To my anons: It's really funny that you mentioned Fossil Pokemon. I had a similar idea for Aerodactyl's fighting style. Heh, It's pretty much a Macargo's worst nightmare since they're so dependent on their heat and lack speed.
Also, don't sleep on the Omastar line, there's a very good reason why Brock adores fossil Pokemon. Every single one of them is dangerous.
I don't own anything. Sue me if you like, you'll get nothing from me. You might even end up poorer than before.
Episode 22
Yellow-level
Xxxxxxx
Like a great deal of the older buildings in the city the Pewter Gym was carved from stone. The Gym didn't have any notable features. It was oddly smooth for such an old building with only a few cracks in its structure. The only eye catching was the statue of a massive Aggron in front of the Gym. Ash raised a brow. It was the oddest Aggron he'd ever seen. It looked to have gauntlets of a sort on its arms with a long blade that shot backward. Its armored head had a large horn that grew from its nose like a Rhydon's. There was a similar spike on its chin, and two horns that grew from plates on its back. How the hell did it stab anything?
"No point standing here gawking," Ash muttered as stode up the stairs.
"Hello sir! Welcome to the Pewter Gym! How may I help you?" a tanned boy with narrow dark eyes and spiky brown hair asked. It would have been a warmer greeting it you weren't reading a magazine. "Do you need some brush or debris moved again? I swear that Golem doesn't go a day without a fight," he said setting the magazine down.
"I'm here for Brock's badge," Ash declared, standing at his full height.
"Hey, have you been here before?" the boy inquired narrowing his eyes to the point that they looked to be slits. "I kinda feel like I recognize you."
"Nah," the trainer replied with a shrug.
"Huh, coulda sworn," he muttered. "What's your name?" he asked, pulling out a notebook.
"The name's Ash from Pallet Town," Ash answered running his fingers along the Pokeballs on his belt. He'd prepared for all the Pokemon found near Pewter. Rhyhorn, Geodude Mankey, Machop, Gligar, and even one of the most naturally powerful bird lines in the world, Skarmory. The Pewter Gym was known to use them all, so he'd made sure to study them thoroughly. The only Pokemon he hadn't found a counter for was the Gym's signature Pokemon.
Onix were inarguably among the most powerful species in the world. The Onix they'd met had only been about four, according to the fairy, yet she'd overcome Gore's Icy Wind with an attack that wasn't even her nature. Narrowly, overcame Gore's attack, he'd been forced to add when the team had discussed the potential foe (the boar was as sore a loser as Ash himself). There was a reason nothing tended to mess with wild Onix. Well, there's also the whole entirely stone thing. They couldn't really be eaten when they were all stone.
"Follow me," the boy said, gesturing to double doors next to the main desk. Ash gave the boy ten dollars, then followed him. Only Willow could possibly defeat one of them. He'd hoped to have her evolve before their challenge, but they couldn't afford to wait when they didn't have a clue when she'd evolve. Still, she was their best bet. Her size, speed, and elemental advantage was their only hope. The tanned Gym member pushed open the double doors that led to the battlefield itself. Ash blinked when the boy began to laugh hysterically.
"Forrest! I thought I told you not to let people in for another half hour today!" the man whom he recognized from the museum snapped. The tanned man wore red lipstick that was smudged to the point that some was on his cheeks. He also had powdered cheeks and held a doll in his right hand and a teacup in his left. Behind the man was a wide-eyed Onix of at least sixty feet long and seven feet wide. The great serpent of stone had what appeared to be a massive amount of lipstick on. Ash gaped at the man, who was undoubtedly Brock, which meant he was among the most powerful trainers in the Indigo League, if not the world.
"Hallo!" Anna chirped waving the hand that didn't hold a teacup. "Wanna play tea party with us? It's really cool! Even Zircon is playing!" The Onix sighed, the action, sending a doll off its chair, looking to have been regretting every decision that had led him to this event.
"H-hey, uh, no thanks," the trainer replied blinking rapidly. He was becoming a bit lightheaded. Forrest squawked drawing Ash's attention. The boy beat against his brother's broad chest as Brock held him in a headlock.
"You can sit with Choppy! She's right out back!" the pig tailed girl offered nearly bouncing in her seat.
