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Ch 58 - Challenge
🕑 Added 2023-10-05 15:39:37 +0000 UTC“Condor.”
“Pidgey.”
“Pelican.”
“Pidgey.”
“Albatross,” David said absently. He was starting to run out of birds. At this point he doubted that she would pick the name of any bird but asking kept his mind busy. The first few species had been met with great interest - Pidgey perking up to consider each one, but it had gone downhill when David had gone into greater detail. ‘Sparrow’ in particular was the tipping point.
“They’re quick birds,” David had said. “Quite fluffy. Actually - now that I think of it, they’re kind of like you but smaller.”
Pidgey had squawked at this, her surprise and interest drawing more details out of David. Unfortunately that surprise turned to derision as Pidgey found out just how small a sparrow was. It wasn't like there was much of a difference in height! Pidgey was only three to four times taller than an adult sparrow, but.. David did have to admit she was bigger. More.
Pidgey had grown in the last month. David didn’t have a scale but she felt a little heavier than two 1kg bags of grain. A sparrow couldn't weigh more than 50gs. Less than a fortieth of Pidgey’s weight.
From then on, Pidgey refused to consider any of the birds from David’s world. To her, even the mightiest of flyers were barely bigger than her current form. Why should she take the name of an inferior creature? And David, having been transfixed in place by a Spearow, could understand why.
“Pidgey.”
David sighed and gave her a quick head pat before holding out her pokeball. Pidgey let out a chirp and he recalled her. It was time. There was no point procrastinating.
He checked his significantly lighter backpack one last time but there was nothing to do. He’d packed earlier and hadn't forgotten anything. Not that he needed much, all that was required was his licence. He didn’t even need his money, there was no fee for the first attempt. The wrapper he stuffed his money in, now padded with another week's wages, was tucked away at the back of his tent. All that was left in the bag was there for last minute prep.
David stood and began to walk out of the grove, away from Nature’s Scent farm and into Celadon.
It was time.
-.-
For the last week, David had walked on eggshells around the city. Every figure standing on a street corner was treated with suspicion, shoulders scanned for armbands. Anyone focused on nothing, looking dazed or even constipated was either avoided or buried under empty thoughts and elephants.
Today however, David stood straight. He walked with purpose. He didn’t wear his wide brimmed sun hat or his baggy red scarf. Today he wasn’t a nondescript hiker, today he was David. David the Pidgey trainer.
The walk went quickly. It felt like - what was it Noah had said? That the road rose up to meet him. Before long he had joined the congestion and then a queue. The queue disappeared before him until he was passing under a gate. Seemingly seconds later he was in front of a desk.
“I’m here for a badge challenge.”
-.-
David leaned back against the bench and sighed. Challenging a gym was a lot less climatic than he’d thought, and a lot more procedural, which he should have expected. The receptionist had taken his challenge with a knowing smile, and after confirming his appointment, called someone forward to take him further into the gym.
Henry, as the self proclaimed Gym Assistant had introduced themself, was quite friendly. He turned the winding path through the gigantic garden Gym into a tour. Henry wore the same light green uniform as the receptionist and it swished back and forth as they walked and he pointed to various plants and trees.
“And that’s the quercus robur over there.” Henry pointed to a tall tree standing in one section of the garden. “It’s quite rare, you know? You could count on one hand the number that have been found in the wild.”
David squinted at the tree. Something about the wide leaves was familiar. Was it the size? They were large leaves with rounded bumps and short stalks.
“And,” Henry said, dragging David's attention back as they stopped in an amphitheatre. He waved his hands dramatically at the four paths that lead away from the circular clearing. “Here is where a challenger’s path diverges. On the far right-” Dark, spiky leaves stuck out from the sides of the entrance, looming above the path. Long branches poked out, reaching into the amphitheatre. The only colour along the path came from small red berries. “-the winter garden. For sixth badge challenges. To the left of that-” Faded orange and brown leaves swayed in the faint breeze. Pink and purple voluminous flowers rose proud from the ground. “-the autumn garden. For fifth badge challenges. Now, past the centre on the left, we have the-” Talk stalks leaned forward over a path of grass. Heavy flowers and heads of grain topped these stalks, leading into the distance. Off to the edges of the path were the occasional berry bush. “-the summer garden, for third and fourth badge challenges. And finally, on the far left-” Henry gestured at the last path which was flanked by light green shrubs. Bright yellow flowers grew out of the shrubs, changing to white as they reached to the sky. At the base of the shrubs, bulbs dug their way out of the ground. “-the spring garden. For first and second badge challenges, and where you’ll be going today.”
