Hard Enough-Chapter 286 - The Roxanne Rule

Roxanne sat in the hotel room.

She’d specifically asked for a room for herself for the night before her match with Brock to have some quiet time to reflect on her journey so far. She’d also needed to request a late checkout to allow her to have the time and space for herself.

She’d come a long way, getting all the major badges in almost record time and becoming one of the few people who had secured her badges prior to the Gym Leader corruption being unveiled.

It somewhat tainted her experience, and she imagined the same would be true for many people who had participated in this year’s circuit.

Today’s match wasn’t about that for her, however. Today’s match was about testing herself as an ardent Rock trainer against one of the best, if not the best trainer of rock pokemon in the world.

His Ace ranking certainly carried some weight to the argument of his strength.

A person whose team was dominated by rock-type pokemon, had never risen as high as Brock had in the one year he’d been actively trying to climb the rankings.

Next year, she planned to apply for the position of Gym Leader at Rustboro City Gym. All the trainers and even the Gym Leader were stepping back, having run the Gym for most of their adult lives.

It was something that had a lot of Hoenn trainers vying for it.

Roxanne needed an edge. She wanted to show that she could hit the ground running with ideas, systems, and an understanding of what a Gym needed. Pewter’s idea matched her own, with the Gym being a vibrant part of the local community.

Roxanne had plans to take it a step further than Brock had, but she needed to be strong, that was one of the biggest lessons she’d learned from observing not just Brock but most of the Gym Leaders she’d gotten around to fighting.

The ones that people respected had an innate strength that made people seek them out to challenge or learn from them.

Roxanne wanted to be a pillar of the community. She knew she had a lot of knowledge to give and could do good. She might not be great, but good was what was needed at the community level.

Roxanne consulted her checklist for the day. She’d already slept the right amount, waking naturally, then had a healthy breakfast followed by a brief round of exercise with her pokemon before retiring for a meditation that had them all contemplating how things would play out.

Roxanne ran them through the set scenarios based on which pokemon they drew. She wasn’t going to be like Brawly and demand to face Brock’s strongest.

As much as she desired the experience, she also knew that there was a divide between her Pokemon and Titan.

Hopefully, if everything went well for her, she could make it to the top eight of the circuit tournament. Her desire wasn’t to win the tournament but rather to gain access to the Silver Mountains and possibly secure a Larvitar or Pupitar for herself.

Today was all about testing herself and her team to see if they had what it would take.

After Brawly’s victory, many people across Indigo had him listed as the top pick to win the entire tournament.

Roxanne, having traveled with the rather charming young man, had to agree with them. His lackadaisical approach belied an instinct with Pokemon that led to him getting the most out of them. When he trained with his Pokemon, he fully committed himself.

On the other hand, Flannery, her other companion, was a typical hothead who got fired up about a lot of different things but sometimes needed to be prodded into doing things that she didn’t enjoy.

Training with pokemon? That was easy enough to get from her but if it was a subset such as practising stalling tactics she would drag her feet.

Roxanne was the most structured of their group.

She made the everyday plans that saw them reach the towns they planned on visiting in a timely manner; which allowed them to gather all the badges they’d needed, even if Brawly and Flannery had thrown the schedule into disarray more than a few times with their own little side adventures.

For Brawly, that usually meant a fighting-type competition or a ‘choice’ surfing location that he insisted on being at when the tide was up and the surf was good.

Flannery had been easier to manage but that was perhaps due to them having travelled together longer. That was until they reached Cinnabar. Then all bets were off as Flannery had torn her way around that island looking for strong fire-type pokemon to join her team.

Roxanne still felt a little guilty about breaking into that abandoned research facility, but it worked out in the end, with Flannery acquiring a strong Magmar for her team.

Roxanne stood from her cross-legged position and began packing up what few things she still had left. She gave her reflection a final inspection before checking out of the hotel.

The concierge bowed happily. “Thank you for staying with us! We hope to see you again! And good luck today! I’ll be watching your fight during my break!” said the woman.

Roxanne blinked, not used to having anyone recognise her. “O-oh, why thank you!” This was perhaps what Gym Leaders had to deal with, didn’t they?

The Concierge smiled. “I'm not going to lie. I think you’re mad if what they’re advertising about you is true. Using Rock Pokemon against Brock? That’s brave. Show us a good match!”

