Pokémon RP Kanto Quest, the adventure begins.

[X_marks_the_ed]

The Rocket was already gone by the time Edwin and the Hiker had calmed down. "Thanks for the help." The Hiker smiled and shook his hand. "na' a problem, my boy. I owed ya for ta potion. Name's Bradley."

"Edwin."

"Oh, so you 'ere ta one ta Rocket was after."

"Yeah, apparently, he didn't take losing to Supersonic too well."

"Here, boy. I might as well give ya this." He handed Edwin a strange rock and started on his way behind Edwin.

"What's this?"

"A Leaf Stone, my boy. Gotta get these stones to tha Professor. I assume ya gots a grass type fer Pewter Gym." And with that, he was gone. (Note: Edwin is unaware of the Pallet event)

Edwin pocketed the stone. Despite the Hiker's good intentions, he didn't have a grass type to use it on. Edwin used his last potion on Clefairy and continued through the cave. Once again, Clefairy was feeling quite confident taking Zubats down one-by-one. But it was short lived. The exit stood before them, a good distance, but visible, including a couple of shadows moving around in front of it - more Rockets.

Edwin sent out Zubat and approached the two shadows, but only one of them was a Rocket. The other a girl no younger than he was. The two were locked in battle. "Nidoqueen, Earthquake!" Edwin was nearly knocked off of his feet. The Rocket's Machoke was not looking too well. Edwin decided to just ignore the two. The Rocket spotted him.

"Hey, where do you think you're going?"

"Cerulean. I don't think there's anything you can do about it." Edwin pointed at his Machoke, down on the ground. The girl laughed and retrieved her Nidoqueen. The Rocket was not amused. "I'll stop both of you right here, go Venomoth!" The girl was taken back, and sent out Nidoqueen again.

"Venomoth, Psychic!"

The Nidoqueen fell right away.

"What!?"

"And now you.....you're the Clefairy guy!" The Rocket retrieved his Venomoth. Edwin was confused. "Bruce has special orders to leave you for himself."

"Bruce, huh? Just the Rocket I wanted to see. Where is he?"

"Leader Bruce is in Saffron. Until then we're to make sure you don't leave Cerulean."

"I don't think you'll have any problems with that. By the way, Bruce is just a Rocket like you are, at least until the Big Guy decides to take the town. Until then, I believe you're supposed to sit on your jolly asses all day and keep a low profile."

"... if I weren't told to leave you be, I'd take you in for even knowing that information."

Edwin chuckled as he followed the path to Cerulean, the girl already halfway down, dashing towards the center.

[Prpl_Mage]

It suddenly got quiet. Just as Frank was on his Ace of insult & brag someone interrupted him.
The kids entered, his old crew that suddenly vanished out of thin air.
-"About time they showed up." Frank mumbled as he saw them take their seats.
-"You were saying something?" Elliot reminded him and he turned back.
-"Oh yeah." He said raising his hand into the air.
-"I was just waiting for my apprentices to watch the humiliation this will become." Frank said and clenched his fist at the word 'humiliation'.
-"I see... Well this will hardly be a humiliation from your side if you already think you've won. This trainer won't buckle under easily from a pushover." Elliot responded and smiled one of those lecturing smiles mothers sometimes went on with.
-"Please gramms, don't make this more of a spectacle than it already is. Making yourself sound like a big shot will only make the downfall greater. You don't seem like an experienced trainer after all. Hell I heard you only took this job 'cuz your lousy son ran off." Frank said and grinned, he was pretty certain that a weak spot or two would've been hit by now.
-"How dare you? That's such a rude thing to say! Where's your sportsmanship?" She asked taken aback by the accusation.
-"And if I heard right, he was second in line which makes you the third in line to run this gym. Not the best of references if you ask me."
-"That's it! No more taunting, I Elliot of Pewter city accepts your challenge. Let's fight!" She didn't wait another second and Frank couldn't stop grinning, A Gym leader with such an obvious weakness.

------------------------------------
Frank was actually surprised. He was expecting a Geodude - the most basic of the basic rock type pokémon but faced an Onix. Onix was generally a stronger pokémon than the Graveller - the evolved Geodude but not as strong as the rare Golem. Still, it showed some kind of dedication.

-"Onix Rock slide!" Eliot shouted from across the room.
Frank wasn't sure if he even had to do something, his Mankey was a killer; a cold blooded breaker of pokémon that had learned to seek and destroy. Frank loved that.
It set out in pursuit of the Onix the moment it left the ball and could feel the heat of the battle. The roaring crowd, the tense staring contest of trainers. It was in the air and Mankey fed on it.
His pokédex had told him that Onix was a speedy pokémon and it didn't lie, the rock slide hammered down against Mankey and stopped his advance for a second before he shook it off and continued his dash.
Once up Eliot ordered her Onix to dig but Mankey managed to score a Karate Chop before it managed to get into position.
A rain of pebbles fell to the ground as the attack connected and the Onix staggered backwards. Mankey quickly followed it with a Low kick but didn't get the chance to finish it off before his opponent dived underground.
-"You know the drill Mankey, same as last time. Find it and brace yourself!" Frank said calmly as the ground shook and the Onix disappeared out of sight.

The Onix moved around underground, Frank noticed how the ground vibrated and smaller stones rolled a bit as it passed underground.
Then it came up, extremely speedy and directly below Mankey it launched itself into the air and knocked mankey with him. They went up high into the sky and time seemed to stop as gravity was starting to take its' toll on them now. But then Onix crashed into the ground with an extreme power that made a large crater on the platform.
As the dust faded away, Mankey stepped of the cracked head of the Onix with a satisfied look.
-"Good job Mankey, couldn't have gone down any other way." Frank said and nodded in response to his pokémon, some damage was taken but Onix' strength wasn't quite enough to take Mankey out yet.
Elliot returned the Onix and sent forth her next pokémon. Frank watched her, she seemed distressed by it all. He just hoped the Onix wasn't her trumph card.

---------------
A blue pokémon with a shell appeared, Frank could bet it was a water type before he scanned it with his pokédex. Omanyte - a rock and water type apparently. Nothing that a Karate Chop couldn't take care off.
Mankey made it's way forward when another Rock slide hit it, but it kept going. It was quite the fighter.
One Karate Chop fell against the Omanyte but it seemed strong. Omanyte answered the attack with a creepy Leer, Mankey didn't seem to worry too much though.
Mankey gave the Omanyte another Karate Chop and seemed to make a difference. Omanyte seemed weaker but answered with a rain of Rock slide upon the mad Mankey.

The hit was critical and Mankey started to heave, but his Anger point was awoken, driven by rage he set out to land another - much stronger Karate Chop at the Omanyte and hopefully sink it.
It attacked but a Protective barrier blocked the attack, Mankey leaped back and stared at the Omanyte with loathing. It dashed off again as soon as the barrier faded.
But with just a meter between them Mankey's face was covered in a Mud Shot. The mud blocked parts of his vision and the attack missed. And shortly afterwards - Mankey fainted.
-"I wonder what the difference was there." Frank sighed as he called his Mankey back, two clean Karate Chops and the Omanyte was still standing.

