Chapter 15: Rock Gym Battle (2)
~Blue O. POV~
[Kanto Region, Later, Pewter City – Gym Stands]
Finally. Took them long enough to let people inside this Gym. I was getting bored waiting for a while for the chance to challenge the Gym Leader of Pewter City.
Facing off against one of the Gym Leaders here is only to test my strength and resolve as a Pokémon Trainer. The few years that I studied under Master Chuck were certainly the years I was most determined to learn to be a Pokémon Trainer.
It was honestly funny when he mentioned that only trainers give orders to Pokémon as they fight, while we don't train or know how they fight in their place. Those were certainly good times, remembering the brutal training I received under him with my Scyther, the first Pokémon I got before I finally returned home when my grandpa gave me Charmander.
I'm determined to be the best trainer there ever was. Already registered for the next few matches ahead, I only waited while I saw the groups of other Trainers like myself wait for the chance to battle against Brock for his Boulder Badge.
But they need to get past the preliminary rounds first against the Gym Trainers before they have a chance to face Brock. Hm… I think I can just choose Charmeleon for the rest of the rounds till I get to Brock to see how far and well the Pokémon grandpa gave me handled.
Sitting on one of the seats nearby, I see the first trainer come to the boxing ring as I narrow my eyes at this kid again. This one made me lose that Kangskhan, but I won't be that sour. I'm a bit more upset that his Pikachu attacked my Charmander from behind.
Tch. Seems like the first match is him against the Gym Trainer, as the two brought out Pikachu and… Graveler, huh?
This would be an interesting matchup. While Graveler is stronger and bulkier, Pikachu outmatches the Graveler only by speed alone, but that's it unless the kid has something up his sleeve.
Then, what I saw next was the kid, Azure Sky, the guy's name, through the speaker, using his Pikachu to the best of his ability, doing all he could to maneuver and use debuffing moves on his opponent.
Narrowing my eyes at this Azure guy, I recall that Grandpa said that his stuff was stolen, along with his research books, possibly by Team Rocket. After all, Red and I are here to prove that fact, at least when they were present.
I must keep my eyes peeled to find the thief who dared to steal from my grandpa. But it seems like he won his first match against Graveler trainer using a move I'm not familiar with, seeing how his Pikachu's tail turned shiny grey but produced damage.
Effective damage. But what caught my attention and probably the audience was the fact that Pikachu used the move Surf.
I didn't even know one could train a Pikachu to use the Hidden Machine Surf. Pretty impressive, but his next obstacle, a Gym Trainer, came up next with a Sandshrew, with him throwing out –
"Ok then… Alright, Dratini, it's time to make your debut, girl. Dratini, Standby for battle."
I still can't believe it with my eyes as I frowned, looking at the scene before me. How the heck did he get such a rare Dragon-Type Pokémon?
Those species are scarce to come by and almost impossible to find unless you are a strong trainer. I know he mentioned he obtained the Dratini from Viridian Forest, maybe I should test my luck…
/////
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Later, Pewter City – Gym]
*Klaaang*
Bringing out Dratini and getting ready for battle as the bell rang out, I gave my command immediately in a serious tone as Dratini followed, "Dratini, use Dragon Dance to power up to the max."
She cried out, nodding, "Dra!"
Brightly shining up while doing her dance the Gym Trainer saw this and tried to attack to stop my dragon's movement in a frightened tone, "Shit!! Sandshrew quick! Poison Sting now!"
Smirking at this with Dratini now faster than the mouse Pokémon, I gave out our defense in a calm tone, "Dratini Twister to return the attack!"
*Woosh*
Dratini did as follows: A small orb glowed at her tail as she waved her tail and created a tornado from it, sending it at the opponent and the Poison Sting attacks away from her back to the sender.
Sending the Poison Sting back at the Pokémon, Dratini kept on doing Dragon Dance to the max as she could, as the Gym Trainer growls, finally giving out another command in a frustrated tone, "Tch. Sandshrew, use Slash now!"
A glowing aura surrounded the hands of the Sandshrew rushing towards Dratini, but it soon avoided with the extra stage of boosted speed and attack while finally getting behind. I gave out the next command calmly, "Now use Iron Tail!"
"Dra!"
*THUD*
"Shrewww!"
Landing a direct hit to the back of the Sandshrew with Dratini's tail, shining gray, landed the hit, and with a boosted attack, it certainly helped a lot. Not only that, but we have the speed advantage now.
Just a couple more hits and a few more dodging around with Dratini sweeping the floor against my opponent easily, till finally, Dratini landed the finishing blow with an Iron Tail. I smiled, seeing the job done, earning our victory.
*BAM*
The Sandshrew was down for the count as Dratini rose victorious from the fight, with the announcer saying, "Sandshrew is unable to battle. The winner of the second Preliminary match goes to Azure Sky of Viridian City!"
"Yeah!"
"Azure!"
"SKY!"
"AZURE!!!"