Roxanne’s smile faltered slightly. She’d seen the ad in question and Rachel, Brock’s PR manager, had been rather flattering in her portrayal of Roxanne. They’d also gotten some rather good ‘action’ shots of her from previous matches she’d had against other Gym Leaders.

She’d have to thank the woman when she saw her.

With less than an hour before her match Roxanne began to walk towards the Pewter Gym, checking over her pokebelt and her supplies one last time before setting off. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

She was rather surprised that she didn’t run into Flannery or Brawly until she reached the Pewter Gym entrance.

She stared at Flannery who had a gigantic sign over her shoulder. It read; ‘Rock em sock em Flan-flan!’ around the edges Flannery had painted flames which, while in style for Flannery, was very much not on message for the sign.

“You’re not seriously taking that… oh who am I kidding of course you’re taking that in aren’t you?” Roxanne said as she shook her head in defeat.

Flannery grinned. “Yup! I’m going to cheer myself hoarse for you girl!” she announced and Roxanne allowed herself a heartfelt smile at that.

“Thank you,” Roxanne said with a polite bow only for Flannery to sweep in and hug her. “Liven up girl! You’ve got this! Have some fire in your belly! Today’s your day!” Flannery grinned as she leaned in and Roxanne just knew she was going to not like what Flannery had cooked up.

“I’ve got your victory celebration all planned out, even got a nice little private rock garden for you and Brawly to—” Roxanne silenced Flannery by slapping her hands on her friend's mouth. She didn’t do anything as silly as a glance at Brawly to see if he’d heard the fire-loving girl’s words. She kept her eyes on her friend.

“You! You…” Roxanne slumped. “Have I been that obvious?”

“Only as obvious as he has in showing interest. Seriously he likes you, I shove you together and we’re going to have fireworks!”

“He does?” Roxanne said hopefully. So she hadn’t been reading too much into the casual touches, the brushing of fingertips? The way he’d helped her learn to surf?

She shook her head. “No, it won’t work, he doesn’t want to stay in Rustboro, we don’t have good enough surfing conditions.”

Flannery shot her friend a knowing look. “Been looking up the surfing conditions back home eh?” she wiggled her eyebrows.

Roxanne blushed at being caught out.

Flannery sighed and waved her hand. “Hey, don’t let something small get in the way of something that could be good, or even great. Don’t worry about what it will end up being.” Flannery nudged her friend. “My gramps has a great saying about stuff like this. Imagine yourself when you’re old, will you regret not having done it?” Flannery said with a rather wise tone.

Roxanne nodded; her friend was speaking truthfully. “I’ll consider it tonight! But for now, I want to focus on the match.”

Flannery backed off her grin set in place before she ‘accidentally’ nudged Brawly so he’d move closer.

“Oh, sorry about that Roxy!” he said as he got within her personal space.

Roxanne noted that he smelt of Beedrill wax and the ocean. He must have been out surfing or waxing his board before he came to cheer her on.

“Oh, no, I don’t mind,” she replied with a small smile. “Are you going to cheer for me?” she asked while mentally screaming at herself.

What sort of question was that?

Go back to school Roxanne! Learn to ask better questions! Engage with him damn it! She screamed inside her own head.

“You know it! I’m looking forward to watching you win!” Brawly announced.

He clapped her on the shoulder before gesturing to the door. “Lead the way girl!” he said and Roxanne’s heart fluttered at the touch.

She had no small reply and decided to do just that. The receptionist smiled when she approached them, and she was led into the waiting area for the match, where Rachel grinned at her.

“Sup Roxanne! Ready for an epic fight?” she said.

Roxanne smiled and nodded. “Yes, I have been looking forward to this. Thank you for the work you put in to present this match. I look rather good in the shots you selected,” she said.

Rachel chuckled. “Wasn’t hard! Trust me! The camera loves you girl! You just need to be more confident!” Rachel said as she puffed her chest out exaggeratedly.

Roxanne merely nodded politely. “So will we just go with the music from last time?”

“For this showdown? Pish posh! We’ve got some proper rock and this time you’ll both enter at the same time. Brock wants to show he respects your gumption for going for the Elite challenge like you are.”

Rachel bounced from foot to foot as she bobbed her head up and down. “I’ll leave you for your final preparation. You need a drink, snack, or trip to the bathroom before the match, and… well, you’ve been around enough to know where to go!” she said as she walked over to a hidden door in the tunnel, which she walked through, leaving Roxanne to sit and contemplate her upcoming match.

