I hope all of you are having a wonderful end to your summer! Fall will be upon us soon, and with that come all the blessings and all the curses of cooler temperatures and shorter days. My second year of teaching is some how better than my first which is an absolute blessing! Soooooo... as Chris and Luke prepare for the next step in their travels, we have ourselves the continuation of Luke's journey in the months leading up to the cruise! What madness and excitement will befall our Tohjo native in this chapter? Once again I'd like to give a big shout out to my good friend for writing his character's chapter and for providing me with a great cover image for Heart and Soul! Please Review and Subscribe if you enjoyed it!
Luke Chapter 5
The Cianwood City Gym was an image of days gone by enveloped in a wrapping of modernity. When Luke had first walked by the gym on his way to the Safari Zone, the bright lights that adorned the dome-roofed structure caught his gaze. So when the trainer entered into the facility, all the typical aesthetics of a traditional Fighting dojo surprised him.
Rich, deep wood floored the gym and surrounded the earthen battlefield at the center. The same rich wood ran up the walls and various regalia, from ancient armor to scrolls, lined the walls. At the entrance, a gym-member ordered Luke to remove his shoes before proceeding further into the gym.
At the back of the gym, just past the battlefield, an artificial waterfall emerged from the top of the rear wall. It crashed down into a pool that ran along the edge of the dojo, encircling the room. Luke stood before this waterfall watching a man of intimidating musculature. He was in the middle of bench-pressing more weight than Luke could even fathom lifting. And what made it all the more impressive was the waterfall crashing down over top of him.
Luke thought the man had to be insane.
"I told him he had a challenger," a gym-member said, coming from a room behind the waterfall. "But I guess he's going to finish his workout. I guess if you just go take your spot on your side of the battlefield, that'll be fine. He's been at it for two hours already, he's probably close to done."
But the gym leader was not close to finished. Luke had taken his place at the opposite end of the battlefield, but his wait continued. After ten minutes the man got up from the bench and moved it out of his way. He then sat right back down beneath the waterfall. Luke watched for another ten minutes as the man meditated beneath the crashing water. Finally, Luke decided to sit down.
The man rose from his meditation and once again stood up, which prompted Luke to stand again. Yet the man turned around and leapt up to grip a bar attached to the workout rack beneath the waterfall. Luke marveled as the man performed pull-ups for the next twenty minutes. Just as he thought he had finished, he watched the gym leader climb on top of the rack and hang upside down to do hanging sit-ups. Luke sat back down before falling onto his back to stare at the ceiling.
Luke was growing impatient. He had a tight schedule before he had to be in Olivine for the cruise and he had quite a bit he had to do before then. But still, if he wanted this gym badge he couldn't risk angering the gym leader. After thirty-or-so more minutes of grunting and clanking of weights, there was a silence. Luke, deep in thought, paid no attention. He assumed the man had gone into another one of his intermittent meditation sessions.
"Well, boy!" A voice boomed from across the battlefield, "I hear you want to challenge my gym?"
Luke sat up and lifted himself off the ground, dusting off his clothes. Across the field from him stood a stout man of impressive musculature. And although his hair and mustache were graying and other scars imparted by the passage of time were clear, he still scared Luke to death.
"Well, I don't think the past hour's changed that." Luke shouted back. "Chuck, right?"
"That's right, boy! Who else would it be?"
He made a fair point. The man was grinning and a fire was in his eyes. By all accounts, Chuck lived for battling and was eager to face every challenger. "So, are we gonna stare at each other all day or are we going to let our roaring fists do the talking? Whattaya say, boy? Think you've got what it takes to be a Gladiator?"
"Well," Luke said, "I've been ready. So let's get this show on the road, I guess."
"C'mon boy, show some fighting spirit! Pep up!" Luke sighed and reached for a Poké Ball, but Chuck spoke up. "How many badges you got, huh?"
"Oh, right!" Luke said, rubbing his neck. "Uh, just two actually." Luke felt foolish admitting to only having two badges. He'd heard Chuck was often a later challenge for many trainers, owing to Cianwood's isolation. Luke imagined Chuck must be wondering what was wrong with his challenger, but he only showed utter anticipation.
"Two then! Sounds good!" He dashed back to the waterfall, and the idea of another hour of waiting frightened Luke. But Chuck soon returned with two Poké Balls in hand. "I'll use these two then."
Luke nodded and turned to place all but two Poké Balls into his bag. He knew his catch from the Safari Zone would come in handy in this challenge, but it wouldn't be a good lead. He gripped one of the balls and held it at his side.
"All ready?" Luke asked Chuck.
"I'm always ready! Always training to always be ready!" Chuck bellowed. Luke thought Chris would like this guy. "Let's do it!"
At that, the two trainers released their Pokémon from their balls in flashes of light. Pidgeotto emerged airborne before landing and looking over its shoulder. Luke's gaze remained fixed ahead on his opponent. A brown and blue Pokémon with a spike on its head and a long skinny tail stood at the opposite end. Luke recognized the Pokémon as Hitmontop.
"Alright, Pidgeotto. Who knows what they're capable of. But I've got a plan, so just follow my commands and I think we'll pull through." The bird chirped back in confidence to his trainer, and looked back at their opponent. "Let's open things up with a Quick Attack!" Luke ordered.