David stepped forward involuntarily to look further down each path. Each was beautiful, a spectacle to the eyes. It just didn’t make sense to see all at once. It was like photoshop, a trick of the eye, all four seasons in full force at once. “How is this possible?”
“Leader Erika has them tended every day. She says it is good training for a Pokemon’s control,” Henry said. He sighed. “Ah, it’s such a shame. So few come back for more than one challenge.”
David nodded, helpless but to agree with him. He felt like he could sit here and marvel for hours. It was a display of beauty and power. The artistry impressive, the implication on a whole other level. That a Pokemon could control the seasons so well, even at a small scale - it was mind blowing. And here was the gym, reminding you of that before you faced them.
Maybe his challenge would be more climatic after all.
Henry sighed again. He gestured to the far left path. “One of the gym trainers will meet you at the end of the path.”
David thanked him and stepped into the spring path. A few metres in he looked back and Henry remained in place. He was still there when the path swung to the left and the amphitheatre dropped out of sight.
Along the path the flowers changed, the different shrubs grew and shrunk, but the spring theme remained constant. It was a pleasant walk, the floral scent strong but not cloying. There was enough variety that it never grew boring. But all things must end. Stepping into a junction, David was greeted by two figures. One wore the gym's light green uniform but in a style designed for exercise. The other was in a familiar red and white uniform.
“Welcome trainer David,” The woman in the light green uniform said. Her face was emotionless as she recited a speech by rote. “Please declare any Pokemon you will be using for your gym challenge. Then, without releasing them, pass these Pokemon to the White Pokeball representative.” With this she gestured to her companion who smiled. With one hand they held up a pokeball tray, and gave a friendly wave with the other.
“Oh.” David’s hand flew to the pokeball around his neck. “We aren’t starting with a battle then?”
The Gym Trainer slouched slightly, but their business-like expression did not shift. The White Pokeball representative on the hand, giggled.
“No, a battle will take place only if you pass the theory exam and your Pokemon passes a health assessment.”
“Ah,” David said, slipping the pokeball loose. He whispered a quick explanation to Pidgey, before holding her ball out to the White Pokeball representative. “A Pidgey.”
Now, the Gym Trainer’s features tightened.
The representative didn’t take the ball immediately. “Trainer David, do you consent to an examination of your Pokemon, and after the examination, the sharing of your Pokemon’s health, status and welfare with representatives from the Celadon Gym?”
David stared at her blankly for a second. Then it clicked. It was some privacy thing. “Yes, eh-yes I do.”
The White Pokeball representative giggled again before nodding to the Gym Trainer. “Gym trainer Tamia, I will have the results for you soon.”
As Tamia nodded back, the White Pokeball representative turned on her heel and rounding a corner of a bush, disappeared further into the gym.
Tamia turned to David and with a narrow look, beckoned him before taking the other path.
David gritted his teeth and followed, feeling exposed and suddenly cold. This garden was becoming a maze.
-.-
David shifted. Then shifted back immediately.
He appreciated that Celadon Gym stuck to a theme. It was beautiful, unforgettable. A place of wonder that he'd never forget.
But, did they have to carry that theme into this small exam centre as well? The small foldable garden chair was incredibly uncomfortable. It wobbled, creaked and the wooden slats dug into his back. The table for the exam sheet was little better, shuddering if he put any weight onto it.
A small gazebo sheltered him from sunlight and future test takers from rain. Tall bushes surrounded the building, hiding it from view and forming an isolated world for David to spend two hours in. David clicked his tongue and concentrated back on the questions.