Thankfully she didn’t have too long as the lights began to pulse and she rose to march into the arena proper.

Much like the last time she’d come, the stands were packed, and Roxanne could only gape as a firm majority were holding banners, either spelling or showing a ‘rock’ sign while chanting the word over and over again.

“Rock! Rock! Rock!”

The word washed over Roxanne and she found herself giggling at the absurdity of it all. Flannery was easy to spot with her long red hair. She was standing and waving her ridiculous sign, which didn’t look as silly as everyone else waving their own signs.

Then the rock music began and Roxanne threw her head back and laughed. It was just so far gone as to be ridiculous.

When Brock entered the light with his own huge smile, Roxanne shot him a look that had no heat to it.

Brock winked and hopped across the divide to land on the podium once the music ended. He nodded his head in greeting. “You ready? I’ve been looking forward to this,” he said with a relish that had Roxanne straightening up.

“I am, and so have I!” she replied.

Everyone’s gaze swept around to the referee who for today was Missy. The young woman smiled widely as she slapped her hand onto the button that activated the randomiser.

The faces of Pokemon began to flicker past quickly, but not so fast that you couldn’t make out who they were.

Tyranitar, Rhyprerior, Kabutops, Aggron, Steelix, and Kleavor were all signature Pokemon that Roxanne hoped to one day house in her Gym, but for now, she could only watch on as her opponent was selected.

When the flickers began to slow down, her heart leapt when the face of Don, the Aerodactyl lingered.

He would be the perfect match-up for her, only for it to tick over one last time and the cratered face of Brock’s Lunatone gazed back.

“You will face Selene!” announced Missy grandly.

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Brock whistled, “Heh, she’s going to be happy, she’s been raring to get a fight. Big match like this is going to be perfect for Selene.”

Roxanne nodded, slightly disappointed that she didn’t get her perfect match up before shaking it off and focussing. She knew some of what to expect from Selene.

A powerful psychic and rock-type pokemon with some fairy-type moves.

Roxanne began running through her plans once more and took a deep breath as Brock drew out the great ball in question before tossing it out to release Selene, who stilled as the crowd roared in approval of her taking to the field.

Rocanne nodded. She’d made dozens of plans for various Pokemon she might face, but now she could narrow it down to just one. Now, it was time to see how her plans stacked up against the real thing.

Roxanne shifted her hand to her third pokemon, knowing she was her best option for this match-up. “Come on out! STEELIX!” she called, sending out the only pokemon on her team that technically wasn’t rock-type.

Not that it stopped Brock from having Jormungandr in his Elite team.

Steelix rose and glowered at the hovering Lunatone only for Selene to trill a greeting that sounded happy.

Her confusion quickly vanished when Selene’s gaze focused and became hostile. Ah, a pokemon that wanted to prove itself.

Roxanne stabbed her hand straight ahead, deciding to go for it with the first move. “Flash Cannon!” she shouted.

Steelix opened her mouth and unleashed a glittering blast of energy that lanced at Selene.

Selene, instead of Teleporting like Roxanne had been expecting, twirled like an acrobat to the side, spinning and glittering herself as her body began to shine.

Rock Polish, Roxanne noted, Selene was going to be faster than usual. He was going to buff moves first was he? Alright, she could work against that by using some of the training she’d picked up from Brock’s very Gym!

“Taunt!” Roxanne commanded. Steelix opened its mouth only for Selene to slam herself into the ground and create a powerful Earthquake that shook the field and caused Steelix to slam into the ground horribly.

Steelix rose quickly, but that attack had obviously rattled her terribly. She came up snarling and spitting, dark energy coursing around her as she pushed Taunt to work. It needed to connect for the first part of Roxanne’s plan to

Selene jutted her lower point upwards before repeating the slam into the earth, sending Steelix home with a quick one-two attack.

“Done much training with Taunt?” Brock said seemingly out of nowhere as Roxanne returned her pokemon.

Roxanne nodded proudly. “I’ve been working with the trainers to pick it up. Your training sessions have been enlightening!” she replied without a hint of shame.

Brock rubbed his chin and nodded slowly, a smile crept its way onto his features. “You ever… use it on yourself to test how effective it is? How long does it last? What happens when the pokemon that used it on their foe gets knocked out?”

Roxanne’s breathing hitched. She hadn’t. She’d taken Brock's knowledge, but she hadn’t ever pushed for more or tested it like he’d mentioned.

