Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.

Chapter 8

Oreburgh gym is a large, stone, keep-like building that's more like a fortress than gym. Dawn and I finished getting ready in our room, and then stopped for breakfast before heading to the gym. We haven't talked about what happened, but she's been acting different and hanging on my arm ever since we left.

We head in to the gym conjoined at the arm. The inside looks just as rugged as the outside, and just as big. It's one huge room, with some statues and a huge battle court in the middle. It looks like a basketball court, but it's used for battling. The court is what proves the gym is official. Every trainer knows that the court is the official sign of the Pokémon league.

A nerdy looking guy standing by one of the statues calls us over once we're inside. We walk over cautiously, a little wierded out by his appearance.

"Are you two here to see the gym leader?" His voice is really high-pitched and annoying.

"Uh yeah, are you him?" I ask, I know that he's not, but I thought I might ask anyway, maybe compliment this guy. He obviously doesn't get out much. He looks taken aback.

"Oh no! I'm not him! The gym leader here is Roark, the master of the rock type." The nerd guy explains, with respect.

"Oh, well, where is he then?" I ask, looking around.

"He had to go to the quarry, there was a problem there. He probably won't be back for a while." Nerd guy tells us.

"What was the problem?" Dawn inquires. The nerd guy frowns immediately.

"There was something going on with the Pokémon there. I overheard Roark on the phone and apparently the Pokémon were attacking workers and sabotaging machinery."

"There are Pokémon at the quarry?" I ask, a little surprised. I didn't know they let Pokémon wander about.

"Yes, the cave they dig the rocks out of has many different types of Pokémon living in it. The quarry workers are usually very careful about disturbing their habitats, and most of the Pokémon even help sometimes. I don't see why the Pokémon would suddenly start attacking." The nerd looks worried.

"Well Dawn, what do you think? Maybe we should go down to the quarry and check it out. Also, I need some more Pokémon, preferably not of the normal type; I'm at a major disadvantage against rock-types." I suggest. She smiles.

"I think that's a great idea." She squeezes my arm tighter as she speaks, emphasizing her agreement.

We head out of the gym, leaving the nerd to his business and heading towards the quarry.

"This stinks. You'll be just fine with Piplup, but Eevee and Starly have a serious type disadvantage against the leader's rock types." I state, frowning. Dawn giggles.

"I believe in you. You can do it." She replies simply. She sounds like she's brimming with confidence, and snuggles into my side as we walk. We approach the gate to the quarry and a man in a booth lets us in, seeing as there isn't any work going on, on account of the bothersome Pokémon.

We head through the workplaces and past the huge bulldozers and head into the cave. The cave is way bigger than the other one we had to pass through to get to Oreburgh. It's also well-lit, but I can't help but tease Dawn.

"Hey, Dawn. This is a cave, you know. Are you going to be alright?" I ask playfully. She furrows her brow and looks at me cutely.

"Don't be mean. That other cave was dark and scary. This is different." She responds, making a frowny face. I laugh a bit at her cute face.

"I know, I know. I was just teasing you." I reply, smiling cheerfully. She smiles back and hugs my arm.

We keep walking until suddenly I stumble over a rock and almost fall. I catch myself and Dawn keeps me steady. I look back and see a rough-looking rock sticking out of the ground partially. The rock starts vibrating and then grows arms out from the ground. I realize it's not a rock at all. It's a Geodude! Dawn hurriedly pulls out her Pokédex and gets the Geodude's information.

"Geodude; the rock Pokémon. This Pokémon is known for disguising itself as a rock in the ground. People often trip over it and make it upset." The Pokédex explains. I laugh; at least I'm not the only one who's tripped over a Geodude!

"Geo, Geo, Geodude!" The thing gets up and rolls towards us angrily.

"Dawn, I think you've got this one." I let her have the battle. My normal types aren't going to fair very well against a solid rock Pokémon like Geodude.

"You tripped over it!" Dawn refuses lightly. I shake my head and she sighs, then lets go off me and unclips a Pokéball from her waist and throws it out, sending in her Piplup.

"Eevee!" My Eevee coos from my shoulder. She's probably trying to encourage Piplup or something. I pet her as Dawn starts battling the Geodude. I watch Dawn's movements as she battles. She's constantly moving, calling out commands, or encouraging Piplup. I feel like the rest of the world is gone, and Dawn is the only thing here. When she smiles during her battle, I smile unconsciously. Every one of her actions stirs something up inside of me, and makes me feel light, and free.

Before I know it her battle is over and she's returning to me with a smile on her face. She locks her arm in mine again and we continue like it was no big deal. After a bit of searching, we finally run into a Machop. I'm searching one out because it's a fighting type, and has an advantage over rock types that should help in my upcoming battle with the gym leader. I let Eevee battle it, even though it has a distinct weakness against the Machop. I'm sure that if I can learn how to work against a disadvantage, then it will help me out in the future, against future gym leaders and strong trainers.

"Eevee, go; use quick attack!" Eevee sprints at the Machop and tackles it in a flash, and the Machop is left stumbling. It grows angry and charges at Eevee with its hand ready to karate chop.

"Eevee, dodge it!" I call, and Eevee jumps out of the way. "Tackle! While it's distracted!" I counter with tackle and the Machop is thrown off its feet.

"Eevee, use sand-attack!" I call, and Eevee kicks up some dust into Machop's eyes as it stands up. The Machop doesn't even blink, it just charges at Eevee and hits hard with a tackle of its own. Eevee takes a hard hit and is knocked off its feet.

"What?" I ask out loud, confused. Then I remember Machop's ability; No Guard. Its attacks always have one hundred percent accuracy, and so do mine. Eevee gets up.

"Eevee, quick attack!" I call, and Eevee charges at Machop. It takes a hard hit, and is obviously fatigued. I take the chance and pull out a pokéball and chuck it at the Machop. It bounces off and opens, and a red light spills out and captures the Machop and then closes. The ball falls and then starts rolling side to side, but then snaps open and falls uselessly to the ground. If a Pokéball doesn't catch the Pokémon it expends all its energy and can't be used again, it's a one shot deal. It's always important for a trainer to carry a lot of them.

"Aw, man!" I call out, and the Machop starts charging again.

"Dodge it, Eevee!" The Machop's karate chop nicks Eevee's tail as she jumps out of the way. "Now finish this with another tackle!" I command, countering the Machop's attack again. The hit connects and the Machop is thrown to the floor, down for the count. I throw another Pokéball and it bounces off again and sucks up the Machop. It closes, then falls and starts to roll, and then finally clicks. I caught it.

"Ha-ha!" I laugh proudly, throwing my arm up in victory. I run over and pick it up.

"Awesome, great job, Eevee." I praise, and pick her up too.

"Yay! Now you won't fail miserably during your gym battle!" Dawn calls, grabbing my arm and laughing. I raise an eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah." I reply, and we start heading deeper into the cave.

Writing this story is starting to feel like a chore. Please review if you want it to keep going. I want it to continue as well (seeing as how I've yet to get to the sexy parts). So please, please review.

Thanks yous!

P.S. The "s" in thank and the "s" in you are not typos. :P