Chapter 11:  Old School, Old Bullies (Part B) by Michael Keens/ Exodus  

I was halfway through the lecture, Giselle and Joe had already given their 
input, mainly on judging the outcomes of a match, now I finished up with 
general queries.  
It was a little tiring answering all those questions, but the kids looked up to 
me and that felt good.  
“Are you going to catch them all?”  
“No, if I did have the honour of capturing the legendary Pokémon along with all 
the others, I wouldn’t have the time to devote my attention to all of them.  I 
believe you should capture Pokémon that you know you’ll train, so capturing one 
of each type is recommended.”  
“What’s the Grass Pokémon chart?”  
“Grass Pokémon are strong against Water, Ground and Rock-types, and weak against 
Fire, Ice, Poison, Flying and Bug-types.”  
“What do you think of Stone-induced evolutions?”  
“I have four Pokémon that evolve into the final forms through Stones, but 
anyone who reads the textbooks will know that although it makes them stronger, 
evolving them too soon erases any chances of learning attacks they could only 
learn in the previous form.  Also, if you’ve got a good friendship with your 
Pokémon, I believe its only fair that they decide when its time to evolve.  It 
would be like getting told to grow up before your time otherwise.”  
“What’s the Ground Pokémon Chart?”  
“Ground Pokémon are strong against Fire, Electric, Poison and Rock-types, but 
weak against Water, Grass and Ice.”  
“What do you do if you have an unruly Pokémon?”  
“Unruly Pokémon aren’t likely to obey you in battle, so you probably should try 
to fix whatever is making them upset, I’ll show you right now.  I captured this 
Abra recently, but it doesn’t want to fight.  One of the reasons is because 
Abras usually only know Teleport.”  
I might be the laughing stock of the college, but my theories had to be 
proven.  
“Abra!”  
It teleported onto someone’s lap, then another, then another.  
“Psychot, you’re not here to battle, although I’d like you to evolve someday, 
we’ve got plenty of time.  Now please come back here and we can teach you to 
fight slowly.”  
It actually came back to me.  
I picked it up, happy.  
“See, sometimes all it takes is to be nice to Pokémon and show that you’re 
their friend.”  
“What’s the Fighting Chart.”  
“Look kid, Pokémon Battles aren’t all about types, Pokémon have a range of 
moves outside their type difference and their level makes a difference too, a 
level 3 Water Pokémon most likely wouldn’t beat a level 50 Fire Pokémon.”  
“So... what’s the Fighting Chart?”  
“Fighting Pokémon are...  Chad! Is that you?!”  
“Uh...  No...”  
“You sure? You’re acting like a daft friend of mine who’s a klutz and 
overdramatic and always calls himself Chad the Chump and-”  
“CHAD THE CHOSEN! Oops.”  
“And I was just about to tell them your good points.”  
“So, uh...  What’s the Fighting Chart?”  
“Chad! Stop asking! If that’s all you care about, I’ll personally draw out a 
chart of all the Pokémon type weaknesses and advantages later! Does anyone else 
have a question?”  
“Yes, why do you try to make people believe that acting like you will make them 
a better trainer, all Pokémon are different and not all of them turn out to be 
friendly.  There are other ways to train Pokémon.”  
“Who are you?”  
“Don’t you remember your old friend?”  
Bryan appeared and walked onto the stage.  
My eyes widened, what was he doing out here?  
“Its Bryan, the one who got kicked out.”  
“Bryan’s a bully.”  
Small comments about Bryan were muttered around the room.  
“Tell them, 'Capture, tell them that's a misunderstanding, we’re really good 
friends...”  
He gave me a look to tell me 'Say it or else’.  
I hated him so much for putting me in this position.  
“Yes.  Its true.”  
“Tetsubo...” muttered Giselle in disbelief.  
“Should I call security? Bryan was expelled, he shouldn’t be here.” said 
Takanichi.  
“But 'Capture invited me, didn’t you?...”  
“Yes, I did...”  
“I had to tell the people about the tougher Pokémon you might encounter.”  
“But Tetsubo didn’t know he was doing a lecture until a little while ago...” 
muttered Joe.  
“Why don’t we show the people the difference in our Pokémon in a three-on-three 
battle?” asked Bryan, already drawing a Pokéball.  
Here was my chance to beat him, maybe even get him to expose himself in rage.  
“Okay.”  
“Kara-tee!”  
“Whirlwind!”  
“Machop!”  
“Pidgeoootto!”  

