Shortly after Capturing a Doduo, John decided to try for a badge. He and Koga were good friends (Muk was a Laramie Ranch Pokémon) but he knew there would be no special privileges. Upon entering the Gym, John's tail started to twitch. The Gym tipster was asleep. Ditto with the nearby trainer. Then John saw the problem. A Rocket was in the middle of stealing Koga's Pokémon! John ran through the maze (he knew it by heart) and faced the Rocket.
"Drop that Pokéball, creep!" shouted John. "Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do about it, smack me with your tail?" sneered the Rocket.
"No, but an Eeveelution combo will do. Flash, Ember! Ariel, follow up with Water Gun! Spark, finish it off with Thunder shock!"
Before the Rocket knew it, he was flambéd, soaked and fried extra-crispy. After tying up the would-be thief, John woke up Koga and got a foot to the face for his efforts.
"Sorry about that John. What's going on here?" the Gym Leader asked.
"Some Rocket must have gassed you and was trying to steal your Pokémon. I put a stop to that." was John's reply.
"Thank you, John. Now, is there anything I can do to repay you?"
"Well, yes. A two on two Pokémon match for a Soul Badge. I'm starting a Pokémon journey of my own"
"Very well. then. Go, Weezing!"
"Tara, attack with Peck!" The small bird flew out and clocked Weezing on the head.
"Weezing, Poison Gas attack!" Engulfed in gas, Tara coughed a few times before fainting. "Crud, Tara, return! Ariel, I choose you!."
Koga smiled. "Weezing, return! Muk, prepare for battle!" It was now Laramie Ranch Pokémon vs. Laramie Ranch Pokémon. "Ariel, Water Gun attack!"
m"Muk, Minimize!" A blast of water flew from Ariel's mouth, but missed due to Muk's sudden compact size. Annoyed, the Vaporeon let loose a triple-blast. Small as it was, the Muk couldn't avoid all three. Wham! It flew past Koga, bounced off the wall, careened off the ceiling, ricoched of a Trainer's head, and finally landed in front of Koga.
"Muk, return. Congratulations, John. You have successfully earned a Soul Badge. Take this TM too. It'll serve you well." John accepted his gifts, then bowed and left.
"Hmmm, where to next? I know! On to the Safari Zone!"
TBC?
Back to Library