Chapter 225: Rock Gym Battle (1) [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Hoenn Region, Later, Rustboro City – Gym]
*RING*
*RING*
Later, after the test was passed to the teacher, Roxanne, the bell rang. She began to announce to the class as she gloated over Sapphire, "I will announce your grades very shortly. As for you… Feel free to return once you've increased your vocabulary."
Sapphire shrank down as the students nearby laughed. Pikachu and Eevee patted Sapphire's head, helping her as Azure sighed contentedly, mentally mocking Roxanne, 'Sigh… she's going to look like a total dumbass in 3… 2 – '
*BAMPH*
One of the teachers came in, giving Roxanne two tests, informing her of the news. Her eyes widened as she smiled happily, announcing, "We've finished grading your tests!! And for the first time in the history of this exam… two people have received a perfect score!! This is fine, students with the highest honors are… Sa…pphire Bir…ch. Hold up, Birch?"
Her eyes shot wide-eyed, gazing at Sapphire at the far back in a shocked tone, "Oh, my! Are you Professor Birch's…?!"
After struggling to read the poorly written name, she is shocked to see that the winner was Sapphire. Sapphire grins sheepishly, scratching the back of her head, "Yeah… you know my pop? Ya see? I knew everythin' on ye test – I just couldn't read the words."
Roxanne's eyes twitched as she looked at the next challenger's name. This time, she was at ease as she revealed the other person, "And the second person to score is none other than Azure Sky!!"
Everyone looked up to see Azure casually doing a finger salute as he casually said, "Sup! I'll let Sapphire take the first lead in challenging you."
Roxanne takes a deep breath as she opens a compartment in the desk, revealing a button as she says bluntly, "Yes… The students with the best grades on the exam are Sapphire and Azure. But since he allowed you to go first… and now you have the right… to challenge me!!"
*TCK*
Slamming her hand on the button, Roxanne accepts her challenge and sets up a stage to start their Gym battle. The whole room began to move as it rumbled, setting up the stage, surprising Sapphire.
*RMBL*
*KLATTER*
*RMBL*
The whole stage was set as Sapphire grinned, Roxanne began to explain the rules as the arena set the stage, "The written exam is a part of the Gym Battle… and this classroom is where the gym battle takes place! Sapphire, this will be a one-on-one battle! And each trainer may use two Pokémon!! Now then!! Please stand on the challenger's side!!"
Sapphire leaped over the desks on the other side of the stage as she yelled excitedly, "Now I can fight you with everything I got!!"
Roxanne opens a book to reveal her Poke Ball as she said sternly, "The second test is the practicum, the practical exam! Begin!!"
*BOM*
They start their match, with Sapphire choosing Rono and Roxanne choosing Nosepass. When Nosepass proves to be too strong for Rono, Sapphire decides to switch to Chic, but discovers that she cannot switch Pokémon, muttering confused, "Hold on a sec… why can't I switch Rono out!"
Roxanne starts laughing and exclaims that for Sapphire's Rono, "You can't return your Aron to its Poke Ball now!! Which means it can't escape thanks to my Nosepass's ability is Magnet Pull!"
Sapphire is unable to return Rono to his Poké Ball, and Roxanne explains that her Nosepass has the Magnet Pull Ability, which prevents Sapphire's Steel-type Aron from leaving the battle. Roxanne orders, "Now! Rock Throw!"
*VWOOP*
Opening small white portals, rocks began to tumble down at both Sapphire and Rono. Roxanne has her Nosepass use Rock-type moves to bury Rono in a pile of rubble.
*KAASH*
*KRASH*
Roxanne begins bragging about her type of specialty, as Rono and Sapphire dodge the falling rocks, "You'll get hit by those falling rocks too if you're not careful! I specialize in Rock-Type Pokémon!! I'm Roxanne, the Gym Leader of Rustboro City!! The Rock-Loving Honors Student!!"
Roxanne notes that despite Rock Types being weak to Steel-types, they have an advantage when magnetic forces are applied during the fight. Roxanne continues her strategy, which she continues to brag about, "This is what it means to be a Gym Leader!! I study hard to acquire the knowledge that enables me to defeat opponents who have the Type advantage over me!"
Sapphire tries to get far away from Nosepass, preventing its magnetic force from affecting Rono, but cannot attack due to her techniques requiring physical contact. For Roxanne, however, being far away doesn't affect her strategy, and she has Nosepass shower Sapphire and Rono in rubble with Rock Slide.
Believing that she has won the battle, Roxanne opens the door outside to let the Sapphire out as she says confidently, "Looks like it's… over. The Gym rules state the battle is finished as soon as one of your Pokémon is unable to continue fighting! All right then… this is the way out!"
