DPA: Rivals

Chapter 18: Brock, Paperchu, Skyzzers

Daryon watched Brock carefully from across the battlefield. Half an hour ago, Cameron had received the Boulder Badge from Brock. The group had gone out for sandwiches while Brock's Pokémon recovered, prepping for the battle that Daryon would be a part of just a few moments from now.

"Remember, Brock's Pokémon are all Rock and Ground, so Pikachu and Spearow won't do well," Cameron said in between bites of food. "King or Queen could potentially do well with Double Kick. If you want to use that strategy, I'd suggest using King, as male Nidoran typically have higher attack stats. Your best choice would be Bulbasaur, though. Bulbasaur's Grass typing will allow you to use STAB Super Effective moves. Be sure to focus on Bulbasaur's Grass moves like Vine Whip and Razor Leaf, rather than the Normal type moves like Tackle."

"Yeah, I'll definitely remember to keep that in mind," Daryon said, fiddling with his hat. "Oh, we didn't get to see your badge yet."

"Oh, of course," Cameron said through a mouthful of sandwich. He opened up his backpack, brushing past a dozing Mudkip before removing a small wooden case. Popping the case open, he removed the Boulder Badge, holding it out for Daryon to look at.

All Daryon could remember from that discussion was that shiny Gym badge, glimmering in the sun, resting on the palm of Cameron's outstretched hand. After Cameron's phenomenal performance earlier in the day, Daryon felt a strong pressure pushing down on his shoulders, a desire, even an expectation that he achieve an equally exceptional success, if not a greater one.

"Daryon," Brock said, pulling Daryon's focus temporarily out of his own head. "Are you ready."

"You bet your Axew I am," Daryon answered, tossing out a Pokéball, sending out King. The Nidoran looked around for a moment, first at Brock, then at Daryon, then to the bleachers, where Cameron, Max and Skye sat, and finally back at Daryon.

Brock wasted no time sending out his own Pokémon, this time choosing to lead with his Onix.

"Use Peck!" Daryon ordered as Brock's Onix slithered closer and closer.

"You're kidding me," Cameron said under his breath. "That's a Flying type move, it won't have much effect."

Strangely, King didn't even try to attack. King just stared at Daryon, clearly uninterested at the rapidly approaching Onix. The Rock Snake Pokémon brought down its tail in a brutal use of its move Smack Down. King managed to catch on to the incoming attack, and tried to retaliate with a Poison Sting, but it was too late, as the disobedient Nidoran was smashed into the ground with enough force to create a small crater.

Onix lifted its mighty tail, gazing down at the knocked out Nidoran. Daryon grit his teeth, returning an unconscious King to its Pokéball

"Don't worry, Daryon, you still get to use one more Pokémon-" Brock began.

"I know, I know," Daryon brushed him off, sending out Bulbasaur. "Bulbasaur, take Onix down with Tackle."

Cameron groaned, head in hands, as Bulbasaur charged towards Onix, who swept Bulbasaur aside like a bug, with little effort. Bulbasaur crashed into a wall, knocked out.

Daryon threw his hat onto the ground with a loud yell of frustration. He returned Bulbasaur to its Pokéball and walked out of the Pewter City Gym, before any of his friends had time to register what happened, before Brock had time to say anything. Daryon just stormed out, furious.

"Should we stop him?" Skye asked, taken aback by Daryon's outburst.

"He'll calm down," Cameron answered. "Give him some time."