Waking up from only having three hours of sleep always feels bad when you're a kid. And judging by mom taking ten years to get up from overnight grading it must be worse as an adult.
Slight migraine aside I'm just a bit groggy, nothing drinking water and freshening up won't fix.
Carefully shifting my egg aside I get out of the tent and it seems like everyone else has their Pokemon out, except for Fletchling and Pikachu, battling off against some Oddish and a Gloom. Obviously my friends are winning but a Ralts using Light Screen and Reflect to protect their teams always helps. Turns out Ralts learned the psychic shield against physical moves when she was helping face off against the Beedrill horde.
The rest of the day and the day after was similarly eventful with facing off against Pokemon every thirty or so minutes and helping out trainers heading to either Pewter or Viridian.
In terms of my team Leaf finally learnt Tail Whip and after a couple battles of using Bug Buzz Tabitha seems to be starting to learn how to use bug energy in more physical ways. There are no changes with Char and Kakuna but that's expected until they train enough to evolve. Lupa is trying his hardest to learn Trailblaze from Leaf alongside the other Rockruff and both him and Char seem to be working together on something but other than that he hasn't learnt any moves. After Ralts learnt Reflect I've been having her train with Mirielle's Pikachu on using Double Team since it would be beneficial for both of us.
Of course we can't put our all into training since we were constantly traveling but it was fun hanging out and facing off against the wild Pokemon.
For the others they've also been training but the biggest highlight was Scatterbug practicing Struggle Bug after witnessing the same move being used by Tabs alongside practicing Bug Bite from Kakuna on the last day of our stay in the forest resulted in the little bug type evolving into Spewpa and learning both Harden and Protect. Spinarak was also there trying to learn Struggle Bug and Electroweb but all the bugs got really happy for Spewpa evolving.
Finally, during the nighttime we were so close we all decided to just walk the rest of the way to Pewter and reached the city by 10:43ish before we went to book our rooms in the pokecenter. James then helpfully reminded us to register to the gym now or we might have to wait even longer in a line tomorrow.
So we went past most of the city and the local museum before looking at the giant structure of what seems to be a rock but somehow something opened it up from the inside and made space for a full on three story building to live inside. Probably one of Brock's Onix. Thankfully the place closes at 11 so we had time to register.
Heading inside was even weirder than looking from the outside since there was such a divide between the natural rock from outside to the sleek and office style registration room. Forget a gym battle I was worrying about having to take a job interview, before I realized that I'm a kid with at least twenty k in my wallet so I don't really need one. The others were similarly disoriented by the change and by the time we were in front of the desk to talk with the receptionist named Chantel it took us a second to remember why we came before we all told her about wishing to battle Brock.
She tapped a little on her computer before looking back to us and saying "Brock is busy until the end of tomorrow, a couple at the start of the day after, and a few at the end of the week. The rest is open slots for you kids."
I made a showing of rubbing my chin before giving an answer. "Thanks but I think I'll be challenging at the end of Tuesday while the others will be challenging at the end of the week, so like five days later." When the others started disagreeing I raised my hands up and tried to placate them "L-look I already have a strategy ready against Brock and I'm gonna do a four vs four battle before taking a bus to Celadon to participate in a tournament, we'll still see each other but probably in Cerulean or Vermillion." They're still kinda sour about me leaving them for a bit but they still give the details of which Pokemon they're gonna use against Brock. We all are gonna do a four vs four.
I also gave the list of Pokemon that I'll be using before she scanned our id's on our pokedex and stated soon after that the process is complete. My picks managed to shock my group before they began barraging me with more questions about why I picked them and not one of my other choices.
Seeing no reason to stay any longer and not go to sleep we all headed to the center to deposit our Pokemon and go to sleep after getting our Pokemon back.
A call to notify mom that I'm in Pewter with my gym challenge happening in a couple days and that I just got out of the forest, then I change before going to sleep. It was nice lying on a bed and not having to force myself to stay awake.
