Welcome to Chapter 3.

Something More?: A Pokemon Story

Episode 3: Battle for the Pewter Gym

We pick up where we left off, with Lola and Flint getting ready for their battle. If Lola wins, water in the Pewter Gym stays, but if Forrest, the gym leader and Brock's brother, wins, there is no water at all.

On the battlefield, Lola and Forrest are about to start. Brock, of course, is the referee with Ash and Serena watching on the sideline.

Lineups:

Lola has Rhyhron and Graveler, while Forrest has Onix and Aerodactyl. I know, heavy hitters for Forrest, but it'll make sense.

"The Pokemon battle between Lola, the challenger, and Forrest, the gym leader is about to begin. Each person will use 2 Pokemon, with substitutions for both sides available. Battle begin!"

"Graveler, let's go!"

"Onix, come on out!"

"Grav!"

"Oooorrr!"

"Graveler, Stealth Rock!"

"Gravv!"

Graveler lays out a series of pointed, sharp rocks, that turn invisible immediately.

"That's not good for Forrest. Any substitutions that occur will be very detrimental, right Ash?"

"Yeah, what's he going to do now?"

"Onix, Sand Tomb!"

Onix roars as he sets up Sand Tomb, trapping Graveler before Lola could even think of switching out.

"Grav. Grav. Grav."

"Graveler, you okay?"

"Graveler can't move because of Sand Tomb. Graveler is basically a punching bag. Its defensless, Ash."

"I wouldn't doubt Lola. Even though she's not a gym leader, she knows her stuff."

"Onix, use Slam over and over!"

"Graveler, Bulldoze!"

Graveler is barely able to use Bulldoze to try to get out of the Sand Tomb, and succeeds, but is hit by Onix's Slam.

"Graveler, are you okay?"

"Grav!"

"Alright, use Rock Polish!"

Graveler uses Rock Polish, which increases its Speed.

"Onix, Bind!"

Onix tries to use Bind, but because of Rock Polish, Graveler is too fast for Onix, and manages to get behind it.

"Double-Edge, now!"

Graveler hits Double-Edge, and while not very effective, it definitely hurt. Also, due to Graveler's ability, Rock Head, no damage is inflicted onto itself.

"Ouch, that must've hurt. Rock Slide!"

Onix uses Rock Slide, but due to Graveler's increased speed, Graveler dodges every rock that falls, with little to no effort.

"Damn, that Rock Polish is really being a detriment to me, but I can't switch out to Aerodactyl right now."

"Double-Edge, again!"

Graveler lands a devastating Double-Edge, managing to make Onix fall, but not knock it out.

"Onix, are you okay? Can you battle?"

Just as he says that, the stealth rocks disappear.

"Damn it."

"Onix, return."

"Wait, I thought Forrest couldn't switch out due to Stealth Rock, Ash?"

"The Stealth Rocks disappeared, so he's free to switch out."

"Aerodactyl, let's go!"

"AERO!"

Lola gets a lump in her chest, knowing how powerful Aerodactyl is.

"Oh shit…"

"Ancient Power!"

"Dodge it, Graveler!"

Despite Graveler's speed, with Aerodactyl in the air, it was able to follow Graveler and hit Ancient Power on Graveler's back.

"Graveler, please get up!"

"Take Down!"

Aerodactyl lands Take Down with full force, knocking Graveler out.

"Graveler is unable to battle. Aerodactyl wins."

"Damn, that was quick, wasn't it?"

"Forrest is good, Serena. He noticed that the stealth rocks disappeared, and since Onix was struggling, switching out and going in for the knock-out blow was a great idea. Lightning speed, gotta love it."

"Rhyhorn, let's go!"

"RHY!"

"Restart the battle!"

"You think Rhyhorn is gonna beat Aerodactyl? You're mistaken."

"Enough of your ego. Smack Down!"

"WHAT?!"

