards," Giselle leaned in towards Joe. "You're a lost cause."

Joe gave a wordless defeated stare. As Giselle turned to walk away Misty grabbed her shoulder.

"Hold it right there!" Said the tomboyish mermaid. "You guys call each other friends, and you're giving up on him? You're the embodiment of the saying that beauty is only skin deep."

"Hmph, I see why you're called the "Tomboyish Mermaid" now." Giselle chuckled. "You're loud, obnoxious, and rude. And jealousy is not exactly a good look for you."

"Should I do something about this?" Crash asked?

"A wise trainer doesn't get involved in a catfight." Brock whispered.

As Crash pondered what Brock had meant by that, Giselle grabs a Pokéball.

"Well then, if you want to battle, I'll choose- Graveler!"

"Graveler!?" The Kantonian trio gasped. Joe shook in fear, knowing what would happen next.

"But a rock and Ground type like Graveler is severely weak to water attacks!" Brock said.

"Well I've been training my Graveler to beat water Pokémon." Giselle smiled. "Graveler, use Body Slam!"

Graveler jumps into the air and attempts to drop onto its target with its full body weight.

"Starmie, dodge it and use a Water Gun!"

Starmie jumps behind Graveler, avoiding the attack and fires a blast of water at the rock type.

"Graveler, charge through it with Double Edge."

Graveler barrels through the blast of water with unnatural speed and knocks Starmie into a wall.

"Starmie! Are you ok?" Misty asked worriedly. The Starfish Pokémon stands up, woozy, wondering what the license plate was of the truck that hit it.

"You don't stand a chance Misty, just give up."Giselle giggled.

"Never! Starmie! Use Bubblebeam!"

Starmie sprays a jet of bubbles at the Rock Pokémon.

"Hmph." Giselle chuckled. "Graveler, use Body Slam."

Graveler jumps into the air, avoiding the water-type move, and drops onto its target with its full body weight on Starmie.

Misty skin turns pale as her Ace Pokémon cries in pain.

"Starmie, use Bubblebeam!"

Starmie attempts to use the move but twitches, unable to act. Misty stared in horror as her Ace Pokémon was now paralyzed.

"Starmie's in trouble!" Crash gasped.

Giselle smiled. "Finish this with Seismic Toss."

Graveler hoists the Mysterious Pokémon above It's head and flips upside-down mid-air, slamming and cracking the Starfish Pokémon's gem.

As Graveler drops the water-type, Misty stares at her unconscious Water-type.

/-/

"Why don't we go outside?" Giselle asked patronizingly. There's a pool that can help your water Pokémon."

"And I guess you're gonna use yet another Pokémon weak to my water Pokémon huh?" Misty snapped back.

"A Pokémon is only as strong as the trainer that raises them." Giselle explained. "Even if a Pokémon has a disadvantage, it's still just as capable of victory. Isn't that right, Joe?"

Joe flinched.

"A Pokémon type means little if you don't train it properly. If you can't get that down, you're better off not being a Trainer." Giselle chuckled.

"Hey, why don't you battle me!" Crash said, stepping up.

Giselle gave the boy a questioning look. "And who are you?"

"I'm Crash Betchum from the town of Pallet!" Crash plucks out his badges and displays them. "And I have the Badges of Pewter City and Cerulean City!"

"In other words, a beginner." Giselle smiled. "How long have you been a Trainer?"

"About two months." Crash replied.

Giselle gasped. "Two whole months and your Pikachu isn't properly trained yet?"

"Mark is properly trained! And so are my Butterfree, Pidgeotto and Zubat!" Crash growled."

"Is that all you have?" Giselle asked.

"Huh?"

"Even rookie trainers have at least six Pokémon on average at your point in your journey." Giselle chuckled as she looked at Misty, who was cradling her Starmie. "I guess he got lucky when he got those badges, huh."

Misty and Brock snarled at that comment.

"Well I train my Pokémon the way that works for me! And I'll show you just how strong my Pokémon are!" Crash said. Mark steps up to his trainer's side, ready to battle.

"I suppose you Pikachu might be trained well enough for having two months worth of experience. But you won't get far with just a Pikachu." Giselle giggled as she continued to talk. "Pikachu itself is pretty weak but it's evolved form, Raichu is pretty powerful, but I'm sure you knew that right?"

Crash stared back at her.

"You didn't!? Well that's basic Pokémon knowledge, if you didn't know, you're better off keeping that Pikachu as a pet than a battler." Giselle laughed.

"Knock it off!" Crash snapped. "Mark! Let's show her who's the better trainer!" Mark jumps forward.

"Hmph, if you want to be embarrassed like your friend, then I won't stop you." Giselle sends out a Pokémon of her own. "Cubone, go!"

The Orphan Pokémon is sent out.

"Cubone?" Crash asked, pulling out Dexter for more information.

Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon. A Ground type. Cubone wears the skull of its deceased mother, so no one has any idea what its hidden face looks like.

