Avon and Marcus - Chapter 8

Avon and Marcus - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Marcus and the Chef

The boys took a break at a diner somewhere in Pewter city, where Marcus planned to fill up his stomach while trying to get over his loss. He remembered his promise he made to Avon, after they got attacked by Nightmare, promising that he'd get stronger for both of them. He, at that moment, wondered how he was going to get any stronger, if he couldn't even get past the first gym. As he thinks, Avon patted him over the shoulder.

"You know," Avon said, "You were doing good until you got slammed by that Onix." Marcus said nothing, but groaned a little. "Dude, the gym leaders don't live up to their names for nothing. They're tough. Especially if you don't have a type advantage. Just try to train as hard as you can, so you can beat them."

"You can say that. You had the advantage..." Marcus said, in much despair that he couldn't possibly win.

"Well, I can't dawdle all day. That kid that'll trade me for my "shiny" Caterpie is still up for my offer. I'll get back to you on your dilemma. See ya."

Marcus sighed as Avon took his leave to rip off a trainer. As he sat to his dismay, a friendly woman in a blue, skirt-like uniform came his way. Marcus looked up as he saw the platter with his food and all as well as the woman holding it. The lady, herself, was surprisingly pretty for a maid, even the small mole on her face looking kinda cute.

"Hey," she said, being friendly, "I couldn't help but overhear you lost to the Gym leader of the town."

"Aye..." Marcus said, downy. Munchlax appeared out of his Pokéball, feeling just as down as Marcus. However, his expression changed quickly to happy, as he saw food and started chomping away at it.

"I think I might know someone who can help ya with training for the Gym challenge. Won't cost you any extra."

At the sound of those words, in the waitress' first sentence, a shining glimmer of hope showed in Marcus' eyes. He was given an opportunity he couldn't blow off.

"Where can I see him?" Marcus asked, desperate for training.

"Well..." the waitress glanced at the kitchen window, "He can't be disturbed, now. However, come back later tonight after his shift, and I think I can get him to agree. Around twelve or so."

"Right. Thanks..." Marcus stopped, then glanced at the waitress' nametag, "Betty."

"No problem, kid," she replied, happily, "A good deed a day brings happiness to stay."

Before preparing to take off, Munchlax ripped an enormous belch, which completely broke through several sound barrier. It was long, repulsive and reeked of onions. Those in the restaurant stared at Munchlax, whether they were repulsed or nearly ready to vomit. As Marcus paid for his food and left with Munchlax through the front door, the guy closest to the door opened a bag and spewed heaves of his lunch into the bag.

Marcus raced back to the Pokémon center, nearly overjoyed that he was going to get some proper training for his Gym battle. As he pushed through the doors, of the Pokémon center, nearly colliding with the two girls they met before, he caught sight of Avon and the guy, now in a green jumpsuit that wanted to trade, in front of a large machine, with two circular vents, almost mirror-like from each side of the machine. Below the circular vents was a Pokéball of each trainer, placed in a holder of sort, awaiting for the process of the machine.

The green jump-suited kid pulled down a lever and the Pokéballs were sucked into the vents. White silhouettes of each Pokémon appeared on the screen, in between the vents and edge to their other ends. The other trainers' Pokéballs each appeared on each of the opposing trainers' side and drop, safely, into the trainers' holder.

"Ha!" the green haired trainer said, taking his new "shiny" Caterpie. "Thanks, friend, for the shiny Caterpie! I hope you treat my old friend, Gligar, with respect."

"No, no." Avon said, taking his new Pokéball, with the other trainer's Pokéball, "Thank you, kid. And I will."

The two trainers bid their farewells, and went their separate ways. Avon began to chuckle. "Suck-er..." he muttered through his teeth, in a mischievously low, sing-song voice. He then saw Marcus, who was a lot cheerier, now. "So, what's been going on, while I was busy making a trade?"

"I got a mentor to train me for the first Gym challenge."

"Great! Now here's a question," Avon raised one finger, "What am I to do? I got nothing doing, in terms of waiting for you to beat the gym. And to be frank, I'm ready to move on."

Marcus's expression changed, quickly, to concern. "So, we're going to split?"

Avon nodded. "I suppose I can wait. But I'm only giving you two days to beat the gym. After that, I'm movin' on."

"Thanks. I promise, the next gym battle I have, I won't lose, Avon."

**********

Night quickly fell, and Marcus was back at the closed diner. As silently promised, Betty was waiting for Marcus, and appeared to be waiting for someone, at the front door.

