Hard Enough-Chapter 5: The challenge laid out

Yoo-hoo Mr Gym leader! Good morning! Brock! Pewter city rocks!!

I waved as I walked down the streets of my city, acknowledging the various people that called out to me as I went. I was a well-known face and there had been a lot of community uproar when my dad had left.

There had been lots of wagging tongues back then. Lots of people had doubted me. Lots of well-meaning people who just wanted what was best for me and my family had leaked out of the woodwork. So, so, so many critics. The people that actually knew me and helped could thankfully be counted on two hands but it had been a frustrating time in my life. Hard work along with a solid performance record meant I had been able to retain the position while holding onto our house. Taking care of my family was still a challenge as with Dad gone, I was the only one my little siblings could look to.

I didnt even want to touch the issue of my mother.

Right now, I was looking to pick up some of them from school after getting groceries. Which now included Munchlax chow. A whole three bags full. I smiled when I got to the usual pick up point. The usual crowd were all there with many of the mothers smiling and waving. The fathers nodded in greeting and the few stray people my age gave shy smiles. I merely nodded, ignoring the giggles that my huge hiking pack I was carrying garnered. It was a now typical sight that the residents of Pewter had gotten used to.

Just because I could carry the various groceries my small tribe of a family needed didnt make it easy. Unless you played it smart. It looked dorky as hell but it worked. One man had once commented on it only for me to shut him up by asking him to hold it while I tied up my shoe. His nearly being crushed by something that I carried with ease had shut them up that day.

I thankfully didnt have the Brock habit of swooning and throwing myself at women like he did in the cartoon. I certainly appreciated them more in this life; as they all also stayed very fit even with office jobs. It was rare to see overweight people in the pokemon world and most of the time it was more a muscled look than actual flab.

Brock, nice to see you! Johnny was telling said one woman as a group approached me.

Women approaching me and talking about pokemon or getting tutoring for their kids wasnt unusual in my city. I was all too happy to help. Heck, I still coached the little league baseball team, so that only gave parents twice the opportunities and number of reasons to seek me out. Thankfully Baseball season was run only in the off circuit timetable, and really only took up two and a bit afternoons. In truth, all sports ran at the same time,, making it a tough market to be in, but baseball was one of the most popular. It was something Id have to look into in a few months time once the conference was over.

Hey Brock who do you think is going to win in tonights match up? asked a dad that was glancing at a newspaper. He likely had the odds section opened judging by the numbers that were being shown along with the pictures of various Ponyta, Rapidash, Growlithe and Arcanine littered across the page.

Whos fighting?

Bruno and Agatha! announced the man. This led to a mutter being picked up as people began talking about the implications of the match. I merely leaned back, happy to not comment. Honestly, I think the man was more looking to strike up a conversation than actually asking for my take.

I picked up my bevy of little sisters and brothers from the school and waved them to their friends and the mothers. Then it was off to the nursery where the youngest twins were, then a short walk home accompanied the entire way by the tirade of noise that comes with having small children being forced to remain within close contact.

Nuh-uh! Im not touching you! said Tommy as he faked moving at Cindy before pulling back.

Brock!

Stand on the other side away from him Cindy. Tommy stop harassing her, show me how fast you are instead by running to that Ratata and back.

Tommy sprinted off, happy to show off while the Ratata that had been going through one of our neighbours garbage bins shrieked in surprise before dashing away. The rest of the kids laughed before they began telling me of their day and what they learned. I made sure to compliment and praise good behaviour as the parenting guide had suggested. I made them dinner and set them to work on their homework before going through with my own gym paperwork. The day spent at school and the more serious air letting all but the youngest settle down. Each of us was in the same room with our work while a Geodude rolled around and played with the youngest kids. The newly acquired Munchlax happily devoured snacks thrown his way.

My own homework such that it was, was both mundane, interesting, and boring at the same time. I rushed through the tedious paysheet for trainers that were working for the Gym, most of them currently on holiday with the circuit winding down. I only had three of them on instead of the eight that I could. Two of whom Id be expecting to finish up with at the end of this season.

I had some plans for how things would play out in the future. There was a big question looming in my mind though, of if I should let canon play out. I had already changed tons of things, both in major and minor ways. Id exploited the knowledge I had to set my family up in a better position.

