--- CHAD THE CHOSEN’S Victory in Vandyke City Gym (by Michael Keens/ Exodus) --- Well, I’ve been on quite a detour lately after my amazing victory in Juniper City, I left the south eastern isle and went back into the central region of Kanto, wanting to go to Tetsubo’s home town, Fuchsia City, and maybe even take on the Gym Leader there. But I took a rather treacherous route and ended up getting lost and ending up further from Fuchsia City than I’d planned. Still, I ended up in a Pokémon Ranch (although I didn’t know that at the time) and I caught me a Tauros, but got into trouble with Tetsubo and one of the ranch members. I got to keep Heifer, which seemed good at the time, until I realised why I’d gotten such a discount, Heifer didn’t seem the sort to listen to instructions, and if not for that wild Pokémon, I’d have won that race for sure. Still, it was good to run into Tetsubo again, and show off my new Golduck to him, he seemed impressed by its power. But he raced off shortly after the race, while I distracted a girl that had a major crush on him, and then led her in the opposite direction to where Tetsubo was headed. He owes me big time, that Danielle chick just didn’t stop talking about him, and I wasn’t allowed to use my Pinsir in front of her. I managed to escort her several cities north east before she realised I’d been leading her on, so to speak, and left. She almost reminds me of a girl I know, but that’s another story. I’d somehow ended up on the eastern isle that I’d originally intended to go with Tetsubo, but I made the most of it, and finally found a city with a Gym. Vandyke City was an old dusty place with a wild western feel to it, the houses were made of wood, the roads were barren and dry, and I even saw a tumbleweed, or close to it, it was actually a wild Sandslash caught in the winds. It took some doing, but I found my way into the Gym, hidden at the bottom of a mine shaft, complete with cool mining carts to ride down on. There was a faint clanging sound that occurred almost in rhythm, and I turned a corner to face a man in uniform with a hard hat, hitting a cavern wall with a pickaxe. I waited for a moment for him to stop, presuming that he was the Gym Leader since this area had a Pokémon arena symbol carved into the floor. The man continued to chip away, so I shouted out at him, just as I saw a bright glow where he was digging, “Hey!” The man was startled and hit a different part of the wall accidentally, and backed away as a few rocks from above fell and covered up the bright object. “Look what ye did!” the man shouted, “Ah’ve been workin’ fer days tae get dose gems, an’ noo eet’ll tek anaether day!” “Um, sorry?” I offered, “You’re the Gym Leader, right?” “Det’s right, Ah’m Doog.” “Uh huh.” I stated, Doog... What an odd name. “Ye’re anaether trainer, an’ a rude one at dat.” “Hey! I’m not rude!” I shouted, pretty much contradicting myself, and the man gave me a snide smile to make me see that. “Fine, Ah’ll bettle ye noo, but ye’re goin’ tae have tae work haird tae get yir Gym Badge.” “I’m ready for anything...” “Gae San’slash!” “GO JACKIE!” “Slash!” “Hitmon-LEE!!!” “JACKIE! USE YOUR JUMP KICK!” “Monlee.” spoke Jackie as he rose forward, outstretching a leg in the process, but the opponent easily ducked the attack, and while my Hitmonlee tumbled hard on the floor, the Sandslash followed up by spinning into a ball and unleashing several poisonous spines which easily hit my Pokémon. “Mon... Lee...” groaned Jackie as he swayed around, unable to stand still due to the poisoning. “Grrrr... USE YOUR ROLLING KICK!” “Mon, Lee...” nodded Jackie, rolling towards the enemy, although not in the best of straight lines, but he managed to sweep his left foot at the Sandslash to knock it up. “ANOTHER JUMP KICK!” Jackie leapt up, concentrating on the opponent’s position as he swung his right foot at the porcupine Pokémon. “Slash.” spoke Doog. “Sandslash!” With a swift claw, the Sandslash simply blocked the hit and tore across Jackie with the other. He tumbled to the floor while the Sandslash landed on its feet. “What’s going on, that Rock-type should be rubble by now, I’ve got the advantage...” I said in disbelief. “Heh, ye’re wrong dere Laddie, Fightin’ Pokey-moan dae have de advantage against Roack-types, but Ah’m nae a Groon’ an’ Roack Trainer, just a dedicated Groon’ Trainer, Ah theenk ye need tae gae oover yir studyin’ a beet mer.” “Ground-type?!... Well, I can’t recall you yet