Ivan in Violet City- First Gym Battle and More!

  Ivan entered the city and looked around briefly, ignoring all buildings that he came to see.  Ivan was dead-set on going to one place and one place only: the Violet City Gym.  After walking the short distance to the western edge of town, Ivan found what he was looking for.  The gym looked like a large dome that may have had a retractable roof, but Ivan wasn't 100% from his vantage-point.  He noticed a sign just to the left of the door and read it; it stated that the gym leader was Falkner, "The Elegant Master of Flying Pokemon".  Ivan heaved a heavy breath and reached for the door.
  "Already going to fight the first gym leader, are we?  Good for you, young lad!"
  Ivan looked around to see where the voice had come from.  He looked down a small alley on the left side of the gym and came face-to-face with a rotund man with a high pitched voice and a thick brown mustache.  The man had a knowing, mischievous grin that slightly unnerved Ivan.  Ivan kept his eye on the man and nodded his head to indicate that he was going to face off with Falkner.
  "Is that so?  Well, do you know how to handle flying types?  That inquisitive look on your face says that you do not.  Well, not to worry, my friend, for I, Earl Dervish, can help you!  All you have to do is follow my back to the eastern side of town and read up on pokemon training techniques in my very own 'Earl's Pokemon Academy'... free of charge, of course.  I couldn't dare charge for such a noble cause as proper pokemon training.  Let me show you!"
  Ivan was definitely interested in the odd man now, as he followed Earl down the path back east towards the pokemon school.  Ivan wasn't exactly sure what to expect right now.  The prospect of actually learning what he was doing in battle was intriguing, but he wasn't sure about the authenticity of the Academy, judging by the man that was seemingly doing twirling dances down the street.  Ivan and Earl had finally arrived at the Pokemon Academy, which was a relatively small, unspectacular building.
  "I can see the doubt in your eyes," Earl had started, "but trust me.  You can't always judge a book by its cover!  Behold!"
  Earl had opened the doors wide, revealing the interior of the building, which looked more like a library than a classroom.  Ivan's eyes darted back and forth excitedly while he scanned the titles and sections of the books.
  "I see that I've now caught your attention," Earl said.  "Here at the Academy, we believe that a trainer should go at their own pace and learn the way that they desire.  There are several teachers here if you'd like, but I see that you are more of the learn by reading type.  Very well then.  Study hard and I'll see you again soon enough!"
  With that, Earl Dervish bounced off, leaving Ivan and his pokemon alone in the library.  Ivan went over to the first section of books, which had several volumes of a pokemon encyclopedia on it.  Ivan picked up the first book and saw that it was written by Professor Oak, who he met at Mr. Pokemon's house.  The book contained a listing of 151 different pokemon species with outlines of all of their abilities, types, physiology, evolution patterns, and everything that you could imagine.  There appeared to be a final page behind the section of the book outlining a pokemon called 'Mew', but somebody had ripped out the page; Ivan also found it weird that page had a Missing Number, an odd misprint by the printing company.
  Ivan also noticed that none of his pokemon had been featured in Professor Oak's book, so he replaced it on the shelf and pulled the next volume, which happened to be written by Johto's own Professor Elm!  He continued reading that book, followed by the next chapter (written by Prof. Birch of Hoenn), and started with a fourth chapter written by one Prof. Rowan of Sinnoh.  Ivan had just read up on his fourth pokemon, Budew, when a strange thought occurred to him.  Why did Prof. Oak send him out to fill a Pokedex with the information on all pokemon, when there was already a written encyclopedia with all information on every pokemon available.  Ivan didn't dwell on that very long as he finished off the fourth chapter and looked at the shelf.  It looked like there was room for a fifth volume, but it was not quite available at the moment.  Ivan shrugged and went to another section of the library.  The first book that he came across was 'The Joy of Battling', which detailed basic battling techniques, which included pokemon types, move types, physical and special moves, and much more.  Ivan absorbed the book like a sponge and continued moving from book to book, thoroughly readin everything there was to being a pokemon master.  He learned about different rolls that pokemon could play (sweepers, walls, annoyers) and several different techniques that could be used in battle.  He also learned about all of the different items that were available, including how to use and capture pokemon using different types of pokeballs.  Ivan had spent the entire day reading, until a lady came up to him.
  "Hello, there.  My name is, Miss Priscilla, a teacher here.  I'm sorry to interrupt your studies, but I'm afraid that we are closing up for the night.  It does fill me with great pleasure to see a youngster like yourself enjoying pokemon books like this, but it's time to lock up for the night."
  Ivan nodded his head and agreed politely.  He hadn't meant to spend the entire day there, but he simply lost track of time and read until he couldn't absorb any more reading material.  He replaced his book, which was about advanced battling techniques and competitive move prediction, onto the shelf and left quietly.  Ivan felt that he could be ready to face off against Falkner at that moment, but there was another light that caught his attention.  To the north side of town, a small light was shining brightly in the top window of a tall tower; Ivan was drawn to the flame and went to go investigate the light.       