After a really long time I managed to wake up to the sounds of music and explosions. Oh. Leaf turned on the tv in the room to watch her favorite show.
I got up and went to the bathroom that Chardon was occupying and decided to just wash my hands and brush my teeth before he left. Once Chardon did just that I then relieved myself before washing my hands again and heading to the mini-kitchen to begin cooking some breakfast for my Pokemon.
Essentially I can't give them any chicken or stuff like that since I'm almost tapped out on those so for the morning they'll have chow until I head to a nearby supermarket.
I just toasted some complementary bread and slathered it in marmalade.
After breakfast it took me a bit to realize that something smelled. That smell was me.
I then headed to take a shower so I could change into some other clothes... before realizing I didn't do laundry back in Viridian so only a grey shirt with a Rotom picture on it is clean.
I shot a message to the others on a group chat about heading to a Laundromat to clean my clothes. Everyone agreed and in three minutes we were all in the middle of the center waiting for Amy to finish her call with her mom and a different call with her dad.
After asking nurse Joy for the nearest laundromat we headed over to dump all our clothes, though I forced everyone to force their white clothing away from their colored since I learnt my lesson the last time I put my red shirt with white underwear. Granted the end result looked pretty cool but I don't think the others would appreciate the new colors.
After heading away we all collectively decided to train together to prep for Brock, for this I made a conscious decision of sending away Leaf to switch with Bonsly since I wouldn't be using my grass type anyway. Of course I explained to Leaf and even made a call to professor Oak to leave Leaf at my mom's place until I come back.
The entire group then headed over to an outcropping near Route 3 where there weren't any Pokemon there. Just a stretch of dry and rocky land.
We all then came up with a strategy of using our rock types to use Rock Throw at some of our Pokemon to not only get their resistances up but to also improve their dodging ability. The rest of our Pokemon would try and learn any moves that they might need for the upcoming battle.
After every twenty minutes the group training with Rock Throw would take a short break before the rock types would have a battle against each other, with Bonsly almost always winning with me telling him to use Stomping Tantrum, while the others who were training their dodging would try and practice their own moves.
Halfway through the day we took a well deserved break. A good local restaurant that dual classes as a supermarket later and I get the bright idea that we should do a couple battles to get more experience against trainers.
Suffice to say the group actually disagreed with me since in their eyes I should spend more time practicing my moves before battling Brock.
Convincing them that I would only battle hard for today I said that I should battle the three of them in really tough fights to get the most out of it. I then had to do like thirty battles against the other three and maybe ninety percent of my total battles resulted in a win. The only times I didn't win was against Squirtle with Chardon and Tabs against both Rookidee and Fletchling. Having the opportunity to battle in type advantage and disadvantage was interesting and was a really great experience.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
We had to stop since all our Pokemon were tired sans Ralts, Lupa, Pikachu, Rufflet, and Shadow. Those five were training together to practice their moves and how to fight against each other while all the others were resting in their balls or having a picnic together.
I have found that my hair seems to be the perfect amount of fluffy for a bird to consider it a nest as Fletchling and now Rookidee both land and rest on my head when they want.
I also found out and exclaimed about the fact that Amy dyed her hair blue! Seriously how long did I not notice?!
"Uhh actually it was blue like five days before we left Pallet." At my shocked expression she continued on "I really wanted to know how long until you'd notice, you tend to not really figure out something obvious about a person but you're like amazing on knowing someone on like the mental level."
"Psychological level" James corrected.
"Dang really?" how have I not noticed that?
Amy continues "It didn't really come up since there wasn't any need to, I know you at least try to be sincere about stuff like that little video you tried making with Mr. Lazle's Chatot to celebrate my birthday."
"Keyword tried." At my blush on that debacle she bursted into giggles.
Overall the day was well spent and half of the next one continued in the same fashion.
At that point I decided to give my Pokemon a break since I didn't want them to go into this with no energy.
I also forgot to ask if Bonsly wanted a name.
Upon questioning the little rock type he happily nodded to it. I can't really think of a good name so I decide to do a Ethan from Unova and proceed to name it by its final evolution.
