Chapter Five: Rocking the Brock
Crash and Misty continued to walk in the same direction that Haohmaru the Samurai had pointed them to, eventually coming across a hill overlooking the city.
"Ah, there it is!" Crash ran over to a nearby cliff, kneeling down to look at the city below. "Pewter City."
"We're finally out. I was worried we'll be stuck there forever." Misty exhaled as she stood next to Crash. "Wow, this is a nice view."
"It sure is." A voice in a gruff tone replied. "Pewter City, a city known for three things, its museum, its Gym and its rocks. But the view's nice, I suppose."
"Huh, who said that?" Crash looked around, eventually looking below the rock he was atop of, seeing a man sporting a red beanie and an actual neckbeard.
"My name's Flint young man, and what you're sitting on is my merchandise." The man named Flint replied. Crash quickly hops off the rock, apologizing to the rock selling businessman.
"So you sell these for a living?" Crash raised a brow. "Yep. Pewter City souvenirs."
"Really?" Misty asked, looking around. "Not many customers, huh?"
"Today's a slow day." Flint replied. "So you looking to buy something?"
"Nope! I'm here to get my first badge!" Crash said. Flint gave a curious look at the boy, before turning to his Pikachu, as the electric mouse exhaled from exhaustion.
"Your Pikachu looks tired, why not take it to the Pokémon Center? I'm even willing to guide you there too." He offered.
"Really? Thanks a lot!" Crash smiled as the aged man led him and his companions to the stone-colored city.
"Should we really trust him?" Misty whispered to Crash. "Don't worry." Crash replied back, in a relaxed tone. "He offered to take us to the Pokémon Center. I'm not gonna turn down an offer like that!"
Misty gave him a stare that read "Really" and just as she began to start talking again, Flint interrupted her, holding out his hand towards Crash. "Ok, that'll be 310 yen." Crash and Misty froze in shock. "What?!" Crash stared at the man as if he ran over a Growlithe. "Look kid, this is compensation for sitting on my merchandise. Flint opened and closed his palm in a "gimme" motion. Crash rolled his eyes as he paid the man what he seemingly owed him.
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Once they had made it inside the Pokémon Center, Crash handed over his Pokémon to the nurse at the front desk before pausing to look closer.
"Wait, Nurse Joy?" Crash raised a brow in bemusement.
"Yes, did you need something?" She asked casually.
"But this isn't Viridian City." Crash scratched his left cheek in confusion.
"Oh, the Nurse Joy you met back in Viridian City was my little sister."
"But you all look the same…" Crash gave her a deadpan stare. The Pewter City Nurse Joy shrugged. "Strong family resemblance. I've heard great things about you from my little sister."
Crash bowed his head, thanking her. "Oh, and if you're a Pokémon Trainer, then you'll want to look at that poster." She said taking the tray of two Pokéballs and an exhausted Pikachu away. Crash turns around, seeing said poster. "Pokémon League regional championship." Misty leaned in to read the poster. "Indigo League Conference. A top 128 of the Kanto region's most skilled trainers. Only those who have earned all eight badges are eligible to compete." Crash gave a wide smile, "Alright, I'm gonna sign up."
Misty laughed. "Didn't you hear what it just said? You need eight badges. And you don't have any." Crash rolled his eyes "Maybe not yet, but once Mark and everyone else is healed up, I'll challenge this city's gym leader and get his badge!"
"You're gonna fight Brock?" Flint stepped up. Crash nodded as he made a familiar pose, pointing at himself with his thumb as he gave a cocky smirk. "Yeah. I'll beat Brock and then get my first badge!" Flint laughed, though Crash couldn't tell if he was sarcastic with his laugh or that was how he actually laughed.
"What's so funny?" Crash asked, looking offended. Flint leaned close to the boy. "What's your team of Pokémon?" Crash stepped back trying to gain distance. "I have a Pikachu, a Butterfree and a Pidgeotto."
Flint began to laugh again. "What're you laughing for?" Crash asked, glaring at the rock salesman. "If you think you can beat Brock with that team, I hope you have a strategy in mind." Flint walks away, continuing his laughter.
