Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon

Description: While traveling through Unova, Jay, Amber, and Jezz engage in a Pokemon battle with a teen with an unusual title. Oneshot.

Stoop Kid Duel

It is too hot out here.

Summer in Unova is pretty horrible. The three of us were in the outskirts of the big city, panting as we walked with heat-headaches and burning throats. Even the two boys' pretty faces were sweaty, and Jay hated being sweaty. This must have been hard for him to take. I felt Jezz's eyes watching me and met him with my own.

"I am so sorry," Jezz apologized. "You must be very uncomfortable. I wish you weren't."

"The heat this isn't so bad," I lied.

I think he saw right through me. Jay was now clinging to my shoulder, holding onto me like he always did when he was tired physically or mentally. Jezz looked about to collapse too, but he didn't touch me. Jezz always seemed hesitant to break the touch barrier with Jay and I, but mostly me. It was fine, though I wish I knew what the reason for that was.

Needless to say, we were overjoyed when we found a rest area with water fountains. We drank up and washed our faces. It was a wonderful relief.

"Kids. Hey Kids. KIDS!" we heard someone call.

I responded first. "What?!"

It was that kid who called us out before, when we were about to enter Patrissa's boarding house for the first time. The one who asked if we were stoop kids. There he was, on a stoop, though it wasn't the same stoop as last time. I looked to Jezz, since he seemed to always have all the answers. And he did.

"He wants a Pokemon battle," Jezz whispered to Jay and I. "Follow my lead."

I found Jezz's pop-up leaderships skills impressive. I guess kids who grow up lonely learn how to handle things on their own faster than most people do.

"Come over here so that I can battle you from this stoop!" the stoop kid demanded.

Jezz nodded. "We are on our way."

When we got closer, stoop kid got excited and grabbed three Pokeballs from his backpack. We let him talk first.

"I need to battle you three. I have battled all the stoop kids in this area, and I need fresh meat," the kid told us.

"Yes, certainly," Jezz responded matter-of-factly.

What the hell does he know that we don't? I think I spend more time trying to figure out what Jezz is saying then actually listening to him.

"I have three monz, and there is three of you, so I wanna battle each of ya. One Pokemon each," the stoop kid explained.

"Umm okay…" Jay gulped.

I could tell Jay was terrified. Rich Jay never met a stoop kid before, but things were different in my part of Cerulean City. Though they weren't called 'stoop kids', I have seen boys and girls like him before. Poor, like to battle, often times not very good. No doubt we could take him.

"Um so what is your name?" Jay stammered.

"None of your business," he replied.

"Please give us a moment," Jezz told stoop kid.

The three of us got into a huddle.

"Jezz, we don't have potions. What if one of our Pokemon get hurt? You love your Pokemon more than you love yourself. I know you wouldn't risk this. What is actually going on?" Jay inquired.

"I have no problem with a battle. I'll take him, but Jay makes a good point; we don't have any potions," I emphasized.

Jezz gave us that typical calm and cool expression of his. "There is a Pokemon Center half a mile from here. The Nurse Joy there is not very talkative. She isn't going to give us any trouble when we take our Pokemon there to be healed."

Jay nodded. "I trust you."

"We know you do," I remarked.

Jay trusted Jezz so easily. He ought to know that if he keeps pouring his soul out to every crush he gets, he is going to get hurt. Even now, he is practically bleeding but he doesn't stop. If this keeps up, he is going to die inside and I am going to be left dealing with him. The worst part is that no matter what I do, I know I would never be able to help him with that problem. Unless I find the perfect guy for him. And Jezz isn't it.

We broke the huddle. Jezz walked up to stoop kid fearlessly. I wondered why Jezz was so good with strangers but fell apart when people got too close. It was like you either had to be a total stranger or prove yourself to be hopelessly devoted; there wasn't any grey area with him. Jezz released Chimecho.

"I would like to go first," Jezz told us.

"Go ahead," I replied.

"Yes, please," said Jay.

Stoop kid stood up and tossed his Pokeball.

"Go Servy!" the stoop kid commanded.

"Servine ser," the Servine chanted.

"You get the first move," stoop kid told Jezz.

"No, I insist. You go first," Jezz responded.

"Okay then. Servy, use your razor leaf attack," stoop kid instructed.

"Wind gust, Chimecho," Jezz countered.

