Chapter 5:

The Battle in the Sky at Violet Gym

Nathan and Kathy charged forward towards the Violet City gym. Phillip was moving very slowly as he stopped often and looked all around him. Kathy looked back to see Phillip not acting like himself.

"Hey Nathan. What's going on with Phillip?"

Nathan looked back just as confused as Kathy.

"Hey Phillip! You coming? I need my coach!"

Phillip did a fake laugh.

"Yeah… um… I don't know…"

"What's wrong with you?" Kathy asked.

"I just… I just have something I gotta take care of."

"But my battle… don't you want to challenge for the badge too?"

"I don't think so Nathan. Gym battling… that's not the reason I'm here. You definitely should though. I know you'll do great. You've grown a lot since we left New Bark Town."

"But you've been helping me since we started."

"And I will continue to help you… but this… this you're going to have to do on your own."

"But Phillip…"

"…It's okay. I'll meet you at the Pokemon center in a couple of days. I just… there's something I need to do."

"Well let me come with you. I can help."

"Thanks Nathan. This is something I gotta do on my own too. I'll see you soon.

Nathan waved Kathy over as Nathan sulked and kicked the grass around him.

"Hey Kathy…do you think you can do a favor for me?"

Kathy clamped her hands together, holding her arms straight and leaned into his face.

"Absolutely Phillip! Whatever you want. What can I do?"

Phillip began to blush and giggle. He ran his hand through his hair while he leaned back.

"Do you think you can guide and help Nathan along? He's gotten a lot better, but he's going to be in for a challenge to beat Falkner at the Violet City gym."

Kathy leaned back and unclamped her hands. Her demeanor changed. She looked away for a minute as her face turned red. With a broken voice she looked at the ground.

"Sure thing Phillip. Where are you going to be?"

"I have to take care of something. I'll be back in a couple days. I'll meet you in the Pokemon center… didn't I just say this?"

Her shoulders fell down and she looked up with a frown.

"Yes you did… I'll do what I can to help Nathan."

"Thanks. You're the best!" he said as he patted her on the shoulder.

Running off in the opposite direction he yelled back at Nathan and Kathy.

"I look forward to seeing your badge and hearing all about the battle Nathan!"

Nathan looked at Kathy.

"Wow, he was serious. I thought he was joking. Where is he going?"

"He didn't say. He'll meet us in a couple of days… maybe he'll tell us then?"

"That was weird." Nathan said.

He crossed his arms and stuck his nose up.

"Fine! I don't need his help anyway! I'll win this badge on my own."

"I'll help you." Kathy said.

"Sure. Okay." Nathan said looking away.

The two trainers made their way to the gym. They stepped inside. They were awestruck in the massive space all around them. The ceiling was vaulted and all around them were various obstacles and targets. There were several trainers around that were trying to develop their flying Pokemon. The gym was intricately designed and everything was developed for the various birds and flyers.

On his right side he saw a Pidgey flying in and out through hoops. On his left he saw a Fearow trying to drill peck the center of a target. Nathan was so excited he ran off to look for the trainer. Kathy tried to call him back so she could keep up, but his enthusiasm was uncontainable. As Nathan and Kathy made their way through the gauntlet of ramps they made their way to gym master that was running the show.

"A man with a purple braid and a yellow kimono was advising a couple of trainers on some of their maneuvers as Nathan approached him. Seeing him approach he looked up with his brown eyes and looked right at Nathan.

"How can I help you?"

"My name is Nathan Elm and I'm here to challenge the gym leader for a Zephyr Badge."

"The man stood up straight. The gym leader, Falkner is out on a personal quest as he always does this time of year. He is unable to accept your challenge for a Zephyr badge…"

"…Oh man! C'mon! What am I supposed to do now!?" Nathan whined.

"If you would have let me finish pip-squeak, I would have said that my name is Kato, I am Falkner's second in command and just as capable a trainer as Falkner, and he has empowered me to accept all challenges on his behalf and bestow badges upon those who have proven themselves worthy of the honor."

"Hey! I'm no pip-squeak!" he clenched his fists and glared at Kato.

"and I challenge you for a Zephyr badge!" Nathan shouted.

Kathy drug her hand down her face in frustration.

"Oh brother… why would you task me with this Phillip…" she said to herself.

"Challenge accepted. Follow me."

Kato led Nathan and Kathy up a set of stairs that went up to the roof of the gym where a battlefield was set up. Kato instructed one of the trainers to be the referee. He swung a few flags around and announced the battle.

"Nathan Elm from New Bark Town has challenged the gym manager, Kato to a gym battle for a Zephyr badge. The battle shall take place between one Pokemon for both trainers. Let the battle commence."

"I choose you Cyndaquil!"

"And I choose Delibird!"

"Be aware Nathan! You have a disadvantage!" Kathy yelled.

Nathan didn't even flinch. He completely blocked her out.

"Cyndaquil! Quick! Tackle attack!"

Delibird easily dodged the attack.

"Fly Delibird."