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"Grr, that Flint, he's trying to make a fool outta me!" Crash grumbled as he shoveled food into his mouth. Misty shook her head. "Flint's right, Crash, Gym Leaders aren't your average Pokémon trainer. You can't approach them like you would an ordinary trainer." Crash gave her a questioning look as she continued to speak. "Tell you what, if you asked me really nicely, I'd be willing to help you out."
"I don't need or want your help." Crash glared at her as he continued to shovel food into his mouth.
Misty's eye twitches in irritation. "Oh really? Then don't come crying to me when you get clobbered!"
Crash gulps down the rest of his food. "I won't!"
"Fine!"
"Fine!"
Crash jumps up from his seat, not able to bear Misty's presence anymore.
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Crash retrieves his revitalized Pokémon from Nurse Joy and thanks her. Just as he steps out of the Pokémon Center he is greeted by Flint.
"So, now that you and your Pokémon are well rested, you're going to go fight Brock huh?"
"Yeah, so what about it?" Crash furrowed his brows as he glared at Flint.
"Don't you think you should train your Pokémon before you try challenging Brock?"
"I can beat Brock the way I am now!"
"Ok," Flint waved his hand back, seemingly dismissing the boy's brash reply. "if you say so. Now follow me."
The two reach a distinguished building with a rock sculpted sign that reads "Pewter Gym" in the top left. Flint led the young trainer to the entrance. "Good luck kid, you're gonna need it."
Crash glared at the man with contempt and stuck his tongue out as he made his way inside. When Crash entered the building, he noticed something, or rather… the lack of something.
The lights were off and he could barely see a thing. Until a spotlight shone on a lone figure sitting cross-legged. Said figure was a boy, looking about 2 to 3 years older than Crash. He wore an orange T-shirt, an olive colored vest and cargo pants, the color of which was reminiscent of the city's name.
"Who goes there?" the boy asked in a stern tone. Crash was a bit unnerved by this. The vibe he was getting from this guy was intimidating.
"I'm Crash Betchum from Pallet Town,
and I came here to earn a badge!" Crash stammered. "Are you the Gym Leader, Brock?"
The boy stood up. "I am. Are you a challenger?"
Crash sweat nervously. "I am." He gulped.
Brock scanned Crash over curiously. "Is this your first Gym Battle?" Crash nodded nervously. Brock crossed his arms, not in anger, but in a way that meant business.
"Gym Battles are different from other types of battles. Gym Battles are for Pokémon League authorization, so a leader should not give out badges lightly. Secondly, these battles will test your Pokémon's strength, discipline and respect while testing a trainer's judgment and strategic thinking. And only a limited number of Pokémon can be used. For our battle, we will both use two Pokémon each, and the battle is over when the Pokémon on either side is unable to continue battling. And only the challenger can switch out Pokémon."
Crash let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Oh is that all? That doesn't sound too hard."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Brock said. As Brock clapped his hands, mechanical whirring drew Crash to look behind. The ground was opening up from below, revealing a rough terrain battlefield.
"You'll go to that side." Brock pointed toward the side of the battlefield closest to the entrance.
"Ok." Crash stuttered, doing as he was told.
As he reached his side of the battlefield, Brock looked back at him, his arms crossed. "So, you're from Pallet Town?" He asked curiously.
"Yeah, I am…" Crash confirmed. He was a bit confused as to why Brock had asked that but Crash saw a small smile forming on the Gym Leader's face.
"Then this should be a good match. The other trainers from Pallet Town were all so skilled, they beat me on their first try. Especially that trainer Larry."
"Ah. So Larry was here…" Crash frowned. He wasn't surprised, but was vexed.
"Yes. He beat me without much trouble. If I know any better, I'd say he's in Cerulean City by now."
This made Crash's blood boil. Even after all this, Larry was still 3 leaps ahead."OK! Enough talking, let's start the battle!" the boy roared.
"Very well." Brock grabs a Pokéball from his belt and throws it onto the battlefield "Onix, I choose you!" The Pokéball opens revealing the Rock Snake Pokémon, as it roars to assert its dominance. Crash gulps as he pulls out his Pokédex.