Jackie, but do your best... USE MEDITATE AND FOCUS ENERGY!” With that, Jackie put his legs and hands together, and concentrated, first enhancing his strength, and then building up excess energy to deal a big hit on the next attack. “Ye will nae get de oappertuneety tae power up een mah Gym, San’slash, use San’ Ettack!” “Slash!...” A long claw was poked into the dusty floor, then dragged across, and then flung upwards to propel a handful of dust to hit Jackie in the face. “Hitmonlee...” he groaned, trying to rub it out of his eyes. “QUICKLY! USE HI JUMP KICK!” He immediately stopped his actions and leapt at the Sandslash, he sure was obedient, I thought. “San’slash...” ordered Doog calmly. “Slash.” it replied in kind, and rolled into a ball. Jackie soared over the enemy and crashed into a wall near the centre of the arena, Jackie fell over and the Sandslash sniggered, until a crack formed in the wall and tore upwards and across the ceiling of the cavern, before breaking apart several rocks, and burying the Sandslash. “Oh man, what a fluke!... I mean, what a brilliant plan I carefully thought out.” I announced. “San’slash, Eairthquake...” “SANDSLASH!” it screamed, and a sharp sudden rumbling practically caused an explosion which propelled the rocks around the arena, I had to take one step to the side to avoid a major injury, while Jackie used his long springy legs to rise up and avoid the rocks. “DOUBLE KICK!” “HITMONLEE!” Jackie had rubbed away the dirt while remaining up high and was ready to fight again, he quickly drop-kicked the Sandslash, dazing it for a moment, and then kicked the Sandslash with the other foot as if it were a rugby ball. “Don’t let eet walk all over ye, use yir Fury Swipes!” “Slash, Sand Slash!” wailed the enemy, diving forward and fiercely clawing away with its long sharp blades. Jackie was hit a couple of times, before taking initiative and blocking the hits by going into a frenzy of kicks, the Sandslash’s attack was less powerful thanks to the power up earlier, and Jackie broke through, quickly getting as many hits in as he could. “FINISH IT WITH MEGA KICK!” “MONLEE!!!” “We’ll be de ones det feeneesh anytheen’, Slash ettack!” “SLASH!!!” Both Pokémon attacked at the same time, Jackie from below and the Sandslash from above, the Sandslash was hit hard by Jackie’s foot, but at the same time, clawed down at Jackie and tore across his face. Both Pokémon fell back, looking weary and staring each other down, before a sharp pain hit Jackie, and he collapsed. “Aw no, I forgot about the poison, and so did Jackie...” I moaned as I recalled him. “Det was a refresheen’ first boot.” commented Doog, “Ye’re free tae use Pokey-moan wit’ a sae-called advantage, eef ye kin remember which ones dat ees...” “Ground-types, I know they’re invincible to Electric attacks, but what are they weak against?...” I pondered. It had been a while since I’d last revised type differences, but only because my Pokémon didn’t need to use them as they were so strong, its just that Jackie, Grind and Heifer were some of my newest Pokémon, and so they weren’t as developed as the others. “I remember now, Water, Grass and Ice, and I’ve three Pokémon that fall into that category... But who to use?...” “Come oan, Ah’ve got work tae dae, grab a reliable Pokey-moan an’ get oan wit’ eet!” “Reliable, huh?... Thanks. You just helped me decide on the perfect choice. GO ENTWINE!” “Tangelaaa!” he cheered, it’d been a while since I’d last battled with him, but he was still fairly powerful, plus he had a secret weapon. “San’slash-” “SLEEP POWDER!” I interrupted, and Entwine quickly sprayed a healthy dose (or unhealthy dose depending on how you look at it) all over the enemy, putting it to sleep immediately. “MEGA DRAIN!” “Ge... La!” The Sandslash’s last amount of energy was drawn out, and Entwine was all fired up for a full second battle. “Ah... Det’s quite smairt, Tangelas aire de oanly Pokey-moan currently knoon det aire Grass-types wit’oot bein’ a Poiseen-type too.” “But my sister gave this to me so its really not that- Oh right, yes, it was a carefully considered strategy that’ll beat you.” I lied again. “Ah may nae have a type advantage mahself, but Ah’ve still trained dese Pokey-moan tae deal wit’ Grass-types. Gae Mairowak!” “Maro!” “ENTWINE! USE YOUR MEGA DRAIN AGAIN!” “Boane Club.” As the green beam shot towards the Marowak, it lifted its bone, and smacked down on it, destroying it absolutely. “Aw no!” I cried out, while