Wow, people definitely have different favorite Pokémon! I've gotten so many suggestions to consider - thank you! Even if your Pokémon doesn't make it, expect it to end up with some sort of cameo - I'm pretty sure, with the sheer number of suggestions, this will end up happening. Some people have stumbled upon my ideas for other members of Harry's team (really, 600+ Pokémon and you pick the one I have my eyes on XD) Zorua and Ninetales seem to have the most amount of backers, though, and the BW starters have a strong fan base out there.
Also, thanks to the reviewer who pointed out some of my French mistakes. I'll be the first to admit that Google, while useful, isn't ever perfect. Chapter 2 has been edited to accommodate the new phrases.
Chapter Three
Once again, Harry was in Aquacorde Town. Only this time, he wasn't here for school.
He would miss the Chimecho at school, he supposed, and maybe some of the students. But throughout the four years of education, none of the students had really gotten to know one another. Probably because they were all competing to know the most number of Pokémon, what type was strong against what, etc. After all they would be rivals in the future.
He slowed to a jog, having taken Route 1 at a sprint. Thankfully the route wasn't too long; otherwise, he might have had to crash at Aquacorde for the night. And that would be so embarrassing.
Remembering what his père had said, Harry looked around for the shops. The Poké Ball shop was instantly obvious from the large Poké Ball displayed on front, and he headed over.
"Hello! What can I do for you today?" the lady behind the counter asked cheerfully.
Harry quickly counted in his head. Not including Honedge, he had space for five more members – for now. That didn't mean he was going to catch five Pokémon straight away. "Three standard Poké Balls, please," he said. Better be safe than sorry.
"Of course," she answered, producing three red-and-white spheres. "That will be six hundred Poké."
Harry handed her his Pokédex and waited. The lady scanned the Pokédex in a machine, which beeped to confirm the transaction.
"Thank you! And good luck on your journey," she added with a smile.
"Merci," Harry answered, pocketing the three spheres.
On his way to the Potions shop, he spotted a man with a large platter. "Um, hello?" he ventured.
The man turned, startled. "Oh, hi there! Are you a beginning trainer?" Without waiting for Harry's reply – although his clothing did make it obvious – he shoved two bottles into Harry's hands. "Here, take these Potions! They'll help you on your journey!" Immediately after, he departed.
Harry blinked after him in surprise. "O-kay? Thanks for the Potions." He shrugged, then slipped them into his bag, heading for Avance Trail.
Harry had been to the Avance Trail a total of four times, each time as a school excursion with the class Chimecho watching for wild Pokémon. From them, he knew that Avance Trail was more or less straight. He also knew that it wasn't very dangerous; each time they'd been there, the few wild Pokémon that had attacked them had been easily repelled by a Confusion.
He also knew that Avance Trail was the first place from Vaniville where there actually were wild Pokémon. Route 1 only contained trained Pokémon – owned by all the people of Vaniville and Aquacorde.
Harry stopped at the very edge of the bridge, looking over at the water. Then, unable to keep the grin off his face, he stepped into the Avance Trail.
Now his journey had really begun.
~OoOoOoO~
Unfortunately, Avance Trail was incredibly boring. Harry rediscovered that fact within two minutes of strolling.
Occasionally there was a Caterpie or Weedle, but Harry really didn't feel like capturing a Bug-type. Instead, he stayed well away. Even if they were just Bug-types… well, Caterpie could release an absolutely horrid scent Harry definitely didn't want hanging around him, and Weedle had toxic barbs.
Instead, he let Honedge out. The Sword Pokémon floated next to him, tassel swaying lightly in the breeze. Ah, so our journey has finally truly begun.
"Yes," Harry agreed. "And I can't wait to get to Santalune Forest. It might be a dark forest, but at least it will be more interesting than this boring route."
I couldn't agree more.
"Hey, you!" a voice suddenly called.
Harry turned, startled, to see a boy jumping out of the bushes. He was probably the same age, maybe a bit younger than Harry himself. Then he was probably a 'Youngster', as the class named itself. They were a proper subdivision of the League classes, too; apparently, anyone under ten who wanted to at least start battling and knowing their Pokémon could apply for 'Youngstership'.
Harry had once been interested in Youngstership, but then his père had told him that Youngsters could only start on a journey at twelve, two years later than the normal age. "To make up for their schooling," his père said.
He turned towards the Youngster, who grinned back at him. "When two Trainers make eye contact, they have to battle!"
Harry shrugged. Why not? Honedge was probably itching for an opportunity to fight anyway. He knew that he was certainly bored.
"Challenge accepted," he said. "Honedge, let's go!"
The Youngster's eyes widened. "A Honedge! Awesome! Zigzagoon, battle time!"
A slender brown-and-white Pokémon bursted out, with fur that looked like a Jolteon's. All right! Time to fight!
Harry mentally sweatdropped at how similar the trainer and Pokémon sounded. Although, at least he now knew that he could understand even opposing Pokémon. He pulled out his Pokédex to scan the Pokémon.
Zigzagoon, the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon. Zigzagoon has an incredible amount of curiosity. It moves in a zigzag fashion, and can find items easily in the grass.
"Don't think you'll win just because you've got a Ghost," the Youngster added. "I taught my Zigzagoon loads of tricks just in case! Zigzagoon, Shadow Ball!"
"Dodge it!" Harry called out to his Honedge, feeling a spark run through his blood, making him feel more alive. Was this why so many Pokémon Trainers loved their journeys?
