Chapter 5

The roar of the crowd could be heard even behind the door that separated Red from the battlefield. As a person easily made nervous he shook in fright and almost didn't think about entering. With all eyes on him, he shook his head as the trainer tried to reassure himself.

I can't live with Blue knowing he was better than me. He thought. When I return to Pallet Town, he'll hold it over my head until the day I die.

He pushed the door open as the roar of the crowd practically doubled. While his ears were filled with the overwhelming sound of others, the only thing he could see to his left and right were dozens and dozens of people in the rows of seats. By estimate alone Red could tell there were more than two hundred people in the indoor stadium. There was a camera crew not far from the arena that was no doubt broadcasting live this moment.

No doubt everyone in Pallet is watching to see if I'll win. He thought.

"So, you've come!" a strong voice shouted.

Stepping forward, Red saw the gym leader at the other end of the battlefield. He was a dark skinned man with black eyes and short hair, his arms folded in front of him. He recognized the gym leader from countless battles he'd watched as a child. Red didn't know which Pokemon he'd use as Brock had many Rock-types at his disposal. To the left outside of the battlefield was a referee.

"The gym leader of Pewter City, Brock, has been challenged by Red of Pallet Town!" the referee said. "This will be a two on two battle! Let the battle commence!"

Brock took a Pokeball from his waist.

"I hope you know the Rock-type is known for its near indomitable defensive capabilities!" he yelled. "I'll give you a chance to prove yourself with a lesser challenge!"

He opened the Pokeball for a sight that made the young man stagger backwards in fear, almost falling over as the giant towered over him as Red was swallowed in its shadow. What Brock had sent out was an Onyx, a creature whose upper body was twenty-feet tall and made of segments of what looked like boulders. However, upon closer in inspection they looked like black diamonds that gleamed in the stadium lights. It's triangular jaws let out a roar as Red shook in fear, his fingers going stiff as he reached for a Pokeball at his waist.

A black diamond Onix. Red remembered. The strongest kind its species can become. The most versatile of his Pokemon.

He took a deep breath before looking straight at the camera.

Come on. He thought. It's...it's to prove...prove them wrong.

He took the Pokeball and enlarged before opening it. In a flash of light appeared his Poliwhirl, her expression growing fearful at the sight of the Rock Snake Pokemon. Red shook his head.

No! He thought. I meant to reach for my Mankey's Pokeball! But...but if I withdraw now it'll make me look weak.

He turned forward and tried to not look so afraid.

"Poliwhirl!" Red shouted. "Water Gun!"

From experience, he'd perceived that the Water-type was somewhat quick on her feet. However, she was hesitant to attack at his orders due to the sight of her opponent and shock of an unfamiliar monster. Brock wasn't so slow.

"Onix, use Slam!" the gym leader order.

Faster than Red could imagine such a gargantuan creature moving so quickly, the Rock-type's lower body seemed to twist into action. It was fluid how the lower half of its segmented, chain-like body spun out from beneath it and struck the Poliwhirl's left side of her body. The Rock-type formed a sort of U shape as its tail crashed into her before she flew to the side, being tossed out of the boundary of the white line that formed the arena.

The trainer's heart sunk as she attempted to stand up, staggering to her legs to reveal a red mark all across the left half of its body. The Water-type's eyes were watering as her knees shook. It took her longer than she normally would have to step back into the arena.

Red grinded his teeth in frustration, remembering that Poliwag and it's evolution's strengths were in a speed and long ranged Water attacks. The evolution line had little in the way of defense or durability as their bodies were more squishy than stout. An attack from Onix's powerful body would be sure to end the battle between the two of them very quickly.

What can I do? His mind raced. Poliwhirl doesn't stand a chance acting like a punching bag. And that Onix may be faster than Poliwhirl. My only chance is to rely upon Water moves.

"Poliwhirl use Water G-!" he shouted.

He then stopped himself.

But is that the right decision? He thought.

"Onix!" Brock yelled. "Slam!"

The Rock-type twisted its body again, but this time after doing so it rose its body into the air. Apparently this gave it more maneuverability as its stony tail soared along the dirt floor of the arena. Poliwhirl, no longer stunned by the mere appearance of the Onix, jumped up to avoid the attack as the end of the Rock-type's body flew beneath her. The Rock-type's tail then sailed back toward her to which the Tadpole Pokemon ducked.

