Chapter 9: Chapter 8 "Camp Challenge"
After we leave the classroom that's in the main building, John and I wander back towards the lake with our pokemon out. Danu is quite happy to just be out and walking with me, while John's Charmander is being inquisitive but avoiding the trees. That flame on his tail is just a bit too dangerous for the forest.
"So, what do you think about all that Art?" John asks me.
"Not entirely sure. I mean, I already knew that I wasn't going to specialize to heavily. But it does explain certain things. Like my mom being able to static shock my dad whenever she wants." We both chuckle at that.
"So your mom's an electric type trainer?" he asks after a second.
"Former gym leader of Goldenrod City. She stepped down a couple years ago. Now a girl named Whitney is in charge of the Gym. She's not bad, and she certainly makes sure you don't underestimate normal types. But she doesn't have the same track record as my mom."
"Yeah, my dad said that after Giovanni left, Viridian City Gym hasn't been quite the same either. Blue Oak, Gary's dad, took it over. He's still one of the strongest gym leaders in Kanto. But he doesn't have the same reputation as Giovanni did. Though there are rumors that he'll be coming back."
I didn't know that. I feel like Giovanni coming back isn't right, but I don't know why. Just the same weird Déjà vu feeling I got when I saw the New Bark Pokemon Lab.
"Huh. Anyway, have you decided what path you and Charmander are going to take to get stronger?"
John kind of smirks, "Oh yeah. Best part, it shouldn't be too pricey until I start needing to get bronze or silver tier ingredients."
"See, there's this pokefood recipe that my dad showed me. None of his pokemon liked it, not even his Charizard. It's a combination of Petaya berry and some other things that should gradually increase Charmander's long range attacks. Until Charmander evolves into Charmeleon, that's going to be our focus. Perfect his fire attacks and control, and we will need to do something about his speed."
"I can help some with the speed. I like to go running in the mornings, so if we have a path we can follow that should help with both speed and endurance. Me and Danu have gotten used to our morning runs so picking them back up won't be a problem. That's my main focus with Danu right now as well. I want her to be reasonably fast with good endurance, so when we go on our journey we can at least outlast our opponents."
"You should think of something else to train her with as well Art. My dad told me that focusing on one offensive and one defensive ability is better than just one or the other."
I think about it for a minute, and it does make sense. I'm just not sure if I should try to focus on long range attacks, or close quarters combat with Danu.
"I'll ask one of the assistants for a recommendation. I just don't know which I should work with Danu on. While I think longer range would be best for her, I don't know enough about how Meganiums fight to decide."
John nods, "Good idea. I know a bit about how Charizards fight cause my dad has one. But Meganiums are pretty rare, and I'm not sure what exactly they can do."
We do however agree to meet up in the mornings for a jog before whatever events are scheduled for the day. With that, I leave John at our cabin and head off to find one of the lab assistants.
*****
It takes me some time, as most are tied up with other things, but eventually I find one that is able to help me.
"So what's your question kid?"
He's a middle aged white guy, with brown hair and these thick glasses. But from what everyone says this is the guy to go to, to find out about battle styles.
"I'm trying to find out what type of combat I should have my Chikorita focus on, so she has her own style when she evolves."
"Ahhh, Chikorita. Yeah, don't see too many of those. And most of the time, any combat footage we have is from Pokemon Tides. So I can understand the desire to figure this one out. Really, you have two options."
"Your first option is to go the traditional route. Teach you Chikorita Sunny Day and Solar Beam. That's honestly not a bad option, but from what few videos of Meganium we can find in competition, it's pretty miserable for the Meganium."
"Now the second option is a little bit more confusing to people. This is the odd combo. In other pokemon I'd call it the sweeper, but for a Meganium it just seems odd. Anyway, as a Chikorita you just need to focus her control over Razor Leaf and eventually Magical Leaf. Additionally, you'll want to see about Light Screen, Reflect, and Aromatherapy. At the early stages, that's fine."
I kind of like this second option honestly. It'll definitely surprise people if we go to competitions.
"Okay, what about when she evolves into Bayleef?"
"Bayleef is when things start to get tricky for you. At that point, you'll want to be able to get the TMs for Giga Drain, Energy Ball, and Work Up. You can keep on focusing on Razor Leaf and Magical Leaf at that point. In fact, it might help save you some money, because some Bayleefs we've found in the wild managed to at least have Energy Ball. All of those showed a high level of skill with Magical Leaf, so that is a start for you."
"This is all a build up for when your Chikorita evolves into Meganium of course. Once she gets to Meganium, you can focus on Petal Dance and Petal Blizzard. That's why you need to focus on the other two first. At that point, you can teach her Earthquake and Bulldoze as well to give you a little bit of coverage. But the main thing is that the few recorded instances of Meganium being part of Pokemon Tides, show them using this kind of move set. Not long range or close quarters, but kind of a medium range with wide effect."
"Okay…." I say, thinking about it. It's definitely different than what I would have expected. Most people focus on one or the other, but I can definitely see that. Meganium are rather large, so most people would think they are good long range attackers or supporters. But what if they aren't and instead they are a force of nature…
"I've got it!" I shout, before looking around sheepishly. "Thank you sir."
"No problem, kid," he says, "The names David. If you got any more questions along those lines, feel free to ask."
I head out to the camp arena bringing Danu out as I go. As we walk to the small gym field I explain what David just told me. Danu seems enthused that we have a plan all the way to Meganium for her.
Once there, we start our practice. Danu only knows Razor Leaf at this point, so we focus on getting the number of leaves up and how fast they can go. It's not much currently, but I have no idea how I'd train her on Magical Leaf. That's a subject for me for tomorrow.
About thirty minutes into our practice, and Gary shows up with his Squirtle.
"Well, if it isn't Arthur. Here training your worthless partner for the camp challenge?"
"Gary, if you call my partner worthless one more time, I will wreck you. And what camp challenge?" I legitimately hadn't heard about anything like a challenge.
"Cool it pretty boy. I ain't trying to get in trouble with my gramps. The challenge is what the parent's day tournament is called. Everyone only has one pokemon, so it's a test. Will your pokemon have the endurance to last through the entire thing?"
"Okay. That should be a good challenge for us, right Danu?"
Danu chirps, as Gary smirks. Then he frowns.
"Listen," he says, "I know I come off as a jerk. Between my Dad and Gramps, I know I've never really had to work for anything. In fact, the NTSP was the first time I was nervous I wasn't going to take first place. Thought John was going to take it for sure. But I did."
"Did you mean what you said back in the cabin?"
I look at him for a moment. "You mean about people trying to ride your coattails?"
He nods.
"Yeah. I mean, I don't really know that Ruby guy. But the rich kid who basically turned into your yes man? He doesn't care, he's trying to ride in your shadow till he gets what he wants."
Gary looks serious for a moment, before looking at me and saying, "Would you mind asking John to talk? I would, but we haven't gotten along very well since this stupid fight we had. I was mad and said some stupid stuff. But John is one of my best friends."
"Yeah, I can talk to him about it. But no more being a jerk. All right?" I hold out my hand.
He smirks, "No promises, but I won't mean any of it."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Smileykiller2797
Smileykiller2797 Yeah, Gary's still going to be John's rival. But, it was never meant to be a mean rivalry. More like school friends that are constantly trying to one up the other.
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