James and Jen spent the rest of the afternoon in Cianwood, before taking an evening ferry back to Olivine City. The return trip was as uneventful as the previous trip had been. Instead of hanging out on the deck, James and Jen spent their time in a small common area, planning their strategies for the Olivine Gym. Both youngsters were confident; James' team was well-suited to taking on Steel-types, while Jen knew that Magmar would be her strongest option for the coming match, with Elekid and Tentacruel as her other realistic choices.
As they reached the ferry terminal, they saw a familiar face.
“Huey!” Jen called as she spotted the sailor. Huey grinned when he saw the two youngsters.
“Hey, long time, no see! How'd it go at the Cianwood Gym?”
“We both won the badge, and Tentacruel was awesome. We couldn't have done it without your help.”
“Well, I'm glad I could get you guys off and running.” Huey gave them a wave, and they exited the terminal.
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On the way to the Pokémon Centre, Jen turned to James.
“Hey, do you want to see if the Gym is open yet? The receptionist said the Gym Leader should be back around now.”
“Why don't we go to the Centre first, and ask Nurse Joy if she knows anything. It's a bit late for a gym battle anyway.”
“Alright, then,” Jen sighed, and they continued to the Centre. As they walked in, they saw a slender young woman with light brown hair talking to the Pokémon nurse. “Who's that?”
“No idea,” James answered, scratching Typhlosion's ears. They walked closer, and they could hear what the woman was saying.
“So of course they've started that big renovation project out there, so that limited what I could do in town. But there's plenty to do around the area, so it wasn't a total waste of a trip.” The girl sighed as she collected a few Pokéballs, her cheeks taking on a red tinge. “Well, I'd better check on Amphy before I head home. Thank you, Nurse Joy.” The woman headed out the double doors, and James, Jen and Typhlosion approached the counter.
“Oh, hello there! Welcome to the Olivine Pokemon Centre!” The two youngsters handed their Pokéballs across the surface, and Typhlosion slunk through a gap to meet the nurse.
“Um, Nurse Joy?” Jen asked, and the nurse gave her a smile. “Do you know if the Olivine City Gym is open again? The Cianwood Pokémon Centre said the leader was back from their vacation.”
“Yes, I believe it's open.” Joy responded, with a hint of knowing in her voice. “I only have the word of a few passers-by to go on, but the Gym Leader should be available to take your challenge now.”
“Cool. Thanks!” Nurse Joy gave them a short bow before taking their Pokémon to the back room, and James followed Jen into the waiting area. “So, Steel-types, huh? Good thing we have teams that can counter them.”
“We have to be careful, though. Remember Chuck and how he countered Haunter's typing? Steel-types could be tricky to deal with.”
“Right, can't forget that. So who goes first?” James considered, then shrugged.
“Why don't you go first again? All those rounds with Chuck took a lot out of me.”
“Okay. I'd better start practicing if we want to take on the gym tomorrow.” Jen hurried out of the back door, while James slumped into an armchair, eager to rest after the intensity of the past few days.
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“Magmar, Flamethrower!” The Spitfire Pokémon launched a searing stream of fire into the air, leaving a slight haze as it dissipated. Magmar smirked as she watched the attack; she hadn't been in a real match since evolving, and was proud that her moves were just as strong as ever. Nearby, Elekid fired electric blasts at Togetic, who nimbly avoided each one. Tentacruel sat on his cushion of water, working on the stationary Surf technique that Huey had taught him. Golbat flew around the area, occasionally dodging a stray ThunderShock or Flamethrower, while Pichu followed Elekid closely, unwilling to be separated from the Electric Pokémon. Jen noticed this and knelt next to the Tiny Mouse, smiling.
“You know, Pichu, I might need you in a battle sometime. I can't just rely on Magmar, Elekid and Tentacruel, after all.” Pichu slumped, and Jen patted her on the head. “It's okay. I know you're not as powerful as the others right now, but I'm gonna work on some training so you'll improve. That way, you can participate in battle just like everyone else.” She picked up Pichu and hugged her, just as James walked out.
“Pichu's still shy, huh?”