A third attempt to strike her with the massive tail proved to be unsuccessful as the Water-type jumped backward. The Poliwhirl's movements had made her out to be little more than a blue flash. The Onix roared in anger as she panted in exhaustion. However, they had reached a short stalemate as the Onix had missed its intended target while the Poliwhirl didn't want to get any closer and was trying to put distance between them. The crowd's loud roaring had now slowed to a quiet, pregnant anticipation as Red tried to analyze the circumstances.

The Onix really is faster than Poliwhirl. Red said. It might not seem like it but I can tell she was over exerting herself to get out of the way of that Slam. She doesn't use that much energy in most of her movements as it expands too much of it. The Onix, on the other hand, doesn't seem like it was exerting itself in any way. But why? Rock-types are supposed to be slow...aren't they?

Red tried to remember anything about Onix from his Pokemon classes. From what he could recall, they were a unique Pokemon compared to the other Rock-types. While it had the common Rock and Ground-typing, the species was a lot faster and more maneuverable than a famously slow type. However, it still retained the common attribute of Rock-types of high defense and physical power to make it a threat.

Those combinations of stats are rare among Pokemon. He thought. And that's why I didn't want to use a Water Gun as ranged attacks are easily dodged so they have to be used in succession. It could very well just avoid it by dodging the attack with its impressive speed. And I don't have time to waste moves that won't work. So what should I do?

"Red!"

He was taken out of his head with a message from Brock. Somehow the trainer's voice could carry over from the other side of the arena. It was both distinctive and strong in sound.

"Are you still thinking in the middle of a battle?" he asked. "Because if it takes you this long to consider your options I can tell you you have no place in the Kanto military."

Red balled his hands into fists in frustration.

"A soldier who cannot think, examine and analyze correctly in a split second decision has not yet attained what it takes to survive on the battlefield," he said. "If you're unable to defeat me without needing five hours to draw a diagram and do equations then I suggest you forfeit now to save yourself the blow to your dignity."

The opposing trainer sighed, his body shaking in anger.

Maybe it could dodge the Water attack. Red thought. But Poliwhirl has a special technique that could subdue it without sheer force. If Onix is too fast, I know a way to take that away completely.

"Poliwhirl!" he cried. "Hypnosis!"

She stretched her arms out and began moving her body in a circle. This gesture, combined with the spiral shape on its body, allowed it to mesmerize opponents so long as she met their gaze. While the move was often inaccurate, it was still potentially a tide turning move.

Please work...Red pleaded. Please work…

The Onix did stare at Poliwhirl a moment, it's expression becoming gradually more subdued and passive. However, it then turned away and its appearance became normal. Poliwhirl continued to move in a circle, obviously hoping it might possibly turn around.

Should have known. Red thought. A trainer's Pokemon would be aware of status conditions and know how to avoid such a basic trick.

"Onix, Sand Tomb!" Brock ordered.

"Bubblebeam!" Red cried reactively.

With a loud roar the Rock Snake's boulders for body segments all began to spin in 360 degrees. As this happened, grains of dark sand began to spring up between the rocks that formed its body before forming thick clouds. The grains then spiralled as fast as the boulders in its body moved before a tornado of dust enveloped Onix's body. The tornado of dark sand travelled from along the surface of its body before passing past its head and firing at the Tadpole Pokemon.

In the same amount of time, Poliwhirl breathed in a huge amount of air through the porous body of its spiralled chest. The air was then regurgitated through her hands after stretching her arms forward and firing a jet of bubbles from each palm. One stream of bubbles and spiral of sand clashed with each other to produce an ugly glob of mud that exploded in midair to leave much of the middle of the battlefield filled in wet dirt. The Bubblebeam that wasn't intercepted threatened to hit the Onix but the enemy Pokemon but merely moved to the side at the last second with impressive lithe.

In the time it took Poliwhirl to use Bubblebeam, Onix performed Sand Tomb. His mind raced. It reminds me Bubblebeam, while stronger than Water Gun, takes more time to perform. Darn it...whenever I enter battle my mind goes to other places...I can't recall such obvious information in an instant.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Now that the battle was becoming more of a stalemate, Red was becoming calmer and he realized something.

