Hi everyone, now that I’ve made the scene and revealed myself at last, I’ve been asked to tell of my Gym Battles before the Kanto Pokémon League begins, I’ve been very secretive in the past because of Rockets, my family has been through a lot, my mother’s death, the disappearance of my Pokémon family, and now, the discovery of my mother’s killers. I will always be willing to stop Rockets from doing wrong, its in my nature, and since helping certain fellow Pokémon Trainers in Saffron City, the boss of Team Rocket wants my head on a platter, in a manner of speaking. You’re lucky to be reading these diary entries, because its the only thing that gives out my name and home town, and could prove dangerous if Rockets read it. Still, I’m pretty sure they won’t, and I’m a very able trainer with strong Pokémon now, so I could take care of things should they ever come after me again. --- Rick’s Celadon City Gym Win (by Michael Keens/ Exodus) --- After I got my act together and started my journey (though two weeks later than planned), I had trekked back to a place close to my hometown, Celadon City, where a Grass Pokémon Gym Leader was fairly known, I had a fair advantage over Grass-types, and I needed it because my Pokémon were of low levels, except for Serena of course, having won the Pokémon League alongside my mother, but I wanted to use her in battle as little as possible, it felt wrong to order her around. Since this is my first real entry, I should go over the Pokémon I have. First, there’s Serena, one of the family, she won the Pokémon League alongside my mother and served her for years afterwards, helping her out and raising me because she suffered from a condition that made her very weak, Serena’s always been so kind and caring, but she’s also very tough in a situation, I keep her out of the Pokéball as often as I can, and I hate having to call on her to fight my battles. Next is Overload, the Voltorb I picked up from Professor Blossom (my cute green haired sponsor). Its a little difficult, and used to feel that blowing itself up was the only way to beat an opponent, so recently, I asked some trainers for help, and after a brief Pokémon Battle, they taught Overload how to use Thunderbolt, now it only explodes when it has to. Then there’s Blazer, a Growlithe, my first captured Pokémon, I caught him in a place called Sapphire Town, he used to run around in a pack, stealing food to survive, I challenged him to a battle and beat it with Overload and captured it. He was still a pup, and so, didn’t have too much loyalty towards the group, and they seemed happy for me to take him, after helping them out against some Rocket Grunts, they saw me as a good trainer and someone to take care of Blazer. Blazer is playful and cute, but can be quite fierce in a battle. And finally is Ooze, my Grimer, I caught him in a place called Murky Grove, an abandoned industrial area full of toxic waste, this Grimer was a tough one to catch, not because of strength, but his ability to harden, melt and change into various shapes. During my attempt to capture it, some Rockets came along to observe the area in order to start building a secret base there, they spotted us and beat my Pokémon, it was Ooze that saved us, luring the grunts into a lake of sludge and washing them downstream, Ooze never had contact with people before, but noticed a big difference between me and the Rockets, he liked me better and decided to come along for the ride. And that brings you up to date. I woke up in Celadon City after a well earned rest, I’d wandered into a few too many Rocket schemes and had to deal with them all, it was lucky none of them knew my name, so that they couldn’t try anything at Saffron City to get even with me. I wandered into the Celadon Gym, it was such a beautiful area, full of plants inside and outside the Gym, there was a counter so I decided to go there first, some Gyms were organised while others let any challenger enter, I knew that because I’m familiar with a Gym Leader back home, goes by the name of Sabrina. “Hey there.” said a girl in a casual beige uniform with long blonde hair, “Are you here to challenge the Gym Leader?” “Why, yes I am.” I replied. “Come with me sir...” The halls were full of lush plants and small trees, I couldn’t help but wander slightly out of line and smell the flowers, the assistant noticed and came towards me. “I’m sorry, I’ll hurry up.” I apologised. “No, no, take however much time you need, we all work hard to nurture the plants and its nice that someone notices, the better cared for the trees are, the stronger our Grass Pokémon can be too... Oops!” she