As Onix grows, the stone portions of its body harden to become similar to a diamond, but colored black. An Onix burrows at high speed in search of food.
Crash turns his head to his partner Pokémon who in turn, gives him a terrified glance.
Crash sighs and throws his own Pokéball. "Go! Jetstream!" The bird Pokémon takes to the skies before awaiting orders.
Jetstream and Wormwood are weak to rock types, but they're my best bet to winning this battle. Mark's strongest move is Thundershock, which Onix isn't affected by.
"I'll let you go first." Brock said.
"Ok, Jetstream, use Gust!" Crash commanded. The Flying type flapped his wings, causing a strong whirlwind. Unfortunately, Onix stood tall as if nothing happened.
"If that's all you have, then I'm disappointed." The rock type user said with a bored tone." Crash grumbled. "This guy's making a fool outta me! Jetstream, use Quick Attack!" The bird Pokémon began to fly at a high speed, leaving a trail of light behind as it hit Onix dead on. Unfortunately, the Quick Attack seemed to do even less damage than the Gust. It even seemed that bird Pokémon had hurt itself from the impact.
Crash looked astonished. He hadn't expected Jetstream's best moves to do close to no damage to the rock snake. Brock shook his head in disappointment. "Onix, use Tackle." Rearing its head back, Onix slams its face into the bird Pokémon, planting it into the ground. As the rock snake moves its head off the bird Pokémon, The flying type had been knocked out, from the impact with the ground. Crash looked at his unconscious bird in shock.
In one move… he beat Jetstream… in one move…
"Are you this shocked?" Crash looked up as Brock seemingly glared at him. "We Gym Leaders are on a different level from basic trainers. If you don't use your head, you won't win."
Crash retrieves his fallen avian and calls on his the only other Pokémon he could trust. "Wormwood! You've got this!" The Butterfly Pokémon flits about happily, greeting his trainer and his Pikachu.
"Wormwood, sleep powder!" Crash called out. Wormwood flapped his wings, as green colored scales dropped from them.
"Onix, dig underground!" Brock commands as his starter tunnels into the battlefield, avoiding the powder move. "Now rise from the ground and use Tackle!" Crash was immediately sent into a panic. "Wormwood, fly up, quickly!"
As the rock snake surfaces, Wormwood flies upward, narrowly avoiding a "rising tackle" that would have dealt great damage. Crash breathed a sigh of relief.
"Onix, use Tackle again." Brock commanded. Onix wildly shakes it head, attempting to land a blow, but the Butterfly Pokémon's aerial mobility allows him to keep dodging.
"Good work avoiding Tackle, but you can't beat me if you're just dodging." Crash gave a smile. "I know that. Wormwood, use Gust!" The Butterfly Pokémon flapped his wings, causing a strong whirlwind. This seemed to do visible damage to the rock snake, as it began to falter.
"Good work, use Gust again!" Crash cheered. Wormwood obliged, flapping his wings faster. This caused Onix to groan in great discomfort. Brock sweat nervously. He hadn't expected Crash's Butterfree to put up a fight at all.
"Onix, Bide your time!" Brock commanded. The rock type stared down the bug type in anticipation. Crash stares at the Rock snake, confused.
What's Brock's trying to do? Wait, is he trying to tire out Wormwood by having Onix take all of Wormwood's attacks? We'll just have to do as much damage as possible!
"Wormwood, use your strongest Gust attack." Wormwood flapped his wings as he summoned a strong whirlwind, causing great damage to the rock snake. As it took the damage, Onix faintly glowed with a white aura. Crash looked at Brock, wanting to see the look on his face, but was surprised that the rock type Gym Leader was still so calm.
He's not scared a bit. It's like he knows something I don't. But if I don't keep up the pressure, we'll lose for sure.
"Use Gust again!" Crash commanded. Wormwood struck the rock snake with another powerful whirlwind. By this time, the aura around Onixs body had shone even brighter. By this time Brock could barely contain his smile. Everything was going as he planned.
"Ok, Onix! NOW! DOUBLE THE DAMAGE!" Brock roared. The stone serpent coils its body, preparing to strike.