"Anna, why don't you go play with Choppy and Zircon in the back?" Brock suggested batting his brother's fists away with ease. The Onix turned to his partner with a look of utter betrayal. The Rock Master averted his gaze. What the hell does she do to them?
"Kay!" she chirped sliding out of her chair. She climbed onto the Onix's head, then Zircon slithered to the massive door behind the battlefield. Ash's eyes widened when the Onix bent and pressed his nose on a large green button, opening the massive doors. He raised a brow at the cacophony of calls that greeted the great serpent. He's either tons of fun or he's already the Alpha here. Wonder if he's from Mt. Hideaway? It was the only explanation he could think of for the beast's size.
"Um, can we fight now?" Ash inquired, still in shock.
"Oh, right, yeah, sure," Brock said, releasing his victim, allowing him to stumble away. "It'll be two on two. Forrest here will referee for us."
"Wait a minute!" Forrest called when they moved to the field. Ash's shoulders sagged. Will I ever get my challenge? "You, do you have a Bulbasaur?"
"Ye~ah," Ash drawled turning to the tanned boy. Gods, is this the guy we hit with the Sleep Powder? I can't afford a damn lawyer… Always figured it'd be Gore that got me sent to prison.
"Then let's fight!" Forrest said, drawing a Pokeball. "A Rookie can't just challenge one of the Eight after all!" he declared with a smirk. Ash suppressed the urge to punch him. Gary had been like that once, before the incident.
"Didn't we do that yesterday?" Brock inquired, raising a brow.
"That was different! I thought I had a shot with her," Forrest ended his statement in a mutter.
Isn't that a little bit of special treatment? "Okay… never heard of that, but fine, let's do it," Ash said moving to the nearest battle box. A grown Onix was well beyond the team. Rocky on the other hand, was well within his capacity. As long as we hit it first.
"Alright! This is a battle between Yellow-level Gym Trainer Forrest and our challenger, Ash of Pallet Town!" Brock declared, raising his arms above his head. Ash stiffened. How did he get rid of the makeup so quick? And how the hell does he know me? He growled. Daisy's taking her revenge seriously. "Ash, you release first!"
"Right," the challenger muttered. The battlefield was about the size of the other Gym fields he'd visited. It was made entirely of stone and had too many large boulders on it to count. One boulder caught his eye, it was at least two feet taller than the others. I haven't a clue what the hell's up his sleeves. He scowled. I can't afford to lose my shot at because I don't have info. Best to start in a big way. Gore appeared in a flash of scarlet with a yawn. "We're in the Gym!" Gore blinked at him blearily then shook each stubby leg.
Their opponent was a blue furred bat Pokemon that had a giant mouth and two short legs. The purple fur on the inside of its wings left its species easy to identify. Golbat again? It didn't surprise him to see another member of the Zubat line. The bat Pokemon weren't difficult to raise and were common. Their only real flaw was how fragile Zubat were and their difficulty with adjusting to sunlight.
The bad lighting and the field's size gives it an advantage. "Gore, Bat," Ash muttered tugging on the bill of his hat. He knows about those things doesn't eh? The swine grunted and narrowed his eyes at the Golbat who chittered a challenge.
"Round one, Golbat versus Piloswine Begin!" Brock barked snapping his hands down.
"Supersonic!" Forrest ordered quickly, likely hoping to take advantage of Gore's weakness. Golbat inhaled deeply, only to have a small shard of ice shot into its maw. The bat hacked and coughed, struggling to stay aloft. Gore grunted and blasted a wide gust of powdery wind at the bat Pokemon. Golbat squeaked in alarm and flapped its blue wings frantically creating a gust of wind. Ash smirked as the Icy Wind easily overwhelmed the hastily made Gust. Golbat shrieked and flailed as the attack enveloped it and forced the bat Pokemon to the ground in a nosedive.
Gore roared and charged the downed bat with a strong white hue surrounding him. Golbat blinked blearily after forcing itself up with its wings. The bat squeaked in alarm once it saw the swine and propelled itself off the ground with a strong flap of its wings. The boar snarled and leaped, ramming Golbat in midair and sending it crashing onto the top of a boulder. The poison-type tried to push itself up, then slumped and groaned miserably. "Do you like my "Bat" tactic!" Ash inquired, smiling slyly as Gore rounded toward his foe. If he'd used Icy Wind while it was falling it would have been game over! He needs more training.
