As Diamond thought about her first trial against the Elite Four, she realized that this is harder than most Pokémon battles. She was informed that her next opponent is Bruno, who specializes in Fighting Pokémon. After changing into the outfit she wore at Fuschia City gym, she and her friends head for the four doors again. This time, a door monogrammed by a fist is glowing while the door that lead to Lorelei has a green frame lighting up, meaning that Diamond was victorious.
As they entered the room, it appeared to be a dojo. Babs and Silver removed their footwear to show respect. Sitting cross legged is a muscular man with messy black hair and wearing a torn white karate pants with a black belt.
"I assume you're Bruno." Diamond wondered.
"That's correct, Miss Tiara." Bruno replied. "Congratulations on defeating Lorelei. But, Ice types are vulnerable to fighting moves. I'm sure you know that fact."
"I do. I'm ready for anything you can dish put."
As Bruno stood up, a young brown haired lady wearing a black Karate gi stepped in to be the referee.
"It's a good thing Diamond is allowed to switch Pokémon after healing." Silver said proudly. "This way, she'll be ready."
"Here's Pokémon number one!" Bruno said. "Go, Onix!"
An Onix comes out, ready to battle. Diamond brings out her first Pokémon. "Let's go, Omastar!"
Bruno is impressed that someone resurrected a prehistoric Pokémon. *Not bad. But, I'll crush it! Onix, use Slam!
Raising it's tail, Onix hit Omastar. But, being a rock type itself, Omastar is not hit hard.
"Now, it's my turn." Diamond said. "Omastar, Spike Cannon. FIRE!"
Omastar fired spikes at Onix. It was just a distraction for the next move. "Now, Hydro Pump!"
Omastar fired the strong stream of water at Onix. Soon, the Rock Snake Pokémon fainted.
"Onix is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Omastar wins."
"Onix, return." Bruno said. "Nice try. Just rest up." Bruno then makes his next choice. "Here's Pokémon number two. Go, Hitmonlee!"
Out popped a brown humanoid creature with strong looking legs. This has Diamond pull out her Pokédex.
Hitmonlee, the Kicking Pokémon. Said the Pokédex. It loosens it's spring like legs so it can be ready for battle.
The former prissy girl figures that Omastar is a bud vulnerable to fighting types. After recalling Omastar, she made her next choice, "Let's Go, Pidgeot!"
Pidgeot flew high and looking beautiful. Bruno wasn't impressed. "I can knock out that flying fighter. Hitmonlee, use Brick Break!"
Hitmonlee quickly gave a quick hit to Pidgeot. Bruno followed it up. "Okay, Hitmonlee. Use High Jump Kick!"
Hitmonlee leaped up to deliver a powerful kick. Diamond quickly reacted. "Dodge it, Pidgeot!"
The mighty bird flew out of the way just as Hitmonlee landed. Missing the kick caused some damage.
"I figured High Jump Kick would be a double edged sword." Diamond said. "Pidgeot, use Air Slash!"
Pidgeot flapped it's wings hard as it blew Hitmonlee to a wall. The Kicking Pokémon fainted on impact.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Pidgeot wins!"
"Hitmonlee, return." Bruno said. He then took out another Poké Ball. "Time to bring out Pokémon number three. Go, Hitmonchan!"
Out pops a humanoid creature with boxing glove like hands and what looks like a Roman gladiator outfit. Diamond is astounded. "A Hitmonchan. The Punching Pokémon."
Hitmonchan, the Punching Pokémon. The Pokédex said. A skilled fighting Pokémon that packs a powerful punch.
Diamond decided to strike first. "Okay, Pidgeot. Use Wing Attack!"
Pidgeot speeds towards Hitmonchan with it's wings glowing.
"I have the solution to this." Bruno informed. "Hitmonchan, use Thunder Punch!"
Hitmonchan charged in with it's fists powered by electricity. It punched Pidgeot with such power, it fainted.
"Oh no!" Diamond gasped.
"Pidgeot is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Hitmonchan wins."
"Pidgeot, return." Diamond sadly said.
"I had my Hitmonchan learn many kinds of punches." Bruno said. "This way, I'll be ready for anything."
But, Diamond is not giving up. She made her next choice. "Let's go, Hypno!"
When Hypno came out, Bruno decided to try to take it out. "Hitmonchan, use Close Combat!"
Just as Hitmonchan would make his mark, Diamond prepared a surprise. "Hypno, use Zen Headbutt!"
With it's head glowing, Hypno rammed into Hitmonchan. The psychic energy weakened the fighter as Diamond followed it up. "Now, use Psybeam!"
Using it's psychic energy, Hypno toppled Hitmonchan, causing it to be knocked out.
"Hitmonchan is unable to battle." The Karate girl announced. "Hypno wins."
