A/N: Well, this took longer than I expected… I knew the holidays would keep me busy, but I still did not expect it to take this long. I do blame Dragon Quest 9 for part of the delay… I just could not keep that game down. I did spend some of my break doing research type stuff for the story (or at least that is what I'm telling my brain). I am trying to watch all the episodes of Pokemon. I have made it to the Diamond and Pearl series now. I find myself wondering why contests can't be the same in the game as they are in the anime. I might have done them more if that was the case. Anyway, I'm sorry for the delay. I will get chapter 11 done as soon as I can. I plan to push myself to finish the story because I have an idea for a sequel/standalone using Marisa and a new region. No guarantee that I'll write it, but the sooner I get through this, the more likely I will. So, on to the chapter!
Oh and thank you to everyone who keeps reading after my delay.
Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon.
First to Victory: Chapter 10
Lunch had been an uneventful time. They had gone to a small pizza place, by the port. It had a great view of the ships going in and out. Marisa remained silent while they ate. Blake did not even try to start a conversation. He let her have her time to think. Marisa watched the ships closely while she ate just to keep her from looking at her companion. She was still unsure what to say to Blake. Did she trust him enough to tell him the whole truth?
Blake studied Marisa throughout the meal and thought about what she had told him back at Mt. Moon. Team Rocket was chasing her because she stole Pokemon from them, but why would they waste their time on one person for so long? It seemed to him that they could just replace the Pokemon she had taken and left her alone. There was more to the story than she had told him. He had suspected that before, but now he was sure. The man was planning to take her with him and not just take her Pokemon.
Typhlosion stayed at his trainer's side for the entire length of lunch. Blake had not bothered to return his partner to its Pokeball. The male trainer did not even want to think about what would have happened if he had decided not to let the fire Pokemon out for some fresh air.
When the meal ended, Blake suggested that they head over to the port for a bit. He was really hoping that Marisa would tell him something about what had happened. He was not going to push it, but if she told him anything, he saw that as a positive sign. To his delight, the female trainer agreed.
A gentle breeze moved across the water as the pair walked. There were not many trainers around the area probably due to the demonstration taking place. Blake could not remember who was demonstrating, but did know one was taking place. Thinking about battles gave him an idea. He needed to distract her from her thoughts.
"Let's have a battle," he suddenly asked.
Marisa looked at him and blinked a few times. "Huh?"
"I challenge you to a battle. The least you can do is accept after I helped you and all," Blake told her. "Nothing too big, just a two Pokemon battle."
Marisa stared at him as she thought about it. He acted like it was no big deal and yet, she suspected that he had a motive behind his proposal. Perhaps he knew she was not in much of a battle mindset. Whatever the reason, she rarely backed out from a battle and she did sort of owe him for earlier. "Fine, I'll agree to that, but what is the catch?"
Blake laughed. "What do you mean?"
"You have this look in your eye that suggests that you want something more than a battle from this," Marisa commented.
Blake pulled off his pack and knelt down. "Well, I was thinking we could make the battle interesting." He dug through his bag before pulling out a green flag and a red flag. The flags were typically used by a judge during a battle, but Marisa did not see anyone that would judge.
"Define interesting. Coming from you that could mean a lot."
The male trainer stood up and smiled at her. "Come on, I'm not that bad. I was thinking the winner could ask one thing of the loser. Nothing too big."
Marisa hated how his smile affected her and on top of that, his confidence was astonishing. He suggested that with full belief that she could not beat him. Granted, in her current condition, she was not all that sure she could, but she was not going to let him know that. "Fine, I'll accept your terms."
"Excellent," Blake replied still smiling. He turned to the fire Pokemon at his side and held out the flags. "I want you to sit out of this one, so please act as the judge."
The fire Pokemon took the flags. Marisa was confused. "A Pokemon for a judge?"
"Typhlosion doesn't like to sit out of battles once he's out of his ball, so I taught him how to act as a judge for these times," Blake explained as he backed up to make room for the field.