"Okay, Betty, I'm here. Where's the guy that'll train me for the gym battles?"

"He's still wrapping things up in there," Betty replied, thumbing to the door of the restaurant. "He'll come out, in a few seconds. It's only a matter of time..."

"What do you mean by that?"

Betty hadn't had to say a word. She counted off her fingers, from three to one, and then pointed to the bushes, on cue. A handsome looking guy appeared from the bush, with flowers and chocolates in both of his hands, and a brown leather jacket hung along his arm holding the flowers. He had a both determined and desperate look on his face, a sweaty white T-shirt and working jeans; as he approached the two, his long, messy brown hair swaying back and forth. Once, after charging in, nearly catching Marcus off guard, he then stopped in front of Betty and then bent down on one knee, holding the flowers toward her.

"Please, Betty!" the guy begged. "Please, go out with me!"

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?!" A powerful voice bellowed from inside the restaurant. Betty sighed, having gone through this event routinely. Marcus was even more shaken up, due to the sudden shout, as was the man asking Betty out, who immediately dropped the candy and stood up, quickly. The man double-took to both of his sides, and then took off running, knowing someone would be following him, after hearing the scream.

The restaurant doors burst open and a large, sweaty guy holding a meat cleaver appeared, face red with anger and eyes shut close with sweat. He appeared to have a chef attire, with a white apron and a chef's hat on top, covering what little hair the fat man had. He chased after the male, stepping on the box of chocolates in the process, with the intention to scare him away at the sight of the meat cleaver. Marcus jumped at the sight of the fat guy.

"Who the hell is that?!" Marcus asked, surprised beyond relief.

"Dear ol' overprotective dad," Betty replied, gloomily placing one of her hands to her cheek. "He terrorizes all who wish to date me..."

The chef arrived back, shortly after having lost sight of the man; his meat cleaver still clenched in his hands. His eyes were opened, showing his pupils to be a beady-like black. He was out of breath, surely, his physique weighing him down. He arrived back, huffing, as he succeeded in driving the man away, wiping at his thick moustache with a finger.

"Oh, who's this?" the chef asked.

"An acquaintance. He needs help beating Brock," Betty explained.

"Another one?" the chef asked, straightening out his back, "Just get a water type, or something? I need to close up shop. I'm ready to hit the hay..."

"Sir..." Marcus said, disappointed, "I don't have either of those."

"Well, then..." the chef turned to Marcus, showing very little interest. "What do you have? The typical wild Pokémon, from around these parts?"

"Just my starter and a Charmander, sir."

The large man turned to Marcus. "Show me."

Marcus called out his Charmander and Munchlax. "Squirtle and Bulbasaur were taken by a friend and some bully, earlier. And plus, I wanted Charmander, from the beg-"

The chef seemed to pay a definite interest to Munchlax, who let loose another repulsive burp, like earlier that afternoon. Somewhere in the town, the same man who vomited the time Munchlax did it before, was waking up to another barfing session.

"Whoo!" the chef gasped, waving his hand over his face to waft the smell. "So you're the Munchlax that made that loud burp! I say, jolly good show! Ha-ha-ha!" the chef laughed, jollily.

"Huh." Marcus said, also wafting the smell from his face.

"You said it." Betty said, nasally, holding her nose, to keep from smelling it.

"So, you said you couldn't beat Brock, is that right?" the chef asked.

"Uh, right!" Marcus agreed, "He whupped me, last time..."

"Being that he had a Munchlax, and you had problems dealing with your first gym," Betty added, "I figured you could train him to beat Brock. So, pop, whadda ya say?"

The chef seemed to sway a bit, from exhaustion, "Urgh... I need to sit down. Let's discuss our terms inside."

The three entered the restaurant doors and sat down at one of the guests' tables. Marcus explained his situation and how the whole battle had gone in disaster. He then explained his situation with Avon, if he couldn't finish the gym challenge, within two days; being that Betty had established relevance with that of the chef's old friend, when he was his age.

Apart from all the explaining, the chef happily agreed to train Marcus, though starting the next morning; being that he was tired and wanted to sleep. With a new hope and a second and possible only chance to beat the gym, Marcus could soundly sleep that night.

***********

The next day, the restaurant was closed for the morning and Marcus was instructed to head to the back. The Chef and Marcus stood at their positions, as if they were prepping for a battle. Betty was sitting on a stump, nearby, still in her uniform, watching the session go.

"Okay, sir," Marcus said, "How do I beat a Rock type, with the Pokémon I have? I mean, the only unreliable move I can possibly use is Metronome. And using it could result to using something as great as Solar beam, or something as crappy as Splash."