"Up and Swift!" Forrest growled nostrils flaring. Ash narrowed his eyes. A guided attack? Gore snarled and blasted an Icy Wind. Golbat's wing was surrounded by wind as it smacked the boulder, making itself to roll down the boulder's side. The bat swayed when it hit the ground before steadying itself with its wings. Ash flinched when it inhaled deeply.
Gore snapped to the bat too late, Golbat emitted a shriek with a triumphant gleam shining in its dark eyes. "Quick Shard!" The Piloswine snorted, then stiffened and swayed. Gore groaned and fell onto his side.
"Mega-" Forrest's command was interrupted by the swine being consumed by a scarlet light.
"No shame in that loss," Ash muttered to his friend's Pokeball.
"Say Ash, how'd you like my bat?" Forrest asked, grinning.
"I'd like him better if was face down and blacked out," Ash replied reaching for his belt. Piloswine, like many cave dwelling Pokemon, had poor vision. Supersonic interfered with the part of one's ears that affected their ability to walk. It was a Piloswine and Rhydon's worst nightmare. They were heavily dependent on their sensitive ears and hooves, which meant sound based moves were especially effective on them. If it could affect more than one at a time, and had better range, it would be the most dangerous move in the world.
He primed a Pokeball. Snarl was a solid counter, but he couldn't afford to give away too many of his cards. Snarl was Hellfire's only chance against Brock. It's all on you! "Interesting choice," Brock murmured, his warm brown eyes sharp. Every move I make is right in front of the guy I'm challenging! Was I off to use Gore? Vulpix gave the bat Pokemon a sharp look. This Pokemon had no need for commands. She hadn't forgotten the Golbat from Lavender Town. "Round two! Golbat versus Vulpix, begin!"
"Swift!" Forrest spoke so quickly Ash could barely understand his command. Horror shot through him once he did.
I should have warned her! "It's a guided attack!" the trainer snapped, panic in his tone. Vulpix snapped her head to him with wide eyes. She remembered herself quickly and rolled away from the golden stars that the bat had fired. Golbat shrieked and the Swift swung around as one at the vixen.
Vulpix squeaked and scrambled away from the attack with Quick Attack. The vixen swerved and curved around the boulders, but the Golbat's focus was unrelenting. "Head to the big one!" Ash cried, pointing at the largest boulder on the field. Vulpix yipped and swerved to the rock at full speed.
The vixen raced up the boulder, then she leaped off the boulder and flipped over the stars. The Swift detonated harmlessly against the stone in a golden flash as Vulpix landed. Golbat's eyes were wide with shock as the vixen blasted a ball of purple fire at it. The bat Pokemon shrieked defiantly and sent a Gust to counter the Embers.
The flame split into three balls and shot around the wind attack, making Golbat and Forrest flinch. Vulpix yipped and the balls slammed into Golbat's right wing, sending it spiraling to the earth.
"Gust again!" the Gym Trainer ordered his narrow eyes widening. The bat made to flap its wings, but Vulpix yipped again and the flames engulfed his burned wing. Ash winced slightly at the horrible shriek Golbat let out and grimaced when the bat hit the ground. Pokemon want this…
Vulpix spat another ball of fire, this time, it was the size of her head at the downed bat. The ghostly fire neared the bat, then hit the earth and slithered into a small circle around Golbat. The vixen turned to Ash as the flames began closing in around a keening Golbat. "Don't call her on this one, believe me she'll do it and enjoy it," Ash advised uncurling his fist. Vulpix's golden eyes shone in the poor light and the flames slunk away from the bat slightly.
"In the match of Golbat versus Vulpix, the winner is Vulpix!" Brock declared, lowering his left hand at the fox Pokemon. Forrest scowled, but recalled Golbat. Ash stuck out his tongue, then blinked and put it back into his mouth. Vulpix began preening her paws. She's taunting him isn't she…
"This time," Forrest began reaching for his belt and snarling, "You'll face a member of my own team!" He released slug made of lava standing at about two and a half feet tall with a shell made of molten rock on its back. Macargo, the Lava Pokemon the Pokemon that had the hottest body temperature in the world at around twenty-five hundred degrees. It was a dual Rock and Fire Pokemon that were virtually unkillable to its fellow Fire Pokemon, but he couldn't recall why.
