ALL NOVEL Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The First Gym Badge
Question: If the gym leader cannot switch Pokémon, is it against the rules to force the challenger to switch Pokémon?
The referee hesitated. This brief pause left Marowak standing on the battlefield, looking a bit dazed.
Marowak turned to Rax with a puzzled expression, tilting its head as if to ask, What now?
---
"Alright, it's your turn!" Rax decided, opting not to provoke Byron further.
The gym leader had already resorted to using Roar, clearly unwilling to face Jumpluff again, even against an opponent like Marowak that held a significant advantage.
Byron's decision could be seen as a reluctant acknowledgment of Jumpluff's overwhelming strategy—or perhaps just his exhaustion from facing it.
"Marowak, let's show them what we've got!"
"Maro!" Marowak grinned, gripping its bone club tightly. It was never one to back down from a fight.
---
"Finally... finally! Bastiodon, use Rock Slide!" Byron's voice cracked with emotion, his relief palpable as he finally moved past Jumpluff's stalling tactics.
"Marowak, Bone Club! Charge forward!" Rax commanded.
Large rocks rained down from above, but Marowak nimbly sidestepped, expertly deflecting the falling debris with its bone club. Not a single rock touched it.
"Bastiodon, rush in with Iron Tail!" Byron yelled.
"Now, Stomping Tantrum!" Rax countered.
Bastiodon's heavy steps shook the battlefield, but just as it approached Marowak, the ground beneath it erupted in a wave of seismic energy. The attack's power, amplified by Marowak's determination, caused Bastiodon to stumble, momentarily halting its charge.
---
"Screech!" Rax commanded.
The high-pitched sound reverberated through the battlefield, forcing Bastiodon to flinch as it tried to recover.
"Don't give up! Charge with all your strength!" Byron bellowed.
Fueled by sheer willpower, Bastiodon's eyes glinted red as it lunged forward. Its massive weight left the ground momentarily, propelled by pure force and determination.
"Marowak, Bone Club—attack head-on!"
There was no chance to dodge. Rax raised his voice, feeding off Byron's passionate energy.
Bang!
The battlefield erupted as Bastiodon's weight clashed against Marowak's precise strike. The two Pokémon skidded across the field, crashing into the walls of the arena.
Marowak, though pushed back by Bastiodon's overwhelming size and strength, had struck with pinpoint accuracy. Its bone club landed a critical blow on Bastiodon's face, avoiding the sturdy steel armor of its head.
---
The dust settled. Bastiodon lay prone, completely still.
Then, a faint movement. Bastiodon tilted its head slightly...only for Marowak to emerge from the rubble, panting but still standing.
"Bastiodon is unable to battle! Marowak wins! As both of the gym leader Byron's Pokémon are unable to battle, the winner of this gym challenge is... Rax!"
---
Rax clenched his fists in triumph, overwhelmed with excitement. Across the battlefield, Byron silently recalled Bastiodon, letting out a long sigh of relief.
Finally, it was over.
Rax called Jumpluff back out and crossed the battlefield with his two Pokémon at his side.
For a brief moment, Byron seemed to take a subconscious step back upon seeing Jumpluff. Was it fear or respect?
"Well done," Byron said, a professional smile on his face. "I look forward to seeing your performance in the league competition!"
Byron handed over the gym badge, though it seemed like he was reluctant to part with it.
"This is yours," he said.
"Thank you, Leader Byron. I'll continue to work hard!" Rax said, politely reaching for the badge.
---
As Rax admired the badge's craftsmanship, he handed it to Marowak and Jumpluff.
"This is for you too!"
"Maro!"
"Fa-fa!"
Seeing Rax and his Pokémon celebrate, Byron's initial reluctance began to fade.
Let this kid take the badge and move on to other gyms, Byron thought. That way, someone else can deal with this kind of battle strategy.
---
As Rax stepped out of the gym, his communicator buzzed.
It was Professor Rowan.
"Hello, Professor!" Rax answered, his excitement still fresh.
"Rax, thank you for the data you provided. It's led to a breakthrough in our research. I'd like to discuss some other matters with you. Can we meet?" Rowan's tone was direct and professional, but his words made Rax's heart race.
"Of course! I just finished the Oreburgh Gym challenge and was about to continue my journey."
"Perfect timing. I'm heading back to my lab in Sandgem Town. Can you meet me there?"
"Absolutely! I'll head over right away!"
---
After hanging up, Rax made his way to the Pokémon Center to heal his team. He then stocked up on supplies at the PokéMart, his mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
Early the next morning, Rax boarded a bus bound for Sandgem Town.
As the bus sped down the road, Rax released Jumpluff to keep him company. However, the cotton Pokémon quickly retreated back to its Poké Ball, unimpressed by the bus's gasoline smell.
Left alone, Rax took the opportunity to reflect on his journey so far.
---
He now had three Pokémon:
1. Marowak – Its training came from Team Rocket's rigorous methods. With Giovanni's indirect endorsement, Rax knew he could secure even better training manuals for it in the future.
2. Jumpluff – With its natural talent and effective poison-substitution tactics, it already had a solid foundation. Rax hoped Professor Rowan could help uncover why Jumpluff struggled with offensive moves.
3. Beldum – Though still growing, Rax had found a clear path for its development. Who better to guide him than Steven Stone, the world's foremost expert on Beldum and its evolutions?
Rax clenched his fists with determination. The road ahead was long, but with his team and allies, he was ready for whatever challenges awaited.