Episode 399: Rock N' Roark
A couple of days passed since they met Barry on their way to Oreburgh City, so Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Lucas, Dawn, Wes, Rui, Michael, Rei, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Marill, Volt, Maple, and Piplup have arrived to the Oreburgh Gate.
"Here it is. Oreburgh Gate," Lucas said.
"It won't be long until we reach it," Ethan said.
"No, it shouldn't, so let's go on through," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Up ahead, Paul is in the Oreburgh City Gym and he is battling a young man with red hair, who wears glasses. He wears a mining outfit, consisted of gray short-sleeved jacket and baggy pants with yellow/black outlines, which are tucked into his boots. The boots has red soles underneath them. He has a black tank underneath. He also wears white gloves with yellow outlines, and is usually seen with a red mining helmet.
"The battle between Roark, the Gym Leader of the Oreburgh City Gym and Paul from Veilstone City is about to begin! Both Trainers will be using three Pokémon each! Only the challenger is allowed to switch Pokémon anytime! The battle is over when all three Pokémon belonging to the challenger or the Gym Leader are unable to continue battling! Choose your first Pokémon and begin!" The referee announced. Roark took out his first Pokéball and threw it.
"Geodude! Let's go!" Roark called out. His Geodude emerged from inside, ready to battle. Paul took out his first Pokéball and threw it.
"Azumarill! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out. Azumarill emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"Paul, you have the honor," Roark said.
"Azumarill! Hydro Pump! Go!" Paul ordered. Azumarill fired Hydro Pump at the Rock Pokémon.
"Geodude! Hidden Power!" Roark ordered. Geodude unleashed green energy orbs and sends them right at Azumarill, overpowering Azumarill's Hydro Pump. Azumarill is struck by Geodude's Hidden Power. "Alright! Geodude! Rollout!" Geodude curls into a ball and rolls right toward Azumarill.
"Water Gun, Azumarill!" Paul ordered. Azumarill was about to use Water Gun, but the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon was struck vwry hard by that Rollout, much to Paul's frustration. Geodude lands a second with Rollout, resulting in a knockout.
"What?!" Paul angrily exclaimed.
"Azumarill is unable to battle! Geodude wins!" The referee announced. Paul called back Azumarill.
"Good for nothing," Paul coldly said. (Jerk) He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Elekid! Stand by for battle!" His Pokéball opened and Elekid came out to battle. Roark looked at Elekid, wondering what Paul is planning.
"I'm sure Paul knows full-well that Geodude is a Ground-type Pokémon, and also Elekid's Electric-type moves won't work on Geodude at all! I wonder what he's got under his sleeve," Roark said.
"Now, Elekid! Brick Break!" Paul ordered.
"Clever. They're using a Fighting-type move. But we're still going to stick with using Rollout!" Roark said. Geodude rolls right at Elekid, but Elekid also came at Geodude with a Brick Break and lands a hit on the Rock Pokémon, taking it out with just one hit.
"Geodude is unable to battle! Elekid wins!" The referee announced.
"And they did it with just one hit," Roark said. He called back his Geodude. "Thanks a lot, good friend." Elekid spins its arms around as Roark takes out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Onix! You're up next!" His Pokéball opened and Onix emerged from inside, also ready to battle.
"I'll be staying with my Elekid," Paul said.
"Fine since I've already seen your Brick Break. I wonder how you'll do now," Roark said.
"Quick, Elekid! Brick Break!" Paul ordered. Elekid came at Onix with a Brick Break.
"Dodge, Onix!" Roark called out. Onix managed to dodge Elekid's Brick Break. "Now, use Slam, Onix!" Onix came at Elekid, prepared to land a hit on Elekid.
"Protect!" Paul ordered. Elekid creates a protective barrier, making Onix's Slam bounce off.
"Double-Edge! Let's go!" Roark ordered. Onix lands a hit onto Elekid. Thanks to Onix's Rock Head, Onix did not take any recoil damage.
"Stay strong or else!" Paul said as Elekid managed to get up on its feet.
"Stealth Rock!" Roark ordered. Onix unleashed stones from its body and surrounds Elekid.
"Did he say Stealth Rock?" Paul asked.
"If you were going to exchange Pokémon, you should have done it earlier. Use Slam, Onix!" Roark ordered. Onix rushes at Elekid with another Slam. Onix lands another hit. Onix ends up being paralyzed by Elekid's Static.
"Uh-oh," Roark said.
"Brick Break, Elekid! Now!" Paul ordered. Elekid came at Onix with another Brick Break.
"Double-Edge, Onix!" Roark ordered. Onix came at Elekid with a Double-Edge, colliding with each other. They were venly matched with those two attacks. "Don't get too comfortable with Static! Sometimes moves can be used even when paralyzed!" Roark said. Roark looked right at Elekid, fighting to stand back up. "I'm impressed. Elekid's a resilient Pokémon." Paul grits his teeth and called back his Elekid. He took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Now, Gible! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out. Gible came out to battle. Stealth Rock activates and hits Gible, dealing some damage.
