Pokemon Virus Version Chapter 21: It's Called Respect
Hello people. Day 4 of my 5 day stretch is here. Twenty-one chapters just to get to the first gym battle...I said this story would be pretty long and I'm still sticking with the plan. Anyway, enjoy and please review.
Location: Violet City Pokemon Center
Seth's POV
"So, I will be in your heart, waiting for the night to return," Rose said.
I nodded in agreement. Rose then pixelated and turned into a small, white light. It was morning, and I had just got ready to head over to the Violet City gym.
I had entered the lobby, finishing a few berries and a sandwich that would serve as my breakfast. Elekid, Gible, and Murkrow were healed from any damage they might have received from last night's scuffle with 23 and Mightyena. And I was about to head toward the gym before being approached by Dustin.
"What do you want?" I asked coldly.
"I just wanted to wish you good luck on your match today," Dustin said with a smile.
"Hmph," I said as I started walking away.
"I'm for real, Seth. When you beat me yesterday, you've earned some respect. So if I'm willing to end our feud, you should too," Dustin said as he started following me. "Come on, we could be friends again, like we were back in Sinnoh."
I stopped a I grew annoyed.
"And you expect me to believe that crap? Buzz, you punched me in the face the day we received our first pokemon," I said. "Ever since then, I've stood up for myself against you. Now do me a favor and stay away from me if you want to end our feud so badly."
I started to walk away from Dustin before being approached by Yumi, Chapel, Chime, Mawile, and Chikorita. Yumi then walked up to me with her hands on her hips.
"How could you leave me alone last night?" Yumi asked.
"Chikorita and Mawile were with you," I said.
"But that's different. I hate being left alone," Yumi said as she started whining.
Somehow, I was amused by Yumi's complaining and I let out a little chuckle.
Everyone gasped in surprise.
"Did you just laugh?" Yumi asked with a big smile.
"I guess some of Rose's traits affect you while she's in your heart," Chapel said.
"Who's Rose?" Yumi asked as she, Chikorita, and Mawile grew curious.
"Someone you'll meet tonight," I said calmly.
"I like surprises. But enough wasting time. You need to get to the gym," Yumi said as she grabbed my arm and started pulling me.
"That girl sure is hyper. I guess that's what keeps Seth from being too antisocial," Chapel said as she and our pokemon started following Yumi and I.
Location: Outside Violet City Gym
There was a long line of trainers waiting outside the gym, ready to challenge Falkner. As Yumi let go of my arm, I noticed that every trainer in the line gave me a funny look.
"Hey, you remember that trainer too?" One trainer asked.
"Yeah, he's the hopeless loser that loses every battle," another trainer said.
"I beat him twice on the way to Violet City," A third trainer added.
The trainers all started laughing. I would probably care if I had more of a heart. Yumi then stepped up and started running her mouth as always.
"You guys should just shut up!" Yumi then turned to me. "Are you just gonna stand there and take that?!"
"Hey, I know that cutie," One trainer said. "She's the sore loser who pulled an epic choke job in Marion City."
The line of trainers started laughing at Yumi as well. Yumi stopped talking and put her head down with no comment.
"I guess you have no knowledge of yesterday's Sprout Tower heroes," Falkner said to the line of trainers as he approached us.
All the trainers stopped laughing, knowing that Neo Snagem would've taken over Sprout Tower had it not been for us yesterday.
"Seriously. THOSE losers are our heroes?" A trainer asked.
"You should save the insults until my gym battle is over," I said.
"Yeah," Yumi said in agreement.
"What he said," Chapel said.
"Now, I promised this trainer I would battle him first," Falkner said he put a hand on my shoulder. "Now, shall we?"
"I can't wait to see that loser lose," A trainer said.
I had stopped walking in order to ask Falkner a question.
"Falkner, do you mind if this line of trainers watch my battle?" I asked.
"But why?" Yumi asked, shocked at my question.
"I've always been labelled a loser. And I've always wished to prove everyone wrong about me." I said as I faced the line of trainers to speak once more. "I'LL TAKE THOSE INSULTS AND SHOVE THEM DOWN ALL YOUR THROATS!"
I yelled those words passionately, ready for the world to view me as their equal or greater.
"Alright!" Chaple said.
"Chico!" Chikorita cried in agreement.
"But Seth, if you lose, you'll be devastated," Yumi said, concerned about me.
"What's with you?" I asked.
"Seth, back in Marion City, I never gave thought to what would happen if I lost, and I was devastated. I don't want you to make the same mistake," Yumi said.
