He Rocks ' He's Brock
“Well here it is, the Pewter City Pokemon Gym.” Zander said to the girls. The gym looked like it was made out of boulders stacked on top of each other with metal beams supporting it. Above the door was the same pokeball insignia as the Viridian gym. “So, who's first?”
“Me!”
“Okay, Rainbow. Now go in there and tell the gym leader you want to challenge him. He'll lay out the rules and then you battle, and we'll be cheering for you on the sidelines.”
Inside, the group saw a stadium with a battlefield covered with rocks. To the right side of the stadium were bleachers, and at the far end was a stone chair.
“This guy must like rocks.” Rainbow said.
“There's a reason Pewter City is known as, 'a stone gray city',” a voice from behind them said, startling the group.
“Oh, hi Brock.” Behind them was a man in an orange shirt and earth tone pants.
“Hi Zander. I see you brought some girls, I didn't know you were that popular.”
“They're just some friends, and challengers. Speaking of which, where were you? You're usually here.”
“I was checking out the new exhibit at the museum.”
“Really? That sounds interesting.”
“Hey, are you two done? Because I want a battle!” Rainbow said forcing her way into the conversation.
“Well, your friend sure is excited. Very well, I accept your challenge. The rules are simple. We'll use two Pokemon each and as a handicap only you are aloud to switch Pokemon. The battle will end when one side loses both of their Pokemon. Do you accept these terms?”
“Yes!”
Brock and Rainbow took their positions on the battlefield while Zander and the others took their seats in the bleachers.
“Lets begin, Go! Geodude!” Out of the pokeball came a large rock with arms and eyes.
“Come on out! Magikarp!”
There was silence in the stadium except for the sound of Zander's hand hitting his face. Oh god, I can't watch.
“Are you sure you want to use that Pokemon? Because, now I don't normally do this, I'll let you switch Pokemon if you want.”
“Nope I'm good.”
“Oh no, no, no.” Zander just kept repeating 'no' over and over again.
“Zander are you okay?”
“No... no I'm not Twilight.” Zander took out a bottle of aspirin and took a small hand full.
“Is it that bad?” Twilight asked.
“Yes, Rainbow had a chance at winning, but now it's nonexistent.”
“Is there anything we can do?”
“No, even if Rainbow wanted some advice we're not allowed to help her. She has to win this on her own.”
Brock let out a sigh, “Alright, if you're determined to do this, Geodude use Tackle.” Geodude hit Magikarp which just flopped around.
“Magikarp use Splash!” Magikarp flopped around more vigorously.
“Tackle again.” Brock said with no heart behind it. Geodude hit Magikarp into one of the rocks.
“Don't give up use Splash!”
“That's not going to work! It never works!” Zander shouted.
“Geodude let's just end it. Tackle.” With that Geodude manged to knock out Magikarp.
“Come back Magikarp. Go! Charmander!”
“How's her chances?” Applejack asked Zander.
“Not good, but she could win, though it's a long shot, a very long shot.”
“Charmander use Ember attack!” Charmander fired embers at Geodude hitting it and leaving a burn.
“Geodude Tackle!”
“Dodge it! Then use Ember!” Charmander ducked out of the way of Geodude's attack and fired off another Ember. Geodude was forced into one of the rocks on the battlefield and passed out.
“Okay, Geodude return. It's up to you now Onix!” The pokeball opened revealing the colossal Pokemon.”
One of these again? Rainbow thought as she checked her pokedex. “Onix the rock snake Pokemon, There is a magnet in its brain that prevents an Onix from losing direction while tunneling. As it grows older, its body becomes steadily rounder and smoother.”
“Okay Charmander same as before, Ember!”
“Onix use Rock Tomb!”
Charmander's Ember hit Onix though it didn't seem to do much, Onix's Rock Tomb however hit with devastating force. Charmander was knocked to the ground and was struggling to get back up.
“C-Charmander are you okay? Think you can continue?”
“Charrrr!” It yelled as it got up, and then fell face first.
“I... I lost.”
