Chapter 4: The First Badge
After restoring his Pokémon, Peter felt it was time to face his challenge. "I can't let the fact that Brian lost to them with his Bulbasaur get to me," he said to himself. "I'm a better trainer than that. And now Oddish has a new technique. I know I can win now." He then went on his way to the gym.
The Cerulean Gym was a sight to see. Unlike Saffron, the Cerulean Gym looked more like an aquarium. Behind the glass casing, Water Pokémon were swimming around enjoying themselves. "They seem happy to be here," he thought as he walked through the front doors. The inside of the gym was more of a sight than the outside. The water gave off an aquatic feel as if one was already under water. Peter was definately impressed.
The reception desk had a picture above its window. It showed three women and a young girl. They seemed to be enjoying themselves as well. The young girl looked a little tomboyish to Peter, but it didn't matter as long as long as the gym leaders were able to grant his request. Peter began to ring the bell which looked like a little Shelder. The receptionist came from the door in the other room and presented herself.
"Can I help you?" she asked. Peter turned to her and began to speak. "Yes. I'm here to earn a badge. Are the gym leaders present?"he responded. The young woman smiled warmly as she began to reply.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, they are. I'm Violet. One of the gym leaders. Is this your first time in our gym?" Peter nodded as he spoke. "Yes it is. I want to earn my first badge here in this gym. And I know I have what it takes," he answered.
Violet giggled as she signaled Peter to follow. She lead him into the arena which looked more like an olympic pool. There were platforms in the pool provided for Pokémon to stand on. Peter was ready for this as he felt very confident. Violet went over to the other side of the pool where two other ladies were tending to Pokémon. "Hey, sisters. We have a new challenger that wants to battle," she shouted to them. The two looked over where Peter was standing.
"He's cute. Bet I can take him," the younger one stated.
"He is cute, but I don't think he's my type," the other one replied.
Peter waited as he watched the three talk. It seemed to Peter that they all wanted to battle. "What could they be talking about. It's just a battle," he thought. The three women walked over to Peter as they presented themselves. "I'd like you to meet my two sisters," Violet said warmly. "This is Daisy..." Daisy was the younger sister. "Nice to meet you," Daisy said with a giggle.
"And this is Rose," Rose looked like the middle child. "I hope you'll put up a good battle," Rose said intimadating. Peter looked at them as he bowed gentlemanly. "My name is Peter Bandit. And I came all the way from Saffron to battle you..." he paused for a minute. "Who am I battling for the badge?" he asked. The three of them laughed as they heard Peter's question.
"We are!" They replied. Peter was a little skeptical about their answer. "I have to take you all on?" he said with doubt.
"Of course! We each use one Pokémon to battle so that means you get to use three. Simple?" Rose instructed. Peter got the idea and was ready for battle. "Alright. I'll do this. I know I can win!"
The Cerulian Sisters were drawing straws on the other side of the pool to see who goes first. Daisy had the short straw and was ready to battle. "Alright! Here's my Pokémon, Peter! It's Starmie!" She threw out Starme right on the first platform. Peter anticiated this and was ready to go.
"Good enough. I choose you Oddish! Let's go!" Peter threw out Oddish and landed othe the other platform. Oddish was a little distracted by the jewel of Starmie.
"This should be fun. Starmie, use your Double Edge attack!" Daisy ordered. Starmie leaped up and spun wildly like a saw. Peter had to act fast.
"Oddish! Use your Acid attack!" he ordered. Oddish spat out an acid ball to Starmie which splashed on its tips. The tips looked as if the acid ate through them. Daisy looked a little upset. "That little weed hurt my Starmie!" she pouted. "Starmie! Recover and attack!" Starmie's tip came back, good as new. Peter was worried that Oddish could lose. "Oddish! Absorb it!" Oddish leaped on top of Starmie and rooted itself. Starmie tried to shake it off, but felt itself drop.
"Oh no! Starmie!" Daisy cried out as she recalled her fainted Pokémon. Peter was proud that Oddish took charge. Violet then stood forward to take over. "It's my turn now! Seel! GO!" She threw out Seel who landed in the water. Peter was a little worried since Seel can use Ice type attacks.
