Hard Enough Chapter 11: The people's reaction

Shiiiiiiiiit! Celia stared at the television in the pokemon centre open-mouthed. She hadnt had to bother people to get a spot on a couch and now she found herself agreeing with whoever had said that. She and all the other Pewter trainers that shed gathered together for the last part of their journey were likewise transfixed as Brock laid down the law.

Stone cold! Brock is stone-cold! I cant believe I ever doubted him! another trainer, soone Celia had written off but still invited anyway said. She smiled at his reversal of stance. Agreent rang out from the group at large.

Whats going on? A passing trainer said as they noticed the disturbance her group was making.

Celia stood up and waved. Everyone turn to channel one! Lance is getting called out hard!

Around the room, a few trainers did so only to gasp when they saw Brock and Lance locking gazes.

Care to lay down a wager on that? Brocks voice, if Celias words hadnt already, forced everyone to shut up and pay attention. There was a gravelly quality to it that just made you sit up. Celia thought of it as his growl. It rarely ca out as Brock was very relaxed and more willing to speak quietly. When he had to speak up, he projected himself clearly without shouting. It made her squirm in her seat a little hearing him using it on the strongest trainer in their super-region.

Of course! Lance was no less intimidating. Celia sat as if an insanely powerful psychic pokemon had caught her in their control. She barely dared to breathe as lest these two powerhouse trainers notice her and turn their attention to her.

People choked on their spit and one guy even outright collapsed as Brock laid out the wager of ten million poke dollars. Celia nodded along before the amount registered. She blinked. What was going on? How much did he say? She questioned, testing her mory for faults. Perhaps this was tomorrow and she had been visited by a ghost pokemon that had munched on her dreams?

She pinched herself just in case before grimacing. Nope, not a dream. Ten million pokedollars The person next to her said. She nodded dumbly.

Right, of course She blanked out for another second but Lances nod forced her back to the ground Kanto.

I accept. And just like that, one of the biggest pokemon wagers shed ever heard of had been laid down. That was a crazy amount of money. Like stupid money surely. That would be enough to see Celia able to journey the world like a hundred tis over? She didnt even know how to reference that.

More words were exchanged but Celia felt sick, excited, and suddenly so unsure of just who her ntor even was. Brock had been that rich? Shed never really thought about how much being a Gym Leader paid. Who paid them even? Was Brock loaning the money? Was he going to be in serious trouble if he lost? What was even going on?

Im rely calling him out on it. Brock sat in his chair and gave a satisfied smile. Celia felt weak even as her ntor gave out the most confident smile shed ever seen. Any questions?

Celia found herself with so many.

Are you for real? soone asked. Celia blinked as Brock laughed, she quickly realised that had been one of the reporters.

Yes, youll find I am indeed very real.

But, Ten Million? No way you have that money, even as a Gym Leader!

Brock glanced over to the official. May I borrow that case for this?

The man handed it back reluctantly. Brock turned to demonstrate the case. This is a protected case. You might not have noticed it but there is a certificate embedded in the top which is the real value. When I withdrew the money the bank manager looked like I had kicked their Growlithe in front of them.

So you took a loan for this? Isnt that unreasonable? Your gym surely can't handle the debt.

Im not leaning on the gym for a loan, nor am I leaning on the bank for this. I never would have gotten approval. This is my own money.

How did you earn it?

I have had the good fortune in my journey as a younger man to encounter so truly rare pokemon. If you care to investigate, you will find I made most of that money through one transaction through the pokenet when I sold an extrely rare example of an Onix. The rest have just been good decisions for that have paid off. The purpose of that money was to rely show that I am undeniably serious about this challenge and I am forcing Lance to et . Brock shrugged. He cant afford not to after all.

The press conference, now with a missing champion continued as a one-man interview with a League official stewing next to Brock.

Celia stared at it and blew out a whistle. When Brock had apologised for stealing the attention off her matches, she hadnt realised he ant it this way. She suddenly found herself way more interested in her teacher. Shed have to go visit him before his match in two days.

