Ch. 7: A Shocking Experience
As Malik dwelled on the memory, Eevee just sat in his lap, relaxing and snuggling happily. Perfectly content, Eevee paid no mind to its past as long as Malik was around. It seemed no one could quite understand Pokémon like he could, and Eevee was now growing very fond of him. Malik gazed blankly into the distance, and hadn't noticed the footsteps coming closer to them.
His thoughts were cut off short as a trainer with long black hair in a red shirt, and black trench coat, approached him. The boy was about his age, if not a couple of years younger, and a sarcastic look was on his face.
"Well well, what do we have here," he said with a grin, "Another newbie trainer dozing off. You know while you're sitting here being lazy, some of us are out there actually doing it! Becoming stronger, and getting badges like these."
He opened his trench coat's left side and flashed four shiny badges. Malik didn't look to see which ones they were, but he woke up Eevee nonetheless. It was obvious this guy was looking for a fight, and Malik didn't plan on disappointing him. Standing up, Malik glared and held two poke balls at the trainer.
"Oh I see, the strong silent type, well then I'll just have to make you talk."
The trainer tossed his poke ball, and sent out a Combusken. Eevee ran forward onto the battle field, but Malik noticed something strange about the opponent's Pokémon. Unlike other Combuskens, this one had a brighter coat of feathers, and it looked slightly shorter. The eyes were blue as well, instead of the usual red color. Swiping its paw and growling deeply, Eevee rushed forward at the Combusken.
Dodging the attack, Combusken kicked Eevee hard, then kicked it again sending it flying back. The trainer called out for a flamethrower attack, but Eevee dodged it easily. Malik had been training Eevee against Houndour, so Eevee naturally was now able to anticipate fire attacks. Eevee got in close, and hit Combusken hard making it stagger back. Frustrated, Combusken lunged forward, and performed the same two kicks, but Eevee dodged this time.
Gathering its energy as the trainer tried to calm Combusken down, Eevee fired a shadow ball hard and fast. In its rage, Combusken took the hit full force, and was knocked down hard. Rushing forward, Eevee pinned it down and bit down on its neck, drawing blood. The trainer reluctantly withdrew Combusken, and reached for another poke ball in his jacket.
"You got lucky, but you'll need more than beginner's luck to beat this Pokémon, go Pikachu!"
His Pikachu busted out of the ball, already over charged with electricity, and Eevee stepped back. Malik decided which Pokémon to send out, and tossed a ball as well. Houndour burst from the ball, and howled proudly. As the Pikachu gathered its energy, Houndour bared its fangs and growled.
The Pikachu rushed forward on command, and fired bolts of electricity left and right. Houndour dodged all of them, and hit Pikachu hard with a skull bash. Staggering back, Pikachu landed on its feet and rushed again. This time, however, Pikachu was moving fast, and it was hard for Houndour to keep up with it. The Pikachu slammed into Houndour hard, and it rolled sideways.
Growling, Houndour fired a stream of flames at the mouse, but missed multiple times. Taking advantage of the Pikachu as it dodged, Houndour managed to bite its back hard. The Pikachu screeched at first, but the its body glowed with a massive pulse of lightning. Houndour shook violently as ten thousand volts of electricity coursed through its body.
Houndour lost its grip, and Pikachu hopped down, then slammed Houndour sideways. Houndour's eyes were glowing red, and it's body also began glowing. With a mighty howl, it exploded with bright red light that streamed everywhere. Both trainers were taken back, but Malik was sure this was what was known as an evolution. When a Pokémon became strong enough, or certain criteria were met, a Pokémon could change to become more powerful.
A moment later, where Houndour once stood, a similar figure stood towering over Pikachu. The skull on its head was now gone, replaced with curled horns, and the bones on it's now muscular back were thicker, and much sharper looking. It's tail had grown longer, and the end boasted a sharp arrow point. It was now a Houndoom, Malik knew, and it now had the edge.
Pikachu was walking backwards nervously, but it was too late. As soon as it moved, the Houndoom was on it, and a massive paw smacked Pikachu hard sending it flying sideways. Swishing it's tail, the Houndoom lunged, and again had Pikachu in its jaws. Biting down hard, this time on its leg, the Houndoom spout thick flames, engulfing the Pikachu completely.
"Okay okay," shouted the trainer, "You win let, now let Pikachu go!"
Malik waved his hand, and Houndoom dropped Pikachu proudly. Pikachu was twitching on the ground, it's leg broken and bleeding, and it's skin scalded from the attack. Malik knew Houndoom had gone easy on the Pikachu, after all, Houndooms were notorious for their fire power. The trainer reluctantly handed Malik two hundred zennies.
"Here," he said, "You won, take it. Well, what are you waiting for? Go on, take it!"
At first, Malik was confused, but he took it anyways. He needed money, and he wasn't about to argue against that kind of money. The trainer put Pikachu in its ball, and began to walk away, but Malik spoke:
"What's your name?"
"My name? You're quiet the entire battle, but now you want to know my name?"
"Well, what is it? Also, why did you pay me?"
"My name is Xenos, and I paid you because that's Pokémon league official rules. When a trainer loses a battle to another trainer, they're supposed to offer payment to the victor."
"Oh, I didn't know that. Well thanks anyway."
"Didn't think you would, with Pokémon like yours, I'm sure you haven't lost a battle yet. I'm going to head for the next town, you're welcome to tag along if you'd like."
And then the trainer walked off, leaving Malik dumbfounded. He quickly grabbed his things, and ran after the trainer, along with Eevee. His next destination: Pewter city, once home to the legendary Brock. He would not leave without a badge this time, even if he had to visit the Pokémon Center multiple times.