Pidgeotto rose high into the air and rocketed forward at Hitmontop with great speed, striking it head on with its beak. Luke knew that Hitmontop would take more damage from Pidgeotto's Gust attack, but he needed to lure Chuck into a close combat strike. He had to see if Pidgeotto could outmaneuver the Handstand Pokémon. Chuck smirked as Hitmontop took the blow head on and gripped onto the bird before performing a flip and kicking it into the ground.
"Boy, you think you're the first one to come in here with his quick flyers thinking he can play the type advantage and get an easy win?" Chuck chastised. "I've been seeing that scouting-maneuver you just pulled since before Falkner brought his birds in here!" Luke grimaced at the realization that Chuck had anticipated his strategy and reversed it on Luke with a Counter attack. But he knew Hitmontop couldn't use Counter if he kept his distance, so it wasn't all a loss.
Pidgeotto was flying around the battlefield, keeping its distance from Hitmontop. "Alright Pidgeotto, let's hit 'em with a Twister!" Luke ordered, and the Bird Pokémon increased its speed. Pidgeotto flew into tighter and tighter spirals around Hitmontop until he whipped up a whirlwind and sent the Handstand Pokémon spiraling upwards.
"Just what I like to see! He's not Hitmontop for nothin'!" Chuck roared over the wind. "Use the momentum from Twister's spin to increase your own rotation Hitmontop! Hit that feather-head with a Triple Kick!" Hitmontop began to twist its body midair and became a rapid rotation of feet headed right in the direction of Pidgeotto.
"Dodge it," Luke shouted at his Pokémon. The first strike from Hitmontop's attack connected on Pidgeotto, directing him to the ground. The Bird Pokémon barrel-rolled to the side and managed to avoid the next two blows from Hitmontop. The Handstand Pokémon landed, spinning on its horn before flipping back upright.
"Alright Pidgeotto, whip up a Gust." Luke ordered.
As the bird began to flap its wings faster and faster, Chuck called out to Hitmontop. "His bird's fast, so we're gonna have to get faster! Use Agility before that Gust becomes a problem!" Luke watched as Hitmontop closed its eyes as if meditating for a second. It then stretched side-to-side before bursting toward Pidgeotto quicker than it had moved moments before. Pidgeotto's attack missed altogether.
"And now hit 'em with a Triple Kick Again!" Chuck was alive with passion as Hitmontop used its new speed to launch itself at the unsuspecting Bird Pokémon. Hitmontop sustained its airborne state with quick rotations as its Triple Kick landed blow after blow after blow on Pidgeotto. It soon returned to the ground below as Pidgeotto skimmed the ground, avoiding a crash.
Luke would have to answer speed with speed. "Pidgeotto," he called out, "get up high and dive bomb to build up speed for your own Agility!" The bird responded immediately as it recovered from the Triple Kick, soaring toward the gym's ceiling. A white energy began to form around Pidgeotto and Luke knew he would be able to outspeed Hitmontop.
Still, his Pokémon was tiring and he knew he might not be able to endure too many blows. There was something off about the amount of damage Hitmontop's attacks were inflicting. Luke scanned his mind as Pidgeotto continued to increase its speed. Chuck had just ordered another Triple Kick when Luke made the connection.
"Pidgeotto, you can't take as many hits as I thought! His Hitmontop has the Technician ability, it's powering those attacks up." Luke told his Pokémon. Chuck laughed at the trainer's realization. However Luke's plan had worked out, as Pidgeotto was speedy enough to once again barrel-roll and swoop away. All three of Hitmontop's blows had missed their mark.
"Pretty clever kid! Good eye!" Chuck complimented. Luke heard the compliment, but ordered a Gust attack without acknowledging it. Sharp wind struck Hitmontop, but it again used the stirred up air to rotate itself higher for another Triple Kick.
Luke called for Pidgeotto to barrel roll, but Hitmontop had elevated itself above the bird. It rained down a hard-hitting kick that forced Pidgeotto into a free fall. Luke ordered Pidgeotto to tuck in its wings and increase its falling speed. The bird did so and dodged the second blow from the also falling Hitmontop.
The Handstand Pokémon's tail was swinging around for the third strike, but Pidgeotto had already stretched out its wings once again. It found itself placed above Hitmontop and Luke ordered one more Gust from above. The attack sent Hitmontop crashing into the ground. Chuck reached for a Poké Ball and recalled the fallen Pokémon.
Chuck grinned once again. The spirit of battle had possessed him. "I like it! A battle of speed and maneuvers! Bet you weren't expecting Hitmontop to helicopter his way through an aerial assault, huh?"
"I gotta say, you made me sweat." Luke shouted back as he did indeed wipe a bit of sweat from his brow. "If it's okay with you, I'm gonna recall Pidgeotto though." Chuck nodded, still grinning, and Luke returned the Bird Pokémon to his Poké Ball in a flash of light. He then gripped hold of his second Poké Ball and waited for Chuck's signal. The Gym Leader nodded, and the two trainers released their next two Pokémon.