--------------------
Rocks would bring Murkrow down, instantly it didn't matter how strong it was. It would still be downed by a Rock Slide. so Kabuto it was.

-"Look it's a battle between the pre-historical pokémon!" Lucas exclaimed from the seats. Yeah, of course the nerd knew that.
Kabuto hid under its' shell like it always did. Omanyte on the other hand seemed more eager to fight. Weakened but eager. Frank liked that about Pokémon, especially his Mankey.
-"It's a rock type Omanyte, use water gun!" Elliot shouted from her side.
-"Of course... I should've watched her closer." Frank mumbled as he remembered the obvious advantage.
The water gun hit Kabuto who shuddered as it hit.
-"Go get it will ya?" Frank shouted at the Kabuto which obeyed and lifted itself up and started it's stride towards Omanyte. Another water gun hit Kabuto on the way and it seemed like the end of it.  
Frank kicked the ground and cursed the weak shellfish when it leaped on top of Omanyte and started Absorbing the energy of it.
It regained its health and things started to look brighter.
-"Keep doing tha, it's great!" Frank shouted and felt better, he looked over at Elliot who on the other hand looked distressed.
The battle went on slowly from there. Omanyte used water gun over and over against the Kabuto that was stuck on it and Absorbed its health. Although each water gun brought Kabuto closer to defeat - each absorb regained a large part of the damage lost and brought Omanyte closer to defeat.
And in the end. That's what happened. The Omanyte just stopped using water gun and Kabuto seemed to feed on it.
-"Get back!" Elliot shouted and the Omanyte returned to the ball.

---------------
Frank almost fell asleep there. Almost like Hardcore-harden battles.
The next pokémon on the other hand was a shocker. Wigglytuff.
-"You sure about this? You didn't just threw the wrong ball huh?" Frank mocked the leader who looked back at him seriously.
-"Just asking." Frank decided that Murkrow could have a little fun and swapped his fighter.

The Wigglytuff looked as harmless as one could look. Murkrow on the other hand had been hardened from all those battles.
Murkrow quickly started the battle by dashing out attacking his opponent with a Wing Attack. The Wigglytuff seemed displeased and shook a bit before releasing something. Frank recognized it but it took some time for him to get it. Disable, the blasted move that stopped the most powerfull move from being abused.
-"Switch over to Pursuit and Thief!" Frank shouted knowing that Murkrow would only end up looking like a fool if it tried to use Wing Attack again.
And Murkrow did just that, first it swooped down ipon Wigglytuff with Thief and managed to steal a berry. The Wigglytuff answered by Pounding Murkrow, but the damage in that was pathetic.
Next up Murkrow used Pursuit and took off shortly afterwards. Wigglytuff used Disable once more and Murkrow was down to two choices.
-"Murkrow, don't use Night shade, it won't work, keep batting it with Thief!" Frank shouted as the Murkrow got closer to his opponent. It swooped down once more and got a clean hit. The Wigglytuff fell forward and got up with effort.
-"Now!" Elliot shouted and the Wigglytuff leaped into the air and crushed Murkrow under a Body Slam.
Murkrow fought a bit to get away from the ground and rise into the air again where it directly attacked once more with Thief.
-"Finish it!" Elliot shouted and Wigglytuff started singing.
-"O crap..." Frank mumbled as he saw Murkrow falling from the sky.

-"Use your advantage to Body Slam it!" Elliot shouted and the Wigglytuff did so. her pokémon was weakened but it would at least get one free hit.
Once, twice and three times it crushed Murkrow under its' weight.
Frank shook his head and thought bad thoughts about his Murkrow.
-"Goddamn it Murkrow, you've been attacked like 3 times already, time to end the sleeping business!" Frank shouted, luckily he did wake up.
Frank noticed that it was rather weak but it quickly consumed the berry it stole earlier. Strength returned to it and it nimbly dodged the next body slam when taking off into the sky.
-"Finish it Murkrow!" Frank shouted, it was time to end it. A weak Wigglytuff wouldn't be able to do much either way.
-"Now!" Elliot shouted at the same time.
Murkow dived to use Wing attack from a height.
Wigglytuff leaped into the air to flatten it.
As they got closer, Murkrow closed its' wings and fell downwards, then quickly spread it's wings doing a loop and comming up behind Wigglytuff where it spun around and stroke the opponent with its wings.
The Wigglytuff crashed and Murkrow landed upon it.

---------------
-"YEAH!" Frank shouted and turned to the crowd which was cheering at him(one certain fan more than other).
He gloated in his glory for a moment and then turned to his opponent.
-"Congratulations, you've proven yourself to be quite the trainer." Elliot said and walked towards him.
-"I know." Frank said and grinned.
-"Is a handshake too much to ask?" Elliot asked not sure what to expect.
-"The fight is over, so of course." Frank said and reached for her hand.
They shook hand and Frank nodded.
-"For defeating me, Elliot of Pewter city I present to you this badge and this TM." She said and handed them over.
Frank honourably accepted them and made a quick bow.
-"The TM is Rock Slide, a strong Rock type move that -"
-"I know what it does. Seen it, used it, beat it." Frank said and shrugged.
-"Very well. You fought well Frank. I hope that your journey takes you close to Team Rocket 'cuz they could need to learn the word 'fear'." Elliot said and smiled in that motherly fashion again.
-"Ma'm, fear is my middle name and Rocket is toast." He grinned and hit himself across the chest.

As he walked off the battle arena, the crowd cheered for him and he could feel himself feeling stronger. Another proof of his skills.
-"Look alive friends, you're up next!" Frank said as he walked to the kids on the side.

[coreystranick]

Corey watched the fight. Amazed by how well Frank did.
hope I can do this well

Corey got up
"Great job Frank! Now it is your turn to watch me!"
Frank looked up and grinned.
"Don't make it too boring before you get K.Oed!"

Corey considered that a compliment.
--------
Corey arrived on the battle field.

"Well, hello Corey nice to see you here," Elliott said.

"I figured it was about time to battle you. I don't have a single badge yet."

"Well, let me heal my Pokemon and you shall see if you get one."

-------5 minutes later-------

Elliot returned to the field.
"You ready now Corey?"

"Whenever you are." Corey looked up at the stands and saw Frank was already sleeping. Lucas had his Pokedex out ready to read what other Pokemon Corey had.

Elliot sent out Omatye.

"I was expecting you to throw Onix out."

"Gotta keep you on your toes," Elliot responded.

Corey sent out Spark, his Shinx.
"Let's do it! Spark use Tackle then Bite!"

Corey's Shinx took off. He was fast and was able to get up to Omatye quickly ramming into it. It did little damage and to the enemy. Omatye responded with a Water gun. Shinx was able to shrug it off and landed a hit with Bite.

The opposing Omatye went to attack but couldn't move.
"Spark he Flinched! Use this time to Charge!"

Spark's front paws began glowing as Omatye was struggling to move. Soon Spark. was so bright he was blinding Corey.
"Now finish it with Spark!" And after this battle I will try to teach you a new electric move

All you could hear were the sounds of the electric move hitting Omatye.