You only had to look at the state of the art gym that Id had designed and created which my family now lived in. I wouldnt ever feel guilty about this but it certainly would add some possible wrinkles. Id only have felt guilty if I hadnt used the knowledge I possessed. I wouldnt ignore that I also wanted to be in a stronger position than the canonical Brock but regardless, I wouldnt have been able to look myself in the mirror if I hadnt made myself as strong as possible.

Mind If I put on the League channel tonight Brock? asked Forrest

I grunted from atop the paperwork, You know youre supposed to be taking over some of this if you want to be training to take my position one day right?

Forrest squirmed in place before looking away. Well yeah, but Its still a way off right?

I nodded, my thoughts on this still undecided. Yolanda glanced up from her homework. Part of me wanted to stay but part of me urged myself to take off. Another part despised that part. Thatd make me sorta like Dad and her. Instead of voicing the fluctuating turmoil, I instead nodded and settled in for the rostered match. Whats scheduled? Any matches? I felt an earlier memory tickle at my thoughts but Forrest was quicker.

Bruno is challenging Agatha for the fourth spot in the new champs roster instead of being third! he said in a rush.

That got a hum from me. Hmmm, Lance is letting them fight? Forrest nodded as he turned on the TV showing the team roster for each. I eyed the pokemon that were being displayed along with who would be most likely to come out first from each. From what I knew, Bruno would go in strong and fast. Honestly, Agatha was a terrible matchup for him. The two Gengars stood out to me and I huffed before returning to my work, Agatha wins, three K.Os to six and those three against her only because of fatigue.

Forrest of course voiced his own thoughts. This sparked some discussion from Yolanda and Salvadore who both had their own opinions.

Hey, dont argue! I off handly said when they got a bit too excited. That only made them quieten down until the match started. Then they called out the moves theyd order along with cheering on their respective team.

I glanced up at the start to watch Machamp take the stage. It made for an impressive pokemon. Sadly it was k.od fast by Agathas first Gengar. I returned to my work absently glancing up occasionally. Yolanda nudged me just as I was about to finish the last few sheets of paperwork. Bro! You were right!

I glanced at the clock in the corner and snorted, Nah, I expected it to take longer despite the score. Was Agathas Gengar that strong?

Yolanda nodded smugly, pleased by the showing of female prowess that let her lady it over her brothers. I let it play out, amused by her antics. I was just about to announce that it was bedtime only for a new announcer to appear.

And now a word from the newest and hottest Champion in recent years! The Dragon master Lance! said the far too excitable caster.

The new darling of the League made an entrance to a table for an obviously planned post-match news release. Set in front of him a small pod of reporters bristled with paper, pen, microphones and recorders locked onto the champ. Id seen a gossip magazine at the supermarket that announced him as the latest most eligible bachelor in Indigo, as the joint Kanto-Johto region was known. Johto loved him while Kanto merely appreciated his strength. Hed knocked off the previous champ whod also been a Johto champ. There hadnt been another Kanto champion for the region since one Samuel Oak retired after holding the position for fifteen years. An eternity in the pokemon world.

People thought Lance would be the man to do that. They even tipped him as a heavy contender for the next World Championship which would be held in four years' time. So far only five regions had linked up reliably but there were rumours of another region being reliably secured in the next year or so. Hoenn was slated as the next region to host the championships regardless. Having not been nominated to participate in the tournament, I hadnt had to worry about the last one despite being a gym leader for it. The Sevii islands had run a pretty great tournament from what I had seen. There was talk of Kanto putting in a bid while others talked up the Organe being the next site for the championship matches. I knew to be on the lookout for either a man named Steven Stone, or a woman named Cynthia.

Laughter from the room at large reminded me that the rest of the family was still watching the tv. Id only missed some joke that apparently wasnt that funny judging by the look on the male hosts face. The female was all but swooning with Lance smiling charmingly at her.

Well, I suppose its time for me to get to the crux of tonights announcement. While Agatha and Brunos match was a wonderful showing, I thought Id make the announcement that come the end of the current conference, I will be hosting a few exhibition matches!

The crowd of reporters was suitably excited about this. Champion Lance Whos going to feature in these matches!? Will you be fighting for auditions into your Elite Four? Is it true youre evicting Agatha and Lorelei!?

Lance gave them a self-assured smile before continuing, For these, gym leaders from the major sixteen gyms from our joint regions will be on offer, with some smaller gyms being on the table. Others might also win the chance if the public show enough interest in watching me match up against them.

