Get ready to challenge Brooke

Taking a look at the Pokétracker app while you eat, you realize that you’ve made better progress than you had been expecting. Pidgey and Pikachu have both learned Quick Attack, with the latter also learning Double team, and Mankey has learned both Fury Swipes and Karate Chop. At this point, you’re fairly sure you have what it takes to at least make an attempt to take on Brooke. After Daniel’s cooking and the eating of said cooking, it’s just about 2:30 PM. With it taking about half an hour to get back, you would still have plenty of time to issue a gym challenge today.

You and Kayla help the blonde boy with cleaning up and putting away his cooking equipment, thanking him again for the delicious meal. “You guys are sweet.” Daniel says. “So, what next? You guys ready to train some more, or are we good to head back?”

“I’m thinking of challenging Brooke, actually. I feel like I’m ready to at least give her a go.” You respond.

“Oh yeah. Hm, what do you think Kay? Wanna try Brooke today too?” The blue-eyed trainer asks.

“Sure, I think we all stand a decent chance honestly. Why don’t we all challenge her?” The quiet girl suggests.

“Oh, would she take us all in one day? Daniel, you probably know best, since your sister’s a gym leader.” You ask the golden-haired boy.

He replies with “Oh, gym leaders definitely take on multiple challengers a day. They just take a thirty minute break in between back to back battles. I’m sure Brooke could handle all of us… handle all of us, huh? Hm…” a thoughtful look passes over the handsome boy’s face. “Well, anyway, if we’re set on this, then let’s get moving. We need to heal up at the Pokécenter and get moving. C’mon troops!”

“Yes sir!” You and his **** say in unison.

Following Daniel’s lead, you begin the short walk back up the road to Pewter City, discussing potential strategies for dealing with rock types and ground types along the way, and you come up with what you each feel are your best chances at victory. It doesn’t take long for you to reach the city once again, and you return to the Pokémon Center in short order.

Once inside, the three of you make your way up to the reception counter and wait for Joy to finish healing the Pokémon of the person in front of you. Once she’s done, the nurse turns to you all, brightening as she sees you. “Welcome back! How did the training go?”

“Really well, actually. Once our Pokémon are healed, we’re going to try our luck with Brooke.” You say, smiling at the pink-haired nurse.

“I see… Well, um, good luck!” She says hesitantly, her gray eyes filling with uncertainty.

Oh. Right. If you beat Brooke, you’ll be moving on, away from Pewter City… You pull Joy in for a deep kiss, pushing yourself over the counter. You let this go on for about twenty seconds, then break off. “Thanks, Joy. I really appreciate your support.”

The flustered woman smooths out her ruffled pink blouse. “Yes well… Good luck!” She repeats, more enthusiastically this time. You hear light sounds of amusement from your friends, but they don’t tease you or anything. The three of you have your Pokémon healed, and you head back out of the Pokécenter to go to Pewter Gym. After you kiss Joy one more time.

You catch both Daniel and Kayla smirking at you as you walk, but again they say nothing about you and the pretty nurse. Your trio quickly makes its way to the large gray building made of multiple stones hewn together that is this town’s gym. Approaching the reception desk, you see a cute brunette in her mid-twenties sitting behind it. Her hair is tied up in a loose bun, and she’s wearing a tight gray shirt and pencil skirt.

The receptionist looks up at the three of you. “Hello, how may I help you today?” She asks politely.

“We’re each looking to challenge Brooke today.” Daniel answers, stepping forward. He gestures to himself and Kayla. “She and I are here for our second badge. This guy-“ he jabs a thumb at you “-is here for his first.”

“I see. This can certainly be arranged, there are no other scheduled matches today. It will take about half an hour to get everything set up and for us to get the word out. I will need you to hand me your Pokédexs so that I may scan your IDs.” The pretty receptionist explains.

You all do so, and she scans each of you in, then hands you back your devices. “Very good. If you walk down that hall to your left, you will eventually find the trainer waiting room, where you can wait for your match and watch the ones that occur first, no ticket required.” Oh, good. Because you… actually couldn’t afford one. “Now, may I ask which one of you will be battling first?”

“I will.” Daniel says instantly, and neither you nor Kayla seem to find a reason to argue.