"Yumi," I said as I faced Yumi. "Just have faith in me."
Yumi hesitated to nod in agreement.
"Now then, to the battlefield," Falkner said as we all followed.
Here is goes. If I win, I'll finally gain some respect. So it's now, or never.
At the top of the gym was a plain dirt battlefield with an open roof to allow space for flying type pokemon. Yumi, Chapel, and Chime were in the stands along with my audience of trainers. The trainers readied to pay close attention to my gym battle. Chikorita was by my side while Mawile was recalled, despite having a strategy the didn't involve the two. My other pokemon were in their pokeballs, ready for battle.
"Do you think this crowd will pressure Seth?" Chapel asked.
"Come on! It's like Seth said: You've just gotta have faith in him," Yumi said.
The referee had approached the the battlefield as Falkner and I respectively line up on opposite sides.
"Representing Sinnoh is Challenger Seth, from Sunnyshore City, Facing off against Falkner, the Violet City Gym Leader. This will be a three on three battle, with only the challenger allowed to substitute pokemon." The referee explained.
"I hope you don't expect me to go easy on you, hero," Falkner said.
"I'm no hero, and I expect a challenge," I said coldly.
"Gym Leader Falkner will sent out the first Pokemon.
"Alright, I choose Hoothoot!" Falkner said as he sent out a round owl-like pokemon.
"Murkrow, battle stance!" I said as I sent out Murkrow.
"Wait, I thought Seth's Elekid had an advantage over Flying types. So why does he start with Murkrow instead?" Yumi asked..
"To save Elekid for that Pidgeot we saw Falkner use yesterday," Chapel said.
"Let the battle begin!" The referee said as our gym battle officially began.
"After you, Seth," Falkner said.
"Murkrow, use Haze," I said.
"Krow," Murkrow cried as he released a black smog.
I knew that if I started out with a flying type like Murkrow, Falkner and I would have even ground, more or less. So by blocking Hoothoot's vision, Murkrow will have the clear advantage.
"Ugh, we can't see!" Falkner said.
"Now, Night Slash," I said.
Murkrow had no problem striking Hoothoot with Night Slash as he flew back into the Haze to hide himself.
"Wow," Yumi said.
"Murkrow's dark color blends in nice with the dark Haze," Chapel said.
"I see, so it's like a game of hide and seek." Falkner said. "Hoothoot, find Murkrow with Foresight."
"Hoot, Hoothoot cried as it was able to identify Murkrow.
"No," I said.
"You can run, but you can't hide now," Falkner said. "Use Tackle!"
"Dodge it, quick!" I said.
Despite our failed strategy with Haze, Murkrow still had a chance by dodging a Tackle that probably would h ve shifted the momentum had it hit.
"Now, use Night Slash," I said.
After dodging Night Slash, Murkrow was able to retaliate with another successful strike on Hoothoot.
"Ascend and prepare to finish with Sky Attack," I said.
"Murkrow!" Murkrow cried as he flew to a safe distance to charge Sky Attack.
"Good one.." Chapel said.
"Huh?" Yumi said confused as she looked at Chapel.
"Seth know that by putting a distance between Murkrow and Hoothoot, Hoothoot can't prevent Murkrow from charging Sky Attack. Murkrow's Sky Attack will the descend with gravity on his side and make a heavy impact. I'm not sure if Hoothoot can survive this attack." Chapel said.
"You sure know alot about pokemon, Chapel," Yumi said.
"Well, a Pokemon Ranger has to know alot," Chapel said.
As Murkrow descended, Sky Attack was gaining more power and speed.
"Hoothoot, use-," Falkner couldn't finish his command by the time Sky Attack had impacted Hoothoot.
No surprise, Hoothoot was downed from that vicious impact.
"Hoothoot is unable to battle, Murkrow wins!" The referee said.
No way!" Yumi yelled in excitement.
"And if you paid attention, Hoothoot couldn't land an attack on Murkrow. However, that reckless Sky Attack may have damaged Murkrow just slightly," Chapel said.
"Good job, Hoothoot. Return," Falkner said as he recalled Hoothoot.
Hmm. I seem to have silenced the crowd, for now. I thought to myself.
"I'll admit, you played that Haze strategy well. But I'll be sure not to fall for it again," Falkner said.
"Hmph," I said. "Murkrow, return."
"Dodrio, I choose you!" Falkner said as he called upon a three headed bird.
I got out my navy blue pokedex to scan the unfamiliar pokemon.