“Unfortunately yes, but you can challenge me again when you're ready. In the meantime continue your training.”
“Yeah,” Rainbow called back her Charmander, “I'll be at the Pokemon Center if you need me.” Rainbow said with a hint of sadness as she left the gym. The girls looked at each other in shock that Rainbow had lost.
“Give me a few minutes and I'll be ready for the next challenge.” Brock said calling his Onix back and going in to a back room.
“Applejack, I think you should go next.” Zander said.
“Ah don't know. You think ah have a chance if Rainbow couldn't win?”
“You have two Pokemon with type advantage, you'll be fine, and Rainbow did make a few mistakes or rather one big one. Speaking of which, I'm going to go talk with her.”
“Why?” Twilight asked.
“She just lost her first gym battle, one that she had been looking forward to for a while. I think she could use some encouragement.”
“So, ah take it you're not gonna stay and watch?” Applejack asked.
Didn't I just say that? “No, sorry. But I know you can do this!” With that Zander left the gym.
“Alright, I'm ready for the next challenger,” Brock said. Hoping the next one would be more of a challenge.
“That'd be me.” Applejack said as she took her position on the battlefield.
“Alright then, same rules as before. Ready?”
“Eeyup.”
“Okay, go Rhyhorn!”
“Come out Poliwag!”
“You can have the first move.”
“Alright then, Poliwag use Water Gun!”
“Dodge it Rhyhorn then use Rock Blast!” Rhyhorn jumped to the right of the attack and fired rocks at Poliwag hitting it with three.
“We need to keep it still, use Hypnosis!” Poliwag let out a wave of energy that seemed to cover Rhyhorn putting it to sleep.
“That's not good,” Brock said with a little worry in his voice.
“Now hit it with Water Gun!” The attack hit Rhyhorn soaking it, Rhyhorn woke up after that and frantically tried to shake the water off.
Brock breathed a sigh of relief, “Rhyhorn use Horn Attack!” Rhyhorn charged Poliwag.
“Poliwag use Water Gun, keep it at bay!” Rhyhorn's charge was cut short as the Water Gun hit causing Rhyhorn to veer off into one of the rocks on the battlefield. “Let's wrap this up with one more Water Gun!” With one final blast Rhyhorn was knocked on it's side and out. “Yeehaw!”
“Impressive, but it's not over yet. Let's go Onix!” Out came the Pokemon with the same intimidating presence as before.
“No problem, use Hypnosis again!”
“Not this time! Onix use Rock Throw!” Onix's tail hit some of the rocks on the field sending them flying at Poliwag.
“Quick dodge it!” It was too late the rocks hit Poliwag knocking it to the ground.
“Now follow up with an Iron Tail!” Onix's tail took on a metal sheen as it came down on Poliwag creating a dust cloud. Once the dust cleared everyone saw Poliwag unconscious on the ground.
“You did good Poliwag, come back. Now it's you turn Bulbasaur!”
Of course she'd have a grass type too. “Onix use Rock Throw!”
“Swat them away with Vine Whip!” As the rocks came toward Bulbasaur it used a pair of vines to knock them away. “Now follow up with Leech Seed, and Poison Powder!” Bulbasaur fired a seed, then released a cloud of purple powder, both hitting their mark.
“And here I thought Zander hadn't taught you anything, no matter we'll just have to end this quickly! Onix hit it with Iron Tail!”
“Jump outta the way and use Vine Whip!”
Onix's tail came down again creating another cloud of dust. However, the attack missed its target as two green vines rose up and hit Onix on the side of its head. The colossal Pokemon let out a roar of pain.
“Onix use Rock Throw!” Onix sent more rocks flying, this time they hit their mark, and Bulbasaur was knocked down.
“You okay Bulbasaur?” Bulbasaur got up and nodded.
“Onix use Rock Tomb!” Onix got ready to make its attack, but instead of following through it collapsed and hit the ground with a loud thud that shook the stadium.
“I won?” Applejack said in disbelief, “I won!” She shouted once it sank in.
