Episode 11: Know Thy Enemy (part 1)


May woke up the next morning with her heart racing--today was the day she would take on Roxanne for a Stone Badge of her own.

I can't believe it--I'm going to get a real Gym Badge! she thought as she climbed from her bed inside the Rustboro Pokemon Center. Ash was beginning to wake up, Brock was taking a shower, and Max was getting dressed. For all intents and purposes, it was just another day inside the simply furnished guest room.

"Nervous?" Ash asked as he too climbed from his bed, allowing a group of Happinis to make it and Max's bed.

"What can you tell me about Roxanne's battle strategy, as someone who has faced her herself?" May asked.

"Well, as you learned yesterday, Roxanne uses the Rock type." Ash explained. "This means that any Water, Grass, or Ice type will be effective. Fighting types also help, as well."

"But Rock types also tend to be a ground type--so forget about using a Pikachu, unless you want to try triggering the emergency sprinklers." Brock added as he emerged from the bathroom, a deep blue towel wrapped around him. He flashed a knowing grin at Ash, then disappeared behind a screen to get dressed.

May nodded as well--Ash had once told her how he had faced Brock with a Pikachu and won because of the emergency sprinklers. "I know I am taking Niji, but would Zelda help as well?"

"I'm sure she could help--her Disarming Voice did pack a wallop against Roxanne's Geodude, remember?" Max reminded her.

May smiled. "Let's do this!"

In the Rustboro Gym...

"Welcome, May..." Roxanne smiled as May and the others arrived in the craggy and cavernous Gym. "Tell me--what spurred you to try for the Pokemon League after spending so long in the Contest arena?

"Well, I felt that now that I have taken my place as a great coordinator and learned about Pokemon and how their attacks work, I should try battling again." May explained.

"A noble goal, to be sure...I have no doubt Ash has taught you a lot." Roxanne replied. "My question for you is...do you have his drive and determination to succeed?" With that, she heaved a Poke Ball skyward, revealing her Geodude on the Ruby side of the arena.

[You again...I'm not holding anything back, and I'm not your punching bag anymore!] the Geodude growled.

[Well, let's see you make some colors in the sky!] Niji taunted back as she materialized on the Sapphire side of the arena.

[Take this, flitter-flutter!] With that,the Geodude grabbed some rocks, and started heaving them at Niji.

"Niji, watch out!" May gasped as she watched the rocks come flying.

She heaved a huge sigh of relief as Niji skillfully wove and dodged the rocks. [Relax, I've got Rocky here under control.] Niji assured May.

[Not for long...] the Geodude grinned as it picked up a huge rock and heaved it at Niji...

"Rock Tomb..." Ash gasped in horror as the huge rock landed on the Sapphire side with a THUD!

"Niji's likely down for the count with that...." Brock agreed.

May, meanwhile, was panicking at seeing the Beautifly struggle to crawl out from under the rock. "Niji! Niji, are you okay?"

[That's gonna hurt in the morning...] Niji groaned as she eased herself out from the rock. [I dunno if I can take another wallop like that.]

She wasn't sure if it was instinct, or the well of panic, fear and sadness welling up inside her at seeing Niji wounded, but May found herself yelling "Ash! Brock! Aiutare!"

"Nope, sorry...remember what we agreed on earlier?" Ash reminded her.

"You're on your own here--otherwise, that would be cheating." Brock added.

May sweatdropped when she remembered the terms for 'aiutare', but then gasped when she saw Niji glowing green and heard Roxanne's Geodude howling in pain as Niji absorbed its life energy.

"I get it! Niji's using Absorb to both heal herself and take out Roxanne's Geodude at the same time!" Max smiled, relieved that all was not lost for his sister.

"Makes sense--Absorb is a Grass type attack, after all." Brock agreed.

Once she had completely Absorbed the Geodude's energy, Niji flitted back to May's side. [See? I told you I had things under control.]

"I thought you were done for when that Rock Tomb squished you!" May smiled as she hugged Niji.

"I'm surprised your Beautifly survived that myself." Roxanne agreed. "It's like she wanted to win, no matter what."

She then turned business-like again. "But Geodude was just practice--now it's time for your real test!" With that, she heaved another Poke Ball to the floor, revealing a small rocky statue-like Pokemon. It yawned, and then shifted its position to look at Roxanne.

"I know I am on the north end of the room, but your opponent is to the south." Roxanne reminded the tiny statue-like being. The statue like Pokemon then gave an affirmative grunt, then turned to face May, who was shaking in fear.

"W-what is that?" May stammered.

"Psst..." Ash motioned for May to come closer, then showed her a picture of the Pokemon on his Pokedex:

Nosepass, the compass Pokemon. Its nose is a magnet. As a result, this Pokemon always keeps its face pointing north.

That would explain why it was facing Roxanne when she summoned it--she is on the north end! May thought before turning to Nji. "How bout it? You want to try facing this Nosepass?"

[I'll sit this one out--getting clobbered by one Rock Tomb is enough.] Niji replied.

Put me in, May--I still need to show Roxanne what my Disarming Voice is like at full power! Zelda telepathically suggested. There is no way Niji would survive a second Rock Tomb, and Starshine and Flit cannot help if I go down.

"Okay..." May recalled Niji and then heaved the Poke Ball containing Zelda skyward. "I'm counting on you, Zelda!"

TO BE CONTINUED...