Chuck had brought one of his signature Pokémon into the fray. The blue and white Tadpole Pokémon glowered at Luke and his Pokémon. Luke noticed it was wearing a cloth belt with a pouch hanging over its hip. Luke was certain this wasn't the Poliwrath associated with Chuck. There was no way that the gym leader would use his top Pokémon for a third-gym trainer. Still, Luke knew that this Poliwrath would be no slouch either.
"A Psychic type then? Boy, you know I've seen all these tricks before!" Chuck was chuckling, not in ridicule but for the genuine joy of battling. "Bring 'em on! I wouldn't want anything easy! My Fighting moves may not do much, but don't think I don't have other options!"
This was Luke's first battle with his Safari Zone capture. It wasn't the Pokémon he'd gone to catch, but it was the one he had caught and he was happier with the accident. His back still hurt a bit from tumbling down that hill though. The brown and yellow creature stood groggy-eyed before Luke, swaying from left to right. It rubbed its eyes and snorted through its trunk as it looked off into the distance.
"Alright, Drowzee," Luke said. The Hypnosis Pokémon did not turn to acknowledge its trainer, but Luke noticed one of its ears direct towards the trainer. "Just listen up and everything should work out." Drowzee continued to sway from side to side, left to right, unresponsive.
"Enough chit chat, boy! Let's get this started!" Luke once again found himself thinking back to Chris as he watched the animated gym leader. It'd almost be worth the delay to tag along with Chris just to witness the spectacle of his battle with the Cianwood Gym Leader. Chuck's roaring order for a Surf attack broke Luke's thought.
Luke watched as Poliwrath drew water from the waterfall to it, surrounding itself with a wave. Poliwrath and its wall of water crashed head on into Drowzee and sent the Pokémon tumbling back into the wall behind Luke. Drowzee crashed straight into the wall with its head, and it dropped onto the ground. It lay there for a few seconds before finally rising and walking right back where it had been standing. Drowzee's lack of anxiety or concern baffled Luke.
"I can't tell if it's stupid or just that thick-headed!" Chuck laughed. "But it's right back on the battlefield so I know it's got that Gladiator spirit!" Luke wasn't sure what Chuck kept alluding to with all this Gladiator talk, but it was of no consequence right now. He had a battle to win.
"Okay, Drowzee! Time to get some life in ya and use a Psybeam!" Luke ordered his Pokémon. Drowzee's eyes went white as the Hypnosis Pokémon reared back and lurched forward, releasing a multi-colored energy beam. The beam was quick and hit Poliwrath right in its spiraled stomach. But the Pokémon didn't budge, remaining planted right where it stood before the hit. Luke looked on, perplexed.
"When you've got young hotshots running in here thinkin' the Girafarig they nabbed at the Safari Zone is gonna sweep my team, you gotta prove 'em wrong in every way possible! Poliwrath here's trained to take a hit! Or three!" Chuck boasted.
"Well, then." Luke murmured. Chuck was a talker, but he backed it all up and Luke had to admire that.
"The question is," Chuck growled, "how many hits can a brainiac like Drowzee take?" With that the gym leader howled and Poliwrath dashed forward at Drowzee. As it drew close, it leapt up and threw its entire weight into Drowzee. Poliwrath leapt back to its feet as Drowzee skidded back. Once again, Drowzee rose back up as if nothing had happened. And although Drowzee's unresponsiveness had him second-guessing, Luke knew Poliwrath's attacks had done damage.
Luke ordered another Psybeam, which crossed the short distance between the two Pokémon and hit Poliwrath head on once again. This time the quick assault sent Poliwrath skidding back as steam from beam rolled off its body. Luke knew he had Chuck on the ropes here. But to his dismay Luke watched Poliwrath reach into the pouch on its belt and remove a Sitrus Berry. It scarfed the berry down and Luke could see its fighting spirit increase.
"Alright Poliwrath, it's obvious you probably can't take another hit like that! But how many can he take?" Chuck coached on his partner. "So let's make sure we get that decisive blow! You know what to do, Hypnosis followed by another Body Slam!" Luke smirked and he knew he'd rattled the gym leader. Chuck was eager to avoid another direct blow.
Poliwrath's eyes and stomach spiral glowed blue as it moved forward, stepping from side to side so that it might lure Drowzee into a trance. Luke watched as his Pokémon's gaze fixed on Poliwrath's glowing spiral. He thought there was no way Drowzee, the Hypnosis Pokémon, could fall to its own trick. But Poliwrath grew closer and closer, the inevitability of a successful Body Slam becoming clear.
And then Luke saw it. Drowzee was still swaying left to right as Poliwrath continued its approach swaying the exact opposite. Drowzee wasn't under the effects of Hypnosis. Drowzee had Insomnia like Luke had anticipated. Luke had Chuck right where he wanted him, but he had to act now.
"Alright, Drowzee! Do one more Psybeam!" Luke ordered. Drowzee's eyes once again began to glow and another multicolored beam raced towards Poliwrath. But it was to no avail as Poliwrath leaned into one of its swaying motions and side-stepped the attack altogether.
"Shit," Luke murmured. Poliwrath was on top of Drowzee and Luke had to pull something out if he wanted to win this.
