I know this chapter took a while. I would have had it up sooner, but I spent some time in the hospital with a nasty infection. Then after I got out I had a lot of follow-up appointments I had to go to, and then we had a bad storm that knocked out our internet for a while. So yeah, things have been rough here lately, but everything's back to normal now.
Now, on with the chapter.
Chapter 64: Rock n' Rollout
After traveling for what felt like forever Ash and Nikki finally arrived at Mineva Town. Standing at the town entrance Ash could feel his excitement growing as the thought of his upcoming Gym battle filled his mind. But first, a trip to the Pokémon Center was in order. As they walked through the town they saw plenty of heavy mining equipment all over the place. Machoke and other large Pokémon were also seen, some carrying large boulders while others were moving some mining equipment around.
"Looks like a mining town," Ash observed.
"Yeah. I wonder if you'll be facing any of those Pokémon there," Nikki commented.
"Guess we'll have to wait until my Gym battle to find out," Ash said. By now the two of them had reached the Pokémon Center, where they immediately went to the front desk to get their Pokémon looked at by Nurse Joy.
"Everyone is doing great," the nurse reported.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Ash told her.
"By the way, are either of you hear for a Gym battle?" she wondered.
"I am," Ash replied. "Can you tell me anything about the Gym Leader?"
"I sure can. His name is Grant, but everyone here calls him 'Granite' Grant because of his specialty in Rock types," Nurse Joy explained.
"So I'll be using Rock types," Ash mused.
"Do you have any idea how many he uses?" Nikki asked. Nurse Joy had to think about that for a bit before answering.
"Normally he uses three, I think," she answered.
"Say, that's perfect. You have just the right number of Rock types," Nikki said.
"Yeah. I just have to call a couple of them over." They thanked Nurse Joy for her information and made their way over to the videophones. Ash quickly dialed up Professor Oak, the elderly man answering after a few seconds.
"Ah, Ash. I was wondering when I'd hear from you again," the professor said. "How goes the journey?"
"Great. We just go to Mineva Town, and I need a couple of Pokémon for my Gym battle," Ash explained.
"That's wonderful to hear," Professor Oak said. "Who do you need?"
"Tyranitar and Aron."
"I'll have them sent over shortly." Ash sent over Noctowl and Shuppet in exchange for the two Rock type Pokémon.
"Good luck in your Gym battle," Professor Oak said. With that the call ended.
"So, you ready?" Nikki wondered.
"I've been ready," Ash responded. "That Gym badge is as good as mine." With Ash's confidence running high they left the Center on their way towards the Gym.
After looking around town for a while they came across what they assumed was the Mineva Town Pokémon Gym, but it wasn't what they were expecting. It was an outdoor Gym, which wasn't too surprising, but all the construction being done around the area made it seem like the Gym was still being built.
"I guess were at the right place," Nikki assumed. They walked onto the site, looking around at everything that was going on.
"Can I help you two?" Their attention was brought to the person that just addressed them. He was wearing a white shirt with an orange vest and blue overalls, and had an orange hard hat on.
"We were wondering if this was where the Pokémon Gym was located," Nikki explained. This seemed to perk the man right up.
"So, you're looking to challenge the Gym, are you," he assumed.
"I am," Ash spoke up.
"And you are?" the man questioned.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town," Ash replied.
"Well, Ash from Pallet Town, I accept your challenge."
"You mean, you're…"
"That's right. I'm Grant, the Gym Leader," the man said, introducing himself. "I hope you're ready for a rocking Gym battle."
"You bet I am," Ash replied.
"Great! Then let's get everything ready." Grant walked over to a break whistle and pulled the cord, sending out a loud whistle.
"Look alive, gang! We've got a new challenger!" he announced. A chorus of shouts and cheers came from the workers as they gathered around the battlefield.
"I hope you don't mind the men watching our battle," Grant said.
"Not at all. I'll give them a battle they'll remember," Ash replied.
"Haha, that's what I love to hear!" Grant bellowed. With that Pikachu joined Nikki and Buneary on the sidelines. As Ash and Grant took their places a referee appeared.
"The Gym battle between Ash of Pallet Town and the Gym Leader Grant is about to begin! This will be a three on three battle with only the challenger allowed to make substitutions! Also, only Rock type Pokémon are allowed! The battle will conclude when one trainer is out of usable Pokémon!" the refree explained. "Are both sides ready?!"
"I'm ready!" Ash announced.
"As am I!" Grant added.
"Then let the battle commence!"
"Let's rock, Probopass!" Grant shouted, sending out his first Pokémon.
"Onix, I choose you!" Ash said, sending out his. Being unfamiliar with Grant's Pokémon Nikki took out her Pokécomm and scanned him.
