Writing Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 5 PREVIEW UP
- Thread starter Dictator Dauntless
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RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 PREVIEW ON PAGE 4
Hmm... Everstone... Will a Pokemon try to evolve but it holds an Everstone? I think that this chapter will be quite interesting... Or maybe the Pokemon holds an Everstone while battling. Or Blue or Red finds an Everstone? I just can't wait for Chapter 4!
Off topic:
So OK, I'll do some spoilers. Check your PM box! Just give credit to me for doing them.
Hmm... Everstone... Will a Pokemon try to evolve but it holds an Everstone? I think that this chapter will be quite interesting... Or maybe the Pokemon holds an Everstone while battling. Or Blue or Red finds an Everstone? I just can't wait for Chapter 4!
Off topic:
So OK, I'll do some spoilers. Check your PM box! Just give credit to me for doing them.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 PREVIEW ON PAGE 4
I'll let you know right now--the title 'Everstone' is purely symbolic.
I'll let you know right now--the title 'Everstone' is purely symbolic.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 PREVIEW ON PAGE 4
CHAPTER FOUR: EVERSTONE
The door slammed behind Red as Blue crept in behind him. He started, twirling around with his Pikachu clinging to his shirt for support, and looked back to see Blue, who laughed heartily and placed his forehead in the palm of his hand in exasperation. Red turned back, surveying the surroundings in shock. Though Red had never been to the checkpoint between Viridian Forest and Pewter City, he was sure it had looked better than this. The lights, though glowing dimly moments ago, blinked into darkness every few seconds, throwing everything into hazy relief, casting shadows off of broken tables and chairs, smashed pots that once contained small berry trees and other fauna, and a variety of debris spread all over the faded white, cracked, and ruined floor. The counter where an official would be approving passage was dusty on its yellow top, and below it, a red 'R' was splashed hastily across the wood in a thick red paint. Red's Psyduck crept noticeably closer to Red in the semi-darkness.
Blue stepped forward first, though still shaken by their encounter with Hypno, and called out to the darkness.
“Is anyone there?”
A moan rose from behind the dilapidated counter. Red took an involuntary step backward, clutching his left hand in a fist. Slowly, a white hand crept over the counter top, groping to take hold of something. When the fingers finally found something to grasp, a haggard, worn man with jet black hair and a lopsided officer's cap pulled himself up from behind the desk, apparently reeling from a long time of being unconscious. He straightened himself erratically.
“Ugh...I'm so thirsty...where's my tea...”
Red sighed in heavy relief, Blue laughed. Suddenly, the door opened behind them and Red jumped in shock, followed by his Pikachu, who spontaneously shot a jolt of electricity into Red's shoulder. He shook for a moment, rubbing his slightly numbed arm.
Thankfully, it was just the local Pokémon Ranger that they had woken earlier.
“Go on, you two. I almost forgot about the checkpoint. I'll explain everything to him.”
Blue nodded, grabbing his friend's arm and pulling out towards the exit doors with their Pokémon before he could object.
Light spread out over them, brighter than anything they had encountered in their time in the forest, and for a moment they shielded their eyes before observing the road before them. The dirt path was mostly clear, with a single fenced-off white house to the right of the lane. A strange, humanoid Pokémon with long, wacky purple hair swept the porch, its trainer eying them curiously as they began to walk along the path to the city.
They arrived at Pewter City as evening came. The place was moderately calm in the glow of the orange sky, a cool wind passing over. There were many children about, playing with bug Pokémon that had come from the forest. The mostly gray buildings basked in the sunlight and shone brightly, and though the city looked rather dull even in the brilliance of the sun, Red was glad to see it. Not far north from the Pokémon Center, Pewter Gym sat, a resolute stone building with only miniscule windows at its very top top let light in. Tomorrow, he and Blue would challenge the Gym for its badge, together. However, Blue seemed to have a different idea about things. His eyes were hard with determination, Red could almost feel his will pushing off the stone walls of the gym.
“Tomorrow, Blue...I think we're all tired,” said Red, looking at him sternly.
Blue opened his mouth as if to argue, but his Growlithe began pawing at his pant leg and he relented. They made their way into the Center, healed their Pokémon, rented a room, and made to rest for the night.
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For a second time in the long days since leaving home, Red laid wide awake in a dark room, still as the grave. He watched his Pokémon all sleeping in a corner, Pikachu curled up next to his Psyduck, who had fallen asleep sitting down. He felt a pang of guilt looking at the pair, sleeping in the cold night. They shivered in the cold as they slumbered. Red heard a rustling of sheets from behind him; Blue's Growlithe was attempting to snuggle under his trainer's covers, Blue pushed him away with a foot in reaction. The Pokémon curled up whimpering in the corner, cold and shaking. Red frowned and turned his head back to his own Pokémon, thinking. He exhaled and removed the blanket from his chest, throwing it over his Pokémon, who stopped shivering, but did not wake.
Blue, who was also awake, watched him in the mirror and said nothing. He smirked, finally closing his eyes.
Red, you really are a sap sometimes...
They deserve it...I think in a way, they've all saved my life, and only 3 days in, thought Red, rolling onto his back and staring up at the lights dancing feebly on the ceiling.
I don't know why Blue is acting like this. Back home, he was different. He doesn't even seem to care about them.
Then suddenly, a memory came flooding back to him.
It had been seven years ago when he and Blue had become friends, though it had not always been that way. He had always been the quiet type, though no one really knew why. Ever since his father had left, well, things had never been the same. Naturally, he had become a target for the other kids around Pallet Town...including Blue. He had bullied Red since he was five, leading the rest of the neighborhood in a jaunt against his odd behavior. Even his friends were not totally exempt from his bad attitude. Once or twice he caught him beating up on another young boy. Red had never understood why...why he or anyone else should be the target of their aggression.
Then, seven years ago, he had heard the news that Blue's parents had died on Mt. Silver, a famous landmark of the Johto region. All that was known was that they had been found buried under an avalanche. Red had not been sure what to think when he heard the news. He did not hate Blue, but he did remember that he had been a source of torment for years. On that day, he had seen Blue away from his usual group of friends, sitting alone and despaired outside his grandfather's laboratory, and he, Red, had gone to comfort him.
“Blue...you know I heard about what happened, and, I wanted to see if you wanted to talk about it,” he had said, on top of that hill, seven years ago.
“What do you know about it?” said Blue angrily, clutching his arms tightly, “get out of here!”
Blue had gotten up and punched him...square in the jaw. In the present, Red rubbed his jaw absentmindedly. Red had fallen back on the hilltop, clutching his jaw there, that same day, seven year ago, and said:
“...I haven't seen my dad...in six years...”
Then Blue dropped to the ground, sitting quietly for several minutes while Red clutched his knees and say quietly.
The next day, Blue treated him not as a victim, but a friend, and, he noticed, the rest of the neighborhood seemed to have mellowed out as well. He and Blue had become best friends...
Red closed his eyes and pulled his cap over his face.
Do I even really know you, Blue? Or did I know you better before we were friends?
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The morning did not come quietly. Red awoke to a crashing sound, a bag had just been flung over his body and hit the wall with a sickening crash, sending the contents flying. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his Psyduck dive to the side as it hit, and a painful pressure on his ear told him his Pikachu was making a good effort to get him up as well.
“Get UP, you oaf!” yelled Blue behind him. Red turned on his side, scratching his side and yawning lazily. His eyes were still partially glazed over.
“Whassamatter Blue...” fumbled Red, having difficulty stringing together his words properly, lethargic.
“It's past noon, you've been sleeping all day! I was about to go without you,” he replied, his hands on his waist. His Growlithe sat silently at his side, no doubt confused about the thrown bag. “What's with you? We have a gym to hit.”
“Hey...I was tired...” said Red, rubbing his eyes and sitting up cross-legged, “Sorry man.”
“Yeah yeah, don't worry I guess...I'll be waiting outside, pick up your junk and get out there,” muttered Blue, hoisting his bags. He threw open the door and walked out, his Growlithe scrambling through the door before it slammed shut.
Red shook his head and started picking up toothpaste tubes, socks, and other odds and ends from his open bag, and stuffed them back in, his Pokémon helping as best they could. He smiled as he jammed the compass his Pikachu had just handed him into the bag; he really was happy to have caught him. As his Pikachu grabbed a watch and started to carry it over to him, his Psyduck waddled forth holding several batteries and seemed to waddle into Red's line of sight so that he could not see his Pikachu standing on the tips of its toes to hand Red a screwdriver.
They're competing... thought Red, bemused.
After the bag had been repacked, Red stood and stretched with his arms over his head, stopping once to smell under his arm.
Eh. Shower later.
He walked across the room in strides, opening the door and motioning to his Pokémon. Pikachu dashed to him on all fours, climbing up his leg and onto his shoulder, while Psyduck made his way over behind him out the door. Red tipped his hat playfully at the local nurse has he made his way to the double doors, which slid open at his footsteps. Blue was waiting there, his back to Red. He turned and grinned excitedly, holding up a hand. Red slapped against the palm with his own, and the two walked the dirt road to the Pewter Gym.
