The Destined

Chapter Four

I decided not to share the dream I had with anyone.  It would cause too much trouble.

I packed the secret box in my back and headed to the Professor's lab.

At Professor Rowan's lab that morning, I decided that if the dream was a vision of the future, I need to train up my team.  "Professor?  What's the best way to make my Pokémon stronger?  I know you can train on routes and battle other Pokémon trainers, but I want to know the best way," I asked.

"Well,  there are eight gyms in the Sinnoh region where you can battle the gym leaders there," he answered.  "You can gain experience the fastest that way.  However, if your Pokémon are too high a level, they won't listen as much.  That is what the badges are for.  I believe you met one of the gym leaders yesterday?"  "Yes.  Roark," I answered.

"He's pretty tough for beginners. However, I think you'll have no problem with him after that incident yesterday," He replied. "Ok thanks Professor! I'll go battle all the gym leaders and win." "It's not an easy task at all. You need patience and skills with your team. And then, after you beat all eight gym leaders, you can challenge the four strongest trainers called the Elite Four. And if you beat them, you may just beat Champion Mikey."

So that's how Mikey became champion. "Is battling the Elite Four required of a Pokémon Trainer?" I asked. "Well, not exactly. But if you want to grow stronger, that's one way to do it," the Professor answered.

* * *

Later that day, I asked the Professor if I could take a few months of "open field research" to train.  He agreed, thankfully, and told me that he would tell my dad about my adventure.  I thanked him and left Sandgem Town to head to Oreburgh City.

On arrival, I headed to a Pokémon Center to heal up my Pokémon.  After that it was onto the gym!

When I entered the gym, there was someone that looked like a coach standing in front of a pedestal.  The pedestal had a sign that read: "Oreburgh Gym.  Winning Trainers: Felix." So Felix already beat Roark.

"Hey there.  Are you a trainer?" The coach asked.  "I am," I replied.  "Let me give you some advice," he said.  "Roark specializes in rock type Pokémon, which are weak against water and grass types."  That was not great news, as I only had my Chimchar, a Starly that I had caught while training, and a Ralts that I had caught during the rampage yesterday.

"If you don't have any of those type of Pokémon, you could try and train up your team," he told me.  I told him that I already did, so he let me through.  There were some other Pokémon trainers in the gym leading up to Roark that wanted to battle me.

The first trainer that challenged me sent out a Geodude.  "Go Chimchar!" I yelled.  "Use Mach Punch!"  "Geodude, Tackle!" The trainer yelled.  "Chimchar, dodge and use Ember," I shouted.  The Geodude fainted.  My first trainer battle won!  "Alright fine, you can go," he said as he handed me a few hundred Poké-dollars.

The next gym trainer was mostly like the first, but this time I used Ralts.  "Ralts, use Psychic!"  The opposing Onix fainted.  "Ugh okay rules are rules.  Here," he handed me more money.  I was finally at Roark.

"Oh, I remember you: you're that trainer that helped Felix and I get those Pokémon under control yesterday!  Welcome to Oreburgh gym.  As you know, I'm Roark.  I specialize in rock types.  Get past me, and you get the Coal Badge," he explained.  "Any questions?"  "Nope!  Let's do this!" I exclaimed eagerly.  My first gym battle had begun.