A battle?
Johan turned to his Pokémon.
His team immediately froze, ears perked up in unison.
"All right," Johan said slowly.
He hadn't planned to challenge a Gym today. After all, the Indigo League wasn't starting yet, and he hadn't assembled a full team of six Pokémon.
But since the opportunity presented itself...
It was going to happen sooner or later.
Flint smiled and moved to the opposite side of the clearing, his expression taking on the resolve of solid rock.
As a Rock-type trainer, he wasn't stubborn like the stones he commanded, but he embodied their unyielding strength and determination.
"Let's battle!" Flint called, gripping a Poké Ball.
At this point, Johan instinctively reached for a Duel Disk to start laying down cards.
But honestly, when trainers locked eyes, it was much like card duelists—there was no avoiding a showdown.
"Wait," Johan's gaze grew skeptical. "Flint, you're not challenging me because I'm more popular than you, are you?"
Flint froze, his square face betraying a hint of embarrassment as he scratched his head.
"Wh-what? Of course not!"
"Hahaha—after all, I'm the proud father of ten kids!"
He threw the Poké Ball.
BOOM!
From the burst of light, a towering Onix materialized, its massive body composed entirely of jagged rocks.
Onix, the Rock Snake Pokémon, was a Rock- and Ground-type—a quintessential symbol of Rock-type trainers.
Since this wasn't an official Gym battle, and given that Flint primarily used Rock- and Ground-types, there wasn't much reason for him to hide his choices. He confidently led with Onix.
But Johan had already decided who to send out first.
"Let's go, Dragonair!"
Against a Rock-type trainer, Dragonair's Water-type moves were a clear advantage.
No matter how the match played out, he still had Gengar and Vulpix as backups.
"Draaa!!"
Dragonair's eyes gleamed with determination.
Being chosen to lead in such a crucial battle meant Johan trusted it deeply.
I won't let Johan down! I'll show him how much I've grown!
Flint clenched his fists. Though his vision was nearly obscured by age, his fighting spirit burned fiercely.
"No matter how tough the rock may be, we'll shatter it with strength! Onix, use Iron Tail!"
THUD-THUD-THUD
Onix's massive form lunged forward, its rocky body grinding against the earth and leaving deep trenches in its wake. Its tail shimmered with a metallic sheen as it swung fiercely toward Dragonair.
Iron Tail?
Vulpix glanced at its own fluffy tail, then at Onix's colossal one.
They're both Iron Tail, but... the size difference is insane!
I need to train more.
As the sharp wind from Onix's strike closed in, Johan calmly issued his command:
"Dragon Tail!"
Water swirled around Dragonair's sleek, azure tail as it arced gracefully through the air.
CLANG!
The tails collided—one thick and heavy, the other slender and fluid.
Johan rested his chin on his hand, thinking aloud.
"Flint may not be able to beat Miyuki, but it's clear she's forced him to develop better strategies against Water-type moves..."
Miyuki's influence on Flint was undeniable.
Rock-types were naturally weak to Water-types, but strategy and experience could nullify that.
"Fly up!" Johan commanded.
Leveraging the force of the clash, Dragonair's elegant white wing-like fins expanded, propelling it skyward.
Realizing Johan's intent, Flint narrowed his eyes.
Their voices rang out simultaneously:
"Onix, Dragon Dance!"
"Dragon Dance!"
CLICK.
From the sidelines, Gengar whipped out its phone and snapped a photo.
Holy smokes, even Onix knows Dragon Dance?
"Stone Edge!" Flint barked, seeing Dragonair attempting to use its aerial advantage.
The ground shook violently.
"ROAR!!"
Onix bellowed as its massive tail struck the ground. Jagged rocks erupted in a devastating line toward Dragonair.
CRASH, CRACK—
The Stone Edge attack launched sharp stone spires in relentless succession, glinting menacingly in the sun.
So this is why Flint doesn't want to battle inside his Gym, Johan thought, watching the destruction.
With attacks like these, the cost of repairs would be astronomical.
No wonder so many Gym Leaders resorted to "appropriate challenges," AKA going easy on challengers.
"Extreme Speed!"
A white blur cut through the battlefield, as Dragonair deftly wove between the stone spikes.
Flint's eyes widened. He realized his mistake too late: Johan had no intention of retreating.
With the combined speed of Extreme Speed and Dragon Dance, Dragonair was nimble enough to evade Onix's attacks and flank it from behind.
Though Onix wasn't slow, Dragonair's agility gave it the upper hand in tight spaces.
THWACK!
Dragonair deflected Onix's tail with another Extreme Speed maneuver, then struck with Aqua Tail, its tail brimming with spiraling water energy.
"Onix, Protect!"
At Flint's command, a green barrier materialized around Onix, blocking Dragonair's strike.
SMASH!
The barrier shattered on impact, but the effort bought Onix time.
"Onix, High Horsepower!"
Though it was close range, Onix surged forward with earth-shaking power.
But Dragonair was already one step ahead.
"Water Gun!" Johan countered.
A torrent of water engulfed Onix, its four-times weakness to Water overwhelming its defenses.
With its abysmal special defense, Onix was instantly knocked out.
Flint grimaced.
That Water Gun was absurdly strong for such a basic move...
"You lured me into close range by pretending to rely on physical moves, only to finish with a surprise special attack. Impressive..."
Flint nodded appreciatively as he recalled Onix.
"As expected of the 'Tactical Master' Brock always talks about. But I'm not done yet!"
"Go, Golem!"
BOOM!
The burly, boulder-like Golem hit the ground, sending tremors through the field.
"Golem, Rollout!"
Curling into a dense ball, Golem began rolling at high speed, kicking up dirt and debris as it sped around the battlefield.
Its rapid movement made it difficult to approach, let alone land a hit.
Johan frowned slightly.
"Dragonair, Water Gun!"
BLAST!
The attack left a gouge in the earth, but Golem emerged unscathed, its rolling motion dispersing the water's impact.
"It's creating a defensive barrier by churning up mud and rocks..." Johan muttered.
This must be Flint's adaptation to Miyuki's relentless Water-types.
RUMBLE-RUMBLE—
Golem's Rollout intensified, using the Stone Edge spires left behind by Onix to launch itself into the air.
If it hit Dragonair at this speed, the damage would be catastrophic.
"Go, Tinkatuff!" Johan swapped Dragonair out.
The little pink Pokémon bounded forward, clutching its hefty hammer.
But instead of confronting Golem head-on, it hurled its ice-coated hammer with incredible force.
WHAM!
The impact sent Golem skidding, nearly triggering its Sturdy ability.
"Such a heavy hammer..." Flint murmured, impressed.
"Golem, High Horsepower!"
Flint attempted to convert Golem's momentum into raw power, but Johan was ready.
"Protect!"
Tinkatuff's green barrier absorbed the brunt of Golem's attack.
"Brick Break!"
With a swift swing, Tinkatuff slammed its hammer down, leaving Golem cracked and barely hanging on.
"Golem, Earthquake!"
"Play Rough!"
As Golem stomped, fracturing the ground, Tinkatuff smashed through the debris with its hammer.
The battlefield was left in ruins, with Golem lying fainted in the dirt.
"Chu~~"
Tinkatuff nodded respectfully at Golem. A strong and worthy opponent.
As Johan surveyed the carnage, he finally understood why Pewter Gym's difficulty was ranked only slightly above Cerulean Gym's.
This level of destruction would bankrupt anyone in repairs.
Flint sighed, recalling Golem. "You're as solid as a rock yourself, Johan!"
Meanwhile, Gengar and Vulpix were calculating.
With this victory, Johan now had seven badges.
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Powerstones?
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