“Machop, the Superpower Pokémon.  This Fighting Pokémon may look small, but it 
constantly works to build its muscles and trains in all styles of martial 
arts.”  

A Fighting Pokémon, perhaps Whirlwind’s Flying-type advantage could beat this 
Pokémon.  
“Kara-tee, start with a Karate Chop!”  
“Gust attack, Whirlwind!”  
The Machop didn’t get close enough, and was flung into the wall, Whirlwind had 
won the first attack, but it was far from over.  
“Kara-tee, Low Kick!”  
“Whirlwind! Wing Attack!”  
That might finish it, Whirlwind had the advantage, Fighting Pokémon were weak 
against Flying-types, and I had trained just as much as Bryan could have.  
Both moves connected and both Pokémon were damaged but ready for more, even 
though the Machop had taken more damage.  
It couldn’t have, why were Bryan’s Pokémon so inhumanly strong?  
“Kara-tee, Focus Energy!”  
It held back, ready to pull off an extra powerful move, I kept Whirlwind away.  
“Whirlwind! Use your Whirlwind attack!”  
The gust blasted the Machop into the wall.  
“Quick Attack!”  
“Kara-tee! Karate Chop Now!”  
They both hit each other, and both fell down defeated.  
“Pokémon can take on the personalities of their trainer, so if you’re tough, 
your Pokémon can beat opponents through force a little easier.  I’ll use 
Whirlpool now!”  
“Poliwag!”  

“Poliwag, the Tadpole Pokémon.  The swirl on Poliwag’s body differs by area.  
They are better at swimming than walking.”  

“I won’t risk another type advantage..." I thought, "It’ll just cloud my 
judgement, I’ll beat him with the matching type.  Twinkill!”  
“Staryu!”  
“The Staryu.  Remember when my Growlithe beat it?”  
Twinkill scowled forward.  
“Don’t listen to him Twinkill!”  
“He beat a Staryu with a Growlithe, he must be a really good trainer.” I heard 
someone muttering.  
Bryan started training at the same time I did, but his Pokémon could withstand 
their weaknesses at low levels.  
Perhaps he had something to enhance the stamina of his Pokémon, that had to be 
it.  
No time to think, Bryan was making the first move.  
“Hypnosis!”  
“Look away Twinkill!”  
It did, but the Poliwag stopped the Hypnosis and body slammed it.  
“A smart trainer will plan ahead and create strategies with their Pokémon.”  
I felt stupid, I always told Twinkill what to do, I should learn to trust 
Twinkill and allow it to use its initiative once in a while.  
“Whirlpool, use Amnesia.”  
“Twinkill! Water Gun!”  
“Whirlpool! Water Gun back!”  
The blast from the Poliwag blasted through Twinkill’s and hit it hard.  
The Amnesia was boosting the Poliwag’s special attacks and defense.  
“It is recommended that a Pokémon learn moves other than attacks, a good 
Pokémon will have a range of special and Normal attacks, but also abilities to 
boost or lower stats.”  
I couldn’t take this, Bryan was making a fool out of me!  
“Twinkill! Minimize!”  
“See?” said Bryan playing along, “Whirlpool, stay alert.”  
Twinkill always got the choice of where to appear, it had some initiative as it 
was, and appeared above the Poliwag.  
“Hypnosis, Whirlpool.”  
“Dive down and Tackle!”  
Twinkill hit the Poliwag hard.  
Because of the Amnesia move, special attacks wouldn’t be as effective and 
physical attacks might be the only way now.  
“Doubleslap!”  
“Double Edge, like we practised!”  
The two clashed, and Twinkill damaged itself during the Double Edge, it was a 
powerful attack, but a quarter of the damage dealt returned to Twinkill, it was 
nearly finished, but the Poliwag was still up and running, just badly bruised.  
“Twinkill, Recover!”  
“Oh no you don’t ‘Capture, finish it with Body Slam!”  
Twinkill was looking weak after the hit.  
“Twinkill, you’d better return.”  
“Hah, its all good and fine to recall a Pokémon before it gets too hurt, but 
for those who want to win, you have to push your Pokémon further and give them 
strict training.”  
“Its weakened.” I said quickly, “I could use the advantage on this one.  
Pollen!”  
“Odddisshhh!”  
“Whirlpool, Hypnosis!”  
“Pollen, use Stun Spore!”  
Pollen shook so much that he couldn’t see Whirlpool’s eyes, and so was not put 
to sleep, the Poliwag fell down under the effects.  
“I have to use my best attack.  Pollen! Use your Petal Dance!”  
“What?!” I heard Bryan shout, losing his cool.  
The Poliwag was down and I heard Bryan swear under his breath.  
He was a sore loser, and didn’t plan for his Poliwag to be defeated.  
”Next I’ll use one of my newest Pokémon, Trap! Go!”  
“Bellsprout!”  

