THE SAFFRON GYM
When Al saw the Saffron gym, he was very impressed by its massive structure. Though it looked more like a league arena from the anime and less than the actual pokemon gyms.
But he knew more than to assume that this was everything. Every gym probably has its own arena like this since they allow people to watch gym challenges. For free at that.
The many seats that surrounded the battle arena were quickly filled with people as the place became livelier.
Luckily, The family got to secure a few front row seats with Aileen maintaining a bored expression the whole time.
She had never had interest in pokemon training nor battling, while almost her entire clan tried to convince and even forced her to try out pokemon training.
This later became the reason she left her own clan because she had enough of this and couldn't stand it anymore.
Flainne dealt with the clan members who tried to pursue her after she left.
...
2 minutes before the scheduled time, the finally announcer began talking.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen! today is the 22nd day of the Water month and the Saffron gym has a new challenger!
This afternoon, we will witness a splendid 3 vs 3 battle between our beloved gym leader and a young trainer with potential.
Would this brave challenger be able to bring the Marsh badge home, or would our gym leader's mighty psychic type pokemon prevail?
There is only one way to find out..."
The people are very excited and couldn't wait for the battle to start. It was very exciting to see a gym leader in action.
Gym badges are either considered as a step to being champion or their ticket for a good job with a much better salary.
There are occupations that require a gym badge. These jobs pay higher than normal jobs but are also riskier than normal jobs, obviously.
...
"Alright, with no further delay, it is time to announce the challenger!
To my left is one of Kanto's rising stars, he collected 3 badges within just 2 months after he began pokemon training!!
A one in a million genius indeed!
Please enter
Samuel Oak!!"
The crowd cheered loudly as a young man with a familiar brown hair entered the arena with a confident smile.
Al was pleasantly surprised by this development, to think he'll see a 'legendary trainer' in a battle. This is his very first time witnessing an official battle between two strong trainers.
'He looks too much like Gary. Especially with that smile'
He never imagined meeting Samuel Oak this early on. Also, seeing him as a teenager felt very strange to him as he was used to that old guy who asks 10 year olds to explore and complete the Pokedex for him.
"To my right, is the gym leader of Saffron city.
Well known for his mastery with training Psychic type Pokemon and pokemon anatomy research
Please enter!
Professor Aspenn!"
Hearing the announcer, the people burst into applause for their gym leader. Aspenn is a very famous figure among the Saffron citizens because of his kind attitude.
He's also very tactful in battle and is very good at adapting in multiple situations. He's also very handsome according to this world's standards.
It wasn't before long when a man wearing a lab coat entered the arena. His shoulder length grassy green hair tied perfectly.
Aspenn had a very mature charm with his stubble beard and his set of deep blue eyes.
"Alrighty folks, most of you already know the rules but for those who don't know:
The challenger and gym leader may only use 3 pokemon each. Winner will be declared once all three pokemon are defeated or if 1 of the two party calls in surrender.
This battle would also be in basic format and not standard as per challenger's choice. This means that no combo moves, code words or any other form of communication to the battling pokemon.
Both trainers must command their pokemon verbally, any bending or twists to this rule will not be tolerated"
'It seems the Pokemon Association aren't oblivious to code words and telepathic communication after all' Thought Allen as the Announcer continued.
"All pokemon in the battle must be of the 3rd rank and above. Using rank 2 pokemon and below will be considered as a surrender which means immediate defeat to the trainer."
As the Announcer carried on explaining the rules, Al asked his father.
"dad, what are ranks?"
"You see Al, when a pokemon gets stronger, the more their bodies improve. Just like evolution which you already know, pokemon's bodies also change the more training it does" Alfred explained.
'So it's some sort of evolution? no no I think it's like how people develop abs and biceps when they work out' Al thought as he replied after understanding his father's words.
"So how do you know a pokemon's rank dad?" asked Al again before his father continued.
"Explaining it all will take a long time but basically, the stronger their color, the more strength they have and the higher in rank the pokemon is." said Alfred as he and the Announcer finished talking at the same time.
...
"Never thought I'd see a student of mine would challenge me to a battle for a badge. My, my what a small world it is" said Aspenn with a smile as he took a PokeBall.
Samuel chuckled and prepared his leading pokemon. "Never thought a pokemon professor such as yourself would be a gym leader"
Both of them laughed as they impatiently waited for the referee to begin the match.
3...
2...
1...
The referee raised a green flag indicating that the match had started.
A Slowbro and a Mr. Mime stood opposite sides on the arena. Slowbro on Samuel's side and Mr. Mime on Aspenn's.
STATUS--------------------------------------------------------------
Name: None
Pokemon: Slowbro [T]
Condition: healthy
Level: 47 (Rank 3)
Type: Water/Psychic
Gender: Male
Ability: Own Tempo
Potential: B
unfolded↓
Physical parameters
Strength: ****
Defense: *****
Speed: *
Special parameters
Sp. Strength: ******
Sp. Resistance: ****
MOVES: Amnesia, Confusion, Disable, Growl, Psych up, Surf, Psychic, Headbutt, Zen Headbutt
INBORN MOVE: Calm mind
TM: Shadow ball, Substitute, Rest, Trick room,
Protect, Focus blast, Ice beam, Psychic Terrain, Waterfall, Rest
STATUS--------------------------------------------------------------
Name: None
Pokemon: Mr.Mime [T]
Condition: healthy
Level: 46 (Rank 3)
Type: Psychic/Fairy
Gender: Male
Ability: Filter
Potential: B
unfolded↓
Physical parameters
Strength: *
Defense: *
Speed: ****
Special parameters
Sp. Strength: *****
Sp. Resistance: ******
MOVES: Sucker Punch, Psychic, Dazzling gleam, Reflect, Light screen, Quick guard, Baton pass
INBORN MOVES: Future sight, Psychic terrain, Teeter dance, Protect
TM: Shadow ball, Energy ball, Swagger, Attract, Taunt, Fairy terrain, Flamethrower
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"Use Taunt" commanded Aspenn as soon as the match started. His experience kicked in, he knew that pokemon like Slowbro had good status moves that could be problematic for him so the gym leader didn't hesitate to use taunt to cancel that.