She might even go et him in his room. Her mind began to play through potential scenarios only for soone to jostle her. She glanced over to see that everyone was looking at her. Celia what was that?

She blinked and realised that Brock wasnt the only one about to sit through an interview. Although perhaps inquisition might be the more apt term in her case as more trainers closed in to ask her everything she knew about Brock.

Thanks for tuning in, I'm Chuck Chinto and in todays top news, bad blood at the start of the Indigo Plateau with the conference set to get underway! See it live here!

On the prompter, the video events of the press conference played out. Chuck, now off-cara relaxes and glances at his producer. Damn ballsy move of the kid. What angle are we taking on this one?

The producer lifted their notepad and tapped it. Neutral, simply state the facts. Were going to run with this for a bit. Were projecting interest to be high so we have a team looking into Brock and Lance. Weve got another night to run a feature on both of them. Brocks got footage from his conference matches and also took part in the Sevii league and Hoenn if you can believe it. The woman gestured to the prompter as another technician indicated they would be crossing back to Chuck. Fingers counted down and Chuck adopted a serious expression.

Shocking situations indeed! It seems the typically thick-skinned gym leader certainly felt the bite of the Champion's words. For this story, we thankfully have my co-host recently returned from the Plateau. Whats your take Abby?

Chuck, in what appears to have been an insult gone too far, Champion Lance has been confronted by Gym Leader Brock of Pewter city. Most will know Brock as one of the earliest challenges in the League when you start your circuit on the Kanto side of the region. Pewter city as the first founded city is even known as the traditional beginning of Kanto. For this reason, many people dont end up taking Brock on for a higher level challenge. This has given Pewter gym the unfortunate symbol of being a weak gym with it being easy to get the badge. It was perhaps this that the Champion was referencing when he first spoke.

Abby, for a long while Brock refused to comnt on the Champion's words and people had written him off. What made him lash out like this at the champion?

It may have been community pressure, or it might have been his pride.

Sticks and stones but words will break through the stony exterior? said Chuck.

Hmmm quite so, Chuck, said Abby in response to the pun. Brock is also a young gym leader. He was in fact the youngest to take up the mantle until Johtos Falkner took over from his own father. Now while these two gym leaders share uptake from their fathers. Brocks handover was anything but smooth if reports are to be believed. The young Gym Leader has faced a lot of criticism. Well be doing an in-depth dive on Brock in an exclusive later!

Chuck nodded seriously, letting his hair catch the light while watching Abby. And what of the Champ? How is he taking this?

The Champion has yet to make any more comnts. In fact, he might not even be at the plateau anymore as a Dragonite taking off over Mt Silver was witnessed and it was believed that Lance may have been riding it.

Chuck put his hands together and pointed them towards Abbys chest, symbolically getting to the heart of the issue. What do you think his chances are Abby? Lance is a powerhouse that won through a gruelling slog against the previous champion Pryce. What should we expect from Brock? Can he topple the Champ?

Abby nodded her head before speaking. Thats the question on everyones minds Chuck! One thing we need to rember is that this was ant to be an exhibition match that was for pride. Then Brock threw down what has been deed the largest wager in history on his victory in this match. Experts have not been able to find any other cases where an individual stood to win as much from a single match. It is still a daunting task.

If I stood to win ten million, Id assemble a team and have a shot at the Champion, Chuck said light-heartedly. His co-host Abby giggled demurely.

As would I Chuck, but you also have to risk ten million!

Im out then! chuck raised his hands and backed off to show it was too expensive for him.

Abby flashed the caras a practised smile that was no less genuine. A lot of us would be! Now before I get caught in that angle of this match, Id like to return to the question you posed. Can Brock win? Unsurprisingly when we polled residents of Pewter and Blackthorn, two cities almost on opposite sides of the Silver range we saw mirroring opinions.

Both Abby and Chuck turned towards a display that was set up to their side. First, a well dressed Blackthorn man scoffed at Brocks challenge. Then a dirty farr from Pewter appeared on-screen hollering about Brock and his ascendence. going all the way! Wooooh we love you Brock!