Imposing, roughly hewn rock hovered over them, a monolith all its own. Chiseled in neatly over the stone entrance were the words: “Pewter Gym: Rock Pokémon Masters”. It looked as though it had been built many years ago, chipped and cracked all over the solid walls. Red sighed and pushed his hands onto the warm slab of a door, grunting with the effort. Blue struggled next to him, his back to the door as he unloaded his weight and strength into it. It opened slowly, and as they tumbled in they were met with darkness. Unnerved, Red plodded forth into the darkness, their Pokémon beginning to follow uncertainly. Finally, around what Red was sure was the middle of the room, he stopped moving, paused, and waited. When nothing happened, he called out into the shadows.
“My name is Red and this is my friend Blue. We've come to challenge your gym for its badge! Come out, we know you're there!” yelled Red, though he was not entirely convinced.
Suddenly, a flicking of a switch in the room. Spotlights began flaring up around the room, casting shadows on tall, jagged rocks lining the massive stadium, half-buried in dark red earth that flatly covered the ground. There were bleachers on either side, though no one was sitting in them at the moment, with stairs down to the back wall and sets of doors on either side. As the final lights came on, the thudding of heavy footfalls could be heard in front of them, and at last the Gym Leader revealed himself.
He was barefooted, his toes and ankles caked with dirt that seemed as if it was ingrained into into his flesh, a part of his beings, coming out of filthy brown pants tied to his body haphazardly with rope. His flat chest seemed as dominant and unrelenting at the rubble around them, supporting his square head, thin, discerning eyes, and dusty, spiked hair. Though he really wasn't that much older than them, his appearance and his presence gave him the feel of a rugged and strong young man. His dark skin nearly caused him to blend in with his own stadium. As he thundered forward, he gazed at them, his eyes blank. Whatever he was thinking, Red and Blue would never know. He stopped only a few feet away from them, oblivious to the sharp rubble that should have been cutting into his unprotected feet. After a full minute, he spoke to them.
“I can see you are here. I am Brock, Gym Leader here, and you are my challengers. You have wit, and determination. But you do not have strength! You are punching uselessly at a brick wall, and it will not relent to tricks or will alone...” he stated in a deep, strong voice.
“I...” began Red, confused by this odd observation.
“You, or your friend? Who is here to take the challenge?” he asked simply, waving Red down.
“Both of us. We thought maybe we just take it in turns, we--”
“Turns? You want to have turns? I don't have the time to waste. Let me see...” he said.
Red and Blue looked at each other, and then to their Pokémon,who seemed somewhat intimidated by the Gym Leader. His Psyduck was edging backwards slowly, and Pikachu had lowered his head, ears down, perched on top of his shoulder. Secretly, Red agreed with them. There was no mistaking the raw power of the man before them. Blue, however, was grinning with anticipation.
“If you're so tough, then you wouldn't mind taking on two trainers at once, would you big guy?”
Brock turned back to face them, an eyebrow raised. For a moment, he said nothing. He then chuckled loudly, holding his sides.
“Alright, alright. I will. A two-on-two battle, first side to run out of Pokémon wins. Sound fair?” he asked mockingly, folding his arms and standing in a wide stance.
Red did a double take, then nodded, along with Blue, who grabbed a PokéBall from his belt and tossed it up and down in his hand.
“Go to the other side of the gym, turn about, and face me. We start on my signal. Any earlier, and you lose by default,” he explained, turning back around and striding to raised stand at the back of the gym. Red and Blue nodded shortly and made their way to the from of the gym, then turned to look at him.
Brock looked at them, his white teeth flashing for a demeaning grin, then looked up to seemingly nobody, and shouted, “Let them in! This will be my exhibition match for the day!”
To Red and Blue's surprise, the doors burst open as nearly a hundred people began to climb the back stairs, filling the bleachers with an excessive noise, men women and children all. The metal platform clattered with excited onlookers...all fans of Brock apparently, as many of them began making jeering calls to the pair of boys. Still, Red and Blue grinned widely. The roof suddenly opened to let in the sun, sliding away mechanically. They had not expected to have an audience, and it made Red nervous, but it was exciting nonetheless; the atmosphere was palpable.
“Hey, pay attention to your opponent!” shouted Brock over the small crowd, stamping his foot on the hard ground, “you ready already?”
The pair looked back at the Pokémon they had out, then at the PokéBalls clipped at their waist, and nodded.
“Let the Gym battle...begin!”
They all moved at the same time. Brock tossed his arms upward, throwing his balls into the air. They spun, arced, and bounced off the earthy floor, releasing two Pokémon in a flash of light. The first appeared at first glance to be a small boulder, which landed with a thud, arms covering its craggy face. As it landed it threw them out to its sides ridgedly, rapping the earth with its knuckles, which responded clumsily by cracking beneath the pressure. From the other ball came a giant, snake-like monster, its body the shape of a series of connected boulders, with a gigantic stone horn coming from its head. It roared, thrashing its tail widely.
Red and Blue responded immediately, tossing their own PokéBalls into the arena, which opened and released their two new bug Pokémon—Butterfree and Beedrill.
“Bug types!?” roared Brock incredulously from his elevated stance, laughing. “You'll have to step it up.”
Red ignored the gibes and pulled out his Pokédex to scan the new Pokémon. It emitted a beeping sound and dictated:
“Geodude. It is often mistaken for an ordinary boulder and tripped on by passersby. If it is, it won't get angry. It maintains its defensive position.”
“Onix. This Pokémon is a skilled tunneler, reaching 70-80 miles an hour underground. Its hardness is rarely matched by anything found in nature.”
“Tough skin, but I think we can break through it,” commented Blue, snapping his Pokédex shut.
“Maybe...let's see what he does...” said Red nervously, wishing he had chosen differently.
Brock leered at them, then shook his head.
“Go, go, go! Onix, go underground! Geodude, Defense Curl, Rock Polish, Rollout!” barked Brock.
The Onix leapt into the air, turned its head downward, and went crashing downwards into the ground, causing the whole stadium to rumble, tiny rocks clattering on the ground. Geodude, put its arms back over its face and began spinning in one position at incredible speed, then released and started bouncing off walls and rocks like a mad pinball.
Immediately, Butterfree and Beedrill had to begin dodging the flying Geodude's assault, but every movement out of its way was only met with a rebound back in their direction. The blinding speed but Red and Blue off, they were simply stunned.
“Butterfree, used Stun Spore!” commanded Red in an effort to take control.
As Geodude came rocketing towards Butterfree, it flapped its large wings and sent a pale yellow powder flying at the Rock Pokémon. It stopped spinning, tumbling onto the ground.
Blue looked impressed and pumped his fist into the air, giving his own command, “Beedrill, follow it up with a Fury Attack!”
Beedrill charged impressively through the air, large needles outstretched at the paralyzed Geodude, when suddenly, Brock yelled, “Now Onix, Tackle!”
Out of nowhere, the snakelike Onix burst from the ground beneath Beedrill and crashed into it from below, sending it flying into the air like a helpless doll. Blue shouted in surprise and swore under his breath as Beedrill landed with a weak thud. Red's Butterfree made a small, frightened noise and backed up as Onix turned in the air again and crashed back into the ground, leaving another huge hole.
“Get up Beedrill, get up, we have a match to win! I know you can do it!” shouted Blue, pounding a fist in his palm. Slowly but surely, Beedrill got up, rising clumsily into the air. It had looked intensely powerful before; now it looked feeble and weak compared to this monster of a Pokémon, and Red worried Blue was pushing too far.
“Again Beedrill, Fury Attack!” shouted Blue, pointing at the dazed Geodude.
What do we even do about that Onix if its underground all the time? thought Red.
Suddenly, Brock commanded, “Tackle again Onix!” The Pokémon blasted up into the air again from its tunnels, but Beedrill was ready this time. He zoomed backwards, dodging the Onix spiraling upward. It turned attempting to zoom around the Onix. Then the behemoth raised its mighty tail and slammed the tip into Beedrill like swatting a fly. There was no second chance this time, it crumpled to the floor. Once again, Onix turned on the spot and fled back to its tunnels.
Blue ground his teeth angrily and Red began to sweat; he had know this would be a tough match, but the display of power was unprecedented.
“Butterfree, Confusion on Geodude!” ordered Red, but the Geodude had already recovered from its paralysis and was spinning towards Butterfree with a tearing sound in the air. It pounded sickeningly across his Pokémon's abdomen and it fell, out cold, as the Geodude spun back to the other side of the gym and landed with a satisfied smile, slamming the floor with its fist.
The crowd cheered, it was live a wave of realization crashing over them—they had truly hit the big leagues.
Red wiped the warm salt and water from his brow, throwing his PokéBall out to recover Buterfree; Blue followed silently.
“Choose your next Pokémon trainers. I don't have all day,” Brock said mockingly.