Hearing this, Samuel changed his plans and abandoned his original strategy immediately.
"Use Shadow ball now, Slowbro"
Both moves connected, Mr. Mime endured the pain and felt a disturbance in his head, indicating that it's [Sp. Resistance] was lowered while Slowbro felt pissed at his opponent and wanted to beat him up.
"A clean hit by Slowbro! how would it fare with taunt in effect though?" The announcer commented, further increasing the hype as both trainers took a pause.
Samuel took the lead this time " Same move, go". A black ball flew towards Mr.Mime at breakneck speed.
"Protect, then Light screen" Aspenn said as a barrier quickly stopped the shadow ball in its tracks.
"Go for headbutt" Slowbro took the chance to get closer while Mr. Mime was setting up a light screen.
Unfortunately for Samuel, Slowbro wasn't fast enough and couldn't land it as Mr. Mime safely used Light screen and avoided the headbutt right after he was finished setting it up.
Now that Slowbro was closer and easier to hit, Aspenn used this opportunity to attack.
"Use energy ball Mr. Mime!"
"Slowbro use Ice beam, go"
Both moves collided and Energy ball got cancelled because of its natural weakness to ice. Light screen then absorbed the rest of ice beam, protecting Mr. Mime and allowing it to use it's next move.
Just a moment later, Aspenn commanded "Use taunt Mr. Mime" he knew that the effects of taunts would only last for a few while and didn't want it to end.
This was a big mistake on his side though as Samuel Oak had already abandoned his plans for buffing Slowbro the moment taunt was used.
Samuel purposefully delayed his commands as he had been waiting for this move, then without wasting any time he ordered.
"Waterfall Slowbro, now"
Mr.Mime couldn't dodge as he was still using taunt and the move landed perfectly, leading to the battle's first K.O as the crowd burst into cheers.
...
Other than already being injured from shadow ball, STAB boost and Mr. Mime's low HP and Defense base stat, another reason he fell with just 1 waterfall was due to the effect Month of Water.
There are 12 months a year like on Earth, but their names are different.
Jan=Month of Dragon
Feb=Month of Water
Mar=Month of Ground
Apr=Month of Grass
May=Month of bug
Jun=Month of Fairy
Jul=Month of Fire
Aug=Month of flying
Sept=Month of Psychic
Oct=Month of Dark
Nov=Month of Ghost
Dec=Month of ice
It's named this way for the people to be aware of which wild pokemon are the most active and aggressive. The month of water means less fishing and sailing as wild water pokemon are usually aggressive during this time. (Its because of Mating season basically)
Normal and poison pokemon are active all year round but the level of aggressiveness depends on their species.
Rock and Steel are active during ground Month, but the majority that rampages during that month are ground types. Ground month naturally has the highest amount of active pokemon.
While electric and Fighting types have a random schedule for their aggressiveness, most of them spend time controlling themselves.
Only a few people knew about the power boost in the months as it happens randomly and it's just due to luck that Slowbro managed to trigger that water move attack boost.
(Water move attack buff doesn't trigger all the time, just like how not every water pokemon is aggresive during month of water)
...
The referee blew his whistle and Mr. Mime was healed up before returning to its PokeBall.
'It seems that I misjudged Oak's capabilities as a trainer. He's quite good, though I think he's better as a researcher. This is gonna be fun' Aspenn said to himself as he decided that he'll use his strongest gym pokemon.
A Saffron colored pokeball with a unique design opened and a majestic Alakazam entered the arena. The cheering intensified as the signature pokemon of the Saffron gym prepared for battle.
"There it is folks, our gym's one and only Ace pokemon! Alakazam!" The cheering only intensified while Samuel didn't panic and remained calm as he assessed the situation.
Even though he's an official trainer for only 6 months, he studied pokemon ever since his childhood and never stopped.
Also, it wasn't his first time dealing with an ace pokemon. He already faced Cinnabar gym's ace, Arcanine which caused him the match 3 months ago.
'This is gonna be tricky as hell' Samuel said to himself while thinking about a counter for this beast of a pokemon.
Ace pokemon are basically pokemon with a potential of A and above. This was because the power gap of A and B potential is so wide, a Rank 2 pokemon with A potential can fight a trained rank 3 with ease, even overpowering them sometimes.
Any pokemon gym that is registered as an official pokemon association gym has 1 unique ace pokemon. This is a requirement for the
STATUS--------------------------------------------------------------
Name: None
Pokemon: Alakazam [T]
Condition: healthy
Level: 52 (Rank 3)
Type: Psychic
Gender: Female
Ability: Synchronize
Potential: A
unfolded↓
Physical parameters
Strength: *****
Defense: *****
Speed: *****
Special parameters
Sp. Strength: ******
Sp. Resistance: ******
MASTERED MOVES: Psychic, Dazzling gleam, Shadow Ball, Focus blast, Calm Mind,
Double team, Teleport, Protect, Psychic terrain
TM: Attract, Light screen, Taunt, Protect, Sunny day, Rain dance, Grass knot, Torment, Thief, Swagger, Substitute, Flash, Endure, Flamethrower, Thunder wave, Rest, Sleep Talk
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[ Mastered moves are now visible! ]
Meanwhile, Al remained speechless while checking out Alakazam's status.
'WHERE DAFAQ DID INBORN MOVES GO?!'