"The shell is weak, and it can use Rock moves. It's really slow, get behind it and it's game over," Ash muttered tugging on the bill of his hat. Macargo's hearing wasn't particularly good, so he wasn't worried about it hearing them. It's not an intellectual, which means we'll hear his every command. Still Gore's odds of beating it are fifty-fifty at best. He could have sworn he saw the ground sizzle when a drop of magma fell. Vulpix squared herself,
"Round three! Macargo versus Vulpix begin!" Brock cried.
"Clear Smog!" Forrest commanded, and Macargo spat a clear cloud of gas at his Pokemon. Vulpix narrowed her eyes, creating the pink wall of Reflect.
"No! Use Wind!" Ash yelled. The vixen eyed the slow moving attack with trepidation, then she abandoned her wall. Vulpix inhaled deeply before letting loose a bark that created a gust of black wind around her. The Ominous Wind howled as it tore through the Clear Smog and slammed into Macargo, who only just activated Harden. The slug Pokemon flinched and had several drops of lava forced from its face. "Now!" Ash cried receiving a yip as the vixen rushed her foe.
"Flame Burst!" the Gym Trainer barked, his brow furrowed. Macargo moved its head down at such a slow speed that Vulpix had crossed a third of the battlefield by the time it was ready to shoot. The slug spat a flare bigger than Ash's head at the fox Pokemon. Vulpix leaped over the attack with ease only to be greeted by another larger Flame Burst. The trainer flinched when his Pokemon squeaked and was sent flying through the air.
The vixen landed on her head and tumbled back to her trainer. Macargo inhaled and snapped to Vulpix before shooting another burst at the prone vixen. "Roll!" Ash commanded swallowing harshly. Two of the vixen's tails slapped the ground, rolling her out of the Flame Burst's path. The exploding flame kicked up a small cloud of dust that obscured his Pokemon from view. Ash grimaced. How come it was faster that time?
Macargo swung its neck at the cloud and a boulder wrenched itself from the ground next to it, before being launched into the cloud. Vulpix burst from the smoke with Quick Attack. The lava slug blasted a flare of bursting flame at her that she avoided by darting behind a long line of boulders. "Use Smog!" Macargo groaned and blasted a cloud of gas at least ten feet wide.
"Vulpix, Wind!" the trainer of Pallet snapped. To his horror, the vixen didn't peek around the wall of stones. She's afraid of it? "Vulpix!" Ash cried, a sinking feeling in his belly. Have we gotten any stronger at all?
"Nice, pal," Forrest congratulated giving the slug Pokemon a thumbs up. "Hey, Brock call it!" The Pewter Gym Leader's countenance looked to have been carved from stone. The fiercest gust of Black wind he'd seen since the Fog slammed into the back of Macargo head making it explode. Ash gaped, then breathed a relieved sigh when it began to reform. "Get ready to use Harden!" the Gym Trainer barked.
Vulpix darted out from behind a boulder at Macargo's back with Quick Scratch activated. The vixen leaped and swiped at the back of the slug's neck. Ash gasped as he realized the Scratch enhanced paw was stuck. Vulpix squeaked and tugged frantically when the lava began to suck her in. That's why it's unkillable! "Blast him!" he shouted his face paling.
Macargo's head turned around to face the Vulpix stunning her. Then it opened its mouth and consumed the vixen Pokemon. "Reflect!" Ash cried, hoping to reach his Pokemon before she was smothered.
"Now!" Forrest ordered. Macargo groaned as it activated the white sheen of Harden. Ash's heart stopped. The battle didn't matter anymore. He had to get her out before she suffocated in the slug's body. Then a small pink circle exploded out of Macargo's back, drawing a pained shriek from the slug. Ash cheered when Vulpix's head and front legs shot out of the hole her Psywave created. "Blast her!" Forrest barked as the vixen took several greedy gulps of air.
