(Cerulean City, Kanto Region, Pokémon World)
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(Cobalt POV)
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The entire gym was packed to the rafters. Even if the entire Gym felt like it was against him and Acerola, Cobalt knew that wasn't the case, as he'd seen Ash, Misty, Brock, and Gary in the crowd. No doubt they'd be cheering for him in some capacity, though Gary was doubtful given he was an arrogant little prick. Nevertheless, it was somewhat comforting to know that not everyone wanted him and Acerola to lose.
Even if mathematically speaking nearly the entirety of the crowd was cheering for the sensational sisters, the fact even one person wasn't made this battle worth the effort. Cobalt had made a decision; he'd use Ivysaur, Charmander, Pikachu, Slakoth, Weedle, and Abra in the battle. He hadn't really used them all that much so rotating them into his squad made sense, plus the televised nature of the battle would give them extra motivation. He had considered Snorlax, but ultimately, he wanted to save Snorlax for Surge, that Raichu of his was a monster, regardless of however much it was slower than the average Raichu. Snorlax would be his last-ditch mon against Surge if his other mons were taken down.
Besides, it wasn't just about type advantages here. This was about putting on a show and not just winning or winning well, but giving a good account of both himself and his Pokémon, and the same rang true for Acerola. Even if the Sensational sisters won and chose not to endorse his product, other sponsors just might if they performed well, something that he was conscious of as he and Acerola entered the field of battle.
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''So you're Cobalt Black. Quite handsome for your age.'' Lily said, but Cobalt found he didn't react to it. He'd always found Daisy hotter. Back then he had a weakness for blondes.
''Sure thanks…'' Cobalt says, before smirking mischievously. ''I'd return the compliment, but you're at most a four and a half out of ten.'' Cobalt says and Lily predictably looks comically scandalized by his statement.
''And what about us?'' Asks Violet, as she and Daisy enter the scene.
''Three out of ten.'' He says to Violet who looks even more insulted than Lily. ''And eight out of ten.'' He gives Daisy.
''Well, thank you. That was somewhat gratifying, but don't think it will win you any points with me.'' Daisy says, giving a seductive pose as the crowd reacts…to her.
''I'm already taken.'' Cobalt says simply.
''Regardless, let's get this party started!'' Lily says quickly, recovering first.
''This is a two on three match up with Cobalt Black and Acerola facing off against the three Gym Leaders of Cerulean City. Only the challengers may switch out their Pokémon. Are both sides ready?'' Asks the referee, before receiving nods from them all. ''Then let this battle….BEGIN!'' The ref shouted.
''We're up first! Come on out! Goldeen! Seel! Dewgong!'" The Sensational sisters say in unison releasing three clearly well-groomed and cared for Pokémon.
''You'll regret not taking us seriously from the get go.'' Cobalt heard Acerola say. ''Greedy Rapooh! I choose you!'' Acerola says calling on Gengar.
''Oh, what a cute Gengar!'' Lily said idly.
''It's called Greedy Rapooh for a reason. Rapooh was sealed away for hundreds of years because his mischievous nature brought chaos to Acerola's homeland. I freed him and Acerola tamed his cheeky nature. However, don't count me out!'' Cobalt explained carefully selecting a Pokéball. ''Charmander! Let's kick it into overdrive!'' Cobalt yells, calling on Charmander despite the massive type advantages being against their favor.
Luckily there's at least one move Charmander knows which gives him an edge.
''Seel use Aqua Jet against Charmander!'' Lily orders.
''Goldeen use Drill Run against Charmander as well.'' Violet orders.
Rapooh glanced at him, to which Cobalt shakes his head in silent denial.
''Thunder Punch!'' With that simple command, and like Laxus Dreyar did to Nullpudding, Goldeen and Seel are swatted down hard with an electrified punch from outta nowhere by Charmander. The two Water-Types crash into the water, the water takes on an electric Current, forcing Daisy's Dewgong onto one of the inflatable platforms to avoid paralysis.
''Greedy Rapooh, deal with those two! Use Thunder on the water!'' Acerola orders.
''Gegegegegegege!'' Rapooh cackled as it brought thunder down upon the water.
''Goldeen and Seel are unable to battle.'' Says the referee.
''You were right, we would regret not taking you seriously from the get go. Dewgong, return. I forfeit this round.'' Says Daisy, and Cobalt narrows his eyes. ''It seems we've no choice sisters. Carracosta let's go!'' Daisy says, causing Cobalt's eyes to widen.
