Pokémon: Midnight Blue

The Eighth Badge: Part 1

I walked into the Viridian Gym, where the leader was a mystery, prepared for any surprises there could be. It was pitch black in the gym and absolutely silent. Suddenly, I heard a clapping sound, and torches lined all along the walls of the gym lit instantly. At the other end of the gym on a raised platform stood a silhouette. The figure stepped into the light and revealed itself to be a familiar face. The trainer was Celso Troark.

“You again,” he sneered at me with his harsh, dark voice tumbling down the battlefield, “I must say, congratulations on making it thus far. Not many trainers make it to the Viridian Gym so easily, much less as quickly as you have.

“Your voice is whispered throughout the Kanto Region. ‘Brian Phoenix: the young trainer from the unknown who took the gyms by storm.’ Even your rival, Robin, has not had the immediate success that you have worked so solemnly for. Your feats have been marked as great.

“But all things, no matter how great, must come to an end. I’m afraid, Mister Phoenix, that your journey will come to an end here. I will make sure of that.”

“Well then,” I drew my first Pokéball, grinning widely with the feeling of smugness emanating from my face, “Stop talking so we can get this fight over with.”

“Very well.”

I sent out Charizard, the first time I had used him since the events of Cinnabar. I pulled it aside, hoping that it would not rebel against me as it had on the island.

“Charizard, I know I‘ve pushed you really hard, and I know you and I aren’t really on the best of terms right about now. But I need to know, can I trust you to fight on my side to the best of your ability?”

Charizard craned its neck and elevated its head while still keeping eye contact with me. It roared and gave what seemed like a confident grin. Then I noticed it stretching its claw out towards me. I took it in my hand and shook it, never breaking eye contact with Charizard.

“How touching,” Celso growled, “Are you ready to fight now?”

“I’ve beaten you before, Troark, and I can do it again.”

“You may have defeated me before, but I will not allow that to happen again. I have the home field advantage this time, Mister Phoenix, and I refuse to concede myself to you ever again.”

“Let’s go then. Go, Charizard!”

“Go, Omastar.”

My first mistake, letting Celso get the second pick at the Pokémon. Omastar, being a Water- and Rock-type had a double type advantage on my Fire- and Flying-type. I was not too concerned about it, however, because there were certain aspects of the fight that pointed in my favor.

“Omastar, use Water Gun.”

Omastar blasted a spout of water at Charizard, and missed terribly. Charizard had flown up high in the air by the time the attack reached my end of the battlefield.

“Charizard!” I yelled, determined to get this over with as soon as possible, “You know what to do!”

Charizard dove down to the ground and slammed violently, causing a large quake. The Gym trembled, and Celso seemed to stumble about on his platform. When the rumbling settled, I looked over proudly to see the kind of damage my Charizard had caused the opponent. I was astonished by what I saw.

Omastar was completely unharmed.