"Ah, so you had a Ground-type Pokémon standing by. I wonder how your Gible will be able to stand up against my Onix," Roark said.
"Gible! Use Dig!" Paul ordered. Gible digs into the ground.
"Try to sense where Gible is moving, Onix!" Roark said. Onix looked around, but Gible came from underneath, hitting Onix and sending the Rock Snake Pokémon backwards.
"Use Double-Edge!" Roark ordered.
"Gible! Use Dig one more time!" Paul ordered. Gible dug underneath again and Onix misses its mark.
"Onix, stand still! Just feel Gible's movements!" Roark said. Onix complied and held still.
"Now!" Paul called out. Gible lands a hit, sending Onix flying, resulting in a knockout.
"Onix is unable to battle! Gible wins!" The referee announced.
"Excellent job, Gible," Paul said. Roark called back his Onix.
"You were great. Take a nice, long rest," Roark said. He took out another Pokéball and held it. "Well, Paul, you're giving me quite a run for my money. It's time to bring out my final Pokémon, so I suggest you get ready," Roark said as he threw his Pokéball. "Cranidos! Let's go!" His Pokéball opened and out came a gray, dinosaur-like Pokémon resembling the Pachycephalosaurus. It has a hooked beak, red irises, and a hard, blue, dome-shaped head with four spikes on its back. The hard skull is considered to be Cranidos's most distinguishing feature. It has stubby arms with three claws; despite the stubbiness, it can attack with them. The back half of its body has a large, spiky pattern of blue and it has a short tail. It has feet with three forward claws and one backward.
"Roark, I can read you like a book. Gible! Use Dig!" Paul ordered. Gible began to dig.
"Cranidos! Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Cranidos waited for Gible to come out. Once Gible came out, Cranidos lands a Headbutt on Gible. "Gible! Use Dig, one more time!" Gible began to dig underground again. "Cranidos! Zen Headbutt!" Cranidos came at Gible with a psychic energy around Cranidos's dome-like head and lands a heavy hit on the Land Shark Pokémon. "Zen Headbutt again!" Cranidos came at Gible with another Zen Headbutt.
"Quick, Gible! Use Dig!" Paul ordered. It was no use, because Gible flinched after being hit by Cranidos's Zen Headbutt the first time, so Gible was hit again. Cranidos lands another hit on Gible with another Zen Headbutt. "Come on!"
"Focus Energy!" Roark ordered. Cranidos began to build up focus. "Zen Headbutt again!" Cranidos charges at Gible again.
"Use Bite! Aim for the legs!" Paul ordered. Gible heads for Cranidos and lands a heavy bite on one of Cranidos's legs. "Bite again!" Gible lands another Bite on Cranidos once again. "Dig!" Gible digs into the ground.
"Focus Energy!" Roark ordered. Cranidos began to build up focus as Gible came out of the ground. "Use Headbutt!"
"Dodge it, quick!" Paul called out. With no time to dodge, Cranidos lands a hit on Gible, dealing some heavy damage, and resulting in a knockout.
"Gible is unable to battle! Cranidos wins!" The referee announced.
"Cranidos, how do you feel?" Roark asked.
"Crani," Cranidos said. Paul called back Gible and he took out Elekid's Pokéball and threw it.
"Elekid! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out. Elekid came out to battle next. Elekid is hit by Stealth Rock. "Now, use Brick Break!" Elekid came at Cranidos with a Brick Break.
"Flamethrower!" Roark ordered. Cranidos fired a Flamethrower at Elekid, but the Electric Pokémon dodged it and lands a strong hit on Cranidos's other leg. Cranidos cried in pain and fell backwards. Elekid's Static kicked in. Cranidos then shook off Static, healing it of its paralysis. "You just witnessed Cranidos's ability, Mold Breaker. It cancels out Elekid's Static. Cranidos felt the pain in its legs. "Use Zen Headbutt, now!" Cranidos charges at Elekid with a Zen Headbutt, but stopped before it could get halfway there. Cranidos then started to go again, but slowly.
"Brick Break! One more time!" Paul ordered. Elekid came at Cranidos and lands a heavy hit on Cranidos's head. "No more Headbutt, huh?"
"I see you don't rely on moves or types for your strategy. You just use what attack styles are best for the moment," Roark said.
"Elekid! Brick Break, let's go!" Paul ordered as Elekid came at Cranidos with Brick Break.
"Cranidos! Flamethrower!" Roark ordered. Cranidos fired a Flamethrower, landing another hit with Flamethrower. Elekid fell on the ground, but gets back up. "Now, Zen Headbutt!" Cranidos came at Elekid with another Zen Headbutt.