Brock called back his Onix, “You did your best out there, now get some rest.” He then walked over to Applejack and extended his hand, in it was what looked like a small gray stone. “It is with great honor that I present to you the Boulder Badge.”
“Thank you.” Applejack said as she took the badge and put it in her badge case.
“You won it fair and square. Now who's next?” Brock said to the rest of the girls.
“That would be me,” Twilight said as she stood up, “But I don't think I'm ready yet.”
“That's okay, come back when you are, anyone else?” The others shook their heads, “That's a shame, it's not often I get such lovely ladies as challengers.”
“Well, this place isn't very... inviting.” Rarity said.
Brock chuckled, “True, in any case I look forward to your return,” Brock said as he lead them to the exit.
___________________________
When Zander entered the Pokemon Center he saw Rainbow on a couch and he went to sit next to her.
“Go ahead and say it.” Rainbow said.
“Say what?”
“I told you so.”
Zander put his arm around her, “I don't kick people when they're down, especially people I like. Yes, you made a bad choice, but you still gave it your all. The road you're on is not an easy one. There will be times when you lose, even though you have everything you need to win. But so long as you never give up you will never truly lose. Learn from this and use it as the foundation for you next battle.
“When I first fought Brock, Squirtle was the only Pokemon I had that could go up against his rock hard defense. It was hard, but I just barely beat him. With some more training, and a better choice of Pokemon I know you will win next time.”
“Thanks, I feel a little better now,” Rainbow let out out a sigh, “I just figured water type would be the most effective.”
“You had the right idea, but Magikarp can only use four moves, none of which are useful against rock types.” Zander paused for a moment as an idea hit him, “You know what you need?” Rainbow shook her head, “You need a grass type, and once your Pokemon are healed I'll help you find one.”
Rainbow smiled, “Thank you Zander.”
“What are friends for?”
A few minutes later Nurse Joy approached them, “Miss Dash, your Pokemon are ready,” she said holding a tray with two pokeballs on it.
Rainbow got up and took her Pokemon, “Thank you Nurse Joy.”
“Not a problem.” Nurse Joy said as she went back to the front desk.
“Now lets go!” Rainbow said as she headed for the exit.
“Wait a minute Rainbow, we should wait for the others to come back so they know where we are.”
“Fine.” Rainbow said annoyed as she sat back on the couch and crossed her arms.
“Relax Rainbow I'm sure it won't take that long.”
Minutes later Applejack and the others entered the Pokemon Center.
“See that didn't take long now did it?” Zander said as he turned to the group, “How'd it go?”
Applejack held up her badge case, “I won.”
“Congratulations. And you Twilight?”
“I didn't challenge him, I didn't think I could win with current team.”
“I see, if you want you can come with me and Rainbow, I was going to help her get a grass type.”
“Thank you, I would love to join you.”
“Alright then, lets get going.” Zander said as he lead the two to the exit, only for Pinkie to cut them off.
“Hold on a minute!”
“Yes Pinkie what is it?”
“Applejack just won her first badge, you know what that calls for?”
“Um...”
“A party!”
“Well, that sounds nice but don't you think it's better if you waited until Twilight and Rainbow got theirs too?”
“But... I haven’t thrown a party since we got here.” Pinkie looked at Zander with big sad eyes and a pouty lip.
God dam- son of a- “Fine.” Zander said in a defeated tone, “Could you just wait until after we get back?”
“Okay.”
After that the three left the Pokemon Center and Twilight spoke up, “Do you not like Pinkie or parties?”
“What? No, I like Pinkie, it's just I don't see the point in having a party now when you guys might get your badges soon. I mean why not celebrate them all at once?”
“She likes to throw parties, and the more excuses the better. Heck some times she doesn't need a reason at all.”
“This is something I'm just going to have to get used to isn't it?”
“Yep.” Twilight said with a smile and nod.
“So, where are we going anyway?” Rainbow asked, changing the subject.
“Oh right! We're going to a wooded area outside the city. Should be some good Pokemon there.”
________________________________
“So, where are they?” Rainbow asked.
“You need to look hard, grass types tend to blend into the forest. Some can be found in trees but you'd need a Pokemon with Headbutt to get them out.”