"Yes, Metronome is all up to chance, which is why you won't be depending on such a move," the chef replied.

"... Say what?"

"Allow me to demonstrate. Snorlax!"

The chef tossed up a Pokéball of his own. The light formed into a large fatter Pokémon than both Munchlax and the chef combined. In fact, the Pokémon was in Munchlax's evolutionary line. In colors of teal and white, mostly white along the belly, it stands tall, on it's round feet. It had two fangs bulging from the bottom of it's mouth, much like it's predecessor, though it appears to have closed eyes.

The Snorlax pulled himself to his feet, seeing his pre-evolution, and preparing for battle.

"This attack may be powerful, but it is dodgeable. Time it right and you can counter attack with that of your own. Mega Punch!"

The Snorlax reared back his fist, as a white orb of light appeared at it's claw handed fist. It swung down it's fist, unleashing the blow to Munchlax, who dodged with a simple jump back as the attack made contact with the ground.

"Munchlax! Counter back with Mega Punch too!" Marcus commanded.

Munchlax swung back his fist, his attack performing differently than that of it's evolutions. His entire fist glows as he swung it to Snorlax, punching it wide in the gut as it straightened out and took the blow. To Marcus' surprise, and of Munchlax's, Snorlax didn't appear to have felt a thing. Snorlax let it's gut burst out and threw Munchlax back. Munchlax kept itself from overbalancing, after being thrown back from the force of it's stomach.

"Keep at it. Mega Punch!" the chef commanded.

"Munchlax! You too!"

Snorlax was powerful and delivered some fierce blows, however, Munchlax was small, nimble and quick. However, while being able to dodge, it's downside was failing to do damage at all to Snorlax, as it continued to attack him in the gut.

"It's no use!" Marcus complained. "Snorlax is too strong to feel anything in his stomach."

"And it's the same way with Brock's Pokémon. Frontal assaults have little effect, even with the Mega Punch. However, both Snorlax and Brock's Pokémon share a same tribute. Watch my attack closely, and see why I say you can counter the attack with that of your own. Mega Punch again!"

Snorlax charged up another attack, ready to use his Mega punch upon Munchlax.

"Ugh, I don't see a point in this..." Marcus complained.

It was then he remembered something about the attack that seemed familiar to him. He remembers when Brock's Onix charged in for Double edge, which it drew in, head first. Snorlax did the same thing, when the Mega Punch hit the ground. He knew where to hit it, now; the face.

"Munchlax, dodge it, then charge in and aim the Mega Punch at Snorlax's face!" Marcus commanded, firmly.

Munchlax jumped back and then charged in, as Snorlax's fist hit the ground. As he rose up to withdraw his fist, Munchlax unleashed his Mega Punch upon Snorlax, which seemed to show some effect upon damaging it. The force of the hit knocked Snorlax onto his back, and dropped him to the floor.

"My word," the chef said, "The boy figured it out!"

"What about Snorlax?" Marcus asked. He wasn't moving at first, stunned from the shock of taking the hit. However, a few seconds past and Snorlax began to snore, showing that it was now sleeping.

"He always does that." Betty noted.

"Now, Marcus," The Chef lectured. "That technique is your only chance at dealing some decent damage to Brock's Pokémon. Use the technique to your advantage, and you shouldn't lose."

"I will, sir!" Marcus said, he and Munchlax bowing respectfully. "And thanks again!"

Marcus and Munchlax headed on back to the Pokémon center, to rest up for the match. As he did, the chef recalled his Snorlax and Betty got up from the stump.

"That was pretty nice of you, daddy!" Betty said.

"It was nothing," the chef said, "I just didn't want the boy to end up like me. A fat old man working like this and chasing after boys waiting to date my daughter for a living!" Betty only smiled at the chef's comment, "Now, hurry along, darling. I gotta start up the grill for the breakfast shift!"

"Aye, aye, sir!"

*********

Marcus arrived at the gym, now with a more confident look. Avon tagged along, to see how his training session had went out for him. Brock was back in his sitting position, waiting for challengers, however, the stadium floor was still set out, as it was before.

"So, you're back, huh?" Brock asked, "Aah, I can sense your determination, this time."

"'This time,'" Marcus said, raising Charmander's Pokéball, "will be different. I have a trump card with me, this time."

"Hope so. This match might be a bit more interesting than your last."