"Hit 'em with that Body Slam!" Chuck roared as Poliwrath leapt high to throw its weight into Drowzee. Luke had an idea.
"Drowzee, Headbutt!"
Drowzee's thick skull greeted Poliwrath, landing right between the Tadpole Pokémon's eyes. A sickening crack sounded and Poliwrath landed on its back as Drowzee remained standing. After a few seconds, Drowzee sat down and rubbed its head in the spot where Poliwrath had made contact. Chuck recalled his Pokémon and Luke knew the Storm Badge was his.
"Wha? Huh?" Chuck stammered as he processed what had just happened. Then a hearty laugh emerged from deep within his belly. It echoed throughout the dojo. Luke was only more perplexed by the gym leader's disposition. "Well how about that! That brainiac did have a thick skull after all!" He continued to laugh as he walked over to Luke and Drowzee, who was staring up at the ceiling.
Chuck reached the duo and as Luke stuck out his hand to greet the gym leader, he winced as he felt his hand crushed in the grip of the brawler. Chuck noticed this and laughed even more. He then slammed his hand onto Luke's back in a forceful congratulatory pat. That wouldn't be good for his recovery-time at all.
"Boy, you're a real Gladiator now! And that means you're worthy of the Storm Badge!" Chuck reached into a pocket and pulled out a copper, fist-shapped badge and dropped it into Luke's hand. The badge was cool to the touch and Luke placed it in the case in his bag where he kept his other two badges.
"Thanks," Luke replied as he rubbed his back.
"Thank you for the battle!" Chuck replied. "My wife tells me it's a young man's game, but I can't give it up when they're as thrilling as that. Say what's your name anyways? We'll have to get your profile in the Silver Conference database updated."
"Oh, I'm Luke. Skyler. I guess you'll need my last name." Luke replied.
Chuck blinked, and then smirked. "So you're that kid Morty was telling me about then, huh? Sure got yourself into a mess."
Luke looked away. "Something like that."
"Well, you're a Gladiator in my book now! And I tell ya what, since you've bested me, how's about I teach you and your Pokémon a thing or two?"
"What kind of things?" Luke asked.
"How about a little move called Brick Break?" Chuck asked, grinning as bright as he ever did.
Brick Break was a devastating move to have in his arsenal. Chuck had conveyed the knowledge of the move to Luke and his Pokémon through some light training and instruction, even going so far as to bring out some technical machinery that had been lying around in the rooms behind the waterfall. Luke knew it would come in handy in his battle against the Olivine Gym.
But now Luke was stepping off the boat that had ferried him across the sea and back into Olivine City's port. The docks were full of sailors and their Pokémon loading and unloading cargo. All the while Luke was busy strategizing for Olivine's Gym Leader, Jasmine.
As he navigated through the docks, the looming lighthouse caught his attention. Luke continued walking while admiring the sight until he found himself colliding with a large, stout figure.
Thoughts of an angry sailor pummeling his face in didn't linger long once he saw his obstacle. Another boy near his age, face buried deep into the screen of his PokéNav, stood in front of Luke. Both Luke and the boy stepped back and apologized. Luke looked the other boy up and down to see that he was quite a bit taller and a little more stout than himself
"That a PokéNav?" Luke inquired.
"Yeah." The boy replied. "You got one?"
"Nah, I've got a Pokégear." Luke replied. "I guess they're more or less the same though." He chuckled and massaged the back of his neck. "You just get off the boat or somethin'?"
"Actually I'm about to get on it. Headed to Olivine."
"Facing Chuck?"
"How'd you know?"
"I saw the Poké Balls on your belt." Luke pointed. "I just got done with him. He's," Luke paused, searching for words, "a tough old bastard. I'll give him that. Well, best of luck." Luke began to walk on into the city proper, but the boy called out.
"Hey wait. My Pokémon and I still need to train a bit more before we face Chuck. Would you wanna have a battle?"
"Me?" Luke asked.
"Sure. I figure if you can beat Chuck then it's worth training against you."
Luke thought it over for a second. He decided that some training before facing Jasmine would be beneficial and nodded at the other boy.
"Awesome!" the boy said before trotting over to Luke, hand extended. "Name's Mitch."
Luke shook the trainers hand and replied, "Luke."
"Alright, well, awesome. Nice to meet ya Luke. Looks like there's a makeshift battlefield over on the beach over there," he was motioning to the beach off to the side of the port that lead to Route 40, "how's that sound to ya?"
"Sure thing." Luke said.
The two trainers made their way over to the beach, where some children were just leaving with their parents. Other teenagers were busy running around, gabbing, and flirting. A few cute girls caught Luke's eye.
"You ready?" Mitch asked and Luke realized that they'd made it to their battlefield. The girls would have to wait.
"Yeah," Luke replied, "Let's do this."
The two trainers nodded at each other and released their first Pokémon onto the sand. A low buzz came from Mitch's Beedrill as it hovered in front of its trainer, flitting back and forth. Luke's Pokémon stood in front of him, a small blue and black bipedal canine.
"Alright, Riolu. Looks like this is our first battle together." Luke said to the Pokémon in front of him, "If you'll just listen to me, everything should go fine." Riolu let out a squeal of anticipation for the battle ahead. Luke hoped he could make something work with his yet-to-be-tested Safari Zone capture.