Red's Pikachu growled form his shoulder, red cheeks sparking menacingly. He patted him softly and whispered, “Sorry Pikachu, but they're part ground-type. I can't use you, your attacks won't work.”
His Pikachu lowered his head sadly and Red felt a sudden gratefulness for its loyalty. He tried to think of a way to let him down easier, when Blue snapped him back to reality.
“Hey, Red, don't start that! We got a battle to finish. Listen, use your Mankey and I'll use Pidgey. It's a good combo, I think it'll work.”
Red nodded and grabbed Mankey's ball, praying he would be obedient, and released him into the battle, followed by Blue's Pidgey. As Mankey appeared he took notice of the Geodude on the other side of the gym and widened his stance, raising his paws to fight. Blue's Pidgey let out a shrill screech as it emerged, flapping its way high into the air.
“Now we're getting somewhere,” said Brock, “a Fighting-type. Pity, it seems your partner has nothing to counter Rock-types. He'll need to work on that after this match is over.”
Blue looked taken aback at a near stranger giving him advice, clutching his fist.
“Shut up and battle punk.”
“Whatever you like. Geodude, Rock Throw!”
Geodude picked up two large stones from the arena floor and lobbed them quickly at Mankey, who sidestepped to avoid them with any command needed.
“Good, Mankey! Now I want-”
Mankey, however, wasn't interested in taking commands. He dashed forward furiously, a vein bulging in his temple, and swiped at Brock's Geodude furiously. It covered its front with its arms, taking every blow without any indication of being weakened. Brock looked a little angry.
“Keep your Pokémon under control, or you'll never beat anyone!” he yelled, disappointed.
Red shook his head. He should have known—Mankey was far from docile yet.
“Mankey, come on, listen to me now!” he yelled. Blue stepped forward then, past Red, angry with him.
Red is so hopeless sometimes. He can't even control his Pokémon right. He'd be lost without me thought Blue, smirking.
“I'll take charge, Red. Pidgey, Sand-Attack!”
His bird Pokémon flapped harder and dived low to the ground, sending an upsurge of dust everywhere. Soon, vision of their Pokémon was lost to the sand in the air. When it finally cleared, Geodude was covering its face again, and Mankey was blinded, lashing out with no control wherever its arms could reach.
“Nothing's working...Mankey won't listen...I...” said Red, starting to despair. He sank to his knees. “I don't know what to do.”
“If you want to win, work as a team,” said Brock sternly.
The crowd began to laugh at Red, though Brock's expression remain unchanged, resolute. Blue watched Red, alarmed, then turned back to the fight hastily, determined to win.
“We just have to think of a plan...but it's hard to hit that Geodude to begin with. Every time we try to hit it with a legitimate attack, that Onix comes back up and pummels us. What do we...?”
An idea hit Red then, rushing through his brain like warm medicine. He stood back up.
“Mankey! If you want to win, listen to me! If you want to end up with your face in dirt, keep it up,” yelled Red across the room. Brushing sand out of his eyes, Mankey stamped its foot angrily at him and puffed out its pig-like nostrils. Red hoped that was a 'yes'.
“Blue, send Pidgey after Geodude, a direct attack,” said Red resolutely.
“But-”
“Trust me!” Red yelled back.
“Fine...Pidgey, use Wing Attack!”
Pidgey crowed loudly and divebombed at Geodude, who covered its face again in response. Everyone heard a rumbling, and knew what would happen soon.
“Block him off Onix!” advised Brock.
As soon as Onix began to rise form the ground, Red grimaced and ordered, “Now, Mankey, Low Kick!”
Reluctantly Mankey slided into a diving kick at the base of Onix's tunnel, its small foot crashing into the Pokémon with ridiculous force. It was sent flying into a nearby jagged rock, crashing headfirst into it with enough force to rock the whole gym. Blue looked stunned, it was an excellent strategy.
Why didn't I think of that...it seems so obvious now... thought Blue nervously, regarding Red as he pumped his fist in the air victoriously.
As the Onix began to groggily lift itself from the ground, Brock yelled, “Rollout that Mankey, take it down!”
It spun in pace again, looking to knock out Mankey, and Red acted quickly.
“Mankey, grab it, use Seismic Toss!”
Mankey clapped his hands around the incoming Geodude, pressing hard until it stopped spinning, then jumped into the air with more strength than any person could muster, flipped in the air, and tossed it downward at the rocky ground with another loud crash.
As Mankey landed, Red looked up to Brock, hoping to see some sign of relent, but Brock merely smiled and, to his surprise, clapped.
“Good job.”
And then Red found himself smiling back, lowering the brim of his hat.
“Thanks.”
Blue looked on frustratedly at the two, both amazed at Red's sudden display of skill and upset at his own near-uselessness.
Though they had been hit hard, Brock's Pokémon recovered quickly, up and ready for the fight.
“I guess there's no point in trying that trick anymore. You already know how to counter it,” said Brock, unflinching.
“No, I guess not,” said Red, staring him down as the crowd continued to go wild.
Brock continued to grin. “Good. Let's get back on track. Geodude, Tackle, Onix, Slam!”
Red and Blue pulled themselves together quickly, issuing orders.
“Mankey, Vital Throw!”
“Pidgey, Gust!”
As Brock's Onix sped forward, lashing at Mankey with its tail, Mankey jumped in the air, grabbed it, and landed on the other side of its body, turning on its heel one hundred and eighty degrees and tossing it back to the rock it had just peen laying against. Meanwhile Blue's Pidgey blasted a gust of wind at the incoming Geodude, slowing and wearing it down.
“Now Pidgey,” commanded Blue, hand outstretched, “Tackle while its weakened!”
The combined assault of the earlier Seismic Toss, the erosion from Gust and this blunt, full force attack, were now too much for Geodude, and it flew back, slamming into the wall and sliding down with the horrible grinding noise of stone on stone.
Brock lost his cool, suddenly tensing and tightening his arms and legs.
“This is pretty impressive. I'm proud to have such challengers in my gym,” said Brock, opening his PokéBall. Geodude was sucked back in cleanly, he closed the ball.
“I am not down yet. Onix, Double-Edge,” said Brock calmly.
Onix lunged forward, toppling their two Pokémon like dominoes with his incredible strength, strikign Pidgey out of the air. Mankey attempted to grab Onix's massive body and keep it from plowing him into the dirt, but even he was not strong enough to withstand it. Onix landed on its head, the rest of its body following suit, and though it looked out of sort, it appeared not to have suffered any recoil at all from the attack.
“Onix is too hard to take any damage even from such a risky tackle. No punch or throw will get through his defense completely!” boasted Brock, his arms folded again.
Blue returned his Pidgey immediately, but Red rushed over onto the field, where his Mnakey lay half-buried in earth. He dug his hands into the dirt, sifting it away from his fallen Pokémon. He was out cold...but otherwise alright.
“Sorry, Mankey,” he whispered, now much more keenly aware of what was being asked of them. He promised himself he would remember it, for them.
Red returned Mankey to his ball and sighed, getting up and returning to his position on the field.
Blue gaped at Red has he walked back, holding the PokéBall purposefully in his hands. He had come farther, in a lot of ways, than Blue had realized in these past few days.
He's my friend. I should be happy...but I'm not realized Blue, frowning. I can't be happy...for my rival.
“Blue,” said Red simply as he met him, clipping his PokéBall back to its belt. He then raised his arm, slowly, and extended a hand to Blue's, saying, “I've got one more idea. He's right, Onix's defense is impressive, and we don't have anything that can get through it with sheer force...but there's a way...and I'm going to need you to follow my lead.”
Blue returned from his thoughts to face Red, and, with a grin on his face, met Red's outstretched hand, and shook it.
“Psyduck...I can tell you're scared. But I need you to pull through for me,” said Red, turning to his cowering Pokémon.
Psyduck shivered, taking a step back.
“I'm counting on you.”
Red's Psyduck put its hands on its head, squeezing its eyes shut, probably from his latest headache, but nodded all the same and waddled forward.
“That's the spirit. Blue, you ready?” asked Red, keeping his eyes focus on Brock, who seemed to be having trouble meeting Red's intense gaze.
His Growlithe leapt forward, baring his teeth and growling at Onix, who looked unimpressed.
“Yeah, as ready as I was when we came in. Let's take a badge for ourselves and get out of this town,” said Blue, jeering up at the crowd below, “the people are rude.”
Red laughed. Typical Blue.
“Are you done yet?” asked Brock from across the gym, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Let's do this,” said Blue; Red nodded in agreement.
“Psyduck, aim a Water Gun at the ceiling! Blue, I need some fire here!”
As Psyduck opened its bill and began spouting water from its throat, Blue realized the plan and called, “Growlithe, aim your Flamethrower at the tip of his spout!”
The jets of flame and water met in midair, swirling into a thick steam that covered the gym in obscurity. Brock and many of the audience began to cough loudly; Red and Blue covered their mouths with their shirts.