*FOOOP*
*WOOOOSH*
Wind begins blowing inside, allowing Sapphire to find out where north is. She grins excitedly as she says out loud, confusing Roxanne, "What a nice breeze… this must be the wind blowin' in from the mountains. If the mountains is in this direction… then north must be in that direction too…"
Roxanne, confused, asked bluntly, "What are you going on about?!"
Sapphire cheekily grins as she says bluntly, "Hey! Where do ya think you're going? You'd better come back! This battle…"
*KERFWOOOP*
Rono climbs out of the rubble, revealing that he is still able to battle. Sapphire finishes off startling Roxanne, "… ain't over yet!!"
Roxanne exclaims in shock, seeing Rono come out in a surprised voice, "Her Aron dug a tunnel through the ground to maneuver behind my Nosepass! No Nosepass! You mustn't turn around!!"
Due to Nosepass being unable to face a direction other than north, it loses its balance when it turns around. This allowed Sapphire the chance as she ordered, "Now, Rono! IRON HEAD!!!"
*KANG*
Rono's head shone gray as it charged straight ahead behind Nosepass's back, allowing Rono to beat it and give Sapphire the victory. Sapphire reveals that she figured out that Nosepass can only face north due to the position Roxanne started the battle in.
Sapphire tells Roxanne that she shouldn't spend all her time reading books, as nature can tell people things that books cannot. Roxanne understands and presents Sapphire with her first reward, "Oh! I almost forgot! I have to give you this! The Trainer who defeated Roxanne, Gym Leader of Rustboro City… Sapphire!! I present you with the stone badge as proof of your victory, the TM Rock Tomb, and your payment reward for winning!"
Sapphire grinned wickedly, getting her first Gym badge and rewards. Then Azure followed after as he congratulated her, "Good job, Sapphire! Congrats on earning your first gym badge! But now…"
Roxanne nodded her head in understanding as she took her position. Both Azure and Sapphire took to the challenger's side as Roxanne declared calmly, "Yes. With Nosepass out, I believe a rule change is needed. For you, Azure… it will be a 3-on-3 Pokémon battle and now…"
Roxanne brought her Rotom Phone was activated, signaling a machine near Azure. Sapphire looked confused till…
*Click*
*Rmbl*
Just as she said that, a strange machine came out of the ground. The stranger opened and came near Azure. There were 6 sockets in them as Azure placed the 3; he'll be choosing for this Gym Battle.
He had carefully considered his options and selected 3 Pokémon that he believed would give him the best chance of victory: Grovyle, Psyduck, and Vulpix.
*Ding*
Finishing scanning, Roxanne checked her Rotom Phone. Smirking, she turned as a strange machine popped up from her desk waterfall behind her, split, revealing 3 Pokémon of exact or tougher level for the Gym Challenge.
Sapphire looked confused as she asked, taking a stand from the seats observing the match, and shyly asked, "Huh? Why do you guys have to do that when it didn't happen in my match? And can I watch the match, please…?"
Roxanne collected the Poke Balls calmly as she explained to Sapphire, nodding her head, "It's the leveling System, Sapphire. We only use this to challenge the challengers by knowing they're strength levels, but won't reveal what kind of Pokémon it is. We use this measure for Ace Trainers or experienced Trainers so they can be challenged. And of course you can watch, it would be a great learning experience, no?"
Sapphire frowned lightly as she nodded in understanding, but thought, 'So she went easy on me in my first match, huh…'
Despite her struggles, it just meant Roxanne didn't fight her seriously. But her eyes focused on the battle with Azure as she thought excitedly, 'Fine… but I wonder what my idol would choose against her? And what kind of Pokémon would she choose!'
Now, it was Azure's turn. He walked to the challenger's side of the arena, Pikachu leaping onto the battle-ready platform, Eevee waiting eagerly nearby.
Roxanne, returning to business, asked, her calm and authoritative voice, "Azure Sky, correct? Let me reintroduce myself. I am Roxanne, the Gym Leader of Rustboro City. This will be a three-on-three Pokémon battle. The first trainer to have all their Pokémon unable to battle will lose. Are you ready?"
Azure nodded, a familiar surge of adrenaline coursing through him. He grinned, adjusting his cap as he replied casually, "Ready, Roxanne."
Roxanne declared, reaching for her first Poké Ball, "Very well! I'll start with Anorith!"
*Pop*
With a flash of light, a prehistoric Pokémon materialized on the battlefield. Anorith, with its segmented body, sharp claws, and ancient eyes, let out a clicking sound, ready for action.
Sapphire took out her Pokedex from the sidelines, her eyes widening as she read, 'Anorith. The Old Shrimp Pokémon. A fossil Pokémon. So cool!'