Delibird took off and Nathan and Cyndaquil had a hard time tracking the Delibird in the sky. Delibird seemed to be lowering for an attack.

"Ember attack!"

Cyndaquil sent a rapid-fire ember attack trying to ground Delibird. He was unable to connect. Delibird lowered again and squared up with Cyndaquil.

"Ice beam!" Kato called out.

"Fire spin!" Nathan shouted.

The two attacks collided in the air, the fire spin melting the ice beam and singeing Delibird. In a quick response Delibird flew low around Cyndaquil dropping spikes everywhere. Cyndaquil was unable to move without touching the spikes.

"Another ice beam!"

Delibird's attack sent Cyndaquil flying onto the spikes. Cyndaquil was severely weakened and the poison starting seeping into him. His breathing began to strain him. Both Cyndaquil and Nathan refused to give up. The poison continued to eat at Cyndaquil until the trainer that was refereeing called the match.

"Cyndaquil is unable to continue. The victory goes to Kato."

Kato scolded Nathan.

"A true trainer would know his Pokemon's limits, and would never let them get so close to passing out. You should be ashamed of yourself. Take Cyndaquil to the Pokemon center and get out of my gym until you mature."

"Return Cyndaquil." Nathan said begrudgingly, bowing his head towards the ground closing his eyes.

"I warned you Nathan. You have to listen. I'm here to help you." Kathy said.

When they arrived at the Pokemon center Nathan waited with Cyndaquil.

"I'm sorry Cyndaquil. I thought for sure we could power through that attack."

Cyndaquil nuzzled him encouraging him.

"We'll do better next time. I wish Phillip was here to help me develop a strategy." He looked up and glared. "Why doesn't he want to battle? Why is he even on this trip if he's not going to battle?"

"Stop right there Nathan! Phillip is here to help you. He has already taught you so much. He didn't even want to leave New Bark Town, but he did for you! If he doesn't want to battle then that is up to him, and you as his friend should support that! Just like he's supporting your dream! Johto is all about using the surroundings. You have to pay attention to the gym. You have to know what's around, and you have to know where Pokemon are going to be their strongest!"

Nurse Joy popped her head in.

"It looks like Cyndaquil will be better in no time. You know, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. You know, in the labs where medications are made, fire is often used to destroy poison and all kinds of things. Maybe that is something worth trying?"

The team stayed the night in the Pokemon center. As soon as the sun was in the sky Cyndaquil was waking everyone up. He was ready to fight again. He wanted to beat Delibird and get that badge for his master and friend.

With a new fervor and passion Nathan marched right up to Kato and challenged him again. Kato hung his head slightly to the right and sighed.

"Fine, but it's just going to end up going the same way."

"Not this time Kato!" Nathan shouted.

Nathan chose Cyndaquil and Kato chose Delibird again. The battle went the exact same way as before. When Delibird dropped the spikes around Cyndaquil Nathan had a different plan in place.

"Surround yourself with fire Cyndaquil!"

Cyndaquil blew a powerful fire attack that disintegrated all the spikes around him catching Delibird off guard.

"Quick drill peck Delibird!"

Cyndaquil jumped out of the way blasting Delibird with a powerful ember attack. Delibird was unable to fly any more. It was too weak. The two Pokemon were locked in a standoff as they were both trying to catch their breath and gritting their teeth. When an explosion pulled their attention away from each other.

In a blimp floating higher and higher Brett and Betty showed up. They jumped out of the blimp stating their motto about reaching to the highest heights. While the trainers were distracted and Delibird and Cyndaquil were weakened. They threw smoke bombs at Kato, Kathy and the referee disabling them. They tackled Cyndaquil and Delibird, trapping them in a fireproof bag. They ran towards their blimp while laughing. Nathan threw a Pokeball out.

"Go Totodile!"

Totodile emerged from the Pokeball.

"Quick! Scratch attack!"

Totodile jumped at Brett and Betty ferociously scratching at them.

"Bite that bag Totodile!"

Totodile bit into the bag ripping it open. While Cyndaquil fell out.

"Now! Rage attack!"

Totodile's anger built up as it let out a blast that sent Brett and Betty flying into their blimp. Then the blimp popped and flew far away along with Brett and Betty.

The smoke cleared and Kato embraced Delibird.

"Thank you for saving my Delibird Nathan. I don't know what I would have done without her. I was completely wrong about you. Would you accept this as an apology?"

Kato stuck out the Zephyr badge to Nathan.

"Are you sure? We didn't get to finish our battle."

"You more than earned it Nathan."

"Thank you, Kato."

Kato nodded to him. Nathan and Cyndaquil jumped up and down and danced around together with excitement. Nathan and Kathy exited the gym.

"Where is Phillip? What should we do now?"

"He said to meet him at the Pokemon center tomorrow."

Nathan stretched his hands behind his head.

"Oh yeah, so I guess were hanging out here for another night. I hope Phillip is alright. I can't wait to show him my Zephyr badge. And tell him how I won it all by myself."

To be continued…