Macargo glared at the fox and slowly opened its mouth for another Flame Burst. Vulpix hissed and a black orb formed in her mouth, then the orb exploded in a flash of ghostly power. Macargo wailed and stretched its neck away from the vixen. Vulpix's three tails popped out of the slug before being pushed against Macargo's shell and propelling the vixen out of her prison.
It's slower after Harden! Now's our only chance! "Finish it, full force Wind!" Ash yelled. Vulpix yipped and shut her eyes with her upper body lowered and her lower body raised. She exhaled and a black wind began to swirl around her.
"You too! Flame Burst, full power!" the Gym Trainer cried clenching his fists. Macargo glared at Vulpix and much faster than before, created a flare in his maw. The vixen barked and blasted a gust of howling Ominous Wind. Macargo's eyes widened in alarm. It cocked its head back and fired as the wind neared. Ash flinched as the slug's upper body was obliterated by an explosion and the black wind.
The trainer opened his eyes and found the slug had still not reformed. The Flame Burst was set off by the wind! "In the match of Vulpix versus Macargo, the winner is Vulpix! Both trainers please come to me!" Brock shouted, glancing between Ash's panting Pokemon and the unconscious slug.
"You were great," Ash told his Pokemon with a wink when she wobbled to meet him. The vixen puffed herself up. "You did more than I ever could've hoped for," he whispered after recalling her to her capsule. And now I know why Macargo are considered invincible to fire Pokemon. They were considered the second most dangerous type at long range for good reason. A powerful fire-type could easily melt most stone. Unfortunately, other fire-types, and the rock Pokemon who lived in volcanoes couldn't be hurt by heat.
So, battles between fire Pokemon more often than not ended in physical contests. Rapidash had hooves harder than diamond, Charizard had wind manipulation, a passable Slash, and draconic moves, Magmortar combined Teleportation with punches nearly as dangerous as a Primeape's. Macargo, on the other hand, were practically invulnerable to non-elemental attacks, and had earth manipulation.
"You two should be very proud of your Pokemon," Brock began when they both reached him. "Forrest your Macargo was many times more powerful than that Vulpix," he continued giving his brother a look of disappointment that fit a father far better than a brother. The Gym Trainer flinched and looked at his shoes. Ash huffed annoyed, but knew he couldn't refute the Gym Leader's claim. "Your commands were too long, and you relied on power alone. If you placed a boulder behind Macargo, that Vulpix wouldn't have hit her with that second Ominous Wind."
"Ash," the man said making his back stiffen. Why do I feel like I'm a bug under a magnifying glass? "You didn't win because of your commands," Brock stated his narrow dark eyes boring into the boy's brown orbs. "You won because, you, and your Vulpix were prepared for the field," he continued smiling slightly. "But!" he said when Ash sighed, relieved. "Your Piloswine should have beat Golbat, he needs to work on his battle management," Brock finished.
The trainer nodded hesitantly. He didn't like anyone critiquing his team, even though he knew it was meant to help him improve, but he couldn't help the irritation he felt on their behalf. "You up to battling now?" Brock asked, glancing at his belt.
"Yes!" Ash answered immediately. Gore hadn't taken any damage and King hadn't battled at all. His strategy was still possible. We still have our trump card too.
"Good then! Our match will be two on two. I'll release first and I won't switch. You can switch whenever," Brock told him. He turned to his subdued brother. "Will you be referee?" he inquired his tone still light. Something passed between the brothers then, he knew, a challenge.
"Yes," Forrest replied with a slow nod.
"Excellent, let's get started immediately," the Gym leader said with a wide smile. Ash nodded and tugged on his hat. This is what I prepared for!
Xxxxxxxxx
Okay, this obviously not Vs. Brock.
In my defense, it was going to be, but I wasn't sure when I would have a chance to showcase Forrest and his team again.
Kinda hypocritical of Ash to be irritated with someone's cockiness.
I found out Flying attacks like Air Cutter don't make Pokemon glow. From now on they won't be doing that here...
Did the math based on Dragonite flying around the world in 16 hours, and came up with 500 mph and Pidgeot at Mach 2, is sitting pretty at over 1500 mph. Beaten by a giant pigeon… Magnificent stamina though. I'm going to assume Pidgeot go that fast in bursts.
The Pokedex is incredibly questionable anyway. A Macargo cannot be hotter than the sun. It just can't be.