As everyone's site was regained they could see both Pokemon still standing.

"Last minute Protect saved his life that round. Sorry but this battle won't be that quick Corey,"Elliot said.

"Use Spark  until you knock it out!"

Spark ran around landing a shot here and there. The Omatye was stronger than Corey's Shinx. It was able to hit his Pokemon with a few Rock Slides then it came down to both Pokemon heaving...well as far as Corey could tell, hard to see what Omatye was doing under that shell.

"Get in close for another Tackle then use Spark one last time."

Corey's Shinx began to run forward and was then enveloped with rocks.

"Spark!" Corey started to move forward and then saw white light coming from between the rocks. The light stopped and the rubble began to give way. A new pokemon was standing there.

It was so silent you could hear Lucas' Pokedex going off.

"Luxio the Spark Pokemon. Evolved form of Shinx. It is said it can communicate by resting its legs on another Pokemon and using electrical impulses from its claws. The site of this Pokemon causes the opposing Pokemon's attack to lower. And when in site of another Pokemon of the same gender it's attack is raised 1.5 times."

"You evolved! It seems you have fight in you still use one last Spark!" Corey grinned as he loved seeing this new Pokemon.

The Omatye protected itself ,but after using the move most of the battle it failed. The Spark landed and Omatye fainted.

"Return Spark! You did great."

"Great job Corey. Ready for the next one?" Elliot said.
-----------------------------
Elliot let out Onix.

"T. Go!" Corey knew that his Mankey would fair well in this battle.

Onix let go a Rock slide upon the site of the Mankey.

"Onix I didn't tell you to use that!"Elliot screamed.

Apparently Frank's Mankey must have enraged this Pokemon.

"Mankey Low Kick!" Mankey brushed off the Rock Slide and landed a clean Low Kick. It did massive damage as the move was based on weight (From what Lucas told him) and Onix was so heavy.

The Onix fell and squirmed its way back up right.

"T. get ready for a Karate Chop."

Onix began to curl up and wait. Elliot smiled upon seeing this, she knew he was using Rage.

T. landed the Karate Chop which ended up being a critical hit. Onix took and and waited.
Corey had no idea what the onix was doing but decided to let him have another Low Kick.

T. obeyed and hit Onix again. It did massive damage. Onix was taking the hits but couldn't last long he was weak to these fighting moves.

Elliot smiled again,"Onix Rage!"

Onix uncurled and slammed T. hard! He could barely stand after that.

"T. use Focus Energy and then Karate Chop!"

Mankey got into a meditation pose and focused. Onix sent out another Rock Slide hitting T.
Mankey shrugged it off and nailed Onix.

After the dust stopped Onix was out.
T. stood waving back and forth and he fell.

"Looks like your mankey can't battle anymore neither can Onix. So just one for me and I see two for you."

"I hopefully will only have to use one. Ace go!"
---------------------------
Corey sent out his Starly against Elliot's Wigglytuff.

"Ace use Growl then Quick Attack!"

Ace let out a Growl lowering Wigglytuff's attack. And before Wigglytuff could attack he hit with a Quick attack.

"Oh, nice hit. He is strong,"Elliot said.

"I wouldn't be so lucky for him to evolve though."

Wigglytuff used a Pound and nailed Corey's Starly.

"Ace Wing Attack!"

Ace flew up high in the rafters and swooped low into Wigglytuff landing a hit.

"Again"

This time Wigglytuff used Disable.

Crap no more Wing Attack

"Ace use growl!"

Ace once again lowered the attack of his enemy.

"Ploof use Rollout!"

Oh Crap! This is going to hurt if it hits

One rollout landed. Ace felt it but kept flying Corey ordered him to use Quick Attack since that was all he really had.
Another Rollout landed. Ace was starting to feel it now. Another quick attack.
Third time Rollout landed. Ace was having trouble flying could stay aloft long but was able to land another hit. Wigglytuff wouldn't be able to take anymore of this much longer.

Elliot knew she could do nothing since endure lasted five turn. But Wigglytuff has two turns left it would only need one to finish the bird.

"Ace use Endure!" Ace braced for the next attack. Corey knew it would have K.Oed him otherwise.

Elliot looked shocked to see Ace still able to fight, she couldn't tell Ploof to use sing now.

With little health left Ace regained use of Wing attack.
"Ace! Use your last Wing Attack."

Ace connected as the last rollout hit him. Ploof and Ace both fainted.

"Well darn. I should have used sleep before rollout. well congratulations on beating me. Sorry to see two of yours faint though,"Elliot said.

"I got my first badge, they fought well. Thanks for the battle."
------------
Corey rejoined the group on the stands.
He had no use for the TM yet. But he kept staring at the shiny new badge.

"Who's next?"

[Prpl_Mage]

Frank laughed about half the battle.
-"Luck, plain luck..." He mumbled and sighed. It pained him to see these guys apparently fly through combats compared to how it felt to fight for him.
-"Hey, who made her the leader anyway?" Frank asked the guys as her Omanyte fell.
-"I get that she took on the family trade but shouldn't there be someone more suited for this task?" He grinned and watched the Onix fall, it was a reminder of his own Mankey on Onix action.
When the Wigglytuff finally fell Frank actually clapped his hands - once.

-"Good job kid, one step closer to manhood!" Frank said and gave Corey a light punch on the shoulder.

[SaiKar]

"Lesson three: learn the rules, then break them," Saiar lectured.
"Learn the rules, then break them!" the grunts shouted back. Saiar had been giving these little speechs for over an hour now. The grunts seemed to be soaking up the wisdom pretty well, and it distracted them all from the long, tired march up Route 5 towards Cerulean.
Saiar continued, "Lies and trickery can be a path towards power. If you can confuse or control your opponent, you influence and control their actions. You can make them do what you want. You can disarm a stronger opponent and get yourself in a better position to be victorious."
"The best lies are 99% truth. Keep your lies simple. It makes them easier to remember. Truth sounds real and lies sound fake, but if 99% is true, it will sound true, even if it the 1% lie that matters most. The best lies are also attractive. Make your opponents think you are giving them things they want. Think about what YOU would want. Disarm them with compliments, by pretending to be weak, or by making it seem like you are in awe of them. Girls, you can really mess with a guy's head by pretending to be into them."
Holly and the other female grunt giggled.
Saiar said, "But, most importantly, know when to lie and when to reveal your hand. Never lie merely to lie; lie to get yourself into positions of strength, and once you are there, drop the act and smash your opponent good."
The grunts went silent. Maybe this was all a bit too vague? An example might help...
"Cerulean City is not Team Rocket territory. It will be very different from the Vermillion City you know where you could just do whatever you wanted. Powerful trainers hang out in Cerulean. We may be attacked, or we may need to battle trainers for our own purposes. But, we have a major advantage - trickery. The Pokemon League has ruled over this area for a very long time, and the rules they set down bind the trainers' actions. If they believe their opponent is honorable, they will agree to battle one-vs-one, one pokemon at a time, with no outside interference. This limits their strength, because they believe honorable victories are more valuable. Does Team Rocket care about honor?"
"NO!" the grunts yelled at once.
"Damn right we do not! Honor and 200 bucks will buy you a pokeball. Team Rocket cares about victory, and the power that comes with it. BUT, by pretending to be honorable, we can trick powerful trainers into fighting us by their rules. We can do so as long as it is advantageous to us, and then once we have the upper hand, we break the rules. They will yell at us, call us dishonorable, but these insults will not help them when their pokemon are broken on the ground, defeated."
She let that one soak in for a bit, knowing that it would probably be very useful in the next day or so.

