Chapter 47: First Gym Challenge P.3

Ark watched Shellders body flop down onto the floor. Although 'Dig' is a ground type move, it still has the added bonus of collision. Having something as large as Onix crash into you, is enough to break a grown mans body, if not more.

His face winced in pain as he witnessed the damage Shellder had incurred, however he didn't call it back. Ark watched Shellders expression and noticed a deep determination in its eyes. Instantly, Ark felt the resolve to continue on burning brightly in Shellders very being.

"Don't take that lying down Shellder, use 'Water Gun' again"

Shellder shot out a torrent of water aimed towards Onixs' head. The bolted forward but missed as Onix twisted it's head.

Ark clicked his tongue at the surprising manoeuvrability of Onix.

"Onix, use 'Tackle'"

Onix rushed towards Shellder, it's speed much slower than when it was underground however the likelihood of Shellder dodging from such a close proximity was small. Realising this, Ark chose a different move.

"Shellder, quickly use 'Withdraw'"

Shellder closed it's shell and shut it tight. Its movement became static but it's defense became stronger as it got more compact.

Onix crashed into Shellder directly from the front, sending it flying back into a rock. Noticing the intensity of the charge, Ark took a swift gamble.

"Shellder! Use 'Water Gun'!"

He didn't know if Shellder was able to, or whether he even heard him. He only hoped that at the very least, Shellder could get one hit on Onix. It would leave a bad taste in his mouth if not.

Shellders shell snapped open revealing it's bright eyes, immediately after it's shell opened, a powerful torrent of water, much more powerful than those before shot towards Onix. It's power was so fast that Onix could not react to the speed, causing a direct hit on the head. Onix's head snapped backwards as it fell, the ground shook as it impacted against the floor.

Silence dominated the battlefield as dust clouds covered the scene. Arks eyes stared in the direction Shellder flew off. His heart pounding as he anxiously waited to see the status of his partner.

Eventually the dust cleared to Reveal Onix slowly lifting itself up whilst Shellder laid on the ground with it's eyes closed. Arks heart sunk as he saw the condition of his partner, it was an intense clash, one that gave him cold sweats.

"Shellder is unable to battle! Ark, it is 1 vs 1 now, very commendable for a first try, so please don't get so down once this is over"

Ark held his tongue at Brocks comment, it may have been consoling, however to Ark it sounded more like condescension. Without replying, Ark retrieved Sylphs Pokeball. Placing all of his hopes into his childhood partner, Ark threw out her Pokeball.

As soon as Sylph appeared, she looked back at Ark, her eyes clear, no fear present. Ark smiled when he saw this, it helped calm down his beating heart.

"Begin!"

Brock sounded the start of the battle.

With his heart beat now calmed, Ark smiled as he gave Sylph her first instruction.

"Sylph, get it going"

Again with the vague commands, however Sylph immediately took action. She started running around the battlefield in a slight zigzag pattern. Her speed was still visible to the eye however it was astonishing for her small legs.

"Onix, use 'Dig'"

Brock planned to use the same strategy as last time, since it was an efficient way of dealing with small Pokemon.

A small smirk spread across Arks face.

"Sylph, dodge it when it goes to come up, then use 'Disarming voice'"

His demeanor was calm despite not knowing where Onix would come up from.

Brock frowned slight at the unusual calm that oozed from Ark. However, he continued forward, determined to win this battle fast.

The ground began to rumble below Sylph as she put effort into running whilst staying stable. Dirt and rock flew into the air as Onix burst through the crust of the battlefield, it's head violently tearing through all in it's path.

Brock smiled as it watched Onix come above ground. Instantaneously, his smile froze as he watched the scene.

As soon as Sylph felt the ground below her move slightly, she teleported to the right side of the battlefield. Her momentum carried on as she changed direction and launched a 'Disarming Voice' towards Onix. The sound waves shot at Onix without interruption, colidding with the side of it's head. Just like last time, Onixs head flew back slightly causing it's snake like body to fall to the ground. Tremors shook the battlefield as Sylph continued to move about the battlefield. Her expression was serious as she waited fr the next move, not a moment of complacency was seen in her movements.

