Reborn As Barry

Chapter Four

Gabe stood across from Lucas in the center of the snow-laden Sandgem Town. Dawn, who was on her way out to do an errand for Rowan, stood between them as a judge for the first battle the two would ever experience. Gabe and Lucas had their partners in front of them and ready for battle.

"You two ready?" Dawn asked, getting a nod from both sides.

"Alright," she paused while raising her hand, "you may begin!" She shouted.

"Let's do this Aron, Rock Tomb!" Gabe cried out fiercely.

"Strike back with Seed Bomb!" Lucas countered.

Aron planted his feet and drew in the energy from the earth beneath him. The harnessed energy manifested itself into solid rocks that hovered above Aron, only to be launched towards his adversary in attempts to score the first blow.

Turtwig, however, had other plans. Solid golden orbs of energy formed around him and were catapulted at the incoming barrage of rocks, destroying them upon contact, creating a fiery explosion followed by a dust cloud that veiled the battlefield.

Gabe smiled, and though his ears were ringing a little, the excitement made it bearable. For years he had been used to simply watching the anime and playing the games, unable to truly experience what was being portrayed in what was once a fictional world to him. Now, here he was, experiencing a real Pokémon battle with creatures that when evolved, could destroy everything in sight, and he was loving every minute of it.

"Turtwig, use Razor Leaf!" Lucas commanded.

"Heads up Aron! Iron Defense and then use Iron Head!" Gabe countered.

Aron braced himself and lowered his head to channel power through his metallic armor, causing it to shimmer brightly as it became more reinforced. Aron closed his eyes as the leaves ricochet off the armor. Keeping himself steady, he pushed off his back stub of a leg and bolted towards Turtwig, barreling through the sharp leaves as he ran. Turtwig's eyes widened in surprise as Aron got close and rammed home a well-placed Iron Head that sent him skidding backwards through a snowbank. 

"Hang in there Turtwig! Run in and use Bite!" Lucas exclaimed.

"Counter with Metal Claw!" Gabe fired back.

Shaking off the snow, Turtwig took off, full sprint towards Aron, his mouth gaping as he launched himself at his foe. The ironclad Pokémon stood his ground and waited, a white aura erupting around his right stub of a leg as his opponent closed in. Leaping, Aron barely avoided the jaws of his foe and lashed out at the Grass-type. Reacting quickly, Turtwig erected a protective azure sphere of aura around him before he was sent tumbling backwards, kicking up snow.

That's right! Turtwig knows Withdraw. I almost forgot how defensive he could be, Gabe thought. Also...Metal Claw still makes no sense here. Where are Aron's claws exactly? Gabe mused.

"Seed Bomb!" Lucas shouted.

"Rock Tomb!" Gabe countered.

Another explosive display of power shook the ground as the combatants battled on. Both were pushed back by the assault and both sides seemed to be exhausted. Turtwig and Aron stared each other down and narrowed their eyes in determination.

"Let's finish this up Turtwig! Double Edge!" Lucas cried out.

"Going for broke huh? Alright then, so will we! Head Smash!" Gabe shouted powerfully.

Turtwig tensed up and charged power into its body before bolting towards Aron like a freight train. A white aura surrounded his small frame as he charged.