Training in Sprout Tower then a Badge to Earn :: Rei's Desires

Max was astounded by Eevee's power and as so happy she was able to withstand such a battle. He knew she would be proud of herself also. Max smiled as he raised Eevee's pokeball. There would be no arguing this time, Eevee needed rest and it was time for Growlithe to take the stage.

'Great work Eevee, have a nice rest.' Max said, as he returned Eevee. She may be needed if Growlithe couldn't cut it against Pidgeotto. But Max was confident that Growlithe would be able to take out Pidgeotto in his first gym battle.

'Come on out Growlithe!' Max yelled as he released the puppy pokemon from his ball. He barked loudly upon on relase to which Max smiled. He knew Growlithe would give this battle his all. He smile and gave Growlithe his first order.

'Growlithe kick things off with an ember!' Max shouted.

With two new Pokemon on the battlefield, both fresh and ready to fight, the battle began with Growlithe's Ember attack.

Pidgeotto moved to dodge but couldn't make it in time, getting its tail feathers burned. It let out a cry, having a bit of trouble staying airborne for a few moments before recovering from the attack.

Falkner thrust his hand outward as he called out. "Pidgeotto, use Quick Attack!"

"Pidgeo! Pidgeotto!" The bird flew back a bit and then dove straight down, hovering above the ground and running along to execute a Quick Attack!

While the ember hit, Pidgeotto was able to hit right back with a powerful Quick Attack! It was stronger than Growlithe was expecting from the bird pokemon who was several levels lower than itself. As Growlithe slid back across the arena after the attack, he became angry and barked back at Pidgeotto.

'Take it easy Growlithe just keep calm and fight back with another ember!' Max said encouragingly. While Pidgeotto had good speed, Growlithe's attack power could overpower it. If he could just get a few good hits in, the battle would be his. But Max knew of course, Falkner wouldn't go down that easily.

Falkner wasn't too concerned about whether or not his Pokemon would be able to hit the foe. Pidgeotto had an advantage, being able to fly, it allowed the bird to more easily target Growlithe. But what worried the gym leader was the Fire type attacks that the puppy Pokemon kept spitting out. Those could cause Pidgeotto to go down in flames-- literally.

With that said, another Ember was shot up at the bird, burning its feathers and causing it to cry out in pain. Pidgeotto continued to flap its wings rapidly, trying to stay up without crashing.

"Careful now," Falkner called out. "Use Roost!"

Those words came as a great relief to Pidgeotto, who was feeling that last hit terribly. It gently landed and took a moment to relax, restoring its health by allowing its wings to rest. It was indeed wonderful to have some of its strength return to it, however, being on the ground left it more vulnerable. Falkner hoped it wouldn't cause too many problems, but he knew Max would try to take advantage of this, as any smart Trainer would.

Max knew that ember was only going to do small amounts of damage at a time. And not even hit on occasion. But thankfully, the second ember was another hit and Falkner had decided to use Roost to heal Pidgeotto's health. This was a good strategic move by Falkner but Max could turn the situation right back at him.

'Now Growlithe use bite attack and don't let go!' Max ordered. Growlithe leaped high and aimed itself at Pidgeotto who was still resting on the grown. If Growlithe could get bite in before Pidgeotto was fully healed up and ready to fly again, it would be a turning point in the match. Growlithe opened his mouth wide, displaying his sharp teeth. He was drawing in on Pidgeotto fast and was ready to sink his teeth in.

It seemed Falkner's worst fears for this battle had come true-- Growlithe's teeth were headed right for his beloved bird. "Pidgeotto, move!" he cried out.

The bird spread its wings, having to cut its healing session short, it flapped and began to hover upward. Unfortunately for Pidgeotto, Growlithe was already there to meet him, and the puppy Pokemon's jaws closed in around one of the bird's legs.

Pidgeotto let out a cry of pain, struggling to fly higher, but doing so put more strain on its leg.

Falkner then had a bit of a crazy idea, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to risk it. It could cost him the match, but on the other hand, it might bring him victory. He didn't want to put his Pokemon in any more pain, though, so he presented it with an option.

"Pidgeotto, if you can, take to the skies-- and bring Growlithe with you!" he said.

The bird let out a strained caw and flapped its wings harder, slowly rising upward. It winced from the pain of Growlithe's teeth around its leg, but it would continue to fulfill its master's wishes.

Max looked closely as Growlithe's teeth dug into Pidgeotto's leg. He knew this would inevitably cripple Pidgeotto for the remainder of the battle, but it didn't mean that the bird pokemon was out for the count. Max smirked as Falkner ordered Pidgeotto to fly. It was a desperation move and it was clear that Pidgeotto wouldn't be able to support Growlithe's weight for too long. But Max didn't want Pidgeotto to go high enough to damage Growlithe seriously he had to make a quick decision as well.

'Growlithe now release Pidgeotto and use ember!' Max shouted. Growlithe released his strong jaw from Pidgeotto and then released a powerful flame from his mouth. Pidgeotto took off with the weight released from him but Growlithe was still close enough to get a guaranteed hit.

The sudden loss of weight did indeed cause the bird Pokemon to shoot upward, but it did not cease its rapid flapping of its wings. When Growlithe shot out another Ember, the gust of wind cause by Pidgeotto's wings was just enough to prevent it from being hit.

Falkner took a deep breath and tried to clear his mind. Max was proving himself to be an excellent Trainer, and a smart battler as well. "Smart move, having your Growlithe attack right after letting go like that." he complimented Max, then lowered his head a bit. "But it's time to end this..."

"Pidgeotto, use Gust!" Falkner shouted.