This followed with people of all stripes and situations with poke centre nurses Joy and Joy from both cities both smiling and saying they supported their respective hotown boys. Mothers and children both cheered for their respective representatives.

Abby grinned as the cara ca back to her. Looks like the people have their favourites as one would expect.

Lots of hotown cheer taking over indeed!

Abby nodded. It wasnt just the hotown residents though as one reporter happened to find another Gym Leader from Kanto for his thoughts.

On the screen, Surge appeared with a mike in front of him. Brock? Im backing him all the way! I think he can do it! When the champion laid down his challenge, he kicked a lot of dirt from his ivory tower down on the Kanto side of things. He was putting down all of us when he was digging into Brock like that. Ive worked with Brock closely ever since his daddy left, and I tell you! Ive never seen such a young talent. Pewters in good hands and now if youll excuse , Im going to lay a bet down on Brock!

Abby and Chuck shared a look. Gym Leader Surge of Vermillion city, it seems, thinks Brock has a chance.

Right again Chuck, this will certainly be dominating news for the next few days and probably beyond, I should imagine. Well return to this story but now lets cross to Rebecca with the weather!

Is this the start of a new champions origin story, or is Brock rely an up jumped Gym Leader that is about to walk away a lot poorer? Im Joshua of PTN News and this is the big news of today!

Experts and League officials were shocked today when Pewter city Gym Leader the channel changed and a new face appeared.

Who does this man think he is? Challenging the Champ! Youre supposed to apply through the League and await approval after winning enough recognition through tournants! I never saw Brock win a tournant that mattered! The Sevii islands? Pah! Those are tourist attractions more than actual challenges! Another press of a button, another channel.

Is this the wake up call the young champion needed, do you think? A lot of people were very worried when he made his comnts but it was written off. Now it seems his pidgeys have co ho to roost.

Another of the shows co-hosts waved their arms about drawing laughter from the crowd. I dont know about his pidgeys roosting right now! If anything, they're up in the air flapping their wings! Its the League that has egg on their faces, you watch. If they have their way theyll get this whole thing called off!

The remote was snatched from the first persons hand. Small hands fought over the remote only for an older set to slap them off. Hands off Gary! I don't want to watch old fuddy duddys talk about this! I need to see sothing way more important!

Sis! Not the lifestyle channel!

Shut up! Well swap back between the ads!

The channel changed again to reveal a group of ladies on couches with a tea set up around them with floral gardens serving as their backdrop.

When Lance and Brock were staring each other down? That mont. Oh, my, gosh! I was just weak! Weak at the knees!

I wasnt weak I was rather the host waggled her eyes fired up you could say! The rest of the won catcalled at this and Daisy Oak sat back and hugged a pillow while Gary sighed as he felt his brain abandon him.

Id sure be on my knees if you know what I an!!!

Why did his grandpa only own one good tv? He couldnt steal the remote back from Daisy, otherwise shed beat him up. He grumbled to himself. At least when the actual match was shown, his Gramps was sure to watch too, guaranteeing Gary would get to see it. He glanced around for the old guy. Surely with gramps around, hed be able to get the tv onto sothing actually good right? Or maybe even convince him to buy another, better tv? For his room?

Smoke curled around Krugers head as he blotted out another line on his plan. He cursed as his cigarette gave up on him. Like a well-oiled machine his body unconsciously reached into his breast pocket. His hand erged with a box that he tapped to have another lined up and in his mouth. His hand then searched around the desk for a wayward lighter. When it failed to find it, the brain beca aware and Kruger found sothing new to curse while blaming all his woes on young trainers with too much pride for everyones good.

Martha! Wheres my lighter?

In your draw to the left sir! Ca the reply from his receptionist. He scowled when he discovered she was right. A tap on the door gained a grunt from him. Sir, did you want to reschedule your talk with Gym Leader Pryce?

Kruger considered that before shaking his head. No, we need to sound him out on his thoughts and make him favourable to us. Whats the dia teams take on this?

Mostly the dia is focussing on if Brock has a chance, she paused when Kruger snorted dismissively, So dia channels are slinging their usual Muk but so far we are not taking any criticism.