A move's charging ability is usually measured in steps. He remembered. Onix had to spin its body, produce sand, swirl sand and fire the sand to attack while Bubblebeam only had three steps in breathing in air, mixing it with water and firing it. Yet they were formed in the same amount of time. I shouldn't be surprised as a gym leader's Pokemon practice using moves quickly through rigorous routines. Brock is years ahead of me in terms of battle strength. I can't be reactionary and must take the offensive.

"Water Gun!" Red ordered.

In less than half the time it took to use Bubblebeam, the Poliwhirl stretched her hands forward and blasted water from both hands. At first, the Onix moved to the side to avoid the blasts of water rather easily. Then, just as they'd practiced, the Poliwhirl motioned with hands to cause the Water Gun to follow the Onix as it moved.

The Rock-Snake dove down, slithering across the arena to avoid the jets of water. The twin jets of water began carving ruts through the ground as it chased the Onix as it writhed across the battlefield. The Water Gun threatened to inch closer and closer to its target with Brock's Pokemon only narrowly avoiding the super effective attack. The Rock-type could easily close the distance between itself and Poliwhirl but it didn't want to risk getting close, a single Water attack possibly dealing great damage.

"Rock Tomb!" Brock yelled.

The Onix slammed its jaw into the ground before a series of flat stones as tall as a grown man grew from the ground near where the Rock-type hit its head. The smooth, pointed rocks grew in a chain-like fashion to form a wall around its body. The two streams splashed against the stones harmlessly before pooling at the base of the collection of closely attached rocks.

It's able to produce stone that strong?! Red thought. That must mean those stones are even stronger than its body!

"Now strike Poliwhirl with it!" Brock ordered.

The Onix rose from behind the wall of stone it had conjured, thrusting its head forward. The gesture caused the pointed rocks to glide across the battlefield toward Poliwhirl, leaving trails of carved earth as they neared the Tadpole Pokemon. In the time in between, Red was racing to think of what was the right tactic to employ.

I could tell Poliwhirl to dodge but that'd be pointless as the Onix could simply force the Rock Tomb to follow her. He reasoned. Water Gun is no good...Bubblebeam will take too long…

The stones advancing toward his Pokemon made Red increasingly nervous.

"Bubblebeam!" he screamed.

His Pokmeon inhaled air again through its chest before raising its arms out. Poliwhirl was very quick as she fired bubbles at the stones coming her way. However, it was very clear that this had only given time for the rocks to reach her as she charged her attack. Some of the rocks were blown away by the explosive bubbles but Red recognized the Tadpole Pokemon could do nothing to evade as she was too tired from the earlier portion of the battle to run away.

The first two rocks slammed Poliwhirl in the chest before she was smashed on her right side by the edge of three stones while two others' edges hit her right side. She screamed in pain before one final stone's flat surface slammed into her back after it had circled around her. With the Tadpole Pokemon officially trapped by the rocks she was being pressed on literally every side. Red froze in panic, unsure of what he should do.

Should I recall her? Red thought. Send Klecer out? No...I'd look weak. Maybe if...no, I need…

An audible burst that sounded like an extremely loud balloon pop filled Red's ears. He looked to see the rocks had squeezed Poliwhirl until her body's internal organs burst out. Pink flesh and red blood decorated the rocks surrounding her. Red screamed as the Onix withdrew the rocks from around her to find that her body was nothing more than a blue and white husk of skin with its innards exposed. He began shaking in pain that ran from his heart to every limb in his body, unable to stop breathing rapidly.

No. He thought. All that hard work of training her...undone in this one instant. Onix hasn't even taken damage. It's barely exerted itself.

The crowd cheered loudly at the sight of his Pokemon's blood. That was to be expected as Red also enjoyed the sight of Pokemon dying onscreen as the intense gore and death enhanced the experience of live battles. However, despite the noise all he could think of was the countless hours it had taken to train his Pokemon that had just been destroyed. Sweat poured down his face as his worst fear suddenly pushed itself into his reality.

"Red's Poliwhirl has been defeated!" the referee cried. "That is one of his two allowed Pokemon gone!"

