Tavi's palms were slick as he walked out into the gym's arena. He could hear Charlie, who had quickly dropped his pokemon at the center before rushing back, cheering him on from the stands. Stepping up to the box he looked out at the battlefield. It looked larger from down here, composed of red sand with rocks jutting out at random intervals. His eyes settled on his opponent in the box opposite.
"Well if it isn't the T-mister" Brock yelled across using the stupid nickname he had given Tavi back when he was dating Clair. "Clair told you to start with me huh?". Tavi blinked at him confused. Did he think Tavi would change his plans to see his sister's ex.
"What, no" Tavi said "just ended up this way".
"Riiiiight" Rock said smugly "Sure you did. A flash of irritation ran through Tavi, this guy is still such a tool, what DID Clair see in him.
Tavi narrowed his eyes. Was Brock messing with him? Getting into your opponent's head was not discouraged, in fact it was a valid strategy. He studied the gym leader and it seemed like he truly believed Clair had asked Tavi to come this way. Well there was nothing stopping Tavi trying to get in his head.
"Uh Brick can we get this battle started? I want to get my badge and get on the road" Tavi said purposely using a wrong name. Brock's cheeks reddened slightly at the implication.
"It's Bro.. " He opened his mouth but the referee interrupted them both as he outlined the rules. It was to be a two on two battle until one trainer was out if pokemon, no swaps allowed. He finished by telling them to release their first pokemon.
Tavi, trying to stifle the butterfrees in his stomach, enlarged Hebo's pokeball before releasing him into the field. He wanted to start strong with a good type advantage. This was the rock type gym after all, If he played it right he might just be able to sweep with Hebo.
The Horsea materialised with a gurgle and a quick spin before getting serious, Tavi had impressed upon both his pokemon how important this battle was, it looked like Hebo took in the message. Tavi looked over to see what Brock had released and his eyes narrowed. Brock had sent out a Geodude as expected but it was different. It was shaped like a normal Geodude, consisting of a floating head and arms, but the pokemon was covered in a metallic sheen. It had thick dark eyebrows and black cable like hairs sticking up on top of its head.
"I got an interesting message from your sister this morning," Brock said, getting Tavi's full attention. "She said if I beat you she would think about giving me a second chance." Brocks said with a smug grin settling on his face. "Normally I'm not one to go back to a woman, but she is fine, so maybe I'll give her another go".
"Gross" Tavi muttered to himself cursing his sister. There was no way Clair was going to take this bozo back, she was just setting Tavi up.
Tavi looked over the Geodude critically he knew there was another variant of Geodude in Alola but for the life of him he could not remember the typing. Steel maybe based on the metallic coating? Brock was stuck with a first stage evolution for their first round so he was limited with what he could field. He must have something planned with this Geodude.
"Begin" the ref yelled out bringing his flag down in a smooth flourish.
"Shock it quickly Geodude, use thundershock" Brock called out instantly trying to get the advantage. Tavi's blood ran cold, it had electric typing, one or two hits would take out Hebo.
"Evade and Smoke" Tavi quickly commanded. Hebo shot off like a rocket, thick white smoke billowing around the arena blocking both trainers' views. The Geodude was quick but not quick enough to catch Tavi's hyper active Horsea. It's sparks of electricity hitting the ground where Hebo had been before losing him in the smoke.
"Bubble beam" Tavi yelled into the smoke hoping Hebo could replicate their fight against the Pinsir.
"Defensive Curl the hit then Thunder wave" Brock countered. The smoke parted around Geodude as the bubble beam made impact, the force of the explosive bubbles clearing the area around the metallic pokemon. Tavi looked on to see how much damage it had done, it should have been a super effective move. The Geodue was grimacing from the attack but thanks to the clear sheen over it from the defensive curl it was still in the fight.
The Geodude crashed its hands together and static electricity rolled out from it in a wave, burning up the smoke even more. If that hit Hebo he would be paralysed, his speed was the only chance they had to bring this thing down. Tavi racked his brains before an idea struck him.
"Bubble Jump!" he practically screamed into the remaining smoke hoping Hebo would understand his meaning. There was a gurgle of joy and a loud pop from the far side of the arena. Hebo burst through the smoke, soaring above the thunder wave dodging the effects. Both Geodude and Brock were momentarily stunned at the sight of the flying Horsea. Hebo's eyes gleamed as he defied gravity, moving in an arc over the battlefield. Right as he reached the apex of his jump he angled himself and let loose a bubble beam. Bubbles rained down around the Geodude. His aim was slightly off and only a small number of the explosive bubbles pummelled the Geodude but it still did some damage.
While jumping was easy this was not something they had practiced and Hebo had no way to land. Tavi winced as Hebo crashed into the ground with a splutter, bounced along the arena floor before impacting one of the free standing rocks his Horsea laid there dazed for a moment.
"Thundershock" Brock quickly commanded, making use of Hebo's fumbled landing.