“Bellsprout, the Flower Pokémon.  This carnivorous Pokémon ensnares tiny 
insects and devours them whole.  It’s root feet soak up needed moisture.”  

“Pollen, continue the Petal Dance!”  
“Ooooddddiiissoooddiiisssooodddiiissshhh!!!” screamed my Oddish, still 
spinning.  
He caught Trap the first time, but the Bellsprout avoided the last hit.  
This was the worst outcome.  
After three good thrashing hits, my Oddish was left confused.  
“Trainers should learn each of their Pokémon’s abilities carefully, some moves 
have side effects.” explained Bryan to the class, at my expense.  
“Finish it Trap, Poison Powder followed by Vine Whip.”  
There was nothing I could do.  
“Pollen, try to shake off the confusion!”  
It was too dizzy and didn’t even hear me.  
The poison dust took effect and then the Bellsprout hit it twice with its 
vines, sending Pollen into another dizzy spin.  
“Finish it with Acid.”  
“Oooddddish!” it screamed before collapsing.  

“Looks like I win.  See, ‘Capture may be a good trainer, but no one’s 
perfect.”  
“I know that's right.” I agreed, frowning at Bryan while I said that.  
“So for all of those who aren’t total goody goodies, make sure you get the very 
best out of your Pokémon, or you’ll lose to someone like myself.”  
I frowned, my reputation would go down the drain around here, and Bryan would 
be talked about even though he lied to them about his crimes.  
An alarm went off and we all looked around, Mr Takanichi ran in, “Don’t worry, 
its not a fire drill, someone broke into the school, we’ve sent security after 
the thieves so remain where you are.”  
The rear door opened and three strange characters fell in.  
“Whut in tarnation?”  
“This isn’t the way out!”  
“We’ll fight our way out with these new Pokémon!”  
Oh no, those voices, it couldn’t be...  
“Who are you?!” shouted Takanichi.  

“We strike during day or night!”  
“We attack, with all our might!”  
“Don’t mess with us, or we shall fight!”  
“We’re pretty good at our rhyme.”  
“The masterminds, of crime.”  
“We always succeed, every time.”  
“Cletus!”  
“Cassie!”  
“Claus!”  
“If y’all got valuables, yuh’d better block it!”  
“We put Pokémon in our pocket!”  
“We’re the best, so don’t knock it!”  
“We are... Elite Rocket!” they finished in unison.  