Doog chuckled. “Leer.” “MARO!!!” shouted out the Marowak, the eyes in the skull holes giving off a monstrous stare. “Gela...” shivered Entwine, backing away. “Easy pickeen’s, noo use Focus Energy.” “Um, um, POISON POWDER!” “Useless, Groon’-types aire resistant tae Poiseen. Thrash eet.” “DODGE IT! YOU CAN DO IT!” I cheered. “Maro-Wak, Maro-Wak, Maro...” shouted out the opponent as it dived through the purple mist, then swung, lifted and dropped the bone in quick succession, while Entwine did a great job in dodging it, until the Marowak finally tired out, missed, and fell to the floor with a little dizziness. “NOW’S YOUR CHANCE! GROWTH!” “Tan... Gela!” Entwine glowed with energy and some of its vines floated eerily as if they were underwater, raising its special abilities, which was virtually all of its attacks. “Use Rage, Mairowak!” “MARO!!!” screamed the Marowak, leaving itself wide open for an attack, but I knew this was to specifically power itself up, I had to make the next hits count. “USE VINE WHIP ENTWINE...” I said, “REMOVE ITS WEAPON!” I added at the last moment. “What?!” exclaimed Doog. “Gela!” cheered Entwine as it wrapped up two vines around the bone, and pulled it away, letting it go and letting the weapon spin away so fast so that it ended up jammed in the back wall, far out of the Marowak’s range. “NOW! VINE WHIP AND MEGA DRAIN! DRAIN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN!” “GELA!!!” screamed Entwine, shooting a flurry of vines at the Marowak and whipping the Marowak greatly. Without its bone, it didn’t seem able to fight or defend itself, and so its attempt to use Rage had only given us a chance for victory. The Marowak fell back bruised and close to defeat, so Entwine lifted it up, its many vines wrapped around its body, and used them to form a good link to transfer all of the Marowak’s remaining strength to itself, and letting it drop to the floor. “Urrrgh, Return Mairowak. Gae Dugtreeo, feeneesh eet off!” “Hah, we’re on a roll now. USE HYPER BEAM TO WRAP THIS UP!” “Deeg!” “Trio Trio Trio...” chanted the Dugtrio, burrowing down quickly so that the beam completely missed and hit a wall, and worse still, causing a cracking reaction that rose up and across the cave, and then forced several rocks to come crashing down into the area, burying Entwine, but not the underground Pokémon, who blasted its way upwards, scattering the pile of rocks everywhere, and Entwine with it, who didn’t have the strength to counteract. “Feeneesh eet weet’ Slash ettack!” “TRIIIO!!!” “Geee-Laaa!!!” squealed Entwine as he took one final fall and landed close to me, the enemy must have achieved a critical hit. I groaned, before thinking of the final Pokémon to use, why did all of my battles end up being so dramatic, always bringing it down to the last Pokémon?... “I could use Headache...” I thought, “He always goes all out of the enemy, and then some...” But after thinking of some of the recent events, I declined, “But then again, this cave is a little unstable to be bringing that time bomb into, guess all I have left is... HYDRO!” “Wartortle!...” “A Water-type, hoo predictable, gae get eet.” “BITE IT!” “Tortle! War!” yelled Hydro, slamming its teeth shut on one of the three heads and trying to remain there, it couldn’t burrow with the excess baggage. “Slash it...” sighed the Gym Leader calmly, and with a quick and hidden swipe, Hydro was hurled backwards. “BUBBLE!!!” “War!!!” Many bubbles came flying back at the unsuspecting opponent, and exploded on it, drenching it slightly and weakening it. Now my type studies were truly coming back to me, this was a Ground-type only Gym, Ground-types with no secondary type were more common than solo Rock-types, when the two are together, it spells double damage when Water and Grass attacks are involved. That meant this last opponent was weak against Water attacks, but not a pushover. Hydro charged forward angrily, awaiting a command but willing to make a decisive attack failing that. “Eairthquake.” said the Gym Leader confidently, and the enemy disappeared underground once more, and a huge tremor followed, along with many cracks in the floor. “RETREAT! WITHDRAW!” I yelled, and Hydro popped back into its shell and fell to the floor as the impact hit, but did minimal damage to Hydro, who quickly reappeared and jetted forward. The retreating into his shell had been used to generate an effective Skull Bash, I’m glad Hydro thought of it. “Roack Slide!” shouted