23 (slap*) You are crazy

Luxio was covered in bloody wounds as he was still biting Rampardos who was lying on the ground as his legs twitched in pain. The ground around them was covered in blood as the both Pokemon laid there with no strength to move.

Saad stared at the scene and his eyes turned misty. He looked at the injured Pokemon as guilt began to flood his heart. He knew that collisions of two powerful attacks at such a close distance will result in devastating consequences but his desire to win the battle clouded his mind as he gave the last command.

He stared at his Pokemon who was still biting on the leg of his opponent and shouted loudly as tears began to gather in his eyes.

"Luxio! …..You can let him go now!!"

Luxio who was suffering from unbelievable pain as wounds covered his whole body opened his mouth as he let go of the Rampardos who was now unconscious, covered in equally horrifying wounds.

The referee who was staring angrily at the two Pokemon saw the movement from Luxio while Rampardos laid there silently and shouted loudly,

"Rampardos is unable to battle. Luxio wins! The winner is Saad from Sandgem Town"

Rocky who was on the other side of the ground stared at the injured Pokemon as the veins began to appear on his forehead. He clenched his fist as he began to move towards Saad who was standing there like a robot with tears in his eyes. He quickly approached him and raised his hand as he slapped Saad on his face.

"You are crazy…"

Rocky said with anger in his voice as he turned towards the Raults; the referee of the match as he ordered,

"What are you waiting here for? Quickly call the doctors here!!!"

Raults who was equally angry by the brutal result of the last clash jolted as he replied,

"Yes Sir, I will bring them now"

After finishing his words he ran outside the arena towards the emergency medical centre in the mountain leaving Saad who was running towards Luxio with his red face and Rocky who was carrying Rampardos in his arms.

Saad quickly approached Luxio and muttered as he wailed,

"Sorry….I am sorry"

Luxio who was laying down on the ground silently opened his eyes as he stared at his Trainer who was crying over his head. He slightly raised his paws as he let out a low voice,

"Lux…..io"

Saad stared at his Pokemon and after listening to his words began to cry loudly.

Rocky stared at the crying Saad and sighed silently as he rubbed his hair.

"Gym battles are friendly duels, not life and death battles. It is okay to be passionate but remember your constraints."

Saad whose face was covered in snot and tears nodded slightly as he muttered,

"Uhm...I am ….am sorry."

Rocky expression turned soft lightly after hearing him and began to pat his Rampardos head slightly in the hope to comfort his pain.

...…

After a while, Raults came back with doctors as they began to look after the Pokemon. They performed the first aid and sent the Pokemon to the Pokemon Center leaving Saad and Rocky behind.

Saad wanted to go but Rocky stopped him as he called him to his office saying that they need to talk. Saad was reluctant but under the angry look from Rocky, he accepted as both moved towards the office after entrusting the doctors with the other Pokemon too.

....

Rocky was sitting on his chair as he stared at Saad who was sitting opposite to him with his head lowered. Rocky stared daggers at him making him more and more uncomfortable.

"Here...Your coal badge.", Rocky said after a short while as he threw a badge towards Saad who caught it absentmindedly.

Saad stared at his first Pokemon badge but didn't feel any joy. After staring at the badge he quickly put the badge away.

Rocky stared at the Saad and said after a sigh as he ruffled his hair.

"Now don't go weeping the whole day."

Saad who was sitting there with his head down, raised his eyes as he stared at Rocky who continued,

"You made a mistake and you can't undo it. Now, all you can do is put it under the rock and start looking forward"

Rocky stared at Saad who was now sitting straight and smiled,

"You alone would not have made the mistake anyway. Your Pokemon, he knew the consequences but still did it anyway. He believed in you and that alone shows how good of a trainer you are.."

Saad's eyes widened as he stared at Rocky who continued,

"So, don't go and start wailing in front of your Pokemon for your mistake. It will not make them feel any better on the contrary they might start feeling distrust towards you….Take responsibility for your actions and make sure you don't make a similar mistake again. In a Pokemon battle, you either win or lose, there is not much to it. If you lose a battle, you can just win it again after getting stronger. "

Rocky stared at Saad who was listening to him attentively and smiled,

"Pokemon are not tools and I bet you know that. Keep in mind their pain too and move forward alongside them. This battle was your win but was also your loss. Believe it or not, I gave you an open hand in this battle because this was your first Gym Battle but as you collect more badge the battles will continue getting tougher and tougher…..so don't tell me you will go and do the suicide attacks whenever you are about to lose??"

Saad stared at Rocky as his mind began to get clearer and clearer. He listened to the last words of his and shook his head heavily.

Rocky smiled and said,

"Good! So, continue getting stronger and stronger. And remember that knowing when to retreat is a part of battle too."

Rocky continued lecturing Saad who was slowly coming to his senses. He gave him pieces of advice and tips for Pokemon battles making him slowly and slowly feel a little better. He joked around from times to times making the silent Saad laugh who slowly began to talk more and more.

...…..

Saad who was was walking towards Pokemon Center with Rocky asked,

"Can you tell me how to make Pokemon learn the moves of other Types?"

Rocky who was walking beside him heard his question and smiled,

"You want to make your Luxio learn Iron Tail?"

"Hm...I noticed If Luxio could use Iron Tail, the battle could have been easier...", Saad replied.

"Hm, You are right….well, it is not like I didn't expect you to ask me that", Rocky smiled as he took out a small USB from his pocket and handed it to Saad.

"Here, Take this…..., it contains some tips and training routine for various Pokemon."

Saad took the USB from his hand and looked at it silently after thanking Rocky who just smiled at him. He put the USB in his pocket as they both continued moving towards Pokemon Center.