“You're sure about this?”
“James, if you ask me that again, I'm going to have Pichu paralyze you and leave you here while we take on the gym.”
Jen was wrapping up her training session for the morning before she headed for Cerulean Gym. Ever since she'd told James and Hunter that her plan was to use Pichu in the upcoming match, both had been questioning her decision every other chance they got. Jen was confident that Pichu was ready for this kind of battle, though, and for most of the time since they'd returned from James' match, she'd been working hard with the Tiny Mouse, fine-tuning her electric blasts. Pichu had learned a new move, Nasty Plot, which would boost her ThunderShock's power if she could stay out of danger.
Along with Pichu, she'd chosen Elekid and Golbat to round out the side. Elekid was the obvious choice because of his own Electric typing, but she'd bounced between Golbat and Togetic for her final pick. Ultimately, she'd picked Golbat because his ranged attacks were stronger than Togetic's, and even though he didn't have her maneuverability, his raw speed would keep opponents like Staryu chasing shadows. His Air Slash was even more potent these days, and with the added wrinkle of Confuse Ray, he'd be just as influential as Elekid, just less direct.
Jen recalled her team except for Pichu, and she scooped the Electric-type up in a hug.
“Hey, you ready?” she asked. “Today's your big debut, you know. You get to show everybody what you can do.” Pichu buried her face into the space between Jen's neck and shoulder as a response. “Hey, I know you can do it. You'll be just fine.” She recalled Pichu, then turned to look at James, whose expression was skeptical. “What?”
“Jen, I think this is a big risk. Pichu hasn't been in...” Jen held her hand up to cut him off.
“James, I know what I'm doing. Did I question you when you kept sending Typhlosion out against Chuck's Poliwrath?” James raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, you did. Several times.” Jen blinked, taken aback, then recovered.
“Well, this is different. First off, Pichu's not at a glaring disadvantage like Typhlosion was. Second, I need her to catch up to my other teammates so she can contribute more. Elekid and Magmar have done the bulk of the work, and Togetic's not far behind.” She paused, waiting for James to respond, then kept going when he didn't. “I'm not worried about her losing. She'll have plenty of opportunities after this, but it's been long enough. She needs that first match to get her moving.” James shrugged.
“It's your decision. I'm just not sure it's the best one.” Jen went red with anger, and James turned and walked away before she could let loose on him. Jen grumbled to herself, then tried to slow her breathing.
“Just stay calm. It'll all turn out okay in the end. I'll show them...Pichu will show them. She's gonna do great, I just know it.”
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Misty was wearing her blue two-piece and white jacket again when the trio arrived at the Cerulean Gym. James and Typhlosion followed Hunter into the stands, while Jen took her place on the challenger's stand. Daisy, looking disgruntled, had returned to officiate the match, and she didn't even bother over-selling her enthusiasm this time.
“Okay, Cerulean Gym match, blah blah, Cascade Badge at stake, yawn. Only challenger can sub out, three Pokémon per side, yada yada yada...”
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Jen Richards
A: ★★
D: ★
S: ★★
Misty
A: ★★
D: ★
S: ★★
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“We get it, Daisy, you're bored. Just ref the match.” Misty rolled her eyes before turning to face Jen. “So, your two friends have given me interesting battles. Let's see if you can match them.” She tossed out her first Pokéball. “Misty calls Staryu!” Like the previous two matches, the sea star landed and let out its martial artist's shout. Jen grinned and threw her first Pokéball.
“Pichu, let's go!” The Tiny Mouse emerged, took one look at Staryu...and made a flying leap back onto Jen's platform. She scurried behind Jen's right leg and hugged her ankle tightly, like a terrified kindergartener on the first day of school. “Aw, c'mon, Pichu, not this again.” Jen gave Misty an apologetic smile as she knelt down to detach Pichu from her leg. “Sorry about her. She's just a little...let go, Pichu...just a little shy, that's all.”
“No problem,” Misty said, watching Jen struggle with the Electric-type. So Pichu scares easily , she thought. Good to know. Jen finally managed to pry Pichu's paws off her leg and motioned her to jump back into the fight. Pichu did so, but looked back at her trainer with fear in her eyes.
“Pichu, concentrate. You're going to be okay.” Pichu cried out in frustration, then turned to face Staryu. “Okay, let's get going. Use Charm!” Pichu's eyes shimmered, but Jen couldn't tell if Staryu was affected or not. “Now use Nasty Plot!”