Honedge slid out of the way, easily avoiding the ball of ghostly energy.
"Again!" the Youngster shouted.
"Dodge it again, this time using Swords Dance!"
Zigzagoon fired another ball of energy. This time though, instead of sliding out of the way, Honedge spun, his sword slashing through the air in smooth, fierce movements.
The Youngster stared, enraptured for a moment; Harry nearly facepalmed. You just didn't lose focus when you were battling! That could lose the match!
Snapping out of his trance, the Youngster shouted, "Zigzagoon, Sand-Attack!"
The Zigzagoon kicked up a massive cloud of dust, covering Honedge for a brief instant. "Now, Shadow Ball!"
Harry's eyes widened; that was an interesting strategy. "Honedge!" he called. "Use Metal Sound!"
A horrible screeching sound exploded across Avance Trail, causing both Trainers to wince and cover their ears. The dust died down to reveal a cowering Zigzagoon. There was no Shadow Ball in sight.
"Autotomize!" Harry called out. Honedge spun through the air, seeming to grow lighter with every spin.
The Youngster gritted his teeth. "Zigzagoon! Can you hear me?"
Yes!
"Then use Shadow Ball, rapid-fire like I taught you!"
A Shadow Ball darted towards Honedge, followed by another. Then another. Harry knew that, if he didn't do something fast, at least one Shadow Ball was going to hit.
"Use Shadow Sneak!"
Thankfully, Honedge didn't question why Harry was asking him to use a Ghost-type move on a Normal-type. He vanished into the shadows and reappeared a second later, charging through the Zigzagoon.
"Ghost-type moves don't work on Normal-types," the Youngster called. "Or have you forgotten even that, Trainer?"
Harry couldn't stop his grin. "Oh, I didn't forget. Honedge, Fury Cutter!"
With pleasure, the Honedge hummed. His sword gleamed with a light green tinge as he swung it.
"Baby-Doll Eyes!" the trainer called desperately.
"Close your eyes!" Harry countered.
The Zigzagoon screamed as Honedge crashed painfully into its side, flying into the air. When it landed again, there were spirals in its eyes. Harry couldn't help the triumphant grin that formed on his face.
The Youngster pouted. "Dang, but that was close. I thought I had you there with the Sand-Attack. Who would have thought Metal Sound could destroy Shadow Balls?" Harry's Pokédex beeped as the money was transferred.
"Well, see you around, maybe," said the Youngster, before running off.
Harry watched him go, then turned to Honedge. "Are you all right?"
The Honedge blinked. I did not get hit, nor was it tiring… an interesting idea, with the Shadow Sneak. Perhaps I should try that again sometime. Yes, I am all right.
"Good, because Santalune Forest is just up ahead!" Harry exclaimed, stepping into the 'boundaries' of the forest.
~OoOoOoO~
Santalune Forest was dark, dank and full of bugs. In short, it was far, far better than Avance Trail.
Harry pulled out his Pokédex, scanning the nearby Pokémon for data. Caterpie…Weedle…Scatterbug…Pikachu…Pansage…Panpour... He let the data trickle through his mind, ignoring most of it.
One thing did interest him, though – the presence of the Elemental Monkeys. "What do you think, Honedge? Should we get a Pansear for the first Gym?"
That is a Bug-type gym, correct?
"Yeah, the Gym Leader uses Bug-types in her matches."
And it is the first course in the Kalos circuit, the Honedge said. But it still would not be easy, would it?
"No, probably not. For a beginning trainer Viola probably won't go easy, just use Pokémon that aren't fully trained or even evolved. Even so, she's still a Gym Leader. Just because her Pokémon are weaker doesn't mean that she is weaker."
Bug-types that are not fully evolved… do not get a Pansear, Harry. Get a Fletchling if you must.
Harry blinked. "Why not Pansear?"
If she is renowned, then she will have a counter for the heated flames. And the water striders are partly Water-type, which will nullify the fire threat. Not only that, I would be certain the water strider will know how to spray water like a fountain. That will destroy most of the power of fire.
"You mean Water Sport," Harry said aloud. "There actually are Bug/Water dual types?"
The water striders that find their home in the land guarded by the sky dragon. Surskit, I believe.
Harry quickly typed the name into his Pokédex, learning that Surskit were indeed Bug/Water types. He leaned back on a tree to think.
"Viola will obviously be prepared for Fire-types. Fennekin is one of the traditional starter Pokémon of Kalos, and her Gym is the first in the circuit. It would make sense for her to have a Surskit, since there must be loads of Fennekin passing through every year. So… a Flying-type, then."
The singing robins are sturdy Pokémon once evolved, agreed Honedge. They will be better suited – also, they evolve into Fire/Flying. That should take care of a member of our team fuelled by the flames.
Harry glanced around. "See any Fletchling around?"
They didn't find a Fletchling, but they did find a Youngster who instantly declared battle. His first Pokémon was a Scatterbug.
Harry almost snorted. Scatterbug had almost no chance of defeating Honedge, but he was slightly wary about the second Pokémon. So, instead of attacking outright, he asked Honedge to use Swords Dance and Autotomize, over and over again.
"Arceus, are you ever going to actually attack?" demanded the Youngster. "Scatterbug, Stun Spore!"
"You're not one to talk," Harry countered as yellow spores spread across the glade. "Honedge, use Metal Sound."
"Huh?" asked the Youngster just as sound waves exploded through the glade. The Scatterbug writhed on the ground, while the spores scattered, sent in every direction by the sound waves Honedge was emitting.
