Chapter 90: To protect the world!

Chapter 90: To protect the world!

Yeouch! Eepers jeepers Jess! Careful with them mitts you call hands! Im roughed up goods! Meowth whined as Jess hugged him.

He pushed at her for a bit only to squirm a little as he tried to look at her. Are you wiping your face on He paused when he saw some tears in her eyes, settling and looking around as if for help.

I stopped approaching them to give her a moment to regain her control.

Meowth locked eyes with me and we shared a moment of solidarity. We both understood that this wasnt a moment for any talk. So we just nodded at each other and let Jessie wipe her eyes. Meowths face twitched as she used his body to wipe her eyes. When she straightened she coughed once.

Uhm thanks Meowth and sorry, I forgot you were hurt you were pretty cool out there, Jessie said while pointedly not looking at Meowth.

Meowth looked at the damp patches of fur on his chest that were only made worse by the amount of dirt he had on him. I raised a hand to the side, and a potion bottle and a towel were handed to me. I stepped closer and coughed. Would you like a potion?

Meowth made a face but Jessie snatched it up and began to squirt him. I noticed she aimed for the evidence spots where shed left some tear marks first. Meowth reeled back and would have darted away only to step back into the towel I had in my hands. I wrapped him up and began to work the potion through his fur in a gentle lathering motion.

Hey watch your oh this is pretty nice actually, he said as he shut his eyes. He began to lean into the rub and Jessie continued to lightly administer the potion when I opened up the towel. I didnt have to point out the bruises or cuts. Jessie if anything beat me to it. She worked efficiently and when she was done there was still at least half a bottle of potion left. She gave me a nod and watched me work the towel over Meowth.

Youre rather good at that she said softly, a question hanging on with her words as to how Id gotten so gentle with pokemon.

I nodded. Yeah, I have eight little brothers and sisters to look after. You have to learn to be firm while not being rough. She frowned at that and swallowed.

I forgot about that, she murmured.

I hummed and finished wiping Meowth down. He leaned after the towel only to blink and look down at his fluffy appearance. Jessie snorted a laugh at him but kept her mouth clenched as he muttered something.

I raised a hand and bowed over it. Sorry about being a jerk during the match, by the way, most people dont mind that I come across as a bit of a jerk for the match. It makes winning for them all the sweeter. I gestured at them both. You both seemed a bit well I think it got under your skin more than I intended. Sorry if I went too far, it's just an act.

Meowth coughed. Yeah, I knew that! You need to work on your acting.

Jessie looked away. I was pretty taken in by it We both ignored Meowths light kick to shut her up. I gave Meowth a look over before stepping in. I took Jessies hand in mine and she shot me a confused look as her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed. I stepped back and turned to the crowd, her hand rising up with mine.

Give it up for the challenger and her pokemon! I shouted to the crowd.

The crowd roared their approval and Jessie blanched as she recalled that there were other people watching us. Meowth gaped as people waved and cheered. James led a small crew of what looked like local mothers through a cheering routine.

M-E-O-W-T-H! MEOWTH! WAY TO GO! they chorused.

James then shook his pom poms before starting up another chant.

Give me a J!

J!

Give me an E!

E!

Give me an S!

S!

Another S!The inaugural upload of this chapter took place via N0v3l-B1n.

S!

Jessie subtly started miming an A at James and he winked at her. Give me an A!

A!

Give me a D!

Instead of performing the cheer the women that had until that point been following along fell over themselves giggling. I chuckled as James cluelessly tilted his head before gasping and shooting the women annoyed glances as they laughed at him.

Meowth and Jessie chuckled. They otherwise enjoyed the moment of watching a group of strangers that had never met them before this moment, cheer for them. Id seen it so many times before for the other trainers that came through my doors. Just as I typically portrayed myself as a barrier, I had also made sure to cultivate a group of enthusiasts that enjoyed watching pokemon battles. People that were active and supportive as a crowd. Missy and Rachel had both been good hires for their ability to hype up the crowds.

Id given them games and themes for the gym with people coming in on certain days getting to do Pewter avalanches. Which were really just the Mexican wave from my past life.

When it was beach party day in a few weeks, I expected more than a few people to turn up in tropical clothes and I knew Jackson was already jockeying to be in the gym so he could bring out all the clothes he wore during his journey through Sevii and the Orange Islands. I fully expect beach balls and hammocks to be set up around the gym for that day. And Id probably have Brawly back here again.

Still, that was for later. For now, it was time to enjoy the moment of a young trainer receiving adulation for their victory. For them to stand in the limelight and be praised.

For some people, it was a high they never forgot.

When you gave such acknowledgement to a young person it resonated with them. It was a defining moment, and better yet it was a moment that they knew could be repeated. When they did the right thing and fought tooth and nail. Using their brains and working as a team with their pokemon. When they displayed true empathy for their partners like Jessie had done just now?

