The day of the battle with Brock had finally arrived. I couldn't wait. That first badge was meant to be the confirmation of our short journey so far. Although I had no desire to take the Champion's throne, I was determined to make my team as powerful as possible. I knew that as a Gym Leader, Brock would be limited by rules for beginning trainers, but a badge is a badge.
Our training was going like clockwork. Houndour was getting stronger and putting on weight; soon we'd be able to train auric techniques without worrying about his health. Squirtle was starting to listen, though still reluctantly at times. But I knew I'd win him over—with every meal and every kind word, our bond within the team grew stronger. Haunter, meanwhile, was determinedly polishing his Shadow Ball. He worked harder than any of us, and I suspected he was even training at night while the rest of us slept.
Future plans were clear: master Acid Spray with Haunter and move on to auric techniques with both Houndour and Squirtle. Slowly, I could even start thinking about a new team member.
But enough reflecting. I scrambled out of bed—today the alarm clock had to drag me out since Brock was waiting—and went to take care of my morning hygiene. While Haunter and Houndour were "free-roaming," Squirtle spent the night in his Poké Ball. Both were patiently waiting for me to get my act together so we could head out for breakfast. There, of course, I summoned Squirtle as well.
While I scooped the same food for Houndour as yesterday, I gave Squirtle a choice. I knew Houndour just wanted a good piece of meat, but Squirtle needed to feel that his decisions mattered. That's why I gave him a choice at every shared meal.
"Squirtle, show me what you'd like," I said encouragingly, picking him up so he could see the table. The first time I offered him this choice, it was a bit funny. He couldn't see over the edge of the table, and I was slightly worried that as a new and reluctant Pokémon, he might attack me. I could have easily gotten hurt, but luckily he took it well, though his cheeks flushed a little every time I lifted him.
He usually picked the same thing, so it would get faster over time, but until he was fully integrated into the team, I insisted on this ritual. His choice? A piece of steak, some seaweed, and an apple.
While Houndour ate greedily and gluttonously, Squirtle dined like a prince with manners—slowly and with dignity. He didn't forget to throw condescending looks at Houndour, but Houndour couldn't have cared less. We enjoyed our breakfast in peace, and as soon as we finished, I quickly cleared the trays and we headed to the training room.
As soon as we entered, my team stood before me in anticipation of orders. Haunter levitated in the air with an amused grin, Squirtle had lost his usual distrust after breakfast, and Houndour stood there with his chest puffed out, tail wagging slowly. I looked at them with an immense sense of pride.
This is my team, I thought. They might not be the strongest yet, but they were mine.
"Boys, we have a real challenge ahead of us today. We're challenging the Pewter City Gym," I began matter-of-factly, then nodded at Haunter and continued: "Only Haunter will be fighting."
"Houndour! Hound!" Houndour growled in disagreement, but I wasn't about to debate it. Squirtle just watched the whole situation silently.
"No, Houndour, you're still not 100% fit. We haven't practiced any techniques together yet, and I refuse to risk you getting injured in a match. I trust we'll get into it later this week."
"Haunter! Haunt! Haunteeeer!" my first partner added encouragingly.
Houndour only whimpered in dissatisfaction and lowered his ears, so I continued: "Since you have a tough fight ahead of you, Haunter, you're resting today. You won't train at all so that you can give your best performance against Brock." Then I turned to the others: "Squirtle and Houndour, you're continuing your training today. Houndour, the usual—resistance running again to build muscle mass. You, Squirtle, continue with defense. You need to withdraw into your shell as fast as possible."
"Houndour!" "Squirtle!" they cried out in agreement.
Squirtle stepped aside and immediately began his drill. Houndour walked to the treadmill where I again attached the twenty-kilogram weight and started the mechanism. Haunter waited for me faithfully, floating calmly by my side. I sat down on the bench-press and began explaining.
"So, Brock trains Rock-type Pokémon. They are extremely physically resilient, but not so much aurically. Your Shadow Ball and Hypnosis are the ideal weapons against them. We have a huge advantage because you're both more powerful and faster. They're quite slow, and I think at this level, Brock will only have two answers: Rock Throw and Rock Tomb. His Pokémon shouldn't know anything else useful yet."
I paused for a moment to think while Haunter listened intently. After a while, I continued: "Don't wait for my command to dodge a move. Please do it automatically."
"Haunter!" he nodded in agreement.
"When they throw rocks at you, you can break them with Shadow Ball—it works aurically. But if a rock hits you, thanks to the auric infusion, it will definitely hurt you; you won't just pass through it. So, strategically, I suggest: dodge and 'snipe' him with Shadow Ball. At least for the first Pokémon. The second one should be more powerful, and we can involve Hypnosis there."
"Haunter!"
"So once more, in short: the key is to dodge and strike with Shadow Ball. Of course, I'll be shouting orders and navigating you, but try to dodge automatically."
"Haunter!" he nodded again with a determined expression and a wide, toothy grin.
"Are you hungry?" it occurred to me. It would be disastrous if he went into the match starving, though he usually fed at night on the unfortunates of Pewter City.
