Disclaimer: I want to own pokemon. That way I'd have tons and tons of money…. But I don't… so I have to say I don't. But if any the writers want to use my story, please pay in cash up front.

A/N: I'd like to thank the people who took the time to review my story, and to say sorry. I've already decided who will be traveling with Brian, but that doesn't mean I won't use any character bios that you leave. I need ideas for rival trainers. Now story time…

Chapter 6: New City, New Challenges

Brian held the now dry and warm rattata as Mark put another stick on the fire. The pokemon was sleeping soundly curled in a towel.

"Guess we're staying put until it wakes up, huh?" Mark commented as he watched the fire.

"Guess so," Brian answered. "That way we'll know is it's completely fine or not."

"How do you think it got in the river anyway?" Mark wondered.

Brian shrugged. "Could've been any number of ways. But one thing is for sure, it was completely exhausted."

"What makes you say that?" asked Mark.

"It passed out soon after I got it out of the river." Brian sighed. "I hope nothing bad comes of this." Mark just gave Brian a confused look. "Just like people, pokemon can have negative effects from traumatizing experiences. I other words, this rattata could become afraid of water. That would make it very difficult to battle a pokemon that uses water attacks, or if the battle took place near water, etc."

Mark blinked in amazement. "How do you know so much? I thought you said that you've only been a trainer for a few days."

Brian gave a small smile. "Didn't you wonder why I'm older than most beginner trainers? Do to personal reasons; I couldn't start out on my journey at ten. So I've spent the past six years studying. Reading everything I could get my hands on regarding pokemon. So all I am is book smart. I have no idea how to deal with every situation, but then again, no one does. What I'm going to do is my best, and see how far that takes me."

"That's a pretty broad goal," Mark commented.

Brian laughed. "Actually, my goal is to defeat a certain trainer. Once I do that… who knows. What's your goal?"

Mark scratched his head. "Well, the reason I became a trainer was so I could be with my friends."

"Your friends?" said Brian, confused.

Mark nodded. "Yeah. All of my friends have already become pokemon trainers, so I want to try and catch up."

Brian nodded. "A good goal. I wish you luck. By the way, are you going to take the gym challenge?"

"You mean compete in the Indigo League? I'm not sure… I don't know what everyone else is doing, but I don't see why not."

Brian smiled again. "Well that's what I'm doing. So I'm on my way to Pewter for my first gym challenge."

"So we might be facing each other again?" Mark asked with a small amount of excitement in his voice.

Brian grinned. "If that's the case then we need a lot more training. Now it's getting late, we should turn in. We'll talk more in the morning."

The next day they came to the edge of the forest. The rattata had recovered and seemed to develop a liking for Brian, as it followed him everywhere.

"What are you gonna do with it?" Mark asked.

"First, I'll take it to the PokeCenter in Pewter to get a full check up. Then I might keep it. As a beginner trainer it's good to have a variety of pokemon."

"Well, good luck then Brian. As for me, I'm gonna head home."

Brian blinked in surprise. "Why are you doing that for? I thought you wanted to catch up to your friends."

Mark nodded. "I do, but there are a few things I thought about last night that I want to do first. Like seeing my family, finding out what my friends are up to, and catching some special pokemon."

"Okay…" Brian did not understand the third reason, but did not ask. "Hope everything works out for you. See ya again?"

"Yep!" Mark yelled as he ran off down another path as Brian continued towards Pewter City and his first Gym Battle.

---

Brian blinked as he stared at the nurse behind the desk. Everything about her looked like Nurse Joy from Viridian City. Even the hairstyle and demeanor where the same.

"Is there something wrong?" the nurse asked confused.

Brian shook his head to bring himself back to the present. "Um… Nurse Joy, what are you doing here?"

"I work here," she replied simply, like it was obvious.

"But I thought you worked in Viridian City," Brian said confused.

Nurse Joy blinked then smiled a friendly smile. "Oh, you must have met my younger sister."

"Sister?" Brian asked even more confused.

"Yes, all of my sisters and cousins all work in Pokemon Centers. It's funny, but we all look alike and we're all named Joy," she explained with a giggle.

