Chapter 103: Battle For The Rainbow Badge! (I)

It's a new week. Don't forget those power stones!

Gen 9 confirmed as Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet!

*

Monday, March, Year 2910.

It was now March once Monday dawned. Today was going to be a rather full day, as we had our scheduled battle today with Celadon City's Gym Leader, Erika.

We quickly got ready in the morning. Making sure we had enough energy for this battle, I prepared a full breakfast for each of us, including our Pokemon.

After getting ready, we told Nurse Joy that this would be our last day in the Pokemon Center. The Celadon Gym was in the heart of the city, with high-rise buildings surrounding the Gym from all sides.

The size of the Gym itself was not small by any means. Its roof wasn't in the shape of the spherical leaves of a Gloom's flower. Instead, it was five large hexagon shape glass panels, likely to be solar panels. They were bright pink, just as if they were flower petals that just blossomed.

Scenic parks could be seen around us as well, with several people playing with their Pokemon as parents watched on.

"This is definitely the Celadon Gym alright.", Serena uttered.

"Let's not be late. We should head on in. As usual, you'll be going up against Erika first, right, Itsuki?"

"Of course. Let's not tarry.", I urged the two. We then walked through door. Upon entering the Gym, we walked into the reception area. It does look like we are the first Trainers to arrive for the day. We could even see a few girls wearing kimonos. In fact, one of them could currently be seen arranging flowers.

This caused us to halt.

"Is that you, Erika?", I called out to the familiar girl we met a couple days ago.

"Oh?", Erika responded, which caused the girls to look at us. "Glad you could make it. I'm just about done making these flowers. Please hold on for a moment."

After saying that, the Gym Leader finished making her current arrangement. Seeing it was good, she smiled and passed it to one of the girls. The girls had one more look at us before they left.

"Guess this is good timing. Hopefully we didn't arrive late.", I said. As I said that, Erika walked up to us.

"Not at all.", Erika said with a smile. She then saw three small incubators currently being held by Lillie. To my surprise Lille asked to look after the three eggs during situations like Gym Battles. Guess she learned to like taking care of Pokemon after raising Snowy.

"I say your venture must have been successful. Please treat those Eevee with care."

"Of course. I didn't expect the daycare you would recommend us would belong to my big sister's. Thank you for that."

"Fufu, you are welcome. It was a surprise to find Daisy Oak moving to Celadon City, but it was even more surprising that you are an Oak as well, Itsuki Oak."

"Haha, I don't have many who call me by that name."

"Is that so? Shall I continue to address you as Itsuki then?", Erika asked.

"Please.", I nodded.

"Then let us go to the flower garden you three. It will be where we will hold our Pokemon Battle."

"In the middle of flowers?", Serena asked.

"Fufu, I am a grass type Gym Leader after all. Please follow me, it is rather easy to get lost in there."

"Of course. Please lead the way."

Erika nodded and we entered further inside the Gym. We soon entered fields of flowers and colorful trees. There were even cherry blossoms in full bloom. After walking for several minutes, we soon arrived in front of a giant oak tree and sure enough there was a battle field here.

And to our surprise, we could see Daisy watching on from the side. This brought a smile to Serena and Lillie. The two joined her and sat down.

We then parted and went to each end, with me being on the challengers side. The ref was a girl dressed in a kimono as well. Seeing us ready, she announced the rules.

"This will be a three on three Pokemon battle, with the challenger Itsuki against Gym Leader Erika. The one who has lost all remaining Pokemon will be the loser. Trainers, bring out your first Pokemon!", The ref announced.

"With pleasure. I am but a student in flower arranging. I won't go easy on you, Itsuki.", Erika said, tossing out her first Pokemon.

"I am intending to win this badge.", I responded back in confidence.

"It's your turn. Go Tangela!", Erika said, letting a green Pokemon full of vines appear. Of course it was Tangela, the first evolution of Tangrowth.

As for me, I also tossed out my first Pokemon.

"I'm counting on you, Jack.", I said, revealing my first.

"Fearow!", Fearow said, flapping its wings in the air.

"Tangela.", Tangela responded, looking upward at Fearow.

"Let the battle begin!", The ref announced, starting the battle.

"So you led off with a flying type, huh? Very well, Tangela, lay down your roots. Use Ingrain.", Erika said, revealing her first move. Looks like she wanted Tangela to center its ground.

Tangela responded, letting several of its vines burrow deep into the ground, allowing Tangela to steel itself.

"Why don't we test this out. Jack, it's time for an Aerial Ace.", I said my first move.

"Fear!", Fearow said, before it tucked in its wings. High in the air, Fearow flew down fast. Its wings started to glow white. Tangela was actually quite known for its defense so its see what this can do.

"Tangela, brace for impact!", Erika said. Tangela steeled itself, holding onto its roots from Ingrain.

Fearow swooped down. In the next moment Fearow's wings struck Tangela head on. Bang!

A loud bang struck our ears as a few leaves scattered from the nearby trees. Tangela took quite some damage from that but to my surprise Tangela actually held on, grabbing Fearow with its vines. Its roots became somewhat dug up, but Tangela was not sent flying.

"Perfect, Tangela. Fearow is now in your grasp. Use a close contact Stun Spore!", Erika said her next move.

I frowned hearing this...While Erika may appear graceful on the outside, she knew her moves well. She catches a lot of Trainers off guard with her status moves.

"Quick, Jack break free with Whirlwind!", I said my next move.

Fearow quickly started to struggle, flapping its wings in the process. As it did, Tangela shook its body, letting spores come out of it, which were orange in color. Thankfully Fearow acted quickly enough and broke free, resulting in Tangela getting blasted away with Whirlwind.

As a result of Whirlwind being used, Fearow successfully blew the spores away, and managed to avoid getting paralyzed. Unfortunately it did seem like Whirlwind did not cause Tangela to get switched out, but Tangela did take some more damage after falling down.

"You managed to divert that Stun Spore well, Itsuki. This move of mine causes lots of Trainers to switch to their next Pokemon.", Erika smiled, seeing Fearow now back up in the air.

"But your Tangela has taken some damage as well. Jack keep up the momentum. Use Drill Run!"

"Fearow!", Fearow said. As it did, Fearow started to rotate its full body while still in the air.

"Drill run...this is going to strike hard. Tangela glide along the flowers and strike back with Grassy Glide!", Erika said, using her next move.

Tangela responded and despite Tangela being full of vines, it used its grass energy to gain momentum. Fearow continued to rotate its body until it became a drill. It had yet to learn Drill Peck, but I was able to train it enough to learn Drill Run.

Fearow finished preparing and swooped down again. Tangela used Grassy Glide to quickly maneuver around the flowers. As it got close to Fearow, Tangela actually leapt up into the air!

In the next moment Tangela struck head on against Fearow! Bang!

Another loud sound struck our ears. The result was instant too. A red aura appeared the moment the two clashed, signifying that Fearow landed a critical hit.

Fearow continued to swoop down, drilling into Tangela until Tangela crashed down hard into the grass below.

After the dust settled, Tangela couldn't move any longer, faint circles appeared in its eyes.

Seeing Erika's first Pokemon down, the ref spoke out.

"Tangela is unable to battle. Fearow is the winner!", The ref announced.