"Haunter, haunt!" he shook his head in disagreement with a satisfied smile.
"Fine then. Rest up, the battle is at 13:00!" I ordered. He just nodded and immediately flew into my shadow. I'd love to know what that feels like for him.
Both Houndour and Squirtle were training diligently, and I, despite some lingering muscle soreness, decided to join them. I didn't plan on being the "slacker" of the team, so I started with a warm-up. After that, I moved on to shadow boxing, followed by... shadow swordplay? Hah, something like that. Then I did bodyweight training: push-ups, squats, crunches, and the pull-up bar. I ignored the dumbbells today before the battle with Brock so that I, too, could bring my "A-game." If I wrecked myself physically, I wouldn't be able to navigate Haunter mentally. Occasionally, I felt Squirtle's gaze on me; I was probably the first trainer he'd seen actually grinding, but I didn't let it bother me. We all had work to do, except for the "chilling" Haunter in my shadow.
We broke off the training exactly at noon. I hopped into the shower quickly and went straight for food. We stuffed ourselves in record time, and twenty minutes before 13:00, we headed for the Gym. Just in time.
The guys at the Gym reception today were completely different; they weren't playing cards at this hour. As soon as I entered, they immediately straightened up, but once they noticed I was just another young trainer, they relaxed with a smile.
"Hey there, kid. 13:00 battle with Brock?" an older guy behind the computer asked.
"Hello, yes," I confirmed and handed him my ID.
He tapped on the keyboard for a while and then motioned toward the doors to the main hall. "You can go in. Good luck, Patrik from Pallet Town," he noted and immediately turned to the other ranger.
I continued on my way, but I still caught a snippet of their conversation: "Man, if you saw her chest... I'm telling you, I couldn't even look her in the eye."
"And you took her to Drowzee's? Maybe I'll give Tinder a chance too. How much did..."
At that moment, I stepped inside. It was a relatively large but austere Gym. Classic barriers were set up along the sides, and elevated platforms for trainers stood opposite each other. To the right was a spectator stand, but except for a few people, it was completely empty. I wasn't surprised; no one cared about a battle for a first badge.
I hadn't been waiting even five minutes when an older man in a striped black-and-white outfit entered—the referee with white flags. He stood exactly under the stands, in the center of the battlefield behind the barrier line.
It wasn't even 13:00 yet when Brock entered from the opposite side. Just about everyone knew him: dark brown hair, a sharp, stern expression, broad shoulders, and a muscular, athletic build. He wasn't some teenager, but a grown, thirty-year-old man. He nodded a greeting to me and then looked at the referee, who immediately started shouting into the microphone clipped to his shirt.
"The rules are simple!" the referee shouted, his voice echoing through the hall. "A two-on-two match! Substitution of Pokémon is allowed only for the challenger. The match ends when the Pokémon of one side are unable to battle! Challenger Patrik from Pallet Town, prepare yourself!"
Brock waited for my nod and summoned Geodude right away.
"Haunter," I whispered to my shadow.
My partner eagerly flew into the middle of the stadium, right behind the barrier lines.
"The challenger has chosen Haunter, Brock has chosen Geodude," the referee announced. He paused for a moment, looked at Brock, who nodded seriously, and then at me. I, of course, did the same.
"Begin!"
Brock immediately began giving an order and Geodude focused on an attack. He was already about to slam his fists into the ground, but was swept away by a Shadow Ball. Haunter had started forming it the moment he heard the referee's voice. I knew that one Shadow Ball wasn't enough, so I commanded: "Another one, Haunter!"
Geodude was struggling to get off the ground when another shadow sphere flew at him. He barely managed to dodge to the side and visibly focused again.
Haunter was forming a Shadow Ball once more when I gave the next command: "Levitate toward him, Haunter, and fire from up close!"
Suddenly, Geodude struck the ground with his fists. There was a short crack and a thud, and a boulder a meter square jumped out of the floor, immediately flying violently at Haunter. Since he was focused on creating the Shadow Ball and levitating toward his opponent, he didn't manage to react with a dodge. However, the Shadow Ball hit the center of the approaching rock perfectly, and it shattered in a spray of fragments in all directions.
"Hypnosis, Haunter! And then a stronger Shadow Ball!" I ordered.
While Haunter was still fresh, Geodude was tired and on his last legs. Aurically, he didn't have enough energy and had already been hit. It was no surprise to me when spirals of successful Hypnosis appeared in his eyes. Haunter immediately began creating a new shadow ball. He didn't focus on speed, but on the power of the technique, so it took him longer. The attack grew in size, shadows swirling around it, and with a powerful cry of "Haunter!", he threw it at his opponent. But before it could reach him, Geodude dissolved in a red light.
Scumbag, I thought immediately. He waited for Haunter to waste energy on a powerful Shadow Ball and then withdrew him. But it was to be expected; at a higher level, this kind of thing was common.
The referee immediately raised a white flag and shouted: "First point to the challenger! Gym Leader Brock withdraws his Pokémon."