Roxanne’s gaze swept to Selene who was swerving left and right quickly, a gleam in her eyes.

She didn’t look restrained.

“Wait!” Roxanne jolted. “Are you baiting me with a sinister monologue?” She narrowed her eyes and inspected Brock closely.

Brock remained perfectly stoic despite her scrutiny but Roxanne wasn’t buying it. She hadn’t expected him to use mental games against her but she had to expect it. It wasn’t just the pokemon that were fighting right now but also the trainers!

Brock was stalling her to give his pokemon more time for her Taunt to fade. Roxanne’s hand whipped around with the next pokeball. “Come out hard and fast Rhydon!” she roared.

The instant Rhydon appeared, she clenched her fist. “Tsunami special!” she called out.

Rhydon stepped back, and a wave built up behind it. On Brock’s side of the field, Selene began to glow with a build-up of psychic energy around her.

Rhydon rose into the air with Surf, only for it to falter.

Instead of firing off a Teleport like Roxanne had been expecting, Brock used a powerful Psychic to stall the wave. It wasn’t for long, barely a second, but that second of stalled momentum saw the Surf collapse in on itself.

Rhydon stumbled and Roxanne’s mind raced. “Ride it in close!” she ordered, knowing she needed to salvage this as much as possible.

She saw her chance as Rhydon rode the surging water in on his belly. “Keep up and use Hammer Arm!” she shouted.

Rhydon kipped up only to get snatched out of the air and launched backwards with yet another powerful psychic attack.

Rhydon slammed into the base of her podium and Roxanne wobbled her way to the front to peer over. “Are you alright?” she called, and Rhydon snorted loudly before stomping his way back onto the battlefield.

“Force his hand!” Roxanne called, knowing that she was very much rolling the dice with this move.

Rhydon’s fist cocked back, and Roxanne got to enjoy watching Brock twitch as he registered what Roxanne’s plan was.

Psychic energy once more built up around Selene and Brock’s eyes swept up for Roxanne’s only to hold as a small smile locked into place.

Rhydon’s fist shot into the ground, and the field erupted into breaks and canyons.

In response, Brock… did nothing? The Psychic energy faded from Selene, and she hovered slightly off the ground.

Roxanne watched the rumbling ground, holding her breath and hoping to get the snapping field that could catch even flying type pokemon unawares.

Nothing happened beyond the destroyed field, however, causing Roxanne to click her tongue in annoyance. She’d spent months training Rhydon to improve that ability, only to have it fail here and now?

Or perhaps it hadn’t failed so much as it had been subject to enemy action?

Selene wobbled gleefully, only for Psychic to once more wrap itself around Rhydon and launch her pokemon.

Rhydon hit the podium again and staggered to his feet with a roar of defiance. Roxanne inspected the field once more. “Surf,” she said, deciding to alter the target she was aiming for.

Once more, Surf built up and swept forward, only for Brock to demonstrate how powerful his Lunatone was by stopping the wave dead in its tracks.

It had the effect Roxanne had been aiming for, however, by filling the cracks and small canyons with water. Now, instead of a barren hard field, there was mud and small creeks spread throughout the battlefield.

Perfect for her next pokemon.

A lash of Psychic energy appeared out of the air and hammered Rhydon into the ground, causing Roxanne to flinch in surprise.

When Brock had gotten off Future Sight?

Roxanne watched her Rhydon loyally stagger to his feet even as Selene began to shine brighter again with another application of Rock Polish.

That Lunatone was going to be nightmarishly quick now.

Rhydon was too far gone, but he’d done everything Roxanne had asked of him. “I withdraw Rhydon. I’ll not risk him any further!” she announced, holding a hand towards the referee.

She returned her pokemon and sent out her next pokemon, aiming right for the largest canyon of water.

“Let’s go Corsola!” she called.

Her little fish plopped into the pool of water and locked eyes with Selene.

Brock whistled. “That was not a pokemon I was expecting for you to have on your team.” He grinned. “I love it!” he said, leaning forward intent on the fight that was about to restart.

“Aqua Ring!” Roxanne ordered, and her pokemon gained a ring of water floating around it only for a psychic glow to surround it a moment later.

Brock made a flicking gesture and Corsola was hurled from the water into the podium. Roxanne grimaced. She was getting sick of watching her pokemon getting thrown around like ragdolls.

