A World of Firsts

"Piplup quick first use Agility and dodge any incoming attacks" A psychic energy flows around the little Penguin increasing its speed exponentially.

"Oh no you don't Onix Tackle" Onix barrels towards Piplup at a quick pace but at the last second Piplup manages to finish Agility then dodges to the left without any damage taken.

"Piplup use Supersonic followed by Bubblebeam while he's disorientated" Pipluck uses Supersonic on the large Rock snake and manages to work, thus Onix is confused and starts to move erratically and Brock can see that he is in a tough situation.

"ughh, Onix snap out and use Bind!" Brock shouted, trying to overshadow the apparent confusion but fails and Onix doesn't hear the order and keeps flailing and crashing into nearby rocks creating a field filled with rubble. Piplup uses this time to complete the attack given by Grayson. A fast current of concentrated bubbles rushes towards the confused giant. As is collides it creates a large impact and send Onix back towards the wall of the arena. As the dust clears it shows that Onix is still barely awake.

"Onix are you okay!?" Brock's mind raced and figured he needed to end the battle in one hit or he will be a Flaffy to the slaughter. About to call a final barrage to the opponent he hears a thud. Turns to see his Onix who was fighting with the pain of the powerful Bubblebeam, fell victim to the damage and was knocked-out cold, eyes swirling, almost mesmerizing Brock in place to think back to the battle he just witnessed. As an experience trainer he can tell that the different in strength between the Pokemon in the two battles was minimal. But what made the difference was the decisive orders from the trainer and the clearly greater proficiency in the moves of the opponent. Any Pokemon can learn a move but being able to use it well is a different matter entirely.

After pondering over the loss he has taken, this further edged him away from battling and more focused on becoming an excellent breeder, if he didn't have his siblings to take care of he would have quit battle altogether right then and there. He decided to take his frustrations out on the next trainer that challenges him in the coming days.

Breaking out of his thoughts, he sees a bright light coming from the arena, looking and seeing the opponent of his Onix starting to glow and change shape.

Moments later the glow dispersed and left behind a metre tall Penguin like Pokemon where Piplup used to be. "PRINPLUUPPP" the Pokemon roars ecstatic over its evolution. It glances back at it's trainer and both share a knowing nod as they predicted this outcome from the start. Grayson more so in the know since he can see the Level of his Pokemon and saw that he was close to evolving.

[Status]: Prinplup

[Level]: 16

[HP]: 49

[Attack]: 25

[Defense]: 29

[Sp.Attack]: 37

[Sp.Defense]: 32

[Speed]: 23

[Moves]: Pound, Growl, Mud-Slap, Agility, Supersonic, Bubble, Bubblebeam, (NEW) Peck, (NEW) Metal Claw

'He learned Peck yesterday and now after evolving he learned Metal Claw today, good additions to the arsenal'

"Good job buddy, you look and are a lot stronger how do you feel?" "Prinpplup"

"Great to hear, good work Prinplup, we won our first Gym Badge, one step toward the Pokemon League" Grayson says as he hugs his newly evolved Penguin Pokemon. They hear footsteps behind them and see Brock smiling peacefully after taking a look at Onix's well being. "Pokemon League eh? Guess I can take some pride in being the first to officially get you started on your way to the Indigo League. Hear, this is the boulder badge, this is proof that you managed to defeat me" Brock says as he hand over a shiny octagonal shaped badge. Happy to oblige Grayson gratefully takes said badge and places it into his badge case. '1 down, 7 to do' after this thought a slight smile appears on Grayson's face. "Thanks Brock, that was a good battle" "I wouldn't call that a battle, more like a slaughter" ""Hahaha"" After some talking and good wishes between them both, Grayson set off towards the Pokemon center for a early rest as he wishes to set off early in the morning to keep one more step ahead of Ash. Although as an avid fan he slightly wishes to be able to watch all these iconic early moments from the series as they happen, but he knows that the story will play out okay with or without him there. What he needs to do no is forge him own path and let fate decide whether he becomes part of the ever dramatic story line.

After getting back to his rented room, he feeds his partners, and as they feast they go over what went well in today's battle. In the mind of the two that fought they further realize just how integral it is to train hard in preparation so that the final battle will be easier. The only one not as fully aware of this is Nidoran. But this is irrelevant as he is dead set on training regardless as he strives towards his desired strength. The only thing that changed for him is that he is further reconciled to the fact that he knows with his whole being that joining Grayson was the right idea in his pursuit for strength as even though he feels no glory from winning a Gym Battle just yet, he knows that it is not far for him to actualize the strength he desires with Grayson leading him there.

After the group finish their food, they all get ready for bed. Just before he heads to sleep, Grayson asked the System to show the status of the rest of his team besides Prinplup.

[Status]: Nidoran ♂

[Level]: 15

[HP]: 41

[Attack]: 24

[Defense]: 17

[Sp.Attack]: 19

[Sp.Defense]: 18

[Speed]: 22

[Moves]: Leer, Poison Sting, (Locked) Sucker Punch, (Locked) Counter, Peck, Focus Energy, Double Kick, (NEW) Fury Attack

'Nidoran is still behind when looking at the stats but once he evolves things may change for the better I hope'

[Status]: Exeggcute

[Level]: 18

[HP]: 54

[Attack]: 21

[Defense]: 41

[Sp.Attack]: 29

[Sp.Defense]: 23

[Speed]: 19

[Moves]: Absorb, Hypnosis, Leech Seed, Sleep Powder, Poison Powder, Confusion (NEW) Mega Drain

'He's been taking it a bit slower either subconsciously or consciously in order to let the other two catch up which I appreciate, and I don't want to think about how much faster the match would have been if we had trained Mega Drain enough for combat, even with just absorb that poor Geodude stood no chance'