“We'll work on that. I've just got to figure out the best training method for her.” She looked over at Magmar, who was now sparring with her Elekid. “Alright, guys, that's enough! We've got to rest up for tomorrow, so let's call it a night.” Jen recalled all her Pokémon except for Pichu, giving the Electric-type another hug. After recalling Pichu, she turned to James. “Want to grab some food before we go to sleep?”
“I thought you'd never ask. There's a steak sandwich in the cafeteria with my name on it.”
“You'd better hurry up before Typhlosion eats it, then.” The two youngsters ran into the Centre in anticipation, the Volcano Pokémon at their heels.
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The next morning, Jen took her Pokémon to Nurse Joy for a once-over before heading for the Olivine Gym. James and Typhlosion followed along, the latter constantly looking around him. James put a hand on the Fire-type's head to calm him down, and Typhlosion relaxed.
When they reached the Gym, the receptionist's eyes widened as she recognized them.
“You're back. I'm assuming you both beat the Cianwood Gym?” Jen nodded, and the receptionist gave a lazy wave towards the door. “Jasmine is right through there. Good luck to you.”
“Thanks,” Jen said, and the two youngsters walked through the door to the main battlefield. Jen saw the Gym Leader standing at the other end of the room, but she turned to James as she realized who it was. “It's the same girl we saw last night at the Pokémon Centre! That's why Nurse Joy was acting so mysterious when we asked her!” James shrugged, and headed off to the stands with Typhlosion, while Jen walked to the field.
“Oh, hello!” the Gym Leader called as she spotted Jen. “I'm assuming you're here to challenge me?”
“I am! My name is Jennifer, and I'm...well, I live in Violet City. I'm here to win the Olivine Gym Badge!”
“Oh! You are? Um, right. I'm Jasmine, the Olivine City Gym Leader. I use Steel-type Pokémon in battle. You won't find it easy against me.”
“That's okay! I like a challenge!”
“Then let's get started.
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Jen Richards
A: ★★
D: ★★
S: ★★
Jasmine
A: ★★
D: ★★
S: ★
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“Skarmory, let's go!” Jasmine's first choice was a large bird whose body was seemingly made out of metal. Each of its wings had a metallic feather covering three red ones, and its toothy mouth grinned eagerly. Jen took out her first Pokéball and her Pokédex, scanning the new opponent.
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“Skarmory, the Armour Bird Pokémon. This Steel- and Flying-type's body is covered in a light but strong armour, and it is capable of flight speeds of up to 190 miles per hour.”
“Sounds scary. Okay, Magmar, you're up!” Magmar spat a mouthful of flames as she emerged, eager for battle. Jasmine looked apprehensively at the Fire-type, but shook it off and prepared her attack.
“Skarmory, Spikes!” The bird tucked in its wings and spun rapidly like a top, and several red-tinged projectiles shot from its body and buried themselves in the ground. “That'll make her think twice about switching.”
“I don't think so!” Jen called, but she murmured to herself a second later. “I'm not sure what Spikes does, but I can't let it rattle me.” Turning to Magmar, she pointed at Skarmory. “Blast it, girl! Flamethrower!”
“Dodge, then use Aerial Ace!” Skarmory nimbly avoided the scorching flames and rocketed at Magmar, its body surrounded by white streaks. It collided with the Fire-type and raced away, trying to get out of reach of Magmar's attacks.
“Stay calm, Magmar! SmokeScreen!” Magmar's next move was to cover the field in a thick layer of black smoke, hiding her from view. Skarmory looked around in confusion, trying to pick out its target. Jasmine looked on nervously.
“Swords Dance, Skarmory!” As Skarmory's body spun and its feathers glowed, Jen pointed up.
“Now's your chance! Flamethrower!” Before Skarmory could react, a stream of fire exploded upward, slamming into its body and dropping it from the air.
“Skarmory! Recover and use Night Slash!”
“Not gonna happen! Fire Punch it as it falls!” As Skarmory struggled to right itself in midair, Magmar jumped up to meet it, swinging a burning fist at its body. One strike knocked the bird backward onto the field, where it didn't stir.
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“Skarmory, no!” Jasmine recalled the Armour Bird and sighed. “That's what a Fire-type can do, I suppose. Well done, Skarmory.” She turned to Jen and nodded. “Your Magmar is very strong. You've done a good job raising her.”
