Into the Unown (Pokemon Fanfiction OC)
Chapter 166

“Are you sure about this, Kerr?” Nina asked. “Most people leave their home Gyms for last.” Even Nina wasn’t an exception to this.

The girl had deliberately flown all the way to Vermilion City during her break just to cheer for her friend who was about to undertake her first ever Gym challenge. That and the fact that they needed to rendezvous to set out on their journey together anyway.

Kerry gave a weak nod in response. “Yeah, I think so… I mean, Ohm promised to handle my first Gym battle so…”

Nina chuckled and gave her friend a meaningful look. “Ah, I see~ Ohm promised to give you your first badge huh? No wonder~”

The start of the Indigo Conference was delayed from November to January, due to the devastation of Indigo Village from Lance and the former Koga’s battle. So technically, the Vermilion Gym was closed for the month and shouldn’t even be taking challengers. In fact, Surge wasn’t even around right now. The man was away attending the conference.

However, Ohm, Surge’s son, Kerry’s childhood friend and secret crush promised to make an exception for the young Joy, arranging for a special match today, just for her.

Kerry blushed furiously at Nina’s insinuation and replied with a series of weak slaps to her friend’s back as she cackled and walked ahead of her, to the oversized ball of crumpled aluminium that was Surge’s Gym.

“Man, I can't take this place seriously now. Not after all the memes I’ve seen on the Pokenet. And are those pylons? Isn’t that like a safety hazard? Pretty sure they weren’t there when I was last here.” Nina mused while pointing at the towering steel structures surrounding the ‘aluminium ball’.

Kerry let out a wry smile and nodded her head. “Yeah, Ohm told me the artist that designed the Gym managed to convince his dad to have them built. Apparently they’re just decorative, so it’s perfectly safe. Though he did kind of sound unsure when he said that…”

“That’s very reassuring…” Nina muttered, with a skeptically raised eyebrow.

***

The interior of the aluminium ball was equally as artsy as the exterior. In fact, the entirety of the ground floor was actually a museum, not that any tourist ever came here for the exhibits — they mostly stayed outside and took pictures of the ‘aluminium ball’.

The gaudy marble statue of a topless Surge aside, the ‘art’ on display actually had a strange sort of appeal to Nina. Most of the pieces on display were made from recycled metal, welded together to form vague silhouettes of various Pokemon. Some of them could even move!

All together, the red rust, gleaming steel and dirty oil stains gave the exhibit a distinctly steampunk look, which really spoke to Nina’s inner Miles. However, before the girl could get too absorbed in the exhibit, a familiar blonde haired boy in full camo came out to greet them.

“I have to say, Ohm. The lieutenant really does have good taste when it comes to art.” Nina remarked, earning her flabbergasted looks from both Ohm and Kerry, like they were looking at an alien lifeform. “I am an alien, okay? Can’t help liking what I like!”

Ohm coughed and chose not to reply, turning to address Kerry with a gentle headpat instead. “Good to see you again, Kerry. Ready for your first Gym battle?”

Kerry nodded sheepishly, face red like a Cheri Berry, looking every bit the lovestruck girl that she was. It was a wonder how Ohm hadn’t picked up on the hints yet. Or maybe he had but chose to play dumb due to their age gap. 

“I think Kerry once told me that Ohm was eighteen? I guess six years was not much for adults but could mean heaven and earth for a teenager.” Nina could fully relate to the awkwardness that Ohm must be feeling right now.

“Anyways, what difficulty do you want? Since my dad isn’t around, I think we can just skip the screening battle and just go straight to the real deal.”

Surprisingly, Kerry actually turned to Nina for an answer. “I don’t know, Nina… What do you think? Am I good enough for an intermediate challenge?”

Nina hummed in consideration. Outside of the girl herself, Nina was probably the most familiar with Kerry’s Pokemon since she designed their training regime and often helped to train them. But at the same time, she wasn’t exactly the one about to challenge the Gym.