“Onix, use a Double Edge wherever you can find them!” ordered Brock between coughs, doubled over.
They could hear and feel the massive tremors as Onix lunged about randomly, hoping to hit the two. Red knew Psyduck and Growlithe would be doing their best to dodge without his command.
Eventually, the steam cleared and Onix was reveal, roaring with agony. The water was too much for his body, wearing it down and lowering his defense. Brock gasped, finally having realized the plan.
“Give him some more Psyduck, aim another Water Gun at Onix!” yelled Red.
“Growlithe, Take Down while he's vulnerable!”
Another pounding jet of water burst from Psyduck's moth, hitting Onix at his side, and he cried out in pain, lashing his tail blindly at the source but missing by several feet. Growlithe came in from the other side, hitting the brunt of Onix's side with a full-on tackle, knocking Onix over. He lay sprawled on rocky floor, writhing...
“That's enough! Onix, return,” called Brock, opening up his second PokéBall to return the massive Pokémon.
There was a ringing in Red's ears. Everything to him was now shut out, unimportant.
We won. We beat the Gym Leader.
Blue smirked with his eyes closed, tossing back his hair with his free hand as Growlithe jogged back to him, running in circles and yapping excitedly. Psyduck stumbled over to Red, looking up at him. Red looked down, picking him up, and hugged his first Pokémon excitedly.
“You, and everyone else...they did a great job,” said Red, putting him down, and his Pikachu nodded happily.
Then, he became aware of the crowd, cheering and clapping above them, and he smiled up to all of them, basking in the glory of the moment. Brock was soon striding across the arena, clapping, and was only a few feet away from him in no time.
“Congratulations...congratulations...I assume this is your first League Badge? Take it. The Boulderbadge is all yours, both of you,” said Brock, outstretching his hands. Red and Blue reached out to meet his, and he dropped a small, stone-gray badge into their hands, cut smoothly into a rigid octagon.
Red took it, feeling the coarse stone in his hands, then took the back pin and clipped it to his jacket.
“I was surprised—but in a good way. Blue, you need to stick close to your friend—and closer to your Pokémon. You're lucky to have such a great trainer as a friend. If I wasn't running this gym, I wouldn't mind going with...and, you did fine, but you aren't working with your Pokémon properly. You can only get better though!”
Blue scowled. “Look buddy, we beat you fair and square, don't get all preachy on me!”
“Whatever you like,” said Brock, annoyed as the crowd exploded in applause around them. “Congratulations.”
As the crowd cheered, Red had no doubt in his mind—this was the life he had wanted.
CHAPTER FOUR: EVERSTONE
The door slammed behind Red as Blue crept in behind him. He started, twirling around with his Pikachu clinging to his shirt for support, and looked back to see Blue, who laughed heartily and placed his forehead in the palm of his hand in exasperation. Red turned back, surveying the surroundings in shock. Though Red had never been to the checkpoint between Viridian Forest and Pewter City, he was sure it had looked better than this. The lights, though glowing dimly moments ago, blinked into darkness every few seconds, throwing everything into hazy relief, casting shadows off of broken tables and chairs, smashed pots that once contained small berry trees and other fauna, and a variety of debris spread all over the faded white, cracked, and ruined floor. The counter where an official would be approving passage was dusty on its yellow top, and below it, a red 'R' was splashed hastily across the wood in a thick red paint. Red's Psyduck crept noticeably closer to Red in the semi-darkness.
Blue stepped forward first, though still shaken by their encounter with Hypno, and called out to the darkness.
“Is anyone there?”
A moan rose from behind the dilapidated counter. Red took an involuntary step backward, clutching his left hand in a fist. Slowly, a white hand crept over the counter top, groping to take hold of something. When the fingers finally found something to grasp, a haggard, worn man with jet black hair and a lopsided officer's cap pulled himself up from behind the desk, apparently reeling from a long time of being unconscious. He straightened himself erratically.
“Ugh...I'm so thirsty...where's my tea...”
Red sighed in heavy relief, Blue laughed. Suddenly, the door opened behind them and Red jumped in shock, followed by his Pikachu, who spontaneously shot a jolt of electricity into Red's shoulder. He shook for a moment, rubbing his slightly numbed arm.
Thankfully, it was just the local Pokémon Ranger that they had woken earlier.
“Go on, you two. I almost forgot about the checkpoint. I'll explain everything to him.”
Blue nodded, grabbing his friend's arm and pulling out towards the exit doors with their Pokémon before he could object.
Light spread out over them, brighter than anything they had encountered in their time in the forest, and for a moment they shielded their eyes before observing the road before them. The dirt path was mostly clear, with a single fenced-off white house to the right of the lane. A strange, humanoid Pokémon with long, wacky purple hair swept the porch, its trainer eying them curiously as they began to walk along the path to the city.
They arrived at Pewter City as evening came. The place was moderately calm in the glow of the orange sky, a cool wind passing over. There were many children about, playing with bug Pokémon that had come from the forest. The mostly gray buildings basked in the sunlight and shone brightly, and though the city looked rather dull even in the brilliance of the sun, Red was glad to see it. Not far north from the Pokémon Center, Pewter Gym sat, a resolute stone building with only miniscule windows at its very top top let light in. Tomorrow, he and Blue would challenge the Gym for its badge, together. However, Blue seemed to have a different idea about things. His eyes were hard with determination, Red could almost feel his will pushing off the stone walls of the gym.
“Tomorrow, Blue...I think we're all tired,” said Red, looking at him sternly.
Blue opened his mouth as if to argue, but his Growlithe began pawing at his pant leg and he relented. They made their way into the Center, healed their Pokémon, rented a room, and made to rest for the night.
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For a second time in the long days since leaving home, Red laid wide awake in a dark room, still as the grave. He watched his Pokémon all sleeping in a corner, Pikachu curled up next to his Psyduck, who had fallen asleep sitting down. He felt a pang of guilt looking at the pair, sleeping in the cold night. They shivered in the cold as they slumbered. Red heard a rustling of sheets from behind him; Blue's Growlithe was attempting to snuggle under his trainer's covers, Blue pushed him away with a foot in reaction. The Pokémon curled up whimpering in the corner, cold and shaking. Red frowned and turned his head back to his own Pokémon, thinking. He exhaled and removed the blanket from his chest, throwing it over his Pokémon, who stopped shivering, but did not wake.
Blue, who was also awake, watched him in the mirror and said nothing. He smirked, finally closing his eyes.
Red, you really are a sap sometimes...
They deserve it...I think in a way, they've all saved my life, and only 3 days in, thought Red, rolling onto his back and staring up at the lights dancing feebly on the ceiling.
I don't know why Blue is acting like this. Back home, he was different. He doesn't even seem to care about them.
Then suddenly, a memory came flooding back to him.
It had been seven years ago when he and Blue had become friends, though it had not always been that way. He had always been the quiet type, though no one really knew why. Ever since his father had left, well, things had never been the same. Naturally, he had become a target for the other kids around Pallet Town...including Blue. He had bullied Red since he was five, leading the rest of the neighborhood in a jaunt against his odd behavior. Even his friends were not totally exempt from his bad attitude. Once or twice he caught him beating up on another young boy. Red had never understood why...why he or anyone else should be the target of their aggression.
Then, seven years ago, he had heard the news that Blue's parents had died on Mt. Silver, a famous landmark of the Johto region. All that was known was that they had been found buried under an avalanche. Red had not been sure what to think when he heard the news. He did not hate Blue, but he did remember that he had been a source of torment for years. On that day, he had seen Blue away from his usual group of friends, sitting alone and despaired outside his grandfather's laboratory, and he, Red, had gone to comfort him.
“Blue...you know I heard about what happened, and, I wanted to see if you wanted to talk about it,” he had said, on top of that hill, seven years ago.
“What do you know about it?” said Blue angrily, clutching his arms tightly, “get out of here!”
Blue had gotten up and punched him...square in the jaw. In the present, Red rubbed his jaw absentmindedly. Red had fallen back on the hilltop, clutching his jaw there, that same day, seven year ago, and said:
“...I haven't seen my dad...in six years...”
Then Blue dropped to the ground, sitting quietly for several minutes while Red clutched his knees and say quietly.
The next day, Blue treated him not as a victim, but a friend, and, he noticed, the rest of the neighborhood seemed to have mellowed out as well. He and Blue had become best friends...
Red closed his eyes and pulled his cap over his face.
Do I even really know you, Blue? Or did I know you better before we were friends?
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The morning did not come quietly. Red awoke to a crashing sound, a bag had just been flung over his body and hit the wall with a sickening crash, sending the contents flying. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his Psyduck dive to the side as it hit, and a painful pressure on his ear told him his Pikachu was making a good effort to get him up as well.
“Get UP, you oaf!” yelled Blue behind him. Red turned on his side, scratching his side and yawning lazily. His eyes were still partially glazed over.
“Whassamatter Blue...” fumbled Red, having difficulty stringing together his words properly, lethargic.