"Finish it with Shadow Sneak!" called Harry. Honedge did just that, instantly knocking the Scatterbug.
The Youngster huffed. "Fine! Go, Fletchling!"
"Honedge, use Tackle!"
Tackle wasn't the most effective of moves, but this one was boosted by Swords Dance – and the fact that a lump of metal smashing into anything at top speed was going to hurt. The Fletchling crashed into the ground as the Youngster's eyes widened.
"No fair!" he exclaimed, returning his Fletchling. "Fine, you win." Before Harry could say anything else, he ran off into the forest.
"You still okay?" he asked the Honedge, who spun his tassel.
A Scatterbug can barely scratch me. Bring on the next challenge.
They continued wandering Santalune Forest, meeting – and scaring off – a number of Caterpie. Once Harry stumbled into a Kakuna. The Kakuna glared at him from its cocoon.
"Sorry," he said to it. "I didn't mean to."
Why do you have the mark of the herald on you? The Kakuna asked.
"What?" Harry stared blankly at the Kakuna, who rolled its eyes – or as much as a Pokémon who was literally a cocoon could roll its eyes.
You have the mark of the herald, the Angel of Destruction, on you. If you have no idea who he is, he is the lord of all Dark-types, and most of the Ghost-type also – Wait, you can understand me?
Harry blinked. "Erm, yeah, I can understand you."
A human who can understand Pokémon… that is a rare occurrence. It must be a gift, decided the Kakuna. The blessings of Arceus. But why do you have his mark on you?
My lord the herald acts as his surrogate parent, his Honedge said. Harry was almost certain that he didn't imagine the smug sound in the Sword Pokémon's voice.
And why is that, fencer?
His real parents were killed by an evil team.
I see. Harry felt vaguely amused by the fact that a Kakuna and his Honedge were having a conversation about him. Well, good day, chosen of Yveltal. That was a nice talk.
Harry smiled back at it. "Yeah, good day to you too. I hope you get to turn into a Beedrill so–"
The rest of his sentence were cut off as a small red blur dive-bombed the Kakuna, who screeched and gleamed silver with Harden. The red blur bounced off the Kakuna and gave a low growl.
Harry backed away in shock, fumbling for his Pokédex. He'd looked for a Fletchling, and suddenly one appears in front of him? That had to be some of the craziest luck in existence. He pointed the Pokédex at the Fletchling.
Fletchling, the Tiny Robin Pokémon, beeped the Pokédex. These Pokémon send signals to each other with chirps and tail-feather movements. Despite its beautiful voice, it can be merciless to those who invade its territory.
The Kakuna Hardened again as the Fletchling attempted a Tackle. Despite the fact that it promptly bounced off, it charged again, wings glowing in what Harry recognised as Steel Wing.
"That's an interesting move for a Fletchling," Harry mused. "What do you think, Honedge?"
The Sword Pokémon shrugged. You were looking for a Fletchling. Now one has appeared.
"Yeah, good point." Harry watched as the Fletchling whipped up a whirlwind, sending it at the Kakuna. "Use Metal Sound."
He quickly clamped his hands over his ears as the Honedge released, for the third time that day, an absolutely earsplitting screech. The Fletchling reared back in pain.
What was that infernal noise!
"Use Pursuit!"
The Fletchling turned, now fully distracted as it saw Harry. Spotting the Pursuit heading its way, it split itself into half a dozen copies. Harry immediately began searching for the real one.
He didn't have the time to do so, though, as all six Fletchling lunged towards Honedge with the bright streaks of an Aerial Ace. Harry cursed softly, seeing no way to avoid the attack that would always hit. Unless…
"Use your tassel! Spin around and swipe it through the air!"
I'm not even going to ask, the Honedge declared as he spun, the blue tassel swiping through the copies diving at him. Oh.
As he spun, his tassel whipped around, dissolving the copies diving at him. The real Fletchling got a faceful of Honedge tassel and froze.
Oh, yeah. Honedge tassels absorb their victims' life force, Harry belatedly remembered.
Still, maybe this was a good thing? Maybe it acted like some sort of Drain Punch that wouldn't kill? Hopefully?
Harry decided not to risk it and threw a Poké Ball at the struggling Fletchling.
The Poké Ball rocked back and forth before finally releasing a shower of sparks. Harry smiled broadly.
"All right! We caught a Fletchling!" he exclaimed. Honedge released a soft keening sound in agreement.
Why don't you scan that Fletchling? It has a curious array of moves, I am certain.
Shrugging, Harry pointed the Pokédex in the direction of Fletchling's Poké Ball. Fletchling, the Tiny Robin Pokémon –
Harry quickly scrolled down the page, looking for something other than the information mentioned. The Pokédex promptly buzzed again.
This Fletchling is female, and has the ability Gale Wings. She knows Steel Wing, Peck, Aerial Ace, Double Team and Tailwind.
Harry shut down the Pokédex. "That's not a bad set either. Peck and Aerial Ace will be useful for Viola, and Double Team is a useful move overall. Steel Wing will help reduce the Rock weakness as well. That could come in useful for the second gym."
Planning ahead so fast? Although… Gale Wings. Even we Honedge have heard of that famous ability.
"Gale Wings is famous?"
It is a rare ability among the Fletchling line. Most simply have Flame Body as an ability. Useful in its own right, but Gale Wings far surpasses that in power. We describe it differently, but the end result is the same. It is said that a Fletchling with the wings of the wind will always strike first during aerial combat, whether its opponent be a Scatterbug or a Noivern.