Brian was still confused, but decided that this was one of the facts of life that should just be taken as a given. "Anyway, I'd like you to take a look at this rattata." Brian placed said pokemon on the counter. "It almost drowned in a river yesterday. I want to make sure that it's okay. Also, if you could look at my other pokemon, that'll be great."

"Oh, dear!" Joy exclaimed. "How did that happen?"

Brian shrugged. "I have no idea. I'm just glad that I was able to save it."

"Okay, then. It'll be a little while, do you wait in the lobby or a room?" she asked nicely.

"A room please, I'm pretty tired."

---

Brian yawned and grumbled as he awoke from an unwanted nap. He hated the way his medicine always made him tired. Most of the time he could ignore it, but other times it would knock him out, especially if he was already low on energy. A knock on the door got his attention. "Yes? Who is it?"

The door opened to reviled Nurse Joy. "It's just me. I wanted to see if you where okay."

Brian blinked with confused look. "Uh, not that I don't appreciate it, but why?"

"Well, I've paged you four times that your pokemon are all set, but you didn't show up."

Brian blushed. "Sorry. I guess I'm a deep sleeper. Thanks all the same. How's the rattata?"

Joy smiled. "He's perfectly fine. He's with your other pokemon in the lobby."

Brian thanked Nurse Joy again and headed out to fetch his pokemon partners. When he got to the lobby, he was treated to an interesting sight. The rattata he just rescued was sitting in front of his pokeballs and was currently in a glaring match with another trainer's growlight.

Great, Brian mentally grumbled. Just what I needed, a guard rat… "Oi, Ratata. Calm down." Rattata glanced at Brian, sent one more glare at the puppy pokemon, then ran over and rubbed himself against Brian's leg. Brian laughed nervously at the affectionate display. "Hey, cut it out…"

"That's a pretty territorial pet you've got there, kid," said the growlight's trainer.

Brian gave him an annoyed look. The trainer was barely five feet tall and had a thin build. His clothes consisted of khaki pants, a short-sleeved sky blue polo shirt, dress shoes, and a pair of expensive looking sunglasses sat on his head. Despite the trainer's younger age and appearance, the thing that really ticked Brian off was the smug superior look on his face.

Brian took a couple of calming breaths. "I apologize. I just caught this rattata earlier today, so please excuse its lack of training."

The boy scoffed. "Despite your size, you are just a kid."

That did it. "I'm sorry, but where do you get the right to call me a 'kid?' I'm at least five years older than you," Brian demanded getting angry.

The boy just laughed in Brian's face. "Years have nothing to do with intellect and maturity. Of which I'm far above you."

Brian had never wanted to smack someone as much as he did right then. However, he knew that would not be the best course of action. "Believe whatever you want," Brian said as he gathered his pokemon. "I have nothing to do with you, so excuse me." He then headed out to some training to work off the stress.

---

"Once more! GO!"

Brian watched as his pokemon ran along the track he drew in the dirt. Pikachu and Rattata lead the pack, followed closely by Mankey. Spearow was in fourth (since he had to run instead of fly), with Dratini in fifth. Finally Caterpie was brining up the rear. He smiled as they all crossed the finish line. Alright, they're getting faster, Brian thought to himself. "Okay, water break." The pokemon cheered happily as he poured water in various bowls.

Brian just watched as the pokemon drink their fill. He got a nice feeling as he looked at his pokemon. They seemed to give him a sense of victory, achievement, and maybe a little bit of courage. He liked it, and he hoped that the feeling would last his entire journey. After they where drinking, Brian recalled them and set about getting some food for himself.

As he was walking around the town, the trainer from earlier stepped in front of him. His appearance put Brian in a sour mood quickly. "Waddaya want?" Brian asked irritated.

The boy just pulled out a checkbook. "How much for your pokemon?"

Brian was taken aback. "Excuse me? Are you trying to buy my friends?" he asked in disbelief.

The boy just looked at Brian. "You seem to have a good mankey and dratini. However, your weak training methods will never bring out their full potential. So do what's best for the pokemon, and give them over to a person who will train them the way they need to be. Namely: me."