The official appeared to have been asleep in a chair, somewhere in the dark, but had woken up to the acknowledgement that the challenger was here. With that, he quickly got up and took his place on the field.

"Err..." he said, sheepishly, "Sorry you had to see that. Anyway, you all remember the rules. The match is a two-on-two. Substitution is allowed by the challenger only. First to knock out each of the opponents' Pokémon wins." The official raised his flags, "So, without further ado, the match between the challenger, Marcus and the gym leader, Brock will now begin!" he rose his flags, signaling the beginning of the match.

"Geodude! Let's go!"

"Charmander!"

The Pokémon were called out, the same as before. Brock's Geodude, against Marcus' Charmander. They glared at each other, ready to take the orders from their trainers.

"Geodude, start it off with Tackle!"

"Charmander, flamethrower!"

Charmander unleashed his flamethrower first, the flames engulfing Geodude. However, Geodude pressed on, still managing to tackle Charmander. Unluckily, Geodude didn't sustain burns, like in the last battle.

"Geodude, rock throw!"

"Charmander, dodge it!"

Geodude threw rock after rock toward Charmander, who dodged them all, uneasily, with small strafes to the left and right. It ended up charging toward Geodude, to avoid anymore rocks thrown at him.

"Alright, Tackle again!"

Marcus seemed to realize how to take advantage of the situation. "Charmander, Metal Claw, now!"

Charmander's arms took a white glow, as it clawed toward the Geodude, furiously, with it's Metal claw attack. Geodude was pretty weak, after taking such a powerful attack.

"Taking advantage of what was coming to you. Nice," Brock complimented, "However, Geodude, Rock throw again!"

"Not this time! Charmander, quickly! Flamethrower!"

Instead of the usual orange flames that was flamethrower; twirling, bluish-yellow flames were shot from it's mouth, causing heavy damage to Geodude, as it picked up a rock, to throw it. The rock it even picked up was disintegrated from the attack. Geodude rolled onto it's back, it's two arms lying helplessly at it's side.

"What was that?" Avon asked, surprised.

"Dragon rage," Brock said, sternly. He hadn't expected that attack and from the look on Marcus's surprised face, he hadn't either.

"Geodude is unable to battle!" the official said, "Charmander wins the round!"

"Yes! It learned Dragon rage!" Marcus said, proud of his new attack, as Brock recalled his Geodude.

"I'll have to say, Dragon Rage will be tough to beat. However-"

"Don't say it!!!" both Marcus and Avon exclaimed, interrupting Brock in the middle of his rock pun.

"... Onix! Let's go!"

It seemed like the first match, all over again. Onix appeared from it's Pokéball, it's incredibly large size intimidating Charmander.

"Here we go..." Marcus muttered under his breath. "We can do this..."

"Onix, Rock Tomb!"

"Charmander! Dragon Rage again!"

The bluish yellow flames danced as they were unleashed upon Onix. However, Onix managed to duck from the attack, then throwing it's rock segments toward Charmander. Nicked in the leg, as of before, Charmander played Army dodge ball, trying to dodge the remained of the attack. It succeeded, just barely.

"Onix! Now! Double edge!"

Charmander, being attacked at it's blind spot, was knocked clean into the air and took a hard landing, on the way back down onto it's back. It winced, from the attack, trying to get back up, though failed in doing so, being completely exhausted.

"Charmander is unable to battle! Onix wins the round!" the official judged.

As Marcus recalled his Charmander, his confidence dropped a bit. Even with the new technique, he questions if he has yet mastered it. He wasn't sure if he could do it.

"So, I guess it's crunch time now," Brock said, crossing his arms, feeling confident.

"It is," Marcus replied, "Munchlax, you're up!"

Marcus called out his Munchlax, who looked up to the opponent, feeling confident that he now knows how to beat his opponent.

"Come on, Marcus!" Avon cheered. "Knock that pile of rocks about some!"

"Onix! Rock tomb again!" Brock commanded.

"Munchlax, dodge the attack!"

Munchlax took cover behind the rocks on the arena floor, the attack missing Munchlax, however, still sealing him in between the thrown rocks. Munchlax crawled out of the rock barrier, unmarred.

"Onix, charge in for a double edge!"

Marcus' eyes began to light up, as of Munchlax's. This was their chance to let him have it.

"Munchlax, dodge it-!" Marcus commanded, then cutting himself short. Munchlax leaped above the shockwave delivered from the impact of Double edge, his fist glowing with the charge of the Mega Punch. He saw the opportunity as well, and was already prepared.

"What the-?" Brock asked, getting anxious.