Name: Probopass
Species: The Compass Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It controls three units called Mini-Noses using magnetic force. With them, it can attack the foe from three directions.
"Let's start off with Magnet Bomb!" Grant called. Probopass gathered up Steel type energy in a ball and hurled it towards Onix. Once the attack made contact it exploded, causing a bit of damage to the Rock Snake Pokémon.
"Now use Earth Power!" Grant instructed. Probopass's eyes began to glow. Moments later the ground beneath Onix erupted with energy, further damaging him.
"Oh man, Ash can't even get out the gates here," Nikki said, her voice laced with worry. Despite the attacks Onix stood strong, a testament to his endurance.
"Looks like it's our turn, Onix!" Ash stated. "Use Screech!" Onix let out an ear-piercing Screech that forced everyone to cover their ears. Probopass, unfortunately, was forced to endure the Screech attack.
"Great! Now that his defenses are lowered use Iron Tail!" Ash called. Onix charged his tail with Steel-type energy and swung it at Probopass. The impact was great, sending the Compass Pokémon sliding back a bit. However, just as Onix did earlier, Probopass stood tall despite the powerful attack.
"Looks like we're at a stalemate," Grant commented.
"Seems like it," Ash agreed.
"Let's see if we can't change that! Iron Head!" Probopass dove towards Onix, the top of his head giving off a silvery gloiw.
"Quick! Counter with Iron Tail!" Ash shouted. Onix quickly charged up and Iron Tail and swung, effectively blocking the incoming Iron Head. The colliding Steel-type attacks forced both Pokémon to recoil, forcing them back a bit.
"Use Screech again!" Ash called. Before Grant could call out an attack Onix let out another Screech, forcing Probopass to recoil yet again.
"Now use Rock Slide!" he continued. Before Probopass could recover from the Screech attack he was buried under a mountain of rocks thanks to Onix's Rock Slide.
"Break free from that!" Grant shouted. Probopass did as instructed, but one look at the Compass Pokémon showed that he was starting to run out of energy.
"He's weak, Onix! Finish the job with Iron Tail!" Ash said. One final strike from Onix's Iron Tail and Probopass was knocked out.
"Probopass is unable to battle! Onix wins!" the referee announced.
"Way to go, you two!" Nikki cheered. The workers were surprised to see one of Grant's Pokémon go down, but they showed respect to Ash and Onix nonetheless.
"Thank you for you efforts, Probopass," Grant said as he recalled his defeated Pokémon. He then grabbed a second Poké Ball.
"Let's rock, Rhydon!" he shouted, sending out his second Pokémon. Nikki took the time to scan this one as well.
Name: Rhydon
Species: The Drill Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: Its brain developed when it began walking on hind legs. Its thick hide protects it even in magma.
"Onix, return!" Ash said, recalling his Rock Snake Pokémon.
"Rest now. I may need you later," he spoke. "Tyranitar, I choose you!" In place of Onix Ash sent out his Armor Pokémon to battle Grant's Rhydon.
"Start off with Earthquake!" Ash instructed.
"Counter with your Earthquake, Rhydon!" Grant countered. Both Pokémon stomped the ground, sending out shock waves through the ground. The shock waves collided in the center of the battlefield, sending up a wall of dirt and rock between the two battling Pokémon.
"Break through that and use Brick Break!" Grant shouted. Rhydon charged the wall, tearing through it with ease. He then pulled his paw back, preparing a Brick Break.
"Dodge that and use Crunch!" Ash said. Tyranitar ducked to the side, letting Rhydon's Brick Break pass by harmlessly. Then, before he could pull his arm back, she bit down on it, eliciting a grunt of pain from the Drill Pokémon.
"Quick, use your other arm!" Grant instructed. With one arm trapped Rhydon used his other arm to deliver a Brick Break to the top of Tyranitar's head, forcing her to let go.
"Now use Horn Attack!" As soon as he was free Rhydon lowered his head and drove his horn into Tyranitar's abdomen, forcing the Armor Pokémon to double over.
"Good job!" Grant praised. "Now use Earthquake while you're in close!"
"Stop him with Screech!" Ash countered. Before Rhydon could execute his Earthquake Tyranitar used her Screech, forcing the Drill Pokémon to cover his ears. The attack not only stopped him in his tracks but it also lowered his defenses severely.
"Now use your Earthquake!" Ash called. Before Rhydon could recover Tyranitar stomped her foot, sending out an Earthquake that knocked Rhydon off his feet. Because he was close to the epicenter of the attack it cause him more damage than it would have had he been further away.
"Now let's end this with Stone Edge!" Ash instructed, sensing that Rhydon didn't have much energy left. Tyranitar, too, sensed the battle was just about over with as she bombarded Rhydon with a volley of razor-sharp stones. The Stone Edge proved to be enough as Rhydon was rendered unconscious.