"Alright, how about Woody?"
No new moves from all my Pokemon except for Tabs who learnt Pounce, a great move for her to use and a decent substitute for Bug Bite. She was crying happy tears to learn her first physical bug type move.
The day after passed with me finalizing my strategies and letting my team rest a little before heading into the gym.
When it was almost time for my battle the group decided to go and watch me in the stands of the gym arena.
A classic gym has to determine whether you deserve to battle the gym leader first regardless of badges so in these challenges you're allowed to use any Pokemon you own, not planning to abandon their efforts I plan on using Lupa into Woody but this'll be for just this gym since I want to gauge just how strong I'll need to be for future battles.
In the waiting room there were a couple trainers who are gonna go before me waiting and reviewing their strategies before they'd come on. I didn’t need to do that since I already prepped it this morning.
A different member of staff from the gym came up to me when it was time to begin and put on those little microphones that you could clip onto your shirt, before he explained some rules and confirmation of my chosen Pokemon against Brock.
I headed to my side of the arena towards a platform but before that I did a double take. In the area where large Pokemon could watch the battle a familiar blue dragon type was lying down next to a buffalo with an afro and a creature that looks like two purple starfish decided to merge bodies. Looking around I see my mom with Leaf in her lap in the stadiums. I almost went towards the Salamence and my moms Pokemon but knowing the rules I have unfortunately give a wave.
A kid maybe a year older than me who looks suspiciously like the gym leader comes up to the other side of the arena looking ready to test me.
He huffed at me before taking his clip-on microphone and begins talking "Yo, I'm Brock's younger brother Forrest and there ain't no way you'll get past me."
Feeling incensed I shot back "You're a thousand lightyears away from facing me." Apparently the crowd loved that, with Striker and Bouffalant laughing at some inside joke. Just seeing that threw a little off... its been a long time since I saw those two together.
Anyway I get my head back in the game and ready my battle face... which again managed to spook my opponent but Forrest shook it off in seconds and motioned to the referee to ready.
"Trainers ready?"
"Yes/Course"
A flag is waved down. Two poke balls are chucked into the air.
From Forrest's side a Rhyhorn is shot out. From my side comes out Woody.
Both got into fighting stances.
"Rock Polish/Rock Polish" I smirk while he clicks his teeth in frustration, nothing has changed except for our Pokemon having a lighter sheen. But if one of those Pokemon faints then the other has an already active speed boost advantage. That's just asking for a snowball effect.
"Iron Tail" "Copycat"
Soon both meet in the middle to exchange their attacks but where Rhyhorn has to turn around Woody doesn't so he slams into the ground and rock type before getting smacked back with the super effective attack. Both groan in pain but that was always the plan.
"Woody use Tearful Look, then use Harden." "Rhyhorn ready another Rock Polish, then use Crunch."
When my rock type cried Forrest's rock type began becoming shinier before running forward. Luckily there was enough space for Woody to use Harden before getting hit again. The dark type move further bolstering Woody's speed.
"Use Copycat again." "Back up for Drill Run"
This time Woody was able to land a hit before Rhyhorn could back up, something the species isn't known for, which caused the dual type to get knocked onto its back. It tried to get back up but it wasn't able to before it took a flash of ice type energy towards the underbelly.
The referee waited a few seconds for confirmation.
Rhyhorn didn't get up. Woody won.
A quick look in the pokedex and it seems that Woody managed to learn Hidden Power and it's an ice version of the move.
Forrest returned his Rhyhorn before taking a look at his belt and picking up a different ball and chucking it into the air. It opened with a 'pop hiss' sound coming out. This time I'll be fighting an Onix.
I motion towards the referee "I'd like to switch out." and he nods while I begin sending Bonsly back into his ball.
I take out one of my balls to mimic what Forrest did just a few seconds ago and out comes a Rockruff ready to rumble.
The referee raises his flag high into the air before bringing it back down to resume the match.
