Chapter Three: The Battle
Steve was bursting with excitement, getting closer to the gym leader. He had been walking since dawn, ready to earn his eighth and final badge.
"Hope you guys are ready for battle" he said, looking down at his pokeballs.
As Steve approached the top of the hill, the city became visible. He gasped when he saw the pokemon gym. The building was carved from marble, which had been turned an orange colour, making the building look like fire. Columns of carved marble ran all over the building, glinting in the sunlight. Most of the carvings were realistic looking flames, looking so real, Steve didn't know if he should enter, from fear of being burnt.
Swallowing his fear, Steve gripped the fiery handles, pushing the door wide open. Sunlight flooded the marble halls, making the whole gym glow. Walking slowly, Steve made his way towards the gym leader, ready for his next battle.
"I'm Rick, the gym leader of this town, I am a master of fire pokemon" he boomed, rising from his chair.
"I'm Steve, I'm here to defeat you and earn the eighth gym badge" he replied.
"Hmph, well stop talking and start battling, PREPARE THE BATTLE ARENA" he roared.
Steve felt the ground shake as the arena appeared through the floor. The arena was made from dirt, with boulders scattered around the field. Steve studied the arena, trying to use it to his advantage.
"THIS WILL BE A FOUR ON FOUR BATTLE, NO TIME LIMIT, LET THE BATTLE COMMENSE" the judge announced.
"Are you ready for this Steve, I wont hold anything back" he said, resting his hand on his hip.
"Bring it Rick, I'm more than ready for you" he shouted, poised for battle.
"So be it" he said with a sigh.
"Flareon let's do this" shouted Rick, throwing his ball into the arena.
A Flareon appeared from the pokeball, ready to fight. Rick's Flareon was muscular with bright orange and cream fur. His fur moved in the wind, making it look like a living fire. His eyes burned with a passion to fight.
"Ok Jolteon, let's show them how it's done" he yelled, releasing jolteon onto the field.
"LET THE MATCH BEGIN!!" yelled the judge.
"Go Flareon, flamethrower, now!" roared Rick. Arching his head, Flareon released a jet of flame from his muzzle.
"Jolteon, quick attack" Steve ordered. Jolteon ran towards the flame, dodging it with lightning speed, striking Flareon head on. Flareon flew into a nearby wall, thumping to the ground. Staggering to his feet, Flareon growled at Jolteon.
"Use fire spin, now!" Rick yelled, going red in the face.
Charging his power, Flareon released a fire spin, incasing Jolteon. Rick smile, happy that his attack was doing some critical damage.
"Shit, this isn't good" Steve thought to himself, gritting his teeth in frustration.
Jolteon howled in pain from the intense heat. Fear built up inside Jolteon as the flames slowly closed in.
"Jolteon, use your thunderbolts to break the fire spin" yelled Steve, sweat dripping from his face.
Summoning her power, Jolteon crackled with electricity. Releasing her power, Jolteon's thunderbolt ripped the fire spin to threads, showering the field in orange embers. Lightning bolts coated the field, striking the stunned Flareon. Standing up, Flareon panted from the direct hit, feeling his strength fading.
"It's time to end this Flareon, Fire blast" he yelled
"Quick Jolteon, use double team" Steve yelled, panicked the fire blast would hit.
Just as Flareon released a powerful fire blast, Jolteon used double team, forming clones around the arena. The fire blast went straight through Jolteon, confusing Flareon.
"Finish it with a full charged thunder" yelled Steve
Flareon looked around confused, as all the Jolteons started charging their attack. The ground crackled with power as the room was cast in a yellow glow.
"Quick, flamethrower, try and find the real one" yelled Rick, panic showing on his face.
Flames flew all over the arena as Flareon tried to find Jolteon, but it was too late. Jolteon released her charged attack, striking Flareon in the chest. Howling in pain, Flareon collapsed to the ground, smoke coiling off his fur.
"Flareon is unable to battle, Jolteon wins!" roared the judge.
"Yeah, good on ya buddy, I knew you could win" Steve said happily with a smile on his face.
"Nice work, let the fun begin, go Camerupt" Rick yelled, releasing his next pokemon.