"Elekid! Brick Break!" Paul ordered. Elekid came at Cranidos with another Brick Break and lands it directly on Cranidos's head. An explosion occurred, sending Elekid flying as Cranidos is also sent flying. Both land on their feet and pant out of exhaustion. Cranidos still had some energy left to battle. "Now, Break Break again!" Elekid came at Cranidos with another Brick Break.
"Cranidos! Flamethrower!" Roark ordered. Cranidos fired Flamethrower at Elekid, but the Electric Pokémon plowed through it and drove its arm on Cranidos's head, dealing some heavy damage. Another explosion occurred, creating a powerful wind. They stare at each other again, panting until Cranidos fell over, exhausted from the intense battle.
"Cranidos is unable to battle! Elekid wins! The winner is Paul from Veilstone City!" The referee announced.
Paul and Roark called back their Pokémon.
Meanwhile, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Lucas, Dawn, Wes, Rui, Michael, Rei, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Marill, Volt, Maple, and Piplup arrived to Oreburgh City.
"Here it is. Oreburgh City," Roxas said.
"It took us a while, but it was quite an adventure," Brendan said.
"Yeah, but who's going to have the first battle?" Chase asked.
"That's a good question," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Should we draw straws?" Lucas asked.
"How about we play Rock, Paper, Scissors?" Sora suggested.
"I get it. Whoever wins gets to go first," Lucas said.
"That sounds fair," Roxas said.
"Pikachu," Xipak said.
"Okay, get your hands out and..." Sora said.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors... Go!" Sora, Roxas, and Lucas chanted. Lucas came out as scissors as Sora and Roxas came out as rock.
"Oh!" Lucas winced.
"Too bad. Rock crushes scissors," Sora said.
"You lose," Roxas said.
"Shoot!" Lucas pouted.
"Okay, Roxas. Time for the tie breaker. Ready?" Sora asked.
"Ready when you are," Roxas said as he got ready for it, too.
"Rock, Paper, Scissors... Go!" Sora and Roxas chanted as Roxas came out as paper and Sora came out as scissors.
"Scissors cuts paper," Sora said.
"Well, that settles that," Roxas said.
The group started to head for the Oreburgh Gym. They arrived to the Gym to find Paul was stepping out of the Gym.
"Oh, you again," Sora said.
"Do I know you?" Paul asked with sarcasim.
"I don't know, you might be dreaming," Sora said. He said under his breath, "And I might be having a nightmare."
"Who's he?" Riku asked.
"Paul. An abusive trainer we unfortunately met. He catches Pokémon and releases them if he sees they're weak," Kairi explained. Riku disliked him already and gave him a hateful glare. Out came Roark.
"Well now, I have myself some more challengers on my doorstep. Now which one of you is it?" The young man asked.
"Are you Roark, the Oreburgh Gym Leader?" Sora asked.
"Yes I am. And you would be?" Roark asked.
"I'm Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town," Sora introduced. Roark paused for a moment. He knew he knew that name before.
"Sora Ketchum? You mean you're the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn, right?" Roark asked.
"That's right," Sora said. Paul was surprised, but he wasn't going to accept him being a Pokémon League Champion.
"And you're here to challenge me into a battle," Roark said.
"Yes," Sora said.
"And one of us will be going to challenge you after him," Lucas said.
"We just didn't decide which one yet," Roxas said.
"Good. I would be more than happy to accept your challenge, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow to have our battle. Because Paul already had his battle and earned his badge," Roark said.
"I can wait," Sora said.
"Now, if you excuse me, I'm needed down at the mines," Roark said.
At the Pokémon Center, Sora was getting Turtwig, Piplup, and Riolu ready for their battle as they were training. Meanwhile, Kairi was explaining to Riku, Naminé, and Rei about Sora's Chimchar and Kairi's Starly used to belong to Paul being released.
"So, that's it, huh?" Riku asked.
"I'm afraid so. Paul battled Sora twice and lost twice. After Paul lost to Sora in the second battle, he just released Chimchar without giving a second thought," Kairi explained.
"That's just awful," Naminé said.
"It is," Rei agreed. It was clear as daylight that she did not approve of his methods, but it was not her place to dissuade Paul of his path.
Sora was about to take Turtwig, Piplup, and Riolu out for some training.
"You sure Riolu is ready to have a Gym battle yet, Sora? He did hatch from the moment we first came to the Sinnoh region," Ash pointed out.
"Yeah, but Riolu is old enough for a Gym battle, so I had him go through some serious training," Sora said.
"You do know you're not going to find it easy even with a type advantage on your side," Ash said.
"Ash is right, Sora. You had to fight hard to make it to the top of the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Pokémon Leagues," Leaf said.
"He should just give up before he started," Paul said. Ash glared right at him.
"And who asked you?" Ash asked. He walked up to him.
"Ash, take it easy," Leaf said.
"Don't tell me to take it easy, Leaf. He knows what he said. So, why don't you say what you really think, Paul? I dare you," Ash said.