Thats bad. No, that is even worse than bad! The League cant be seen as irrelevant! Were supposed to be the governing body! Lance, as a young Champion, was to see us returned to forr strength as a body not cast us further into support roles! Kruger thumped his desk. What was the dia teams take on my idea of disavowing the match as not in the spirit?

It wouldnt occur. Mayor Jonathan of Pewter has even ntioned that if we didnt allow it, hed be happy to let the fight take place at Pewter.

And see the ticket revenue go to him!? Ha! Not likely! Kruger plucked another form before wadding it up and tossing it. Get another pot of coffee on and tell everyone else were working through the night! We need to get ahead of this and be seen in control! I am not letting us slip back into irrelevance!

Yes sir! Said Martha as she walked out to make the needed phone calls to keep staff on. Kruger ntally cursed the need to pay overti but that was the job. Right now he needed an angle. Hed have to be seen running with it and being in fact favourable to it.

Schedule another press conference! he bellowed before rembering sothing, And tell the technicians to get a prompter with my na on it! People think Im just an aide of the champion, and not the chairman of the League! Again, we cant let that happen! Has anyone even ntioned in the news articles? He cursed the answer and settled in for a long few nights. He didnt know how but sohow he was going to co out ahead of this nightmare.

Lance knelt on a worn mat. Only a few candles lit the room but most people here were used to this atmosphere. When the clan gathered together for sothing serious, they made sure to hold their eting in their shrine within the cave that housed their dragon pokemon.

You needed to have a firm hand with Dragon pokemon yes, but you also needed to give them an austere environnt to help soothe them. Shrine maidens held a certain appeal that both man and pokemon understood. This had been discovered and exploited in the olden tis leading to the clans strength that held even to this day.

Theyd faced many threats. This would rely be the newest.

You overstepped yourself, nephew! Shouted an old weather-beaten crone. Around her shoulders, a small Dragonair wrapped itself like a scarf.

Perhaps, said Lance.

Perhaps!? Perhaps? Boy, you disparaged a Gym Leader from another region. Tensions are always simring due to the differences of Johto and Kanto. The joining of the two regions is not that long ago in so mories! Your arrogance has led to flaring up of tensions and even a threat erging to you! Her aura lashed out like a slap and Lance flexed his own around him to stop it from hitting. He was no child to be scolded so.

Hes not a threat! I will handle it! he replied, barely holding in a snarl.

Will you be putting up the ten million? another voice asked.

Lance grit his teeth. I was hoping I could draw on clan funds for this, when I win I will repay it half again.

Half! Arrogance upon arrogance! You want to draw on funds not your own in your ti of need!

Lance glanced to the side and saw his cousin and childhood friend. She t his gaze and held it. She wasnt attacking his actions but nor was she supporting him. He lifted his chin and she nodded. Lance has the right of it. He needed to speak that way to show his strength with his new role as Champion.

No. He did not. At this voice, everyone went quiet. There was no laced aura in the words. Everyone held their tongues and let the Eldest speak. The man rubbed his fine white beard and nodded to himself after taking a mont to think. You have been arrogant young Lance, of this there can be no doubt. You have let the success you had swell your pride and this has seen you acting out. You are typically more in control of yourself. Your recent behaviour since winning? I was going to ask you to visit after the conference but now you have been called out. This must be rectified now before you face Gym Leader Brock in two nights' ti.

He stared straight through Lance. Tell , when you entered that press conference, you used your aura on those people did you not?

Lance swallowed, his recent behaviour, now that it had been pointed out did cause him so sha. He was supposed to be the Dragon Master. If he let their energies affect him like this, how could he claim mastery? I did, yes.

The Elder nodded before flexing his aura to chop Lance on the shoulder. It was not strong but it still stung. It was a firm strike of discipline. Lance had felt it many tis in his youth while ditating with the Eldest to control his aura. Part of him rebelled at the idea that he should simply lower his head at being punished, but he knew that to be an irrational side of himself that he needed to control.

You tried to use it on Brock as well. How did he feel to you?