For what must be the twentieth time in the last hour, he thanked Tulia, Sarah, Danny, Martin and Terry. A week ago, this test would have reduced him to a nervous wreck. If it had been thrust on him unexpectedly.. David might not have survived. Now, it just had him drumming his fingers against the table and tapping his foot off the ground.
Theory tests were part of your first two badge challenges only. After that point it was assumed that you were smart enough to research the incredibly powerful monsters you sought to catch and train. Each Gym had their own test, specialising in the type of their choice.
David frowned at the next question on the sheet. He knew the answer from ‘Beleaf in them’, but Martin had mentioned a case where the general logic didn’t apply to Oddish. Feeling unsure, he put both answers down.
The questions were difficult, but not unnecessarily so. There were no useless or trick questions. It was simply about taking care of Pokemon, Grass type Pokemon.
Thankfully Grass type was one of the easiest types to care for. If not, with only a week to study and a foundation built on quick read throughs of 'Beleaf in them', David would have been doomed. What worked for one Grass Pokemon worked for nearly all the others. The type was hardy. They were some of the fastest Pokemon to recover from injuries and could regrow just about anything.
Still, David winced as he read the next question. Grass being a very general type did not prevent it from having edge cases. Edge cases that were difficult to remember. David turned the page.
Next question.
-.-
After the test, Pidgey’s ball was returned to him and so began the wait. The White Pokeball representative gave him a smile and a thumbs up before disappearing into the bushes. David began to walk around the gazebo. He’d had enough of the rickety furniture for a lifetime.
A low noise reached his ear and he paused, ears straining. It was faint cheering. The volume rising and falling as somewhere in the sprawling gardens, a match took place.
David flexed his fingers and stretched. That would be him soon.
Almost as if she had heard his thoughts, Tamia appeared. She waved at him, gesturing for him to follow before disappearing down another garden path. A new one of course. David was beyond lost at this point. He took a deep breath and followed. The cheers must have been for the end of the last match. It was his turn now.
Tamia led him through another winding set of paths. They were likely as beautiful as the last but David had no attention to spare for the foliage. He was busy running through strategies. Not all the last week had been spent studying. Every second he had spare Pidgey and he were battling and training. They fought Oddish after Oddish, Bellsprout after Bellsprout and pestered Danny until she and Bulbasaur were sick at the sight of them.
They were ready.
Tami rounded another corner, disappearing out of sight and a loud cheer echoed through the gym.
David walked faster, straining to catch up. It was time. Light green bushes fell away until he was in another clearing - no, a pitch.
Short grass formed the base of a small meadow. Flowers poked their heads out of the grass in small tufts. Partially formed bulbs strained for light. Small ponds lay scattered around the pitch and not even these were plant free. Buds stretched out of the water, grown just enough to announce their presence to the world.
David scanned the pitch in surprise. It did not seem like a place for battle but the signs were there. The clearing was ringed by tall thick hedges, with two small patios, clearly designed for trainers, on either side. Both patios empty.
More cheering echoed out from the background and David stared around in confusion. He knew people watched gym matches, he could even hear the evidence to the fact. So where were the crowds? And more importantly, where was the Gym Leader?
His confusion only grew as Tamia stepped into the opposite patio circle. David slowed, coming to a stop.
“Trainer David, I am Gym Trainer Tamia, here to meet your challenge against Celadon Gym for your first badge,” Tamia announced. She paused before continuing, looking a little sour. ”Celadon has found you to have sufficient expertise. The White Pokeball has found you to have sufficient nurture. I will now test if you have sufficient determination.”
Ah. So that's how it is. He supposed that he should have felt cheated, not fighting the gym leader, but honestly, he was relieved. Avoiding the crowd helped him remain anonymous and avoid distraction.
David pulled Pidgey’s ball out of its sling. He gave it a squeeze and stepped out onto the patio.
“One vs one battle to knock out or surrender. Release on my mark,” Tamia declared. She paused, hesitating before continuing. “Trainer David, END all, be all.”
David nodded, full concentration on every action of his opponent across the pitch.
“3.”
Tamia’s stance widened.
“2.”
David held his hand out and drew a slow breath.
“1.”
“Go!”