“It's past noon, you've been sleeping all day! I was about to go without you,” he replied, his hands on his waist. His Growlithe sat silently at his side, no doubt confused about the thrown bag. “What's with you? We have a gym to hit.”
“Hey...I was tired...” said Red, rubbing his eyes and sitting up cross-legged, “Sorry man.”
“Yeah yeah, don't worry I guess...I'll be waiting outside, pick up your junk and get out there,” muttered Blue, hoisting his bags. He threw open the door and walked out, his Growlithe scrambling through the door before it slammed shut.
Red shook his head and started picking up toothpaste tubes, socks, and other odds and ends from his open bag, and stuffed them back in, his Pokémon helping as best they could. He smiled as he jammed the compass his Pikachu had just handed him into the bag; he really was happy to have caught him. As his Pikachu grabbed a watch and started to carry it over to him, his Psyduck waddled forth holding several batteries and seemed to waddle into Red's line of sight so that he could not see his Pikachu standing on the tips of its toes to hand Red a screwdriver.
They're competing... thought Red, bemused.
After the bag had been repacked, Red stood and stretched with his arms over his head, stopping once to smell under his arm.
Eh. Shower later.
He walked across the room in strides, opening the door and motioning to his Pokémon. Pikachu dashed to him on all fours, climbing up his leg and onto his shoulder, while Psyduck made his way over behind him out the door. Red tipped his hat playfully at the local nurse has he made his way to the double doors, which slid open at his footsteps. Blue was waiting there, his back to Red. He turned and grinned excitedly, holding up a hand. Red slapped against the palm with his own, and the two walked the dirt road to the Pewter Gym.
Imposing, roughly hewn rock hovered over them, a monolith all its own. Chiseled in neatly over the stone entrance were the words: “Pewter Gym: Rock Pokémon Masters”. It looked as though it had been built many years ago, chipped and cracked all over the solid walls. Red sighed and pushed his hands onto the warm slab of a door, grunting with the effort. Blue struggled next to him, his back to the door as he unloaded his weight and strength into it. It opened slowly, and as they tumbled in they were met with darkness. Unnerved, Red plodded forth into the darkness, their Pokémon beginning to follow uncertainly. Finally, around what Red was sure was the middle of the room, he stopped moving, paused, and waited. When nothing happened, he called out into the shadows.
“My name is Red and this is my friend Blue. We've come to challenge your gym for its badge! Come out, we know you're there!” yelled Red, though he was not entirely convinced.
Suddenly, a flicking of a switch in the room. Spotlights began flaring up around the room, casting shadows on tall, jagged rocks lining the massive stadium, half-buried in dark red earth that flatly covered the ground. There were bleachers on either side, though no one was sitting in them at the moment, with stairs down to the back wall and sets of doors on either side. As the final lights came on, the thudding of heavy footfalls could be heard in front of them, and at last the Gym Leader revealed himself.
He was barefooted, his toes and ankles caked with dirt that seemed as if it was ingrained into into his flesh, a part of his beings, coming out of filthy brown pants tied to his body haphazardly with rope. His flat chest seemed as dominant and unrelenting at the rubble around them, supporting his square head, thin, discerning eyes, and dusty, spiked hair. Though he really wasn't that much older than them, his appearance and his presence gave him the feel of a rugged and strong young man. His dark skin nearly caused him to blend in with his own stadium. As he thundered forward, he gazed at them, his eyes blank. Whatever he was thinking, Red and Blue would never know. He stopped only a few feet away from them, oblivious to the sharp rubble that should have been cutting into his unprotected feet. After a full minute, he spoke to them.
“I can see you are here. I am Brock, Gym Leader here, and you are my challengers. You have wit, and determination. But you do not have strength! You are punching uselessly at a brick wall, and it will not relent to tricks or will alone...” he stated in a deep, strong voice.
“I...” began Red, confused by this odd observation.
“You, or your friend? Who is here to take the challenge?” he asked simply, waving Red down.
“Both of us. We thought maybe we just take it in turns, we--”
“Turns? You want to have turns? I don't have the time to waste. Let me see...” he said.
Red and Blue looked at each other, and then to their Pokémon,who seemed somewhat intimidated by the Gym Leader. His Psyduck was edging backwards slowly, and Pikachu had lowered his head, ears down, perched on top of his shoulder. Secretly, Red agreed with them. There was no mistaking the raw power of the man before them. Blue, however, was grinning with anticipation.
“If you're so tough, then you wouldn't mind taking on two trainers at once, would you big guy?”
Brock turned back to face them, an eyebrow raised. For a moment, he said nothing. He then chuckled loudly, holding his sides.
“Alright, alright. I will. A two-on-two battle, first side to run out of Pokémon wins. Sound fair?” he asked mockingly, folding his arms and standing in a wide stance.
Red did a double take, then nodded, along with Blue, who grabbed a PokéBall from his belt and tossed it up and down in his hand.
“Go to the other side of the gym, turn about, and face me. We start on my signal. Any earlier, and you lose by default,” he explained, turning back around and striding to raised stand at the back of the gym. Red and Blue nodded shortly and made their way to the from of the gym, then turned to look at him.
Brock looked at them, his white teeth flashing for a demeaning grin, then looked up to seemingly nobody, and shouted, “Let them in! This will be my exhibition match for the day!”
To Red and Blue's surprise, the doors burst open as nearly a hundred people began to climb the back stairs, filling the bleachers with an excessive noise, men women and children all. The metal platform clattered with excited onlookers...all fans of Brock apparently, as many of them began making jeering calls to the pair of boys. Still, Red and Blue grinned widely. The roof suddenly opened to let in the sun, sliding away mechanically. They had not expected to have an audience, and it made Red nervous, but it was exciting nonetheless; the atmosphere was palpable.
“Hey, pay attention to your opponent!” shouted Brock over the small crowd, stamping his foot on the hard ground, “you ready already?”
The pair looked back at the Pokémon they had out, then at the PokéBalls clipped at their waist, and nodded.
“Let the Gym battle...begin!”
They all moved at the same time. Brock tossed his arms upward, throwing his balls into the air. They spun, arced, and bounced off the earthy floor, releasing two Pokémon in a flash of light. The first appeared at first glance to be a small boulder, which landed with a thud, arms covering its craggy face. As it landed it threw them out to its sides ridgedly, rapping the earth with its knuckles, which responded clumsily by cracking beneath the pressure. From the other ball came a giant, snake-like monster, its body the shape of a series of connected boulders, with a gigantic stone horn coming from its head. It roared, thrashing its tail widely.
Red and Blue responded immediately, tossing their own PokéBalls into the arena, which opened and released their two new bug Pokémon—Butterfree and Beedrill.
“Bug types!?” roared Brock incredulously from his elevated stance, laughing. “You'll have to step it up.”
Red ignored the gibes and pulled out his Pokédex to scan the new Pokémon. It emitted a beeping sound and dictated:
“Geodude. It is often mistaken for an ordinary boulder and tripped on by passersby. If it is, it won't get angry. It maintains its defensive position.”
“Onix. This Pokémon is a skilled tunneler, reaching 70-80 miles an hour underground. Its hardness is rarely matched by anything found in nature.”
“Tough skin, but I think we can break through it,” commented Blue, snapping his Pokédex shut.
“Maybe...let's see what he does...” said Red nervously, wishing he had chosen differently.
Brock leered at them, then shook his head.
“Go, go, go! Onix, go underground! Geodude, Defense Curl, Rock Polish, Rollout!” barked Brock.
The Onix leapt into the air, turned its head downward, and went crashing downwards into the ground, causing the whole stadium to rumble, tiny rocks clattering on the ground. Geodude, put its arms back over its face and began spinning in one position at incredible speed, then released and started bouncing off walls and rocks like a mad pinball.
Immediately, Butterfree and Beedrill had to begin dodging the flying Geodude's assault, but every movement out of its way was only met with a rebound back in their direction. The blinding speed but Red and Blue off, they were simply stunned.
“Butterfree, used Stun Spore!” commanded Red in an effort to take control.
As Geodude came rocketing towards Butterfree, it flapped its large wings and sent a pale yellow powder flying at the Rock Pokémon. It stopped spinning, tumbling onto the ground.
Blue looked impressed and pumped his fist into the air, giving his own command, “Beedrill, follow it up with a Fury Attack!”
Beedrill charged impressively through the air, large needles outstretched at the paralyzed Geodude, when suddenly, Brock yelled, “Now Onix, Tackle!”
Out of nowhere, the snakelike Onix burst from the ground beneath Beedrill and crashed into it from below, sending it flying into the air like a helpless doll. Blue shouted in surprise and swore under his breath as Beedrill landed with a weak thud. Red's Butterfree made a small, frightened noise and backed up as Onix turned in the air again and crashed back into the ground, leaving another huge hole.
“Get up Beedrill, get up, we have a match to win! I know you can do it!” shouted Blue, pounding a fist in his palm. Slowly but surely, Beedrill got up, rising clumsily into the air. It had looked intensely powerful before; now it looked feeble and weak compared to this monster of a Pokémon, and Red worried Blue was pushing too far.