“No need,” Rainbow said she walked up to a tree and raised a leg, “I learned this from Applejack.” She then kicked it.
No way that will work. Zander thought. A Pokemon fell out of the tree. Seriously, that worked? Oh no!
The Pokemon that fell looked like a giant green pinecone. Rainbow picked it up. “Cool what is it?”
“It's a Pineco, a bug type, and you should put it down NOW!” Zander said frantically.
“Why? What's the worst that can happen?”
“Pineco!” The Pokemon said as it began to glow.
“Oh no! Hit the dirt!” Zander threw Twilight to the ground and covered her body as the Pineco exploded. “Are you okay?” Zander asked Twilight.
“Yeah, Rainbow!” The two sat up and saw Rainbow still standing there a little charred, but seemingly okay. The Pineco was on the ground with a satisfied look on its face. “Are you alright?” Twilight asked her friend.
Rainbow coughed out some black smoke before she spoke, “Yeah, I think so.”
“This is why you don't mess with wild Pokemon.” Zander said in an annoyed tone.
“Hey, I didn't know that would happen! And you could have warned me!”
“I did tell you to put it down, next time remember when dealing with wild Pokemon assume hostility, okay?”
“Okay.” Rainbow said as she leaned against the tree, causing another Pokemon to fall out and hit her on the head. “Ouch.”
“Wow, Rainbow the universe doesn't like you today.” Zander said as inspected the fallen Pokemon, “Ah a Seedot this is just the Pokemon you need Rainbow!”
Rainbow checked her pokedex. “Seedot the acorn Pokemon, It hangs off branches and absorbs nutrients. When it finishes eating, its body becomes so heavy that it drops to the ground with a thump.” “Alright then! Lets go Spearow!” Rainbow threw out Spearow's ball and the Pokemon came out. “Start with Peck!” Spearow swooped in with a powerful blow, though the Seedot just stood there. “Not moving? All the easier for us!”
“Wait Rainbow it's using Bide!” Zander warned.
“What does it do?” Twilight asked.
“The Pokemon stores energy, then releases it to do double the damage it took, in short the more aggressive Rainbow is the more she'll pay for it.”
“Well, what should I do?”
“Use status moves like Growl.”
“You heard the man use Growl!” Spearow let out a loud cry that caused the Seedot to shake a little. Seedot then let out the energy it was storing, the attack hit and forced Spearow to the ground. “Time to go back on the offensive, use Fury Attack!” Spearow took to the air again and pounded Seedot with two blows, it responded by glowing. “What's it doing now?”
“Harden, it increases defense nothing more.”
“Good. Spearow use Peck one more time!” Spearow came down hard on it knocking it out. Rainbow threw a pokeball and the Seedot entered. The ball rocked back and forth three times before it clicked. “Alright! Brock you're going down!”
“Good job Rainbow, but this is only the first step. Odds are Seedot doesn’t know any grass type moves, but don't worry once Twilight gets a grass type I'll teach it one.”
“Speaking of which where should I look?” Twilight asked. “I don't want to go around kicking trees and getting explosive Pokemon falling on head.”
“Well, we could stake out that pond over there.” Zander pointed to a small clear pond a few feet away.
“Why didn't you mention this before?” Rainbow almost shouted.
“I would have but you had already hit the tree.” Rainbow let out a frustrated groan. “Hey what matters is you got the Pokemon you needed, and it's a good one.”
“Can we just move on? I would like to get this over with.”
The three went into some nearby bushes and waited. They saw several Pokemon stop by the pond to drink including a white one with a horn on the side of it's head. Zander had a worried look on his face after seeing it.
“Zander are you okay?” Twilight asked in a hushed tone.
“Yeah it's... it's nothing.”
Some more time passed, and so did more nongrass type Pokemon. Zander was about to suggest they move to a different spot when a small Pokemon with leaves on its head showed up.
“Finally! That's what we've been waiting for.” Zander said nudging Twilight.
“Right, time to get going then.” Twilight said jumping out of their hiding place with pokedex and pokeball in hand.