"Lupa move back and fire Rock Throw." "Onix use Harden"
That's bad. The already high physical defense of Onix became even higher, though it took an attack to the face.
"Stay as far away as possible and keep firing Rock Throw" Forrest only says one word "Bind"
Lupa to his credit made sure to keep moving away from Onix as fast as he could, sacrificing certain areas where he could have fired to run away, hitting Onix at least four different times.
Unfortunately Onix did manage to catch Lupa in Bind and proceeded to slather my rock type in dragon energy, judging by the even worse effect that is paralysis I believe that Lupa got hit with Dragon Breath.
"Switch! I'd like to switch now!" I practically yell.
The referee raises his flag again to pause the match and give me enough time to return Lupa.
Normally since this is a challenge and not the actual badge I could potentially send out a third Pokemon, whereas Forrest would be forced to only use two, but I decide to keep my original plans and send out Woody again.
With a nod from both myself and Forrest we continue our match.
"Tearful Look into Harden" "Stone Edge then Dragon Tail"
Due to Woody being faster he was able to finish both his moves by the time Onix created Stone Edge, the rock attack sending Bonsly back but not knocking him out.
When Onix gets close enough to hit Woody I order him only then. "Stomping Tantrum"
Forrest has a look of surprise pass his face as Onix was moving too fast to not get hit by the move before becoming calm again. "Dig"
I click my teeth as my Bonsly just barely managed to hit Onix before getting smacked by Dig to the other side of the field, next to Forrest. Poor thing probably can only take two more hit.
"Tearful Look then Copycat" "Use Rollout" This time he clicked his teeth.
Woody began shedding water from his eyes, the move further reducing the amount of power that Onix can do, and due to his speed Woody managed to use Copycat to begin Dig instead of clashing Onix with Rollout.
"Onix get ready to jump up and use Iron Tail"
Onix stopped rolling to comprehend the order, nodding once before standing up. I couldn't give an order since Woody wouldn't be able to hear.
Just like we all knew, my Pokemon jumped from the ground to slam Onix from below but unfortunately wasn't able to dodge the Iron Tail onto the face.
Both seem to be only two ground type attacks away from fainting and I can't use Dig again to dodge him.
"Rock Polish then Tearful Look" "Dig" I needed more speed for this.
Woody again got his first move off before Onix could even start. He also got his second status move off a little before the opposing rocky snake dug into the ground and vanished.
"Tearful Look into Stomping Tantrum"
Forrest was trying to understand why I would make such an obvious flub before he heard the second move and quietly cursed.
When the opposing Onix managed to hit Woody it wasn't prepared to get hit by double the power from the ground move.
Woody fainted. And Onix was in just as bad a situation.
I returned my little rock type before sending out my second choice. Even afflicted with paralysis my Pokemon was more than ready to win.
The referee lowered the flag to resume the match for what I knew was the last time.
"Lupa run in close using 'Rock Shield'" "Stone Edge"
What Lupa is using isn't a new move as it's just our previous idea of gathering Rock Throw and keeping it while running to block any attack. Onix despite being a small wind away from fainting just didn't go down.
The Rock Throw slammed into the Stone Edge to create an impromptu smokescreen blocking everyones view. Then, out of nowhere, Lupa landed on top of Onix's head and something sparked in his mouth before bitting into the rock snake.
Onix gave a groan and roughly landed onto the floor jostling Lupa off. I waited for my Rockruff to stand up. He did. Giving a howl of dominance.
"Onix is unable to battle! The challenger wins!" He yelled out to the crowd.
An applause filled the arena, though first star badges aren't that exhilarating, I kinda feel like we gave a better showing then most.
Forrest to his credit just chuckled and nodded his head before heading off hurriedly.
Opening up the pokedex on Lupa shows that he learnt Fire Fang, though it doesn't seem to be the full power of the move. I've seen stronger but this is a good start.
I won the challenge. And in five minutes I will win the gym battle. But for now I give the staff my two Pokemon I used for this challenge and head over to the waiting... but not before waving to everyone I knew.
The Real Battle Starts Now.