“Again Beedrill, Fury Attack!” shouted Blue, pointing at the dazed Geodude.
What do we even do about that Onix if its underground all the time? thought Red.
Suddenly, Brock commanded, “Tackle again Onix!” The Pokémon blasted up into the air again from its tunnels, but Beedrill was ready this time. He zoomed backwards, dodging the Onix spiraling upward. It turned attempting to zoom around the Onix. Then the behemoth raised its mighty tail and slammed the tip into Beedrill like swatting a fly. There was no second chance this time, it crumpled to the floor. Once again, Onix turned on the spot and fled back to its tunnels.
Blue ground his teeth angrily and Red began to sweat; he had know this would be a tough match, but the display of power was unprecedented.
“Butterfree, Confusion on Geodude!” ordered Red, but the Geodude had already recovered from its paralysis and was spinning towards Butterfree with a tearing sound in the air. It pounded sickeningly across his Pokémon's abdomen and it fell, out cold, as the Geodude spun back to the other side of the gym and landed with a satisfied smile, slamming the floor with its fist.
The crowd cheered, it was live a wave of realization crashing over them—they had truly hit the big leagues.
Red wiped the warm salt and water from his brow, throwing his PokéBall out to recover Buterfree; Blue followed silently.
“Choose your next Pokémon trainers. I don't have all day,” Brock said mockingly.
Red's Pikachu growled form his shoulder, red cheeks sparking menacingly. He patted him softly and whispered, “Sorry Pikachu, but they're part ground-type. I can't use you, your attacks won't work.”
His Pikachu lowered his head sadly and Red felt a sudden gratefulness for its loyalty. He tried to think of a way to let him down easier, when Blue snapped him back to reality.
“Hey, Red, don't start that! We got a battle to finish. Listen, use your Mankey and I'll use Pidgey. It's a good combo, I think it'll work.”
Red nodded and grabbed Mankey's ball, praying he would be obedient, and released him into the battle, followed by Blue's Pidgey. As Mankey appeared he took notice of the Geodude on the other side of the gym and widened his stance, raising his paws to fight. Blue's Pidgey let out a shrill screech as it emerged, flapping its way high into the air.
“Now we're getting somewhere,” said Brock, “a Fighting-type. Pity, it seems your partner has nothing to counter Rock-types. He'll need to work on that after this match is over.”
Blue looked taken aback at a near stranger giving him advice, clutching his fist.
“Shut up and battle punk.”
“Whatever you like. Geodude, Rock Throw!”
Geodude picked up two large stones from the arena floor and lobbed them quickly at Mankey, who sidestepped to avoid them with any command needed.
“Good, Mankey! Now I want-”
Mankey, however, wasn't interested in taking commands. He dashed forward furiously, a vein bulging in his temple, and swiped at Brock's Geodude furiously. It covered its front with its arms, taking every blow without any indication of being weakened. Brock looked a little angry.
“Keep your Pokémon under control, or you'll never beat anyone!” he yelled, disappointed.
Red shook his head. He should have known—Mankey was far from docile yet.
“Mankey, come on, listen to me now!” he yelled. Blue stepped forward then, past Red, angry with him.
Red is so hopeless sometimes. He can't even control his Pokémon right. He'd be lost without me thought Blue, smirking.
“I'll take charge, Red. Pidgey, Sand-Attack!”
His bird Pokémon flapped harder and dived low to the ground, sending an upsurge of dust everywhere. Soon, vision of their Pokémon was lost to the sand in the air. When it finally cleared, Geodude was covering its face again, and Mankey was blinded, lashing out with no control wherever its arms could reach.
“Nothing's working...Mankey won't listen...I...” said Red, starting to despair. He sank to his knees. “I don't know what to do.”
“If you want to win, work as a team,” said Brock sternly.
The crowd began to laugh at Red, though Brock's expression remain unchanged, resolute. Blue watched Red, alarmed, then turned back to the fight hastily, determined to win.
“We just have to think of a plan...but it's hard to hit that Geodude to begin with. Every time we try to hit it with a legitimate attack, that Onix comes back up and pummels us. What do we...?”
An idea hit Red then, rushing through his brain like warm medicine. He stood back up.
“Mankey! If you want to win, listen to me! If you want to end up with your face in dirt, keep it up,” yelled Red across the room. Brushing sand out of his eyes, Mankey stamped its foot angrily at him and puffed out its pig-like nostrils. Red hoped that was a 'yes'.
“Blue, send Pidgey after Geodude, a direct attack,” said Red resolutely.
“But-”
“Trust me!” Red yelled back.
“Fine...Pidgey, use Wing Attack!”
Pidgey crowed loudly and divebombed at Geodude, who covered its face again in response. Everyone heard a rumbling, and knew what would happen soon.
“Block him off Onix!” advised Brock.
As soon as Onix began to rise form the ground, Red grimaced and ordered, “Now, Mankey, Low Kick!”
Reluctantly Mankey slided into a diving kick at the base of Onix's tunnel, its small foot crashing into the Pokémon with ridiculous force. It was sent flying into a nearby jagged rock, crashing headfirst into it with enough force to rock the whole gym. Blue looked stunned, it was an excellent strategy.
Why didn't I think of that...it seems so obvious now... thought Blue nervously, regarding Red as he pumped his fist in the air victoriously.
As the Onix began to groggily lift itself from the ground, Brock yelled, “Rollout that Mankey, take it down!”
It spun in pace again, looking to knock out Mankey, and Red acted quickly.
“Mankey, grab it, use Seismic Toss!”
Mankey clapped his hands around the incoming Geodude, pressing hard until it stopped spinning, then jumped into the air with more strength than any person could muster, flipped in the air, and tossed it downward at the rocky ground with another loud crash.
As Mankey landed, Red looked up to Brock, hoping to see some sign of relent, but Brock merely smiled and, to his surprise, clapped.
“Good job.”
And then Red found himself smiling back, lowering the brim of his hat.
“Thanks.”
Blue looked on frustratedly at the two, both amazed at Red's sudden display of skill and upset at his own near-uselessness.
Though they had been hit hard, Brock's Pokémon recovered quickly, up and ready for the fight.
“I guess there's no point in trying that trick anymore. You already know how to counter it,” said Brock, unflinching.
“No, I guess not,” said Red, staring him down as the crowd continued to go wild.
Brock continued to grin. “Good. Let's get back on track. Geodude, Tackle, Onix, Slam!”
Red and Blue pulled themselves together quickly, issuing orders.
“Mankey, Vital Throw!”
“Pidgey, Gust!”
As Brock's Onix sped forward, lashing at Mankey with its tail, Mankey jumped in the air, grabbed it, and landed on the other side of its body, turning on its heel one hundred and eighty degrees and tossing it back to the rock it had just peen laying against. Meanwhile Blue's Pidgey blasted a gust of wind at the incoming Geodude, slowing and wearing it down.
“Now Pidgey,” commanded Blue, hand outstretched, “Tackle while its weakened!”
The combined assault of the earlier Seismic Toss, the erosion from Gust and this blunt, full force attack, were now too much for Geodude, and it flew back, slamming into the wall and sliding down with the horrible grinding noise of stone on stone.
Brock lost his cool, suddenly tensing and tightening his arms and legs.
“This is pretty impressive. I'm proud to have such challengers in my gym,” said Brock, opening his PokéBall. Geodude was sucked back in cleanly, he closed the ball.
“I am not down yet. Onix, Double-Edge,” said Brock calmly.
Onix lunged forward, toppling their two Pokémon like dominoes with his incredible strength, strikign Pidgey out of the air. Mankey attempted to grab Onix's massive body and keep it from plowing him into the dirt, but even he was not strong enough to withstand it. Onix landed on its head, the rest of its body following suit, and though it looked out of sort, it appeared not to have suffered any recoil at all from the attack.
“Onix is too hard to take any damage even from such a risky tackle. No punch or throw will get through his defense completely!” boasted Brock, his arms folded again.
Blue returned his Pidgey immediately, but Red rushed over onto the field, where his Mnakey lay half-buried in earth. He dug his hands into the dirt, sifting it away from his fallen Pokémon. He was out cold...but otherwise alright.
“Sorry, Mankey,” he whispered, now much more keenly aware of what was being asked of them. He promised himself he would remember it, for them.
Red returned Mankey to his ball and sighed, getting up and returning to his position on the field.
Blue gaped at Red has he walked back, holding the PokéBall purposefully in his hands. He had come farther, in a lot of ways, than Blue had realized in these past few days.
He's my friend. I should be happy...but I'm not realized Blue, frowning. I can't be happy...for my rival.
“Blue,” said Red simply as he met him, clipping his PokéBall back to its belt. He then raised his arm, slowly, and extended a hand to Blue's, saying, “I've got one more idea. He's right, Onix's defense is impressive, and we don't have anything that can get through it with sheer force...but there's a way...and I'm going to need you to follow my lead.”