The crowds Id brought cheered as loud as they could as they tried to raise the roof.

I let the cheers continue for a long while. I got a good laugh when it started to die off only for a spirited group to raise the cheer back up again, only for it to die off again. Then James led another group in rousing the cheers. It reminded me of the antics we got up to with applause in my high school.

This wasnt malicious, in any way. It was meant in only the best of ways.

Jessie laughed at the show, and eventually the applause died away. I took the small badge case and raised it up. Jessadia, Ekans, and Meowth, for your victory against me here I hereby acknowledge your right to display the Pewter City Gym badge. With this, you are one step closer to being able to register for the end-of-circuit tournament where the best trainers that have completed the Indigo circuit compete. If you continue to grow, I have no doubt you will be among them.

I smiled at Meowth. With a pokemon as intelligent as this Meowth I should imagine that the sky's the limit. Id suggest deepening your move pool. I would also work with your Ekans to make it faster and more accurate with its moves. Your use of Glare was not wrong, but the execution left much to be desired.

I nodded my head towards the back. Now there were some details we needed to work on, such as which account to distribute your winnings to." I smiled innocently like nothing was wrong, and it was all part of the routine. You paid in cash, no?

Jessie and Meowth blinked in surprise. Then they shared a sly look before nodding.

Oh! Yeah! We did! That was us! they said happily. Meowth then coughed. How much do we win again?

I told them the number and Meowth coughed. Maybe we should do some more pokemon gyms if they all pay like that

I hummed. Itll give you a few nights at a good restaurant, certainly. But then again, most Pewter restaurants like to make it a point of giving a discount for trainers that have the local badge.

Then again, they might just start with their prices marked up considering that most of the time it was a first-tier badge people were fighting for.

As Gym Leader, I got an even bigger discount when I went out to eat. But most of the places I went typically saw me, and nine other mouths considering Munchlax tagged along these days. I almost always saw the pokedollar symbols flash in peoples eyes.

I waved for James to join us, and he scrambled down. Whats going on Jessadia!? he said.

I ignored the shot to the ribs Jessie gave James as I swiped my card against the door and passed through. Meowth explained to James what was going to happen, and I smiled like a host showing them the V.I.P area.

I led them to my office, where I claimed a seat after seating them and shutting the door. I spared a glance at the clock and hummed to myself.

I had enough time for this.

Hmmmm, that was probably good, right?

I turned to the next pokemon trainer. Ready to get through them.

I hadnt lied by mentioning that the next Team Rocket action against me that I caught would see me hunting down Team Rocket. I hadnt lied about that. It was just that the trio didnt know Id worked something out about Daniel. So, I was already planning on doing that. They didnt need to know that, just as they and their boss didnt need to know I knew who their boss was.

Still, it would look rather reasonable to people looking in when I discovered their next move against me. Such as the Guardians.

How soon that happened would depend on the sort of answers Daniel gave me when I was done with these trainers. That could wait. I was good at waiting. I held my Rock Aura and relaxed into the rest of the day.

I faced a trainer that chose a Pidgeotto for his first pokemon. I started the match with a Rock Throw and stared them down when they blustered demands at me. They sent out an Oddish after that and regathered well enough for their first badge.

The trainer after that had a Growlithe that was quick, but that was it. They couldnt weather my pokemons attacks and they couldnt break through fires weakness to rock pokemon. If theyd been lucky they might have gotten an Aron but instead, I started off with an electrical Geodude.

The crowd was very appreciative of a rare pokemon like that making an appearance.

When I got a trainer challenging for the fourth badge level, I was able to go a bit harder on them. They immediately started off on the back foot as I unleashed Izumi in all her glory. Critical hit after critical hit made short work of his team and he was left gaping.

But but I prepared for this so much? he said as he stared at his downed Nidorino. I clapped him on the shoulder.

Turns out you werent fully ready this time. Some people will have pokemon like Izumi who are much more than they appear. I rattled off a few methods to prevent such an incident from happening again before looking to the next trainer.

The next trainer sent out a Mudkip which actually broke me from my funk. I looked up to see them smiling broadly. I had thought for a moment that Id see an auburn haired girl with a bandana on her head but instead I found myself staring at a blue-haired girl.

Mindy right? I said, taking a moment to recall her name.

She nodded. Yeah! Present! she said happily. I snorted and signalled to the referee to start the match. She ended up winning her first badge. When she got her feedback and winnings from me she lingered.

I cocked my head to the side. Yes? I said with a smile, wondering which of the most commonly asked questions she would ask.

Could could I ask after your geodude line? The variant typing? How does one go about getting one from you?