Harry's eyes widened. "So basically Gale Wings makes Flying-type moves have priority, like Aqua Jet and Sucker Punch?"
In short, yes. The ability is treasured by trainers for its power, but it is incredibly rare… I believe less than five Fletchling have the ability from all the newborns hatched each spring.
"And she has it… incredible." Harry's head was spinning. He pulled out the Poké Ball, then tossed it upwards. "Fletchling, come on out!"
The Poké Ball bursted open, revealing the form of the Tiny Robin Pokémon. Why was I in such a strange place, cosy as it may be? And why is there a human in front of me… was I captured?
"Yes, you were," Harry offered. "I'm Harry."
Can you understand me?
"I can understand you," Harry said. "I've been able to understand Pokémon since I was eight."
And you have the blessing of the herald… some would say it is a curse. The Fletchling looked around and spotted Honedge. Hello, fencer.
Daughter of the wind, answered his Honedge. Hello.
So… what do we do now, trainer?
Harry scratched his head. "Well, I wanted to catch a Fletchling in Santalune Forest… and I have. I'm a trainer, you see, although I'm in a rather unique situation… I don't really know how to explain it. But basically I'm trying to make it through the League. My first gym will be Santalune, which is a Bug-type Gym. If we win, we'll get the badge from Viola, and then we can keep going. Erm…"
Say no more. Sounds like fun! Since you can't explain… perhaps you can explain tonight, fencer?
As you will, daughter of the wind.
"Erm, glad to see you two getting along…" Harry trailed off, glancing at the sky. Then he glanced at his watch. "If you want, we can get to Santalune City before five. The Pokémon Centre will probably be full, though, so we'd have to come back here. Although we could go see a Gym battle, if there are any going on."
Then let's go to Santalune, trilled Fletchling. I'd like to see what this Gym battle is like. I've still got plenty of energy anyways. And I can get to know the fencer better.
Harry chuckled at the Fletchling's energy. "What about you, Honedge?"
Do I have a choice? The Honedge gave a theatrical groan. Let's go to Santalune. Only condition, daughter of the wind; if there are any trainers, you're up.
Unless they're electric rats. Then you're up, countered Fletchling. Deal or no deal?
Deal, answered his Honedge. Harry snorted.
"Sounds like you two are going to be great teammates," he said. "Come on, let's keep going on this wonderful road of dark dank foresty-ness. How was life here, anyway, Fletchling?"
Well, I lived more in the sky to be honest…
Harry laughed, and they continued on.
~OoOoOoO~
By the time they reached the edges of the forest, it was three o'clock in the afternoon. Harry mentally tallied his day. It ended up like this:
Seven o'clock: Wake.
Eight o'clock: Met Professor Sycamore
Nine o'clock: Finished meeting, ran home
Half past ten: Finished packing
Eleven: made it to Aquacorde Town
Twelve: started Route 2
One o'clock in the afternoon: caught Fletchling
Three o'clock: reached edges of Santalune Forest.
That wasn't too bad for his first day, mused Harry. In fact, it was probably quite good for a beginning trainer.
"You over there! I challenge you to a one-on-one Pokémon Battle!"
Harry jolted out of his thoughts, blinking at the girl before him. A member of the 'Lass' class, then. That class, along with Youngsters, were widely known to be easy to defeat. The membership never wavered, though. Probably because, unlike the Youngster class, Lasses didn't suffer the twelve-year-old-trainer drawback. The only requirement, of course, was that the trainer had to be a girl.
"Challenge accepted," he told the Lass, who grinned.
"All right! Go, Pikachu!"
His Fletchling instantly snickered from her spot in his hair. I told you I'm not fighting electric rats! She sounded incredibly smug.
"Honedge, let's go!"
His Honedge scowled at the Pikachu in front of him. Damn electric rats, I was hoping to watch the wind-daughter actually fight, why did I agree to such a stupid deal…
"Pikachu, Nuzzle!"
Pikachu bounded up to the Sword Pokémon, who glared down at it. Try and I'll suck your life force out, he threatened. The Pikachu hesitated, ever so briefly.
Enough time, though, for Harry to call out his command. "Use Swords Dance and avoid it!"
Pikachu started trying to Nuzzle Honedge; key word trying. Honedge kept lifting the sword just high enough for Pikachu to be unable to reach, Swords Dancing with the same movement.
The Lass scowled. "Fine, play that way! Thunder Wave!"
"Metal Sound!" Harry called out. "Don't get paralyzed!"
For the fourth time that day, Harry was forced to listen to a terrible screeching sound burst from his Honedge. His Fletchling almost toppled out of his hair. Arceus, that sound is horrible! But I thought it was just a status move? How does it prevent Thunder Wave – no way. That is impossible.
The Metal Sound had met the Thunder Wave head on, but sound was faster than electricity in thin air. Before the Thunder Wave could reach Honedge, the Metal Sound hit its target. Pikachu recoiled from the sound, the Thunder Wave fading away as it tried to adjust to the ringing in its ears.
That noise is terrible, it mumbled.
"Pikachu! Try Play Nice!"
"Metal Sound before it can try, Honedge!"
"Stop! Use ThunderShock instead!"
A thin bolt of electricity darted from the rodent to Honedge, who barely blinked. I'm sure that should be effective and stuff, but I'm a Ghost. And a Steel. Basically, a piece of metal. There's nothing for you to actually shock.
Harry stifled his laughter at his Honedge's deadpan tone. "Shadow Sneak!"
