Chapter 16: Rock Gym Battle (3)
~Third POV~
[Kanto Region, Pewter City – Gym Private Room]
After winning the round with the Gym Trainer, the Cubone Azure was left on his own time before the final rounds against the Gym Leader Brock, taking this time to strategize against Brock. However, Azure was unaware he was being studied in a private room above housing the Gym Leader of Pewter City.
But viewing inside the VIP room with Onix, Graveler, and Geodude behind him, Brock gazes at the matches with a smirk on his face, "At last! An opponent worthy of my time!"
"Geo!"
"Gra!"
"Roo!"
The three rock types behind him all agreed to the match with Brock, smiling at his Pokémon, patting their heads, and shaking with excitement. Brock crosses his arms as he says in an impressed tone, "Of course. I know you three are roaring for battle. Especially against the first Trainer, seeing him pass with skills. Although I wouldn't mind facing off against his Pikachu or Dratini."
Brock smiles at the challenge, recalling the earlier battles and somewhat admiring the effort his Pokémon was placed in a curious tone, "Using an Electric Type against a Ground or Rock type, ignoring Type advantages, winning could be a fun opponent to face. But the Dratini Dragon Dance could be trouble, but regardless, a good challenge for you three, right?"
"Geo!"
"Gra!"
"Roor!"
Onix, Geodude, and Graveler all nodded with Brock crossing his arms, seeing the other match, seeing Blue using a Charmeleon as his smile not fading the least, saying in an excited tone, "And we have another contender as well. The boy with the Charmeleon… they would certainly be worthy challengers today."
Narrowing his eyes, Brock saw the Charmeleon belonging to Blue command it as if they were lifelong partners, and this made Brock nod. He commented in a serious tone, eyes narrowing, "They're strong. Both of them are strong. This certainly will be an interesting challenge."
Brock merely grins, waiting for the chance to fight the challengers. But for now, he shifts his attention to the others, seeing if they are worthy of facing him.
/////
[Kanto Region, Pewter City – Gym Waiting Room]
Waiting inside the rooms for the final match, Azure was talking to Dratini and Pikachu about the game plans against Brock's Pokémon in a calm tone, "Everything is planned, you two? If you go up against Onix, Geodude, or Graveler, use the moves right away without command. We need all the edge we can get."
"Dra!"
"Pika!"
Both nodded with Azure's command. He smiled, finally deciding who to choose in a serious tone, "Alright… Dratini, you are up for the final match. Are you prepared to show your stuff?"
Dratini perked up, surprised, but cried happily, taking the challenge, "Dra!"
Agreeing right away for the next match, Pikachu looked a bit sad, having not been chosen. Azure notices this but smiles, patting his partner's head affectionately as he says in a calm tone, "No worries, I didn't forget you, partner. The next Gym we face is water; I'll definitely need your help."
Pikachu perked up, hearing he'd be needed. Pikachu nodded in understanding as he cried out happily, "Cha!!"
Ensuring their needed Azure return their Pokémon into their Poke Ball. Sighing a breath of relief, he took the chance to wander the waiting room.
He noticed the TV in the room, taking the chance to marvel at the other participants in the Gym Battles ahead. He was simply in awe of the number of people in the crowd watching the Pokémon Battles ahead.
Azure simply took this time to analyze the strategies he could come up with in his head as he felt his heart race. He was shaking in excitement, having to challenge a gym leader for the first time…
/////
[Kanto Region, 30 Mins. Later, Pewter City – Gym]
After 30 minutes had up, Azure headed inside the hall and then to the ring as the crowd of people waited to see the first match. He enters the ring with Azure, having his Poke Ball out, but his eyes are surprised seeing Brock with his Pokémon out in the open.
The Pokémon next to Brock is a Pokémon composed of a giant chain of gray boulders that become smaller toward the tail. Its length makes it the tallest Rock-type Pokémon. It has black eyes and a rounded snout. On top of its head is a rocky spine.
Azure realized it was an Onix he was facing. Taking out his Arc Phone, he got the info reading for anything useful.
[Onix the Rock Snake Pokémon. Onix tunnels under the ground at over 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour, which causes tremors and a terrifying roar that echoes a long way. Hard objects encountered while tunneling are absorbed into its body, which makes it very sturdy.