I failed. He thought. Everyone in Pallet...they saw that...and they're thinking they were right to judge me.

He then shook his head in defiance. Red took Klecer's Pokeball from his waist and opened it. The Mankey appeared in a flash of light, his angry leer becoming a mask of horror at the sight of the battlefield. When he observed the angry rock monster above him and the Poliwhirl's corpse, Klecer turned to Red and looked frightened.

"Red," he said. "Why...why is there a black diamond Onix here?"

"Karate Chop!" Red yelled.

The Pig Monkey Pokemon charged at the Onix as fast as its legs could carry it. While the Rock Snake Pokemon was fast, the Mankey beat it in raw agility. It took very little time for Klecer to close the distance between its position in front of Red to the Onix before striking one of the gleaming, gem-like boulders near the center of its body. However, this did nothing to deter the gym leader's Pokemon as it merely growled half heartedly as Klecer jumped away in fear. The Karate Chop bounced off the gleaming boulder, the Onix's exterior too hard to pierce.

"Slam!" Brock yelled.

The Mankey easily avoided the strike of the Rock Snake's tail, leaping to the right as the end of its body crashed to where it once stood. Onix attempted to continue flailing its tail at the Fighting-type but the Mankey was just too agile. All the while, Red was tensing up.

Darn it. Red cursed. This is why I wanted to use Klecer first, because Poliwhirl was better. Let my Mankey handle the gym leader's weaker Pokemon they send out first before sending in the far more efficient Poliwhirl. While Fighting moves super effect Rock, the problem they often fall into is that they still have to pierce their strong body with sheer force alone while water can naturally erode stone and earth.

He let out a growl of anger.

But this Onix is on another level. He thought. Brock's black diamond Onix is legendary as it's so high leveled it can shrug off even many super effective attacks. To think agonizing all those months wasn't enough. Time for a boost.

"Bulk Up!" Red ordered. "It's our only chance!"

After the Mankey had leaped all the way back to where it wasn't that far from Red it stood still. Klecer inhaled deeply before new, visible muscle grew along its legs and arms until they were nearly twice as thick. Even its furry, somewhat circular body became thickened. The move had been taught to Klecer during the training as it was good at increasing physical power and defensive abilities. However, Brock took advantage of the Pokemon's inability to attack while using a boosting move.

"Onix use Rock Tomb!" he cried.

After slamming its lower jaw into the earth, more flat but pointed stones burst from the battlefield before gliding across the battlefield. The pointed stones were faster than expected as Klecer barely avoided hitting one by jumping above it. However, just as he landed, two more stones slammed their flat surface into his side. Caught off guard by the surrounding rocks, Klecer was constantly being pummeled as any time he would try to leap out of the way another would hit him.

However, Red wasn't exactly concerned as Fighting-type Pokemon could handle being struck by quite a few Rock moves. Also, with his defense risen he would definitely survive. Just as Klecer was about to be slammed by another stone he struck the stone with the side of his hand, shattering the rock upon contact. Afterward, he began breaking any rock that neared him before they all crumbled before his strength.

"Now, use Low Kick on Onix!" Red cried.

The Mankey sprung into action, rushing forward with renewed enthusiasm. The Onix tried to outrun the Pig Monkey Pokemon but just as it attempted to slither away, Klecer swept a disproportionately large leg in between the Rock-type's body and the ground. The kick was strong enough to actually separate the Pokemon from the ground, lifting it into the air for a moment before it crashed back to the ground with a large wave of kinetic force that Red could feel.

"Nice!" Red shouted.

"Sand Tomb!" Brock ordered.

Barely a moment passed between the Onix attempting to raise itself before the shining rocks that formed its body spun. Sand erupted from between its segmented boulders and a spiralling wind of grayish-black grains of dust was formed in front of Onix. The tornado of sand was then thrown at Klecer who was enveloped by it. The Mankey's screeches of pain could be heard from inside the vortex of sand, the Pokemon's cream fur ripped from its body by the force. However, Red remembered Sand Tomb might not prevent the Pokemon from moving if they pushed forward hard enough.

"Klecer use Karate Chop!" he yelled.