"He's an amatuer Trainer. There's no way a kid like him is a Pokémon League Champion. He's too soft to be a strong trainer," Paul said.
"You're wrong! Sora is a strong Trainer and I know it," Ash said. "You don't know Sora like I do. I've known Sora for most of my life! Sora battled some tough Trainers from when we got started and he's full of more heart than anyone I know. And if you can't see that, then it's your problem."
"Why do you even care how I view him? He's patheic," Paul said. Ash really didn't like his attitude.
"If I were you, I would just keep my mouth shut, because if I talk crap about someone like Sora just like you just did, I wouldn't really call myself a trainer," Ash said.
"Why do you even care about how I talk about him?" Paul asked, not liking Ash's tone.
"I care because he is my best friend. And anyone who talks about my friend like that should get their facts straight!" Ash said. "If anyone here is pathetic, it's you." Now, Paul was angry. His face turned red to the insult Ash just gave him.
"I'm going to say it again. He's pathetic," Paul said.
"Look who is talking. Sora managed to beat you easily, and the second one is when a Turtwig managed to beat your Chimchar and that makes you more pathetic when you didn't work enough with your Pokémon," Ash said and then Paul was angry, his face turned red to the insult Ash just gave him.
"You're calling me pathetic?! How about you have a battle against me? Five minutes!" Paul challenged.
"I accept your battle, and I'll show you that I work very good with my Pokémon." Ash said.
Five minutes later, Ash and Paul stood to have their battle. Leaf was standing by as she was watching.
"How do you wanna do this?" Ash asked.
"Three on three!" Paul said.
"Fine with me." Ash said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Charizard, I choose you!" His Pokéball opens and Charizard comes out to battle.
"A Charizard!" Paul said.
"Better get ready, Charizard!" Ash said and Charizard let out a small grunt.
"Elekid! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out as Elekid came on out to battle. "Elekid! Thunder!" Elekid spins his arms around and lets out Thunder.
"Dodge it and use Dragon Dance!" Ash ordered and Charizard dodged Elekid's Thunder by taking flight and then Charizard's body became surrounded by orange energy and it spins around several times, enhancing his attack power and speed.
"Thunder Punch!" Paul ordered and Elekid dashed to give an electrifying punch at Charizard but the flaming dragon-like Pokémon didn't even feel a thing much to Paul's dismay. "What!?"
"Charizard! Use Mega Punch!" Ash ordered and Charizard gave a powerful punch which hit and knocked out Elekid with one hit. Paul calls Elekid back and takes out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Ursaring! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out as his Ursaring came out to battle against the Flame Pokémon. "Use Slash!" Ursaring comes at the final evolved form of Kanto.
"Dodged it and use Dragon Claw!" Ash ordered. Charizard dodged the slashing move before his two claws were covered by green energy scales and clawed Ursaring's gut and stopped Slash. "Now use Mega Punch!" Charizard lands another Mega Punch onto Ursaring. The Hibernator Pokémon takes a pretty bad hit.
"Focus Blast!" Paul ordered. Ursaring forms a ball of energy, but Ash wasn't going to go down that easily.
"Dragon Claw!" Ash ordered. Charizard readies his claws again as Ursaring hurls Focus Blast at the Flame Pokémon, but Charizard slices the energy sphere like a watermelon and lands a hit onto Ursaring, earning a knock out. Paul calls back his Ursaring and he took out one more Pokéball and threw it.
"Torterra! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out. Out came a tall, bulky, quadrupedal Pokémon resembling a tortoise and ankylosaur, with a large shell covering its back. There is a single, oak-like tree and three triangular, stony extensions resembling mountain peaks on the top of the shell. There is a patch of brown, resembling soil, next to the tree. A white rim surrounds the shell and forms a diamond-shaped continuation on the front. Its body appears sectioned, with the upper half being green and the lower half brown. Its mouth is jagged, which gives it the appearance of a snapping turtle. It also has a black nose. Its lower jaw is green and there are two large spikes protruding from its cheeks. Its small, red eyes are encircled by a black ring. Its legs are thick and they have four toes each, which appear as if they are actually jagged stones. There are three toes on the front and one on the heel.
"A Torterra, huh?" Ash wondered before using his Rotom Phone.
Torterra, the Continent Pokémon
The evolved form of Grotle
Type: Grass/Ground
Groups of this Pokémon migrating in search of water have been mistaken for "moving forests." Small Pokémon occasionally gather on its unmoving back to begin building their nests.
"That's an impressive Pokémon, I'll give you that." Ash said.
"I don't need praise from the likes of you." Paul retorted.
"Your Torterra is in a huge disadvantage against my Charizard." Ash said.
"You're right, but my Torterra is well-prepared to take down any opponent." Paul said before ordering. "Torterra! Stone Edge!"
Torterra slams into the ground as jagged rocks came out of the ground.