Crash didn't know what was happening, but knew he had to put a stop to it. "Wormwood, use Gust to knock Onix away!" Wormwood flapped his wings as hard as he could but the great gale did close to nothing as Onix sprung out, ready to strike at Wormwood by nimbly twisting its body and bringing its tail down on the Butterfly Pokémon's head.
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Crash sat down with a blank stare as he held his hands together, like he was plotting something. But he wasn't, as there weren't really any thoughts but; "How did Onix do so much damage with only one move?" "Why wasn't it affected by Jetstream's Gust, but seemed to be affected by Wormwood's Gust?" "What could I do to beat Brock?"
But these questions came to a halt when a familiar voice began to sing-sang.
"What did I tell you?~"
Crash recognized it as Misty's. He ignored her though, as he thought he had better things to do than talk to her. Especially after today. He knew he couldn't beat Brock with his current team, but his current team was what he had. Maybe his Pokémon could learn specific moves that could give him an advantage?As he was thinking, his train of thought was stopped by Misty raising her voice.
"Why are you shouting?" Crash asked, covering his ears. Misty's eye began to twitch. "I said that I could have helped you. But no, you with your Alakazam like wisdom said you didn't need help." Misty turned away. Crash turned to her. "How could you have helped?" Misty gave him a confident smirk and called out for a Pokémon.
"This is how. Staryu, I choose you!" The ball opens and reveals a star-shaped Pokémon with a gem in its center. "I'll trade you Staryu." Misty gave him a grin. "Staryu's a Water type, and really good against Rock types like Onix. Not to mention, Onix can't take Special Attacks well. So, a Pokémon like Staryu is a blessing to have against Brock." Crash contemplated this.
On one hand, he could KO all of Brock's Pokémon with ease. But on another, it felt like cheating. Crash then thought what would happen if he did accept Misty's offer.
He saw himself winning against Brock and getting his badge. "See Crashy boy, it pays to take help every now and then." Said daydream Misty, as her voice started to amalgamate with Larry Oak's." Crash shook his head immediately at this thought.
"Look Misty, I don't want your help. I don't need your help." Crash replied, with mild annoyance. Misty glared at him. "Ugh, this again? Please Crash, for the love of Rhydon, just take my help." Crash shot Misty a defiant glare. She facepalmed. "Please just put your pride aside." Crash gave her an unimpressed look. "It isn't about pride." "Then what is it about? You know Mark's electric attacks don't do anything to Onix because it's a ground type. Why are you so against me helping you?"
Crash paused. Only giving her a long, sad look.
Misty sighed, though this one was more of her tiredness than her being frustrated with him. She held out a hand that had Staryu's Pokéball. "Just use Staryu. The rest of your team doesn't stand a chance. And besides, the Indigo Conference starts in a year, the longer it takes for you to beat Brock, the less time you'll have for the league." Crash only got angrier, slapping the ball out of Misty's hand. " I don't want your help!" He roared.
Misty slapped him back. "Why can't you accept my help?" Crash glared. "I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP LARRY!"
Misty stared at Crash like he had been mauled by a Nidoking. "What? Larry?"
Crash stared back, eyes beginning to well up. He rushes out of the Pokémon Center and far out of Misty's sight in embarrassment. "Crash, wait!" Misty shouted as he ran past.
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Crash sat on a rock on the outskirts of Pewter, tears dropping from his eyes. When he suddenly feels a hand grip his shoulder. Crash halts his crying for a moment as he looks up, wondering who grabbed him.
"Hey kid, what's the matter?" the familiarly rough voice asked. Crash's eyes widened. "Flint?"
"Yep, I heard crying over here, so I came to check it out." Flint shot Crash an odd grin. "So what's the matter? I'd doubt that losing to Brock iis what's getting you down."
"I'm in last place."
"Hm?"
"I lost to Brock so now it'll take me longer to get to the next gym. Larry was right, I'll always be in last place and that he'll always be better than me and-"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, kid." said Flint waving his hands. "Calm down. Deep breaths kid. Now tell me. What's with the waterworks?"