The Honedge vanished, reappearing a split second later behind the Pikachu. It was too slow to react and instantly fell to the STAB-boosted attack.
Harry left his Pokédex to calculate his winnings as he left, turning to Honedge. "You okay?"
Like I said, there's nothing to shock. I'm pretty sure someday, a Steel-type will be able to teach us how to resist electricity. Someday.
His Fletchling snorted. Then let's hope that someday comes soon, fencer.
They were stopped by yet another Lass soon after that. Fletchling made short work of her Weedle and Bunnelby, and they carried on without too much hassle.
Ah, Route 3! Fletchling suddenly exclaimed.
Ouvert Way was actually quite beautiful, thought Harry, relieved to be away from the dank forest. He walked over to the lake, looking into the glass surface.
"What do you think, guys?" he asked. "Should I do some fishing?"
I would advise against it. There are ravagers in the water. Gyarados. Honedge remained matter-of-fact even as he mentioned the Atrocious Pokémon.
Fletchling shuddered. Let's not fish, okay? I don't want to get eaten by a massive serpent-fish-thingy.
Harry snorted at the description, although to be fair it was accurate. "As you wish. We'll stay away from serpent-fish-thingies."
Fletchling pecked at his hair in response. Come on! I want to see what this Gym Battle is like!
They met more trainers during their trek – all schoolchildren. Sometimes Harry just couldn't understand the League system. Preschooler class for about three year olds, Schoolchildren for around five year olds, and Youngsters for anyone from six to nine. Lass for the same ages as Youngster. Then, once at ten, it was Pokémon Trainer, or Coordinator, or whatever else you wanted to be, with training necessary for some areas. It was a confusing system, but it worked.
He felt a little guilty for smashing Preschoolers, but they insisted. At least they took their defeats in good spirits – although Harry did have to stop Fletchling from eating a baby Caterpie owned by a Preschooler once. I was hungry was her defence.
He let his Pokédex go wild, scanning the local population. Bunnelby… Pidgey… Dunsparce… Bidoof… Azurill. The Pidgey might have been worth catching, but he already had a Flying-type; besides, Talonflame was a stronger predator than Pidgeot, even if Pidgeot was larger and more impressive looking.
Santalune City was a big place, much bigger than Aquacorde or Vaniville. Harry wandered the avenues, simply gazing at things and exploring while his Pokémon healed at the Centre. The Gym, of course, was obvious, but it was temporarily closed for lunch.
Well, even Gym Leaders had to eat.
When the Gym reopened, Harry dashed over. He was in luck – there was already a challenger there, and the match had just started.
The man in front nodded cheerfully to him as he was allowed into the seats. Harry promptly released Honedge and Fletchling from their Poké Balls, having retrieved them from the Centre.
The current matchup was Surskit vs. Fennekin. So Honedge had been right – Viola did have a Surskit. He quickly scanned the Surskit into his Pokédex.
Harry watched in fascination as the Surskit released a shower of water, a clear Water Sport. The Fennekin's trainer growled in frustration as his Fire-type attacks were neutralised.
Still, he called out a Flame Charge, to which Viola responded with Bubble. The bubbles popped around the fire-coated Fennekin, quenching the flames to the point where it resembled a Tackle rather than a Flame Charge.
Beside Harry, Fletchling tilted her head. I think I could learn that move. Flame Charge. Someday I will learn it.
Hopefully soon, daughter of the wind, replied Honedge, repeating Fletchling's words from earlier. He was given a nasty glare in return.
Surskit darted along the slender threads that made up the battlefield, at one point walking upside-down. It released a thick thread behind it as it went. Sticky Web, Harry realised.
The Fennekin attempted to follow for a Tackle, but got stuck in the web almost immediately. It struggled in vain as the Surskit scampered across the web to a safe distance, releasing a halo of bright blue bubbles.
The Bubble Beam – the Surskit had probably learned it just then, Harry realised, since it wasn't so much a beam as an outburst – shot across the battlefield. Fennekin's attempts to escape were for naught, as the shower of pressurised bubbles popped around it. It was out almost immediately.
Next, the trainer released a Pikachu, which got stuck in the web as well – although, it could still move somewhat. "Nuzzle!" he called.
The Electric-type attack was super-effective on the Surskit, which somehow held on. Paralysis racked its slender frame.
"Finish it! ThunderShock!" The trainer's voice held a note of triumph.
The ThunderShock was relatively mild, but still enough to finish the weakened Surskit. It toppled backwards, eyes turning into spirals.
Viola said something Harry didn't quite catch, before sending out her next Pokémon. The Vivillon hovered in the air, colourful wings flapping. Harry scanned that into his Pokédex as well, mildly interested in its typing.
Flying might be weak to Electric, but the Pikachu was still hampered by the web. Harry guessed that the Vivillon would win.
Vivillon easily avoided the ThunderShock, before sending a cloud of insects to envelop the Pikachu. "Infestation," Harry said aloud.
Looks like a nasty move to me. I wouldn't want to be surrounded by that mob… although, it might be a good breakfast, mused his Fletchling.
Do you think about anything other than food? Honedge sounded faintly curious.
Maybe. I'm not telling you.
The Vivillon twirled in the air – Quiver Dance, one of the best but worst status moves in existence. Best because it was deadly. Worst because it was deadly. Then the pink butterfly released a beam of fairy-pink energy – Draining Kiss.