I nodded. Well right nows not a great time, but we do have a batch of eggs that might hatch in a few months. Im only going to sell them on to trainers that have proven themselves though. I brought up her challenge. See how you just came for the badge challenge. If you want to seriously attempt to gain the right to get a variant geodude from me, I had to struggle not to say Alolan Geodude, then I expect at least four gauntlet runs with nothing but victories, or better.

Or better? she said with a tilt of her head.

The Elite Challenges, I said, answering her question.

Oh how long do I have? she said while tugging on her hair nervously.

I shrugged. How long is a piece of string? She gave me a confused look at that. Sorry, what I meant was that there are lots of interested parties. So youre going to have four months before the eggs get close. I could give some out then, to help the bond trainers will get with the eventual pokemon, but thats going to be tough.

Mindy got a determined look. Ill be back! I saw your Golems performance and I want that! The dual rock-electric would be perfect to build a team with when I go pro Ace trainer!

Good to see youre thinking of this early, I said, happy to compliment her. She nodded and said her goodbyes. Vowing to come back soon. I waved her off and headed for the lounge to enjoy a break for lunch. There I ran into Daniel, and just like that everything that had been rubbing me the wrong way came rushing back. He raised his eyebrows and I gave a fake smile before grabbing some food. I didnt want to create an incident now. Better to let everyone go home.

Or perhaps I could just cancel the day and use this as an excuse? I chewed my lip in thought while trying not to pay too much attention to the Donphan in the room. Just as I made sure to not pay too little attention to him. It was a tough balancing act.

I must not have been that good however as before the break ended he approached me.

You alright Brock? The others are saying you were kind of brutal with that last fight?

I held in the urge to grab him and demand he confess. Instead, I grimaced. Urgh yeah, guess its just feeling like the start of the week.

Daniel bobbled his head from side to side. Then an alert pinged us. I sighed. People are getting too rough outside as well it would seem.

Im on it Brock! he said, stalking off.

I felt an idea form in my mind. As he walked off, I whistled to get his attention. Hey, call Jenny around for me, will you? I think we need to have them toeing the line better. This is the start of the circuit. Lets put everyone on notice to behave a bit more.

Daniel grunted at that and nodded before heading off again. I smiled to myself, enjoying the moment of making him unknowingly tighten his own noose. It didnt seem like he suspected anything.

When the final match finished a rather spirited showing by a trainer with a very well trained Primeape I pinged Daniel to come to my office. I also shot off a message for Rocko to bring Jenny around to the office and wait outside for me. Then after a moments thought, I sent out another message to Sabrina to meet them outside my office.

Daniel walked up the hallway and waved. Hey Brock? Something happen?

I made a show of rolling my eyes before remembering that he wouldnt get what I was doing, so instead I shook my head. Routine stuff. Wanted to go over your paperwork.

He gave a grimace and stepped into the office. Oh sorry, I didnt get everything cleaned up cause I was uhmmm trying to get home quick? he said.

Now that I was looking for it I could taste the lie. How had I believed that before?

now that I thought about it, his backstory of being a Ranger that had gotten over his head with his partner and was trying to do right for her and their kid didnt that just tug at my heartstrings? Like it had been pieced together specifically for me to just lap up.

I glanced at him and while he looked chagrined, I couldnt help but wonder if he wasnt laughing at me in contempt. I must seem like an idiot to this man with how long Id been strung along. I stared into his eyes and saw something dark within. I considered that with a frown.

I sat on my desk instead of behind it. I didnt want him to have even a moments lead if he decided to run.

Brock?

Hows your wife? I asked with a tilt of my head still wondering if, perhaps

He rolled his eyes and waved his hand. Urgh, the usual, complaining about the baby and her back pains. Shes alright. the way he said it, now that I was focused on it. It smacked of contempt.

I stared straight through him as I tried to come up with what to say to him after. I wanted to be sly and subtle in trapping him. Lead him by the nose, and before he could realise how deep a hole hed dug, close it up on him.

I wanted to say something clever.

Instead, I found myself hung up on that prior thought of how he had seemed contemptuous when I mentioned his wife.

You dont love her do you? I said, feeling unimaginably sad all of a sudden. Perhaps it was because I had wanted to believe in his attempts to do right by his wife Or perhaps it was because I had such a glaring weak spot that someone like Daniel had looked at me and seen it clear as day and used that to get close.

Daniel blinked and for a moment his mask held. Then he snorted, and a sneer took over his face. I knew what he was about to say.

Yeah, shes just a girl I picked up. He eyed me and said, What gave me away?

I sighed, hating myself for letting a man like this into my gym. Now, with his mask pulled away, I watched him like one would watch a wild Houndoom near the Mareep.

Still Damn, I hadnt wanted to be right about that. Perhaps that was the trick, making me want to believe in it?

Daniel smirked a little through his sneer, and I hated him for, in a way, spitting on something I held so important.

He sat there like he knew he was safe. Like I couldnt hurt him.

I was going to prove just how wrong he was.