Lance drew his mind away from the mont and cast back to the start of the conference. That had been the first sign that things werent simply going to go the way he had deluded himself into believing. My aura felt like it ran into a boulno a wall, a cliff face? A cave?

The Eldest rubbed his beard again. Hmmm, multifaceted? Surprising to find that he has such skill. I wonder who trained him in Aura?

The clan as one pondered this. Claire eventually spoke up. It couldnt have been his father. The man never demonstrated it in the past and he departed before Brock took over.

Hmmm yes. Yes, you challenged him. A young man and from what I have had read to , I see a tale of a young man who has worked hard to grow himself and his gym strong. It must have stung to have you belittle him. No chop ca with his words but Lance grimaced nevertheless. Painted this way, he seed like the villain.

What should I do?

The Elder sighed before raising his head to show dull, unseeing eyes. You must win young Lance. While in the wrong, you cannot falter. We will train you to regain control of your wayward energies and ready your best team. We will also support you with our funding. Do not entertain a loss for now. If that should occur we will discuss what we can do then. For now, ready yourself to show the world Lance, the Champion of Indigo.

Lance and the rest of the clan straightened. Their paths were set.

Erika sat in an out of the way garden. It was a quaint little thing and she enjoyed the quiet monts. Thankfully the other girls that had co with her from her gym were also in a tranquil mood. Part of that might have been due to her Bellosom wandering around the garden, a sweet scent that cald the mind wafting from her petals.

To most people, it would be unnoticeable. Only one of the other girls had noticed and she naturally was a quieter sort of girl. She gave Erika a grateful look as so of the more rambunctious girls settled down. Usually, they were all aflutter with gossip or being crass, or even harassing each other.

Running a gym that solely allowed female trainers brought challenges with it. Most of it was from the trainers themselves. Most people liked to think it was from the leering crowds that liked to daydream but they kept their distance and were usually rather shy. They were well behaved most of the ti and could easily be chased off with her pokemon keeping a firm boundary for non-challengers approaching the gym.

No, most of the drama that occurred with her gym ca from her girls. So of them were wonderful, so of the rich socialites that liked to hang out at the Gym, so of them wanted tips and tricks on raising Grass types. None of them were rough sorts. She would not tolerate such around her gym.

But she did occasionally need to calm the mood. Sothing Grass types were perfect for.

And so she sat and enjoyed the turning of the season and the end of the circuit. This had almost beco like a ritual for her since she beca a gym leader last year. A nice calm garden before watching the opening ceremony in a few days.

There were nurous benefits to be had at such large events. So of which was getting out of Celadon and having her right-hand woman close up the gym for the circuit. She liked raising the pokemon, and working with them, and even the battles were nice. It was such a joy to see young trainers rise to the occasion against her.

She could do without so much paperwork. Everything had to be docunted and detailed. She found the entire thing mindboggling and was thankful for the reprieve.

And so here she sat, enjoying the roses such that they were on a small holiday before watching the trainers that had gained all eight badges partook of the Indigo conference.

ERIKA! shouted a voice. The shrill tone acted like a set of razor-sharp garden shears straight through a perfectly trimd hedge. At the completely wrong angle. As one all the girls and Erika shuddered before looking up to see one of their number sprinting towards them. ERRRRRIIIIIIKAAAAAA! The girl pumped her arms, and legs. Her hair flew freely behind her in the wind as she charged on, bellowing out each breath.

EEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKKKAAAAAAAA! Erika felt her eye twitch a little. Her girls could be such brats.

Erika reflexively prepared herself to hop to the side. Jill wasnt very good with her legs and it wasnt uncommon Her leg spasd and she fell in a tumble of limbs and hair. She rolled a little and stopped a few feet shy of Erika. She huffed and blew out a length of hair before righting herself and rounding on the nearest girl, still half-blind with hair in her face. She spat so grass out of her mouth before grabbing the girls hands.

