The exuding power and strength this Onix had exposed was monstrous. The snake slithered and curved. Eying my Pokémon's movements intently. As the creature moved, so did the massive stadium. Quaking furiously while the crowd cheered along with his motions.

I needed to think of a move that would work against him quickly. Otherwise my Pokémon will be faced with even more danger. But how to proceed without getting knocked out on my second round? Was going to be tough.

I have to give Bulbasaur time to use the last bit of energy left.

"Retreat Bulbasaur,"  I called out to him.

The PokéBall I retrieved from my hand began a recall of my Pokémon out on the field. What was really cool about Poké Ball retrieval was that it could release digital information and retrieve on a whim. As soon as the capsule opened. My Bulbasaur's body dematerialized and was pulled inside from the powerful magnetic beams released from it.

"Oh so you are returning your Pokémon?" Analyzed Brock.

Good, now the next Pokémon.

"I wonder what your next move is? My Onix is my strongest Pokémon. You better have a trump card ready Leaf!"

I can't have Spearow out on the battlefield where rocks could take him down. No offense to my poor Pokémon, but he's too weak for this match. I'll need to use something else that can prove more of an advantage. Though the risk of rock moves on her is also risky.

Laying down my alternatives in mind. I decided it was best to have Spearow stay out of the field. Lucy has some status moves that would incapacitate his Pokémon for a few more turns.

I got two shots at this. One, use Lucy to inhibit mobility and second. Use Bulby for the most powerful move yet. I think I know what my next few moves are going to be.

Pulling the second Poké Ball lined along my bag. I pushed down on the middle node of the sphere as it encased along my fist and tossed the capsule out into the field.

Bouncing along the rugged gravel. The round container pulsed it's energy releasing the form of my second most power ready player on the field.

"Fweee!" Squeaked the winged anthropomorphic bug.

Her beautiful sophisticated wings flailed to life as she danced about the air. Showcasing her exquisite appearance. Powerful aromas emitting from her most pronounced features. She had not only beauty but a determined look on her face.

That's my girl! I gritted with excitement.

"What an adorable looking Pokémon. However you made one mistake bringing her out on the field. Onix Rock Tomb!" He directed.

Onix smashed two boulders with his massive tail. Breaking them into pieces; he curled a stack to toss them toward my Pokémon.

In my trepidation, I held my hands together. Hoping and praying. That my Pokémon would be able to outlast this move.

Please don't do critical-don't do critical-don't do critical!

Lucy was very quick to move from the rocks thrown in her direction. Her speed and agility, allowed her to weave in and away from the sharp edged stones buzzing passed her as she swayed like a zippy house fly.

"What!?" Shouted Brock in disbelief.

"It missed?"

This was it; I didn't want to pass this up. Now that his attack missed. I needed to proceed with my next move.

"Lucy Poisonpowder!" I declared fervently.

"No!" Shouted Brock from this bombshell move.

My Butterfree spun around really quickly releasing a powder that blanketed the field with a sparkling lavender substance. As I witnessed the move; I was cognizant of how controlled the substance was.

Lucy intended the attack to only hit her opponent.

She was quite intelligent for a Pokémon that I just caught. The rest of the substance had already absorbed into the ground. Whereas for Onix; he had inhaled some of the substance released from Butterfree. Quickly weakening his energy.

The king-sized snake began to lower his head. Roaring with a strong pain that had struck his insides.

What an amazing power! The poison quickly seeped into his immune system. Weakening him from the inside!

Onix coughed and drooled a strange purple ooze from his mouth. I even observed some of that purple substance oozing from his nostrils.

It was literally an effective move. Also very gross.

Ewe. I cringed from the disgusting glimpse.

The poor Onix quickly coughed and vomited the substance from his mouth. As the audience squirmed from the site of the poor beast. I could feel a lump of bile make it's way up my throat just watching this Pokémon puke.

"Onix hang in their buddy. Rock Tomb again!" Bellowed Brock.

The revolting brute swung his humongous tail against another stack of boulders to his right. Blasting sharp rocks and debris toward Butterfree; my Pokémon had no time to react.

Lucy was struck on all sides from the massive rocks above her.

This isn't good.

Lucy's wings were badly damaged and she fell straight down to the ground.

"No!" I shouted rushing toward her aid. But as I approached.

Another barrage of rocks were swapped from Onix's tail and this time the stone slab was meant to bury her from up top.

I was too late.

"Lucy!" I shouted, trying my best to get her attention.