"Alright Beedrill, let's get started! Use Agility!" Mitch commanded. The Poison Bee Pokémon began to dart back and forth and back and forth as a white aura formed around it. Its speed increased was increasing with each movement. "And now go in for the attack! Aerial Ace!"
Before Luke knew it, Beedrill was on top of Riolu and the white energy had focused into its stingers. A fierce slash connected with Riolu, which sent it skidding to the side across the sand. Luke grimaced and readied his Poké Ball to recall the Emanation Pokémon. But as the little dog began to stand back up, he hesitated. It looked at Luke and yipped, a fierce fire in its eyes.
"Looks like that one's pretty tough!" Mitch called out. But his look of shock matched Riolu's as a beam of light enveloped the Pokémon and returned it to its ball.
"Maybe," Luke replied, "but I wasn't going to get anything done with it. Let's try this one." Luke tossed a Poké Ball high into the air and Pidgeotto burst forth. "Quick Attack, Pidgeotto!" The bird swooped at the bee, but the attack didn't connect as Beedrill flew upwards. It was too fast. The two Pokémon were soaring high above their trainers.
"Quick, go for Twineedle while you've got the advantage!" Mitch ordered. Beedrill's stingers descended on Pidgeotto from above, and the bird cried out in pain.
"Roll over and Gust!" Luke shouted. Pidgeotto did as commanded and flapped its wings in Beedrill's face. Sharp wind emanated from Pidgeotto's wings and Beedrill retreated back.
"Now Twister!" Luke shouted. Pidgeotto circled around and around Beedrill as energy from its body began to add power to the whirlwind that was forming. A gale had enveloped Beedrill.
"Focus Energy Beedrill, we'll hit 'em hard when we can!" Mitch commanded. Beedrill quit beating its wings and let the Twister throw it higher up into the sky. Luke watched as it gathered itself in the midst of an attack. As a faint blue energy began to form around it, Mitch called out for another attack.
"Okay, now, divebomb 'em! Go for that Aerial Ace!"
Beedrill did not stir at the command, no wings began flap, nor was any buzzing sounding across the beach. It just flipped in the air and let gravity do the work. It struck the bird with incredible speed and a swift, hard Aerial Ace. Pidgeotto fell a bit before regaining its flight and flashbacks to his battle with Chuck echoed through Luke's mind. He had an idea.
"Alright Pidgeotto, I've seen this before. Twister again!" Luke ordered. The bird Pokémon didn't hesitate in whipping up another Twister, and Mitch smirked.
"Let's do it one more time Beedrill!" As if on replay, the familiar sight of Beedrill rocketing towards Pidgeotto with sharp stingers filled Luke's eyes.
"Alright Pidgeotto, dive bomb too!" the bird tucked its wings and began to rocket to the ground right as Beedrill drew near. The two Pokémon raced downwards as the ground grew closer and closer. "Alright," Luke shouted, "roll out and spread your wings now!" Pidgeotto barrel-rolled and found itself lifted above Beedrill after it spread its wings. "Now Gust! Over and over!"
The sharp wind crashed into Beedrill. The increased speed from the freefall coupled with the Gust attacks prevented it from stabilizing itself to avoid impact. Luke's gambit had paid off.
Just as it was about to crash, Mitch reached for its Poké Ball and a beam of light pulled Beedrill back into the ball. Pidgeotto was flying around in circles as Luke followed suit and returned it to its Poké Ball.
"Dammit!" Mitch said. "I mean that was tight, but damn!"
The two trainers released their next two Pokémon. Luke's Elekid emerged from its ball spinning its arms as it focused in on Mitch's Magby. Luke smirked. There wouldn't be any type advantages here, but he was eager to test out Elekid's new move.
"Run in quick, Elekid!" Luke didn't hesitate on the order and neither did Elekid. The yellow Pokémon dashed forward, head on towards Magby. "Now, slide in and sweep with a Low Kick!" Elekid followed his commands and sand stirred up as the Pokémon skidded towards Magby. Elekid grabbed onto the ground with one hand and swung out its legs at Magby's own.
"C'mon Magby, dodge!" Mitch shouted and the Live Coal Pokémon leapt up, just avoiding Elekid's sweep. "Now catch it in a Fire Spin!"
As Magby landed back on the ground, a stream of flame erupted from its mouth. Elekid leapt up and somersaulted back, but the flames continued to follow. As Elekid landed, the fire had encircled him, rising and falling in a spiral around him.
"Good job!" Mitch roared. Luke noticed a moment of weakness in the flames. His eyes shifted to Magby, whose gaze had averted from Elekid back to its trainer. He looked to Elekid and saw the Pokémon grimacing in the heat of the flames. Luke knew he had to get the Pokémon out of the trap.
"Alright, Elekid. Go with Thunder Wave." Luke stated. Elekid wound up one of its arms and small sparks jolted between his horns. Elekid's arm stopped spinning and it shot a small burst of electricity towards Magby.
"C'mon Magby, we gotta dodge!" Mitch thundered. The electricity was right at Magby as it fell back to the ground and watched the jolt soar above it and dissipate.
