Out Of The Ashes (A Pokémon Fanfiction) ~on Hold

chapter 20:As the battle begins

Chapter 20:
As the battle begins

The agreements he was signing off on seemed callous and unforgiving at face-value, but Ash knew that Pokemon dying in battles, even gym ones, was incredibly rare. Especially in gym battles, actually, where the experienced leader's Pokemon knew exactly how much force to apply without crossing into lethal territory. In addition to that, Pokemon were incredibly hardy, far more than some of their appearances would suggest. Blows that would kill or otherwise incapacitate a human could be merely shrugged off by a Pokemon in the middle of a battle.

"You can take a seat until I notify you that he's ready," the lady told him after he'd handed over the finished docket. A copy of the form would be sent to all of the gyms in Kanto. Even if Ash never challenged another gym in his life, they would hold onto the information just in case. His signature was legally binding in all copies of the form.

The battlefield doors opened and Ronald waltzed through, humming to himself. The secretary looked up at his entry and asked, "How did it go?"

"Oh, the kid won. Had a decent Charmander on her. You know how those battles go when the little bugger knows metal claw."

The secretary hmm'd sympathetically for Brock and went back to work. Meanwhile, Ronald noticed Ash sitting in the waiting area and smiled widely.

"Hey, kiddo! You taking on the gym?"

Ash nodded, still caught up in the small exchange he'd overheard. Metal claw really did seem like it was the key instrument for non-water or grass types to defeat Brock.

"Well," the guide sang out as he dropped into the seat next to Ash. Its legs wobbled perilously under his bulk. Ash tried to hide his uncomfortable flinch at his proximity. After his mother's death, exuberant and joyful people had been difficult to be around for long as Ash had come to find them emotionally draining. He was doing much better now, of course, thanks to Mary and Espeon's counseling, but sometimes he still found himself intimidated by such characters. "Are you looking for any hints?"

"Not really," Ash said quickly, "Brock and I—"

"Of course," the man bumbled on as though he hadn't heard Ash, "Brock is a rock-type specialist. If you're not careful he'll grind you up into dust! Grass and water-type Pokemon are your best bet."

Ash's eye twitched and he leaned farther away, understanding that it might be best just to let the guide ramble. "Okay, I'll keep that in mind."

Ronald beamed as though Ash had just professed his sincerest thanks for his help and got back up, ambling over to the secretary where they talked in low tones. He seemed like a rather simple, but as Brock said, well-meaning individual. Ash couldn't help but wonder if the rest of his brothers acted the same way.

He didn't have to wait nearly as long as he thought he would. What little time he sat there was spent messing around on the Pokedex and reading up on Kanto-native Pokemon. The minutes passed quickly until a soft chime jingled from the secretary's computer and she motioned him in through the enormous doors.

Ash entered just in time to catch the last dent in the battlefield being smoothed out by the underground controls. He looked at the spotless area curiously, wondering what Pokemon could have made such an impact. Brock's Geodude certainly wasn't powerful enough.

Brock was sitting by the side of the field, a safe distance away from the flashing signs signalling that construction was momentarily under way in order to restore the terrain to its former order. He was sweating lightly. The air temperature was rather warm.

The leader perked up when he noticed Ash standing there.

"Oh, hey Ash! Come on in! Just giving the field a last few fix-ups and then we'll be ready to go. That last challenger's Charmander was more powerful than I would have guessed it to be."

Well, that accounted for the elevated air temperature. Charmander's tail-flame could raise a room's temp. nearly five degrees, depending on their health and emotional status.

Ash gave a thumb's up to demonstrate his understanding and sat down to wait. As the whir of the underground generators began to decline, Brock released his Geodude. The Pokemon seemed slightly battered, deep claw marks scored into its craggy body.

"There you go, hold still," Brock soothed as he brought out a spray-bottle from his jacket pocket. Recognizing the trademarked Potion, Ash watched in interest as the gym leader lightly spritzed the groaning Pokemon's body with the medicine. Potions functioned by delivering a shot of energy to the Pokemon's nervous system. This energy was immediately used by the Pokemon's cells to heal from sustained damage. Even as Ash watched, the cracks sealed over.

They were another ingenious, if not expensive, sample of how far technology had progressed.

"Okay!" Brock said, dusting his hands off on his pants. He stood up and stretched. "Last battle of the day! You still up for another round, Geodude?" he directed to his Pokemon. The rock-type grunted and beat its hands together.

A woman dressed in black-and-white referee clothing likewise stood up from where she had been resting in the empty bleachers. She was rather pretty, something Brock seemed to take special notice of as his posture melted into a look more soft and mellow.

"My beautiful Sammy," he cooed as the referee assumed her place at the side of the field. "Are you ready?"

Distaste crossed the referee's aristocratic features. "Of all the gym leaders in Kanto, I get stuck with you," she hissed in disgust, then added sharply, "And I've told you before, it's Samantha!"

Ash winced at the acidity of her tone, though the situation was rather humorous. He hadn't known about Brock's apparent amorous streak.

The tanned gym leader pouted miserably for a second before he shook himself out of his heartbroken daze. "Okay, then, ready when you are."

Sniffing haughtily, the referee threw her arm out dramatically and spoke in a raised voice for Ash's benefit. "Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town, challenges Gym Leader Brock Harrison for the Boulder Badge! This will be a two-on-two battle! Medicinal items are prohibited from use during the battle! Time-outs are also illegal and will result in a forced forfeit! Do both combatants acknowledge these terms?"

"I do," Brock said lazily, with the air of one who's said the words far too often for them to hold any meaning anymore.

"I do," Ash mirrored quietly.

The referee swept her arm to the left. "Then let the match begin! Gym leader, release your Pokemon first!"

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Find out what happens in the next chapter as the journey continues!