Crash began to explain what led to him crying. Flint nodded his head attentively, listening to the boy's every word. Once Crash had finished, Flint stood up.
"So, what are you gonna do now?" Flint raised a brow as he crossed his arms. Crash shot the man with an unsure look. "Well if you're not sure, I could train you to beat Brock."
Crash looked up. "I know that you don't want my help, or any help for that matter. But if you want to win, you gotta use all the tools at your disposal. You can't approach a problem the same way that Larry kid does."
Crash let Flint's word ring in his head as the man continued to talk. As Flint finished speaking, Crash stood up. "Could you train me?" Flint gave the boy a questioning glance. Crash sighed. "Can you train me, please?" He asked again, putting emphasis on please.
Flint gave a hearty laugh. "Of course. I'd be happy to help." Crash gave a weak, but relieved smile.
"Go grab your Pokémon and meet me back here." Flint ordered. Crash nodded and rushed back to the Pokémon Center, bumping into Misty.
"Misty?"
"Oh, Crash! I-"
"I have something to tell you."
" -have something to tell you."
They both interrupted each other. The two glanced at each other in embarrassment.
"Do you wanna go first?" Crash stammered.
"You can go first…" Misty replied, refusing to meet her companions' gaze.
"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier." Crash sighed. "And for slapping your Pokéball." Misty looked back, giving a sad smile.
"I forgive you, and-" She took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm sorry too. I was being insensitive." Misty finished. The two stared at each other.
The silence was quickly broken by Nurse Joy calling for Crash to retrieve his Pokémon.
"Oh, uh sorry, gotta go and uh, get my Pokémon." The boy stammered.
Misty, too embarrassed to talk, just nodded.
Crash grabs his Pokémon, thanks Nurse Joy, and immediately heads back to the door.
Misty grabs his wrist "Where are you going?"
Crash gives her a smile. "I'm gonna train with Flint."
"With Flint? The guy that was selling rocks?"
"Yeah. He says he has advice on how I can beat Brock." He turned back to give her a reassuring smile as he rushed out the door, eager to begin his training. Misty gave a long sad look before smiling.
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"Rhydon, use Rock Throw!" Flint commanded. The Drill Pokémon stomps hard as the ground breaks, a large rock popping out the small fissure it had made. It launches the rock with its fist, sending it flying towards its targets.
"Alright, dodge it!" Crash pointed as his flying types, Wormwood and Jetstream, fly upward to avoid it. The flying type Pokémon and their trainer pant, as they struggle to stay upright.
"Five Rock Throws. That's pretty impressive."
Crash smiled. "You hear that guys? You did great!" The tired Pidgeotto and Butterfree acknowledge their trainer's praise before he retrieves them. As he does, Mark hops off his trainer's shoulder, putting his hands on his hips.
"Hey Mark, what's up?" Crash asked, kneeling down to his partner's level. Mark began to repeat his Pokémon name several times, attempting to communicate. "Yeah, I don't understand you." The mouse Pokémon comedically faceplants as his trainer frowned.
Mark stands up again and pumps his arms up and down as if he was lifting dumbbells. Crash tapped his cheek in thought before his palm with his fist.
"Oh, you wanna train too!" Crash realized. Mark happily nods. "But why?" Mark rubs his face as he sticks his ears together, and stretches his face from his snout. The mouse Pokémon also widens his eyes. "What are you doing?"
Mark started wiggling about on the ground like a worm. Crash only gave a confused stare at his partner. Flint looked on curiously. "I think I know." Flint finally said, approaching the mouse Pokémon. "You're imitating Onix, aren't you?" Mark eagerly nods.
Crash looks up. "How did you-?"
"Look closer," Flint interrupted. "Could you do that again? Mark, once again, sticks his ears together, and stretches his face from his snout, and widens his eyes.
Crash looks at Mark again. "See the ears?" Flint pointed at said ears. "That Onix's horn. And the wide snout, that's a staple of serpentine Pokémon like Onix."
"You seem weirdly obsessed with Onix." said Crash, giving the man a suspicious look.
"Let's get back on topic." Flint cleared his throat, attempting to change the subject. "What moves does your Pikachu have?" Crash gave the man a confused stare. "Why are you asking?"