Marisa backed up as well. She did not know what to say in response to a Pokemon being a judge. It was definitely not something she had ever heard of before. "Let's just get started," she said unable to say anything else.
Typhlosion held up both flags and talked. Of course, it was not human talk. It was talking like it would normally. Marisa figured that it was probably stating the usual rules. It soon lowered the flags once more indicating the start of the battle.
"All right, time to get things started," Blake said pulling out a Pokeball. "Get out there, Tyrogue!"
A human shape Pokemon came out of the ball. It's head, torso, arms and legs were a light purple color with brown feet and bottom. Around it's wrists and waist, it had bandages wrapped.
Marisa pulled out her Pokedex. She was familiar with Tyrogue, but in name only. This was the first time she had seen one.
"Tyrogue, the Scuffle Pokémon. It is always bursting with energy. To make itself stronger, it keeps on fighting even if it loses. It can evolve into Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, or Hitmontop."
"A fighting type… well then I know who I'm using." Marisa put her Pokedex away and pulled out a Pokeball. "You're up, Pidgeotto!" Marisa's bird Pokemon cheerfully exits its ball ready for battle.
Blake did not look the least bit surprised by her choice. Pidgeotto was the logical choice. Flying carried the type advantage against fighting types and Blake already knew about Pidgeotto, which did lead to the question of why he would select Tyrogue full well knowing Marisa carried a flying type with her. However, Marisa also knew that it was not unusual for trainers to test their Pokemon against those they have a disadvantage with, so she tried not to think too hard about Blake's decision.
"Ladies first," Blake said with a slight bow.
The action made Marisa suspicious, but she would take her chances. "Pidgeotto, start things off with a Wing Attack!"
Pidgeotto dived down with wings glowing. "Tyrogue, stand your ground." Pidgeotto moved closer while Tyrogue just remained in one place. "Now, Fake Out!" Tyrogue clapped its hands sending out a shockwave that knocked Pidgeotto back and temporarily stunned it.
"Pidgeotto!" Marisa called out. The flying Pokemon struggled to move.
"Tackle!" Blake ordered. Tyrogue ran at Pidgeotto and slammed into the bird hard. The flying Pokemon fell into the ground.
Marisa was shocked as Typhlosion lifted the flag that signaled Pidgeotto's defeat. Tyrogue had taken out her Pokemon with one hit.
"Pidgeotto, return." Marisa looked at Pidgeotto's ball briefly before returning it to her belt. She needed to make a good choice for her second Pokemon if she had any hope of winning. Marisa thought about the Pokemon she had with her. Jolteon still needed time to recover after the battle with Surge earlier that day. Dratini would not be able to do that much in terms of close combat, but could fight from the water, which would give it an advantage against Tyrogue. The only disadvantage would come from Blake's second Pokemon. It would be good experience for Dratini, but she was not sure the dragon Pokemon was ready. With that in mind, Marisa moved her hand over to the other three. Her choices were between Umbreon, Espeon, and Flareon.
The decision was made for her as one of the balls opened. Umbreon had leaped from its ball and was ready to battle. It was an unusual act for the Moonlight Pokemon, but one Marisa understood without words. Umbreon was upset because of what had happened earlier. It wanted a chance to redeem itself or something like that. The look in Umbreon's eyes told little except that it wanted to fight.
"All right, I choose Umbreon," Marisa said.
"Fine, Tyrogue, Tackle," Blake ordered. Tyrogue ran at Umbreon.
"Use Flash," Marisa quickly ordered. Umbreon sent out a blinding light stopping Tyrogue in its tracks. "Follow up with Quick Attack!"
"Jump out of the way," Blake yelled. Tyrogue started to jump, but Umbreon was not going to let it get away. Umbreon jumped as well and slammed Tyrogue into the ground before landing gracefully. Tyrogue hit the ground hard, but managed to get up.
"Are you all right?" Blake quickly asked his Pokemon. Tyrogue gave a sound in response. It was clearly hurt, but was able to keep going. "Good, use Headbutt!"
Tyrogue charged forward once more. "Dodge and use Iron Tail!" Umbreon jumped out of the way with tail glowing, but as it turned to hit Tyrogue, the light faded and the attack failed.
