Skylar Johnson: The trainer

Disclaimer: I do not own this CYOA or Pokemon.

I walked along the dirt path winding southward towards Vermilion City, the midday sun casting dappled shadows through the rustling trees. The gravel crunched under my boots as the salty scent of the distant ocean drifted in the breeze. All my Pokémon were out of their Pokéballs, enjoying the open air. Dratini slithered beside me, her scales glistening under the sun, while Ivysaur plodded along with calm strength. Jigglypuff skipped ahead, humming softly, and Mankey and Zubat trailed behind.

I slowed my pace, noticing how Mankey dragged his feet, his head low, while Zubat fluttered listlessly in uneven loops above him. Their defeat during my battle with Summer still weighed heavily on them. I could feel it in the way Zubat's wings drooped and Mankey's usual fiery growls were replaced with quiet snorts.

I stopped walking and turned to face them, letting my backpack slip off one shoulder. The breeze rustled the grass around us as Dratini coiled at my feet, watching silently.

"Hey, you two. Listen up," I said, my voice firm but gentle. They both looked at me, their eyes shadowed with self-doubt.

"I know… I know we lost back there. But there's nothing we can do about the past except learn from it." I crouched down to their level. Mankey clenched his small fists, and Zubat's ears twitched.

I glanced down the road towards the unseen Vermilion City, feeling my pulse quicken with determination. "The next gym we're facing is Lt. Surge's gym. He's an Electric-type user. He's strong – ruthless, even. But we're not going to back down."

I pointed to Zubat. "I'm gonna need you, buddy. I know Electric-types are dangerous for you, but that's exactly why we need to train you hard. You're fast – faster than most. We're going to make you so quick and so skilled that even Surge won't know what hit him."

Then I turned to Mankey, whose eyes were burning with anger at himself. "And you, Mankey. Your fighting spirit is your strength. But we're going to build your endurance, your defense, your ability to read opponents' moves before they even act. You're gonna hit harder and smarter."

They both looked at me silently. The wind blew through the grass, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers and dust. I could see their minds whirling with uncertainty, but under it burned something fierce – hope.

"It's going to take us five days to reach Vermilion City," I continued, rising to my full height as my shadow fell across them, "and in these five days, we are going to battle every single Pokémon trainer we see. Wild Pokémon, trainers, anything that moves – we fight them. We push ourselves to the absolute limit."

They looked up at me, their eyes glimmering with a hint of renewed determination.

"And one more thing," I said, a small grin tugging at my lips, "we're not skipping out on gravity training either. It's going to be gruelling, it's going to hurt, and there are going to be days where you feel like giving up."

I paused, letting my gaze sweep across my team – Dratini's cool, unbreakable poise; Ivysaur's calm strength; Jigglypuff's playful defiance; Mankey's fierce spirit; and Zubat's quiet resilience.

"But we don't give up. Because when we get to Vermilion City, and when we stand before Lt. Surge… we're going to show him exactly what it means to face Team Skylar."

Zubat spread his wings and gave a shrill cry, determination returning to his voice. Mankey pounded his chest and let out a loud growl, baring his fangs in savage agreement. Dratini raised her head proudly and flicked her tail, while Ivysaur rumbled softly, and even Jigglypuff clapped her tiny hands.

I picked up my backpack, feeling its familiar weight settle on my shoulders as I turned back towards the dusty road, the horizon glowing gold under the setting sun.

"Alright, team," I said softly, a smile spreading across my face. "Let's get moving."

Oooo

During our journey towards Vermilion City, the days blended into a haze of sweat, grit, and relentless determination. Every hour felt like a trial, every step like a challenge laid out by the universe to test our resolve. We fought countless wild Pokémon – Pidgeys that swooped from the skies, aggressive Spearows that attacked in flocks, Ekans slithering out of the underbrush to strike, and Rattatas darting out from the tall grass with gleaming fangs.

We encountered trainers too – Bug Catchers with swarms of Beedrill and Butterfree, Youngsters flaunting their new Sandshrew or Nidoran, Hikers boasting about their Geodude and Machop. And every single time, we fought with everything we had. Dratini's Dragon Breath scorched the air with brilliant emerald light, Ivysaur's Razor Leaf cut down opponents with precision, Mankey moved like a wild hurricane of fury, and even Jigglypuff joined in with her Disarming Voice to distract opponents for the others to finish.

But Zubat… Zubat was the one I focused on the most. I pushed him harder than the others because I knew Vermilion Gym would be his ultimate trial. We trained his dodging, his speed, his aerial agility, and the potency of his Poison Fang until his wings trembled from exhaustion.

