From: Ig88sw82 <ig88sw82@aol.com> Subject: [PW!] Goin' for the Boulder Badge Date: Sunday, April 18, 1999 11:36 PM "RISE AND SHINE!!!!" Mark awoke to Ebony yelling through a megaphone. "TIME TO EARN A BADGE!!!" Mark yanked the megaphone from Ebony's lips. "I'm not exactly a morning person, Ebony." Ebony smiled. "All the more reason for a megaphone. Now let's get going!" "All right, all right," Mark sighed, slowly rising from his bunk. "Ready for a battle, Oddish?" Oddish gave a cheery cry of enthusiasm. "Oddish!" "Then let's go!" --- "Geodude, Rock Throw!" "Duuuude!" Brock's Pokémon hurled itself at the trainer's Electabuzz, knocking it across the arena. "Uh oh!" the trainer was in a state of panic. "Electabuzz, Thunder Punch, now!" "Electabuzzzz!" The electric Pokémon pulled back its fist, and sparks began to fly from it. With a grunt, Electabuzz threw its fist forward, shooting out giant bursts of electricity. Geodude sat calmly, absorbing the electrical current. Brock remained emotionless. "Geodude, Seismic Toss." Brock's Geodude once again flew at Electabuzz, this time grabbing its ankles. The Rock Pokémon then spun in circles, finally throwing Electabuzz out the door, toward a group of trainers. --- "Look out, Mark!" "Huh?" Mark turned in time to see the Electabuzz crash into his face, knocking him back out the door. When he recovered from the impact, Mark slowly got off of the ground, brushing himself off. Ebony ran over to him. "Are you okay?" "I'll survive," Mark stated gloomily, looking himself over one more time before continuing, "What happened?" "Brock's Geodude did a Seismic Toss on that Electabuzz," and Ebony added with a laugh, "I guess you saw that much." "Ha ha." The trainer then ran out the door toward Mark. Not wanting to be pitied, Mark began, "It's okay-" But the boy pushed passed Mark toward the Pokémon. "Are you okay, Electabuzz?" Electabuzz was lying unconscious on the ground. I'm sorry, Electabuzz. Get back in the Pokéball." The boy flicked the center switch on the ball, converting his Pokémon into a flash of energy and sucking it in. Brock was watching indifferently. "Do you surrender?" "I do," the trainer said dejectedly. "Better luck next time, kid," and Brock then turned toward Mark and Ebony. "Are you the next challengers?" "My name is Mark, and I challenge you for the Boulder Badge!" Oddish jumped out of Mark's backpack. "Oddish Odd!" "Very well. Let's go back to the gym." --- "We shall use two Pokémon each." Mark stepped forward. "Suits me just fine." "Then let's not hesitate," and Brock leaped down to the arena. "Go, Geodude!" Brock tossed his Pokéball into the rocky arena. Geodude burst out, and was ready to battle. Mark hurled his ball through the air. "Let's go, Weedle!" Ebony was watching with interest. "Good luck!" Brock stood, arms crossed. "Geodude, Tackle it." "Weedle, dodge it, then use your String Shot!" Geodude leapt towards the Bug Pokémon, ready to pin it to the ground. But Weedle was also ready, and he threw himself backwards to dodge the attack, and Geodude crashed into the ground. "Weedle!" Out of Weedle's mouth came a light stringy substance, which quickly surrounded Geodude, subduing it. "Now, Poison Sting!" Weedle flew at the ball that was Geodude. With a loud crack, his stinger imbedded into Geodude's hard skin, pumping the poison. A drop of sweat fell from Brock's face. "Geodude, get out of the net!" "Duuuuude!" As much as he tried, Geodude was stuck beyond help. Recognizing defeat, Brock raised his Pokéball toward the hopeless mess of string. "Return, Geodude!" Mark smirked. "Giving up, Brock?" Brock gave a grin. "Not nearly. That Weedle did well, but let's see what it can do to my Onix!" When Brock tossed the Pokéball in front of Weedle, a huge burst of light stretched itself into a long, snakelike monster. "What the..." Mark quickly yanked out his PokéDex to identify the creature. "Onix," Dexter said. "As this rock snake Pokémon grows, the stone portions of its body harden to become similar to a diamond, but colored black." "Return, Weedle!" Knowing Weedle couldn't take a battle with Onix (although unsure of what could), Mark beckoned the Weedle back into its Pokéball. "Okay, Oddish, give it a go!" Oddish jumped from behind Mark, ready to battle. But when he saw Onix, he froze with fright. "What's wrong, Oddish? You can take this guy!" Or can he? Mark thought to himself. Brock remained in his original position. "Onix, use your Bide attack." Onix coiled itself into a spiral shape, eyes closed. "Huh?" Mark couldn't believe his eyes. "He's sleeping! Okay Oddish, Absorb it!" "Oddddddishhhh!!!!!" Energy zipped from Onix to Oddish, increasing his health. Since the grass-type Pokémon had the advantage in effectiveness, Onix reeled in excruciating pain. "Hang in there, Onix." Brock looked perfectly calm. "Oddish, Acid attack!" Mark's confidence was steadily increasing. As was Oddish's. With a smile, the Seed Pokémon shot a blob of acid at Onix. Though not very effective, the power boost increased Oddish's strength, and Onix moaned. "Now, Onix!" Suddenly, Onix started glowing, first a pale blue, then yellow, then a burst a red. This powerful blast of energy shot straight at Oddish, who was knocked across the room into Mark's hands, almost fainted. "Oddish!" Mark was practically teary-eyed. This was his first Pokémon, whether he wanted it or not. They had some troubled times, but Mark had grown attached to that little Oddish, and couldn't stand to see it go through any pain. But what could he do? "Mark!" Ebony called from the back. "Catch!" As Mark turned, he could see the bottle of Potion fly through the air, and he grabbed it. With the utmost care, Mark sprayed it on Oddish's skin, refilling his energy. Oddish got up again, ready for battle. "Oddish!" "Okay Oddish, I know you can do it!" Brock was becoming impatient. "Do you surrender?" "No way, Brock! Oddish, Absorb it!" Oddish nodded, and repeated its earlier attack. With a gasp, Onix fell to the ground, unable to withstand anymore. Brock stood in one spot. "Onix!" Mark stood triumphantly. "Do YOU surrender?" After a moment, Brock sighed, "I do." Mark ran over to Oddish, scooping him up in his arms. "Congratulations, Oddish! You did great!" Brock pulled the Boulder Badge from his pocket. "You have rightfully won this badge." Mark grabbed the badge from Brock's hands. "Thank you!" "You fought well, Mark. I hope you do as well against the next gym." "Don't you worry about me!" Brock then turned toward Ebony. "Are you here to challenge me as well?" ----- Sorry that was so long. I needed to fit it all into one story.