The razor leaf was useless; it did no damage to Chimecho. One hit of Chimecho's charm, and the Servine was dazed. Stoop kid called it back and then bowed to Jezz.

"You win. Well played," he declared.

"Thank you, sir," Jezz bowed in response.

"I'm going next, unless you insist, Jay," I announced.

Jay nervously shook his head. "No Amb, you go."

I smirked. Jay was still hot and bothered by Jezz, and Jezz had no idea what was going on. Unless he did and he was trying to hide it. Jay stared at Jezz while I released Pip.

"Pika pikaaaaaaa pi!" Pip complained.

"Pika!" I yelled back at him.

I knew Pip well enough to know that this was some dirty language. Though it wasn't without merit; Pip hated his Pokeball a lot. He was so much like his father.

"I only put you away because I didn't want you to run off in this unfamiliar ghet—I mean suburb. There is no reason to get all upset," I told Pip.

Stoop kid returned Servine and released a Blitzle.

Jay was gaping. "That Pokemon is so precious. Jocelyn would squeal to death if she saw it."

Stoop kid was confused.

"His little sister loves electric type Pokemon," Jezz explained.

"Yeah. So, you have the first move," I told my opponent.

"Lightning bolt!" stoop kid announced.

"Pip, use your lightning rod," I instructed.

Lightning rod was a new move I had recently taught a few of my bird Pokemon. Because flying types are weak to electricity, I taught then all a move that absorbs the electricity so that they could have a strong defense. Pip was interested, and my loyal Unfeasant, Fearrow, and Pidgeot went out of their way to teach it to him. The move worked, and Pip was left unaffected.

"Nice new moves," I heard Jay comment.

"Yes, it is impressive," Jezz replied.

That Blitzle was tough, and I considered the possibility that we would lose this fight. Pip almost pulled through, but in the end, Blitzle owned us. I am sure Pip probably could have lasted longer, but we all knew it was pointless to make them fight until faint. That was something we always tried to avoid. That annoying stoop kid laughed in my face.

"Cool it or I'll fight you, with or without a Pokemon!" I yelled at him.

Jay touched my shoulder. "It's okay, I will try to win for you."

Jay was a tough battler, and I had no doubt that if he didn't totally win this, he would at least give this kid a good fight. Stoop kid returned Blitzle.

"Reveal your Pokemon first, purple head," said stoop kid.

Jay huffed. "Go Togekiss."

We could all tell that Togekiss was also upset because Jay had put him in his ball, but he wasn't as stubborn as Pip. Stoop kid revealed a Timburr.

"First move is yours," the stoop kid told him.

"Togekiss, use confusion," Jay instructed.

"Timburr, use defense one," his opponent ordered.

Whatever 'defense one' was, it worked. That Pokemon wasn't confused at all.

"Now try wing attack," Jay told Togekiss.

"Use pound!" stoop kid responded.

The two attacks collided, but Togekiss was the one victorious, since he was able to use his power of flight to escape. Even though I had thirty flying type Pokémon, I was jealous of Jay because I didn't have Togekiss.

Stoop kid bowed. "Well played. You have my respect."

"We are honored," Jezz responded.

Jay and I glared at Jezz. Neither of us felt very 'honored' at the moment, but like I said, I spent more time trying to figure out Jezz than I actually spend listening to him. We gathered our Pokemon and left. We didn't start talking until we were halfway to the Pokemon Center.

"What was that all about?" I inquired. "Who the hell was that?"

"I know adult him. He will be kicked out of his home when he is sixteen. He came to Spectrum for help, got it, and moved on. We talked a few times, and he found out about Xatu. That is why he wasn't surprised to see us," Jezz answered.

"If he is an old friend why did he act like that?" Jay asked.

"He is a peculiar person. He isn't very social, spends most of his time with Pokemon. Battling Pokemon is what he loves to do. He takes very good care of everyone on his team. Though he has no interest in competing in any leagues, trials, or contests, he is very serious about his training because it is like therapy to him," Jezz explained. "He has a hard time with people."

"And you relate to that," said Jay.

"I certainly do," Jezz replied.

We continued on to the capitol, I continued to wonder what this boy was up to, and why I was even here with him.

AN: If you have the chance, let me know what you think in reviews. I will try to fulfill any requests for other short oneshots:)