It also consumes the boulders for food. The massive, winding tunnels it leaves behind are used as homes by Diglett. Inside its brain is a magnet that serves as an internal compass, guiding Onix wherever they need to go and preventing them from getting lost while digging.]
Reading the contents inside, he put the Arc Phone down, having an idea of a plan. He exhaled calmly with a determined expression on his face.
An Onix was at the ready, staring them down. Azure calmed himself and took a deep breath before finally choosing Dratini out of her Poke Ball.
*Pop*
Dratini was out of the Poke Ball but was surprised to see the size of Onix. She gazed at the Onix by Brock's side as the two stared each other down.
Brock smirked seeing the Dratini out, but no words were needed to be said as the two eyed each other. All they needed was the bell to ring to commence the battle ahead…
*Klaaang*
Brock quickly made his move, voicing out his command to his Onix, making the first move in a commanding tone, "Onix! Rock Throw!"
Onix cried out, following his trainer's command, "Roo…!"
Using Rock Throw, its rock mouth launched rocks out of its mouth, but Dratini had already begun to finish up using Dragon Dance when it appeared, waiting for the opportunity to act as instructed. Not needing command, Dratini began to dodge around, swerving to avoid the rocks and not taking any damage.
Seeing Dratini move to dodge the Rock Throw coming its way, Azure clicked his teeth, seeing Dratini can't perform Dragon Dance anymore with the rocks in the way. Shifting tactics, he gave another command as he said, "Tch. Looks like Dratini won't be allowed to set up. Dratini, use Iron Tail on the Onix!"
Dratini's eyes widened at the command, and it did so, now charging straight ahead. Brock smiles at this. He then delivers his counterattack as he says, "Perfect! My Onix's ultimate attack is…"
*Ong*
*Ong*
*Ong*
*Ong*
*Ong*
That was when Azure's eyes widened at what he led Dratini towards as Onix's body began to move, coiling at incredible speeds. Brock finishes explaining in a confident tone, "…to use its own body as a tornado! The speed of its revolutions sets off unstoppable shockwaves…"
Gritting his teeth, Azure felt his body being hit by the shockwaves from the Onix, and Dratini felt the force as her eyes narrowed, feeling the shockwave attack from the body. Dratini still went forward with Brock finishing his words in a serious tone, "The final strike… Skull Bash!"
*BAM*
*Cling*
The Iron Tail and Skull Bash from the Onix and Dratini both clashed as the two backed off, with Dratini thrown to Azure's side, damaged with a blood bruise shown on her lower half, with the Onix growling in pain with a noticeable crack on its head. It was evident that both Pokémon suffered damage, but neither backed down.
The two merely returned their eyes to each other, with Azure sighing a breath of relief and Brock smirking. He responded excitedly, "Hahaha! I haven't had this much of a challenge from you trainer. But it seems like your Dratini has some fight in her."
Azure only smirked at the compliment from Brock. Dratini began to use Dragon Dance, keeping focus while he got her enough time to respond to Brock. Azure stalled a bit, allowing Dratini to set up as he said to Brock, "Sure is. This Dratini is quite the fighter and determined to show she's the best."
*Shiii*
Finishing up another set of Dragon Dance, Dratini was now faster than Onix, glaring at the rock snake as Azure gave another order, "Dratini go for an Iron Tail on the head again in the same spot you struck!"
Dratini lunged forward with a battle cry, "Dra…!"
*Woosh*
Rushing towards the Onix, Brock immediately noticed the speed difference increase. With his eyes shocked, he responded, "That Dragon has her speed increased then… Onix quick-use Harden!"
"Roo!"
*CLANG*
A loud clanging sound was heard as Onix's rock body turned hard as Iron Tail clashed with Onix Harden's body, causing sparks to fly. Onix protected himself in the last second with the Dratini, showing a shocked expression.
Azure, on the other hand, was quick to react, smiling and giving a command right away to Dratini, getting her attention immediately. What he said alarmed Brock immediately as he said in a determined tone, "Perfect! Dratini Twister point blank!"
Dratini's eyes widened, and she listened as commanded. The tail on her body glowed a shining orb and directed it at Onix's face, unleashing a sudden tornado, sending Onix away, and getting Brock's attention right away. In a worried tone, he said, "Oh no! Onix quick Bind on the Dratini to stay put!"
"Roo!!"
Onix's body began to move forward to grab Dratini to use a Bind, but the Twister forced the Onix to be pushed back, sending him back off guard with Azure command, "Dratini, now's your chance! Use Surf!"