“Thanks, Jasmine! We've worked really hard to get to where we are.”
“Well, it's paying off so far. But we're...we're far from finished.” Jasmine withdrew another Pokéball and tossed it out. “Magnemite, let's go!” Jasmine's next choice was a metal ball with a horseshoe magnet on each side of the sphere. A pair of Phillips head screws sat below a white circle, presumably an eye, and a third sat on top of its body. It floated above the ground as it watched Magmar.
“An Electric-type? Magmar, take a break for now.” Jen pulled Magmar, then tossed another Pokéball. “We'll fight lightning with lightning! Elekid, go!” Elekid landed on the ground, then winced as a series of explosions went off at his feet. “Wait, what was that?”
“That's the effect of Spikes,” Jasmine explained quietly. “Each time you switch Pokémon, the Spikes will damage them. It's a move designed to make trainers think before they make a substitution.”
“Wow,” Jen murmured, then smiled. “My team can take anything, just you watch! Elekid, ready?” Elekid spun his arm and growled. “Awesome! Jump up and hit it with Brick Break!”
“Magnemite, Metal Sound!” The magnets on Magnemite's body glowed, and a piercing noise like bending metal echoed through the gym. Elekid shrank back from the noise, stopping his attack to do so.
“Elekid, stay strong! Don't let up on that Brick Break!” Elekid growled, then jumped at Magnemite again. His attack hit the mark, and Magnemite dropped to the floor. “Awesome! Once more!”
“Mirror Shot!” Magnemite's body glowed again, and a blinding light flashed, knocking Elekid away. “Now use Thunder!”
“Elekid, ThunderPunch!” Magnemite's electric blast attack missed its mark, and Elekid slammed a forearm into it again. “Okay! One more should do it!” As Elekid jumped again, Jasmine called to Magnemite.
“Wait until it gets close!” Magnemite watched Elekid flying towards it, then Jasmine cried out. “Thunder!” The electric blast struck Elekid, who pushed through it and hit Magnemite with a third Brick Break. Elekid landed and fell to one knee, while Magnemite crashed to the floor. “Magnemite, are you okay?” Magnemite didn't answer, and Jen looked at Elekid.
“How about you, Elekid?” Elekid growled, tried to get up...and pitched forward onto the ground. “No, Elekid!” Jen looked wildly at Magnemite. “How did that happen? I know Thunder is a powerful attack, but it wouldn't do that much against an Electric-type...”
“Metal Sound's effect dropped Elekid's defenses enough to cause significant damage,” Jasmine said quietly, as she recalled Magnemite. “I must say, your Elekid was terrific. Those attacks really took their toll.” She took out a final Pokéball and, to Jen's surprise, smiled. “But you still have to face my strongest Pokémon. Are you ready?”
“Bring it! I'm ready for anything!”
“We'll see.” Jasmine tossed the ball out. “Steelix, go!”
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From the stands, James watched as a massive, snake-like creature emerged from the ball. Its body was made up of round segments like Hunter's Onix, but were a shiny silver rather than grey rock. Its lower jaw jutted out beneath blocky teeth, and its red eyes were narrowed. James scanned the new opponent as he stared.
“Steelix, the Iron Snake Pokémon, and the evolved form of Onix. Because of the high underground pressure under which it lives, its body is harder than any metal. It is known to chew through boulders with its powerful jaws.”
“So that's what I can expect later...and if Hunter evolves his Onix. I wonder how Jen's going to counter this one.”
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Jen looked Steelix over for a few seconds, then made her decision.
“Tentacruel, let's go!” The jellyfish landed with its customary splat, and the Spikes went off again. Jasmine looked curiously at Tentacruel as he appeared.
“A Water- and Poison-type? Odd choice to battle a Steel-type, but I'm sure you have a plan.”
“I do! Tentacruel, Surf!” Tentacruel kicked up its cushion of water, and Jasmine's smile widened.
“Ah, you've learned how to use a Water-type out of...well, out of the water. But it won't help you now. Steelix, Rock Polish!” Steelix's body glowed, and its movements, even while stationary, looked a little faster. “Now get in close and use Bind!”