Doog, and the Dugtrio, who had reappeared shortly ago burrowed forward, creating a small wave of rocks to rain down. A couple hit Hydro, but he was travelling so fast, the rocks were turned to dust by the white aura around the Wartortle. “Aw nae...” groaned Doog, as Hydro collided with the Dugtrio and went flying upwards, while the Dugtrio’s three heads looked dizzy. “BODY SLAM!” I shouted, and Hydro rammed its side into the enemy while we had the opportunity. “Fissure...” said Doog decisively. “UP NOW!” I shouted, Fissure attack was a knockout move, I’m sure glad I’ve studied up since my first days as a trainer, or I’d be so screwed up today. Hydro leapt up and withdrew into its shell as a white cutting shockwave cut across the area floor in a straight line, luckily for Hydro, there were some convenient stalagmites on the roof of the cavern, and he outstretched his hands to grab and hang from them. “Good job Hydro, I’m proud of you.” I cheered, even though most trainers usually said that sort of thing when a Pokémon was defeated, but we were on a roll during this battle. “Stailemaite.” said Doog, “Unless ye risk comeen’ doon, ye cannae ween. Dugtreeo ees tae fast fer aereeal ettacks.” “HYDRO! TIME TO UNLEASH THAT ATTACK I TAUGHT YOU. WE NEED IT NOW!” By which I meant Blizzard, it had cost me a fortune in Celadon City, but it’d surely be worth it now. Hydro rotated his head back, and then unleashed a cold breath, and then several icy spikes solidified around the Dugtrio with a booming clattering sound. “ALL RIGHT!” I yelled, the Dugtrio was buried under, and Hydro dropped down, and adopted a strong victorious pose, before a white light erupted and consumed him, and made him grow a lot bigger. “BLASTOISE!!!” he shouted out triumphantly. “YEAH!!!” I yelled out, the cavern making my cry echo, as Hydro emerged as a Blastoise, and its twin shoulder cannons appeared from its shell immediately. “Hah hah!” I laughed, “I get a Gym Badge, and my Pokémon evolved!” “Ye’re half right.” spoke Doog, and I turned to the hill of ice, now exploding and spraying ice and rock shards everywhere, “Ye haven’t won yet! Eairthquake!” “WITHDRAW!” A quake started as my Blastoise had begun to charge forward, but he tucked away into his shell again, and bounced along the pulsing waves that headed towards him, until he finally reached the Dugtrio, and tackled it while remaining in his shell. It was pushed to the other end of the arena, and with the last of its strength, it burrowed under again. “I’m getting tired of this... but since you’ve evolved, this might work. USE HYDRO PUMP IN ONE OF THE HOLES!” “Blastoise!” he said, retracting his limbs and cannons to the outward position, and then blasting wave after wave of water jets into a hole. “DON’T LET UP!” I shouted, it was a race to flood the field before the Dugtrio snuck up on him. We won, and water shot up through the many holes in the field like small geysers, the final one pushed the Dugtrio to the surface, and it bobbed at the top helplessly before being abruptly recalled... “Good job Laddie, Ah was really put throoh mah paces, but at least mah Pokey-moan gained valuable experience from dis bettle.” “And now I believe I’ve worked for my badge. So give it to me...” I said confidently. “Heh.” sniggered Doog. “What the?! You’ve got to give me a badge! You can’t deny me that!” I shouted, jumping to conclusions. “Ye did eendeed work haird, but dat’s nae what Ah meant. As much respect as Ah have fer ye, ye still caused me tae lose oot oan some gems, gems dat serve as expenses, an’ as Gym Badges.” “You mean...” “Uh huh, yir Discovery Badge is buried under dat.” smiled Doog, pointing to the pile of rocks I’d virtually caused to fall, “Tek dis, an’ get tae work...” I sighed as I took the pickaxe, and spent the best part of the afternoon chipping away for my final Gym Badge. My Pokémon had done their share of work to win the badges that would take me to the Pokémon League, I guess it was only fair to leave them out of this, and put my muscles to good use in order to retrieve the eighth badge. I’d done what I’d set out to do many months ago, gathered many Pokémon, trained them into champions, and won eight Gym Badges. All that was left now was to go to the Pokémon League, where I’d surely go on to win it. Watch this space, CHAD THE CHOSEN will surely return as a world champion... --- Rick’s Eighth Gym Battle Scott Eighth Gym Battle Back to the Side Stories Back to the Pokézone