  Ivan froze for a moment and just listened to the trampling footsteps that were charging through the tower.  He wasn't sure what was going on, but he was willing to stick around and find out.  Although he could see out the window that the sudden rain had just as quickly died off, he was still wanting to stay indoors for a few minutes more... even if it meant staying in the same building with the sages that refused to do anything. 
  Ivan gave a quick look to the window and then back to the stairs just in time to see four people in solid black uniforms with a large red letter 'R' on the front burst  from the stairwell and lined up, giving (for the record) pretty cool battle poses.  Right after they settled down, two other men dressed the same way burst through the windown, having apparently repelled stealthily down from the roof of Bellsprout Tower. 
  "Prepare for trouble!" yelled one of the mysterious strangers.  "We are members of Team Rocket, the greatest criminal syndicate in the world.  All we want is for you to hand over all of your pokemon and you'll be alright."
  Ivan looked directly at the leader of the Team Rocket grunts and said, "Why should we give you our pokemon?  You will get nothing from me!"
  "A brave one, aren't we?  Well, we are more powerful than you and we realize that greatest good that pokemon can bring: money for us!  Now since we have an objection to our polite demands, let's do what we do best and take these pokemon by force.... more fun for us!"
  One of the other grunts pulled out a device that started sucking a great amount of air in.  Although it didn't generate enough force to affect the sages, Ivan, or his pokemon, all of the Bellsprout started flying through the air towards the machine.  The other two grunts that were standing behind their leader began collecting all of the Bellsprout, including the one that Ivan had just acquired, into large burlap sacks.  Ivan couldn't believe what was happening and started raising a protest.  "How could you do something like that?  How could you possibly justify stealing other people's pokemon for your own personal profit?"  He then turned behind him to try and rally the sages to his cause.  "Come on, let's get our pokemon back!  Who's with me?"
  The sages all looked at each other and then to Ivan and said, in unison, "If the Bellsprout leave this way, it must be their fate.  All that is- is as it should be."
  Ivan was now in a furious rage now at not only pokemon-napping Team Rocket, but also at the seemingly apathetic idling sages of Bellsprout Tower.  He wanted to punish each and every person in the room with him right now, but releasing the pokemon was his first priority.  Anubis looked a little tired from his previous battle (as well as being a fire type that was rained on earlier), so Ivan called fro Dodger to help out.  Dodger was bouncing up and down on its notched tail, ready to take on any challenge that was thrown its way. 
  The first grunt laughed at Sentret and threw out a Rattata, which Sentret disposed of easily; it used a QUICK ATTACK and knocked it out before anybody could blink.  One by one, the Rocket Grunts released their pokemon to try and defeat Ivan's Sentret, but Sentret was too strong to fall to any of them.  Once the Rocket grunts started to panic after losing their pokemon, Sentret saw its opportunity to gain some reinforcements.  It used its speed to run up to the burlap sacks and used its scratches to cut the bags open.  All of the Bellsprout came pouring out of the bags and started whipping the grunts' feet with their Vine Whip.  Once the Rocket grunts were all fleeing down the stairs, the Bellsprout turned their attention to the grabbing machine, thrashing that until it was only a pile of spare parts.
  Having helped dispose of Team Rocket, Ivan once again scooped up the still cowering Bellsprout and made his way to the stairs once again.  He didn't even want to look behind him at the sages that had been unwilling to act to save their Bellsprout not once, but twice. 
  "Stay a moment, child!" said a voice behind Ivan that caused him to stop and turn......   