"Dodge it and Dragon Dance!" Ash ordered. Charizard dodged the super effective and spun around while building up both his attack and speed. "Now use Mega Punch!" Charizard lunges his right fist on Torterra's face "Now, use Fire Blast!" Charizard lands a powerful Fire Blast onto Torterra.
"Torterra! Use Hyper Beam!" Paul ordered. Torterra prepared to use Hyper Beam. Torterra fires it right at its target.
"Dodge and use Dragon Claw!" Ash ordered. Charizard avoids Torterra's Hyper Beam and dashes with his claws ready which landed a hit onto the fully evolved Grass Sinnoh starter Pokémon. Torterra had been taken down. It was clear that Ash had won that battle. Ash walked up to Charizard and placed his hand on his shoulder. "Good work as always, Charizard." The Flame Pokémon beamed at the praise. Paul calls his Torterra back and glared right at Ash. "Looks like your bite wasn't as good as your bark."
"You just got lucky, just like he did," Paul said.
"Luck has nothing to do with it. You were too focused on winning, you let your anger towards me do the talking for you," Ash said. Paul started to walk off. "Nothing to say?" Paul turned to face Ash again.
"I'll be watching tomorrow. And I'll be happy when your friend loses and then you'll see that I was right," Paul said.
"You'd still be wrong about him either way," Ash stated. Paul walked off as Leaf walked up to him.
"That's showing him, Ash," Leaf said.
"Been there long?" Ash asked.
"There was no way I would miss this. Besides, I totally agree with you. Paul is wrong about Sora since he lost to Sora twice and he still refuses to see how wrong he is," Leaf said.
"Yeah. Just wish he would see it," Ash said.
Meanwhile, Sora was doing some training with his three chosen Pokémon at a mountain side when.
"Turtwig! Use Earth Power!" Sora ordered. Turtwig slammed his feet, making it shake. "Piplup! Hydro Pump!" Piplup fired Bubble Beam at the mountain side as well. "Riolu! Vacuum Wave!" Riolu unleashed a Vacuum Wave and struck the mountain side, but a Cranidos came and attacked with a Headbutt. "What the? Who's that Pokémon?" Sora took out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Cranidos, the Headbutt Pokémon
Type: Rock
Cranidos lived in the jungle over 100 million years ago. It is said that its dome-like head is harder than metal.
"A Cranidos. I could use a Pokémon like that. Riolu, you ready to go?" Sora asked.
"Lu," Riolu nodded.
"Great! Use Bullet Punch!" Sora ordered. Riolu came at Cranidos with Bullet Punch as Cranidos came at Riolu with a Headbutt. Both land a hit on each other. Cranidos then skids backwards. "Use Force Palm!" Riolu lands a Force Palm on Cranidos sending backwards. Cranidos then rushes at Riolu with an Iron Head. "Cranidos is using Iron Head! Riolu! Double Team!" Riolu uses Double Team to comfuse the Headbutt Pokémon. "Vacuum Wave!" Riolu lands a Vacuum Wave, landing some heavy damage on Cranidos. Sora saw how he was weak enough, so he took out a Pokéball and threw it. Cranidos flowed inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora picked up the Pokéball and smiled. "Got me a Cranidos." Pikachu's ears perked up.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"What's up?" Sora asked. He got his answer when he saw a small, yellow, ceratopsian-like reptilian Pokémon. It has white toes and a white bump on its back. It has a dark-gray elliptical face, with a prominent white brow and a white rim on its black snout. Its facial hide is extremely hard; however, it is vulnerable when attacked from behind. "Another one." He took out his Rotom Phone again and scanned it.
Shieldon, the Shield Pokémon
Type: Rock/Steel
This Pokémon lived in primeval jungles. It's thought that Shieldon had few enemies thanks to its sturdy face. It is outstandingly armored. As a result, it has no particular need to battle with others and can spend its time feeding on grass and berries.
"Another prehistoric Pokémon. I could go for that one," Sora said. He turned to Piplup. "You're up now, Piplup."
"Piplup," Piplup said. Shieldon snorted.
"Use Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Piplup fired Bubble Beam at Shieldon, but it creates a protective barrier around itself. "Shieldon just used Protect! No wonder it's called the Shield Pokémon. Hydro Pump!" Piplup fired Hydro Pump, hitting Shieldon once the protective barrier was down. Shieldon fought back by charging at the Penguin Pokémon and lands a hit with a Tackle. Shieldon then attacked with a Rock Slide. "Dodge and use Hydro Pump!" Piplup fired Hydro Pump, hitting Shieldon on the mark. Shieldon was still standing. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Shieldon flowed inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "I got myself a Shieldon along with a Cranidos."
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
On the very next day, Sora got ready for his Gym battle as Turtwig, Piplup, and Riolu got their rest after that training and catching Cranidos and Shieldon. most of the group were waiting for Sora and noticed his girlfrind weren't with them.
"Hey, where's Kairi?" Sora asked.