His Geodude was on its last legs due to being hit by two super effective moves but despite its electric typing, seemed to be as stubborn as any normal rock type. With a static rumble sparks arched over the Geodude and a jagged beam of electricity thundered into Hebo shocking the Horsea.
"Hebo!" Tavi yelled in concern hoping it would not be a one hit knockout.
Hebo slowly rose from the ground, his body shaking violently, electricity running over him. Tavi bit his lip this was not good, the move had paralysed him. Resignation ran through Tavi he knew this round was over.
"We have this, another thundershock, finish it off" Brock said pointing at Hebo.
"Bubblebeam" Tavi quickly issued, trying to go for a double knock out but it was too late, another thundershock wracked through Hebo making the Horsea collapse to the floor.
"Horsea is unable to battle, the first knockout goes to Gym leader Brock." the referee called out. Tavi returned Hebo with a sigh of frustration, there was no doubt in his mind he would have won that round if Brock had used a normal Geodude. Cursing his sister yet again he was tempted to surrender just to send Brock after her.
"You know I think I'll treat Clair to a romantic home cooked meal" Brock said. "That way we won't have to leave the house if you know what I mean" he said winking at Tavi.
"Dude… " Tavi said.
"Dude… " Charlie said from the stands.
"Send out your next Pokemon" the referee quickly interjected red in the face.
Tavi enlarged Clashes' pokeball, weighing it in his hands. He looked down at the ball, it felt like there was a heavy stone in his stomach.
He took a deep breath, this clown would not get to him. He was a Blackthorn, his family were a long line of dragon masters. Tavi would join their ranks. There was no way he would allow himself to stumble at the first hurdle. A look of determination entered his eye and he pressed the release.
Clash appeared onto the arena floor, he zeroed in on his opponent and shook his scales in a warning. The Geodude had been resting on the floor and bounced up clapping its hands together making sparks flash around it.
A silence settled on Tavi, all the noise of the cheering crowd disappeared. He looked down at his starter and a strange clarity entered his mind. Hebo started on the back foot and it caused them to lose the first round. The weight in his stomach settled into a knot of resolve, his father had always told him that dragons are all about momentum. They would need to keep Brock on the backfoot if they wanted to win this.
He could see the tension in Clashes shoulders and realised he was mirroring Tavi, he made an effort to relax himself.
"Hold nothing back Clash we are going to win this" Tavi said to his starter. The Jangmo-o must have heard something in his voice because that slight tension eased from him as he flicked his tail in affirmation.
"Begin" The referee yelled and both trainers and pokemon sprang into action.
"Thundershock" Brock issued the same order as before. A jagged beam of electricity quickly fired off at Clash but they were ready. It was strange but Tavi instinctively knew Clash was capable of dodging the attack.
"Evade and dragon pulse" Tavi said. Clash sprung to the side instantly responding to his trainers orders, slipping past the attack, a dragon pulse already powering up in his jaws. Faster than any they had managed to do previously.
With a woosh the ball of dragon energy rocketed towards the Geodude crashing into it with destructive force. The metallic pokemon was smashed backward by the attack flying into the wall of the arena with a shattering boom before collapsing to the floor. It did not get up.
"Geodude is unable to battle, send out your next pokemon" the referee called pointing his flag at Brock.
There was a shocked silence from the arena at the suddenness of the bout. Brock returned his Geodude silently studying Tavi. He was thoughtful as his hand hovered over his pokeballs before nodding to himself and settling on one. He enlarged the ball and released his choice in one motion, a grin splitting his face.
"Onix go!"
With a rumbling of stone a huge pokemon took shape. It was serpentine, made of grey hard boulders which clattered and scraped as they uncoiled and it rose to its full hight. Towering above Clash, the Onix opened its maw and let loose a roar of challenge. The force of it kicking up dust in a cone in front of the beast.
"It's not often I get to field an Onix in first badge challenges but I think we can make an exception here." Brock said.
Tavi's cool clarity cracked slightly at the sight of the massive pokemon, it towered over Clash but credit to him the Jangmo-o stood defiant in front of the Onix. Seeing his pokemon standing there not willing to back down snapped Tavi back into his focus. He could see the referee raise his flag out of the corner of his eye.
"Begin!"
"Dragon Pulse!"
"Tackle!"
Both Tavi and Brock issued their orders at the same time. Onix burst forward like a freight train ground being devoured around it as it rushed Clash. A tackle from any other pokemon would not be too much to worry about but the living wall of rock that was an Onix would be devastating. The Jangmo-o charged up a dragon pulse and launched it forward, the orb had a slight curve to its trajectory as it hurtled towards the charging Onix. Onix, in its rush to get to Clash, did not have the time to move from its path. The orb or dragon energy exploded right on its head forcing its face into the dirt, the momentum of the Onix caused its large segmented body to lift from the ground and flip over its planted head. Tavi did not know whether it was luck or if Onix just contorted its body to the hit but it managed to flip itself over and bring its tail around to squash Clash.