The move was too fast, Onix was not even missing a beat. The stone slab crashed into the field where my Pokémon lay. Even if his mobility was weakened. He still exerted enough energy to bulldoze her into the ground.

"Butterfree is unable to battle, Onix is the winner!" Barked the officiator with an animated gesture.

This was my first loss in this Gym.

My eyes widened, I was dumbfounded. How did Brock land a move that could devastate my Pokémon so quickly?

His Onix may have a status infliction. But his Pokémon is way more over-leveled then mine. As far as strength is concerned.

"Return Lucy.." I quaked with defeat in my voice. I pushed the middle stud of my Pokémon's third capsule and retrieved Lucy regretfully from within.

I'm so sorry Lucy.

"Do not give in!" Shouted Yellow from the sidelines.

"Remain calm and think!" He assured.

He's right, if I panic and don't think through this. It's all over. Then I'll have to retrain and compete again.

I've got to win this!

Perusing my options; I looked at the strap of Pokémon I have along my bag. My weak heart palpitating from every swift thought that came into my being.

I have two Pokémon left. One will be hit with an effective Rock type move. The other is exhausted of all energy.

I need to think of another move that could weaken him more?

If I use Bulbasaur's moves. I stood more of a chance against him. But Vine-Whip won't do enough of a chance within two turns.

C'mon think-think! I thought desperately.

Suddenly, a spark of thought came into my mind.

Seed Pokémon....

Seed.

My eyes widened with intense postulation.

That's it! Leech Seed! Why didn't I think of that before I started with Bulbasaur!?

In order to weaken Onix along with his poison. My Vine-Whip should be able to defeat him within two turns! Licking my lips with the prospect of this win. Brock noticed I had a sudden change of countenance.

"Oh-ho! You look like you got a trick up you're sleeve. Care to share!?"

"Nope," I shook my head casually.

"That's more like it!" He smiles with a furrowed intense brow.

Tossing my first Poké Ball to release Bulbasaur. The battlefield had become more tense as the crowd shuttered from anxiety. This was a strange motion on my part. It required me to either sacrifice a turn for the worst or hope to stall. Which neither of those choices were effective.

But I knew what I wanted from this fight. And it began with the most controversial move I needed to make in that moment.

Here it goes!

"Leech Seed Bulbasaur!"

Now the real fun began, as my Bulbasaur hunched his two front paws forward. He kneeled to aim the massive bulb on his back. Spraying seeds to his opponent like a mobster hunting his enemies with a tommy gun.

Seeds pelted the giant's rocky jaws. Not effectively damaging him. However, the impact was not the point.

The seeds landed toward the ground being absorbed by the soil. Several sprouts grew from the ground. Onix watched as the sprouts rapidly grew to immense size.

The plants overgrew around his rocky frame and had taken hold of the monolithic rock snake. The monster undulated and twisted, trying to free himself from his constraints. While at the same time, still leaking poison utilized by my previous Pokémon.

What was even more apparent? Bulbasaur was utilizing this turn to gather the lost energy from within the vines of the weakened Onix. By placing his paws underneath the soil. The roots of the plants that were planted by his seeds merged with his appendages.

This is it! I thought, gritting my teeth anxiously.

My only chance to strike during this turn was a surefire win! My confidence in this move got me excited.

"Bind!" Shouted Brock to his Pokémon.

Onix struggled and flailed his body to lift his tail. Breaking free from the massive weed continually growing. The behemoth stretched forth his tail in an attempt to reach my Pokémon. Bulby had released himself deep within the ground and bounced out of Onix's way as the tail collided toward him.

He had missed this turn!

"Bulby one last move! Give it everything you got! Vine-Whip!"

In our last ditch effort to take the elite Pokémon down. Bulbasaur released a flurry of vines. Stretching desperately across the now barren field.

The vines snapped hold of the Onix's neck. With spikes protruding from the viscious snatch. Bulby motioned his catch while lacerating his rough rocky skin. Bulbasaur held his paws toward the ground and towed back to pull him forward.

"Bulbas! Buurrrr!!" He grunted.

"Groooowwweerr!!!" Roared Onix in his wrestle against time.

Bulbasaur leaped off the ground using the weight of his movement. He thrust the vines downward. Grappling the beast toward the ground with a loud crash.

What an amazing move. I thought to my self.

Smoke and debris had filled the the inside of the stadium. Even with the lights on, visibility was extremely low. The officiator, nor the audience could tell who had won the fight.

Within moments, the dust had settled. Rocks and debris flung to the ground making a constant crunching noise. Suddenly, the air had cleared and the noise had hushed from the clash.