Corsola hit the podium, but the Aqua Ring helped buffer the strike a little, along with regathering Corsola’s strength.

“Dive under the water and Recover! Then go for an eruption play!” Roxanne called and Corsola threw herself into a nearby crack before powering under the water leaving Brock and his Corsola with nothing to see of her pokemon.

That didn’t stop a glow from once more building and dissipating from Selene.

Another Future Sight, Roxanne noted, another good move for Brock with Roxanne hiding her pokemon.

Thankfully that hiding didn’t last for long as the largest section of the field began to rise as the water underneath it swelled. Other parts of the field shifted as more water appeared about the field.

The largest section of the field shot upwards as Corsola was revealed, her tiny pokemon roaring as she worked to lift the earth high up into the air. Corsola’s little flippers continued to work overtime even with nothing more to push herself off.

Roxanne looked Brock right in the eyes as Corsola began to drop out of the air with the section of earth right above it.

Brock stiffened right as the rocky segment hit the water and caused a huge displacement.

The water causing the swell suddenly became pressurised and exploded up and outwards, only to surge back as the barriers activated to protect the crowd, causing more water to spill into and over the field.

It was a pseudo-Rainy Day, but it was one that Roxanne planned to exploit.

“Liquidation!” Roxanne shouted, and Corsola launched out of the water like a Sharpedo.

Brock met Roxanne's gaze, his smile still in place. He nodded once, and Roxanne felt a thrill run through her, only for Selene to use Protect and deny the attack.

Worse, the Future Sight he’d used earlier activated and slammed into Corosola, sending her spiralling through the air before slapping into the water.

Corsola twitched slightly before righting herself as Aqua Ring glowed, healing her up minutely.

“Dive and Recover again!” Roxanne ordered, knowing she might still have a chance to salvage this.

“Earthquake,” Brock said, using a verbal command for the first time.

Roxanne snapped her gaze to him and spotted a flicker of darkness in his gaze. Understanding flooded Roxanne at that moment. Brock wanted her to know what was about to happen.

As clever as it was to use displacement against him, he could also exploit it.

Selene slammed into the largest section of the battlefield, breaking it up further but causing a burst of water to launch upwards. Corsola, caught in the tide, was launched into the air helplessly.

“Hydro Pump!” Roxanne shouted.

Corsola twisted perfectly and brought herself to bear to launch two powerful blasts of water, only for Selene to answer by shooting to the side and firing off a powerful Stone Edge that knocked Corsola out of the air.

She fell with a faint wail and Roxanne sighed as she raised her pokeball to withdraw her. Instead of the pokeball halting her descent, psychic energy caught Corsola gently and lowered her onto the field.

Roxanne shot Brock a confused look only for him to be shooting his pokemon an amused look as he nodded toward Selene.

Roxanne shifted her attention. “Thank you for catching her,” she clarified.

Selene merely inclined her body in a facsimile of a nod. Roxanne returned her Pokemon, giving Corsola’s Pokeball a small pat. Selene was looking out of breath from the various attacks, counters, and dodges she’d had to manage, but Roxanne needed more.

She needed proper damage, which she had yet to manage. However, she had forced Brock to use Protect and a lot of moves to fight her.

So, her next gambit had a much greater chance of success.

“Go Golem,” she said, deliberately sending him to the centre of the field.

Brock stiffened, and Roxanne shot him an apologetic smile. “Explosion,” she said without any hesitation.

Golem saluted and spread his arms wide before lights began to glow from his craggy body. A moment later, he exploded, sending water and rocks flying.

Roxanne had to duck down beneath the podium to escape a wave of water and small shards of rocks that swept around the barrier on her podium.

When she rose, she found the field utterly broken. Small sections of rock peeked out of the waterline, and a hurried inspection found her golem face down in a puddle. His Pokeball shot into her hand in time for him to turn his head and give her a weak smile.

Roxanne exhaled in relief even as she withdrew him, knowing that he was alright, even if knocked out due to her plan.

Roxanne cast her gaze about the field only for part of what she’d assumed to be broken debris to rise into the air stiltedly.

Roxanne restrained the urge to do a happy jig. It had worked! It had worked!

Brock looked from Selene to her. “You planned the entire match to reach this point, didn’t you? You had Steelix out to stop me from buffing her up too much with Taunt, while also having options for Dark Pulse in play. Then you sent out Rhydon to break the field…” He frowned. “The Fissure, you’ve been training that. You were hoping to get Protect out of me there instead of me calling your bluff,” he muttered.