“The beginner challenge is pretty basic stuff. A Gym trainer will test you on Type advantage and meet you with only single moves.” Nina explained. “So no need to worry about any complicated combos or convoluted set ups.” Most of the students in the Vermilion Flame were already way beyond this point. And as a VF student with a respectable amount of wins in her record, so was Kerry.

In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the beginner tier existed solely to accommodate firecrackers that rush out into their journey the moment they came of age and got their starter, with no preparation whatsoever.

“On the other hand, in the intermediate challenge, you are expected to employ strategy, demonstrate sound judgement and maybe show off a few combo moves. Bonus points if you make good use of utility moves. I’m not sure about Ohm, but at least that’s my criteria when I’m judging challengers over at the Cerulean Gym.”

Ohm nodded in agreement. “To be honest, the intermediate tier is very broad. Most trainers fall under this category and Gym Trainers are afforded a lot of flexibility in how we judge trainers for this difficulty. Usually we would cater to our Gym Leader’s style, so someone under Blaine would be very strict in passing people for the intermediate challenge while a lenient Gym Leader like Victor might be more lax for example.”

“A Gym Trainer’s personal philosophy plays a part as well.” Nina chimed. “I, for one, don’t think it’s good for the Pokemon Training profession as a whole to just let young trainers blaze through their Gym circuit. But others might phone it in and just hand out badges like candy.”

Ohm chuckled at his junior’s words. “You sound like my dad. But you’re not wrong. The calibre of trainers we’ve been getting in recent years have been very… cringe inducing.” That said, Vermilion City was home to the best Trainer school in the region, so it wasn’t as bad as some of the morons that Nina had to deal with in the Cerulean Gym.

Kerry squeezed her hands together and shuffled around in uncertainty. “Then what about the other difficulties?” She asked. Not because she thought she had a chance at the expert tier and above, but to buy time to think.

Nina gladly obliged and continued to speak. “Star battles follow standard Conference rules and are a no holds barred struggle against a Gym Leader’s personal team — so don’t expect them to pull any punches.” 

In fact, the number of Star badges that a Gym Leader handed out in a season, or the lack thereof, was a massive point of pride for every Gym and often devolved into a childish pissing competition in their annual meetings, at least according to Misty. Hence why the Viridian Gym was so disrespected.

“That said, most Gym leaders will abide by standard Gym conventions.” Nina added. “That is to say, they will always go first when picking Pokemon and they will not allow themselves to swap.”  It was only fair really, since these were professional battlers with decades of experience. No matter how talented a young trainer was, there was inevitably going to be a gap present.

Ohm nodded and continued the explanation. “Expert tier challenges are a step below that. For a well trained team that’s still a little rough in terms of finesse and cohesion, but aren’t lacking in raw power. But for now, I think it’s safe to say that you’re not quite there yet, Kerry.” He then laughed. “And besides, dad only permitted me to give badges up to the intermediate tier. Haha!”

Kerry nodded timidly and thanked her friends. “I erm… I’ll try the intermediate challenge. If that’s okay with you, Ohm?”

The older teen laughed. “Yeah, don’t sweat it. Let’s head down to the arena and get started.”

***

Espy was right, the Vermilion Gym proper really was located underground. In fact, the space opened up so much that Nina could scarcely believe that they only went down a single floor. “Wow, Nitey could probably fly around here to his heart’s content.”

Ohm chuckled. “No point hampering Flying Types in a Gym specializing in Electric Types.” He mused, before showing them around.

There were actually tesla coils located all over the place, delineating each arena, fully exposed and crackling with electricity. Apparently, this was the home field advantage that every challenger had to contend with, similar to the pool arenas in the Cerulean Gym. With so much Electric Type Energy permeating the place, it was inconceivable that an Electric Pokemon would ever run out of juice in battle.

“And this, is the main arena.” Ohm gestured as he led them through a set of double doors, to an ostentatious arena that looked like Daft Punk came in with a construction company and an unlimited budget.