An orange Camerupt appeared on the field. The huge pokemon had two rock volcanoes on its back, with blue circles around its side. Camerupt roared, causing the ground to shake, obviously ready to create destruction.
"Jolteon return, you did a good job, it's your turn Meganium" yelled Steve, throwing the pokeball on the field.
Steve's Meganium appeared on the field, growling deeply, ready for battle. Shaking his head, meganium released spores making the field sparkle in the sunlight.
"Go Camerupt, use sunny day" commanded Rick.
Camerupts body started glowing as the sunlight grew stronger. Steve smiled to himself, knowing he could put this to his advantage.
"Use vine whip Meganium" Steve yelled.
Before Camerupt could move he was struck by two thick vines, sending him into the wall. Rocks flew in all direction, crashing to the ground from the impact.
"Use flamethrower, now" Yelled Rick.
Camerupt arched him head, releasing a crimson jet of fire. Fire shot towards Meganium, threatening to end the battle.
"Meganium vine whip, Now!" Steve roared, hoping it wasn't too late.
Meganium thrust his vines down, sending him soaring over the hot flames just in time. Meganium landed with a loud thud, facing his opponent.
"Hmm, smart move, but not good enough, Camerupt use overheat!" Rick ordered
"Meganium show him a real pokemon, use solarbeam!" he yelled, going red in the face.
Both pokemon charged their most powerful attacks, ready to fire at each other. The ground shook as they grew closer to releasing their attacks. Meganium released a green solarbeam jet the same time Camerupt released a white jet of fire.
Both attacks made contact in the middle of the field, merging together before exploding. Green and white shards flew across the room making dust rise, shrouding the field, making it impossible to see the pokemon.
"Hey Meganium, are you ok!" Steve yelled unable to see his pokemon.
"Camerupt, are you ok!" Rick yelled also unable to see his pokemon.
The dust slowly settled, allowing them to see the destruction of the combined attacks. Lying on the ground, knocked out cold and too tired to walk, was Meganium. Camerupt staggered to his feet, breathing heavily from the attack.
"Meganium is unable to battle, Camerupt wins" Roared the judge.
"Return Meganium. You did a good job buddy, rest easy" said Steve, putting the pokeball on his belt.
"Ok Jolteon, your up again" He yelled, throwing the pokeball.
Jolteon appeared on the field, still ready for battle. She growled at Camerupt, sparks crackling around her body.
"This should be easy, Camerupts exhausted" Steve told jolteon, smirking.
"Camerupt, use flamethrower" Yelled Rick
"Jolteon use quick attack" Steve commanded.
Jolteon darted towards Camerupt, easily dodging the scorching inferno. Throwing all of her weight into the attack, she hit Camerupt dead on. Camerupt panted from exhaustion, barley able to see straight, but not willing to give up.
"Use overheat now" Rick ordered, not wanting to lose. No matter how hard he tried, Camerupt couldn't use fire attacks anymore.
"Hahahaha, he's too weak to use his moves, Jolteon hit him with a thunder" he ordered, smirking in triumph.
Howling, Jolteon fired a bolt of thunder, hitting Camerupt directly and sending him into a boulder. Rocks flew in all direction from the impact. Groaning from exhaustion and pain, Camerupt finally collapsed.
"Camerupt is unable to battle, Jolteon wins" announced the judge.
"Camerupt, return, you did real well, now it's your turn Rapidash" Rick yelled, casting the pokeball on the field.
Rick's majestic Rapidash appeared from the pokeball, flowing flames rolling over her body. Light from Rapidash's flames reflected off the marble, shrouding the room in orange light.
"Go Ninetails, show him what a fire pokemon's capable of" Steve yelled throwing the ball on the field.
Ninetails emerged from the pokeball, swishing her tail, ready to please her master in battle.
"Use flamethrower Ninetails" Steve commandeered
"You to Rapidash" Rick ordered, simultaneously
Both pokemon roared, flames erupting from their muzzles. The flames collided, sending hot embers flying in every direction. Neither pokemon was ready to back down, flames still erupting from the muzzles.
"Ninetails full power, blow that horse away" Steve screamed, spitting as he spoke.