“Staryu, Rapid Spin! Don't let it boost!” As Pichu's frightened face became a smirk, Staryu began rotating like a wheel and sped right at her. Jen gasped as Pichu shrieked in terror.
“Get out of there! Jump between the platforms!” Pichu began hopping around the pool, doing her best to stay ahead of Staryu. The Star Shape Pokémon was skimming the water surface as it pursued Pichu, kicking up a spray from the pool. Eventually, it caught up and knocked Pichu down. “Pichu! Before it gets away, Thunder Wave!” Pichu screwed up her face and shot a single bolt of electricity at the retreating Staryu. The bolt caught the end of one of Staryu's arms, and its rapid rotation immediately slowed. “Yes! See that, Pichu? You paralyzed it! That'll make it...”
“Staryu, Water Gun!” Staryu landed in front of Misty, and fired a jet of water from its top arm. The water caught Pichu full in the face, and she nearly fell in the pool. Sparks played across Staryu's body after the attack. Pichu struggled to her feet, and looked back at Jen.
“Keep at it, Pichu! Nasty Plot!” Pichu turned back towards Staryu, and her face became a smirk again as she raised a paw to her chin. “All right! Now ThunderShock!”
“Staryu, into the pool!” With a major effort, Staryu dropped into the water with a splash. Jen's eyes widened as she realized what was coming.
“Pichu, start platform hopping again! Power Gem's next!” A violet glow shone somewhere to Pichu's left as she began jumping between the platforms. Just as Pichu leaped from the platform nearest to Jen, the glow exploded upward, blasting the platform and spraying water everywhere. Fortunately, Pichu had gotten clear of the blast, but Jen wasn't so lucky. “I'm gonna need to dry out after this...Pichu, ThunderShock into the water!”
“Get out and use Rapid Spin!” As Pichu aimed her electric shock, Staryu burst out of the pool and spun straight at Pichu, crashing straight into her. Pichu was thrown back into the water, and she struggled to get back to the surface.
“Pichu, hang in there!” Pichu managed to clamber back onto her platform, but she shook with terror and looked back at Jen, hoping to be returned. Jen shook her head. “No, you've got to keep going. It's only going to be tougher later.” She looked at Staryu, who was struggling to stay upright. “It's feeling the paralysis. Hit it with ThunderShock!” A small blast of electricity slammed into Staryu, and the boost from Nasty Plot made it hit even harder, but the sea star remained upright. Jen groaned; it was impossible to tell how much damage Pichu was causing because Staryu didn't react like most opponents. “Give it another one!”
“Rapid Spin!” Staryu leaped up and sped towards Pichu again. Pichu blasted it with another ThunderShock, but Staryu crashed into her at full speed and knocked her down. “Finish it off, Staryu! Power Gem!” As Pichu fought to get back up, Staryu dropped into the pool and gathered another surge of violet energy. One blast later, and Pichu flew into the air, landing hard and face-down on her platform. Daisy observed her before making the call.
“Pichu is unable to battle! Staryu wins!” Jen jumped lightly to the platform where Pichu lay and carefully picked her up. Pichu recovered just enough to look at her trainer with eyes full of tears.
“Hey, you were great,” Jen said, hopping back to her own technical area. “For your first battle, that was really good.” Pichu buried her head in Jen's collarbone again. “C'mon, take a rest,” Jen said as she recalled the Tiny Mouse. Misty looked on with a smile.
“Your Pichu did a number on Staryu. You said it was her first battle?”
“It was,” Jen said, her pride in Pichu taking over her mood. “She wasn't thrilled to be out there, but she gave it her all."
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“She did better than we expected,” James said, watching Jen recall Pichu. “Staryu's been slowed down, and Jen's got some speed in the lineup behind Pichu.”
“So does Misty,” Hunter answered, shrugging. “And a lot more maneuverability, if she uses Seadra. It's going to be an uphill fight, and losing Pichu early doesn't help.” James frowned.
“Hey, let's quit putting her down. For her first fight, she held her own.”
“I guess.” Hunter shrugged again, and they turned back to the battlefield to watch Jen's next move.
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Jen couldn't help shooting a half-triumphant look up at the stands as she took out her next Pokéball.
“I'll accept their apologies later,” she muttered to herself. “Right now, I've got a badge to win. Elekid, let's go!” The Electric Pokémon began spinning his arms as he landed. “Easy, there. We've got to pace ourselves.” She looked over at Staryu, who was visibly struggling to stay upright. “Or we can hit it hard right now. Shock Wave!” Elekid generated a crackling cloud of blue electricity around himself, then fired it at Staryu. Unable to evade the attack, Staryu simply braced itself, and its body shuddered as the blast finished its work.