"Dra…!"
Ending the Twister attack, Dratini rushed in with her tail, summoning water to make a wave and began to smack it on the head of Onix, causing the Onix to roar in pain before finally fainting, "ROOOoooo…!"
*Splash*
*Thud*
Landing down on the ring, Brock saw that Onix had fainted. Sighing, he held out his Poke Ball and returned it.
Then, turning his attention towards Azure and Dratini, he said in a congratulated tone, "Good work, friend. Will get you healed up for the next match. Now then, congrats on winning the Rock Gym Azure."
Going towards the two, taking out the Boulder Badge, and handing it to Azure, he began to congratulate his win in a proud tone, "Here's the Boulder Badge, Azure Sky. With the Boulder Badge, your Pokémon will become stronger when you always wear it around you. It also makes Pokémon you capture have an easier time."
Azure's eyes widened a bit, thinking to himself while holding the Boulder Badge in his hand as he used [Observe] in a stunned tone, 'Right… I forgot that was a thing here. Having a Badge empowers my Pokémon, and I have an easier time taming Pokémon... good to know.'
[Item: Boulder Badge
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Badge
Description: A Gym Badge, commonly referred to as simply a badge, is an item that serves as proof of a Pokémon Trainer's victory in a battle against a Gym Leader at a Pokémon Gym. With this badge, Rock-Type Moves are increased by 12.5%, and control Pokémon is easier for the Trainer to command.]
Azure takes the Boulder Badge and puts it away as Brock also gives him 1400 Poke Dollars into his account through a device in his pocket, getting Azure's attention immediately, "And there. Your Trainer account has been updated with 1400 Poke Dollars for winning the Gym. Along with that, the TM Rock Tomb."
[Item: TM Rock Tomb
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Rock Tomb].]
After checking it, Azure smiled as he thanked Brock for the cash as he began to leave the ring with Dratini, who returned to her Poke Ball, shaking in excitement. Azure muttered to himself happily, "We won that Gym. That's one down and seven more to go."
But a new voice cut his words, alerting him, "7 more, huh?"
He froze in place as his eyes finally locked onto Blue Oak with a narrow expression on his face as he began to talk to him with a sly grin, "Azure Sky, huh? You are planning on facing all the Gyms in Kanto?"
Azure paused when he heard that question. But he replied in a determined tone with a sly grin of his own, clenching Pikachu's Poke Ball, "Yup. How else would I be the greatest Pokémon Master, the best that there ever was? Besides, this is merely the first Gym, and I don't plan on stopping till I reach the top."
Blue remained still as Azure walked off. However, Blue smirked as he went forward with his Gym Challenge. He criticized, humorously saying, "To be the greatest Pokémon Master, to be the very best that there ever was? Talk about childish fantasy, but then again, he could prove to be a useful rival than Red."
/////
[Kanto Region, Pewter City – Gym Entrance]
Azure exited the Pewter City Gym as he exhaled a breath of relief, muttering in a calm tone, "Whew, talk about an intense stare-down. But at least I managed to gain massive benefits from it."
He grinned at the benefits he gained from defeating Brock, but blinked, seeing someone catching his eye. That was when he noticed Red coming in before stopping him in a loud tone, "Hey kid, wait a second."
Red momentarily stopped and replied as Azure took out some Potions for him, "Sorry dude, but I can't stop—"
Interrupting Red words by tossing him a few potions, as Azure responded cooly, "These should help you heal your Pokémon's health. I heard what happened at the Pokémon Center. It's best to have them in good shape rather than tired shape."
Blinking a bit, handing Red the potions, he smiled and thanked Azure before entering the Gym to sign up. Having used the Potions, he said in a thankful tone, "Thanks, man! I really needed these for my Poli and Saur!"
Entering inside, Azure helplessly shook his head as he mumbled to himself in a determined tone, "Gez, what a kid. But my next route should be Route 3. Time to start collecting my next team members. Maybe that rare spawn Charmander…"
With an idea in mind, Azure began to prepare himself to find reliable Pokémon up ahead of Pewter City. But first, he left for the Poke Mart to obtain essentials along with other necessary items…
/////
A/N: So, guys, how did you like the MC's first Gym Battle with Brock? Was there anything I should've improved in future Gym Battles, or not? Please comment below as your opinions help shape this story. Otherwise, have a good day.