The pokedex read:
Dodrio, the Triple Bird Pokemon: Dodrio is an odd species that is rarely found. It's three heads respectively represent joy, sadness, and sorrow.
"Elekid, battle stance!" I said as I called upon my 'old friend'.
"So wait, why didn't he just use Elekid before?" One trainer said.
"Because, the idiot loser doesn't know what he's doing," Another trainer said.
You are what you hate - That's how I would describe these two idiot trainers who clearly don't recognize my strategy yet.
"Will you two just shut up and wait until the battle's over to make a conclusion?!" Chapel yelled at the trainers.
"Yeah, you're just jealous because what you call a 'loser' has more friends than you! And he doesn't even have to try either," Yumi said.
"Yeah," Chapel rose up and started yelling in a tone that got everybody's attention, including Falkner and I. "Why don't you all defeat Red, become Champion before you talk down on trainers you think you know when you really don't!"
All the spectators silenced. They looked at Chapel, who looked like she was about ready to fight.
"Now can we please watch the battle?" Chapel yelled as she sat down.
"Wow..." Yumi said.
"I just hate when people think they know everything," Chapel said as she calmed down.
"Now, let's get back to the battle," Falkner said. "Dodrio, use Drill Peck."
"Elekid, use Thunder Wave," I said.
Before Dodrio's Drill Peck could it, it was struck by Thunder Wave and got paralyzed.
"Return," I said as I immediately recalled Elekid.
"Huh?" Falkner said confused.
"Switching pokemon again?" Yumi asked.
Chapel nodded yes.
"Gible, battle stance," I said as I sent out Gible.
"Alright! I haven't even got to see Gible battle yet," Yumi said.
"Dodrio, use Drill Peck!" Falkner said.
"Trio!" Dodrio cried in pain as it was paralyzed.
"No way," Falkner said.
"Yes way!" Yumi yelled.
"Gible, use Dragonbreath," I said.
Gible managed to land a direct hit on a paralyzed Dodrio that couldn't move.
"Now use, Rock Smash," I said.
"Gible!" Gible cried as he charged straight for Dodrio.
"Come on! Use Drill Peck!" Falkner yelled.
This time, Dodrio was able to fight through the paralysis to counter Gible's Rock Smash. The moves collided, but Dodrio suffered additional damage due to Gible's Rough Skin ability.
"Come on, Dodrio," Falkner said, trying to cheer Dodrio.
"Rock Smash again," I said.
"Don't let Gible near you. Use Tri Attack," Falkner said.
"Drio!" Dodrio cried as it launched a triangular shaped attack.
Gible had taken some damage, but the battle was far from over. If Falkner was planning on keeping a distance, there was no reason to keep running from Tri Attack.
"Gible, use Dragonbreath," I said.
"Gib Gible!" Gible cried as he launched the attack.
"Counter with Tri Attack," Falkner said.
Dragonbeath was easily overpowered by Tri Attack...
"No doubt, three head are better than one," Chapel said.
Gible struggled to get back to his battle stance. There was no point in fighting a one-sided battle, so I had to try something different.
"Gible, return," I said as I recalled Gible.
"Another substitution?" Yumi said confused.
To keep Falkner from gaining too much momentum," Chapel said.
"Murkrow, battle stance," I said as I called on Murkrow again.
I'm gonna finish this in one shot.
"Use Haze," I said.
Murkrow limited Dodrio's vision using the same strategy used against Hoothoot.
"This trick again?!" Falkner yelled, knowing there was nothing he could do without Foresight.
"Sky Attack, quick," I said.
Murkrow charged straight for Dodrio, landing a critical hit combined with it's Super Luck ability.
"Dodrio is unable to battle, Murkrow wins,"
"Wow..He's actually winning," Yumi said. "Falkner has one pokemon left, while Seth has all three of his."
"Yeah, but Pidgeot will be the hardest to beat. I've lived here in Violet City for quite some time, and trainers have told me Pidheot was able to take out all three of their pokemon," Chapel said.
"Still, you've gotta have faith in him," Yumi said.
"Dude, he can actually win this," One trainer said.
"Building a pokemon team around substitutions, status conditions, and abilities? I've gotta try that," Another trainer said.
Yumi and Chapel at the respect I was finally getting.
"Although he doesn't know it, I feel he'll change the world around him, and it all starts here," Chapel said.
"Dodrio, return," Falkner said as he recalled Dodrio. "Seth, I've gotta give credit to you: Very few people defeat my Dodrio, and you seem to back up what few words you say. But Pidgeot and I will test how far you've really gotten. So come on out, Pidgeot!" Falkner said as he sent out a Pidgeot fairly large for it's size.