said covering her mouth, “I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that.” “Don’t worry, I’ve been in Celadon City before, I noticed the old flower design, but there was probably a different Gym Leader back then. I’m done sniffing, can we go find the Gym Leader please?” “So polite...” commented the lady and led on. The arena was a large room surrounded by pot plants, the room was shaped like a school gym, there were many benches at the sides and glass windows in the ceiling, except that the floor was covered in soil. “Trainer Erika? Another Pokémon Trainer would like to battle you.” “Thank you Selina.” said Erika, a kind looking woman with short blue hair held by a hairband, wearing a green and white outfit. “I like what you’ve done with the place.” I commented. “Why thank you very much, its always nice to meet someone who appreciates our work... But it won’t make the battle easier.” “Of course.” I agreed nervously, I was just trying to be polite. “I’ll see if you’re true to your words...” she said drawing a Pokéball. I didn’t get what she meant by that, and drew Blazer’s ball. “This will be a two-on-two battle.” said Erika, “Ready?” I nodded, and threw the Pokéball at the same time she did. “Go!” we shouted. “Growl!” shouted Blazer excitedly. “Exeggcute!” said six eggs, Grass and Psychic-types, my mother had home schooled me and taught me everything she knew about Pokémon, I wish she could see me now... “Exeggcute! Use your Hypnosis!” “Leer!” I called out. The two Pokémon stared each other down, the Exeggcute backed away, even though Blazer was now sleeping. “Don’t back down Exeggcute, you have to strike it now, start off with your Solar Beam.” “Solar Beam?!” I spluttered, this was too much! “Blazer! You have to wake up!” I shouted. “Growl... Growl... Growl?!” he spluttered, waking up. “Agility! Now!” I shouted, and he charged away as the eggs fired the beam they had been charging for so long. The area exploded with a bright light and the force caught up to Blazer and threw him forward. “Ember!” I said. “Stun Spore!” added Erika. The dust blocked the fireball and both attacks magnified and disintegrated. “Nice shield, Erika.” I commented, “But you can’t keep it up.” “I won’t have to.” smiled Erika, “Exeggcute, Confusion attack.” “Growl?- Growl!!!” wailed Blazer as he was shunted back by an invisible force. “Come on Blazer, I know you’re young, but you’re strong for your age, now let’s prove how well we work together.” I said, trying to motivate Blazer. I don’t want to seem selfish but with Serena not really counting as a Pokémon, Overload’s unpredictability and Ooze’s trickery, me and Blazer got on like a house on fire, that’s not really the best term to describe our teamwork but I was quite fond of this Pokémon and he felt the same way, Blossom said she had a Growlithe and Staryu, along with the Voltorb I had no choice but to train. I admit, I would have chosen the Growlithe, but it had been stolen and the Staryu had been picked, I wasn’t big on Staryus anyway and I’m glad I managed to get a Growlithe in the end. Blazer shot forward and slammed into the Exeggcute with Take Down attack, one of its newest moves, I suppose it would take longer to learn Flamethrower since he was only a pup. “Now Bite it!” I said. “Growl!” yelled Blazer, jamming its teeth into the largest egg, they started firing off egg shaped projectiles and easily lifted him off. “Ember!” I shouted. Blazer stared down the eggs in mid-flight and shot a large fireball at the eggs, and they were set alight. Blazer landed, full of life, as the eggs were tired and spun randomly out of formation. “Return... I take it this is your first Gym Battle?” asked Erika. “Yes it is.” I replied. “Your Growlithe is well developed, I suppose you care a lot for it.” inquired Erika. “Of course I do, Blazer’s my favourite Pokémon.” I said. “I hate to do this, but its my job as a Gym Leader to battle as hard as I can, its the only way to prepare you for the Pokémon League.” apologised Erika. “Do your worst.” I said pleasantly. “I choose Victreebel!” “Viiiii!!!” screamed the plant. I stared in awe, I’d thought a lot about the Pokémon I wanted to train, and this was the Grass-type I would pursue. “Victreebel, use your Vine Whip!” “Viiii!!!” screamed the Victreebel shooting off its tail along with many other vines. “Growl!” wailed Growlithe. Several solid snaps sounded as many vines tangled up Blazer, I could see many bruises from the impact, Blazer was a Stage 1 of 2 Pokémon while this Victreebel was fully evolved, he didn’t stand a chance. “Wrap attack, Victreebel.” said Erika. “Growl!” wailed Blazer as