"Damn it," I muttered indignantly as my Blaziken's Flamethrower attack send the wild Raticate toppling backwards, crashing into the base of an enormous oak tree. The fuzzy brown buck-tooth seemed to take the hint, as it turned a fleshy pink tail to us and took off. I wasn't sure whether I should be pissed because I wanted to catch that or proud of how powerful my partner had become. Sighing, I shouldered my leather bag and started hiking down the grassy lane that led out of the lush forest. "That was a strong one, too. Oh well. C'mon, Hotshot."

"Blaziken," he replied softly, in his familiar rasp, as he stepped over a large hunk of glittering limestone resting in his path.

We began a trek through the bright woods, while the sunbeams were broken up into strips by the foliage of the trees above us. I was put at ease by the comfortable silence, obstructed only by the occasional cry of a lone Pidgey. The lack of people and abundance of Pokémon made the forest perfect for me. However, barely a peaceful moment passed before a little yellow and blue shape hurled itself out of the tall grass at me. I halted in place, hands perched on my hips, knowing full well what was coming.

"They call me Youngster Joey-" that was an unfortunate name. "-And I challenge you to a Pokémon battle," the pipsqueak with the scruffy brown hair puffed his chest outwards as if he were really threatening anyone.

Air rushed out of my mouth until there was no oxygen left in my lungs. I closed my eyes and tried to keep walking. "You don't want to do that, kiddo."

"You met my eye! That means we have to fight!" he declared. His voice was full of genuine youthful eagerness, and if I'd been anyone else, I might even have found it endearing. But as it stood, I was me. And I didn't.

"Fine."

He grinned with determination glinting in his eyes. He reached to his belt to retrieve the single Pokéball strapped there, releasing a tiny Rattata onto the field. The miniscule purple rat cried out its own name and dropped into a defensive stance, rear slightly raised and front paws spread to take any blow. I exhaled deeply, pointing to the patch of vibrant green grass in front of me that would serve as a battlefield. Hotshot obediently marched to stand in front of me.

"Alright, let's get this over with," I told my partner. "Sky Uppercut."

"Blaze," Hotshot cocked his head in a very bird-like manner to give me a sideways glance. The blue-eyed stare caused me to bite my lip. Hotshot was not stupid. But I could see his hesitation just as clearly as he could see my annoyance. He knew how it would end if he carried out my command. "Blaziken."

"Just do it," I snapped, averting my eyes. "I don't want to stand around and babysit the runt here any longer than I need to."

Hotshot gave me a subtle gesture that I could almost compare to a shrug before turning to attack the Rattata, which had just been headbutting him in the leg in a pathetic attempt at a Tackle attack. He grabbed it in his claws and pounced into the air. He punched the poor Normal type so hard that it created a crater in the dirt when it landed. And just like that. It was over.

The boy ran over to his Pokémon and picked it up, cradling it in his arms. "How could you do that?" he cried at me. I knew he wasn't referring to fainting his Pokémon, since that was supposed to happen in a battle, but that he meant my doing it in such a brutal way. "You make Rattata better right now, or I'll-"

I cut him off, finished with this conversation as well as this battle. "You'll do what? Challenge me again? Forgive me for not quaking in my boots."

His big dark eyes were glistening with tears, and I knew I should have felt bad, but I felt nothing. No anger, no remorse, no guilt. I only watched him with a level gaze as he held his Pokémon against him, sobbing. He made a valiant effort to hide it, but the shuddering of his breaths made it too obvious.

"I'll tell my mom on you!" he shouted.

I knew it was cruel, but I couldn't stop myself from laughing. And I laughed. I laughed long and hard, until my eyes began to water. The absurd hilarity of the moment sent me doubling over. I straightened up, and stared the kid dead in the eye. I was being an asshole. I knew that. But in my defense, I warned this kid not to battle me.

"Go right ahead, pipsqueak. Blaziken and I won't take it so easy on you next time," I turned and began to saunter away, Hotshot at my heels.

"You're no Pokémon trainer! Trainers are heroes and they protect people! You're just a bully!" he shouted at my back, giving me pause.

I smirked over my shoulder at him. "Oh, you wound me so. Your approval means diddly squat to me, kiddo. You won't ever advance as a trainer if you continue to blindly challenge people leagues above you, just saying."

Before he could respond, I took my leave. My Blaziken walked behind me, the wet grass sloshing beneath our feet. I knew my Pokémon well enough to know he was uneasy about what just happened. I supposed I should have been as well. Without thinking too much on it, I started to take the path to Mt. Moon. I knew something interesting would be happening there. Let's just say I could feel it.