''As Gym Leader Daisy has recalled Dewgong and voluntarily forfeited the round, this round goes to Cobalt Black and Charmander and Acerola and Gengar.
''Golduck! Ludicolo!'' Violet and Lily called out.
''Greedy Rapooh! Return!'' Acerola called her ace Pokémon back. ''Your time to shine. Come on out Poplio!'' Acerola said.
''That Pokémon's so cute!'' Violet coos.
''Poplio might not be as strong or fast as Greedy Rapooh, but she is exceptional in her own way.'' Says Acerola.
Poplio noticeably reacts to Acerola's praise.
Turning his attention to Charmander, Cobalt swallows his own personal code to teach Charmander an important lesson.
''Charmander, just hang in there a little bit longer.'' Cobalt orders, keeping Charmander in the match was part of a lesson he really didn't want to teach Charmander, but it was necessary to do now. As eager as Charmander was to succeed, there were some fights he just couldn't win. Best he understood that young, than to find out the hard way down the line in a less controlled environment.
''Charmander!'' Cobalt smiles sadly at the little ones Enthusiasm. That made this lesson much more painful.
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(POV Shift: Brock)
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Contrary to his expectations, Cobalt did not swap out Charmander. Charmander was outclassed.
Severely outclassed at that.
This Carracosta was not from Kanto, so Brock knew nothing of its capabilities. But it was strong, it was tanking hit after hit from Cobalt and Acerola's Pokémon.
So why was Cobalt keeping it in the game.
''It seems a bit cruel to let Charmander continue to fight with such a disadvantage doesn't it?'' Asks Misty.
''I'm not sure if cruel is the point. Look at Cobalt, his face might be impassive, but his eyes clearly show he's in pain. It's hurting him to watch this and let it happen.'' Brock replies.
''So why does he?'' Asks Ash.
''That young man, is a fairly simple answer.'' Turning to look behind him, Brock's mouth drops.
''L-lady Agatha?'' He asks in suprise.
''You know her Brock?'' Ash Asks, and Brock looks at him in suprise.
''You mean you don't recognize her? Ash it's Agatha Saarin! Professor Oak's ex-wife, and the longest-tenured Elite Four member in League history.'' Says Brock.
''So you're Gary's grandmother?'' Asks Ash.
''Not quite. After Samuel and I divorced, he remarried. Samuel's second son, Tobias eventually married our sons widow. Thus Daisy and Blue Oak are my grandchildren, but Gary is not.'' Lady Agatha explains.
''Sounds like one big complicated scandal.'' Misty says.
''It was, but we're not hear to talk about that. We were talking about Cobalt's decision. Cobalt is leaving Charmander in the match to teach Charmander a very important lesson.'' Says Lady Agatha.
''And what lesson is that?'' Ash asks.
''The lesson is one that no true trainer would ever take any pleasure in teaching. Simply put the lesson is that no matter how hard you try or how tough your Pokémon are, sometimes there's just no chance you can win.'' Says Agatha, and as a Gym Leader, Brock finds that that's a lesson he can understand.
Any Gym Leader who participated in a Gym Battle against a prospective trainer had to send out their Pokémon knowing that unless they wished to forfeit the round or match, they would need to be willing to send out their Pokémon into matches against trainers whose Pokémon could very well leave the Gym Leaders with no chance of victory. It was a lesson he'd learned early on, and one Ash hadn't really learned yet. Much as he wanted Ash to succeed, there were some trainers who were sikply on such a higher level it was insane. Cobalt wasn't necessarily one of those trainers, but Brock believed that he would be some day.
Every trainer had the potential to be great, but some had a talent that would catapult them into the heavens of greatness. Ash and Cobalt had that kind of talent Brock believed, but he wasn't sure it would be realized in Ash's case. He had a lot of growing up to do after all, and Brock knew some hard lessons would be in his path as a result.
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(POV Shift: Cobalt Black)
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It was very hard to watch Charmander getting manhandled like he was, but finally Cobalt reached his limit of what he could take.
''Charmander, return.'' Cobalt calls. ''Time to be strategic.'' Cobalt mutters quietly.
''Let's kick it into overdrive! Come on out….Weedle!'' Cobalt shouts, and he smiles idly at some of the derisive jeers from the crowd. Much like he did with Ash, Weedle was bait.
He'd target Golduck and maybe Ludicolo, before substituting Weedle. A good strategy for overcoming superior numbers, but it could tire out his mons rapidly if he wasn't careful. Which made his follow up Pokémon after Weedle a crucial choice.
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