"Hey, that was an abra!" one of the grunts yelled, pointing at the bushes.
Another said, "I think I saw a gloom!"
Saiar turned around. The grunts looked like they wanted to dive into the shrubs. Well, it had been a long day so far. "Fine," she said. "We'll take a few minutes for a rest break. If you want to spend that time throwing pokeballs at teleporting abras, feel free."
Five of the six took off immediately. Only Holly remained.
"Not going to join them?" Saiar asked.
She shook her head. "No, I don't need more pokemon. I need to make the ones I've got stronger."
"You could just ditch the koffing and the pidgey and get new ones. Might be easier."
"I could, but..."
"But? You have made a mess of those two, koffing kicker. They are kind of wrecks. If you only hold onto them because you feel sorry for them, then that is a sign of weakness and you should push it from your mind. An old, rusted knife may beloved, but it will not cut no matter how much you care for it."
"That's... not it." She was visibly upset.
"Then what is it?"
She looked defiant. "I want to prove I'm a better trainer than I was! I want to train them to be strong! I screwed up before. That was how everyone treated their pokemon, but that doesn't make it right. So I have to do better!"
Saiar said nothing, shocked.
Holly looked like she was going to cry. "And you're just going to tell me that this is some stupid pride thing and that that's weakness and I should forget it. Ugh."
"No. No," Saiar said quietly. "One cannot become strong unless they are willing to make themselves stronger. No, that is not weakness."
"So... so it's okay?"
"It is okay. Still, I do not think you are an experienced enough trainer to repair these damaged pokemon."
Holly looked absoutely miserable. Saiar almost sighed. Oh, I am going to regret this one, she thought. But, she couldn't have nervous wrecks of underlings, could she?
Saiar said, "I will help you become a better trainer. I will give you the tools you need to grasp power until you are able to get it yourself."
"R-really?"
"Yeah. Rule number one. Never kick that koffing again."
It was an awkward, but only for a moment. They both laughed.

[X_marks_the_ed]

Cerulean was the same as it was when he left. Edwin wasn't sure if Clefairy took any damage from the Zubats, but it couldn't hurt to be sure, so his first stop was the Center. Inside was surprisingly full of people. Many trainers lined in front of the nurse's desk, one of whom was the girl he saw earlier with the Nidoqueen. The rest were mostly fisherman restoring their recent catches back to life. Rather than stand around, he decided to take a seat and wait for the line to thin out. He pulled out and began fiddling with his Pokedex. "I wonder what else this thing can do?" Indeed, it did have listings of both Clefairy and Zubat's moves. Pretty useful. His attention was turned to a television monitor hanging on a stand in the far corner.

"...stay inside during the entire storm. The cause of the phenomenon is still unknown, but many claim to have seen some kind of bird sort of 'leading' the storm towards our area. Again, citizens are urged to stay indoors during the period of the storm. We will have more information about it as it arises. We now return to your regularly scheduled programming."

Some kind of storm? Edwin missed most of the information. But, it explains the line. This also means that it'll be a while before big, bad Bruce comes back to town, and that he'd be spending the night here. Eventually, the line was down to just the girl, so he got behind her as she was getting her two Pokeballs back. She turned and left the center. Edwin handed the nurse both of his Pokeballs and did her usual thing. Meanwhile, he had quick look around the center. It was so much cleaner than the other centers. Not that they were dirty, it was just that this center seemed almost "sterile."

He took his Pokeballs and headed out. Sure enough, anyone who was inside the center was on their way inside. Edwin figured he had some time to do one of the things he came here for.

The Gym was just as clean as the center, probably due to the fact that there were four pools around the room. Almost as soon as he entered, he heard a familiar voice. "Ed! You're back!" A scrawny man in a light blue coat ran up to Ed an patted him on the back. "I see you've finally got one!"

He was talking about his new Pokemon. "Yeah....Lyle, it's not a water type, sorry." Lyle was disappointed. He had this weird habit of tapping his head  whenever he was thinking, he was doing so at the moment. Edwin thought it might be a redhead thing. "Yeah, I thought so. I had someone else go out and get you one, he should be back any moment now."

"Wait, if he gets it, how do we even know it'll listen to what I tell it to do?" Ed already thought of his Zubat, but Lyle doesn't know about that. "Well, it's either get you one, or wait until you finally get one yourself. I think you know why we're in a bit of a rush here."

"They didn't attack while I was gone, did they?"

"Nah. I doubt they will for a while. Those guys seem content with picking fights with the local schoolkids. But when they do, we can't be held back by you just because your water Pokemon isn't up to par."

"Any reason it HAS to be a water Pokemon?"

"Because it's a water Gym. It's tradition. Besides, if you really want this job, you're gonna need one. We're testing these kids for a badge showing dominance of Water types. It's all big wig stuff. So, if this new member of your posse isn't a water type, what is it?"

"A Zubat."

"... you're kidding me?"

"It kinda happened by accident." Lyle face palmed, then continued to tap his head as he watched the ceiling. Soon, he stopped and opened the door to a hefty fisherman. "How did he hear him coming?"

"Did you get my friend here something good?"

"Sorry, boss, the storm's got the fishies spooked, but I was able to catch one." The fisherman showed Lyle a bright blue Pokeball. Edwin had never seen that type before.

"Great. Let me guess first - a Goldeen?"

"Nope."

"A Poliwag?"

"Not a chance."

"Don't tell me you got him a Magikarp."

"I'd never even think of it, sir."

Edwin was getting bored. But the fisherman activated the ball. It was the strangest sight Edwin had ever seen. What came out was not a Pokemon, but a small whirlpool on the deck of the pool. Shortly after, a small, gray fish came out. "....what is it?" Lyle laughed at Edwin's obliviousness. "Oh boy, you got yourself a real good one, buddy. That's a Barboach."

"The storm must have knocked it off course, normally they're a bit south from here." The fisherman chimed in. Edwin just stared at the fish just sitting amongst the tiny whirlpool. It wasn't gasping for air or anything. "How's it doing that?" he asked.

"It's this special ball. For too long we've been limited on land battles, but ever since theses babies came along, we've been able to punish our rocky rivals with much more ease." The fisherman returned the Barboach and handed Edwin the ball. "It's yours now, so treat it well." Edwin just stared at the ball. "So, Eddy boy, you gonna stay here and train it a bit, or are you headin' out again?"

"Well, I can't really go because of the storm. I was gonna hunker down in the Center for a bit."

"Nonsense! Stay here, we got sleeping bags." The sleeping bag argument won.