"Good Job, Sylph. Perfect execution"

Ark spoke with pride as he smiled with glee. Unlike with Shellder, speedy movements and dodges were what Sylph had focused on. Not only that, the first time they used the new application of teleport turned out to be a raging success.

Before Ark could get too happy, Onix started to stir. It's movements were sluggish but it managed to lift itself up and oppose Sylph once more.

"A stubborn one huh?"

Ark clicked his tongue at the tenacious attitude of Onix. While it was a commendable trait, when you're the opponent, it's nothing more than an annoyance.

"Onix, use 'Wrap'"

Onix pulled it's body towards Sylph and reached out with it's tail. Noticing this, Sylph took evasive manouveurs using teleport. She waited for the tail to get as close as possible before dodging in a completely different direction. Since Onix was injured, it was a breeze for Sylph to evade its feeble attempts at the 'Wrap' attack.

"Lets end this Sylph, use 'Confusion'"

Sylphs movements stopped as a purple aura radiated from her body. She faced the charging Onix and held her arms out wide. A purple glow appeared around Onix as its movements ceased.

"Onix, break free! Shake your body as much as you can!"

As Brock witnessed Sylphs attack, a small voice in the back of his mind screamed danger. Thus, he immediately made Onix try to free itself. Alas, the giant rock snake could not break free. Sylphs firm control held it in place.

"Sylph lift it up high, do it slowly"

Sylph nodded as she raised her arms slowly, Onix's body followed, defying the laws of gravity. As soon as Sylph lifted it high enough, Ark calmly spoke an order.

"Drop it. Then use a continued barrage of 'Disarming Voice'"

Sylph cancelled her 'Confusion' causing Onix to start falling down towards the ground. It twisted violently in an attempt to shield it's landing, alas Sylph had other plans.

She launched concentrated 'Disarming Voices' at Onix, continuously battering different parts of its body as Onix roared in pain.

"Onix! No!"

Brock cried out in fear as he watched Onix crash onto the ground. Cracks forming across the ground where it landed.

"Make the call Brock"

Ark spoke calmly as he watched over the devastation. He felt that it may have been slight overkill towards the end, however Ark knew that in battles, it is better safe than sorry.

Brock stared at Onix for a few seconds before calming his distorted breathing.

"Onix is unable to battle, Sylph is the winner. This means the match goes to Trainer Ark"

With that announcement, a bright smile grew across Arks face as he held out his arms. Sylph immediately teleported to Ark and jumped into his embrace. Sheer joy radiated from the two.

As the two were celebrating, a gobsmacked Jenny walked down from the balcony and approached Ark.

"You actually did it! And in such a strange way"

Jenny joined the duo in their hug as she spoke her disbelief to Ark. Although she had no real notable interactions with Brock, his strength was widely known. Therefore, Jenny found it hard to digest the fact that the guy who was beaten up by a Scyther in the forest managed to best Brock in what was a terrific battle.

"Of course I did. Sadly, we lost Shellder but the two of them did amazing. Had I been a bit more experienced, I probably could have won with just Shellder."

Ark spoke the last part of his sentence as a whisper in Jennys ear. He was not afraid of causing trouble, however he had respect for Brock and felt only scumbags trash talk especially after such a thrilling fight.

While Ark and Jenny were hugging like a family with Sylph squeezed in between, Brock recalled his fainted Onix and approached them.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small object.

"Congratulations Ark, you bested me fair and square. It seems I still have a lot to learn about Pokemon, so I thank you. As for your win, this is yours, the Boulder badge"

Ark separated from Jenny and reached his hand out, taking the badge from Brock.

"It was a good battle Brock, I will see you around"

With those parting words, Ark and Jenny left after he recalled Sylph into her ball. Their next destination, the Pokemon Center.