“Keep fighting, Staryu! Water Gun!” Staryu fired off another jet of water, weaker than the last few, and Elekid sidestepped it with ease. Jen's face broke into a grin.
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“Finish it off, Elekid! Brick Break!” Elekid took a flying leap off his platform, then fell towards Staryu with his forearm sparking. Misty's eyes widened in panic.
“Rapid Spin!” Staryu tried to attack, but paralysis sparks shot across its body again, and it couldn't move. Elekid swung his right arm as hard as he could, slamming it into Staryu's central gem, and knocked Staryu into the pool. Staryu dropped a few feet in the pool, then floated back to the surface, face-down in the water.
“Staryu is unable to battle! Elekid wins!” Jen let out a breath as Elekid jumped back towards her.
“Way to go, Elekid. One down, two to go.” Across the pool, Misty pulled Staryu with a small smile.
“Thanks, Staryu. You really toughed it out.” She took out another Pokéball. “Your Elekid's looking strong, Jennifer. I hope it doesn't evolve on me in the middle of the match.” Jen giggled in spite of herself, remembering the havoc James' now-Electabuzz had caused in his match. “Let's see how you handle my next pick. Misty calls Psyduck!” A pudgy, yellow anatine creature appeared in front of Misty,. Wide, pained eyes sat above a cream-coloured beak, and it held its hands on its temples, like it had a bad headache. Jen trained her Pokédex on the new arrival.
“Psyduck, the Duck Pok é mon. Psyduck is plagued by chronic headaches, and releases powerful psychic blasts when the tension becomes too much for it. However, it is unable to remember producing these attacks afterwards.”
“Doesn't sound great,” Jen said as she stowed the device. “Eyes up, Elekid! It could drop a psychic attack at any moment! Shock Wave!” Another blue cloud of electricity coalesced and hammered into Psyduck, who screwed up its eyes in discomfort.
“Steady, Psyduck! Try Amnesia!” Psyduck's eyes opened a little, and its expression became a little more vacant. “That should take the sting out of those Shock Waves...” Jen's eyes narrowed.
“So that's her game. Wait us out. Elekid!” The Electric-type turned to look at her. “Get in close and don't let it set up! Brick Break!” Elekid jumped along several platforms and hit the top of Psyduck's head with a sparking chop.
“Fury Swipes!” Before Elekid could retreat, Psyduck began scratching at his face, alternating between hands while keeping the other pressed to its head. Elekid snarled and threw a regular punch at Psyduck's beak, breaking its attack and running to the edge of the platform. Jen watched as Psyduck's eyes bulged in its head, and a blue aura began to rise from its webbed feet as its eyes screwed up from agony.
“Elekid, get clear, quick!” Misty grinned as Elekid started his jump.
“Confusion!” Psyduck howled in pain as the blue aura surrounded Elekid and lifted him into the air. As the aura broke, Elekid fell into the pool, yelling the whole way. As he dragged himself back onto a platform, Psyduck looked calmer, but it turned its head this way and that, unaware of where it was. “Get a grip, Psyduck! You've still got a match to win here!” Psyduck looked back at Misty, its eyes unfocused. Jen watched and signalled to Elekid.
“Looks like Psyduck gave us an opening. Elekid, Brick Break again!” Elekid repeated his earlier attack, and Psyduck grabbed its head in response. “Oh, boy. We're giving it another headache...”
“Disable!” Psyduck's eyes glowed green, and Elekid's body was surrounded by a similarly-coloured aura. Jen blinked.
“I'm guessing that shut down one of our moves. Not sure which, though. Try Shock Wave!” Elekid gathered another cloud of electricity, but it dissipated almost instantly. “Okay, no Shock Wave. We'll do it Misty's way, then. Brick Break!”
“Counter with Ice Punch!” One of Psyduck's hands glowed blue, and it clenched the hand into a fist as it met Elekid's sparking karate chop. Elekid fell back, frost forming on his arm.
“Elekid! Hang in and use another Brick Break!” Elekid swung his arm again, but the frost lessened the amount of force he could put into the blow. Psyduck groaned as its headache continued to intensify.