"Tackle!" Blake yelled not missing the opening. Tyrogue slammed into Umbreon knocking it away, but the dark Pokemon pulled a midair recovery and avoided the crash landing.
"Don't let them recover, Headbutt!" Tyrogue ran at Umbreon once again.
"Umbreon, jump and use Shadow Ball!" Umbreon did as it was told. It jumped and made a black ball, which it then launched at the fighting Pokemon.
"Dodge it!" Blake's order was too slow and Tyrogue took the full force of the attack.
Typhlosion raised a flag and spoke. Tyrogue was unable to battle. Now both were down to one Pokemon each. It was Blake's move.
The male trainer recalled Tyrogue and briefly thanked it for the hard work. He then pulled out a new ball and tossed it. "You're up, Larvitar!"
A small, green colored Pokemon with a red belly came out. It had a horn on its head and a bushy tail, but its skin looked hard as rock. Marisa flipped open her Pokedex.
"Larvitar, the Rock Skin Pokemon. Larvitar generally hatch deep within the earth and take a long time before coming to the surface."
Marisa put her Pokedex away and debated how to approach. Physical attacks were not going to be very effective against Larvitar's body.
"Larvitar, use Dig!" Blake ordered. He was not going to give Marisa any time to come up with a strategy.
Larvitar burrowed underground. Umbreon watched cautiously for the Pokemon. "Stay calm," Marisa told her Pokemon.
"Come up and use Bite!" Larvitar flew out of the ground and clamped down hard on Umbreon's tail before the other Pokemon could move. Umbreon cried out in pain as it ran around trying to get the other Pokemon off.
"Umbreon, use Iron Tail to get rid of Larvitar!" The Moonlight Pokemon's tail lit up. Umbreon swung Larvitar into the ground with a successful Iron Tail attack. It also managed to pry the other Pokemon off.
"Larvitar, Dig!" The Rock Skin Pokemon burrowed underground once more.
"Not so fast, Umbreon, Shadow Ball into the hole!"
Blake said nothing as Umbreon charged up the attack and did not even react as the Shadow Ball entered the hold. Smoke came out of the hole, but no sign of Larvitar.
The male trainer smirked. "Now, dig out and use Sandstorm!"
Marisa could not even see Larvitar as it came out. It had already started the sandstorm. Umbreon held strong as the sand pelted against it.
"Tackle, Larvitar!" Blake called out.
"Dodge!" Umbreon jumped to the right, but chose wrong and was slammed hard by Larvitar. However, the dark Pokemon was able to avoid some damage by staying on its feet. The Sandstorm continued to weaken Umbreon. Marisa knew she had to do something fast.
"Time to end this, Larvitar, Dark Pulse!" A dark ball gathered in front of Larvitar before it was released. The attack sent out dark waves that cut through the sandstorm.
"Umbreon, Shadow Ball!" Umbreon quickly gathered the energy and sent a Shadow Ball at the Dark Pulse attack. "Now, Quick Attack!"
Blake was thrown off guard by the maneuver. An explosion shook the battlefield and sent up a cloud of smoke. Both trainers waited to find out how their Pokemon were doing. Even Typhlosion watched carefully.
An unconscious Umbreon appeared first. Typhlosion raised a flag ready to call an end to the battle when the unconscious form of Larvitar showed. The attacks had managed to knock them both out.
Blake laughed as he returned Larvitar to its Pokeball. "Well, I wasn't expecting that," he remarked. "You used the explosion to give Umbreon more momentum as it hit Larvitar. A risky move."
Marisa recalled Umbreon. "Well, at the very least it kept you from winning."
Blake took the flags back from Typhlosion before moving over to Marisa. "Feel better?"
Marisa stared at him for a moment. She was not sure what he meant right away, then it hit her. By adding in the terms of doing whatever the winner asked to the battle, he had made her get serious. So serious, in fact, that she had forgotten about the events earlier that day. Even now, thinking about it did not upset her like it had before. Granted, that did not mean that it would not bother her later, but the battle made her realize that she could trust her Pokemon to help her out. Whether she would remember that next time she ran into trouble like before was up in the air.