"Now! Mega Punch!"

Onix rose up, to see what was going on, and was hammered down with the attack. It reared back some, to avoid any more, but Munchlax pursued and kept on swinging, delivering hook after hook of Mega punch. Munchlax touched back onto ground after delivering an eight-hit combo, Onix in much of a daze. Brock was helpless.

"Finish it! Mega Punch, one more time!"

Munchlax held onto it's shoulder as it rotated it's other arm, rearing up for the punch. When it was ready, it stopped as it was reared back, fist glowing with the power, and delivered a powerful uppercut to the Onix's chin. The attack sent Onix thrown up and back, finally hitting it's side. Marcus smiled, as he saw it in Onix's clenched eyes and painful moaning. He had won.

"It appears..." the official was nearly speechless, "It appears that Onix is unable to battle! The winner of the gym match is Marcus Lamech!"

Marcus never thought he'd hear those angelic words. He pumped both of his arms, in triumph. "Yes! Yes! Yesyesyesyes!!" Marcus said, repeatedly.

"Huh. Onix, take a rest." Brock said, recalling his defeated Rock Pokémon. Once Marcus calmed down from his victory, he approached him, his fist clenched with his earned badge, "Nice job, Marcus. That Mega Punch really turned the tables in your favor. Well, you really earned this one. Here." He held out his hand, opening his clenched fist to reveal the badge he desired so.

"Thanks, Brock. It was a rough battle, all the more; but worth it," Marcus said, as he took the badge, clenching it in his fist with triumph.

"And you doubted yourself, saying that you couldn't do it..." Avon said, crossing his arms.

"Well, I wish the both of you good luck," Brock said, as he took his place back to sitting on his rock throne.

"Thanks, dude." Marcus said, then turning to Avon, "And as you would usually say, 'and away we go!'"

"... I think you should leave stuff like that to me..." Avon said, a bit annoyed that Marcus wasn't saying it right.

**********

The two boys healed up and went for the next route, Route 9, immediately, that same afternoon. Avon had gotten the strangest feeling to head out, immediately, leaving little time for resting up at the Pokémon center.

"I just got a feeling, is all..." Avon replied, when Marcus asked why they were leaving.

"Is the rip-off thing starting to haunt you?"

"Nothing like that. Still... I just got a bad feeling..." Avon sighed. "Well, since we're off again, I mind as well say this. I'm surprised how long it took you to actually beat the gym leader."

Marcus stopped. "But I had the type disadvantage. And you even said it yourself that beating the gym leader on the first try wasn't always possible."

"Still, it just dawned me how long it took us to leave Pewter. Heck, I could've been all the way to Vermilion, by now."

Avon continued on walking. However, Marcus wasn't going to take the comment, hands down. He called out his Munchlax.

"Use Mega punch."

Avon had heard the command, but turned around to see where it was aimed at. To his misfortune, Munchlax's fist made powerful contact with Avon's cheek, at the utmost sucker punching Avon for the comment.

********

Meanwhile, in Viridian forest, the kid in the green jumpsuit was training his "shiny" Caterpie, managing to defeat a trainer's Weedle with it.

"Ha-ha!" he said, confidently, "Just think. It's only a matter of time before you're fully evolved and become a shiny Butterfree! Ooh, I can't wait to see that happen!"

The Caterpie couldn't wait for that either, as it smiled happily at his trainer. At that instant, he started to glow and take form into a cocoon shape of sorts. The very moment enthralled the green jumpsuit trainer.

"He's evolving!" he said, huffing his breaths and hyperventilating from the excitement. He pointed to the opposing trainer, "Pinch me, fool, I'm must be dreaming!"

The trainer backed away and fled for his life. The green jumpsuit kid looked at his fully evolved Pokémon and the very shock of seeing it's not-so-shiny colors turned his expression to a sulked, jaw-dropping moment.

"What the heck?! What is that?!" the green jumpsuit kid asked. He took out a water bottle and sprinkled it on the golden painted areas. The areas started to run off. The kid smeared at it, with two of his fingers, and acknowledged it's contents. "Paint?!?!" he screamed, to the top of his lungs, his voice echoing through the forest.

Back at the restaurant, Betty appeared to have heard something, which sounded like screaming.

"Say, dad," she pulled up the topic, "did you hear something, just now?"

"Can't hear a thing, while the grill is hot!" the chef said, the loud sizzling from the many foods on the grill drowning out any sound he could hear.

Betty shrugged, figuring it had nothing to do with her, and turned to the customers, ready to serve them.

**********
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