Brian stepped right up to the young trainer and gave the fiercest glare he could muster. "Listen, as I'm only going to say this once," he said in a deep and slow voice. "I will never even think about selling any of my comrades. If you try this again..." Brian just let the implied threat sit as he walked away.

The boy stood there with a look of pure rage on his face. "He won't get away with this…"

---

"…I see. That explains a few things," said the waitress as she handed Brian his third pizza order.

When Brian arrived at the restaurant, he slumped in a booth and ordered pizza after pizza. When the waitress asked if something was wrong, he unintentionally told her everything that happened that afternoon. To which she just gave an understanding smile.

"You must've run into Steven," she surmised. "He's got quite a reputation of being a self-proclaimed know-it-all."

Brian rolled his eyes. "Really?" his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I thought he was a well known pain-in-the-butt."

The waitress sighed. "He's the type of kid who always got what he wanted. He's very spoiled and self-centered."

Brian looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "You talk like you know him, personally."

The girl blushed in embarrassment. "Y-yeah… Before he left on his pokemon journey last month, he was my next-door neighbor. Rumor has it he already has two badges. Oh! I've got to get back to work. See ya."

Brian stopped eating his pizza as he went over this new information. He sighed as he realized that most of it just confirmed what he already thought about Steven, which was not a good thing. He paid his bill and went for a walk in a nearby park. As he was walking he spotted Steven sitting on a bench glaring at everything.

"Looks like Steven's ticked off again," commented a passerby.

"Yeah… You'd think he'd know by now; money can't buy everything," commented another.

"You know, I heard he paid for the two badges he has."

"No way! I heard he bought himself a spot in the tournament."

"Well, I hear that even though he has a lot of pokemon, he's never battled before."

Brian had enough. Yes, Steven was a jerk, but some of those rumors where beyond cruel. Brian maneuvered himself through the small crowd until he was right in front of Steven. "Yo, brat!" he called.

Steven's head jerked up and he glared fully at Brian. "What do you want? I thought you had nothing to do with me?"

Brian did not bite at the jab. Instead he said four simple words. "Pokemon battle. Here, now."

Steven's eyes went wide. Brian could not tell if it was from excitement, surprise, or something else. However Steven did stand and looked Brian in the eye.

"And if I refuse?" Steven questioned carefully.

Brian just shrugged. "Nothing. You only confirm the rumors I've been hearing about you. And I'll tell ya; they ain't pretty."

"Okay then," Steven replied with some confidence as he walked a distance away from Brian. "What are the rules you want to go by?"

Brian thought for a moment. "How's a full 6 vs. 6 with no substitutions? Winner is decided when all of one side's pokemon can't battle."

Steven gapped in disbelief. "Are you serious? How can we do something like that without a ref?"

"When you recall your pokemon, you consent that round," Brian answered calmly. "Any more complaints?"

"Only you," Steven shouted as he pulled out his first pokeball. "Nidorina, GO!" A blue pokemon appeared and started scratching its ears, with a board expression on its face.

Brian quickly checked his PokeComplete. "Nidorina the poison pin pokemon. The female has a gentle temperament. It emits ultrasonic cries that have the power to befuddle foes."

Interesting choice, Brian thought impressed. "Rattata, time to fight!" Rattata appeared and glared at his enemy. "First move's yours."

Steven just held a determined look on his face. "Nidorina, us Scratch." The mid-sized blue pokemon charged in and swiped at the smaller pokemon with her front claws.

"Dodge the use Quick Attack!" called Brian. Rattata quickly moved out of the attack then body checked the bigger pokemon. Nidorina barely budged but still sent a glare at the rat pokemon.

"Use Bite this time," commanded Steven. Nidorina's mouth opened wide to revile more than a few sharp teeth.

"Dodge again, then use Focus Energy this time," Brian said hurriedly. Rattata weaved out of the way then started to glow a faint blue. "Now, use Quick Attack again." Rattata charged in and this time the attack seemed to do some damage.

"Wh-what?" Steven stuttered surprised.

"Focus Energy is a move that increases the chance for critical hits for a short time," Brian explained. "It's a basic move."