“Steady, Psyduck!” Misty called, watching the Water-type grasp its head anew. “Get after it with another Ice Punch!” Psyduck shook its head, crying out in discomfort. “We don't have time to build up another Confusion! Elekid could regain Shock Wave any moment!” As if on cue, blue sparks shot from Elekid's horns, and Jen grinned.
“Blast it, Elekid!” Elekid formed another cloud of electricity and zapped Psyduck. The Water-type, despite its earlier use of Amnesia, slumped a little under the strain. “Okay, we've got it winded! One more Brick Break should do it!” As Elekid jumped towards Psyduck, the duck's eyes screwed up in pain again, and the blue Confusion aura formed around it.
“Hit it, Psyduck! Confusion!” Psyduck's pained cry echoed through the gym as it transferred the aura to Elekid's body. Elekid's Brick Break connected, catching Psyduck right between the eyes. Both Pokémon collapsed onto the platform as the blue aura burst around Elekid, and both Jen and Misty looked closely to monitor their team members. Elekid lay face-down on the platform, while Psyduck remained on its feet, but with its eyes glazed over. Daisy checked both of them, then raised both her arms.
“Both Elekid and Psyduck are unable to battle! This round is a draw!”
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“Unbelievable.” Hunter watched the two combatants fall and shook his head. “Elekid should have been able to make quick work of something like Psyduck, right?”
“Not necessarily,” James answered, looking at the fallen Psyduck. “Amnesia cut down on the amount of danger from Shock Wave, and once Elekid had the frost on his arm, Brick Break wasn't as effective either.” Hunter gave him a skeptical look.
“Why would the frost do anything?”
“I guess the cold was distracting, or limited his range of motion? I know that I don't throw as hard in the cold.”
“That could be it,” Hunter said, turning back to the field. “One on one to end the fight. Who's Jen gonna pick?”
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As Jen recalled Elekid, she looked across at Misty. Jen had seen several of her potential choices over the past two matches, and felt confident that Golbat could handle any of them. Gyarados would be the least palatable option, given its ferocity, but Starmie or Seadra were no slouches either. Misty recalled Psyduck and looked up at Jen.
“I didn't expect that. Psyduck doesn't often get the chance to let fly with two Confusion attacks in one match. Elekid must've given it one awful headache.” She took out her final Pokéball. “Let's end the match on a high note. Misty calls Corsola!” A roundish pink creature with an ice blue underside emerged onto a platform. Thick growths protruded from the top of its body, and smaller growths branched out from the main ones. A smaller growth that looked like a horn poked out above its small eyes. Jen took her Pokédex out again and trained it on the newcomer.
“Corsola, the Coral Pokémon,” the device announced. “It consistently regenerates the growths that snap off of its body, but it is unable to survive in polluted water.”
“What Pokémon could?” Jen asked herself as she put the Pokédex away and took out her last Pokéball. “Golbat, let's go!” The chiropteran chittered as he flew high above the pool, staring down at Corsola. Misty grinned, and Jen's face fell when she saw. “What?”
“Nothing. C'mon, then. Let's finish this match.” Jen stared for a moment, then looked up at Golbat.
“Golbat, you can handle this. Air Cutter!” Golbat generated a blade-like wind current and blew it at Corsola with his wings.
“Take the hit, Corsola!” Corsola braced itself, and the wind current buffeted its body with little discernable effect. “Okay, now use Mirror Coat!” Corsola's body shone brightly, and a shimmering aura coalesced at the tip of its horn. It shot the aura straight at Golbat, who shied away as it struck.
“What was that?” Jen asked, as Golbat fought to recover his bearings. Misty chuckled.
“Mirror Coat allows Corsola to take a special attack, then hit back with double the force. Of course, Golbat's Air Cutter isn't going to do much to her, since Corsola is a Water- and a Rock-type...”
“She's a what?”
“Exactly.” Misty giggled at the annoyed expression on Jen's face. “C'mon, just because I like to go on the attack doesn't mean I'm just gonna leave myself open. ”
“I don't believe this,” Jen said to herself. It was Mahogany Town all over again, with her inexperience biting her at the worst possible time. She shook herself out of her annoyance. “Hey, just because I didn't know about Corsola's typing doesn't mean I can't pull this off. Golbat!” Golbat turned to look at her. “We can't risk any more ranged attacks, so we have to get in close. Come up from behind and use Poison Fang!” Golbat raced to the opposite end of the pool, then flew at top speed towards Corsola, his fangs taking on a violet tinge.
“Power Gem!” Corsola's body glowed violet, and the light exploded up towards Golbat. Jen shouted in surprise.