And every night, under the starlit sky, Jigglypuff used her Gravity move as we all trained together, the crushing force pushing down on our muscles and bones. We adapted to five times gravity, then six, and finally by the fourth day, we reached seven times gravity. Every breath felt like breathing under an ocean, every movement burned in our bones, but we didn't stop. Because this was what it meant to grow.

It was on the fourth day that dusk had begun to settle across the forest, painting the sky in hues of deep purple and crimson. The air was heavy with the scent of moss and wildflowers as we walked through a particularly narrow path between jagged cliffs.

Suddenly, a shrill screech tore through the air, echoing off the rocks. My entire team froze. From the shadows of the cliffs above, a massive swarm descended upon us.

At least twenty to thirty Zubats swooped down in unison, their wings creating a cacophony of rustling leathery flaps as they circled us like a dark vortex.

My Pokémon immediately shifted into battle stances, growling and hissing in defiance, ready to leap into action to protect me.

But I raised a hand, stopping them, my eyes locked on the swirling storm of wings above.

"No one will interfere," I said calmly, my voice carrying through the gathering darkness like steel. My gaze settled on my own Zubat, who hovered silently beside me, his wings trembling not with fear, but with anticipation.

"This is your moment, Zubat," I called out, my voice unwavering as my team turned to look at him. "This is your trial. You've trained for this. You've grown stronger, faster, smarter. Now prove it – to them and to yourself."

Zubat turned to face me, his small eyes gleaming with fierce determination, and he let out a shrill, echoing screech that shook the branches above. Then, without hesitation, he soared up into the flock of his kin, ready to carve his place among them as the true warrior he had become.

I clenched my fists, feeling my heart thunder in my chest as the battle began, knowing that this fight would define him.

Zubat screeched as he flew up into the raging swarm, his wings beating with newfound determination. The other Zubats hissed and shrieked, lunging at him from all sides, their fangs gleaming in the fading dusk light.

"Focus, Zubat!" I yelled from below, my voice echoing off the cliffs. "Don't let them surround you. Remember your training!"

He dodged left as one dove straight at him, then barrel-rolled mid-air to avoid another's bite from behind. Two more came charging, their screeches deafening, but Zubat spun upwards in a tight spiral, narrowly escaping their snapping jaws. His movements were sharper, faster than ever before, honed by days under crushing gravity.

"Use Supersonic!" I commanded.

Zubat unleashed a high-frequency screech, vibrating the air around him. The closest Zubats faltered mid-flight, their wings spasming as the sound disoriented them. But more kept coming, attacking him relentlessly with claw and fang.

"Absorb, now!"

Zubat darted forward with a burst of speed, sinking his fangs into the neck of a stunned Zubat. A glowing green aura pulsed from his bite, replenishing his strength before he released his opponent, sending it tumbling unconscious to the ground below.

But the others were furious now. Five Zubats charged at him together in a coordinated attack, their wings blending into a blur of darkness. Zubat flew higher, higher, until they were all above the treetops, silhouetted against the blood-red sunset sky.

"Mean Look!"

Zubat's eyes flashed a deep, menacing red as he glared at the flock leader, locking it in place with sheer will. The leader Zubat screeched in rage, diving at him with blinding speed. Zubat dodged right, then left, narrowly avoiding its bite.

The flock leader hissed and lunged again, but this time Zubat countered with Astonish. His wings glowed with ghostly energy as he slammed into the leader's face, stunning it mid-air. The flock faltered, seeing their leader stagger back.

"Now! Poison Fang!"

Zubat's fangs glowed purple as he dove at the leader, biting into its wing with venomous force. The leader screamed as it fell spiralling towards the forest below, crashing through the branches and landing unconscious.

The rest of the flock scattered, screeching in panic. But Zubat hovered in place, panting heavily, his wings trembling from fatigue. I looked up at him, my heart swelling with pride.

And then… it happened.

A bright white light enveloped Zubat, illuminating the entire forest clearing in a brilliant glow. The remaining wild Zubat paused mid-flight, watching in awe. My team on the ground gasped as Zubat's body grew larger, his wings expanding wide and powerful, his fangs elongating into sharp white scythes.

The light faded, revealing a magnificent Golbat, his wings beating with a deep whoosh that sent a gust across the cliffside. He opened his massive jaws and released a victorious screech that echoed across the entire forest, claiming his place as their superior.

I used pokedex, Golbat had a new move now.

"Golbat, finish it with Air Cutter!"