In fact, Nina had expected something more utilitarian given Surge’s military background. But instead, there was enough RGB to blind an army of e-girls. Not to mention all the glass displays and tesla coils decorating the space.

“Let me guess,” Nina mused. “Was your dad’s artist responsible for renovating the arena as well?”

Ohm let out a helpless sigh. The boy was too embarrassed to even look Nina in the eye. “Yes. As you can see, she has very peculiar taste and my dad is most likely having an affair with her, so…” That last part was said with a dark look and another sigh, prompting Kerry to give her friend a gentle hug.

“Anyways, enough about that.” Ohm waved and gestured towards a space segregated by a thick layer of safety glass. “That’s the audience seating where you’ll be at, Nina. And Kerry, whenever you’re ready, just head up to the platform and we can get started.” He said, before walking over to his own platform on the far side.

“Good luck, Kerr.” Nina gave her friend a reassuring hug and made her way over to her designated space, where she released all her Pokemon to help cheer for their friend.

***

Nina watched as Kerry released Lynxie, her Shinx. A good choice, since Ohm would likely start off easy. “Wooo!!! Let’s go Lynxie, kick some ass!” She cheered, unsure if the combatants could even hear here behind the glass.

Lynxie was Nina’s favorite among Kerry’s Pokemon, and Nina was Lynxie’s favorite human as well, because she would always pamper the gluttonous lion cub with Berries whenever his trainer wasn’t looking. In fact, the young Joy always remarked that Lynxie might as well be Nina’s Pokemon with how attached he was towards her.

Lynxie’s first opponent was a Voltorb, which the Shinx easily beat with a series of Electric Terrain empowered Wild Charge. The former of which was courtesy of the Voltorb as was standard with Vermilion Gym people. The Shinx was so fast that even the Voltorb’s Self-Destruct couldn’t get to him because he was already out of range.

Nina actually helped teach Lynxie how to use Wild Charge and felt like a proud parent when he got the win. Especially since the Shinx managed to learn such an advanced move so early on. Though to be fair, it wasn’t that hard.

The Luxray line generated Electricity through the conversion of kinetic energy. So the key to training a Shinx was physical conditioning. And given how much Lynxie ate and how hyperactive he was usually, it was hardly a challenge. With Kerry’s bespoke nutrition plan and Nina’s training, Lynxie gained almost 50% more weight in pure muscle since he joined the team.

In fact, Nina reckoned he was due for an Evolution soon with how quickly he was growing. “Which means that Kerry will soon have her X-ray to go with her Pokemon defibrillator.” Not that Lynxie had enough subtle control over Electric Energy to function as a defibrillator just yet. And not like Nina was jealous or anything. Nope. Not at all.

The next match was a lot trickier; Lynxie versus Ohm’s Magneton. Lynxie knew how to use Quick Attack courtesy of Espy’s guidance. But unlike Espy, he wasn’t as good as launching himself like a missile into the air, constantly missing the levitating Magneton before resorting to ranged attacks, which he was merely average at.

In the end, Lynxie lost to stall tactics, prompting the hypocrite Nina to jeer in contempt. A wombo combo of Supersonic, Thunder Wave, Screech and Metal Sound completely hampered the super physical Lynxie and made him a sitting Psyduck.

Kerry returned her beloved lion cub and whispered words of encouragement to Lynxie’s Pokeball before sending out her next pick — a Geodude, who immediately buffed himself with Defense Curl, Iron Defense and Rock Polish, just like Nina taught him to do.

This was Rocky, the newest addition in the apprentice nurse’s team. Nina had actually gone on an excursion with Kerry into Diglett’s Cave during her recovery period to help her catch one.

When it came to actually training the Geodude, the choice was clear. Nina immediately volunteered Kerry for free medical service with the Vermilion Flame’s boxing club on the days that they helped to train Rocky how to fight. “I mean with a name like Rocky, how could I resist?”

That wasn’t all of course, as demonstrated by Rocky shooting a barrage of Rock Blast into the air like a shotgun, occasionally sneaking in a Stone Edge bullet that he was subtly charging in the midst and nailing the Magneton in one of its eyeballs.