“Break off the attack!” Golbat forced himself upward out of his charge as the light barely missed him. “Okay, try it again!”
“Put it off with another Power Gem!” The violet light just missed its target again, and Misty groaned. “How are we missing this badly? Hustle doesn't affect Power Gem...” She broke off as Golbat bit down on one of Corsola's growths, and violet sparks shot across the Water-type's body. “C'mon, don't let poison kick in, please don't let poison kick in...”
“Golbat, back in the air!” Golbat flitted high above the pool, facing Corsola with narrowed eyes. Corsola reacted by launching a wayward Rock Blast that broke against the gym's ceiling, scattering dust and grit around the area. Misty pointed to Golbat.
“Keep at it! BubbleBeam!” Corsola shot a stream of glowing bubbles that buffeted Golbat, and Jen shook her head.
“Keep moving! Don't let it target you!” Golbat began flying back and forth, up, down and sideways, not allowing Corsola to lock its focus on him. Corsola fired off attacks out of frustration, but neither opponent made much headway. Golbat was too far away for Corsola to get a solid read on him, but his ranged attacks were rendered useless by Mirror Coat. Too many of those, and Golbat would be done for. Misty was looking more and more annoyed by the lack of action.
“C'mon, Corsola! One good hit and we'll win! Rock Blast!” Jen's eyes lit up as Corsola generated the attack.
“Quick, use Astonish!” Golbat seemed to teleport from near the ceiling to directly in front of Corsola, letting out an unusually loud chitter. The suddenness of the noise startled Corsola, whose attack dissipated quickly. “Okay, now Poison Fang!” Golbat bit down on another of Corsola's growths, and this time, the violet sparks that shot across her body lingered.
“No!” Misty pointed at Golbat again. “While it's in range, use Power Gem!” Corsola's face was twisted in pain, but she generated another violet glow, and the attack blew Golbat back toward the ceiling. Somehow, he hung on, and glared furiously at his opponent. The violet sparks grew wilder as both Pokémon came set.
“We're nearly there, Golbat! Confuse Ray!” The air in front of Golbat shimmered, and Corsola's eyes became unfocused. “Yes! It worked!”
“BubbleBeam!” Misty's shout didn't register with Corsola, whose stream of bubbles shot off in the wrong direction. Jen grinned.
“Finish it off, Golbat! Air Slash!” Golbat generated a ball of wind and pushed it at Corsola. Misty's eyes widened.
“Quick, snap out of it and use Mirror Coat!” Corsola tried to generate the shimmering move again, but the light burst on her instead. The Air Slash caught her full in the face, and as more violet sparks played across her body, Corsola's eyes glazed over. Golbat had managed the win.
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“Corsola is, like, unable to battle!” Daisy called. “Golbat wins the round, and Jennifer the challenger totally wins the match! Way cool!” Before Jen or Misty could recall their Pokémon, Daisy had hopped off the referee's platform and started walking quickly towards the door.
“Hey! Where are you going?” Misty called after her sister. Daisy turned just long enough to stick her tongue out at Misty again, then dashed through the field doors towards the foyer. “Probably off to buy another eighty-credit cardigan,” the Gym Leader groaned, but she brightened as Jen approached. “Well, enough of her. I think I owe you a Cascade Badge.” She pressed the blue teardrop into Jen's hand. “All three of you gave me solid matches. You should be well-prepared for the next few gyms.”
“Thanks, Misty,” Jen said, shaking the Gym Leader's hand. “And for what it's worth, you're just as sensational as any of your sisters.” Misty grinned.
“Good luck with those two boys,” she said, a teasing look in her eye. Jen flushed, but didn't respond. “Hey, don't take it so seriously. You've got plenty of time to figure things out with them.” She laughed and moved towards the office, while Jen met James and Hunter by the foyer door.
“Good match,” Hunter said. James nodded his agreement.
“You almost sound surprised,” Jen responded, and both boys looked a little guilty.
“Listen,” James said, not looking at her. “We shouldn't have questioned your decisions today. Pichu did pretty well for a first battle.” Jen raised an eyebrow, and James went on. “You know your team best, and it's not up to us to criticize them. Sorry if we upset you.” Jen considered, then nodded.
“And I'm sorry I got mad at you guys. We all want to help each other do well, right? We've got to listen to each other's advice.” She checked the time. “C'mon, let's get back to the Centre. We can start planning for the next town there.” With that, the three youngsters exited the gym, Typhlosion hot on their heels.