Crash gave a tired sigh. "Of course it's a ground type…"

/-/

"Mark, use Quick Attack!"

The Pikachu charges forward with immense speed.

"Cubone, Leer at Pikachu."

Cubone shoots the mouse Pokémon with a threatening glare, stopping the mouse Pokémon in his tracks.

"Now use Bone Club."

Cubone clubs the mouse Pokémon with its bone, knocking him away.

"Ah! Mark!"

"Cubone, use your Bonemerang."

Cubone throws the bone it holds, ricocheting off the Pikachu's head and back into its hand.

"Mark!" Crash runs to his Pokémon. "Are you ok?"

Mark stumbles to his feet.

"Still standing? Cubone, use Bonemerang again."

"Mark, dodge it!"

Mark ducks underneath the attack.

"Great job, buddy!" Crash cheered.

Mark celebrates, only for the Bonemerang to smack the back of his head.

"What the?" Crash gasped.

"Bonemerang is a boomerang attack." Giselle explained. "Dodge the first hit, the second will be right behind you. Both literally and figuratively." Giselle laughs.

"Mark, are you ok?" Crash asked.

Mark slowly stands up, not ready to give up.

"That's odd, two Bonemerangs should've been enough for any regular Pikachu." Giselle questioned.

"Well, Mark isn't a regular Pikachu!" Misty shouted.

"That's right!" Brock agreed.

Mark tears up from the support of his friends.

"Ok Mark!" Crash smiled, turning his hat around. "Why don't we show Giselle how tough you are!

Mark, hearing this, sparks his cheeks, determined to win this.

"Your Pikachu stands no chance! Cubone, Bonemerang!"

Cubone throws the bone it holds, but Mark sidesteps the bone attack.

"Ok Mark, now use Quick Attack!"

As the mouse Pokémon dashes at Cubone, landing his first attack of the battle.

"Cubone!" Giselle gasped.

"Now Mark! Double Kick."

Mark lands two consecutive kicks to Cubone head.

"Grr! Cubone, use Thrash!"

Cubone angrily flails at its opponent.

"Mark, use Tail Whip on Cubone's mask!"

Mark flicks his tail across Cubone's face, turning its skull mask around, causing it to Thrash more wildly than before.

"You remember Bonemerang right?" Crash asked smugly.

Giselle gasped, realizing what Crash's plan was. "Cubone look out!"

As Cubone fixes its skull the right way, the Bonemerang smacks, sending it to Giselle's feet, unable to battle.

Mark and Crash look at one another and simultaneously nod in agreement. "You did it buddy!" The duo perform their victory hi-five.

"Wow they actually won." Said one student.

"They beat Giselle!" another gasped.

Cubone sits up, and realizing it lost the battle, begins bawling. Giselle cradles the Pokémon in her arms to soothe it.

"There, there Cubone," She rocked it back and forth to soothe it. "Don't cry…" she then pulls out her Pokéball and returns it. She turns to the Pallet Town trainer and his Pikachu.

"None of the textbooks here ever hinted at a Pikachu winning by anything other than electric attacks." Giselle exhaled.

"It was a once in a lifetime battle, that's for sure." Joe said.

"I wouldn't recommend copying it either." Misty grinned. "That's a Crash Betchum original!"

"So cool!" Joe said, practically beaming.

/-/

Giselle chuckled to herself. "There's some things one can't learn in school. I guess I forgot that lesson."

"I'll go back home and start from scratch, just like Crash did!" Joe said. "Hey, Giselle?"

"Yeah?"

"I was hoping…If you want to…" he stammered.

"Yeah?" She asked in a coy tone.

"DO YOU WANNA TRAVEL WITH ME?!" Joe shouted.

"Jeez Joe," Giselle covered her ears. "No need to shout."

"Heheh, sorry."

"But yes, I'll come with you!" She smiled.

Crash sighed. "Jeez Misty, why can't we get along like that?"

"Because you still owe me that bike, and Joe doesn't owe her one!" She answered.

Joe And Giselle turned to see the trio behind them and laughed. Brock and Misty began to laugh too. And finally, Crash himself laughed.

"Hey, we'll see you guys at the Pokémon League, right?" Joe asked.

Crash smiled. "Yup!"

"Good, because you'll owe me a rematch!" Giselle smiled.

Crash nodded. "I'll look forward to it! See you there!"

"Yeah, you too!" Joe waved back.

Rivals are there to make sure you don't get sloppy, and with all the rivals Crash has now, he's even more stoked to win his third Kanto Gym Badge and get one step closer to the Pokémon League. But the trio still has quite a ways until they reach Vermilion. What adventures will they have until then? Just wait, as the journey continues.

Chapter was supposed to be earlier but due to doctors appointments, I had to put this off. But to make up for it I posted this chapter earlier than the 30th. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. And if you have any questions or suggestions, there's a forum just for that. See you all next chapter!