[A Forgotten Legend]

"Give me five minutes to restore my pokémon whoever wishes to challenge me next."

-----5 Minutes Pass-----
Joseph was ready to fight.  He had been waiting for his first chance to get a badge, and this seemed like the gym to do it.  Alright, she has a Wigglytuff, and Onyx, and an Omanyte.  So, Normal, Rock, and Rock/Water.  Right?  Hm...  So, my Totodile should be okay against Oynx... Jigglypuff and Pidgey could take Wigglytuff... and Pineco is my best bet against Omanyte, I think.  I wish I had Lucas's knowledge.  Ugh...

"I, Joseph of Olivine Challenge you!"

"I accept your challenge."

----1st Round-----
"Go, Omanyte!"
"Alright then, let's go Pineco!"
"Pineco?  Interesting choice... Omanyte, use Rollout!"
Joseph had to think quickly.  "Oh, uh... Pineco, quick, Protect!" Better get it while its caught off-guard, "Pineco, use Bug Bite!"  Pineco spun at the Omanyte and used the attack.  Unfortunately it didn't have a berry, so it didn't have much of an effect. "Crap.  I was hoping she had put something on it..."
"I'm lucky I didn't have time to restock my berries!  Omanyte, use Constrict!"
"Pineco... Wait!  I know, but... poor Pineco... quick, use self-destruct while it has a-hold of you!"
"Co! *Booooooom*"
"Omanyte!  Come back!" Elliot recalled the Pokémon.
"Pineco, return!  You did well." Poor thing...

----2nd Round-----
"Well, Go Wigglytuff!"
"Wigglytuff?  Well, I guess this is my best choice right now... Go, Pidgey!"
"Wigglytuff, use Double Slap!"
"Pidgey fly up and dodge it!"
"Wigglytuff, Sing it down to the ground!"
*Song*
"Pidgey, no!  Wake up!"
"Zzz..."
"Wigglytuff, Double Slap until it faints or wakes up!"
"Tuff!"
*Slap, Slap, Slap, ...*
"Pidgey!  Wake up!  Pidgey!  Wake!  Up! Pidgey, can't take any more of this... Pidgey!"
"Pid...?"
"Pidgey!  Hurry, fly up!"
"Wigglytuff, Try to get it before it climbs too high!"
Luckily for Joseph, Pidgey made it up before Wigglytuff could get to it.
"Pidgey, use Tackle!  Just keep flying up and then use tackle!" Wigglytuff was looking weak, and Pidgey wasn't ready to give up the fight.
"Wigglytuff, use Disable!" Pidgey's Tackle was disabled, but it didn't matter.
"Ah!  Pidgey, use quick attack!"
Wigglytuff couldn't take another hit.
"Wigglytuff, you did well."
"You too Pidgey, come back!"

----Round Three-----

"Go, Onyx!"
"Alright, you got the advantage, go Totodile!"
"Hm, this is going to be tough, Onyx, use Dig!"
"Totodile, use your water gun into the hole that Oynx just dug!"
"What?!"
"Great Totodile!  Flood him out!"
"Onyx, get out of there!"
Onyx finally made it out, and was very injured.
"Great Totodile, finish it with another Water Gun!"
It was easy, Totodile took it out in one more hit.

"I see.  Here you are.  You've earned it."
"Thank you!" My first badge!  I can't believe it!

"Whoever is next, give me a few minutes..."

[Prpl_Mage]

Frank sighed another two times.
What the hell was wrong with this leader. He'd won and all seemed well and dandy. But now Corey, Lucas and Joseph also beat her. Where was the challenge in that?
Was she really that bad? Or maybe they'd started to catch up? Could it be that his ragtime team of trainers left him for all that time so that they could train harder? So that they could be strong enough to defeat him?
Frank couldn't have that, he would never have that. No way, no friggin' way that he'd lose to the nerd or any of the other. He needed a plan, a plan that would make his pokémon stronger, and do it quickly.
Only Chris was left and he seemed most worried.
Frank stepped over to him and looked over as Joseph returned.
-"Hey kid, don't you worry about this battle. She lost to all of us so far, there's no leader qualities in this trainer. I'll pay for dinner next time if you even have to break a sweat to beat a silly Onix, Omanyte and Wigglytuff." Frank said and grinned. Unknowingly of the mother and son-relationship that he actually faced.


In Saffron City
--------------------
-"Sir, apparently the gym in Pewter reopened." A grunt said and walked up to the admin in command at Silph.
-"Again? They just can't make up their mind can they?" The Admin said and shook his head.
-"Just though you'd like to know sir."
-"And I appreciate that. Darn gyms giving those young trainers hopes to accomplish things." He mumbled as he watched over the landscape outside the window.
-"Sir?"
-"Yeah..?"
-"What do you make of Admin Saiar?" The grunt asked insecure, he'd got in her way once when she visited and it was nothing he wanted to do again.
-"Well, she doesn't seem like the kind of person that runs operations, it seems like she's more of the type that becomes the operation. A lot of will and dedication in that stunning body." The Admin said and grinned.
-"Yes sir. I thought so as well." The grunt said and nodded. Well at least the last part... The admin thought.

-"Sir!" Another grunt entered the room.
-"You're excused." The admin told the first grunt.
-"We've received an interesting report from Pewter."
-"The gym is back up, yes I know..."
-"Yes sir but no sir. That wasn't the news."
-"Then get on with it."
-"Well, do you remember the Elite Four scam we ran some time back?"
-"The one with inviting foreign trainers to participate in the Elite four and then steal their pokémon?" The admin asked and remembered how he and Arnel had cooked it up together despite that Lynn mocked them forever for it.
-"Yes sir, that's the one. Most of those trainers end up leaving or becoming small talk while we walk away with their hard work. But there's one of them that is currently in Pewter." The grunt explained as he eyed the report.
-"So..? Is he so dumb that we can take his new pokés or what?"
-"Well no sir. Apparently the trainer is doing pretty well. Mastered the gym in Viridian and Pewter. And should be heading to Cerulean next if the intel is right."
-"Yeah... and?"
-"And... We have his old pokémon stashed here. The ones he carried as he entered, and then some other - weaker ones that we extracted from the box system."
-"Please, get to the point already."
-"I was thinking about sending out one of us with his team and fight him. Just to peeve him a little."
-"And the point will be?"
-"Err.... Well, it's fun? He might join us in exchange for his old pokés?" The grunt asked and attempted a smile.
-"Naw... Pass on that. Won't give away strong pokémon to some guy we stole them from. Strong pokémon belong with Admins.
-"But sir, the Obedience Ball will change that either way. We might just -"
-"He's small talk, 2 out of 8 badges when most of them are down - nothing to worry about."
-"But sir the report say-"
-"And I don't care what the report says!" It's a waste of time. Let the kid run free for now, best thing is that he runs into our lovely Saiar and faces annihilation. Either way - if he ever become a threat we know where the Hercules' heel is." The admin said and shook his head
-"Archilles' heel sir?" The grunt corrected him.
The admin sighed, this damn lack of respect.
-"Go back and see how the breaching of the upper labs are going... You're dismissed." The admin said and shooed him away. Why would team rocket go with such an unnecessarily stupid villainous plan like that? They had better things to worry about.