Onix was curled up as a big hunk of rock, completely debilitated.

"Onix is unable to battle, Bulbasaur wins the game!" Bawled the officiator with regret.

The crowd cheered and shouted joyously. Praising my name with jaunty applause. They could not believe at how well I performed during this match. The screams echoed as if I was in a stadium of thousands of spectators.

I won?

Every muscle in my body convulsed with disquietude. I fell to my knees exhaustively. Panting and sweating, trying to take in how on earth I had defeated an elite Trainer like him of all people?

Glazed from all that had happened. I had finally defeated Brock the Gym Leader...

Bulbasaur pranced his tiny legs forward. Landing happily on-top of my lap. He squealed joyfully with an effervescent smile.

"Bulbas! Bulbas!" He said.

I embraced my Pokémon within my arms. Enveloping his round cute bulb. Nestling my face against his warm, scaly turquoise body. I said to him with all feeling I could muster.

"Bulbasaur, I love you. I want you to know how proud I am of you for hanging in there." I said softly. My eyes watering from emotion.

"I know it was tough." I squeaked.

"But I-I am so proud of you." I sniveled.

"Bulbas," he whimpered endearingly.

I couldn't take it; I smothered him once more. My little Bulby pulled through and because of his strength. He deserves all the love and rest he can obtain.

Reaching out his vines from his bulb. He lovingly wrapped them gently around my back. And for the first time, in a while. The bond between me and my Pokémon grew.

Brock had approached us gently during our moment. Bulbasaur and I released our embrace and faced our challenger with dignity.

"I admit defeat," he said somberly.

"I took you for granted, as proof of your victory. I want you to have this."

Reaching his hand inside his green vest pouch. Brock pulled out a silver shiny pin and handed it to me. I reached out and held out my hand gingerly as he placed it onto my palm.

"What's this?" I inquired.

"That Leaf is an official Pokémon League Gym badge. It's referred to as the Boulder Badge. It's bearers become more powerful. When worn by a Trainer. They can learn the supreme technique Flash at anytime."

I see, so my Pokémon can learn new techniques, and grown Pokémon can obey me as I get more skilled.

The officiator walked right up alongside Brock holding two reward prizes in his hands on his behalf. From my observation; I could see a wrapping full of cash. And an enclosed box that looked to be about the size of a wedding casing.

"These are for you Leaf. On behalf of battling so well, I present to you. Your prize money."

I stood up and bowed before Brock humbly with gratitude. I couldn't thank him enough for being such a wonderful teacher during our most intense bout yet.

"Thank you so much Brock. But isn't fourteen-hundred PokéDollars a bit much?"

"Not at all," he politely shirked.

"You demonstrated that you can sync well with your Pokémon. Plus, it's regulations by the Pokémon League. Trainers who demonstrate well with skill deserve to be paid."

"Now your second gift. This box here is a technical machine. This device is designed to train your Pokémon to learn a new skill. Technical Machine thirty nine contains Rock Tomb. TM's is what we call them for short. If you need to use it, remember, the move can only be used once." He said as he handed the device into my small hand.

I nodded back from his explanation. Letting him know that I would be cautious on using it.

"I'll be careful."

"Rock Tomb is an amazing move, hurling a stack of boulders can reduce the speed of a Pokémon's status conditions."

Whoah! That explains why he was able to reduce the speed of my Butterfree so quickly.

"There are all kinds of Trainers like you all over the world. Each of their circumstances are different. But I can tell you have a long road ahead of you. I encourage you to exercise your bravery. By putting those skills to the test over at the Cerulean Gym." He suggested boldly.

I nodded and bowed before him once more.

"I won't let you down." I answered affirmatively.

Suddenly, there was a voice that came from the entrance of the Gym.

"Leaf?"

Who was that? Is that Yellow? No it can't be Yellow. His voice is more cracked.

My body swiveled to analyze the door frames ahead. Scrutinizing the figure. He marched forward. Wearing a red and white vest and a red sports cap. He had on blue jeans with pitch dark hair.

"Red?"

My eyes lit with radiated warmth. Beaming with happiness.

He was finally here with us the whole time!

"....." He paused. Looked down at the tile surface. Blushing and smiling back at me, not uttering a word.

"....."

My heart fluttered and my cheeks flushed brightly as I couldn't help but smile back.

I had almost accomplished my goal of meeting them both and here he stands. My childhood friend for so many years had come to witness my return. I ran as quickly as I could towards him and embraced him. Reaching his arms around my back we held our embrace.

I had finally met up with my best friend Red...

To be continued...

End Volume 1