Flint laughed his signature laugh. "I need to see what I'm working with. So, now will you tell me?" Crash opened his Pokédex to information before answering. "Quick Attack, Tail whip, Thundershock, and Thunder Wave."
Flint stroked his goatee in thought. "Your Pikachu's gonna need more intense training with moves like that. Or giving him a new move would be ideal…"
Crash raised a brow. "A new move? Like what?" Flint gave the boy a smile. "I was thinking of Submission," Flint began to hold his laughter, but failed to do so. "But I doubt that you Pikachu would be incapable of using it against Onix." Crash and Mark glared daggers at the rock salesman. "So how about Double Kick?"
"But Pikachu can't learn Double Kick." Said a bemused Crash. Flint laughed again. "Not normally, no. But with some training, your Pikachu can learn it. So, are you and your Pokémon up for it kid?"
Crash turned to his starter. "So what do you think buddy? You wanna learn a new move?" The Pokémon in question nods and gives his trainer a determined grin. Crash smiles back and turns to face Flint. "If Mark is OK with it, then I'm OK with it."
Flint smiled at the resolve both trainer and Pokémon had shown. "Heh, if that's the case," he grabs two Pokéballs from his belt and sends out a Nidoking and a Golem. "Let's get started."
Crash and Mark could only shoot each other terrified stares as Golem began to charge at the pair.
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Misty was beginning to get worried because a week had passed since Crash had begun his training with Flint, and he hadn't come back. Had he ditched her and left Pewter City, using the excuse of him training with a man they didn't know?
Misty was starting to fume at the thought before her expression darkened. What if that old man had kidnapped Crash under the guise of training him? Misty began to assume the worst. She wouldn't get her new bike if he was kidnapped.
Her thoughts came to an end when the Pokémon Center doors opened, revealing a… person? They honestly looked more like a human shaped Grimer than a person, as they left a trail of dirt behind them.
The only way she could tell that it was a human, was the Pokémon perched on the figure's shoulder. A Pikachu. A very dirty and smelly one, but it was a Pikachu.
The figure approached the front desk unopposed, everyone either too in shock, or confused, to do or say anything. It reached the front desk, speaking in a voice that Misty knew all too well as they placed their Pokéballs and Pikachu on the tray. "Could you heal my Pokémon please?"
Nurse Joy seemed to recognize the voice as well as she nodded wheeling the tray of Pokémon out of sight. The figure turned into a room on the right, and took a brief look at the sign before nodding and continuing straight ahead, eventually out of sight.
Misty could only look incredulously as one thought crossed her mind. What sort of training did they do for him to be that dirty?
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Crash gave a relaxed exhale as he left the bathhouse. All that intense training had made him tired, and a bath was just what he needed to feel alive again. Now with a spare change of clothes, he was more than ready to challenge Brock.
He walks to the lobby, retrieving his revitalized Pokémon and once again, thanks Nurse Joy. As he turned to leave, he was stopped by a familiar redheaded girl.
"Oh, Misty." Crash raised his brows in surprise. "What's up?"
She didn't speak a word, only glaring at him.
"Uhhhh, is it because I came back so dirty? Because I'm not anymore…"
She continued her glare.
"Is it because of the mess I made when I came back?"
Her glare only intensified with that answer.
"Or is it because how long I've been gone?"
Misty growled, practically staring the boy down. Crash gulped, thinking of any other reason she'd be angry. As she opened her mouth to speak, Crash closed his eyes, awaiting his scolding. But to his surprise, she only pulled him in closer, embracing him, which felt awkward as the only person he had ever hugged was his mother.
"Look, it's rude to just leave without telling anyone. Next time, I'm coming with you." said a despondent Misty. "And you still have a bike you owe me!"
Crash scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. "Ok?" Misty lets out a relieved sigh.
"Great so let's head to the gym!" Misty smiled. Crash reciprocates and the duo make their way to the gym.
Crash once again stood before the doors of the Gym, gulping in anticipation. He opens the door where Brock stood just as he did the first time they'd met.