The Pikachu sank onto its front legs as the Draining Kiss drained it of energy. It couldn't quite fight back, being almost completely surrounded by small black bugs. Vivillon avoided the last burst of ThunderShock and released a Psybeam, instantly knocking out the Pikachu.
Harry rose from his seat and left, his Pokémon trailing after him. Well, that was interesting, said Honedge.Viola did indeed have a water strider. And she is creative.
She has an interesting style, Fletchling chirped. Or maybe no style. Unpredictable, then. The Infestation was nasty. And she's prepared for Fire-types. I bet the Vivillon knew how to use that strange powder as well. It causes Fire moves to damage their owner, you see. And the dance will be annoying.
Fletchling had an excellent point; Quiver Dance would easily be the most annoying move Harry would have to face. He wasn't too worried about Powder just yet – Fletchling didn't know any Fire-type moves. But Viola would definitely be a good challenge. One he intended to win.
"Okay, guys, we're heading back to Santalune Forest. Then we can start training bright and early tomorrow," he said.
Fletchling chirped. Sure, Harry!
Harry was almost certain Honedge sweatdropped.
~OoOoOoO~
The morning dawned bright and early, and so did their camp. Fletchling twittered loudly with the sunrise, causing more than enough noise to wake up the clearing. Harry opened his eyes to see a pink-and-gold sky.
He rolled over to glance at his watch. Seven o'clock. Well, he'd woken up that early yesterday, but that was because he was starting his journey. Today on the other hand…
A terrible screeching filled the air as his Honedge awoke, grumpy from the earliness. Arceus, it's only seven… he moaned, but if Harry hadn't been awake earlier, he was now. The Metal Sound scraped through the entire clearing.
By eight o'clock, the fiery sunrise had faded and the glimmers of gold peeked through the forest. Above was a startlingly clear and brilliantly blue sky.
Breakfast for Harry was bread, Moomoo Milk and some cheese. Breakfast for Honedge was an Iron supplement. As for Fletchling… Harry had allowed Fletchling to hunt, and she had returned with a Caterpie
He wasn't too disturbed as his Fletchling gobbled up the Caterpie; Pokémon eating Pokémon was a fact of life. And, in general, the Pokémon that ended up as prey were the ones that were weaker. Fried Fletchinder was popular, but expensive, simply because most Fletchinder were fast and strong enough to evade the hunter. The ones that were caught were the weakest, and would probably die anyway. It was all about the 'survival of the fittest' principle.
Most regions had rules for Pokémon hunting; a hunter had to do it with only one Pokémon of their choice, and no status moves could be used. And most Pokémon were far too fast to catch with only attacking moves; either that or too agile. So hunting was, in a way, good for the Pokémon population; only the strong survived.
After breakfast, they set to work.
"Honedge, I'd like you to practise Shadow Sneak until you vanish and reappear almost immediately. I'm going to use you if Fletchling falls against the Vivillon, and if so you'll need to be able to avoid Infestation by travelling through the shadows. Fletchling, you'll be against the Surskit. It knows Sticky Web, so try hit it before it can do that to let Honedge have an easier time. Also, the Bubble Beam – Viola will be working with it on that. You'll need to be able to swerve and use Peck at the same time. Aerial Ace is good, but the problem is that it's a lot harder to swerve around when you're doing that and the Bubble Beam will have an effect. We'll save Aerial Ace for the Vivillon, so your job will be to finish the Surskit and weaken the Vivillon. Is that all right with you guys?"
Sure! Fletchling twittered, then flew onto a tree branch. Honedge merely blinked. Of course.
"Okay, let's get to work!"
He let Honedge practise on his own, deciding to work with Fletchling for the time being. "Fletchling, I want you to dive at me using Peck, okay? While you're doing that, I'll be throwing Poké Balls – or whatever else I can find - at you, and you have to dodge them."
Sounds like fun! Ready, set, go!
Harry launched a flurry of Poké Balls as Fletchling dived from the tree branch, her beak lengthening into a Peck. She promptly started swerving and dodging to avoid the bright red-and-white balls hurtling towards her, managing to get quite close before a stone (he had ran out of Poké Balls) clipped her on the wing.
Harry stopped the deluge of hard spherical objects. "That was great, Fletchling! You almost made it! Ready to try again?"
It took until lunch for Fletchling to fully master swerving and Peck at the same time. By then, Harry decided that Honedge had also mastered Shadow Sneak, simply because the Sword Pokémon had appeared so silently at the blanket that he couldn't have not mastered the move.
Fletchling dropped onto the picnic mat like a stone. Arceus, I'm exhausted! And starving, now that it's lunchtime… She trailed off, turning to look at Harry.
Harry rolled his eyes before tearing off a chunk of his sandwich. "Here you go."
She brightened. Thanks! Oh wow, this stuff is great… Oran Berry?
Harry nodded, chowing down on the rest of his sandwich. "Oran Berry."
After lunch, they headed back for Santalune City. The few trainers milling around, Harry noticed, were the same ones he had beaten yesterday. They didn't trouble him.
When he did get to Santalune, on the other hand, he was challenged by a Roller Skater who had another Zigzagoon. This time he sent out Fletchling.
"Use Tackle!" the Roller Skater shouted.
"Remember our training and dodge it!" he countered.
Fletchling easily evaded the clumsy Tackle, soaring into the sky. L-A-M-E! Is that the best you can do?
"Zigzagoon, kick up a Sand-Attack! If you can't reach it, make sure that Fletchling can't find you!"
Harry remembered a move in Fletchling's arsenal. "Tailwind, but aim it at the Zigzagoon!"