Blue returned from his thoughts to face Red, and, with a grin on his face, met Red's outstretched hand, and shook it.
“Psyduck...I can tell you're scared. But I need you to pull through for me,” said Red, turning to his cowering Pokémon.
Psyduck shivered, taking a step back.
“I'm counting on you.”
Red's Psyduck put its hands on its head, squeezing its eyes shut, probably from his latest headache, but nodded all the same and waddled forward.
“That's the spirit. Blue, you ready?” asked Red, keeping his eyes focus on Brock, who seemed to be having trouble meeting Red's intense gaze.
His Growlithe leapt forward, baring his teeth and growling at Onix, who looked unimpressed.
“Yeah, as ready as I was when we came in. Let's take a badge for ourselves and get out of this town,” said Blue, jeering up at the crowd below, “the people are rude.”
Red laughed. Typical Blue.
“Are you done yet?” asked Brock from across the gym, raising an eyebrow.
“Yeah. Let's do this,” said Blue; Red nodded in agreement.
“Psyduck, aim a Water Gun at the ceiling! Blue, I need some fire here!”
As Psyduck opened its bill and began spouting water from its throat, Blue realized the plan and called, “Growlithe, aim your Flamethrower at the tip of his spout!”
The jets of flame and water met in midair, swirling into a thick steam that covered the gym in obscurity. Brock and many of the audience began to cough loudly; Red and Blue covered their mouths with their shirts.
“Onix, use a Double Edge wherever you can find them!” ordered Brock between coughs, doubled over.
They could hear and feel the massive tremors as Onix lunged about randomly, hoping to hit the two. Red knew Psyduck and Growlithe would be doing their best to dodge without his command.
Eventually, the steam cleared and Onix was reveal, roaring with agony. The water was too much for his body, wearing it down and lowering his defense. Brock gasped, finally having realized the plan.
“Give him some more Psyduck, aim another Water Gun at Onix!” yelled Red.
“Growlithe, Take Down while he's vulnerable!”
Another pounding jet of water burst from Psyduck's moth, hitting Onix at his side, and he cried out in pain, lashing his tail blindly at the source but missing by several feet. Growlithe came in from the other side, hitting the brunt of Onix's side with a full-on tackle, knocking Onix over. He lay sprawled on rocky floor, writhing...
“That's enough! Onix, return,” called Brock, opening up his second PokéBall to return the massive Pokémon.
There was a ringing in Red's ears. Everything to him was now shut out, unimportant.
We won. We beat the Gym Leader.
Blue smirked with his eyes closed, tossing back his hair with his free hand as Growlithe jogged back to him, running in circles and yapping excitedly. Psyduck stumbled over to Red, looking up at him. Red looked down, picking him up, and hugged his first Pokémon excitedly.
“You, and everyone else...they did a great job,” said Red, putting him down, and his Pikachu nodded happily.
Then, he became aware of the crowd, cheering and clapping above them, and he smiled up to all of them, basking in the glory of the moment. Brock was soon striding across the arena, clapping, and was only a few feet away from him in no time.
“Congratulations...congratulations...I assume this is your first League Badge? Take it. The Boulderbadge is all yours, both of you,” said Brock, outstretching his hands. Red and Blue reached out to meet his, and he dropped a small, stone-gray badge into their hands, cut smoothly into a rigid octagon.
Red took it, feeling the coarse stone in his hands, then took the back pin and clipped it to his jacket.
“I was surprised—but in a good way. Blue, you need to stick close to your friend—and closer to your Pokémon. You're lucky to have such a great trainer as a friend. If I wasn't running this gym, I wouldn't mind going with...and, you did fine, but you aren't working with your Pokémon properly. You can only get better though!”
Blue scowled. “Look buddy, we beat you fair and square, don't get all preachy on me!”
“Whatever you like,” said Brock, annoyed as the crowd exploded in applause around them. “Congratulations.”
As the crowd cheered, Red had no doubt in his mind—this was the life he had wanted.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Viridian Gym will be so epic. Because this is amazing work. But then it's too funny to be called 100% perfect or 10/10. Great work still! Keep it up!
Viridian Gym will be so epic. Because this is amazing work. But then it's too funny to be called 100% perfect or 10/10. Great work still! Keep it up!
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Haha, what doe that mean? Too funny?
Haha, what doe that mean? Too funny?
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Well, when Red woke up, the scene was a bit too hilarious. It doesn't go well with Pokemon. And Chapter 5 will certainly be about Mt. Moon and have TR in it.
Dictator Dauntless said:
Well, when Red woke up, the scene was a bit too hilarious. It doesn't go well with Pokemon. And Chapter 5 will certainly be about Mt. Moon and have TR in it.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
And yeah, you're right. I'll probably start on it soon.
The battle wasn't too long was it, or anything?
Oh, well, man, comic relief and all that.grasspokemonmaster said:
And yeah, you're right. I'll probably start on it soon.
The battle wasn't too long was it, or anything?
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
The battle got a bit too long; I had to skip a bit. And then Brock doesn't seem like the Brock I know very well.
And you overfilled the story with vocabulary.
The battle got a bit too long; I had to skip a bit. And then Brock doesn't seem like the Brock I know very well.
And you overfilled the story with vocabulary.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
It's based on the Brock of the games, some people will probably be alienated by it.
grasspokemonmaster said:
It's based on the Brock of the games, some people will probably be alienated by it.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Otherwise how was it?Zyflair said:
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
All I can say is that Pokémon battles always have that silly lack of variety thanks to limited moves (this is why I never make such fanfics), but you did pretty much the BEST job in writing out an actual Pokémon battle.
All I can say is that Pokémon battles always have that silly lack of variety thanks to limited moves (this is why I never make such fanfics), but you did pretty much the BEST job in writing out an actual Pokémon battle.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Nice Story.
Nice Story.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Thanks. I'll be starting on Chapter 5 soon enough.
Thanks. I'll be starting on Chapter 5 soon enough.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
Informer, you are. Non-spammer, you aren't.
Hi,Every one
These creatures and entities reside throughout various locations of the fictional Pokémon universe and can be caught by humans designated as Pokémon Trainers often using devices called Poké Balls. These trainers use Pokémon for a variety of purposes, such as being pets and loyal companions and/or being pitted against other trained Pokémon in competitive Pokémon battles. Pokémon are potentially powerful and magical creatures that can employ a variety of talents such as generating fire or heat, martial arts, telekinesis, and so on.
Informer, you are. Non-spammer, you aren't.
Hi,Every one
These creatures and entities reside throughout various locations of the fictional Pokémon universe and can be caught by humans designated as Pokémon Trainers often using devices called Poké Balls. These trainers use Pokémon for a variety of purposes, such as being pets and loyal companions and/or being pitted against other trained Pokémon in competitive Pokémon battles. Pokémon are potentially powerful and magical creatures that can employ a variety of talents such as generating fire or heat, martial arts, telekinesis, and so on.
P
pokemon_fan2013
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 PREVIEW ON PAGE 4
a truely outstanding story. I rather it liked it and I dont like reading much. Trust me.
a truely outstanding story. I rather it liked it and I dont like reading much. Trust me.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
I'm still working on this story. I just always have a changing opinion about how it should be written. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I'm still working on this story. I just always have a changing opinion about how it should be written. Sorry for the inconvenience.
RE: Pokemon Blak-CHAPTER 4 DONE ON PAGE 5
CHAPTER 5:HM05 Preview
After their victory that afternoon, Red and Blue celebrated like kings. They went down to the local restaurant with their Pokémon and ate heartily, along with their Pokémon. Mankey, in particular had caused quite a stir, getting into a food fight with Pikachu in the middle of the place, and by the time they left, the staff seemed quite glad to see the back of them. Instead of carrying on, they decided to check back into the Pokémon Center for the night. However, they were both restless. After agreeing that neither of them could sleep properly, they got a couple of sodas from the machine inside the Center and stayed up most of the night discussing the battle and sharing the drinks.
“You did really great Blue, I was impressed with the way you handled Geodude. I don't think I could have done it without you, man,” he said, letting out a heavy exhale after a long gulp from his soda can.
Blue just smirked and nodded in his corner of the room, scratching his Growlithe's head absentmindedly.
“I think you could have taken him yourself too, if it weren't for the type disadvantage. But that's just a matter of catching more Pokémon, and we've got plenty of chances for that, right?” Blue plowed on, watching his Pokémon kick a can around. Even Butterfree, who had been shy until now, seemed involved. The whole thing seemed somewhat coordinated, as if, maybe, they were playing a game.
Blue nodded again, far-off now. He was thinking about the match himself, and he was sure, no matter what Red said, that it had not been a fluke, or an unfortunate weakness. He had watched Red command his Pokémon with an aptitude he had not seen from any of the traveling trainers to Pallet, indeed, with a skill that rivaled his own. Or perhaps...surpassed it? Was Red really better than him, and he had just failed to notice until now?