Of course, Brock was completely calm. While Haunter losing would have really bothered me, for him, these were just auric numbers meant for a first-level challenge. Without rushing, he tucked the Poké Ball with Geodude into his pocket and pulled out a second one. Exactly as I had predicted—with a massive roar, a gigantic stone snake appeared: Onix.
He looked imposing. A powerful monster that was physically extremely dangerous, especially here in the city. However, his auric resistance was weak, so I had no worries. Even though I felt a pang of primal fear at his roar, it vanished the moment I heard Haunter's mocking laughter.
"Begin!" the referee yelled.
"Hypnosis! And then finish him with Shadow Balls—slower, but more powerful," I commanded. Haunter immediately flew toward the opponent.
Brock didn't wait. Onix swung his tail against the ground with focus, and a boulder a third larger than the one from Geodude flew at Haunter. Haunter smoothly avoided it, however, and was already upon him. Onix tried for another tail strike, but it was too late—he suddenly froze with Hypnosis in his eyes.
"Give it everything you've got, Haunter!" I shouted.
Haunter nodded, and shadows began to curl between his claws. His Shadow Ball grew massive, but he didn't stop pushing energy into it. The sphere kept growing until it was three times larger than the one that hit Geodude.
"Aim for the face!" I shouted again.
"Haunter!" he called back to me and, with a wide grin, dramatically threw the massive, energy-overloaded shadow sphere into Onix's face.
The purple-black orb slammed right into Onix's jaw. It exploded with a massive thundering crack, and the nine-meter stone snake collapsed to the ground with a thud. He didn't look to be in the best shape. Brock apparently agreed, as he immediately withdrew him into his Poké Ball.
The referee raised his flag again and shouted: "Onix is unable to battle! Challenger Patrik from Pallet Town wins two-zero!"
A short, muffled round of applause came from the stands. I enjoyed the euphoric feeling of success for a moment while Brock unhurriedly made his way toward me. This closing ritual was well-known, so I walked toward him with a smile. Of course, I didn't forget to discreetly wipe my sweaty hand on my trousers. Haunter didn't care; as soon as I got close, he immediately flew into my shadow.
We met right in the middle. Only when I stood directly in front of him did I realize I was about a head taller than him. He might have been around 170 centimeters tall, which didn't take away from his presence and authority—he was one of the most powerful people in all of Kanto. With a slight smile, he offered his hand, and I accepted it immediately. It was large and calloused; you could see he worked hard on his physique. Compared to him, my palms were relatively soft and my fingers long, while his were short and thick.
Honestly? I was enjoying this moment more than I should have. Of all the Gym Leaders, Brock was probably the most likeable.
"Great performance for a first badge," he nodded approvingly in a deep voice and handed me the gray octagonal badge.
I took it immediately and inspected it proudly, but after a moment, I caught myself: "Thank you very much."
He signaled with his head that it was no problem and continued: "You look a bit familiar to me. Are you from Pallet Town?"
"Yes, an orphan," I replied briefly.
His pupils dilated for a second, but he nodded immediately: "Ah... some relative of yours probably fought alongside me in the war."
He paused, but after a moment added: "By the way, great strategy for a first badge. The combination of Hypnosis and Shadow Ball will take you far, but be careful not to focus only on that. At a higher level, every trainer makes sure that status effects don't work so easily."
"What's the best way to train against them?" I asked curiously.
He shrugged: "Not many people share that, but honestly... with my Pokémon, who are a bit slower, only repeated exposure to status effects worked."
"Thanks for the advice."
"You're welcome. I'll be rooting for you on your journey. Your prize money will be credited to your account."
"Thanks."
He just nodded and headed back the way he came. I stood there for a while in quiet euphoria until I finally headed for the exit myself. I passed through the reception barely noticing and found myself in front of the Gym. It was afternoon, the weather was beautiful, and the sun was shining energetically. The win was behind us. It was an amazing day that turned out exactly as I had imagined, so I headed to the Pokémon Center with a smile. We could still continue training today and then celebrate properly with the whole team.
***
Author's note:
You might have noticed the conversation at the reception. Our story will feature social media, Tinder, and visits to bars. You also probably caught that our MC is a head taller than Brock. This is actually my self-insert character in the Pokémon world, so he shares my exact physique. I am 195 cm (approx. 6'5") and my weight fluctuates between 100 kg and 120 kg (approx. 220–265 lbs) depending on my body fat percentage—at 100 kg (220 lbs), I'm completely shredded.
Regarding the bars, Tinder, and future sexual encounters, I'll be writing from my own real-life memories and experiences. Keep in mind that these might differ from your own.
Do you have any ideas for the next team member who would fit our squad? We might catch them, or we might even buy them. Let me know your thoughts!
***
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The shadows are shifting, and the story goes much deeper... If you can't wait for the next update, Advanced Chapters are already waiting for you.
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Upcoming Chapters – Already Written:
17. The Price of Experience
18. Grit and Gold
19. Dogshit Nights and Silver Linings
20. The Moon's Crimson Glow
21. Blood and Embers
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