"Rhydon is unable to battle! Tyranitar wins!" the referee announced.
"Yes! That's two down!" Nikki cheered. As Grant recalled his defeated Pokémon the workers were talking among themselves, amazed at how someone could have pushed Grant as far as he had.
"Thank you, Rhydon," Grant spoke, putting away Rhydon's Poké Ball. "I must say, you're the toughest challenger I've had in a while."
"Thanks," Ash replied.
"But unfortunately, this is where you lose," Grant told him. "Now, let's rock, Golem!" He threw out his last Poké Ball, calling on is last Pokémon. As soon as he appeared Nikki scanned him.
Name: Golem
Species: The Megaton Pokémon
Pokécomm Entry: It is capable of blowing itself up. It uses this explosive force to jump from mountain to mountain.
"Do you want to keep going, Tyranitar?" Ash asked.
"(Yes. I still have plenty of energy left,)" she replied.
"Alright then. Let's start off with Stone Edge!" he called. Once again Tyranitar let loose a Stone Edge volley.
"Use Defense Curl!" Grant shouted. Golem tucked his arms and legs in, curling into a ball. The Stone Edge made contact, but didn't do much damage.
"Now go into Rollout!" Grant instructed. While still curled into a ball Golem bgan rolling quickly towards Tyranitar.
"Quick! Get out of the way!" Ash shouted. Tyranitar did her best to avoid contact, but the attack still struck her on her side, causing a good deal of damage.
"Keep that Rollout going!" Grant said. Golem kept his attack going, coming around for another pass.
"Try using Earthquake to stop him!" Ash shouted. Fighting through the pain the Armor Pokémon stomped her foot, sending out an Earthquake to try and stop Golem's momentum. Unfortunately the attack did little to slow Golem down as he barreled into Tyranitar once again, knocking her down.
"Come on, Tyranitar! You have to get up!" Ashy pleaded.
"One more hit should do it," Grant assumed. Golem spun around and hit the Armor Pokémon as she was getting up, knocking her out of the battle.
"Tyranitar is unable to battle! Golem wins!" the referee announced. The workers seemed a little more enthusiastic with Grant winning that battle then they had been when Ash was winning.
"You did good Tyranitar. Take a good rest," Ash said, recalling his defeated Pokémon. "Onix, I choose you!" Ash once again called on his Rock Snake Pokémon, who appeared to have recovered a bit from his earlier battle.
"Let's use Rollout!" Grant shouted. Once again Golem rolled into a ball and quickly rolled towards Onix.
"Use Screech!" Ash instructed. As Golem closed in Onix let loose a Screech, hoping to high-pitched attack would stop the Megaton Pokémon.
"Push through! Don't let that stop you!" Grant urged. Golem did as he was told, pushing through the Screech attack. His Rollout attack struck Onix under the chin, stunning the Rock Snake Pokémon.
"Come around for another hit!" Grant shouted.
"Stop him with Iron Tail!" Ash called. As Golem came around for another pass Onix prepared his Iron Tail. His Steel-type attack was strong enough to send Golem flying back.
"Keep that Rollout going, Golem!" Grant shouted. As soon as Golem hit the ground he rolled towards Onix, striking the Rock Snake Pokémon before he could do anything.
"Good! Keep it up!" Grant said. With his trainer urging him on Golem came around for what he believed would be one final pass.
"Stop him with Dragonbreath!" Ash shouted. As Golem closed in Onix spewed forth his purple and blue breath attack.
"Push through!" Grant instructed. Golem, still using Rollout, took the Dragonbreath attack head-on. Despite the direct hit Golem pushed on, once again striking Onix with Rollout. The Rock Snake Pokémon fell to the ground, clearly out of the battle.
"Onix is unable to battle! Golem wins!" the referee announced. The workers cheered as Grant took down one more of Ash's Pokémon. Nikki, who had been feeling confident, was starting to worry.
"Thanks, Onix. You take a rest," Ash said as he recalled Onix. He then grabbed Aron's Poké Ball and looked at it.
"I've never battled with Aron before this," Ash mused. "He might not be up to the challenge." He then looked over towards Grant's Golem, who looked like he was starting to wear out.
"Then again, Golem has taken some damage from both Onix and Tyranitar, so maybe Aron has a chance after all." Left with little choice in the matter Ash got ready to continue the battle.
"I know you don't have much battle experience, but I need you now," he said. "Go, Aron!" The Iron Armor Pokémon appeared moments later. He looked back at Ash, wondering why he had been called upon.
"I know this is sudden, but I need you for this Gym battle," Ash explained. "You up to the challenge?"
"(Of course,)" Aron responded. With Ash and Aron ready Grant checked on his own Pokémon.
"Golem, do you have enough strength for one more battle?" Grant asked.