Smack Down hit Aerodactyl square on, sending Aerodactyl to the ground rapidly.

"Aerodactyl, try to get up!"

"Ash, what just happened?"

"When Smack Down hits on a flying-type, it immediately sends the Pokemon down to Earth, so to speak. It also removes any immunities that flying-type have."

"What does that mean?"

"Aerodactyl can get hit by Ground-type moves."

"Use Bulldoze, Rhyhorn!"

Bulldoze sends a series of shocks on the ground, hitting Aerodactyl repeatedly, causing severe damage.

"Use Tackle!"

Tackle hits Aerodactyl, knocking it out.

"Aerodactyl is unable to battle! Rhyhorn wins!"

"Like you said Ash, lightning speed, gotta love it."

"Usually Aerodactyl wouldn't feel a thing, but with the combination of Bulldoze and Tackle, Aerodactyl didn't stand a chance."

"Onix, come back out!"

Onix comes back out, looking better, but still exhausted.

"It looks like Onix is looking better."

"Onix is still exhausted, just look. Onix is breathing heavily. Hopefully Forrest can pull something off."

"Sand Tomb"

"Dodge it, then use Tackle."

Rhyhorn easily evades Sand Tomb, hitting Onix with Tackle, but it didn't do much.

"Use Bind!"

"Dodge it!"

Rhyhorn tried to dodge Bind, but got caught by Onix.

"Oh no!"

"Rock Slide!"

Rock Slide hits Rhyhorn on the head, making Rhyhorn a little but woozy.

"Rhyhorn, you okay."

Rhyhorn is trying to balance itself, but falls down in dizziness.

"Looks like someone's a bit woozy. Finish this with Slam!"

Slam hits Rhyhorn, knocking it out.

"Rhyhorn is unable to battle. Onix wins, and the winner of the match is Forrest."

"You know the deal, Mom. No water."

"Alright, you win. I'll remove the water."

For context about Flint, he was standing on the sideline opposite Ash and Serena, not saying a word.

"I told you Forrest would win, honey."

"Hey, I put up a fight."

"Mom's got a point, Dad. She had him in a bit of a pickle there for a few minutes. Good job, Mom."

"Thanks. It sucks that a little water element won't be in the gym, but it's the thought that counts right."

"Yeah, anyways, it's later, we should get some sleep."

"Agreed, let's get some rest."

Song of the day: Runnin' Down a Dream- Tom Petty (1989)

The next morning, Serena wakes up to find Ash downstairs on his phone.

"Well, you're up early."

"Force of habit, I guess from all the travelling I've done. Oh, morning Brock."

"Morning, guys."

"So, Brock, I got a question."

"Ask away, Ash."

"Do you want to come along on me and Serena's journey?"

"Absolutely!"

"Serena, are you happy with it?"

"He's a good friend, right. Of course, I'm happy."

"Alright, do we want to head out?"

"Sure, let's go!"

"Brock, heading out?"

"Yeah, I'm going to join Serena and Ash on their journey. Forrest, continue running the gym like a Pewter Gym Leader would, Flint and Lola, love you, and don't bother the gym battlefield. I don't want to come here again and have it look atrocious."

"Don't worry, son. I'll keep Lola in check."

Lola gives Flint a little "Gibbs" slap (look it up if you don't get it).

"Alright, see you guys!"

"Have fun on the journey!"

Outside of Pewter City, they get to talking.

"So, where are we going?"

"Serena needed to go to Cerulean City for a Pokemon Contest."

"Cerulean City, but that means.."

"AH, Cerulean City. Home to the one person both of us are afraid of!"

"Um, guys, who are you guys talking about?"

Both Ash and Brock say "You'll find out."

"Alright."

That's the end of Chapter 3. There is officially no water in the Pewter Gym, and Brock has joined Ash and Serena to tour around Kanto. Who is this friend Ash and Brock are talking about? Find out in the next couple chapters. The next chapter should be coming out in the next couple days.