the vines tightened. “Return!” I shouted, recalling him, turning him into energy matter to pull him out of the Victreebel’s grip. “I need a stronger Pokémon, but Overload and Ooze won’t do, I hate doing this but, Serena, I need you!” I said after pondering quietly. “Jynx...” she said, ready for battle. “Serena, are you okay with this, you were only meant to protect me, not fight my battles.” I warned her. “Jynx... Jynx Jynx...” she explained, though because of our bonds, I could hear her speak to me in human talk through our telekinetic link. “You say you’re used to battling? Even after so long?...” I questioned. “Excuse me, but is something the matter?” asked Erika kindly. “Serena... She’s like one of the family. I can’t battle with her, its not right.” I said. “Jynx Jynx!” said Serena loudly, reminding me of my mother, I was always so eager to be doing this, so she was happy to help, and according to her, as long as she was with me, I wouldn’t even think of quitting. “Okay Serena, but start the battle in how you see fit, I’ll guide you if you need it.” I said. “Jynx.” smiled Serena and started to sing towards the plant Pokémon, it retorted with an Acid attack, Serena spun aside but was slightly caught and her hair was also sizzling. “Serena!” I shouted. “Jynx!” she replied, she wouldn’t back down, she was a fully developed Jynx and until my Pokémon got stronger, she’d help me with my Gym Battles. “Jynx!” she yelled, leaping forward and slapping the plant before giving it the Lovely Kiss. It looked kind of drowsy and fired off a storm of Razor Leaves to get Serena away. “Nice going Serena, use this chance!” I cheered. “Jynx!” She slammed herself into the Victreebel, but that appeared to wake it up early. “Poison Powder!” shouted Erika. “Viiaaaarrraarrr!!!” wailed the Victreebel, purple mist coming out of its top and overwhelming Serena. She started to pant and couldn’t stand up properly, the Victreebel had plenty of opportunity to strike back with a quick Mega Drain to revive itself, while Serena was constantly losing health. She hadn’t battled in quite a while, maybe she was just out of practice, having been a maid and nanny for so long. She shook herself off and charged forward, aiming an Ice Punch at the Victreebel, but it shot its tail forward and caught her arm and lifted her up, before wrapping the other arm up with its tail and lifting Serena from her arms. “Slam it Victreebel.” said Erika. “Jynx! Jynx!” wailed Serena as the plant threw her down to the floor twice. My fists were clenched, seeing Serena in pain was too much for me, and some urge not to treat her like a Pokémon wasn’t a good enough reason to let her take so much. “Serena! I can’t let you battle alone, I don’t want to order you around, but I care about you too much to let you get overly hurt, Serena, I recommend Blizzard!” I shouted. Even with her arm restrained, she moved her hands into position and a wave of cold dust appeared from her hands and showered the Victreebel, the vines holding Serena became overly cold and stiff and Serena squeezed out of them. “Don’t hold back Serena, Erika won’t.” I warned her. “Jynx!” she said, closing her eyes and spiralling her arms, an invisible force shunted the Victreebel back and then held it in place, Psychic attack. “Victreebel, Toxic attack!” “Viiii!” it screamed, spitting a purple stream of poison, but Serena ran forward and leaped upwards, slamming all her weight into the Victreebel, but this action caused the psychic spell to explode and shunt both Pokémon back. Serena panted, and pulled herself up, while the Victreebel lay unconscious. “Here you go Rick.” said Erika later on, handing me a badge that looked like an eight petal flower, the petals coloured differently, “This is the Rainbow Badge, I don’t need to wish you good luck.” “How come?” I questioned. “You have a lot of empathy for your Pokémon, with trust, care and devotion, all of your Pokémon will grow stronger, and you won’t have to rely on your Jynx since you obviously have a unique relationship with her.” smiled Erika. “Thank you Erika, that means a lot.” I left the Gym feeling good, I had some doubts to start with, but Erika’s kind words eased my worries along with the experience of a Gym Battle. I wasn’t ready to return home, for obvious reasons really, but I once promised the Gym Leader there that I’d challenge her when I started training Pokémon. I boarded a boat headed south, my Pokémon Journey had just begun, and many more adventures were sure to be in store for me and my Pokémon. --- Emily's First Gym Battle Scott's Third Gym Battle Back to the Side Stories Back to the Pokézone