Getting the compliments was nice and all with Dratini being pumped as well, getting all the attention as well for winning, as I talked to her proudly, "Think you can handle one more, or do you want to switch in with Pikachu, leaving you to face Brock for the finale?"
Blinking a bit, Dratini nodded to switch in, smiling, conserving her strength for the big match, and the Dragon Dance came in clutch since it was a busted powering-up move. But now comes another challenge.
Returning Dratini into my Poke Ball, bringing out Pikachu for the next match, I see the next Gym Trainer come in holding his Poke Ball, congratulating me for making it this far in a sincere tone, "Have to say, challenger, you have some skill getting this far. But let's see if you can get past me. Cubone, ready up!"
*Pop*
The Pokémon coming out Cubone is a small, bipedal, dinosaur-like reptilian Pokémon with a light brown hide that covers most of its body, except for its cream-colored belly. Two small claws, one on each hand, serve as its thumbs, and one large nail on each foot makes up its toes. It has two small spikes on its back and a short tail.
On its head, Cubone wears the skull as a helmet. The skull has two rounded horns on the top of its head and a tooth-like point on the lower sides. Under the skull, Cubone has a brown snout.
Raising my Arc Phone, I checked any info that could prove useful. The text showed as I quickly read the info.
[Cubone the Lonely Pokémon. It is called the Lonely Pokémon because it tends to keep to itself and avoid social situations due to the trauma caused by the death of its Marowak mother. Cubone will often weep at night in mourning for its mother.
When Cubone cries, the skull that it wears on its head vibrates and emits "a plaintive and mournful sound." On the night of a full moon, the cries are said to be especially terrible. Cubone seems to recognize a likeness of its mother in the full moon, and so it howls with a particular sadness.]
Nope. Just depression. The small Cubone survives only through the immense skill it possesses in wielding the bone it carries as a weapon.
Pure Ground, huh? Pikachu, ready for battle, knows what to do as we hear the ring go out. There's no need to wait around or worry about the Type disadvantage here.
*Klaaang*
My opponent didn't waste time issuing commands. "Cubone, Headbutt!"
Not wasting any time with my opponent's moves, Pikachu already used Double Team in hopes of increasing his evasion, slowing the Cubone down. Cubone missed phasing through one of the illusions Pikachu set up as I gave my partner the command, "Pikachu use Quick Attack to dodge or get close to Cubone with an Iron Tail."
*Swooosh*
Following my words, he lunged at great speed as Pikachu cried out, tail turned steel, "Pi! Pikachu!!"
Agreeing right away following my command, Pikachu ran towards my opponent, Cubone, as the Gym Trainer saw this and countered, "Cubone smack away his attack with Bone Club!"
"Bonee!"
*Clash*
The two attacks collided as Pikachu's Iron Tail collided with Cubone's Bone Club attack, causing the two to clash and back off as a result of getting more breathing room, with the two cautiously watching each other's movements. My eyes narrowed, using [Observe] to get a grasp of my opponent's level.
[Cubone Lv.20 Lonely Pokémon]
Tch. It's a bit high for my Pikachu's level. Cubone's best stat is its defense, and with the little dino playing parry, if Pikachu comes in close with an Iron Tail, he will have enough time to react and counter.
Quite the annoying turn of events. Well then… time to dash some water.
Pikachu looked at me as I smiled, giving the command in a confident tone, "Pikachu, get close to Cubone!"
Nodding, Pikachu rushed forward at Cubone. His Trainer remained confident, giving out a command to Cubone to be prepared, "Cubone, hit his mouse with a Bone Club when that rodent gets close! Use Bone Club when that Pikachu is in range!"
"Bone!"
Tightening his grip on his bone weapon, I couldn't help but smirk, seeing him fall for my trap. In the most normal sense, this would work out for his Pokémon, seeing as I'm a rookie in gym challenges.
However, it seems to me he wasn't paying attention to the first match I had. Once Cubone was within range of Pikachu, I commanded confidently, "Now! Use your Surf Pikachu! Splash that Cubone!"
*SPLASH*
It was too late for the trainer as he paled as Pikachu summoned a wave of water down on the Cubone in shock. The resounding splash was heard as Cubone was washed away along its side as it cried out, "Bone!"
*Thud*
Cubone fainted soon after getting hit by a surf attack. Seems like I overthink the problem instead of going straight for the attack.
Battling was still new to me, and hopefully, I would learn more in time. But with my match against his Cubone, the referee spoke up in an excited tone, "Cubone is unable to battle! The winner of the final Preliminary Rounds! In the final round, we will have the challenger, Azure Sky, against Pewter City Gym Leader Brock after a short 30-minute recess to allow others to participate!"
"YEAH!!"
Sighing a breath of relief, the final match was going to come soon enough. For now, I need to strategize on how to deal with Brock next using Dratini.
The thought crossed my mind to use Pikachu. But immediately left my head since my partner is a glass cannon with poor Def, Sp. Def, and HP stats.
At least compared to Dratini, she can take a few hits that won't be a Type Advantage Stab. I need to think strategically about my match with Brock…