"Protect" Tavi quickly called out seeing there was no chance to dodge. A screen of energy appeared above Clash and the Onix collided with it in a crash of rock and stone. It skirted off the barrier which promptly winked out. Clash swayed slightly at stopping such a strong attack. They would not be able to do that again.
"Dragon tail" Tavi needed Clash to go on the offensive while the Onix had lost its momentum. A turquoise sheen enveloped Clashes tail and he swung it around connecting with the Onix as it started to rise from the dust. It was sent crashing backwards again. Onix had a huge heavy head which was perfect for carving through rock, it made them an offensive powerhouse. But that same head could be used against them. It was so heavy that if you managed to force them off balance it was very hard for the Onix to right itself quickly. This was not normally an issue in the tunnels of a mountain which was its normal hunting ground, but in an open battlefield they could use this to their advantage.
"Keep the pressure, tackle and dragon tail" dragon pulse would take too long to charge. He needed to keep it on the back foot so Clash would have to use close range attacks. Clash charged after the Onix a tackle crashing into it before he spun around his tail coated in Dragon energy. Brock was not planning on letting that happen however.
"Dig!" Brock said needing to break the barrage of attacks. Onix used the pushback from the tackle to dive into the ground, its blocky body disappearing under the battlefield. Clashes dragon tail swished through empty air.
There was a silent tension as they waited for the Onix to make its move. Tavi glanced over at Brock who was looking at the arena smugly. He clearly thought he had the edge on Tavi.
"Be ready, if you can't dodge use protect"
There was a rumbling from under the arena floor and Clash tensed up uneasy. With a sudden crash the Onix burst from the floor directly under Clash, sand and shards of rock flying in all directions. Clash jumped at the last moment a shimmering gleam of a protect starting to take shape under his feet. He was just a moment too slow, the Onix crashed into him launching the dragon up into the air. Tavi saw the panic on Clashes face as he was sent directly up his feet kicking the air.
"Bind!" Brock called out.
Onix coiled inwards before launching itself up towards the now falling Jangmo-o it curved its body around trying to trap the dragon in its rocky body.
That was not good, if Onix trapped Clash it would be game over there was no way he would be able to get out of that.
"Dragon tail on the way down, don't let it get around you."
Clash used downward momentum in a similar fashion to what the Onix did before and tucked in his limbs bringing his tail down in an overhead flip connecting with the Onixs rocky body. The draconic energy knocked the Onix away allowing Clash to land on all fours and roll free from its attempt at a bind. Tavi glanced over at Brock who was gritting his teeth frustrated. They had managed to negate nearly all of his attacks so far and Brock did not look pleased about it.
"Swipe it" Brock yelled to his pokemon, the Onix whipped it's tail round quickly going to a brutal fast attack. It was too close for Clash to dodge, which only gave them one option to win.
"Counter" Tavi said. Clash planted his feet a sheen of red fighting energy coating him as he prepared to take the hit. It was a gamble if Clash could not survive the hit and return the favour that would be the end of them.
"No Onix stop!" Brock yelled to no avail, his Onix had committed to the hit and it was far too late to stop the attack.
Its heavy tail hurtled round in an arched swipe impacted Clash who let loose a grunt and latched onto rock, rather than go flying from the hit he used the momentum and as the tail coiled round he let go, launching himself at the Onix. There was a solid thump as Clash landed the super effective attack, and with a rumble of pain the Onix was sent toppling to the ground kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
There was a silence in the arena as the dust slowly settled. It showed Clash, standing over his downed opponent clearly on the edge of unconsciousness himself but victorious. He raised his head and let loose a roar of victory like the proud dragon he was. The ref started at the sound he had been as stunned as the rest of them before he pointed his flag at Tavi.
"Onix is unable to battle, the winner is the challenger!"
Tavi ran forward as the Onix disappeared in a beam of red light, lifting up Clash he whooped for Joy.
"You were amazing, the way you kept bashing that massive Onix away was insane" Tavi babbles to his beaming pokemon who was basking in his trainer's attention.
There was a cough from in front of them and Tavi looked up to see Brock standing over them.
"Uh good battle" he said, holding out his hand, Tavi took it and felt Brock pass him some metallic. He looked into his palm and saw a grey metal badge in the shape of a rock.
"You have earned the Boulder Badge and showed you have a good foundation for pokemon battling" he took out a small disk from his pocket and handed it over as well. "Since you beat Onix I can also give you this, it's the TM for Rock Tomb and um Tavi?" he said looking rather nervous "Do you think I still have a shot with Clair?"
A/N
And Tavi has his first badge! I had a lot of fun writing this battle. Got my first shout out on reddit the other day which was super cool! As always reviews and feedback is apricated.
pratikchakraborty911 asked what abilities Tavi's pokemon have and abilities are not official in the story. I will imply the effect of an ability if I agree it makes sense for a pokemon to have it. Thick fat for a pokemon like snorlax for instance. But there are a few abilities out there that are just too OP so I will be skirting around them in the story.
Thanks for reading!