Pokemon: The Controversial World

-The Decisive Duel: Yellow Thunder vs. Brock

The referee caught his breath after the rockslide that had nearly interrupted the battle. His gaze shifted between me and Brock, searching for confirmation that we were both ready to continue. The intensity of the fight had only increased, and now, the true confrontation was about to begin.

I grabbed the cracked Pokéball of my golden-furred Pikachu and carefully put it away. There was no way I could recall it in this condition. I took an empty Pokéball and pressed it against Pikachu, who disappeared in a red flash. This fight wasn't over yet.

The referee raised his arms and signaled for the match to resume. Without hesitation, Brock recalled Onix and sent out Geodude once again. His gaze had hardened, his stance more determined. He wasn't going to hold back anymore.

I clenched my own Pokéball and threw it.

— "Rattata, it's your turn!"

My Pokémon landed on the ground, its small silhouette ready to pounce. Across from us, Geodude pounded the ground with its massive fists, displaying newfound determination. Brock took a deep breath and commanded:

— "Rock Polish."

A bluish glow enveloped Geodude as its rough surface became smoother and more aerodynamic. I gritted my teeth. Rock Polish increased its speed, reducing one of Rattata's greatest advantages.

I had to adapt my strategy.

— "Exhaust him, Rattata! Keep your distance and dodge!"

Rattata immediately sprang onto the rocky terrain, skillfully avoiding the first charges of its opponent. But Brock had anticipated my plan.

— "Rock Polish again! Then follow up with Rock Throw!"

Geodude accelerated even more, becoming a true threat despite its bulky body. It tore a rock from the ground and hurled it violently at Rattata. My Pokémon leaped to the side, but as soon as it landed, Geodude was already upon it.

— "Tackle!"

The impact was brutal. Rattata was sent flying backward, crashing into a rock with force. It tumbled across the ground before struggling back to its feet, its legs trembling.

— "Return!"

Before Rattata could take another hit, I recalled it into its Pokéball. It was fast, but not sturdy enough to withstand a Geodude that had boosted its speed twice.

I took another Pokéball and threw it.

— "Bulbasaur, you're up!"

A flash of light illuminated the battlefield as my starter appeared, its vines ready for action. Brock narrowed his eyes. He knew he was at a major type disadvantage.

— "Tackle!" he commanded nonetheless.

Geodude charged at impressive speed. I knew Bulbasaur wouldn't be able to dodge. But that was fine by me.

— "Leech Seed!"

Just as the attack connected, green seeds burst onto Geodude's body, wrapping around it. It staggered, surprised, as the draining effect began taking hold.

— "Keep going. Vine Whip!"

Bulbasaur's vines lashed out at Geodude. Brock tried to make it dodge, but despite its speed, it was already exhausted from the strain. The attack struck head-on, sending it crashing to the ground, unconscious.

Brock recalled his Pokémon with a slight smirk.

— "Well fought, Geodude. You did great."

He grabbed a second Pokéball and threw it high.

— "Onix, you're up!"

A deep rumble echoed as the enormous rock serpent emerged. Its towering form cast a menacing shadow over the battlefield. I felt the tension rise.

Brock didn't waste a second:

— "Rock Throw!"

Onix tore a massive rock from the ground and hurled it at Bulbasaur.

— "Dodge and use Leech Seed!"

Bulbasaur leaped aside and launched another volley of seeds. They landed on Onix, which remained unfazed, though its energy was slowly being drained.

— "Tackle!"

Onix lunged at Bulbasaur. This time, my Pokémon dodged, but a sharp crack rang out.

— "Iron Tail!"

The massive tail swept across the battlefield, striking Bulbasaur with crushing force. My Pokémon was sent flying, crashing into a rock. It struggled to stand, its legs shaking.

Brock smirked.

— "Did you really think Leech Seed would be enough?"

He raised his hand.

— "Earthquake!"

The ground trembled violently. Cracks opened in the arena, sending Bulbasaur airborne.

— "Smack Down!"

Onix raised its head and struck Bulbasaur mid-air with a devastating blow. My starter hit the ground hard, unconscious.

I remained silent. I had just lost my best counter against Onix… but I had anticipated this possibility.

I recalled Bulbasaur. Only one option remained.

Grabbing Rattata's Pokéball, I threw it.

— "Rattata, keep your distance."

My Pokémon reappeared and immediately darted behind the rocks, never stopping.

Leech Seed was still in effect. Onix was weakening bit by bit.

Brock knew it. He clenched his fists.

— "Iron Tail! Destroy the rocks!"

Onix smashed the surrounding boulders, gradually eliminating Rattata's escape zones. But it was already too slow.

Its movements grew sluggish. Its tail swung one last time into empty space before Onix collapsed to the ground, exhausted.

Brock lowered his head, then raised his hand toward the referee.

— "I forfeit."

The referee nodded and raised the flag in my direction.

— "Yellow Thunder wins the battle!"

I exhaled, realizing I had won. Brock recalled Onix and approached me, extending his hand.

— "That was an incredible battle. Here, you earned this."

He reached into his pocket and handed me a gleaming badge.

The Boulder Badge.

I took it and stared at it for a moment. A sense of pride welled up inside me. My first badge.

But as I pocketed it, Brock suddenly ran out of the arena toward the Pokémon Center.

— "What the…?"

I followed him, my heart freezing.

The museum was on fire.