The bird, still obviously in pain, flapped its wings fast and hard yet again. It was growing rather tired, but it wouldn't give in, not as long as its master continued to fight. Pidgeotto used Gust!

Max was a bit taken back by the miss of ember but it wasn't gonna stop him from winning this match. Pidgeotto was hurt and no amount of determination would hide that. Max knew that Falkner would try and fight back immediately so he decided to fight the gust.

'Growlithe use ember to counter the gust attack!' Max said. Max knew Pidgeotto was using all of its power to use the gust attack, and if Growlithe could just block the attack it would still take a lot out of Pidgeotto. Sometimes a good defense is the best offense.

It was a clever move, using Ember to counter the Gust. The burst of wind sent the flames twirling in different directions, the fire burning up all the oxygen it could. Smoke filled the area, and it became difficult to see for a few moments.

Falkner knew he was in big trouble. Pidgeotto had used up a lot of its energy doing that last attack. It seemed he had only one option, lest he surrender the battle. "Pidgeotto, use Roost!"

Almost instantly the bird came down, landing a bit rough so it might rest its heavy wings. It shook out its feathers and took a moment to let its strength return, though it knew it could probably expect another attack from Growlithe in the meantime.

Max had Pidgeotto right where he wanted him. He knew that Falkner would eventually order a roost and Max had the perfect way to finish Pidgeotto off right in the middle of a nice break. Growlithe had a determined look in his eyes like he knew exactly what Max was thinking. Growilthe nodded at Max, awaiting orders.

'Growlithe charge at Pidgeotto and use ember at the same time.' Max called out. 'Then when he's close enough lock in another bite attack!' It was a plan Max had been brewing since Falkner had first use Roost and it seemed full proof. With ember damaging Pidgeotto while Growlithe was charging at him, it stopped Roosts affects from working properly as he wouldn't be healed up fully. Then a bite to finish him off when his damage is low from the ember. It was a cunning plan and looked perfect. But Max was almost certain Falkner would try and find a way out of it working.

It seemed Pidgeotto was in a real jam this time. Falkner had expected Max to attack the moment Pidgeotto touched down, but it was an interesting combination of attacks that made things dangerous.

Thinking quickly, Falkner shouted, "Flap your wings to stop the Ember!"

The bird obeyed, as much as it didn't want to, and flapped its wings once more, blowing the fire back so it never got its feathers burned. However, when Growlithe opened its mouth to bite, Pidgeotto had nowhere to run. It felt the puppy Pokemon clamp down on its wing this time, and that was a bit too much.

Pidgeotto struggled to shake Growlithe off, wanting so desperately to get its wing free, but it couldn't go on fighting like that any longer. It finally let out a loud cry, as if to declare that it had done its best, then it fell over, unable to battle anymore.

Falkner stood with his jaw dropped for a few seconds, then he quickly regained his composure and let out a sigh. But it was a sigh of relief, knowing that the battle was finally over. He called Pidgeotto back to its Pokeball and smiled. "You have a nice rest now, my friend."

The gym leader then looked up at Max and nodded. "Well done. You've earned your badge, fair and sqaure. Come and claim it!" he said, beckoning the Trainer to step forward.

Max broke into a huge smile as he saw that Pidgeotto was well and truly finished. Growlithe barked happily and ran back towards Max and full pace. He jumped into Max's arms, which strained his muscles a bit but he didn't care. He had won his second Gym Badge!

'Growlithe you did great' Max said appreciatively. 'Come on lets get our badge.' The duo walked over to Falkner who had graciously admitted defeat. Max had heard of Falkners cockiness and was somewhat surprised to see him concede so calmly. Max had to keep reminding himself that he was a Gym Leader and they had to be noble in the face of defeat. He took the Zephyr Badge and smiled, the shaking Falkners hand.

'Thank you so much for the battle Falkner' Max said. 'It was truly one of the toughtest battles I've ever thought and I'll never forget it' In saying this, Max realized how old he was getting. A couple of years ago he wouldn't have been so humble in victory. He'd be eccentric, jumping up and down and making a scene. Max had always regretted not starting his journey when he was younger, but it was times like these he felt glad that he was more mature.

'And don't think this will be our last match.' Max said happily. 'I'll be back for a rematch one day and we'll both be stronger and smarter.'

The grin on Falkner's face grew as he firmly shook the other Trainer's hand. "I'll look forward to our rematch then."

The gym leader then placed the Zephyr Badge into Max's hand and handed him a TM disk. "This is TM 83, which contains Work Up. It boosts both Attack and Special Attack at the same time. Use it wisely." Falkner said. He glanced down at the Pokeballs he was holding and sighed a bit.

"My Pokemon have fought hard. I must go and have them restored once again, but thank you for the amazing battle." Falkner dipped his head a bit and then turned and headed into the back room of the gym once more.

Growlithe gained 13 exp for defeating Pidgeotto! Growlithe grew to level 18!
Max got :PD: 1560 for winning!

While Max was over the moon, Falkner was clearly dissapointed in himself. Two losses in one daymust really do a lot to a guy. Max knew that if he had lost twice in a row, it would be back to training his pokemon day and night. He left the gym after Falkner sulked off into his back room to heal his pokemon. Max had an ear to ear grin as he walked briskly to the pokemon center, Growlithe walking beside him, happily keeping up.

'Where to now I wonder?' Max said, half to Growlithe, half to himself. 'We could find Jenny and Rei or we could go by ourselves to Goldenrod.' Growlithe seemed to like the idea of seeing Rei and Jenny more, to Max's surprise. He shook his head as the automatic doors opened and they stepped into the pokemon centre.

'Alright we'll go see what they're doing' Max said hesitantly. 'Just don't blame me if she turns you into a puppy popsicle.'

Max Exits topic.