[RockJohnAxe]

Rock john was still chasing squirtle down the Street. He tackled it to the ground and quickly snagged his wallet back.
"Finally... damn squirtle... your making me a laughing stock here..." Rock john wasn't impressed.
Squirtle sprays more water in Rock john's face. Rock john Bonks the Squirtle on the noggin. "Squirrr..." It rubs its head.
"Alright thats enough, time to go back in your Ball..." Rock john reaches on his belt and takes out the ball. The Squirtle turns and using his tail bats the Pokeball out of Rock john's Hands. The Ball flies a few feet and lands in a bush. The Squirtle giggles.
"Grrr..." Rock john turns to walk over to the Pokeball but Squirtle sprays his back with water. He picks up the Pokeball and returns the Squirtle.
"Ugghh..." Rock john was dripping wet but it didn't matter! Today was Badge Day! The Beginning of his badge journey. His first true step towards having his own Gym.
"RRAWWWWHHH!!" Rock john yelled out loud then took off running towards Viridian Gym.
 
He Approached the doors and pushed them open. "This is it!" he thought to himself. But he could hear laughing behind him. He looked and spotted the Bird Trainers having a chuckle at his expense.
"Did you get your Wallet back?" The Boys yelled while having a grand ol' laugh.
"Ill show them" Rock john thought. He proceeded to enter the Gym ignoring the mocking from outside.
 
Inside the Gym it was dark and Rock john was unable to see anyone. He cautiously stepped inside.
"You again?" A voice rang out. Josh stepped out of some Shadows on the far side of the Room. "What do you want interloper!"
"I am here to defeat you!" Rock john proclaimed.
"Then i accept your challenge. This official Gym Match will be 3 One-vs-One's. Each Pokemon will only battle once. Win or Lose you must choose a new Pokemon for Each Battle. Understand?" Josh explained. Rock john nodded. He was so ready for this battle, the excitement was almost overwhelming.

"Ill start it off easy" Josh said a bit cocky. He threw out a Diglet.
Rock john grinned and threw out a pokeball. "Go Raticate!!" He yelled. The Pokeball opened and an unconscious Raticate appeared.
"o ya..." he said quietly. He forgot both his raticates were still KO'd from fighting the Bird Trainers. Josh looked at him Puzzled.
"That one doesn't count..." Rock john returned his Raticate and threw out his Rattata.
"Going down an evolution eh?" Josh chuckled.

---- Rattata Vs  Diglet ----
"Diglet use Sand Attack" Josh yelled.
"Keep moving quick Rattata. Avoid the Sand and try to get a quick attack in!" Rock john ordered.
Rattata tried to run circles around the Diglet but caught a face full of sand. The Rattata stopped moving and started coughing.
"Now Diglet! Mud Slap it!" Josh Ordered. The Diglet connected with Mud slap sending Rattata reeling from the attack.
"Cmon Rattata! Quick Attack!" the Rattata flailed around blindly compeltely missing the diglet which Mud slapped the Rattata again. It rolled backwards but struggled up to its feet again.
Diglet used Dig and disappeared under the ground but quickly popped up hitting the Rattata. The Rattata fainted.

"Looks like thats one to me" Josh smiled then threw out his next Pokemon which was a Sandslash.
Rock john grinned. He knew his Sandslash was stronger! "Go Sandslash!" He yelled as he hurled the Ball unleashing his Sandslash.
"Hah! You think your pitiful Sandslash can compete with mine?!" Josh Questioned.

---- Sandslash Vs Sandslash ----
"Try to Poison Him then Use fury Swipes!" Josh Ordered.
"Extreme Routine B, Sandslash!" Rock john was confident in his Sandslash's training and fighting ability.
The two Sandslash rush each other meeting together with a Slash. Their claws ricochet off each other. Rock's Sandslash quickly makes a Scratch attack while the other Sandslash was still recovering from the Ricochet. Both Sand slashes jump back away from each other. Josh's Sandslash tries to use Poison sting but Rock's Sandslash uses Dig and pops underground.
"Get him Sandslash!" Josh yells. His Sandslash also uses Dig and dives underground. Cracks erupted from the ground while the Sandslash fought underground.
All of a sudden one of the Sandslash bursts out of the ground and flies into the air. Rock john knew it was his. The Other Sandslash popped out of the earth flying towards the other but Rock john's was ready and used Poison sting hitting and poisoning the other Sandslash.
Both Sandslash land on the ground but quickly rush back at each other. Claws flew all over. The fighting was extremely quick paced. Josh had a really hard time keeping up with the Combat while still distinguishing which Pokemon was his.
Again both Sandslash jump back from the intense exchange of attacks. Josh's Sandslash was starting to look drained, the poison was taking effect.
"Sand Attack now!" Rock john yelled and his Sandslash did just that. The Sand pelted Josh's Sandslash who raised his claws to shield his face.
Rock john's Sandslash took full advantage of this and used Roll out. Rolling into a Spiked ball he rolled into Josh's Pokemon sending it flying and crashing hard into the ground. Josh's Sandslash had Fainted.

"Drat one Each..." Josh mumbled. Rock john just grinned while returning his Pokemon.
"You wont win this one!!" Josh said as he threw out his final Pokemon. The Ball burst open to reveal a Mighty Dugtrio.
"Oh no..." thought rock john who whipped out his Pokedex to Scan Dugtrio.
It Spoke out-loud: Dugtrio, Extremely powerful, they can dig through even the hardest ground to a depth of over 60 miles.
"Well i guess i only have 1 Pokemon left..." Rock john thought to himself. "Well here goes everything... GO POLIWAG!!" He throws the ball and poliwag appears. It wags its tail happily.
"Alright Poliwag you can do this! I believe in you."
"This will be over fast... what a joke..." Josh commented.

