A Heart of Gold: A Pok?mon Story
Iridium - Part 3
After my training at Sprout Tower I was brimming with confidence at my chances of defeating the Violet City Gym Leader.....right up until I discovered that the Leader specialised in Flying-type Pokemon. This was not good. As I saw it, there were two ways I could go about this battle: 1) brute force or 2) look for Pokemon that would be more effective against it. My current team of Totodile and Spearow didn't know any move effective against Flying-type Pokemon and I didn't own any other Pokemon that would cut it. Or did I?
Geodude | M | Lvl 3
I remembered the Geodude I had caught earlier and, being the nerd I was, quickly did some research and found that Rock-type Pokemon were perfect for the job. Not only were Rock-type moves effective, but Flying-type moves only dealt half the damage against them. Brilliant! So I withdrew Geodude and went out of Violet City to train Geodude. After many hours, Geodude reached Lvl 11 and learned
Rock Throw.
Violet City Gym
I entered the gym with a bit of trepidation. The guide who had previously blocked my way was standing off to the side. He motioned for me to get onto the square platform. As soon as I had done so, I was shot up at a million miles an hour, causing my heart to drop into my intestines. A word of warning would have been nice. And some railings.
What a gym it was. A snaking wooden path lay before me leading to the gym leader. Along the way, I could see two trainers who must have been training under the Leader's tutelage. I could see that they were keen to use this opportunity to impress the Leader.
First up was Abe, who started off with a Spearow. I sent Totodile forward and called for Water Gun. The attack hit but Spearow immediately came back with Peck. Totodile stood his ground and shot out another Water Gun, ending the battle.
After Abe came Rod, who started proceedings with a Pidgey. Totodile was already right in the zone and one Water Gun was enough to take it out of action. Another Pidgey was sent out and the result was almost identical, this time taking two Water Gun attacks to down his foe.
The path was clear. The Leader stood before me.
-Leader Falkner-
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Iridium v Falkner
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The Leader introduced himself as Falkner and he was eager to show the magnificence of bird Pokemon.
Pidgey was the first Pokemon he called out. Totodile was ready to go and I wasn't going to deny him the chance to battle. Water Gun was used and it hit its mark. This Pidgey, it seemed, was a rung above the ones I had faced earlier. Instead of counter-attacking, Pidgey used Sand Attack. Totodile immediately shut his eyes to keep out the sand and Pidgey took this chance to attack. I called for Totodile to use Water Gun but with the sand flying about, the attack went wide. Pidgey continued to flick up more sand and Totodile continued to miss. However, as Pidgey flew in low to use Sand Attack again, I quickly told Totodile to use Scratch and at close range, it was hard to miss. One down, one to go.
Next up was Pidgeotto. I decided to stick with Totodile and try using more brute force. Totodile attacked with Water Gun which hit it's mark but all I did was give it a shower. Totodile used Water Gun again. Again it hit. Again it had little effect. Falkner told Pidgeotto to use Roost. Pidgeotto landed and seemed to regain its health.
I called for Totodile to attack while it was still on the ground. A Water Gun was sent forth and it hit it's mark. But then it used Roost again, nullifying any damage I was doing. This wasn't working, so it was time for Plan B.
I recalled Totodile and sent out Geodude. Pidgeotto saw this new threat and used Gust. Geodude braced himself and came through virtually unscathed. Geodude used Rock Thorw but missed. Pidgeotto was much too fast. Geodude tried again and this time it stuck. Pidgeotto used Roost to regain strength and whilst it did that, I called for Geodude to attack. Pidgeotto couldn't evade the attack in time and it took the full brunt of the barrage. This battle was mine.
Iridium defeated Leader Falkner
Totodile - 261 exp
Geodude - 156 exp
$1560
Falkner was gracious in defeat and awarded me my first badge, the Zephyr Badge:
Falkner also gave me TM51 (Roost), the move which had frustrated me throughout most of the battle. He suggested my next destination in my journey should be Azelea Town.
I gazed at my badge as the reality sunk in that I had just defeated a Gym Leader. A big smile spread across my face. My journey to be the Champion had well and truly begun.
Summary
Pokedex
Seen: 13 | Obatained: 8
Badges
1
Party
Totodile - Lvl 13
Spearow - Lvl 10
Geodude - Lvl 11
Credit for pictures go to Marriland and Bulbapedia