Luke watched the fire die. He knew Mitch's young Pokémon wasn't skilled enough to both maintain the attack and avoid the paralyzing effects of Thunder Wave. His plan had worked.
"Alright, now, close in and Brick Break." Luke was calm in his commands and Elekid was flawless in his obedience. He once again dashed forward.
"Confuse Ray!" Mitch shouted. As Elekid leapt to deliver a blow from above, flame and gas filled Magby's mouth and a small and brief, but bright, light erupted within. The light flashed in Elekid's sight and its Brick Break landed right in the sand next to the Live Coal Pokémon. "And now," Mitch was grinning with joy before his voice exploded, "hit 'em with your Fire Punch!"
It was too quick for reaction and Luke watched Magby's fist spark red and orange with flames. The blow landed on Elekid's back and sent the Electric Pokémon tumbling along the sand. Sand kicked up as Elekid tumbled back and Luke could see that his Pokémon was rubbing its eyes. Elekid was still trying to regain the focus it'd lost from the Confuse Ray.
"Ah yeah!" Mitch cheered. "Now let's bury 'em. Flamethrower!"
Luke had not anticipated Mitch's Magby to know a move like Flamethrower. He prepared for the worst but his worry eased as he saw Magby freeze up as it inhaled for the attack. He smirked.
Elekid's Static had opened a window and Luke knew it was his time to strike. Elekid staring down Magby once again, sparks flying from his horns. It was time for those two to get a taste of their own medicine.
"Thunder Punch!" Luke commanded. Elekid sprinted forward, its right arm winding away as sparks followed behind it. Magby struggled to move quick enough to dodge and Elekid met it face to face. The Electric Pokémon delivered a shocking blow right in Magby's gut, following all the way through with its punch. Magby flew up backwards, kicking up sand as it landed.
Mitch's smirk tipped Luke off that something wasn't right. He then noticed Elekid wincing as it shook its fist.
"Have fun with that burn," Mitch said with a shit-eating grin. Luke scowled and ordered Elekid to rush back in with a Brick Break. He knew Magby would still be reeling from the effects of parlysis and that its speed wouldn't be what it was earlier. Elekid closed in and swung its right arm at the recovering Magby, but Magby's arm met Elekid's and halted the attack.
Luke watched on with confusion before realizing that the pain from the burn was causing Elekid to pull its punches. Mitch seemed to make this realization as well, and didn't wait to order a Flame Burst from Magby. A small orange and yellow fireball formed at Magby's mouth and hit Elekid head on. Elekid skidded back, and smaller balls of flame dotted the field from the impact. The situation wasn't ideal, but Luke had an idea.
"Go back in for another Thunder Punch!" Luke ordered. Elekid's right arm spun and spun as it once again sprinted at the Live Coal Pokémon.
"You're too slow, Magby, but he's too hurt. Stand your ground and hit it with a Fire Punch!" Mitch shouted.
The trainers watched as sparks and flames poured from their Pokémon's fists and danced along the sand. Elekid and Magby's eyes locked on one another as the Electric Pokémon barreled down on top of the fire type. Elekid leapt up and brought its fist down as Magby swung its own fist upward to meet the blow. A small clap popped and the attacks dissipated. Mitch had a wild grin as he saw that Magby had mad another successful block, but Luke wasn't finished.
"He's too slow! Quick, southpaw Thunder Punch!" Elekid landed and his left arm sparked up. He swung wide and electricity surged up Magby's body as Elekid's punch landed right on the Live Coal Pokémon's side. As the electricity in Magby's body dissipated it collapsed to the ground and Mitch recalled his Pokémon in a beam of light.
"Are you kiddi-" Mitch had begun to react, but stopped. Luke watched as the sparks from Elekid's fist grew brighter and larger, traveling farther and farther across his body.
"What the," Luke murmured. The crackling bolts continued to glow brighter all over Elekid's body. Finally he let out a roar as the glow covered him in one bright flash. As the light faded, Luke saw that his Pokémon had grown by a couple feet and had a long tail now.
"Like I was saying," Mitch complained, "are you kidding me? I mean, congrats on the Electabuzz, bro. But c'mon!" Luke stared ahead at Electabuzz, who turned to face his trainer. The fight in the Pokémon's eyes had grown as much as it had, and Electabuzz nodded at Luke. He noticed that the fur on the Electric Pokémon's right fist was still singed, but Luke wanted to see what Electabuzz was capable of.
"Send 'em out," Luke said as Electabuzz took its place by its trainer, "I'm keeping Electabuzz in battle."
Luke's confidence in his newly evolved Pokémon was soon shaken as he saw the red light disintegrate into a grey elephantine figure. Mitch's Donphan raised its trunk and its trumpeting echoed as Mitch's eyes gleamed with joy. He knew he had the advantage over Luke.
"Alright, Eleki- I mean Electabuzz," Luke stumbled over his Pokémon's new identity, "Electric attacks won't work. But you've got some other moves, so you'll have to beat him with your speed." Electabuzz grunted with affirmation and spun his arms a couple of times. If all else failed, Luke would at least be able to do some damage and send in a fresh Pokémon to finish the job should Electabuzz fail. Luke ordered, "Go on and get in there with a Brick Break!"