Fletchling whipped up a sharp wind, causing nearby trees to scatter their leaves. The sand that had been kicked up was promptly dispersed by the strong winds.
"Use Headbutt!" the Roller Skater called as the wind died down.
"Double Team!" shouted Harry.
The Zigzagoon charged, only to stop in confusion as half-a-dozen Fletchling appeared. The Roller Skater wasn't nearly as deterred. "Use Odor Sleuth!"
The Zigzagoon hesitated for a brief moment, sniffing, before charging at one of the Fletchling. "Fletchling, fly up!"
Fletchling instantly flew upwards, the copies vanishing. "Use Steel Wing!" Her wings glowed silver.
"Your Fletchling knows Steel Wing? Fine by me! Zigzagoon, Dig!"
The Zigzagoon instantly vanished below ground. Fletchling banked sharply, barely avoiding a painful crash into the ground.
"Zigzagoon, come up with Ice Beam!"
Harry's eyes widened. First Thunder Wave from yesterday, now Ice Beam? "Fletchling, quickly, fly up and use Double Team!"
The beams of ice exploded from the ground as the Zigzagoon bursted from its Dig. Beams of ice crashed through the Fletchling copies, barely missing the real one. "Fletchling, once the ice is gone, use Aerial Ace!" he shouted, deciding that Peck probably wouldn't do.
Barely had the ice faded than Fletchling charged down from the sky, eyes fixed on the Zigzagoon. The Roller Skater didn't have enough time to come up with a counter before Fletchling rammed into the Zigzagoon, who cried out.
Harry could have slapped himself. He had almost forgotten about Fletchling's ability – Gale Wings. "Fletchling, aim Tailwind at the Zigzagoon and blow him up!" he called.
The Tailwind that sprang up was shockingly fierce, easily blowing the small raccoon into the sky. "Now use Peck!"
Fletchling's beak lengthened as she dived, plowing into the side of the Zigzagoon. It was out for the count.
Harry thanked the Roller Skater for the battle and instantly headed for the Pokémon Centre. His Pokémon had to be in tip-top condition for the upcoming Gym Battle, after all.
~OoOoOoO~
As soon as his Pokémon were healed, Harry headed for the Gym.
"I'm here to challenge Leader Viola," he told the assistant at the front, who simply nodded and ran off.
A few minutes later, he was gestured at to come in. Harry stepped into the room and blinked. Yesterday, he had seen that the battleground was all but a giant spider web – but only today could he actually appreciate just how giant that spider web was.
The Gym Leader, Viola, was a young woman with a camera hanging around her neck. "Hi! I'm Viola, a photographer and the Gym Leader of Santalune City! So you're here for the challenge?" She looked Harry over critically. "Then let's begin! My lens is always focused on victory – I won't let anything ruin this shot!"
"The battle between Viola, Gym Leader, and Harry of Vaniville will now begin!" announced the referee, who had apparently borrowed Harry's Pokédex for his details. "This will be a two-on-two battle, and only the challenger may substitute Pokémon! The battle ends when both Pokémon of one side are knocked out. Begin!"
"Surskit, time to shine!"
"Let's go, Fletchling!"
Harry guessed that he needed to choose a new catchphrase as the Surskit landed on the web, his Fletchling in the air. "Fletchling, Tailwind! Blow that Surskit off the web!"
Fletchling instantly whipped up a whirlwind, sending gusts of air in every direction. The Surskit leaned away from the gusts, barely hanging on to the web. "Surskit, use Sticky Web and attach yourself!" Viola called.
"Aerial Ace before it can, Fletchling!" Harry called out, guessing correctly that Aerial Ace would be better in this situation. The Tailwind was so strong that the Surskit could barely hang on, let along fire a Bubble Beam.
"Spray a Water Sport in its face, Surskit!" Well, Harry hadn't prepared for that.
A shower of water splashed into Fletchling's face, causing her to splutter. Ugh! This feels gross! But she continued anyway, crashing into the Surskit and sending it flying.
"Use Peck, Fletchling!" Harry called.
"Send a Bubble Beam at it to stop it, Surskit!"
"Dodge that Bubble Beam!"
Fletchling surged forward, beak lengthening as Surskit released a flurry of bubbles. Thanks to the training, she dodged each bubble with perfect precision while maintaining her speed. The Peck slammed into the Surskit.
The super-effective Flying type move, combined with a Tailwind and Gale Wings speed boost – which translated to much more force being behind the move – proved to be too much for the Surskit, which fainted from the combination of the power of Aerial Ace, the force of Peck and the stress from the starting Tailwind.
"Return, Surskit!" called Viola. "You're an interesting one, Harry of Vaniville Town! That determined expression… that glint in your eye that says you're up to the challenge… it's fantastic! Very well; I will use this Gym's pride. Vivillon, time to shine!"
The pink butterfly bursted from the Poké Ball, wings flapping elegantly. "Vivillon, use Gust!"
"Use the Gust to gain some speed, Fletchling!" Harry called.
Fletchling zoomed around the Gym on the Gust, growing faster with each lap. "Peck!"
"Use Infestation!" Viola shouted.
The swarm of bugs crawled over Fletchling, who fought wildly – but the speed drop was noticeable. "Fletchling, are you okay?" Harry called.
I'm – scratch, peck – fine. I think.
"Good, then use Tailwind and blow these bugs away!"
"While the Fletchling is doing that, Vivillon, use Quiver Dance!"