"Whatever," Steven grumbled. "Nidorina, time to use you Fury Swipes." The poison pokemon swung repeatedly at the normal-type.

"Quick Attack to the right," called Brian. Rattata dashed to his right and out of the way of the attack. "Now use your Hyper Fang." Rattata's front teeth started glowing as he raced in to deliver a powerful bite. Unfortunately, Steven was one step ahead.

"Poison Pin." Multiple purple pins shot from Nidorina's mouth. Rattata could not dodge in time and took the full attack. The force of the attack knocked him back a few feet. He tried to get up, but fell over exhausted instead.

Brian sighed with a small smile. "Rattata, return." He looked at the pokeball containing the weary warrior. "Great job. I'm proud of you." Brian looked over at Steven, who seemed more than a little excited. "First round's yours. Gotta say, you're not bad, but now's the time of my comeback. Pikachu, time to fight!"

"Nidorina, Poison Pin again," Steven called with some excitement in his voice.

"Pikachu, dodge then use Agility." Pikachu jumped out of the way of the poison attack then started moving faster and faster. Soon all Nidorina could see was a yellow blur. "Jump on her back." Pikachu jumped onto Nidorina's back, which surprised and confused both pokemon and trainer.

What's he up to? Steven wondered as Nidorina tried to shake of the electric rodent.

"Thunder Shock, now!" called Brian.

Crap! Steven thought too late as Pikachu let loose a pointblank electric attack on the larger pokemon. Nidorina started smoking the collapsed. "Grrrrrr… Nidorina, return!" Steven glared at Brian who just stood waiting for the next move. "If that's how you're gonna play, then I'll do this: Go Growlight!"

Brian just looked at the fire dog with a small amount of curiosity. This growlight looks a lot stronger than his last pokemon. Why would he be sending out his strongest now? Brian shook his head to focus on the current fight. "This should be a good match. Pikachu, use your Thunder Shock."

"Flame Thrower, now!" ordered Steven. The two attacks collided resulting in an explosion that blew both of the pokemon back, but not out. Steven glared at Brian, who still looked calm and collected. It was like he was waiting for something. "Okay, Growlight. Time to use your special attack. Dig!"

Brian's eyes went wide as he watched the puppy pokemon vanish underground. This is bad… "Pikachu, try to stay calm and sense when it's going to appear."

"Pika…" Pikachu nodded as he looked over the field. Suddenly, a crack formed right underneath him. "Chu?"

"Oh no!" cried Brian as Growlight erupted out of the ground, sending Pikachu flying. Brian ran in and was able to catch his pokemon before it fell back to the ground. "You alright there, Pikachu?"

"Chaaa…" Pikachu replied weakly.

Brian smiled at his friend. "It's okay, as long as you're fine. Return." Brian looked back at Steven, who seemed to get his smug superior look on his face again. "So the score's now 2 to 1. You're better than the rumors suggest. Now let's see how much better. Mankey, time to fight!"

"Key-key!" Mankey cried as he hopped from one foot to the other anxiously.

"Let's start things off with Fury Swipes," Brian called out.

"Fend it off with Flame Thrower," Steven cried nervously. Flames blasted from Growlight's mouth at the ground in front of Mankey, stopping his attack.

"Jump up over the fire, then use Karate Chop." Mankey leaped into the air higher than Steven expected. Mankey then twisted so he would fall at Growlight. When Mankey's attack connected, it had the additional power from the fall. Needless to say, Growlight was hit hard.

"Come on! Get up! You can do it!" Steven kept calling at his pokemon. Growlight was having a difficult time recovering from the last attack.

Brian's eyes narrowed, as Steven showed no signs of switching his pokemon. Maybe he… "Mankey, stand down."

"Key?" said Mankey confused as he walked over to his trainer's side.

"What are you doing?" cried Steven. "The fight isn't over!"

Brian turned to face Steven. "I quit. You win. Happy?" he said in an overly board tone. Brian then bowed to Steven and walked away without a look back.

To Be Continued…

A/N: The next chappie is completed! I honestly didn't create Steven before writing this chapter, he just sort of… happened… Anyway it still made for a good chapter. Leave reviews if you like. I'm still taking ideas for rival trainers/friends.