"Oddish! Try your Stun Spore to Paralize it!" he ordered. Oddish waved its leaves to create a cloud over the pool. Seel didn't seem to be affected by it. Violet laughed at Peter's mistake. "Don't you know Stun Spore washes off in water? Now let me show you an attack!" she boasted. "Seel! Headbutt that shrimp!" Seel charged at Oddish with its sharp horn. Peter was waiting for the oppertunity and began to shout to Oddish.
"Use your Petal Dance, Oddish!" he ordered. Oddish began to sway in its dance as Seel missed it. Oddish then spun around throwing leaves at Seel. The leaves were able to hit as Seel is hurting.
"No more Ms. Nice Guy! Seel! Ice Beam attack!" Violet shouted. Seel shot out a beam of ice as it struck Oddish hard. Oddish was frozen solid and fell into the pool. Peter recalled Oddish as soon as it hit the water.
"This is bad," Peter thought to himself. "Oddish is out so now what do I do?" Violet looked at Peter waiting for his next move.
"Are you ready yet?" she called out impatiently. Peter then pulled off the Pokéball from his necklace and threw it out. It was Nido-G. "G! Oddish took a dive but gave you the chance you need! Give it a Double Kick!" he shouted out. Nido-G jumped up and kicked Seel right in the face. Seel began to sink to the bottom of the pool.
"EEEEK!!! SEEL!" Violet recalled her fainted Pokémon as she felt upset at her loss. Rose then looked at Peter as she was selecting her Pokémon. "You're not too bad, Peter. I'm glad you came to battle, because we've been a little slow. But I'll make sure you don't win," Rose spoke. She then threw out her Pokémon into the pool. It was a Lapras. Peter wondered if Nido-G could even stand against it.
"G! Give it everything you got! I know you can win!" Peter cheered. Nido-G stood its ground as Lapras glared at it. Rose then began her first move. "Lapras! Give it your Water Gun Attack!" she ordered. Lapras shot a spray that hit Nido-G off its platform. Peter was worried as Nido-G tried to climb back up.
"G needs to give this Lapras a rock solid hit. But will it connect?" he thought. Peter had to act fast. Rose was begining to feel confident.
"I think I'll take care of this Pokémon now. Lapras! Ice Beam attack!" Lapras was ready to shoot out an Ice Beam when Peter began to wake up from his thoughts.
"Nido-G! Use Horn Drill!" he commanded. Nido-G jumped up and began to spin like a drill. He then struck Lapras dead on as it choked on its own beam. The combatants couldn't believe what just happened. Peter couldn't contain himself anymore as he ran over to Nido-G. "You did it! You WON!" he cried out. Nido-G was shaking off the water from his ears as he jumped into Peter's open arms. The sisters looked at each other as they agreed. Peter had earned himself the Cascade Badge.
After drying out Nido-G and thawing out Oddish, Peter then went over to the sisters. "Thank you for that battle. I have a great deal to think about the training I give to my Pokémon," he said.
"We should thank you Peter," Daisy said smiling. "We haven't had a battle like that in a long time,"
"You deserve this Cascade Badge. It's all yours," Violet said presenting it to Peter. He looked at it as he pinned it on his shirt. "This is great. I'm speechless," he said overjoyed.
"We're not done yet," Rose said as she hands Peter a Pokéball. Peter looked at it as he then looked at Rose. "What's this?"
"It's Lapras, silly. You did a great job with training your Pokémon that I want you to take care of it," Rose replied. Peter was at a loss for words. It was the same Lapras that lost to Nido-G and she just gave it to him. "I...I don't know what to say. Thank you," he said.
"Just make as powerful as that little guy over there," Rose said pointing to Nido-G. Peter looked over at Nido-G as he was playing with Oddish. He smiled kindliy at Rose as he nodded to them.
Peter decided to stay one more night in Cerulean city before heading out to the next town. Nido-G nestled by his side as he normaly did. "I'm proud of you, G. I don't think any of the others could have stood up to that Lapras like you did. Good job," he said as he began to fall asleep.
End of Chapter 4
For Chapter5, Click Here
To head back, Click Here