“Oddish the weed Pokemon, It may be mistaken for a clump of weeds. If you try to yank it out of the ground, it shrieks horribly.”
“Okay, go Hoothoot! Use Peck!” Twilight sent out her Pokemon, who attacked as soon as it was out. The Oddish took the hit and responded by firing green liquid at Hoothoot and hitting it. “Try Hypnosis!” Hoothoot's eyes glowed and the Oddish fell asleep. “Okay, lets try a capture!” Twilight threw a pokeball and Oddish entered, and the ball began to rock then opened. “What?”
“Some times you still need to weaken Pokemon even when they're asleep.” Zander explained.
“Very well. Hoothoot hit with a few more Pecks.” Hoothoot came in and hit the sleeping Pokemon twice. “That should be enough.” Twilight threw another pokeball, this time catching the Pokemon. “Yay, I caught an Oddish!”
“Good going Twilight.” Zander said as he walked over to her. “Now we should-lookout!” Zander pushed Twilight out of the way of a Scyther's blade, getting cut in the process.
“Are you okay Zander?” Rainbow asked.
“Yeah, I'm fine. You okay Twilight?”
“Yes.” Twilight said as she got up. “Is that-”
“The Scyther that got away? Doubtful, but then again Scythers aren't indigenous to this part of Kanto.”
“Scyther!” It cried as it ran its blades along each other.
“So you want to play? Alright I'll play, but by rules!” Zander said as he took out a pokeball. “Let see how you handle one of my best! Go Blastoise!”
Out of the ball came a giant turtle. Twilight quickly got out her pokedex, excited to see Zander's first Pokemon. “Blastoise the shellfish Pokemon and the evolved form of Wartortle. The waterspouts that protrude from its shell are highly accurate. Their bullets of water can precisely nail tin cans from a distance of over 160 feet.” “Wow sounds impressive.”
The Scyther slashed at Blastoise but the attack bounced off its shell. “Let's show it why you don't mess with me or my friends, Blastoise use Hydro Pump!” Compartments on Blastoise's shell opened up and two cannons came out, Blastoise took aim and fired two powerful jets of water at the Scyther. The attack delivered a powerful blow that sent the Scyther flying into a tree causing several Pineco to fall out and explode knocking out the Pokemon.
“Huh? Couldn't have planned that better if I tried.” Zander said with a small smile, then he looked down to see his still bleeding arm. “Should probably take care of this before heading back.” Zander started to patch up his arm.
“Thank you for saving me again.” Twilight said as she helped Zander.
“You know if I'm going to keep saving you guys I'll have to start charging you for it,” Zander said in a light hearted tone and the three of them laughed.
“Nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humor,” Twilight said once she was done laughing.
“Who said I was joking?” Zander said seriously. The two girls looked at each other with concern. They weren’t sure how to respond. Zander started laughing again, “Gotcha, I can't believe you fell for that! Seriously though, if I save you, help you, or anything like that I will never hold it over your heads or against you. Now with that out of the way lets go back, I think the others have waited long enough for their party.”
___________________________
The Pokemon Center cafeteria was filled with balloons, streamers, and confetti. Hanging from the ceiling was a banner that had the words 'Congratulations Applejack' written on it and the tables were covered with snacks, drinks, and games. There was even a DJ station in the corner.
“Wow... this is an impressive setup. I didn't even have anything half as nice when I won my first championship,” Zander said looking around the room.
“Really? That's disappointing,” Pinkie said appearing from nowhere, “if I was there you would've had the most super special awesome party ever!”
“Um, thanks Pinkie.”
“No problem. Now that you guys are back we can get started! I just need to get everyone.” Pinkie said running off.
“You know I didn't think she had this in her,” Zander said as he went through the cafeteria.
“If there's one thing Pinkie takes seriously it's parties,” Twilight said coming into the cafeteria. “Now come on we should get settled before people start showing up, knowing Pinkie, she probably invited everyone in the center.”