“Very well then. Please head to the waiting area, and you will be notified when your match is about to begin.” The woman smiles at you all, and you follow her directions, leaving down the left hallway.

You quickly find the trainer waiting room, and the three of you head into the area you’ll be resting in. The inside is like a cross between a lounge and a locker room; there are showers and changing areas for people who want to dress up for their battle, but there are also couches and chairs around tables lined with snacks and drinks. There are several large television screens on the walls, your way to watch the matches while you wait, and a large exit door that leads out into the arena.

“Well, we’ve got some time to kill. Might as well kick back.” Daniel says, flopping down onto a sofa.

The two of you join him, Kayla in his lap, and you ask him a question. “You seemed pretty dead set on going first. Why?”

The buff blonde shrugs. “I jus-“

“He wanted to go before me, since Brooke will be using the same team against the two of us. That’ll give me an advantage, seeing it beforehand. He did the same thing when we battled his sister.” Kayla cuts her master off, side-eyeing him as she speaks.

For once, her fellow Vermillion City trainer seems caught off guard. “Well, I mean… C’mon Kay, you didn’t have to spell it out like that!” He’s actually blushing a little.

“Aww, that’s cute Daniel! Helping her out like that.” You tease the normally steady boy.

“Fuuuck you dude.” He flips you the bird, and the three of you start laughing.

“You all seem like you’re having fun.” A husky female voice cuts into your revelry. You all turn to face its source, standing in the doorway. She’s a woman that you all recognize immediately of course; Brooke, the Pewter City Gym Leader. Wearing nothing but baggy gray cargo pants and black boots, just as she had during her battle with Blue, the tanned woman walks toward your trio, smiling warmly. “Hello Little Surge. Been a while.”

‘Little Surge’ smirks at the topless woman. “Sure has. How long has it been since you last visited Vermillion, like a year?”

So they know each other. Makes sense, Brooke and Lt. Surge are both gym leaders, so they’re probably at least acquainted. You wonder if Daniel knows Leah at all?

“Yeah, haven’t had much reason to go down there recently, and I’ve been busy. Haven’t seen the Lieutenant up here either though.” Brooke runs a hand through her spiky black hair, grinning. “Who are your friends? They both look pretty cute!”

You and Kayla both blush ever so slightly, and Daniel chuckles. “This here is Kayla, she’s from Vermillion like me.” The shy brunette waves.

“And I’m Red, from Pallet Town.” You take the liberty of introducing yourself.

The gym leader’s head snaps to you, eyebrows raising. “Oh? The one Leah told me about?” She asks.

“I did meet Leah, yeah. She told you about me?” You respond, and you see Daniel react in light surprise. Maybe he does know Leah.

Brooke stares at you with her permanently shut eyes, then her warm smile widens. “Yeah. She did. I want to talk to you later, after the battles. Okay?”

You aren’t entirely sure what she would want to talk about, other than maybe thanking you, but you have no reason to refuse. “Yeah, okay. Sounds good to me.”

“Great! Well, I need to go get ready. I was just swinging by because I heard Little Surge was here. Get yourselves ready too, and good luck. You’ll need it!” The buff woman smirks, and waves a goodbye over her shoulder as she leaves.

“See ya Brooke!” Daniel calls after her, before spinning to look at you. “You met Leah, huh?”

“Yup. At the south exit of Viridian Forest. I guess you’ve met her too, Little Su-“

“They’ll never find your body.” The golden-blonde interrupts, completely deadpan.

“… Little Surge.” You dodge a thrown Kayla - who squeals at being used as a projectile - as Daniel shouts “MOTHERFUCKER!” He tries to jump on you, but you roll off the couch and begin running around the room. He chases you, and an impromptu game of tag ensues, with you both jumping over furniture and running around the room, laughing the whole time.

This playtime ends when the more muscular boy manages to grab you, catching you in a headlock. “What’s my fucking name!?” He growls.

“D-Dan-Daniel! Daniel!” You struggle to answer through both your laughter and his headlock.

“And don’t you forget it, asshole!” The younger Surge releases you, and you both tumble to the ground, laughing your asses off. Kayla is curled up on the sofa, holding her stomach as her own giggling starts to hurt her. The three of you stay like that for a while, just laughing together.