  Ivan left Bellsprout Tower in a particularly foul mood.  He had exacted a small amount of revenge on Team Rocket and the sages, but it still didn't seem like enough.  He was also sort of feeling down for stealing from the sages, but quickly got that thought out of his mind: they had deserved it.  Ivan decided that the last thing to do in this town was to challenge the gym leader, Falkner.  Before that, he needed to go to the Pokemon Center and heal his companions for what was sure to be a long, hard fight.  He walked in through the front door, gave his pokemon to the nurse and waited at the counter.
  A tall, sinister sounding man was waiting in the shadows for Ivan.  "Are you.... Ivan Petrov?"
  Ivan turned around quickly, nodding his head angrily.  What else could happen to him in this city.
  The man simply said, "I have been looking for you."  He then walked out of the shadows and almost instantly, his demeanor completely changed into something bright and cheery.  His voice seemed to match his new brightened look.  "I have a special delivery here for you!  I'm sorry, I should introduce myself.  My name is Postmaster Pete from the Pokemon Parcel Providers and Porters!  I have some items here that were sent from Prof. Elm!  Here you are, sign here, please!"
  Ivan took the package and opened it up and unloaded its contents.  He looked through them inquisitively.   
  Pete continued on his rambling rant, "I have been instructed to tell you the contents of your parcel.  You shall find three Rare Candies, which you have signed up for already in Cherrygrove City, as well as the brand new Underground Kit.  The Professor helped develop that with some folks in the Sinnoh region and it can be used to burrow underground and have fun down there!  That's so exciting!  Well, I must be off now.  Remember, we can find you anywhere and anytime... just as long as you can find a Pokemon Center.  We will be there as swifty as a sky-high Skarmory!"
  With that, the man had left, just in time for Ivan to get his pokemon back.  He quickly gave one Rare Candy to Anubis and two to Dodger, who had worked tirelessly for him lately.  Besides, Ivan realized that those were the two pokemon best suited for facing off with the flying Falkner.  After feeding the Rare Candies to his pokemon, Dodger began glowing strangely.  Ivan wasn't sure what was going on, but Dodger seemed to be... changing.  It looked like it body was becoming less circular and more longer and slender.  It looked like it was becoming stronger, faster, and sleeker in appearance.  Ivan smiled, knowing what was going on thanks to his prior studies in the Pokemon Academy: Sentret was now evolving into Furret!  Ivan smiled, knowing that his pokemon was now even more prepared to face off against a gym leader.

  Ivan then left the Pokemon Center and headed towards the gym.  He stood at the doors and was about to walk in.   
  "Oh-ho-ho-ho!  Good luck, young man!  I hope that your studies today have provided you with an edge over our fine feathered friend inside!" 
  Ivan looked back down the left alleyway and saw that Earl Dervish, the flamboyant owner of the Pokemon Academy was still standing there, ready to direct other trainers to his school for further studies.  Ivan smiled at him and then walked into the gym.

  Ivan walked over to the pokeball and studied it for a moment before picking it up and pulling out his Pokedex.  He aimed the Pokedex at the pokeball and it automatically registered all of the data on Ivan's newest pokemon: a Kecleon.  Ivan then pressed the central button on the pokeball and released Kecleon, who stood unmoving for a moment.  Ivan and the Kecleon stared at each other for a moment before Kecleon's focus wavered to the rest of Ivan's pokemon.  Without warning, the Kecleon jumped forward and started trying to swipe its claws at Dodger.
  Ivan was frozen for a moment and couldn't react.  He couldn't believe that his new Kecleon had actually tried going after his own teammates, even if it was a new acquisition.  The Kecleon ran up and gave Dodger a good scratch on the face.  Dodger was able to retaliate, but it was too weak from battle to knock out the chameleon pokemon.  The Kecleon then regained its focus to make another attack, but Ivan was able to reseal the Kecleon in its pokeball.
  Ivan was trying to make sense out of what happened when Earl Dervish came up from behind him.  "That's..... highly unusual.  I can't say that I've ever seen a pokemon react that way, especially under the care of a trainer that has gained an official league badge."
  It was then that Ivan's mood changed from joy to one of slight depression.  Earl Dervish's words did hurt... unintentionally of course.  Ivan realized that he was unusual and odd when compared to any other trainer.  In fact, Kecleon was the only pokemon that he had caught through traditional means..... and it wound up completely rejecting him and his pokemon.  Earl Dervish then interrupted again, with some slightly more useful information. 
  "Well, counting the two pokemon that you have in pokeballs, you now seem to own six pokemon, which is the maximum amount of pokemon that you can carry at once.  You may heed this advice if you want, but it's up to you.  Each Pokemon Center has a PC in which you can store and transfer pokemon electronically; it truly is amazing what technology can do.  I would recommend storing your Kecleon, since it looks to be too dangerous for your own pokemon to have around."
  With a heavy heart, Ivan agreed with Earl Dervish and thanked him for all of his help.  Ivan then walked over to the PokeCenter to deposit Kecleon.

.......