"So, I see you've come back." The rock specialist said. Crash gave a determined smirk "Yup. I'm not gonna lose like last time." This made Brock crack a smile, but eventually noticing the third person that Crash had brought to their battle.
"Is she a challenger too?" He asks, pointing at Misty, which she quickly denies, saying that she was only here to watch.
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As Misty took her place in the stands, both challenger and Gym leader take their positions on the battlefield, the latter sending out a Geodude as the former sends in his Pikachu.
Brock gives a raised brow, while an incredulous Misty shouts, as unintelligible words leave her mouth.
"An electric type? Either you haven't learned any from our last match or you're just overconfident." Said Brock, rather puzzled by his challenger's pick.
"I wouldn't be so sure about that." Crash smiled. Brock, deciding that he'd better figure out what the boy was planning, as he sent in an electric type. Crash happily obliged.
"Mark, use Quick Attack!
The electric mouse dashes towards its opponent. Brock crossed his arms in disappointment. "And I thought that you'd know the type matchups. Geodude, Tackle!"
Geodude does so and charges forward. Crash smiles, expecting this maneuver. "Switch to Tail whip!" Mark dashes forward, slapping the rock type's face with his tail, causing it to miss its attack.
"Geodude, use Tackle again." Brock commands. Geodude repeats the action and its attack is once again knocked away by Tail whip. Crash congratulates his starter Pokémon for another great dodge.
"Ok, enough Defense, time for Offense! Mark, use Quick Attack!" The electric mouse, once more, dashes towards its opponent. Brock smiles, telling Geodude to wait. Crash recognizes that this was a tactic that Flint told him about.
As Mark gets within its reach, Brock commands Geodude to use Mega Punch. Crash smiles, knowing that everything was going how Flint said it would.
"Counter it with a Double Kick!" Crash shouts, leaving Brock and Misty both shocked. Mark jumps up, drop kicking the punch, knocking it back to Geodude, and finishing it with one blow. Though the electric mouse wasn't completely unharmed from the impact of the clash. Crash celebrates their first round victory, as his Pikachu sparks its cheeks determined.
Brock stared in shock at the revelation that his Geodude was KO'ed in one blow. Misty stared, slack-jawed at what had happened. She hadn't expected Crash to KO a rock type with an electric type so easily. Quickly recovering, Brock retrieves his battered boulder, congratulating it and telling it to rest.
"I'll admit I was overconfident, and congratulations on beating my first Pokémon," Brock grabs another Pokéball looking at it and goes back to the trainer before him. "but how will you fare against this?"
The Rock snake emerges from its Pokéball and roars. Mark sweats at the size of himself compared to the rock type, but stands tall. Crash orders for a Quick Attack, though not falling for the same trick twice, Brock tells Onix to use Slam. Attempting to use the same strategy, Crash calls for Tail whip, but though the move hits, his starter is sent flying back into a rock.
Crash sweat. He hadn't expected Mark to take so much damage from it. Crash, worried, tells his starter to come back for a break, which the mouse Pokémon is quick to accept. Crash thinks to himself before sending out his next Pokémon, Wormwood the Butterfree.
The Butterfly Pokémon flits about happily, before standing by, as Brock looks on inquisitively
"Wormwood, sleep powder!" Crash called out. Wormwood flaps his wings, as green colored scales drop from them.
"Onix, go underground to dodge it!" Brock commands as his starter tunnels into the battlefield, avoiding the powder move. "Now rise from the ground and use Tackle!" Crash was immediately sent into a panic. "Wormwood, fly up!"
As the rock snake surfaces, Wormwood flies upward, deftly avoiding the attempted Tackle. "Now use a String shot" Crash commands, as his bug type fires silk from its mouth, catching the rock snake as it surfaces, causing its movements to be hindered greatly.
And before the rock snake or its trainer could react, Crash presses on. "Now use Gust!" The Butterfly Pokémon flaps his wings, causing a strong whirlwind, noticeably stronger than the Gusts he made one week ago.
Brock gasps. "Onix!" He hadn't expected Crash to improve so quickly in one week. "Onix, break the string!" Onix twists itself causing the string to stretch and eventually tear.