"Right here!" Dawn said, coming from behind him. Sora turned to see Kairi and Dawn in cheerleader outfits. Their cheerleader outfits were pink. Sora found Kairi very cute in in.
"Kairi, why are you dressed up like that?" Sora asked.
"It was Dawn's idea. She was insistent on it," Kairi said, blushing. Sora was also blushing.
"You look very cute in that outfit, Kairi. Very cute," Sora said in a compliment. Kairi blushed at the compliment.
They headed down for the Gym to begin the Gym battle. Paul was present on the opposite side of his friends.
"This is so exciting. Sora is going to have his very first Gym battle in Sinnoh," Chase said, rooting for his friend.
"I know how you feel, Chase. Too bad Barry has to miss this," Lucas said.
"Okay, Kairi, you ready to root for your boyfriend?" Dawn asked.
"More than ready, Dawn. Let's do this!" Kairi said as she and Dawn began their cheering. Angel, Bulbasaur, Torchic, Squirtle, Starly, Bidoof, Buneary, Glameow, and Kricketune were also doing their cheering as the referee stepped in.
"The battle of the Oreburgh Gym is about to begin! The battle is between Roark, the Oreburgh City Gym Leader and Sora Ketchum, the challenger! Both Trainers will be using three Pokémon each! Only the challenger will be allowed to switch his Pokémon anytime! The battle is over when all three of either the challenger's or the Gym Leader's Pokémon are unable to battle! Let the battle begin!" Roark makes his first move.
"Geodude! Let's go!" Roark called out as his Geodude came on out.
"A Geodude, huh?" Lucas asked, taking out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Geodude, the Rock Pokémon.
Type: Rock/Ground
Geodude is often found on mountain roads with half of its body buried in the ground so it can observe mountain travelers.
"Go! Piplup!" Sora called out as his Piplup came out to battle.
"Piplup is a good choice since Piplup's a Water-type," Lucas said.
"Right, Rock-types are vulnerable against Water-types," Rui said.
"Geodude! Start things up with Stealth Rock!" Roark ordered. Geodude sends out pointed rocks all around the Penguin Pokémon.
"Not Stealth Rock!" Ash exclaimed.
"Stealth Rock?" Dawn asked.
"Stealth Rock is a move that hurts any Pokémon that makes a switch during battle. It has no effect on Pokémon currently out on the field. This is how Roark makes his Gym battles challenging," Leaf said.
"Ouch, that must hurt," Chase said.
"Piplup is okay for now," Elaine said.
"Piplup! Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Piplup fires Bubble Beam right at the Rock Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Rollout!" Roark ordered. Geodude rolls into a ball and heads right towards Piplup.
"This is bad! Rollout deals even more damage each time it hits!" Wes said.
"Dodge and use Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered. Piplup avoids Geodude's Rollout and fires Hydro Pump right at Geodude, causing a heavy hit. Roark was impressed by how Sora had let out Piplup's Hydro Pump.
"Not bad, Sora. Your Piplup is a toughie!" Roark said. Paul wasn't too sure, because he thought it was only dumb luck that his Piplup landed a hit. Paul also remembered when Roark's Onix used Stealth Rock on his Pokémon.
"Thanks a lot, Roark! Okay, Piplup! Peck!" Sora ordered. Piplup moved in to deliver Peck onto Geodude. Peck did very little damage.
"Geodude looks like it's taking very little damage," Lucas said.
"Rock-types are resistant to Flying-type moves like Peck and Sora knows it. Sora must have something planned," Kris said.
"Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Piplup fires Bubble Beam right at Geodude, causing some heavy damage. "Wrap it up with Hydro Pump!" Piplup fires Hydro Pump and sends Geodude against the wall. Geodude slides down on the wall.
"Geodude is unable to battle! Piplup wins!" The referee announced.
"Sora's taken the lead!" Kairi cheered. "Sora's the best! Better than all the rest!" Dawn also cheered for Sora, making Lucas jealous, seeing his crush rooting for Sora out there. Roark calls back his Geodude.
"You battled hard, my friend," Roark said. He took out his next Pokéball. "Okay, Onix! You're up!" Roark threw his Pokéball and out comes his Onix making a roar upon entry. Lucas took out his Rotom Phone again and scanned it.
Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon
Type: Rock/Ground
It tunnels through the ground, which shakes when it raises its thunderous roar. It can move the ground at 50 miles per hour.
"Just like Brock's Onix," Ash said, clearly remembering the battle from the first gym in the Kanto region.
"You think Sora will switch Pokémon even with Stealth Rock in effect?" Lucas asked.
"He knows Stealth Rock is risky. Roark's Onix will definitely give Sora's Piplup a real hard time," Brendan said.
"Double-Edge!" Roark ordered. Onix moves in to deliver a hit onto Piplup.
"Dodge and use Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Piplup avoids Onix's attack. "Now, use Hydro Pump!" Piplup fires Hydro Pump right at the Rock Snake Pokémon. Onix took a heavy blow from the powerful Water-type attack.
