Pokemon: The Saga of Dolan

Battle with Brock!

Our adventurers resume their journey with a little sustenance at the Pewter Pokemon Gym. They had dropped their Pokemon off at the Pokemon Center and settled down for some grub.

"So Dolan, how do you plan on beating Brock?"

"Well, I didn't really have a strategy in mind. I know that Gym Leaders are more powerful than regular trainers. However I also know that Flora is Grass-Type, and Grass-types are highly effective against Rock-types. Flora could dominate the field using her powerful vine-whip attack."

"Well I guess that's a good strategy for now, with so little Pokemon in your arsenal. You also trained you Kakuna, but I don't think Poison Sting will help very much against Brock's Onix and Geodude."

I turn my head at that, spilling my delicious bowl of spaghetti. "Mmpfh... (gulp) Oh? So that's what he has? I always wondered what Pokemon he used, but of course with the release forms you're not allowed to say."

"Well, it kind of slipped. Don't tell anyone I told you that." He stares me down.

"Ok, Ok. God. It looked like you were ready to kill me."

"Well there was that rule 'If I told you, I'd have to kill you' in place but I guess I can make an exception."

"Thanks? Anyways, Onix is probably his most powerful Pokemon, so I'll need to keep Flora as healthy as possible for that fight."

"That's always a good option. So are you gonna use Killer at all?"

"I'm not sure. I may."

We finish up at the Pokemon Center and clear our trays. We pass by some other Pokemon Trainers on the way up, all our age, one with a Rattata and one with a Caterpie. I listened in on their conversation "...its like my Rattata is in the top percentage of Rattata." I wanted to ask him why he was wearing shorts while it was raining outside, but I figured he'd talk forever.

"C'mon Dolan!"

I noticed that I had stopped and quickly catch up to Cory. We headed to one of the vacant rooms. Like most Pokemon Center rooms, it was filled with four Bed bunks, made of hardy wood. There was a lamp in the middle with a window behind it. Upon closer inspection I see that underneath the bottom bunk there are blankets, well-worn by the looks of them. They appear to be for the Pokemon! I guess if trainers wanted to let their Pokemon out for the night they could. Interesting. I head into the bathroom attached to the room. What I see is not good. I look like some backwoods hillbilly. Dirt on my face, hair in every direction, I definitely needed a shower.

"Hey Cory I'm taking a shower!"

"Alright man. Just don't completely dirty up the bathroom. I need it too!"

"Too late!"

"Gah!"

I laugh to myself and get in the shower. The hot water feels really nice on my skin. After a couple of days in Viridian Forest it was nice to have the small comforts a Pokemon Center provided for you. While not as nice as a Hotel, It still was one of the best places to go if you needed a rest. I hop out of the shower and get dressed in the only other pair of clothes I have. It's not like you got to carry around a giant suitcase full of your clothing. Your traveling all the time. Cory was sitting on the top bunk, reading some Trainer magazine.

"Dude! Listen to this! 'Brock has been training for the past few months, increasing his strength and taking down every challenger that has crossed his path. For those trainers going after the Boulder Badge, you will have a fight on your hands!'... well it looks like you're gonna get a challenge from Brock."

"I don't mind. It sounds like a Gym Battle is much more exciting than a trainer battle. I'm just excited."

"Well, don't get too ahead of yourself. Try to come up with a strategy." Cory hops off the top bunk, grabs his bag and heads into the bathroom. Looking out the window into the night lights of the city, I wonder what tomorrow's battle will bring. I wonder how strong Brock will be? Are my Pokemon strong enough? What strategy should I use? Maybe I should use Killer, trying to keep him alive long enough to use Harden a whole bunch so he's practically invincible, and then use string shot to slow Onix down. I know Poison Sting won't do much against an Onix or Geodude, but at least I can slow them down so Flora can come in and take them out. My heart starts to race as I think about the upcoming battle with an elite, a trainer above all other trainers. I try to imagine the battle that is to come. Onix coming at Flora, Flora trying to dodge and barely misses Onix's Rock Throw, Killer using Harden a bunch of times to increase defense, Flora switching in...