Should I use Elekid right away? No, I've gotta weaken Pidgeot first before I can one shot it with Thunder. But I could paralyze it to gain a huge advantage. I thought to myself.
"Murkrow, return," I said as I recalled Murkrow again. "Elekid, battle stance."
"Thunder Wave," I said.
"Quick Attack," Falkner said.
Pidgeot was so fast, Quick Attack hit before I was even aware of the situation.
"But how?" I said confused.
"My Pidgeot's speed is unmatched," Falkner said. "Use Aerial Ace!"
"Elekid, use Thunder Wave, one more time," I said.
But even without Quick Attack, Pidgeot's speed was still unmatched. Luckily, Aerial Ace wasn't very effective. But after Pidgeot backed away, it started to slow down as a few static started to surround it's body.
"Finally," I said, knowing Static finally came into effect. "Elekid, return."
"Ugh, he's a noob. Why doesn't he just make up his mind?" One trainer said.
"Dude, YOU'RE a noob. Substituting is just a part of his epic strategy," Another trainer said.
"Murkrow, battle stance," I said as I sent out Murkrow one more time.
If only Pidgeot wasn't a Normal type, then I could keep my distance and work with Shadow Ball.
"Use Sky Attack," I said.
"Aerial Ace," Falkner said.
Despite being able to fight through the paralysis, Pidgeot was moving much slower compared to earlier. The moves collided, but my pokemon was once again overpowered by Falkner's pokemon. Pidgeot took some damage, but it was a total knockout as Murkrow fell to the ground.
"Murkrow is unable to battle, Pidgeot wins," The referee said.
"Too bad," I said calmly as I recalled Murkrow.
"You know, he could've at least thanked his pokemon for a job well done," Chapel said.
"Well remember: he isn't the average happy-go-lucky trainer," Yumi said.
"Yeah, but still," Chapel said.
"Gible, battle stance," I said as I sent out Gible for a second chance. "Quick, use Dragonbreath."
"Dodge it!" Falkner said.
Pidgeot couldn't move due to it's paralysis and was struck by Dragonbreath. Pidgeot's exhaustion was finally starting to show.
"Now, use Take Down," I said.
"Gible," Gible cried as he started toward Pidgeot.
"Aerial Ace, Pidgeot!" Falkner yelled.
The two moves collided and caused a cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared, Gible was knocked out. Pidgeot had taken more damage though, thanks to Rough Skin and Take Down.
"Gible is unable to battle, Pidgeot wins," The referee said.
"And then there was one," Falkner said.
"Now it's one on one," Yumi said.
I made no comment to Falkne as I simply recalled Gible.
"See, again. No 'thank you' toward his pokemon," Chapel said.
"Why does it matter?" Yumi asked.
"I'm a Pokemon Ranger. We're supposed to encourage friendship between trainers and pokemon," Chapel replied.
"Come on, Seth. You can't lose with that epic strategy," One trainer said.
"Yeah, now go on and win it!" Another trainer said.
"I can't believe it. Seth had finally got some fans," Yumi said with a smile.
It's called respect...And now I've ensured my victory. Not only is Pidgeot tired and paralyzed, but it has a disadvantage against what this battle all comes down to: 'Old Friend'.
"Elekid, battle stance," I said as I called upon my old friend. "Hurry up and finish with Thunder!"
Paralysis, exhaustion, and defeat...those words described Pidgeot as Elekid quickly finished it off in one hit. Pidgeot had fallen to the ground, sealing my victory.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle and Elekid wins. Which means that the victor is Seth," The referee said.
The audience cheered for me. Trainers wewre praising my strategy whih completely reversed the way they look at me. I knew Pidgeot was a high level pokemon, so I built my strartegy around that.
"My, this crowd sure is lively," Chapel said.
"Well duh, the guy's brain is his greatest weapon," Yumi said excited.
"Well, he is kind of like the opposite of you," Chapel said with a smile.
"Did you just call me dumb?" Yumi asked as she knew Chapel was teasing her.
"Good job, Pidgeot, return," Falkner said as he recalled Pidgeot.
Falkner then walked up and addressed me.
"You know what they say: Respect is not given, it is earned," Falkner said as he held out a badge. "Not only have you earned our respect, but you earned the Zephyr Badge."
"Badges?" I said confused. "I think I'll pass..."
To Be Continued...
Well, Seth did say he wasn't planning on entering the Pokemon League, but that mindset may change in the future. Please stay tuned for next chapter and be sure to write a review