Releasing her full potential, Ninetails flame intensified, engulfing Rapidash in flames. Shaking her head from the attack, Rapidash rose, poised for battle.
"Quick attack, now" ordered Rick.
Rapidash galloped towards Ninetails, gathering momentum every second.
"Quick, dodge it Ninetails" He yelled, but she wasn't fast enough to avoid the stampeding horse.
Ninetails howled from the impact, falling to the ground in a cloud of dust.
"Rapidash, fire blast" he yelled, smirking at Steve.
"Quick attack Ninetails" he ordered, hoping she would avoid the attack.
Just before the flames hit Ninetails darted towards Rapidash, returning the devastating blow. Neighing in pain, Rapidash's knees buckled, sending her to the ground.
"Quick Ninetails finish her with take down" he ordered.
Before Rick could issue a command, Ninetails hit Rapidash with take down, sending her flying into one of the nearby boulders. Pebbles flew everywhere from the impact, scattering around Rapidash. Groaning in pain, Rapidash collapsed to the ground.
"Rapidash is unable to battle, Ninetails wins" the judge announced.
"Rapidash return, you did great but rest up now" he said, putting the pokeball on his belt.
"Ninetails return, I'm so proud of you, you did a great job" Steve said beaming.
"Well I have to admit, you have done better that most trainers who have faced me" he said, placing his hands on his hips.
"Thanks. We've been training very hard for this battle" replied Steve, beaming with pride.
"The battles not over yet, now your skills will be put to the ultimate test" he screamed, grabbing the final pokeball from his belt.
"It's been awhile since I've had the privilege of battling with you, it's you turn now, crush them with your power" he roared, releasing his last pokemon.
The ground rumbled with the presence of Rick's most powerful pokemon. Steve gasped as a mighty Charizard entered the arena. Rick's Charizard was mostly orange with a cream under belly. He also had green wings and a flame burning on the end of his tail. Charizard roared, letting out a stream on molten fire.
"This should be a good battle" Steve thought to himself.
"Well looks like its time to use my most powerful pokemon as well" Steve yelled, throwing the ball on the field.
Out of the pokeball appeared Steve's golden Dragonite. Dragonite's entire body was gold, except her underbelly which was silver. Light reflected off her scales, casting shapes of light on the wall.
"Well let's get this started, Charizard fire blast" ordered Rick
"Dragonite, take to the skies" Steve ordered.
Skillfully dodging the blast of fire, Dragonite soared in the skies, beating her golden wings.
"Follow her Charizard and use flamethrower" Rick yelled.
"Ok girl, time for some air acrobatics" Steve yelled to Dragonite.
Charizard released flamethrower after flamethrower, each being dodged by Dragonite with her flips and twists.
"Ok Dragonite use Ice beam" he ordered.
Roaring, Dragonite released a powerful ice beam, hitting Charizard and sending him crashing to the ground.
"Charizard get back up there and take her down" he screamed, growling to himself.
Roaring Charizard charged at Dragonite, revenge burning in his eyes.
"Use double edge" Rick ordered.
Charizard charged at Dragonite, ready to deal a crushing blow. Before he could hit her, Dragonite performed an aerial loop, returning behind the confused Charizard.
"Finish him off, use dragon claw" Steve yelled, knowing victory was within his grasp.
Dragonite's fist started glowing with intense power. Before Charizard could move, Dragonite slashed his back with dragon claw, sending him sprawling to the ground. Roaring in pain, Charizard collapsed, kicking up dust, unable to take anymore.
"Charizard is unable to battle, Steve is our new champion" announced the judge.
Steve jumped in the air, thrusting his fist high above his head.
"Yes we won, we won, I can't believe it we won" Steve screamed running over to Dragonite.
Throwing his arms around Dragonite, hugging her, thrilled they had won.
"Congratulations Steve, it was a privilege battling with you "Rick smiled handing over the heat badge.
Steve accepted the heat badge thrilled he had finally collected all eight badges. Turning to Rick he held out his hand, offering a hand shake. Smiling Rick accepted the hand shake, happy he had found a real challenge.
"Thanks for the battle Rick, but we best be off" Steve said.
And with that Steve left the gym with his pokemon and the final gym badge.
The end