“Tentacruel, BubbleBeam!” Tentacruel unleashed a torrent of shining bubbles, but Steelix cut through them and wrapped its body around the jellyfish. Tentacruel's Surf cushion dissipated as Steelix lifted it off the floor. “No, Tentacruel! Try another BubbleBeam to escape!”
“Toss it up, Steelix!” The Iron Snake swung its body upward, throwing Tentacruel high into the air. The jellyfish struggled to orient himself as he sailed helplessly through the sky. “Now, DragonBreath!” Steelix unleashed a green-tinged stream of air, slamming the attack into Tentacruel. Jen gasped as Tentacruel fell towards the ground.
“Quick! Use Surf as you land, then...” Jen was cut off by Jasmine's next call to Steelix.
“Finish it off! Iron Tail!” Steelix turned around and the end of its tail began to glow. Just before Tentacruel hit the ground, Steelix swung its tail down and drove Tentacruel hard into the floor.
“Tentacruel!” Jen watched helplessly as Tentacruel was smashed down, and one look at the jellyfish told her he was done for the day. “You did your best, Tentacruel. Take a rest.” Jen looked across at Steelix, whose grin had not faded since its appearance. She gulped, then took out Magmar's Pokéball. “It's all up to you now, Magmar. Let's win this thing.”
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Magmar felt the Spikes burst at her feet as she landed, and she glared at Steelix. She was perfectly capable of taking out the Iron Snake, but it would be a hard job.
“Stay focused, Magmar! We can do this!” Magmar spat a mouthful of fire, and Jen grinned. “That's the spirit, girl! Okay, let's start with SmokeScreen!” Magmar covered the field with smoke again, and slipped into the dark fog.
“Steelix, break up the smoke with Iron Tail!” Steelix smashed its tail into the ground this time, clearing a bit of the smoke, but Magmar remained invisible. “Stay alert! It's tried this trick before!”
“That's right! Flamethrower!” A stream of fire emerged from the smoke, headed straight for Steelix's head.
“DragonBreath!” The greenish air current hammered into the Flamethrower, causing a small explosion and creating even more smoke. “Easy! We can't give them more cover!”
“Fire Punch!” Steelix felt a burning strike hit its lower body as Magmar slipped through the smoke, and it roared its anger to the skies.
“Focus! Use Iron Tail again!” Steelix lashed out blindly with its tail, and this time, the attack connected. Magmar, who had remained nearby under the cover of the smoke, was driven towards Jen by the strike. “Alright! Iron Tail once more!”
“Get clear, and use Flamethrower!” The Iron Tail barely missed its mark, and Magmar fired another stream of flames at Steelix. The attack grazed its body, and it roared again.
“Don't get frustrated! DragonBreath!”
“Magmar, duck!” The greenish blast missed Magmar by inches. “SmokeScreen!” More smoke blanketed the field, hiding Magmar from view once again.
“Steelix, Iron Tail!” Steelix swung out again, sweeping a large amount of the smoke away, but felt no contact with Magmar.
“Alright, Magmar, go for it! Full power Flamethrower!” As Steelix roared in frustration, another stream of fire hit it squarely between the eyes. Steelix flailed for a few seconds, roaring in pain and fury, then its head crashed to the floor. A look at its eyes showed its defeat.
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“Steelix!” Jasmine cried as the metal snake fell. She watched for any sign of movement, then recalled her strongest team member. “You were great, Steelix. Rest up, friend.” She turned to Jen, who was congratulating Magmar. “You really did well, Jennifer. Magmar and her teammates should be proud.”
“You were a strong opponent too, Jasmine. I had to really dig deep to win this one.”
“And your efforts have paid off.” Jasmine produced a small silver octagon and pressed it into Jen's hand. “The Mineral Badge is the official token of victory at the Olivine Gym. You've definitely earned it.”
“Thanks, Jasmine.” Jen looked at the stands. “My friend is gonna try to win the badge tomorrow. He's a tough trainer too.”
“I look forward to his challenge.” Jasmine looked at a clock in the gym, and her smile faded a little. “Um, I don't mean to be rude, but I need to go heal my team before I visit Amphy. If you'll excuse me...” She bowed and hurried out of the gym, and Jen watched her in confusion.
“Who...or what...is Amphy?”