"Dragon Breath!" Roark ordered. Onix fires Dragon Breath right at Piplup and lands a hit. Piplup now became paralyzed.
"This is bad...!" Lyra said.
"Piplup's paralyzed," May said.
"Dragon Breath is a Dragon-type attack that can paralyze a target when it hits." Brendan said.
"Stay strong, Piplup!" Sora said.
"Onix! Double-Edge!" Roark ordered. Onix moves in and delivers a hit onto the Penguin Pokémon.
"Hey, doesn't Double-Edge hurt Onix after being used?" Chase asked.
"Yes it does, Chase, but Onix has an ability called Rock Head. It prevents Onix from taking recoil damage from moves like Double-Edge," Wes said. Sora saw Piplup wasn't going to last much longer, so he had to switch his team even with Stealth Rock.
"He's switching?" Elaine asked.
"Stealth Rock is still in effect, so why?" Ethan asked.
"He saw Piplup wasn't doing so good, so he had to risk it," Rui said. Sora took out Turtwig's Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Turtwig!" Sora called out and his Turtwig came right out. Turtwig takes damage from Stealth Rock.
"I see why Stealth Rock is a real problem," Chase said.
"And Turtwig is a smart move since Grass-type Pokémon like Turtwig is a good matchup for Rock-type Pokémon like Onix," Lucas said.
"So, a Grass-type, huh? You came fully prepared for my Rock-types. But you should know by now that types alone won't help you win this battle," Roark said.
"I'm ready for anything you got, Roark," Sora said.
"As I expect. Onix! Use Head Smash!" Roark ordered. Onix moves in to deliver Head Smash to Turtwig.
"Dodge and use Razor Leaf!" Sora ordered. Turtwig avoids Onix and unleashed Razor Leaf on the Rock Snake Pokémon. Onix takes heavy damage. "Now use Bite!" Turtwig moves in and gives Onix a Bite on its tail and gave it a toss onto the ground, earning a knockout in favor for Sora.
"Onix is unable to battle! Turtwig wins!" The referee announced. Roark calls back his Onix.
"That was very impressive, Sora! I can see why you won those three Pokémon League tournaments. And the way you handled your Pokémon is proof that you are a skilled Pokémon Trainer. Now, here is my last Pokémon," Roark said, taking out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Cranidos! Let's go!" The Pokéball opens and out came a Cranidos. Sora can tell this Cranidos is so much stronger than the one Sora caught.
"Didn't Sora already catch that one?" Chase asked.
"He did after he shown us his Pokémon Box along with that Shieldon. But I'll have to say that Cranidos is so much stronger. I can tell just by looking at it," Wes said.
"Turtwig! Razor Leaf!" Sora ordered. Turtwig fires Razor Leaf right at Cranidos, hoping to cause some damage.
"Use Flamethrower!" Roark ordered. Cranidos fires Flamethrower and burns the leaves and deals heavy damage onto Turtwig.
"Flamethrower?" Elaine asked.
"Must be how Roark deals with Grass-types. Clever counter measure," Leaf said.
"Turtwig, use Earth Power!" Sora ordered and Turtwig slammed his front paws producing a magma geyser which hit Cranidos.
The Headbutt Pokémon crashed in the ground but got up before roaring and started to evolve Cranidos started to evolve. This new Pokémon is a large, dark-gray, dinosaur-like Pokémon also resembling a pachycephalosaurus. It has a pearl-like dome crowning its head, which obstructs its red eyes. It has blue stripes, one on its tail, and one on each of its knees and wrists. It has various spikes: one on each knee, two on the blue-collar on its neck, two short ones on its nose, and four on its head. Two of these head spikes are bigger than the other two.
"Cranidos evolved!" Chase said.
Paul seemed satisfied because he knew that Sora would lose the battle while back with him.
Lucas took out his Rotom Phone and scanned Roark's newly evolved Pokémon.
Rampardos, the Headbutt Pokémon
The evolved form of Cranidos
Type: Rock
Its powerful headbutt has enough power to shatter even the most durable things upon impact. Its skull is as hard as iron. It is a brute that tears down jungle trees while catching prey.
"Surely Rampardos is determined to win this battle." Sora said. "Turtwig, use Razor Leaf again." Turtwig nodded before firing sharpened leaves.
"Dodge it and use Zen Headbutt!" Roark instructed and Rampardos dodged Razor Leaf and deals a heavy hitting blow onto Turtwig, earning a knockout.
"Turtwig is unable to battle! Rampardos wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls back Turtwig.
"You did your best, Turtwig. Get some rest," Sora said, taking out Piplup's Pokéball and threw it. "Okay Piplup! Back to action!" Piplup comes back out and takes damage from Stealth Rock. Piplup is still standing strong. "Piplup's still tired from that battle with Onix, but I know he'll pull through."
"Piplup's not looking so good," Dawn said.