"Thank you," she managed to say before looking out across the water.
Blake watched her and wanted to know what she was thinking. Her mood was no longer gloomy and depressing. She seemed to be at peace for the moment.
"I can think of better ways to thank me," he said slipping an arm around her waist. Marisa looked at him with some surprise, but did not immediately move away.
The female trainer was not sure what she wanted. She was starting to see Blake in a new light. Not exactly a really good light, but she was seeing him as more than just a pervert. He was becoming a pervert with some trace of being a gentleman. Right now though, the pervert was rearing its head once more. However, she did sort of owe him and he was not exactly making her want to punch him… at least not yet.
Marisa remembered the events from earlier. After he had saved her, she had been more than willing to accept his embrace. She had been in shock then, so it was understandable. However, now she was thinking clearly, or at least more clearly then she had been before. Right now, she knew what he wanted and she still did not want to back away.
"Fine, I'll give in," she told him. "I do owe you a little. Might as well get it over with. I don't like holding onto a debt."
Blake was surprised that she agreed. He had only been half serious. Yes, he wanted to kiss her. He wanted to do more than kiss her, but he had not expected any agreement from her. The fact that she was even accepting it at all gave him much hope.
"Are you serious?" he asked quietly.
"Yeah, but only one. Do anything more than that and I'll slug you," she threatened.
The threat made Blake smile. He was glad to see that the fire had not left her. "Then I better make the most of it." He slid one hand up to Marisa's chin and gently raised her head.
Marisa swallowed as she stared into Blake's eyes. She had no really idea why she was letting him near, but she was. At the same time, she was not sure she could move even if she wanted to. She was caught.
For once, Marisa believed the line about time standing still. As cliché as it was, it fit. It seemed to her that she waited an eternity for Blake to finish his approach. He moved slowly like a predator going after prey, but she doubted he would make a sudden move like a predator would. His eyes searched hers. He was looking for an answer, but Marisa did not know the question. However, moments later, his lips brushed against hers.
For an instant, Marisa regretted letting him touch her. The light brush of his lips against hers was much different from the previous kiss he had given her. This one was gentle and warm, which was an odd contrast to the first one. The first one had been good, a sign that Blake was experienced. It had not brought out feelings like this one was now doing. That was why Marisa regretting… only briefly. The soft feeling of Blake's hand on her back and chin kept her from acting on that regret and slowly, she found herself falling into the kiss.
It was not unusual to hear about kisses that made women melt or swoon into a man's arms. Marisa would even admit to reading some of the stories those appeared in, but never in her life had she imagined that she would be on the end of something out of a book. The feelings Blake was making her feel were more than a book could ever bring out. She was warm, weak, lightheaded and so much more. Her body began reacting all on its own as she found her hands gripping Blake's shirt and her eyes slowly closing. She even allowed the male to deepen the kiss while she kissed him back.
Thoughts began to become jumbled and squishy… wait, squishy? Marisa's eyes snapped open as squishy registered. In one clean motion, Marisa broke the kiss and slammed her fist into Blake's stomach. The other trainer heeled over in pain.
Marisa glared harshly at him. "I told you not to do anymore than that," she reminded him before turning away.
Blake coughed a bit unable to come up with anything to say in return. The female waited a few moments before starting to walk away. Blake could do nothing but watch. He knew that he had messed up and he needed to apologize, but the words would not come.
A strange sound reached Blake's ear causing him to shift his gaze to his partner. Typhlosion had a huge grin on its face and Blake was almost certain that the fire Pokemon was laughing. If Typhlosion was laughing, then he really messed up bad.
Next Chapter: Ash and Marisa meet with Professor Oak and the Pokemon Expo comes to a close.
A/N: The latter part of this chapter was a result of Hana Yori Dango and too many romance manga. The battle scene was written while in a car going from Arizona back to Colorado. Writing while in a car is not fun. Had to use my cell phone for a light.
Anyway, Please Review!