As Electabuzz rushed in, Mitch commanded Donphan to embrace for impact with Defense Curl. The Armor Pokémon responded to the order and rolled up into a ball right as Electabuzz's white-glowing fist chopped down from above. Luke watched as Electabuzz winced from its burn. The burn and Defense Curl made a nice pair for Mitch. It had limited the damage of Luke's assault and he knew that the Electric Pokémon's fists would not do much effect to the Armor Pokémon's thick hide. But he had a thought.
"Low Kick! Quick, sweep his legs!" Luke shouted to Electabuzz. In a split second the Pokémon followed up its Brick Break with a low sweeping kick and Luke watched as Donphan's weight shifted, forcing the elephant onto its back. "And now strike with a Brick Break while it's vulnerable!"
"Curl up and Rollout!" Mitch commanded. Once again, Electabuzz winced as its fist met the curled Donphan's thick hide. The Armor Pokémon began to spin and launch itself into Electabuzz. The Electric Pokémon toppled backwards. "And now, Bulldoze right over 'em!" Mitch roared and his Donphan used its remaining spin to propel itself into the air before crashing back down. A powerful shockwave of earth pulsed through the sand towards Electabuzz. Luke was not quick enough to react and the counterattack proved too much for Electabuzz. The Electric Pokémon was knocked-out and Luke recalled it to its ball with a grimace.
"Well, I guess I'll answer with this," Luke muttered as he tossed a Poké Ball in to the air. Wooper materialized onto the sand in front of Luke and it immediately began hopping sporadically. Luke clicked his tongue at the Water Fish Pokémon and it spun around, still hopping. "Listen up," he snapped and Wooper decreased its hops until it was standing still, "We've got to be serious, okay? You've got the type advantage, but we can't be silly. Just pay attention to my commands and the battle ought to go the way I want it to." Wooper spun around and thought he saw a bit of dejection in the Pokémon's eyes, but they weren't in a position to be care free.
"That's it? Get over there with a Rollout!" Mitch said. Donphan once again rolled up and rocketed towards Luke's Pokémon. The distance between the foes was closing and Wooper looked back over its shoulder with concern at Luke as the trainer allowed Donphan to close the gap.
Then Luke shouted, "Now! Surf!" Wooper's head snapped back around and water rushed to the Water Fish Pokémon from the sea. Salt wafted up Luke's nostrils and a wave enveloped Wooper, crashing into Mitch's Donphan. The wave lifted the Armor Pokémon up and slammed it into the hard, wet sand below. As the water retreated away from the once again energetic Wooper, Luke could tell Donphan was out for the count. A beam of light recalled the Pokémon and Luke began to approach Mitch for the usual post battle pleasantries. As he trotted past the place on the beach where Wooper was hopping joyously, he did a double take.
A faint white glow surrounded Wooper, blocking out its features as it grew brighter. Soon enough the light was blinding and it erupted into a quick flash. A taller Pokémon stood where Wooper had. Quagsire's beady eyes stared blankly at Luke while the trainer took in the sight of the evolved Water Fish Pokémon. As Luke watched for a sign of recognition from Quagsire, a continuing blank stare met him for longer than was comfortable. Just as he reached for the Pokémon's ball, Quagsire opened its mouth wide and let out a squeal as it made a wide wave with one of its arms. Luke shook his head and returned the Pokémon to its Poké Ball before continuing over to Mitch.
"Are you telling me you got two evolved Pokémon out of one battle?" Mitch bemoaned. "I mean, good for you, man. But you gotta feel where I'm coming from!"
Luke chuckled. "Maybe I should battle you more often." The taller trainer smirked at the joke and fist bumped the trainer. The force of the gesture was a little more than Luke expected and he reeled back from it, shaking his hand. Mitch laughed.
"So you're headed to Cianwood then?" Luke asked before any silence could settle.
"Yeah, yeah." Mitch replied. "I think after that my team should more than be ready for Chuck. Got any tips?"
"Hmm," Luke mused as he rubbed his chin. "That Flame Body of Magby's really put a hurt on Eleki- I mean, Electabuzz," Luke was still adapting to the Pokémon's new moniker, "So I'd use that to my advantage if I were you. Especially considering his Pokémon are physical attackers."
Mitch nodded. "Where you headed?" His battle with Mitch was a little close for Luke's comfort and the trainer recognized he'd need to ensure his Pokémon would be able to handle Jasmine's Pokémon with ease. He couldn't just head straight to the gym at this point, especially if he planned to use Charmeleon's Fire-type attacks to his advantage.
"I think I'll head up to Route 34 to train for Jasmine." Luke said as he looked up at the blue sky above him. He didn't have time to deal with the setback of losing a gym battle.
"No! C'mon Charmeleon, that's not what I was saying at all." Luke watched as Charmeleon sparred against Electabuzz. The lizard threw a Slash attack at the Electric Pokémon, who didn't struggle to block it with his arms. "Countering with a move like Slash is going to do jack shit against Jasmine's Steel Types. You need to figure out how to follow a hit up with Flame Burst to deal the most damage possible."