"(Y-Yeah… I can… go…. Another round,)" Golem panted, though it was clear he didn't have much strength left.
"Golem won't last much longer. I've got to end this quick," he said to himself. "Okay! Rollout's been working so far, so let's keep it going!" Even though he was tired Golem was still able to execute his Rollout. He charged towards Aron, trying to end this battle in one shot.
"Dodge it!" Ash shouted. At the last minute Aron jumped out of the way, but Golem simply turned around and came back for another pass.
"Look out!" Ash warned. Aron saw him in time to once again dodge, but Golem once again turned around and came at him for another pass.
"Oh man. Golem is attacking too fast for them to mount any kind of offense," Nikki groaned. "How are they supposed to win at this rate?"
"(They'll find a way. Trust me,)" Pikachu replied.
"Keep at it, Golem! They can't dodge forever!" Grant urged. Golem came around for what he hoped would be one final pass.
"Dodge him, Aron!" Ash instructed. Aron went to dodge but stumble a bit, leaving him wide open for Golem's attack.
"Look out!" Nikki shouted.
"Iron Defense!" Ash said. The Iron Armor Pokémon increased his defenses in preparation for the attack. Just as Ash hoped Golem's attack didn't do too much damage, but what he didn't expect was for Golem to bounce right over Aron. When Golem was airborne the speed with which he was spinning for his Rollout seemed to slow down, giving Ash an idea.
"That may be our one chance to beat him," he mused. "Aron, come here for a minute!" As the Iron Armor Pokémon went over to Ash Pikachu smirked.
"(He's got a plan. I just know it,)" the Mouse Pokémon said.
"What makes you say that?" Nikki wondered.
"(Trust me, I know when he's come up with a plan,)" Pikachu replied. Nikki wasn't sure how Pikachu knew, but decided to look on and hope he was right.
"You got the plan?" Ash asked.
"(Got it,)" Aron confirmed. With their strategy set Aron ran back onto the battlefield.
"Alright, Golem! Time to finish this!" Grant called. Golem spun into Rollout and charged Aron once again.
"Alright, get ready, Aron!" Ash shouted. Aron got ready, trusting that Ash's plan would work. As Golem closed in it looked like the Megaton Pokémon would end the battle on the next hit.
"Now, Iron Defense!" Ash shouted. Aron once again increased his defense and got ready to take the hit.
"I hope this works." Ash watched on as Golem made contact.
"Now, toss him!" Just as it looked like Golem would just bounce over him again Aron threw his head up, launching the Megaton Pokémon into the air.
"What the?!" Grant gasped. He could only watch at Golem's Rollout momentum came to almost a complete stop.
"Alright, it worked!" Ash cheered. "Now send him back down with Rock Slide!" With Golem flailing helplessly in the air Aron used his Rock Slide, sending tons of rocks crashing down on top of the Megaton Pokémon. Both the rocks and Golem hit the ground hard, leaving the Megaton Pokémon open for attack.
"Now, hit him with Iron Head before he can recover!" Ash shouted. Sensing that the battle was close to its finale Aron charged towards the still stunned Golem, his head glowing silver.
"Look out, Golem!" Grant shouted. The Megaton Pokémon could do nothing but take the super effective hit, sending him rolling across the battlefield. Once he came to a rest he looked over at Grant, regret in his eyes.
"(Sorry…)" That was all he could mutter before falling in defeat.
"Golem is unable to battle! Aron wins! The victor is the challenger, Ash!" the referee announced.
"Yes! We won!" Ash cheered. On the sidelines Nikki let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
"Oh boy. Are all his Gym battles this stressful?" she wondered.
"(You'll get used to them after a while,)" Pikachu told her. On the battlefield Grant had recalled his Golem and approached Ash, who was busy congratulating Aron.
"I've gotta say, you and your Pokémon make quite the team," Grant praised.
"Thanks," Ash replied.
"That Aron of yours especially," Grant said. "He's one tough little guy."
"Thanks for the compliment, but that's true for all my Pokémon," Ash responded.
"Indeed it is," Grant agreed. He then reached into his vest pocket and took something out.
"Well, since you defeated me it's only right that I present you with this, the Solid Rock Badge." He handed Ash the badge.
"Thank you," sh said. "Alright! We got the Solid Rock Badge!" Grant smiled as he turned to address his workers.
"Come on! Let's have a round of applause for Ash here!" he said. All the gathered workers showered Ash with applause and words of congratulations for a battle well-fought. Nikki was applauding right there with them.
"Way to go, Ash," she quietly said as she watched Ash celebrate his victory.
Thanks to Onix, Tyranitar and Aron Ash has now won his third Gym badge. Will his next Gym battle bring about good fortune as well? Find out in the next chapter of Search for Power!
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