Shortly after that, the party began. Twilight's prediction seemed to be accurate given the dozens of people that showed up. Along one of the walls Zander was sitting at a table enjoying a glass of punch when Twilight joined him.
“What are you doing here all by yourself?” Twilight asked him as she sat down.
“It may not seem like it but I not a very social person. What are you up to?”
“I was doing some thinking and I want to thank you for all you've done with more then just words.”
“You don't have to do-”
“But, I want to! If we were back in Equestria I would be able give you something for you help.”
“Twilight I'm not doing this because I expect to get something in return, I'm doing it because it's the right thing to do.”
“And that right there is what I'm talking about, I want to return kindness with kindness.”
“Alright, if you feel you must, what do you have in mind?”
“Well... nothing yet.”
“I'm sure I'll like what ever you come up with.”
“Thanks. Now come on.” Twilight got up and grabbed Zander pulling him up too.
“What are you doing now?”
“It's a party, so let's have some fun!” Twilight lead them to the dance floor.
“Can you even dance like that?”
“I'll manage, besides you'll be leading after all.”
__________________________
Once again the group stood outside the Pewter City Gym. Zander looked to Rainbow and Twilight, “You guys ready? We can take a couple more days for training if you want.”
“I'm good, no better than good I'm determined to win this time!” Rainbow said with great enthusiasm.
“I'll just do my best,” Twilight said.
“Very well, good luck.” Zander and the girls entered the gym and saw Brock sitting in his chair.
“So you've returned.”
“Yeah, and this time I'm gonna win!” Rainbow said run up to the challenger's position on the battlefield.
“We'll see about that.” Brock took his spot on the field. “Do you need me to explain the rules again?”
“No let's just get this started!”
“Alright, go Geodude!”
“Come out Seedot!”
“So you have a grass type now no matter, Geodude use Rock Throw!”
“Dodge then use Bullet Seed!”
Geodude grabbed a rock and threw it at Seedot, who rolled out of the way and fired seeds at it. Seedot's attack delivered a heavy blow that knocked Geodude out.
“Yeah! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!”
“You go Rainbow!” “You got this!” “Show him what you're made of!” Her friends cheered from the sidelines.
“Don't get over confident, you still have my Onix to deal with.” Brock sent out the rock snake. “Use Rock Tomb!” This time the attack hit but Seedot was still standing.
“Use another Bullet Seed!”
“Dodge it, then use Bind!”
Seedot was unable to keep up with Onix and was wrapped up in its body.
“Use Bide!”
Time slowed down as Onix continued to squeeze Seedot. Eventually Seedot released its energy, and the force of the attack made Onix release Seedot, which fell to the ground unconscious.
“Good job Seedot come back. Let's end this! Go Charmander!”
“Let's see if you can do better this time, Onix Rock Tomb!”
“Dodge then use Metal Claw!”
Charmander rushed in as Onix made its attack and slashed it with its metal claws causing Onix let out a howl of pain.
“Awesome, now use Ember!” Charmander fired the small embers at Onix hitting it in the face.
“Onix you okay buddy?” Onix staggered for a moment.
“Take it down! Metal Claw!” Charmander delivered another slash to Onix. Onix tried to use its Rock Tomb, but collapsed instead.
“Yes! We did it!”
“Charmander!” Charmander cried as its body began to glow and grow. “Charmeleon.”
“What's that?” Rainbow asked her pokedex. “Charmeleon the flame Pokemon and the evolved form of Charmander. It is very hotheaded by nature, so it constantly seeks opponents. It calms down only when it wins.” “Cool!”
“Zander what just happened to Rainbow's Charmander?” Twilight asked.
“It evolved into a Charmeleon.”
“So that's Pokemon evolution.”
“I thought you said you saw Rarity's Caterpie evolve into a Medipod.”
“Yes, but it looked different.”
“Well done Rainbow,” Brock said as he walked up to her, “as proof of your victory I give you the Boulder Badge.”
“Thank you.” Rainbow turned to her friends and held out the badge. “I got the Boulder Badge!”
“Excellent job Rainbow.” Zander said with pride, “It's your turn Twilight go get him.”