The orange lizard looked at its trainer and nodded before looking back at Electabuzz. Luke sighed. The trainer had been out on Route 34 for hours, running Charmeleon against the rest of his team for practice.
Luke's plan to take down Jasmine hinged on the Flame Pokémon's super effective moveset. But after much thought he had realized that Charmeleon would be susceptible to any Ground-type attacks Jasmine's Pokémon were likely to know. Charmeleon was going to have to evolve and Luke didn't have time to wait on it to just happen.
"Charmeleon!" Luke boomed, "You're going to let Electabuzz land a Brick Break on you and I want you to counter it with Flame Burst this time. No Slash, no Brick Break. Nothing but Flame Burst. Got it?" Charmeleon hissed, and Luke gave the signal for Electabuzz to start the attack. The striped bruiser was on top of Charmeleon within seconds and its hand chopped right down onto the Flame Pokémon. Electabuzz's quick adaption to its new size, shape, and speed impressed Luke.
"Alright, Charmeleon!" Luke pushed the orange lizard, "Spin and attack!"
Charmeleon followed the order and rolled with the attack to face Electabuzz's back. Embers sparked out of Charmeleon's mouth as a fireball emerged and exploded into Electabuzz. The yellow-and-black Pokémon lurched forward a few feet before catching itself. Electabuzz turned to face his teammate and delivered a cry of joy and pumped its fist in praise of the lizard. Charmeleon growled with joy and the two looked towards Luke for approval.
"Let's run through it again," the trainer responded. He snatched a Poké Ball from his belt and released the Pokémon within. "This time against Quagsire. You've gotta be prepped for a Ground attack."
Electabuzz locked eyes with Charmeleon momentarily before a beam of light pulled it back into its Poké Ball. Quagsire, whose new shape perplexed his teammate, walked over to Charmeleon. The Flame Pokémon examined the blue Pokémon from head to toe just as he had Electabuzz earlier. Luke watched and thought Charmeleon might be worrying about his own strength compared to his evolved teammates. Luke hoped that served as a motivator.
"Alright, so here's the scenario we're going through." Luke's voice lacked any sense of play. It was a all business. "Charmeleon, you're going to let Quagsire land Slam on you. I know you're faster, but that's not what we're practicing." Charmeleon's focus was all on Luke, despite Quagsire having decided to lean on his shoulders.
"Quagsire, are you listening? Focus!" Luke snapped. The Water Fish Pokémon took its time re-posturing itself. Luke addressed Charmeleon, "Now, once Quagsire lands Slam, I want you to counter with Brick Break. Hopefully you were taking note of how Electabuzz used it. Then, Quagsire, once he swings for Brick Break I'll have you counter. Ready?"
Charmeleon nodded and Luke knew that he wanted to reassert himself as the top Pokémon on this team. Luke gave the signal, and the exercise began.
As instructed, Charmeleon stood his ground while Quagsire slammed against him. This sent the orange Pokémon skidding back, and Luke responded with a call for Charmeleon to rush in with Brick Break. The faintest of glows surrounded Charmeleon's claws and it raced forward, arm held high and ready to swing.
"Now," Luke instructed, "use Earthquake, Quagsire." Luke had set Charmeleon wide open for the attack. Quagsire raised both its arms up and slammed its open-palmed hands against the ground. A rumble began to shake the earth at their feet and small cracks jolted through the ground, emanating from Quagsire. Luke saw shock in Charmeleon's eyes as he lost his balance and a violent eruption of earth hit it.
As the rumbling began to subside, the lizard rose and shook the dirt off of it. Slight vibrations still surged through the ground as it settled with each second. The Pokémon looked to their trainer for further instruction.
"Run through it again. Same exact scenario." Luke commanded. Charmeleon blinked, but soon nodded. Once again Charmeleon raced toward Quagsire, his raised arm ready to chop the Water Fish Pokémon and once again hard earth pushed him onto his back. He got up and shook the dirt loose again as he panted.
"And again." Luke said without hesitation. And once again the Flame Pokémon obeyed and once again the brutal attack from the Water Fish Pokémon made contact.
"Got an answer yet?" Luke asked. Charmeleon snorted and raced forward again. Luke waved towards Quagsire and, with slight hesitation, the blue amphibian slammed its hands against the ground again. Charmeleon once again began to lose its footing and succumb to the violent earth.
"Come on Charmeleon!" Luke shouted as the ground shook and he watched the starter Pokémon falter. "How are you going to get around this? What are you going to do!? Do something! Answer the attack!"
Charmeleon roared as the earth shook around it and its tail-flame erupted into a flame larger and brighter than Luke had ever seen it. The light from the flame grew in intensity and Luke watched as it covered the orange Pokémon. As features morphed within the glow, Luke noticed as it began to shine far above the shaking soil below.
He finally had what he needed to beat the Olivine City Gym.
What. A. Chapter. Luke punches his way through Chuck, only to run into Mitch's stout opposition! With three freshly evolved Pokémon, how will Luke's battle with Jasmine shake down? And what else did Luke get into before the day of the cruise? All of these answers will be found in Luke's next and final flashback chapter! Don't forget to review and subscribe if you enjoyed it! I'll see ya in the next chapter of Heart and Soul!