Diamond and Hypno high fived each other as Bruno recalls Hitmonchan.
"This is turning out to be a great battle." Bruno said. "Here comes Pokémon number four. Go, Poliwrath!"
Out comes a blue bulky creature with a swirl on it's chest. Diamond's Pokédex gives her some information. Poliwrath, the Tadpole Pokémon. It can swim large bodies of water with ease.
Diamond soon has an idea. "Return, Hypno. I might need you later." She then makes her next choice. "Let's go, Pikachu!"
Pikachu comes out ready for action. Bruno was amused. "This little pipsqueak thinks he can take on my Pokémon?"
"Sometimes, big things come in small packages." Diamond informed.
"I doubt that, missy. Poliwrath, use Bubble Beam!"
Poliwrath fired a stream of bubbles at Pikachu. Diamond quickly reacted. "Dodge those bubbles. Then, use Thunder Wave!"
After avoiding the bubbles, Pikachu fired a stream of electricity. Bruno is still amused. "Still not impressed. Poliwrath, use Dynamic Punch!"
Poliwrath raised it's fists. But, the electrical move kicked in, and paralyzed the water type.
"Time to shut it down, Pikachu." Diamond called out. "Use Thunderbolt!"
Charging up, Pikachu blasted Poliwrath with high powered electricity. Soon, the Tadpole Pokémon fainted.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Pikachu wins."
"Poliwrath, return." Bruno said. He then looked at Diamond with determination. "Playtime is over. Here's my last Pokémon. Go, Machamp!"
Out comes a four armed humanoid creature. Diamond looked stunned as her Pokédex comes alive. Machamp, the Superpower Pokémon and the fully evolved form of Machop. With it's four arms, nothing it to heavy to lift.
Diamond got a bit worried. But, she pushed forward. "Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"
Pikachu zipped fast to strike. But, Bruno was ready. "Machamp, intercept with Cross Chop!"
Machamp crossed it's arms. Then, struck Pikachu with such force, the electric mouse soon fainted.
"Pikachu is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Machamp wins."
"Pikachu, return." Diamond said with sorrow. "You did good. Just get some rest." She then made her next choice. "Hypno, back to action!"
Hypno comes out, ready to go. Bruno quickly strikes. "Machamp use Karate Chop!"
Machamp rushes in to chop Hypno. Diamond quickly reacts. "Hypno, use Psybeam!"
Hypno fired a beam of psychic energy. Though it's hit, Machamp still approaches it's opponent.
"Let's switch things up, Machamp!" Bruno called out. "Use Vital Throw!"
Grabbing Hypno, Machamp threw the Hypnosis Pokémon down to the ground. Seconds later, Hypno fainted.
"Hypno is unable to battle." The Karate girl announced. "Machamp wins."
As Diamond recalls Hypno, she thinks a new strategy. She was thinking of calling Omastar. But, it would be easily be defeated. Suddenly, she made a choice. "Let's go, Venusaur!"
Venusaur came out, and shook the ground. Even though he was shocked, Bruno continues his attack. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Machamp, use Submission!"
Machamp prepared to grapple with Venusaur. But, Diamond launched a counter attack. "Venusaur, push Machamp back with Razor Leaf!"
Just as Machamp approached it's opponent, Venusaur blasted him with a barrage of leaves. Diamond rubbed her necklace and started to chant. "When a Pokémon and a trainer work together, nothing is impossible. Now, my blooming flower of power. MEGA EVOLVE!"
The sight of a Mega Evolve even impressed Bruno. Diamond then struck hard. "Let's do this, Venusaur. Use Petal Dance!"
Venusaur unleashed a strong stream of pink petals. So powerful was this attack, Machamp succumbed and soon fainted."
"Machamp is unable to battle." The karate girl announced. "Venusaur wins. The winner of this battle is Diamond Tiara!"
"We did it! Good work, Venusaur!" Diamond cheered.
After returning to normal, Venusaur used it's vines to wrap around Diamond's waist to bring her to it.
"Aw, Venusaur." Diamond cooed. "This is so sweet."
As Diamond hugged her Pokémon friend, Bruno recalled Machamp as Silver, Babs, and Eevee came to be with their friend.
"That was a great devotion to your Pokémon, Diamond Tiara." Bruno praised. "I'm grateful for this battle."
"I'm glad to be appreciated for anything these days." Diamond replied.
"Now that you defeated me, you have only two opponents left before facing the champion. Better head for the reception desk to heal your Pokémon."
The group left Bruno's room to prepare for Diamond's next opponent.
"That Poliwrath is so cool." Babs said. "I like to have that Pokémon. After I raise from a Poliwag of course."
Everybody giggled as they prepare for what's next.
End of Chapter 37