"That battle with Onix really did a number on him," Xion said.
"And Piplup may not last long out there," Roxas said.
"Piplup! Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered. Piplup fires Hydro Pump right at the headbutt Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Rampardos avoids Hydro Pump and heads towards Piplup. Rampardos lands a successful hit onto Piplup.
"Piplup! Peck!" Sora ordered. Piplup moves in to give Rampardos a Peck.
"Focus Energy and then use Zen Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Rampardos builds up focus and lands a headbutt onto the penguin Pokémon and earned a knockout.
"Piplup is unable to battle! Cranidos wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls back Piplup.
"Get some rest, Piplup, you earned it," Sora said.
"And that's two Sora lost." Chase said.
"All that's left is Riolu," Roxas said.
"Man, this is going to be pretty hard after evolving," Sora said in his thoughts before taking out his third Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Riolu!" Sora called out and Riolu came right out and takes damage from Stealth Rock.
"It doesn't matter if that fake champion uses an advantage of type, he will lose." Paul said in his thoughts.
"Now, I see it is confirmed that you have come fully prepared for my Rock-types by sending out a Fighting-type Pokémon against my Rock-types. But, will it be enough to take down my newly evolved Rampardos?" Roark asked.
"We will see about that. Riolu! Use Bullet Punch!" Sora said before ordering and Riolu dashed giving a quick Punch against Rampardos. "Now use Vacuum Wave!" Riolu followed by sending his attack hitting Rampardos.
"Rampardos! Zen Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Rampardos heads towards Riolu to land a heavy headbutt.
"Zen Headbutt is how Roark deals with Fighting-type Pokémon since the regular Headbutt is a Normal-type attack," Lucas said. Rampardos heads towards Riolu to land a hit onto Riolu.
"Double Team!" Sora ordered. Riolu makes several images of himself. Rampardos looked around as the several Riolu images all surrounded Rampardos.
"Sora's turning the tables on Roark!" Elaine said.
"True. With Double Team, Rampardos can't figure out which one is the real one," Xion said.
"You think that's going to get me, Sora? Think again! Rampardos! Use Zen Headbutt on the ground!" Rampardos slams its head onto the ground, causing all the duplicates to vanish and leave the original behind. "Now use Flamethrower!" Rampardos fires Flamethrower right at Riolu.
"Dodge and use Bullet Punch!" Sora ordered. Riolu started to head right towards Rampardos to land a quick punch onto Rampardos.
"Flamethrower!" Roark ordered. Rampardos fires Flamethrower right at Riolu.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Riolu avoids Flamethrower, but Rampardos moves it to land a hit onto Riolu. "Hang in there, Riolu!"
"Good Rampardos! Zen Headbutt!" Roark ordered. Rampardos runs towards Riolu to land a blow onto him.
"Double Team!" Sora ordered. Riolu makes several duplicates of himself once again as Rampardos misses with Zen Headbutt.
"That old trick again? That won't work! Rampardos! Zen Headbutt on the ground!" Roark ordered. Rampardos lands a Zen Headbutt on the ground as the duplicates all vanish, but the real one is nowhere to be seen. "What?!" Everyone was all surprised, especially Paul. The real one is right above Rampardos as he is now coming down. "Rampardos! Above you!" Rampardos turned to see Riolu coming down fast.
"That was great Riolu! Force Palm!" Sora ordered. Riolu lands a heavy blow onto Rampardos's back, sending it down on the ground. "Now use Vacuum Wave!" Riolu charges up Vacuum Wave and hurls it right at Rampardos and lands a heavy blow onto the head butt Pokémon resulting in a knockout. Riolu was pretty exhausted as he stood on his knee and stood back up.
"Rampardos is unable to battle! Riolu wins! The victory goes to Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee announced as Kairi and her Pokémon cheered for the win. Paul was dumbfounded by how he saw Sora win his very first Gym battle after getting into a corner by Roark and his Rampardos.
"How can a mere amateur just win like that? Surely it was pure luck." Paul said in his thoughts. He was too proud to admit that he was wrong and just took off. Everyone was proud of Sora for winning, especially Kairi and Roxas.
Roark called back his Rampardos.
"That was an amazing battle, Sora. I can see why you're the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn. The way you battled is proof enough for me. And just so the world would know you beat me, I am happy to give you the Coal Badge," Roak said, handing Sora a Gym Badge shaped like a Pokéball and a treasure chest. Sora accepts his Gym Badge and places it in his Badge case.
"Thanks, Roark. You were an awesome Gym Leader," Sora said. Roark was pleased to hear Sora compliment him like that.
"That just leaves us with our Gym battle," Lucas said.
"Well, we'll flip a coin when we head back to the Pokémon Center," Roxas said.
Sora has earned his first Gym Badge in the Sinnoh region, so that leaves just seven more to earn. But which one will be next? Will it be Roxas or Lucas? Just wait as the answers comes in the very next chapter.