Nina never forgot the Garchomp that Beverly fought during the Indigo Conference and had long thought about recreating the Stone Edge bullet that the foreign Dragon used during the match. Nina dubbed the move Stone Snipe, and alongside the shotgun variant of Rock Blast, there was Stone Grenade as well which involved a delayed explosion of rocky shrapnel.

In the end, Magneton’s Steel body was covered in dents as it wavered in the air, prompting Ohm to withdraw it from battle for fear of permanent damage.

The Gym Trainer chuckled. “Didn’t know you were such a good Pokemon Trainer Kerry. I’m really proud of you.”

Kerry blushed and muttered a quiet thanks to her crush, too embarrassed to admit that she mostly relied on Nina for her Pokemon’s battle training.

Since the match was a three on three, Ohm’s final Pokemon was an Electabuzz, who immediately started pounding at its chest and roared at his opponent Geodude with a challenging tone. The intent was clear, Electabuzz wanted a straightforward slugfest. Which Rocky happily obliged with a little smirk.

The two Pokemon steadily came close, touching fist before commencing a boxing match — jabbing, weaving and punching at one another. Neither Kerry nor Ohm intervened, content to let their Pokemon do their thing.

Electabuzz was fast. Its fists, imbued with Electric Type Energy, was like literal lightning, flashing past Geodude at the speed of light. It was also more of an outboxer, preferring to keep a distance.

However, Rocky was resistant to Electric, steadily tanking Electabuzz’s punches like a champ, occasionally weaving and placing some well timed punches of his own. Until he eventually came into close quarters with Electabuzz, the preferred range for an infighter.

By the end of it, Electabuzz was all bloodied and bruised. While Rocky, though looking a little haggard and unsteady, was largely unharmed.

“Electa… buzz…” Rocky’s opponent cried, flashing a bright smile at him before collapsing onto the ground in content, sealing the match in Kerry’s favor and earning her the sunflower-shaped Thunder Badge.

***

“Congrats on your first Gym Badge, Kerry!” Nina pulled her friend into a big hug and spun her around, causing the girl to squeal in unbridled joy.

“Yeah, congrats, Kerry. I’ll be honest, I intentionally picked some of the newer Pokemon to make it easier on you, but there was no need. You completely exceeded my expectations.”

“Thanks, Ohm…” Kerry blushed. “But really, it’s thanks to Ni—”

“So Ohm, you said you could only do intermediate challenges right?” Before the girl could sabotage herself, Nina immediately cut Kerry off and hijacked the conversation.

Ohm nodded at Nina. “Yeah, I imagine a trainer at your level will probably want the expert challenge instead. But unfortunately, you’ll have to wait for my dad to come back. I heard from Kerry you already got yourself a Star badge? That’s really impressive, even for a Gym Apprentice.”

“Yeah, a shame really. Would have been really convenient to get my second badge today.” Nina sighed. “Oh well, maybe next time.” Nina actually didn’t care about the difficulty, a badge was a badge. But she did still have her pride and most importantly, she didn’t want to give Surge any ammunition against Misty. Otherwise, she would never hear the end of it from her boss.

Ohm chuckled. “Understood. The two of you are journeying out soon right? All the best.” He then gave Nina a look of utmost severity. “And take good care of Kerry for me alright?”

Nina returned the sentiment with an equally serious nod and a thumbs up. “Yup, leave it to me! We’ll be headed out tomorrow after I spend a night over at Kerry’s place. So maybe you could come and see her off?” That last sentence caused Kerry to get all flustered as she forcefully shook the girl to get her to shut up.

Nina just laughed without a care. Her mind was already thinking about the Chansey’s egg feast that Kerry’s mom was going to cook for them tonight.

***

Author's note:

I'll be alternating between Nina and Kerry battles more frequently from now on. I find that it helps alleviate burn out. Plus, I personally prefer writing low level battles. Kinda forces me to be creative rather than just brute force everything.