“Hey...I'm going to try to get to sleep now Blue. You probably oughtta turn in too, we need to make for Mt. Moon tomorrow, first thing,” said Red, interrupting Blue's thoughts. He crushed his can and threw into a nearby wastebasket.
“Hey, since when did you start making the travel plans?” quipped Blue, tossing his own soda can at Red.
Red caught it and chuckled, then lobbed the can behind him into the garbage with the other.
“Since when did you stop rushing?”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following morning, in the typical way, leaving was hurried and messy. Red rolled over in his sleep and knocked over the wastebasket, and here, in the morning, there was garbage strewn everywhere. Red tackled the task of getting the garbage back up while Blue packed both of their bags hurriedly, roughly cramming their luggage back into the bags.
As Red tossed the last of the cans back into the trash can and began tying up the bag, Blue suddenly spoke up.
“Yo, Red, I was thinkin' I might call my grandpa before we head out again, you mind?” he asked from across the room.
“Of course I don't, no problem. Why though?” he replied, curious why Blue was suddenly getting sentimental. Maybe Blue had something to ask?
“Yeah I know what you're thinking,” Blue said suddenly, startling Red, “Gramps asked me to call if we made it to Pewter City okay. I kinda forgot the other day, and I don't need the old man puttinbg me out as missing or something.”
“Oh, okay. Well, you go ahead, I wanna get some stuff sorted,” Red replied casually, turning and taking his bag from Blue. He rolled his eyes.
“Alright, alright, just meet me at the call center in the lobby,” he sighed opening the door for his Growlithe.
“You got it.”
Blue, turned and went out the door, leaving Red alone with his Pokemon, who were still asleep. He kneeled down at the group, lazily tapping each of them with his open hand. They opened their eyes slowly and Red returned Mankey and Butterfree to their PokéBalls after a quick pat on the head. Red laid his hand down on the ground at Pikachu's feet, but his cheeks sparked furiouslky and Red took it as a warning sign he should just let him travel how he wanted.
Red sighed, opening his bag and beginning to sort through the mess. Blue had really done a number on the contents, but after a few minutes' shuffling and sorting, he had it in at least manageable terms.
“Aight...Psyduck, Pikachu, let's go meet Blue,” he muttered under the weight of his bag, striding out the door. He saw Blue on the far side of the red and white lobby and hurried over as best he could, Pokemon trailing behind him. Blue was listening intently to Professor Oak on the videophone, but was obviously annoyed. Red caught snatches of the conversation as he approached.
“Reeeelax gramps. We just beat the Pewter City Gym, what trouble is that going to cause us?” he asked with a brisk tone.
“Alot!”shouted Oak, obviously flustered, “Mt. Moon is crawling with them by now, I'm sure of it! All reports indicate they made their way east as soon as—oh, it's you, Red, maybe he'll listen to sense-”
“He already knows—and he feels the same way I do,” interrupted Blue.
Oak places his palm over his eyes, running it upwards over his head and ruffling through his hair.
“I don't understand you kids...fine, just go, but if you meet trouble, you better be prepared to hide. Nowwhere these days is safe an-ah! I know! There's someone who can go with you.”
Blue gave Red a look and a thin grimace, leaving Red confused. What was the problem?
“Listen, a friend of yours—both of you—has also just challenged and defeated Pewter City Gym. She left a day or two after you, but I imagine now that Viridian Forest is reopened, she got through a lot faster. Good job on that by the way, Blue told me all about it. A rough fight, and all the more reason for me to be worr-”
“Just quit gramps, and tell us who you mean,” said Blue flatly, cutting him off. Oak glared at him.
“Leaf, of course. She was top of the class, along with you, Blue,” said Oak, fuming, “Now go on, she's heading for Mt. Moon right now too. I'm sure you can catch up with her.”
CHAPTER 5:HM05 Preview
After their victory that afternoon, Red and Blue celebrated like kings. They went down to the local restaurant with their Pokémon and ate heartily, along with their Pokémon. Mankey, in particular had caused quite a stir, getting into a food fight with Pikachu in the middle of the place, and by the time they left, the staff seemed quite glad to see the back of them. Instead of carrying on, they decided to check back into the Pokémon Center for the night. However, they were both restless. After agreeing that neither of them could sleep properly, they got a couple of sodas from the machine inside the Center and stayed up most of the night discussing the battle and sharing the drinks.
“You did really great Blue, I was impressed with the way you handled Geodude. I don't think I could have done it without you, man,” he said, letting out a heavy exhale after a long gulp from his soda can.
Blue just smirked and nodded in his corner of the room, scratching his Growlithe's head absentmindedly.
“I think you could have taken him yourself too, if it weren't for the type disadvantage. But that's just a matter of catching more Pokémon, and we've got plenty of chances for that, right?” Blue plowed on, watching his Pokémon kick a can around. Even Butterfree, who had been shy until now, seemed involved. The whole thing seemed somewhat coordinated, as if, maybe, they were playing a game.
Blue nodded again, far-off now. He was thinking about the match himself, and he was sure, no matter what Red said, that it had not been a fluke, or an unfortunate weakness. He had watched Red command his Pokémon with an aptitude he had not seen from any of the traveling trainers to Pallet, indeed, with a skill that rivaled his own. Or perhaps...surpassed it? Was Red really better than him, and he had just failed to notice until now?
“Hey...I'm going to try to get to sleep now Blue. You probably oughtta turn in too, we need to make for Mt. Moon tomorrow, first thing,” said Red, interrupting Blue's thoughts. He crushed his can and threw into a nearby wastebasket.
“Hey, since when did you start making the travel plans?” quipped Blue, tossing his own soda can at Red.
Red caught it and chuckled, then lobbed the can behind him into the garbage with the other.
“Since when did you stop rushing?”
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following morning, in the typical way, leaving was hurried and messy. Red rolled over in his sleep and knocked over the wastebasket, and here, in the morning, there was garbage strewn everywhere. Red tackled the task of getting the garbage back up while Blue packed both of their bags hurriedly, roughly cramming their luggage back into the bags.
As Red tossed the last of the cans back into the trash can and began tying up the bag, Blue suddenly spoke up.
“Yo, Red, I was thinkin' I might call my grandpa before we head out again, you mind?” he asked from across the room.
“Of course I don't, no problem. Why though?” he replied, curious why Blue was suddenly getting sentimental. Maybe Blue had something to ask?
“Yeah I know what you're thinking,” Blue said suddenly, startling Red, “Gramps asked me to call if we made it to Pewter City okay. I kinda forgot the other day, and I don't need the old man puttinbg me out as missing or something.”
“Oh, okay. Well, you go ahead, I wanna get some stuff sorted,” Red replied casually, turning and taking his bag from Blue. He rolled his eyes.
“Alright, alright, just meet me at the call center in the lobby,” he sighed opening the door for his Growlithe.
“You got it.”
Blue, turned and went out the door, leaving Red alone with his Pokemon, who were still asleep. He kneeled down at the group, lazily tapping each of them with his open hand. They opened their eyes slowly and Red returned Mankey and Butterfree to their PokéBalls after a quick pat on the head. Red laid his hand down on the ground at Pikachu's feet, but his cheeks sparked furiouslky and Red took it as a warning sign he should just let him travel how he wanted.
Red sighed, opening his bag and beginning to sort through the mess. Blue had really done a number on the contents, but after a few minutes' shuffling and sorting, he had it in at least manageable terms.
“Aight...Psyduck, Pikachu, let's go meet Blue,” he muttered under the weight of his bag, striding out the door. He saw Blue on the far side of the red and white lobby and hurried over as best he could, Pokemon trailing behind him. Blue was listening intently to Professor Oak on the videophone, but was obviously annoyed. Red caught snatches of the conversation as he approached.
“Reeeelax gramps. We just beat the Pewter City Gym, what trouble is that going to cause us?” he asked with a brisk tone.
“Alot!”shouted Oak, obviously flustered, “Mt. Moon is crawling with them by now, I'm sure of it! All reports indicate they made their way east as soon as—oh, it's you, Red, maybe he'll listen to sense-”
“He already knows—and he feels the same way I do,” interrupted Blue.
Oak places his palm over his eyes, running it upwards over his head and ruffling through his hair.
“I don't understand you kids...fine, just go, but if you meet trouble, you better be prepared to hide. Nowwhere these days is safe an-ah! I know! There's someone who can go with you.”
Blue gave Red a look and a thin grimace, leaving Red confused. What was the problem?
“Listen, a friend of yours—both of you—has also just challenged and defeated Pewter City Gym. She left a day or two after you, but I imagine now that Viridian Forest is reopened, she got through a lot faster. Good job on that by the way, Blue told me all about it. A rough fight, and all the more reason for me to be worr-”
“Just quit gramps, and tell us who you mean,” said Blue flatly, cutting him off. Oak glared at him.
“Leaf, of course. She was top of the class, along with you, Blue,” said Oak, fuming, “Now go on, she's heading for Mt. Moon right now too. I'm sure you can catch up with her.”