The three people I hated after Bryan, all together, with a motto as equally as 
stupid as the other two I’d heard.  
“Ah wus shure he told us da exit wus dis way!” Cletus said, trying not to look 
at Bryan so that no one suspected him.  
I could see Bryan was angry, it was all so clear now, he was obviously here to 
embarrass me while the Elites stole the Pokémon, why else would he appear so 
suddenly?  
I had to face the truth, Bryan was also a Rocket, but if he wasn’t careful, 
they’d expose him to the people he knew.  
“You fools!” he shouted, it looked like he messed up, or not...  
“You steal Pokémon, then run into a lecture room hoping you won’t get 
caught?!”  
Cletus and Cassie were confused, but Claus could see he didn’t want to be 
exposed and respected that, sort of...  
“Out of the way, Tubby!”  
They barged past him, he could have stopped them, but of course he wanted them 
to escape, being a Rocket himself.  
“Stop right there!”  
Giselle and Joe blocked the path, Joe was braver than I had given him credit 
for.  
“Cubone!”  
“Bone! Bone!”  
“Weepinbell!”  
“Bell!”  
I was too far away to record Joe's Weepinbell.  
“Let’s use da Pokémon we stole against dem!” shouted Cletus.  
They each threw one Pokéball.  
“Karp! Karp!”  
“GoldeenGoldeenGoldeen!”  
“Cater... Pie!”  
“What are these?! These are supposed to be the best Pokémon this college has?!” 
screamed Cassie.  
“You stole the beginner Pokémon, we moved the advanced Pokémon to place that’s 
more secure.” pointed out Takanichi.  
“Lightnin’! I-  Where’s mah Pokémon?!”  
“We didn’t bring our Pokémon so we could carry out more Pokéballs!” replied 
Cassie.  
I could see the rage in Bryan’s eyes and how hard it was to hold back, but if 
the college learned of Bryan’s involvement with the Rockets, it was a sure 
thing his family would know soon after.  
“Cubone! Bonemerang!”  
“Weepinbell! Razor Leaf!”  
The two Pokémon shot off their attacks, and the trio ran the opposite way, into 
Bryan.  
Claus had a look in his face which begged Bryan to forgive their 
insubordination.  
But he instead threw out two Pokéballs.  
“Grooowwwlll!”  
“Zubat!”  

“Zubat, the Bat Pokémon.  This Poison/ Flying Pokémon has neither eyes nor 
nose.  It emits ultrasonic cries that bounce back to its large ears  enabling 
it to identify and approach targets.”  

“Burner, use Ember! And Siphon, use Supersonic!”  
The trio were bombarded by sound waves followed by flames.  
Totally beat by their own comrade, they jumped through the window and out of 
the college.  
“Amateurs.” commented Bryan, “The lecture is over.”  
Bryan was leaving but Takanichi stopped him, “Maybe I was wrong about you, I 
guess you changed after being expelled.”  
“Yeah, I changed...”  
“We have to thank you, you’re just as great a trainer as Tetsubo, you’ve made 
up for your mistakes, I’m afraid we can’t let you retake the course, but we’ll 
remember you as a hero.”  
Bryan’s eyes lit up a little, “You hear that 'Capture, I’m a hero too.” he said 
before leaving.  
I scowled and shook my head slowly in disbelief.  
How dare he take credit for beating the Elites, when it was him who helped them 
sneak in to steal Pokémon, he was pushing the terms of our agreement and 
exploiting me, and I hated him so for it.  

“Tetsubo, we need some answers, you’re not Bryan’s friend, now, I know you used 
to be, before he got mean, but-” questioned Giselle.  
“Please Tetsubo, say it isn’t so.” pleaded Joe.  
“Don’t worry, we’re not friends, but I’m afraid I can’t tell you anymore than 
that, I have my reasons...” I explained subtly.  
“I suppose we’re okay with that...” muttered Giselle.  

Leaving the school after saying my goodbyes to Joe and Giselle, I thought I’d 
feel happier after visiting this place, but Bryan had ruined the experience for 
me.  
Emily and Chad caught up.  
“Tetsubo, about that chart...” Chad mentioned.  
“Later.” I said simply.  
“How did he beat your Pokémon?” he asked.  
“I don’t know...” I said miserably.  
“Is there something you’re not telling us, Tetsubo?...” asked Emily.  
“No...  Nothing...”  
Emily knew better, but respected my choice not to say anything.  

I left the place that gave me joy, now tainted with the experience of Bryan’s 
treachery.  
I’d train my Pokémon harder, and beat his, no matter how powerful he made 
them...  

End of Chapter 11B  

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