Erika! You like! Have to hear the latest gossip! I was like! With Becky and Brittany at the pokecenter chatting up this total cutey and like he was into more than Becky but Brittany was also trying to get his number and I was like please girlfriend! Dont go there! Ill cut you! But seriously I love that girl! So I was like dont step on my grass! Hahahaha!

Erika sighed, letting the vapid gossip of the girl wash over her. She listened as it was amusing to let the girl talk if nothing else.

Jill, Erika said cutting her off.

Jill stiffened her head glancing down at the hands she had in hers. Eh? Youre not Erika?

Im over here, Erika said to the giggles of the group. Jill spun and Erika raised a hand. Jill, what was so important?

I was getting to that!

Please if its important enough to have you running like that, then I probably need to hear about it first You and the girls love lives can wait.

Jill shifted and mumbled loudly, Just cause you cant Erikas glare cut her off.

You were saying? Jill coughed as the glare continued.

Right! Uhm, the tv was on and they were showing Brock and Lance! Only! Only Brock wasnt rolling over for the champ! In fact, I think hes super angry! He challenged the champ and set a prize of ten million pokedollars!

The group stirred at that. Erika rely nodded, well used to the girls antics of inflating things to make for a good story. Of course he did.

Jill gave her a pleading look. Eriiiikaaaaaa! Im serious!

Erika rely nodded. Im sure you are.

ERRRRRRIIIIIIIIKKKKKKKKAAAAA! scread two more voices. The Grass specialist looked up to see Britanny and Becky jogging up with frantic looks on their faces. Erika watched them approach. They didnt trip but they did collapse in front of her. They heaved in great gasps of air.

O-oh my Go-gosh! Brock is pissed! Yah! Hes got an insane prize pool set down! Erika blinked as Jills head bounced up and down.

I just said that!

You werent just inflating it for the story? Erika asked curiously. She had to think about that. That was a lot of money. How much did it take to run her gym? She got a lot of deals from the parents of the girls that she helped train for putting up with them so Ten million that would be enough to run her gym for years wouldnt it?

She blinked and looked up to find the three new arrivals all gossiping with the others. it was so hot! Oh! Look Lifestyle ladies are having a chat about it! Eiiiiii!

Urgh those bitches Andrea, chid Erika.

The girl wilted. Sorry!

Dont apologise, rely stop swearing, she said to chastise the girl lightly.

Andrea bobbed her head before coughing. I hate hearing those old skanks! Theyre only nineteen! chorussed so of the older girls feeling the need to stand up for the older won as arrows struck ho at them as well.

Erika humd before rising to watch on one of the girl's rather clunky portable screens. She watched as Brock and Lance locked eyes like they were going to fight then and there.

Oh dear She continued to watch and while she was impressed she also couldnt help but be worried. Brock was obviously upset about being dismissed as he had been.

Erika didnt quite know why it had bothered him. Theyd interacted during Gym Leader etings on the phone before Actually, she didnt really know him that well did she? There seed to be a lot of dia grabbing the story and running with it though.

She chewed her lip in thought. I think I should et him

The girls all looked up at her. Really!? Andrea said excitedly.

Alone, Erika said firmly. She did not want to pour in with a group of girls and swamp him before his big match. The girls took this to an sothing else though as they all tittered and oooohd like children. Erika rolled her eyes at them. I need to et with him first though who could introduce us?

One of the older girls raised their hands. Surge knows him yeah? Erika nodded slowly. Well~, like~, and Surge are like You know? So I could ask him to introduce you!

Erika almost asked what she ant before deciding not to. She didnt care what her girls got up to during their downti. Good for her And apparently Surge. She had her in, now she just needed sothing to gift to help make a favourable impression. Shed co up with sothing tonight, for now ,she tuned in to listen to various shows explode as word spread about Brocks counter to Lances Challenge.

That was bad. The dia had found a potential issue and were stirring up trouble and no one seed to care. She watched people declare their loyalties to their respective trainers as a frown marred her features.

This was bad. She really did need to see what Brock was like. Was he stirring up old tensions deliberately? Was this all about sothing deeper? Or was it just male pride?

She wasnt sure about a lot of what was going on but she was determined to at least find out so answers.