Twilight took her position on the field and got her Pokemon ready.
“You ready?”
“Yes!”
“Let's go! Cranidos!” Out of the ball came a small blue and gray Pokemon with a head that looked as hard as iron.
“That's new.” Twilight took out her pokedex. “Cranidos the headbutt Pokemon, A lifelong jungle dweller from 100 million years ago, it would snap obstructing trees with head butts.”
“Okay, go Oddish, use Poison Powder!”
“Not this time! Cranidos dodge it then use Headbutt!”
“Don't let it dodge fill the battlefield with Poison Powder!”
Oddish released several clouds of purple powder that eventually made contact with Cranidos, all though it was still able to smash it head into the grass type.
“We're not done yet, Oddish use Absorb!” Oddish's leaves glowed as it absorbed energy from Cranidos and healed itself.
“Cranidos use Pursuit!” Cranidos charged in and hit Oddish.
“Counter with another Absorb!” Oddish continued to drain more energy.
“It's a gamble but... use Take Down!” Cranidos charged once more and smashed Oddish and knocked it out, however, the poison and the recoil damage took it's toll and Cranidos fainted as well.
“Come back Cranidos. Lets see you handle this! Go Sudowoodo.” The Pokemon looked more like a tree than a rock, this sent Twilight and her friends into confusion.
Twilight could be in trouble if she falls for its trick. Zander thought to himself.
I thought this was a rock gym... unless. Twilight got out her pokedex again. “Sudowoodo the imitation Pokemon and the evolved form of Bonsly. It disguises itself as a tree to avoid attack. It hates water, so it will disappear if it starts raining.” So, it's a trick, huh, you almost had me.
“Go Squirtle!”
Brock flinched when he saw Twilight's second Pokemon, remembering his first battle with Zander. “Sudowoodo use Low Kick now!”
“Withdraw!”
Sudowoodo swung its leg under Squirtle only to hit its shell.
“Squirtle use Water Gun!” Squirtle popped out of its shell and sprayed water on Sudowoodo. Sudowoodo started flailing about trying to get the water off.
“Sudowoodo focus and use Flail!” Sudowoodo continued flailing but with more direction as started hitting Squirtle.
“Squirtle use Rapid Spin and get some distance.”
“Don't let it go. Keep up the attack.”
Squirtle withdrew into its shell and started spinning in the opposite deration, while Sudowoodo kept up with it and continued flailing.
“Have it your way, Water Gun close range!” Squirtle popped out and squirted Sudowoodo with more water. “Now finish it with Bite!”
Squirtle bit Sudowoodo and clung to its side, Sudowoodo knocked Squirtle off and continued its attack.
“I thought that would work, Squirtle use Water Gun and try to knock it out this time.”
Squirtle blasted Sudowoodo again, Sudowoodo stopped flailing and fell over backward.
“You did good Sudowoodo come back. Two loses in one day that's a little depressing, still nice to see some promising trainers,” Brock said as he went over to give Twilight her badge. “Here is your Boulder Badge, wear it proudly.”
“I will thank you.”
Brock escorted the group outside. “Take care now, and Zander don't be a stranger.”
“I'll see if I can visit more often.” With that the two of them shook hands.
On the way back to the Pokemon Center Zander asked the girls how it felt winning their first badge.
“It was totally awesome! I mean losing at first was a letdown but it just made me more determined to win the next time!” Rainbow said.
“It was more fun than I thought it would be, lookin' forward to the next one,” Applejack added.
“And you Twilight?”
“It was... amazing. At first I wasn't going to take the challenge too seriously, but when I was out there it was like everything else just left me. It was me and my Pokemon out there fight to prove something... to prove we can do anything. I'm going to continue the challenge to see how far I can go.”
Zander stopped and looked at the three, “Wow, you guys remind me a lot of myself.” He got a little misty eyed, “I just might make trainers out of you yet.” The three gave him a smile. “Now come on, I'm sure Pinkie wants to throw you guys a party.”
“Yeah, how'd you know?” Pinkie said with an arm full of balloons.
“Just a hunch."