I hummed at that. It wasnt something shown in the games and only touched on lightly but it was possible to earn four badges from the Big Eight while earning the other four from smaller gyms. That would then allow you to qualify for the League at the end of the circuit.

The fighting gym in Saffron was currently like this but there was lots of pride on the line if you wanted to be taken seriously. Elitists liked to gain all twelve if they could. It was interesting that Lance was allowing smaller gyms to earn more recognition for themselves. There were also potential ramifications for it.

A wheel divided into twenty-four segments was brought onto the stage by some Machops and Lance smiled at the camera. I could see all the major gyms on show alongside the smaller less familiar gyms. My own boulder symbol stood out to my eye.

Oh, oh! Brock, you might get a chance to fight the champ! said Forrest excitedly. The rest of my family all sat up and voiced their own excitement with more than a few asking for autographs that I said Id get regardless. As a Gym Leader, I had a seat at the conference that I could use if I wanted.

And spin! shouted the male host with the best game show host voice Id heard in a while. Lance grabbed the wheel with both hands and gave it a toss that saw it blur into a spinning mess. The man tilted his head before laughing, Well that looks like it will take a while to handle so lets have a word from our sponsors!

Small icons flashed across the bottom of the screen talking up pokefood and Silph Co, who had sponsored the man. Lance couldnt stop the look of distaste flashing across his face momentarily. I chuckled, thatd teach him for not simply letting the wheel spin once or twice before settling; instead of showing off his aura enhanced physique.

for when you need more than a flashlight you need Flash! A pokemon technical move provided for you by the scientists of Silph Co.! The man glanced away from the camera to Lance who had a distinctly blank expression. And it looks like were slowing down now!

Around me, the vibrating, bouncing children stilled in anticipation. I saw the March Badge get ticked over along with the Volcano badge. I can already see where it will likely finish and my eyes are wide as I lean forward. The wheel came to a stop and the Boulder badge rested under the pointer.

YOU GET TO FIGHT LANCE! immediately my brothers and sisters explode as though an Exploud was among them. I chuckle and decide to just let them have the moment to celebrate. Theyd have a lot of energy now but they were kids moments like this were pretty big. Even I was feeling a bit caught up in the good cheer

Tch!

The sound from the tv cut through our celebrations. As one we returned our attention and found the hosts caught in surprise as Lance showed an expression as if hed just stepped in Snubbull dung. The hosts both had expressions of shock but the man recovered quicker.

Ah? Champion Lance, are you not happy with having the Pewter city gym as your first match?

My thoughts are that I dont want to waste the viewers at home or in the stadiums time with such a match. If I wasn't at least willing to let the weaker gyms have a shot I might reroll but in fairness, this will be good for Pewter I suppose.

The host flapped his mouth open and shut a few times before nodding. So you think the Pewter gym isnt worth the fight?

Please, Rock Types? They wouldnt be able to last against my Dragons. I have pokemon in my arsenal that could clean sweep that gym alone. Give me Saffron, or Cinnabar island. Beside him the woman that was supposed to be a Co-host swooned.

Well you heard it here folks Lance, Champion of the Indigo region is vowing to clean sweep the Pewter Gym! As for the redraw Lance Im sorry but that's the luck of the draw Im afraid. Now that date for this will be in a months time I switched the tv off.

The room was outright silent now with none of the previous energy that the kids had been showing. Their fires doused with the careless arrogance Lance had shown. I didnt remember this from him in the anime. I could probably conjure up a mountain worth of excuses for him but found myself not wanting to.

So looks like Im going to have to beat the champ hmmm? I said to the room. This caused a stir, but the kids merely smiled before saying that theyd get ready for bed.

A part of my pride felt a sting that forced me to sit up and watch as my family slunk out of the room.

None of the kids wanted stories that night. I tried to keep things ticking over like normal. Stories of my journey or mythic pokemon were offered and rejected as the kids stayed quiet.

I departed for bed myself only to find myself not tired. I turned my mind towards the tasks Id have to do tomorrow. It didn't help. My mind kept coming back to how quiet the room had been when hed clicked his tongue.

That moment, so casually given. So Callously given.

I think that was the poorly placed footstep that would see the first pebbles rumbling down the mountain. My mind shifted as I started to plan how Id dump an avalanche onto Lance.

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