"It's time. Let's go."
Karkat, Strider, and Kanaya were caught off guard by Red's words. A majority of the day was spent grinding. Why now, while standing in the middle of Pewter City's museum, had Red decided that his team was ready to take on the first gym? Red led his team to the Pokemart and used all his remaining money on Potions.
"We won't need these. But it wouldn't hurt to have them. You three head over to the entrance to the Gym. I'll meet you there." Rich walked off toward Pewter's southern end.
"Well I guess we should all head over toward the gymLAST ONE THERE'S A MAGIKARP!" Strider took off, with Kanaya close behind. Karkat, not having wings, walked. Karkat wanted to fly almost as much as he wanted to be able to swim.
"I can't do anything special. Even being a fire type, I only know one fire move. What does mast-... Red... see in me." It was unusual for Karkat to be so upset with himself. This sudden insecurity had taken hold of him like an endless bind or wrap. Red's dream may have been fictional, but its effects were very real. For a short time, Red had loved that Charmander. Was it that his trainer had never given more than "Nice job"? Was it that he never greeted anybody with more than a stoic expression?
Strider and Kanaya were already sitting in front of the gym, bickering about Strider cheating or something like that. Karkat observed the rusty sign made to greet hopeful trainers out front.
"PEWTER CITY GYM: THE POKEMON HERE TOTALLY ROCK BECAUSE THEY WERE ALL RAISED BY BROCK."
"Now it all makes sense!" Karkat's revelation caught the attention of Kanaya and Strider, whose argument had turned physical as they were now rolling on the ground fighting. A synchronized "What does?" came from both of their mouthes.
"Brock uses rock Pokemon. Even if we were the same level as his, we wouldn't stand a chance. Look; two flying types and a fire type. That's why we spent the day leveling up- Red knew. He knew we needed more. He knew we needed to be stronger."
The gym door had opened. Karkat looked around to see Red halfway through the door already.
"Exactly. And now all of you are ready. So lets do this."
Now, it's a little known fact that Gyn Leaders pick the levels of their Pokemon very carefully. They are all masters of deception. For example, when Brock sent out a level 12 Geodude, he expected it to lose rather quickly. It's not so much to lure an opponent into a false sense of security; it's more like a reconnaissance battle. A warm up of sorts. Gym leaders read the way you battle like a book, and hold that information for the ace they always have in their sleeve.
Kanaya and Strider made short work of Geodude. Brock had made a mental note of Red changing Pokemon. Kanaya could have easily handled the situation on her own, yet Red switched her out for Strider. Red had also stayed purely offensive, avoiding even stat changes. Brock was ready.
"Very nice job. But now the fun begins. Onix, go!"
The rock beast emerged from its technological prison, eager to fight. But Red had anticipated this.
"Karkat, it's your turn. Get out there."
"But, Red, I'm a fire Pokemon. I won't be able to burn Onix, and tackling won't do much because of it's high defense." Karkat had a point, Onix was using harden as they spoke.
"You can and will win. Get out there."
Karkat stood up and held his head high, through the fear. Onix had opened strong with a powerful Rock Tomb, but once again Red was prepared. As soon as Karkat had climbed out of his makeshift grave, Red issued one and only one command.
"Metal claw."
Karkat nodded and ran head first into the beast. To Karkat's surprise, his claws sliced through Onix's third segment. Steel was super effective against Rock types! Before Karkat could celebrate, though, Onix whipped its tail around and binded Karkat. The rock snake crushed Karkat's body against its own. But all Red had to do was utter the same two words. Karkat's claws glowed as he threw the final blow in the match. Brock was defeated.
"That's quite the impressive Pokemon you have. It's not every day that we see a fire Pokemon use a steel move in this place. You're a strong trainer, and deserve this badge. Take this TM too. It's for Rock Tomb. You'll want to head to Cerulean City out east, next. To get there, though, you'll have to travel through Mt. Moon. But by the looks of things, I think you'll be adequately prepared. Best of luck."
The party healed up at the Pokemon Center, and headed west just like Brock said. But someone stopped them before they entered Rt. 3. It was a man in a labcoat, one that Karkat and Red both noticed from the Professor's lab.
"You're Red, right? I have a package for you, from your mother."
"Thanks, but you're wrong. Send everyone my regards, though."
"Whatever kid."
There was a very simple reason as to why Red believed that this present wasn't actually from his mother. As he tied the laces on his new running shoes, Red played the conversation again in his head. It was clear as day. Red was only a small child with dreams of someday owning a Pokemon of his own.
The shoes couldn't come from his mother, because the only person who knew he wanted them was his father.
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