Harry cursed softly as the Vivillon twirled elegantly, a soft glow enveloping it. With one last Tailwind, Fletchling sent the bugs scattering, but she was visibly weakened. "Fletchling, try one more Aerial Ace!"
"Protect!" Viola shouted. Fletchling crashed into a translucent green barrier that had manifested around the Vivillon. "Now use Psybeam!"
The beam of Psychic energy surrounded Fletchling, sending her falling onto the web. "Fletchling, return!" he shouted, alarmed.
The Poké Ball's light enveloped Fletchling. "Honedge, let's go!"
Viola blinked in astonishment as the Sword Pokémon emerged, spinning its blue tassel. "A Honedge? No trainer ever has those… was he your starter, Harry?"
Harry grinned. "Yes, he was! Honedge, Autotomize and bridge that speed gap!"
Honedge spun in the air, trailing its blue tassel. Viola snapped out of her shock. "Vivillon, another Quiver Dance!"
A soft glow surrounded the Vivillon, and it sped up noticeably. Honedge's Autotomize, though, had done the same thing for him, although Honedge was still naturally slower than Vivillon.
"Vivillon, use Supersonic!" cried Viola.
"Honedge, Metal Sound!" Harry called, knowing that confusion would not work in his favour.
The waves of red light that came from the Vivillon disintegrated under the horrifying screech from Honedge. Harry clamped his hands over his ears as high-pitched whine met loud screech. It was a match made in the Distortion World, and Harry was pretty sure that his eardrums were crying.
Viola grimaced at the sound as well. "Vivillon," she finally called as the sound waves subsided, "scatter a Stun Spore!"
"Dodge it with Shadow Sneak, and reappear on the edge of the web!" Harry called. The golden spores fell over the place where Honedge had just been, having vanished into the shadows.
"Vivillon, use Roost!" called Viola. The Vivillon landed on the web, regaining its energy. Harry gritted his teeth.
"While it's doing that, use Swords Dance," he called. "And release Metal Sound at the same time."
He clamped his hands over his ears as Honedge released another grating screech, sharpening his sword at the same time. The Vivillon flinched, unable to heal any longer as the sound screamed throughout the stadium.
"Shadow Sneak!" he called.
"Vivillon, Flash!"
A bright light lit up the entire stadium, and Harry blinked, disoriented. That was an interesting way to counter Shadow Sneak.
"Pursuit!"
The Dark-type move crashed into the Vivillon, sending it flying. It managed to right itself at the very edge of the platform.
"Vivillon, use another Psybeam!"
"Honedge, avoid it and get in close! Fury Cutter!"
Honedge's blade glowed, but instead of glowing light green, the blade glowed light purple. Looks like that daughter of the wind did teach me something, Harry caught him saying.
Aerial Ace.
The super-effective Flying-type move crashed into the side of the Vivillon. For a second, it continued hovering. Then its wings folded in and it crashed onto the soft spiderweb floor of the Gym.
"Both of Leader Viola's Pokémon are unable to battle! The challenger wins!"
Viola returned her Vivillon to its Poké Ball. "Well, that was certainly an interesting battle! You are definitely more prepared than the other trainers of your age. Here is proof of your victory: the Bug Badge!" She handed over a badge shaped like the back of a Ledyba with its wings closed. "And as a reward for defeating this Gym, take this TM: Infestation! It allows you to use the move I used on your Fletchling; to summon a cloud of bugs! And it'll teach your Pokémon compatible with Infestation faster than a shutter set to 1/1000 can snap shut! TMs are great, aren't they?"
Viola handed him a light green disk in a case. Harry took it, deciding that he was never going to use a move as creepy as Infestation unless he was really desperate.
As soon as they were out of the Gym, Harry returned to the Pokémon Centre to heal his Pokémon. Once they were healed, he entered one of the free rooms and displayed the Bug Badge to them.
"All right!" he exclaimed. "We earned the Bug Badge!"
Fletchling trilled happily. Cool! What happened after I was recalled, anyway? Even through the Poké Ball, I heard horrible screeching noises… Arceus, fencer, what did you do?
Honedge blinked at Fletchling. So I may have used Metal Sound several times to stop a Supersonic and a Roost… surely it wasn't that bad…
Fencer, I heard a high pitched whine meeting a terrifying screech. I don't think Giratina could sound that dreadful if he tried. How did you win, anyway?
Well, daughter of the wind, you might have accidentally taught me a move after all. I used Aerial Ace during the battle.
See? I am awesome, fencer.
Whatever you say…
Harry laughed at his Pokémon's bantering before taking out his Holo Caster and searching for the battle record. Fletchling watched avidly as Honedge vs Vivillon began, laughing outright in some situations. Arceus, that's a novel idea, she said as the Shadow Sneak failed through Flash.
Afterwards, Harry sent the video to his père, still high from his victory.
Yes, he really was very glad he was on a Pokémon journey.
So yes, he has a Fletchling, and yes, she does have Gale Wings. Because OP Talonflame is awesome. This is the first and last time Harry will be progressing so quickly though (admit it, you guys all got to Santalune super-fast, then the Pokémon started slowing you down.) So expect some long journeys ahead.
Personally, I think Pokémon battling in the games is a little unrealistic... Here, your turn to move. Now my turn. Now your turn. Uh, no. Not happening. Ever.
Keep submitting Pokémon ideas, everyone! This chapter has a different question, though: If you played BW or BW2, who was your starter, and if you didn't, who would you have wanted your starter to be?
See you next chapter in (insert time period here)'s time!