Roxanne wanted to mutter that it wasn’t a bluff, but instead, she grabbed her second last Pokemon and stabbed a finger in Brock’s direction. “You’re not monologuing enough to get more time for your Pokemon.”

Brock blinked at her. “Hmmm? Oh, no, I wasn’t baiting you that time. Just running through your plan. You’ve got Solrock and Probopass as your last two pokemon I’m assuming right? Both pokemon can levitate. You took into account the state you wanted the field to be in and kept them for last so that a heavier pokemon wouldn’t sink in after Golem had his way with it.”

Roxanne’s finger remained in the air as she blinked at him. “Oh… yes that was the plan,” she replied before tossing out the pokeball to reveal Solrock, who locked eyes with an exhausted Selene.

Brock glanced at his pokemon for a long moment before nodding his head.

“Psychic!” Roxanne called, knowing from the glint in Selene’s eyes that she wasn’t backing down.

Psychic energy began to form around Selene and her hovering began to slip down towards the water.

In response, Selene fired a Moonblast, the pinkish energy building and launched into the air only to appear to fall short.

“Dodge!” Roxanne shouted as she spotted Brock’s intent, but she was too late. The Moonblast caused a wave of water to slam into Solrock, causing him to drop his own attempts at submerging Selene.

Selene hovered higher and Roxanne warred with what to do next before hardening her heart. “Brock! I’m going to use another Explosion!” she announced and her Solrock gained a gleeful look.

Brock clicked his tongue but didn’t hesitate to raise a hand. “I withdraw Selene.”

Roxanne blinked, finding herself caught out despite knowing that it was the most correct decision available to him.

Around the arena, new explosions went off as Roxanne’s face appeared large on the screen with that of her pokemon. Roxanne felt a wave of happiness wash over her as the crowd rose to their feet, roaring in approval as her victory was declared.

Roxanne jumped, allowing herself to woop

loudly with joy at the victory.

The woop turned into a shriek as she timed the jump to occur just as the podium was starting to lower. She landed and staggered, having not expected the extra height.

Missy shot her an apologetic look, having started the lowering right then.

Brock ignored the lowering podium to hop down and begin spraying a potion on his pokemon, with Solrock floating up to Roxanne and spinning. Roxanne felt giddy with joy as she hugged her pokemon.

She then spun and began waving towards the crowd. Flannery was going nuts, one hand waving her huge sign while the other shook Brawly by the shoulder.

Roxanne could just make out her friend ribbing Brawly. “Ha! She did it better than you did! She only needed five of her pokemon to beat the Elite challenge!”

Roxanne blushed. She hadn’t really considered that, but it was true. Technically, she was now the most successful challenger to date.

Brock’s laughter made her turn to smile at him. “Good match,” he declared without any resentment. “You have more than proven that you have the skills and tactical mindset to earn the Bejeweled Badge. Congratulations!” he said, handing a small box to her with the diamond badge to her.

Roxanne accepted it with both hands and bowed politely. “Thank you for all you’ve done and shown me this year! I know I am stronger thanks to you, Brock!”

“You’ve certainly demonstrated that,” Brock said with a nod.

He smiled and shook his head before taking in the battlefield. “You know I’ve been attempting to build up a method to handle ghost trainers flooding my gym, but thanks to your demonstration I think I’m going to have to worry about people running out and collecting five Gravelers and challenging me,” he said.

Roxanne blanched. That hadn’t been her intention. She’d simply noticed that she had two pokemon capable of the move and it had been a viable tactic. She’d just needed to force Brock to commit his Protect once or twice.

“Sorry?” she offered.

Brock waved it off. “I’ll have to think about perhaps limiting moves, which kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but the reality is it’s already hard enough to have my pokemon last against six others. If people start using strategies like that? Well, it will defeat the purpose of making me and them stronger as trainers, so perhaps it’s time to put on my big boy pants and make the change formally.”

He then smirked. “I think I’ll call it the Roxanne Rule,” he said.

Roxanne wasn’t sure if she should be pleased or aghast that a rule was named after her and also because of her.

She decided not to tell Flannery. The redhead would laugh herself sick.

Instead, she just allowed herself to bask in the moment of victory and celebrate it.

And if Flannery’s plan worked… she might not be alone in celebrating it later tonight.