"String shot, one more time!" Crash commanded. Wormwood obliged, firing more silk from his mouth, only for the rock snake to dodge it and batter the bug type into the ground with its tail.
"Wormwood, are you ok?" Crash called. The Butterfly Pokémon cries, signaling that he can still fight.
"Onix, finish it with a Tackle." Brock ordered. The stone serpent rears its head back in response, ready to end its opponent with this attack.
"Use Confusion!" Crash commanded. Wormwood's eyes glow blue as he fires a strange beam of energy right when Onix brings its head down for its Tackle.
The psychic beam does a great amount of damage, not only knocking it back, but also causing Onix to thrash about wildly. Brock began to sweat heavily, knowing that his Onix would lose if it didn't stop the Butterfree in time. So Brock did the only thing he could do with his starter being confused.
"Onix, use Bide." Onix continued to thrash about, smacking its face with its tail. Crash notices this and seizes the opportunity to put on pressure. "Use another Confusion!" Wormwood repeats the move, causing Onix more pain, and causing it to thrash about more wildly than before, knocking Wormwood to the ground.
"Wormwood!" Crash yells worriedly. The Bug type is barely able to keep himself afloat due to the damage he'd taken. "Onix, use Bide!" Brock commanded, hoping to reach his starter this time. Fortunately, Onix shook off the confusion and entered a counter stance.
Onix is using Bide again. Either I wait for it to pass, or I risk it and try to beat Onix right here right now.
Crash pondered for a moment before a mental light bulb went off in his head.
Wait, I think I got a plan!
"Wormwood, use your String shot!" The Butterfly Pokémon fires silk from his mouth, which greatly slows the rock snake down. Onix only stares at the bug type, completely focused.
"Now use Confusion!" Brock, Misty, Mark and Wormwood look at the boy, completely baffled. The Bug type looks back, reluctant to follow his orders. Crash looks back at his first capture, mouthing the words trust me.
Wormwood, sensing his trainer's determination, obeys, blasting the rock type with the ray of psychic energy. The stone serpent strains itself, but is barely standing.
"Now!" Brock shouted. "DOUBLE THE DAMAGE!" As Onix prepared to let loose the burst of energy, Crash countered. "Sleep Powder!" Wormwood flew towards his opponent, scattering sleep inducing scales from his wings.
As Onix's tail made contact with the Bug Pokémon, a large amount of sleep powder flew into the rock snake's face. As Wormwood lay on the ground completely knocked out, so did Onix.
Crash retrieves his exhausted Butterfree, preparing to send in his Pikachu, but Brock holds his hand up.
"I surrender." Crash and Misty stare at the young gym leader, incredulously. Crash retorts. "But you still have Onix, right? Why are you forfeiting?"
"Look at Onix closely. Onix has been pushed to its limit. So much that the sleep powder was enough to finish the fight." Brock smiled. "And I have to say, you did well. As promised, and by official Pokémon League rules," Brock holds out a small light gray medal with a rock pattern. "I give you the Boulder Badge."
Crash looks to his partner Pokémon and nods, as Mark nods back. Mark then jumps up, hi-fiving his trainer with his tail. Crash happily grabs the badge and places it on the inside of his vest.
"And before I forget, here is a TM." Brock hands Crash a white colored disc. "A TM or Technical Machine, is a way to teach Pokémon new moves, but it's only good for one use, so think carefully when you use one. The one I gave you is for Bide. It stores damage before unleashing twice the amount of damage taken, but if the Pokémon hasn't taken damage from another Pokémon or if it's unconscious."
"You did great, kid." a voice called out from the stands. Misty leaned back in shock, noticing the man next to her.
"Flint, did you see my match?" Crash asked, excited. Brock turns to Crash. "Did you just say Flint?" he growled.
"Yeah. He was the guy that helped train me? Do you know him Brock?" Crash asked, not noticing the anger in the Gym Leader's voice. Brock turned to glare at Flint. "He's my father."
Misty and Crash look at the supposed father and son before screaming in utter shock.
Sorry! decided to f with me, so the chapter came out like a run-on sentence. I was able to fix it.