The Mankey rushed forward, the tornado of sand still swirling around the Fighting-type as it did. Again, the Onix attempted to slither away but found the Pig Monkey too fast before it found itself struck. The chopping gesture hit what was possibly the centermost boulder in the Rock-type's body. Cracks appeared on the surface of the gem-like rock before several pieces fell off. The Onix screamed in pain as it's body fell to the ground, sending another shockwave along the ground.

"Low Kick!" Red yelled.

The Mankey only responded with shrill cries of agony of its own as the sand vortex continued to hurt it. Red grinded his teeth together, hating that Sand Tomb could oftentime immobilize its target. This gave Brock the opportunity to counter.

"Escape with Dig!" Brock cried.

The Rock Snake roared weakly before plunging its head directly into the ground in front of it. Its roughly triangular head pierced the ground like a knife plunging into cake before its entire face disappeared into the hole it dug. The rest of the Rock-type's body followed suit, burrowing underground to vanish completely. Tremors could be felt as the Onix traveled underground.

However, just as Onix fled the swirl of sand disappeared from around Klecer. Much of his fur had been ripped off and he was bleeding but he was definitely alive. The trainer smiled at the sight of Sand Tomb having worn off. Red's mind raced with possibilities as to what to do.

Okay. He thought. There's a specific piece of advice trainers are taught to counter Dig. Constant movement is the key to reducing the chances of being struck by the attack itself. Pokemon that use Dig feel the pressure of objects above to sense out their target but if there's enough movement that awareness becomes distorted. Klecer's pretty fast so he should have no trouble moving.

He smiled at the idea before another popped into his mind.

But what if Onix can still hit him? Red thought. After all, Ground-types are known to have better perception underground than other Pokemon using Dig. So...what would be the point of Klecer moving around if he was hit any? In that period of time I could have him use Bulk Up instead.

He began nodding.

Yeah. Red thought. Brock admitted that his Onix wasn't even his strongest Pokemon. If I'm going to win I'll need as many stat buffs as possible to pierce his hard as rock Pokemon. I have to take advantage of this opportunity.

He then glanced to the side.

But if he stays still, Klecer will definitely be an easy target. Red thought. He'll definitely be hit. Will the defense boost from Bulk Up be enough to help him survive? He has taken damage.

He shook his head.

No, no, no, NO! Red yelled to himself. This is what I wanted to not happen! I was trying NOT to overthink things, not get scared and be unsure of every choice I make! This is why I always lost to Blue.

Red turned to the camera at the side of the arena.

They're all watching me. He thought. Watching to see how badly I'll screw this one up. If I don't act fast they'll always praise Blue over me.

He then turned back to Klecer.

"Klecer use Bulk Up again!" he cried.

Klecer began straining himself once again, his limbs and body thickening. Now he just looked awkward as thick as arms were getting. No sooner had his Mankey done that, a great trembling could be felt.

The Onix appeared right beneath the Fighting-type and struck Klecer with its enormous head. With the earth still surrounding the Rock-type as it ascended upward, the Onix slammed its body into the Mankey right outside the hole it had dug to arrive at the surface.

A sharp scream could be heard as Klecer's body was tossed onto the arena where it lay limp. Its eyes were barely open and its underside was profusely bleeding as it lay there. Red could feel his body going as limp as his Pokemon.

"No!" Red yelled. "No...Klecer, Karate Chop!"

No response.

"Get up!" he cried.

Still no response. Red gestured for his Pokeball that he had absent mindedly minimized and put to his side. After enlarging it he pressed the button a third time to return the Mankey to it. He looked down to see the red half of the Pokeball was blue to indicate the Pokemon it kind was giving off no life signatures.

"The challenger's Mankey has been killed!" the referee said. "The victory goes to the gym leader, Brock of Pewter Gym!"

The crowd clapped and cheered loudly for the leader's victory. Red felt like he was unable to breath, his body shaking violently. He collapsed to his knees while the crowd cheered, his vision blurry to the point everyone looked like colors bleeding together in a painting.

I set out to prove them wrong. He thought. I wanted to prove them wrong. But my failure...it's engraved in stone now. Observable for everyone to witness. I lost in front of everybody after Blue won. Am I cursed?

He then looked down at the Mankey's lifeless figure through the Pokeball.

But what I want to know...Red thought. Did I fail you...or did you fail me?