Azure took a breath, his mind already calculating as he thought, 'Anorith a Rock/Bug type, meaning it would be neutral against Fire and Water moves. She picked a wise choice, choosing this Pokémon… but reverse battles are where I specialize in.'
He reached for one of his Poké Balls. He grinned as he hurled it to the sky, "Alright, Vulpix, you're up, girl!"
*Pop*
A swirl of red light erupted, and an Alpha Vulpix appeared, its six fluffy tails fanning out behind it. Vulpix barked confidently, its eyes fixed on the Anorith, a small wisp of smoke curling from its snout, "Vull!! (Prepare to die, mongrel!)"
It was a beautiful, elegant Pokémon, and Azure knew its speed and special attack would be key. Roxanne raised an eyebrow as she thought arrogantly, 'Using a Fire Type against a Rock Type specialist, Azure? Are you mocking me!!'
Roxanne declared in a serious tone, signaling the start of the first gym challenge in Hoenn for Azure Sky, "Battle begins!"
Azure commanded, opting to get the first strike, "Vulpix, Quick Attack!"
*Zoooom*
Vulpix blurred across the stone arena, leaving a crimson trail in its wake. It slammed into Anorith with surprising force, but the Rock/Bug type barely flinched, its sturdy hide absorbing most of the impact.
*BAM*
Roxanne countered, her voice sharp, "Anorith, Rock Tomb!"
*RMBL*
Anorith's claws glowed, and suddenly, jagged rocks erupted from the ground around Vulpix, trapping it and threatening to crush it.
Azure shouted, his voice cutting through the air, "Vulpix, dodge! Then Ember!"
*Wooosh*
Vulpix, quick as thought, twisted its lithe body, narrowly slipping through a gap in the rising stones. Its eyes focused on the Anorith, creating them…
*Sssss*
…. As it cleared the immediate danger, its snout glowed fiery orange, and a searing projectile of flame launched directly at Anorith. Anorith's eyes dilate seeing the incoming Ember in the form of a Fireball.
*BOOOM*
The Ember connected squarely, causing Anorith to cry out as fire damage scorched its carapace. A faint smell of burning chitin filled the air.
Anorith staggered backward, singed but not defeated. Roxanne's eyes narrowed as she thought rationally, 'His aiming for my Anorith's weakness in its lack of special defense. Thanks to its rock typing, the damage is neutral, but even I can see him using that Vulpix Flash Fire and Charcoal combination to boost his fire-type attacks. I need to take this situation before it spirals out of control.'
Roxanne pressed, aiming for a powerful counterattack, "Anorith, Ancient Power!"
*RMBL*
Anorith gathered ancient energy, and a glowing, rocky sphere formed in front of it, launching at Vulpix. Azure grinned as he yelled, "Vulpix! Disable!"
*Sheee*
Vulpix stares at the Anorith, and they become unable to move their body. Doing so interrupted its Ancient Power move as the ancient energy dissipated along with the rock disappearing…
Roxanne bit her nail, seeing this. Azure coolly ordered, "Time to end this round! Vulpix! Strong Style! HEAT WAVE!"
*SSSSS*
Vulpix roared as it released a burst of hot blue air from its body in every direction. The faint blue and winds follow towards the Anorith as it could only tank the hit with no means to defend, as Vulpix eyes it down using Disable.
*THUD*
Hurled to the wall, it formed a crater as it crashed down to the ground. Anorith shrieked, unable to withstand the intense heat and super-effective damage, and a moment later, it collapsed, fainted.
Roxanne and Sapphire looked shocked at how fast the battle ended. Vulpix, meanwhile, yawned, licking its paws, cried out, "Vul~ (Flawless victory.)"
Roxanne recalled her Anorith looking at Vulpix in disbelief as she pondered, 'I know Anorith is strong, but to be this overpowered against a fire type… I suppose it's to be expected of the Indigo Champion.'
Sapphire, meanwhile, looked wide-eyed as her Chic and Rono looked at the battle. Chic's eyes, meanwhile, sparkled seeing the Heat Wave move.
Sapphire, meanwhile, saw the gap between herself and Azure as she pondered seriously, 'So this is the gap between me and Azure… He didn't even take any damage from her Pokémon while Rono took the hits from her Nosepass. I need to learn all I can from this battle for future Gym Battles.'
Azure grinned slyly with his arms crossed. He mentally thought, 'Heh. She'd better bring something challenging, or she'll get swept.'
Azure's first gym battle has just begun. His eyes radiated determination as Roxanne recalled her Pokémon eyes narrowing, choosing her next pick…
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!