Golbat's wings glowed a brilliant silver-blue as he beat them in a powerful arc. Blades of compressed air shot out like a storm of knives, slicing through the remaining Zubats with surgical precision. One by one, they fell to the forest floor, unconscious and defeated, until Golbat hovered alone in the sky, the crimson sunset framing his silhouette like the birth of a king.

He flew down and landed before me, his massive wings folding against his sleek, muscular body. He let out a deep, proud growl, his eyes fierce with triumph.

I smiled and placed my hand on his broad forehead. "You've done it, my warrior. You've become a Golbat… and soon, you will soar beyond even that."

My team cheered around me, Ivysaur letting out a loud triumphant roar, Dratini coiling in excitement, Mankey thumping his chest, and Jigglypuff clapping her tiny hands with a pouty smile.

Golbat simply closed his eyes and pressed his massive head against my palm, his chest vibrating with a low purr-like hum.

This was the power we had built together.

And Vermilion City was going to feel it soon.

Oooo

We arrived at Vermilion City just as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the buildings in deep orange and purple hues. The city buzzed with evening life – trainers hurrying to Pokémon Centres, vendors closing their stalls, and streetlights flickering on one by one.

My team looked exhausted after our intense journey, so I headed straight for the Pokémon Centre. Nurse Joy greeted me with a warm smile as I handed over my Pokéballs for healing.

"Your Pokémon will be right as rain by morning," she assured me gently.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy," I replied, feeling the weight of travel lift off my shoulders.

After checking into my small rented room for the night, I walked over to the PC terminal in the lobby area. It was time to spend some of that hard-earned cash.

Between paying for rent, daily meals, Pokéballs, potions, and the humiliating debt I had to clear with Summer after our spar, I hadn't indulged in any major purchases for a while. But defeating sixteen trainers along Route 5 and Route 6 had earned me a solid 27,300 Pokédollars. My total savings now stood at an impressive 107,126 Pokédollars.

Not bad at all.

"Finally, time to buy some TMs," I muttered under my breath as I scrolled through the PokéMart's online TM catalogue, excitement thrumming through my veins.

I selected the ones I needed for my team's next stage of growth:

Leaf Storm for Ivysaur – 9,000 Pokédollars. His Razor Leaf was strong, but with this, he could unleash true devastation.Double Team for Golbat – 1,500 Pokédollars. His speed was already monstrous, but imagine him weaving through attacks like a phantom.Earthquake for Mankey – 6,500 Pokédollars. A powerful ground-type move would give him the heavy-hitting versatility he needed.Agility for Dratini – 2,500 Pokédollars. Even with her gravity training enhanced speed, this would make her untouchable.Calm Mind for Jigglypuff – 2,000 Pokédollars. She needed a move to bolster her special stats, especially since Gravity training would soon become harsher.

I reviewed the order, my mind already envisioning the battles to come. These moves would arrive within two days, just enough time for final strategy refinement before challenging the Vermilion City Gym.

Lieutenant Surge… the Lightning American. Known for ruthless speed and devastating electric-type attacks.

I clenched my fist. He was my next target.

Closing the PokéPC, I leaned back, feeling exhaustion seep through my bones as adrenaline faded. But under the fatigue, a deep sense of purpose burned within me.

"Two days," I whispered to myself, watching my reflection on the darkened screen. "Two days… and then we take down Surge."

Name- Skylar Johnson

Age- 14

Home- Kanto

Pokedollars- 87,426

Pokemon owned- 5

Badges- Boulder Badge, Cascade Badge

Golbat – The Bat Pokémon

Type: Poison/Flying

Gender: Male

Height: 5'3"

Ability: Inner Focus

Known Moves: Supersonic, Absorb, Astonish, Mean Look, Poison Fang, Air cutter

Dratini – The Dragon Pokémon

Gender: Female

Height: 5'3"

Ability: Shed Skin

Known Moves: Dragon Breath, Wrap, Twister, Leer, thunder wave, water pulse

Ivysaur- the seed pokemon

Gender: Male

Height: 3'4"

Ability: Overgrow

Moves: Tackle, Vine Whip, Growth, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf, seed bomb

Jigglypuff- the balloon Pokemon

Gender: Female

Height: 1'8"

Ability: Cute charm

Moves: Sing, Gravity, Disarming voice, Echoed voice, Charm, Disable

Mankey- The monkey Pokemon,

Gender: male

Height: 2'00"

Ability: Vital Spirit

Moves: Scratch, leer, furry swipes, focus energy, Rock Tomb