---- Poliwag Vs Dugtrio ----
"Sand-attack it to Hell Dugtrio!" Josh Quickly Snapped. Rock john was on the defensive this fight for sure. How was his Poliwag ever going to win?
"Use Water-gun on the Sand!" Rock john barked!
Both Pokemon did as commanded. The Dugtrio blasted sand and Poliwag sprayed it with water turning the arena into a sloppy mud pit.
"You cant fear this thing Dugtrio! Get in there and Scratch it down!"
"Poliwag... use that Tail Trick that i taught you!"
The Dugtrio plowed thru the mud slop and tried to scratch Poliwag but he jumped backwards resting on his tail. Then Poliwag tenses his tail, catapulting him forward crashing into the Dugtrio with his Legs. The Dugtrio Reels back from the blow, it was not ready for such an attack.
"Now Water Gun!!"
"I dont think so! Quick use Dig!"
The Dugtrio pops underground as the water pelts the ground.
"O no! Not dig!" Rock john thought to himself. "I know!"
"Quick Poliwag, fill the arena with Bubbles!" Rock john had a plan! The Poliwag proceeded to spew bubbles all over the arena.
The Dugtrio busts out of the ground right into a bubble. It pops mildly wounding him but his Dig attack still smoked Poliwag sending it rolling away.
"Finish it with Sand Tomb Dugtrio!" The ground below poliwag starts liquidifying turning into quick sand. Poliwag struggles to stand and sinks deeper and deeper.
"Flap your damn tail Poliwag!!!" Rock john roars! So much is on the line!
Poliwag flaps its tail like crazy and squirms. He starts to rise out of the quick sand.
"Now! Use water gun on the Quick Sand!" The Poliwag does one last powerful tail flap then whips around and sprays water gun into the quick sand. It sprays all over spewing mud everywhere. Mud hits Josh and Rock john.
"Finish this Dugtrio!!!" Josh yells as his Dugtrio Sludges forward. Poliwag is able to slide around the mud as if it was water. He flies past Dugtrio Tail Whipping him. Poliwag slides into the edge of the arena and springs off sliding very quickly toward Dugtrio. Dugtrio turns and prepares a Scratch. The Poliwag Collides with Dugtrio at the same time as Dugtrio Scratchs Poliwag. Both Pokemon go flying back from the Blows and splash down in the mud.
Rock john and Josh look at each other.... unsure what happened.

"So we tie?" Rock john asks. But wait! Poliwag wobbles to its feet. "HAHAHAHA You did it!!!" Rock john runs over and hugs poliwag.
At that moment a Blinding flash of light consumed the room.
"POLIWHIRL!!" The New Pokemon Yelled
"Yay!!" Rock john cheered while hugging his Poliwhirl.
"Well fought man." Josh said to Rock john. "You earned this!" He handed Rock john the Earth Badge.
"Yess! Thank you!" Rock john bows to Josh.
"Also i have this TM you can have" Josh offered.
"No thanks. I have my own TMs i can teach. But Thanks. Well i must be going." Rock john looked at his first shiny badge and smiled.
"uhh. By the way, I think your Squirtle just stole ur wallet." Josh pointed.
"DAMN IT!!" Rock john chases after Squirtle.

[drenrin2120]

Frank just looked at Chris, misinterpreting his resentment for nervousness. "You haven't said a damn thing since you got here, Chris. What the hell's the matter with you?" Frank looked over at Elliot who was waiting for Chris. "C'mon, don't make her think she's even got a chance!"

Chris stood up, "What the hell's the matter with you? Those aren't even her pokemon! If Richard were here..."

Frank cut him off, "Jeez, Chris. I'm just making a point. It's not like she's going to put in you in time out for agreeing with me. Besides, If Richard's such a good gymleader, why'd he abandon this gym to his lousy son... Hmm... and even he couldn't keep the place running..."

"That's it Frank, I'm that lousy son. And this lousy son challenges you, right here, right now. So everyone can see you fall, hard."

Frank's eye opened a little wider. He was still processing the information in disbelief. Chris was Elliot's son? "Oh, jesus, Chris. Calm down! I didn't mean anything by-"

"No. It doesn't matter. This is my town, Frank. You don't insult my family, in my town, in my gym and get away with it."

[coreystranick]

Corey looked at the others. They all seemed shocked.

"Uh guys if your gonna fight using Pokemon atleast go down to arena. If your just gonna duke it out, well still go down I don't wanna get any blood on me. Just saying."

Corey got an evil glare from both Chris and Frank.

He sat back down mumbling "Just saying s'all."

[drenrin2120]

"Fine!" Frank shouted, "If you want to be embarrassed so badly in front of your hometown, then let's do this."

Chris merely nodded. There was no handshake. No "may the best trainer" win. It was personal. Frank's attitude had returned from shock. He was cocky as ever. He was eager and confident.

Chris made his way to one side of the gravel-laden gym. Frank placed his pokemon on the "healer" machine. After a few minutes, he was standing on the opposite end of the gym. They both stood there a while staring at each other. A silence pervaded the audience, the tension was palpable. That's when Chris noticed a news crew had made it into the gym, he didn't know how long they'd been there. They must have seen all the commotion.

"So, are you going to stand there or send out your pokemon!" Frank was grinning as he shouted across the gym.

Chris sneered at his opponent and confidently made his choice.

"Sandy! I choose you!" A myriad of red lights escaped from the ball and there stood the Sandshrew. "Sandy! He dares to mock our family. Don't fight for me, fight for Richard!" The sandshrew's attitude suddenly became serious as it nodded and focused and prepared for battle.


------

"Wow! That appears to be Chris, the gymleader, Richard's, son! Well folks, we're in for a tremendous show down it seems as Chris defends his absent father's honor!" THe reported was shooting live on the scene. The audience behind the lens, watching at home, hadn't seen a good gym battle in a long while. With Team Rocket suffocating travel, trainers simply challenged gym leaders less and less. But here it was, it seemed, a mighty battle of pokemon. This was more than just a regular trainer battle. It seemed the first real exciting, good news to come out of Kanto in a while.

[Cosmos]

Sighing deeply, Myrin watched the fire crackle for a moment. She was seated as far away from Veles as she could be without leaving the warmth of the flame. Eyelids fluttered closed from time to time and she would wake abruptly at the sound of a far of HootHoot or various sounds of the night. Smirking, Veles continued to carve the skin off an apple with a small pocket knife. "Why don't you sleep?" He asked, "You look dreadful."

Shaking her head, Myrin glared at him, "Why? So you can rob me blind? Or murder me?" With a glare, she spoke again, "Ha! I think not." Turning away from him, she caught sight of Piplup and Light sleeping soundly together. How could they sleep so peacefully? She thought.

"Well, I wouldn't kill you. Young ladies aren't my cup of tea and the sight of blood makes me rather squeamish." Taking a bite out of the apple, he smiled before swallowing, "And I would say you don't have a dime on you just by looking at you." Nodding, he swallowed. "Now, why don't you get some rest Ms. um....well, you still haven't told me your name." Finishing the apple, Veles tossed it to the side and leaned back against his pack while placing his hat over his eyes, "If you're not going to sleep, I will."

Within a few moments, Myrin muttered her name."Myrin? What a pretty name..." He replied with a yawn which was soon followed by light breathing. Myrin looked at him before lying on her side against the blanket he loaned her, "Mom..." she said before falling asleep. Tipping his hat up a bit, Veles frowned at the sight of such a sad girl. What is her story...? He wondered before closing his eyes.

A few hours later...

"Mrphm..." As she turned, Myrin yawned lightly before opening her eyes slightly at the sight of Piplup and Light looking down at her. Opening her eyes widely, Myrin screamed and jumped away from them. "Will you quit doing that!!?!" She yelled with her hand over her pounding heart. Laughing, Veles through his pack over his shoulder. "It's about time you woke up. We're late enough as it is." He proceeded to kick dirt over the dying fire.

"Late...? Late for what?" She whined, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and producing another yawn. "And why is there a we in that comment?"

"Well, it's pretty early and this is the time where most Pokemon come out to eat." He looked around, "I wouldn't want to be here alone with no Pokemon experience." A beep alert sounded from his wristwatch. Looking at it, a frown crossed his face as he turned it off. "Well, it's up to you on whether you want to come or not." He said before whistling to Light who came clumsily to him, "Ri Riolu?" It pondered with a glance at Piplup before following Veles.

Piplup looked from Veles to Myrin and tilted it's head curiously, "Piplup...?" It asked.

"Oi... alright! Alright already!" She yelled, "Wait for me Veles!"Getting up, Myrin dust herself off and ran after the leading man. "Don't you try any funny stuff. I've got my eyes on you." She threatened while making an eyes on you hand gesture.

Raising his hands innocently, Veles smiled, "Wouldn't dream of it." as Piplup and Light ran around the duo.

They walked for a good 20 minutes in silence before Veles turned to look at Myrin who was lagging behind, "Say...is there any reason you're afraid of Pokemon?"

"W-what!? I'm not afraid of them!" She exploded, "I-I just don't like them..." Looking down, Myrin became lost in her own thoughts.

"What a strange girl." He mused lightly.

"I heard you." She whined.

"Oh I know you did."Veles teased.

"Tch...Where we headed anyways?" Jogging up, Myrin caught up with him.

"We're on our way to Cerulean City which shouldn't be too far from here. Look, you can see some of the building tops from here." And he pointed over the trees, "I'll race ya there."

"W-what?" She had been distracted by the sight of buildings but when she looked to her left, Veles had gone and was ahead of her, waving, "Com'on, slowpoke!" He yelled.

"H-hey! That's cheating!" She yelled. But neither him nor the Pokemon paid her any mind. He's more immature then I am she thought.

[Prpl_Mage]

Frank was taken aback earlier.
-"Chris was a gym leader for a while? Chris' mom was the leader I spent the last hour or so backtalking? Well no wonder he'd looked so down." Frank mumbled as he walked over to the healing machine. He didn't feel bad, hell no. But he felt something.
-"If you challenge Frank, you'll face the terror and fury of his team." He mumbled and grinned widely. There was no backing down.

-------------
Sandshrew VS Murkrow
Chris began with a Sandshrew. Frank knew them well but was unsure what to spare and what to sacrifice.
-"Get him Murkrow!" Frank shouted as the black bird ominously rose from the ball.
This would be very little a battle of strength and more about will.
Chris actually had more of it right now.

-"You know the drill, stay away and slide in." Frank said and the bird shortly took off.
-"We know how they fight Sandy, keep your eyes on the sky!" Chris yelled in response.
-"Hmm, being the most active trainer in the group has its' downsides then..." Frank thought as he saw the dedication in Chris.
The sandshrew quickly started to prepare with Defense Curl, blasted thing for long battles.
Murkrow began to dive against the sandshrew and stroke it as it passed, but it didn't get far before Sandshrew Scratched it.
-"Trick him!" Frank shouted and crossed his arms, this could be annoying.
Sandshrew prepared another Defense curl as Murkrow dived.
It got closer and Frank saw Chris smiling, apparently he thought that Frank would use the same tactics twice.
Murkrow began its' rush to attack, Sandshrew began to prepare the scratch to counter. But just before Murkow's attack hit - he disappeared in a dark fog.
Sandshrew seemed confused but Christ noticed it, but too late.
Murkow struck from behind with Pursuit and did so with that famous luck that his Murkrow seemed to have - well maybe it was the jinx that his enemies faced.
But the Sandshrew was still standing, of course it did after those Defense curls.
-"Sandy Mud slap and then Defense curl again!" Chris exclaimed from his side.

Sandshrew gathered mud and unleashed it against Murkrow, luckily it wasn't bound to the ground and soared upwards to avoid it. But while he was busy avoiding the attack - another Defense Curl strengthened his opponent further.
-"Dammit." Frank mumbled. "Keep it up Murkrow!"
Murkrow landed on the ground, attacking from air seemed too apparent and there was no real point since the damage dealt was too little now.
The sandshrew - surprised rushed to attack with Scratch, Murkrow barely dodged the attack and swiped Sandshrew as it passed. Thief just wasn't as much fun when the opponent didn't have anything.
Sandshrew turned around and Scratched again this time hitting Murkrow which took off to avoid any further damage.
-"Get down there and fight!" Frank shouted and the Murkrow followed suit. It dived, stroke with the wing and landed behind Sandshrew where it used Pursuit once more. Unfortunately Sandshrew managed to protect itself with Defense curl after the Wing Attack.
-"It's no use... Too much boost..." Frank mumbled as he could see the attack dealing next to none damage now. Luckly the earlier attacks had wearied it down. Problem was that Murkrow was also damaged, and he would take more damage than Sandshrew.
-"Sandshrew! Keep using Defense curl!" Chris shouted.
And the blasted rodent did. After a while it was done and during that time - Murkrow could do little to nothing to stop it.
-"Switch over to Night Shade Murkrow - take off!" Frank shouted and Murkow created a distance between himself and the opponent.
Murkrow folded it's wings, began to shine and then unleashed the terrible force of Night Shade.
The air vibrated, felt odd and the Sandshrew looked terrified. Then all the ghostly powers in the room imploded upon it and pushed Sandshrew up in the air.
It seemed hut, a lot.
-"Night shade's damage is actually based on the power of the pokémon using it. And that alone." Lucas explained in the back. And Frank knew it, it didn't matter how strong the opponent was or how weak your own was - it would always make a good his. Like his good old Psywave.

Murkrow moved in close to attack the Sandshrew in mid-air when it suddenly recovered and Scratched Murkrow to the ground.
-"Goddman it Murkrow, get BACK and attack was the order!" Frank shouted as Sandshrew landed upon it and used sand attack.
Murkrow struggled its way out and took off.
-"Stupid bird..." Frank mumbled as it was an unnecessary damage and also a lowered accuracy.
Murkrow unleashed Night shade once more but the implosion of the force created a large shot of dust instead of hitting the Sandshrew. Frank kicked the dirt and shook his head.
Sandshrew leapt and stroke Murkrow once again. They landed close to each other but Murkow took advantage of Pursuit this time while on the ground instead of taking another attack. After the attack Murkow took off to avoid more damage.
Both were very damaged now, especially the sandshrew but damn! That poké was a fighter. Respect!

-"Finish it off!" Frank yelled, no way he'd let Chris have first blood.
Murkrow flew back and started to take in power again for Night shade.
-"Interupt it with Scratch Sandy!" Chris yelled and the Sandshrew leapt off the ground and stroke Murkrow before it had the chance to unleash the attack.
But it wasn't Murkrow. The shape vanished in a dark cloud and Murkrow suddenly dived from above and pushed Sandshrew to the ground. And before Sandshrew could get up and stop him - the world imploded around it and sent him flying.
It tried to get up but just couldn't. Chris got a sour look on his face as Murkrow painfully landed on the ground.

-"That's one." Frank said calmly as the crowd erupted in a mix of cheering and booing. He quickly fed his Murkrow one of the potions. It was far from enough, but he'd rather see the bird fight a little more while it was hot.

[SaiKar]

I feel okay about this ending.