Azul's Pokemon
Cherry (Bulbasaur) (Female) - Ab: Overgrow - Moves: Take Down, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, and Leech Seed - Level 21
Nidoran (Male) - Ab: Poison Point - Moves: Poison Sting, Horn Attack, Focus Energy, and Double Kick - Level 19
Spearow (Female) - Ab: Keen Eye - Moves: Peck, Aerial Ace, Fury Attack, Pursuit, - Level 18
Pichu (Male) - Ab: Static - Moves: Volt Tackle, Thunderpunch, Thundershock, and Quick Attack - Level 20
Magikarp (Unknown) - Ab: Swift Swim - Moves: Splash and Tackle - Level 18
Sarah (Paras) (Female) - Ab: Effect Spore - Moves: Cut, Stun Spore, PoisonPowder, and Leech Life - Level 17
Mt. Moon had taken the two trainers longer than they had hoped. It had been almost an entire week since Azul bought Magikarp and caught Paras.
It was a relief to the trainers to see light once more. After the week in the cave, they had almost forgotten what the sun had looked like.
The two wasted no time going through Route 4, power walking through the small route. They had hardly taken any note of what it looks like, only paying attention to the stone path that they had to walk on.
Cerulean City was a new site for them, being much different than Pewter. Many buildings were placed in what felt like a maze , almost as though they had just been randomly built. One building, built like a football stadium or a museum, was placed off to the side of the city. It was big enough to look over the entire city.
Jaune flipped through her guidebook and grinned. "That's the Cerulean City Gym!"
"So, that's my next conquest!" Azul said with a wide grin.
The city felt quiet. Not as quiet as Pewter was, but quiet for a big city. Hardly any vehicles filled the streets, and pedestrians weren't to be seen anywhere. Jaune noticed this, while Azul was too busy going over his strategy with the gym leaders. He knew nothing about them, but he felt that making a strategy for any situation would help him.
After half an hour of walking through the city, they had finally reached the dome shaped building. Azul approached the glass doors and peered through. He pushed them open lightly and walked in. Cheers filled the air, confusing Azul but piquing his interest in what was going on. The two walked in, and the cheers became louder.
"Are you sure that we're in the gym?" Azul asked while the two climbed a set of stairs. They came to a balcony that overlooked the entire stadium. A giant tank of water sat in the middle of the field, showcasing a few water Pokémon dancing around. In the stands, crazy fans, especially children, were screaming.
Jaune flipped through her notebook, overlooking everything that was in there for Cerulean City. "Yeah, I'm positive. We may have just come in on one of their shows. It's how they make extra money to run such an expensive gym. They put on musicals and whatnot."
"But I want my gym battle!"
Jaune shook her head. "When they do this, they won't be open for another day. You'll have to come back tomorrow."
Azul stuck out his tongue and turned to walk down the stairs. Jaune hurriedly followed him. "Then I'll have to do some training!"
"The best place to train is Nugget Bridge," Jaune explained.
Azul nodded, and the two made their way north. They came to a forested area, a stream to their side. Jaune smiled as she looked into the water and at the water Pokémon. Azul gazed down the giant bridge. He had heard stories of many trainers that are looking for battles on Nugget Bridge. If that was the case, he would get in a lot of battling.
He took one step before a soft voice stopped him from continuing. "You may not want to train there," the voice said.
Azul and Jaune glanced over and met eyes with a girl that was the same age as them. She had a calm expression on her face, making her dark blue eyes look emotional. Her black hair fell in her face, almost hiding her eyes. The wind moved her striped, purple and black fleece jacket back and forth. Black short shorts were held up by a singular, purple suspender, the other suspender hanging at her side.
"Why not?" Azul asked.
The girl walked closer and glanced down the bridge. "I already beat all of the people here. They won't be able to battle today."
"Is there anything that I can do today?" Azul screeched.
Jaune laughed. She reached her hand out to the girl, who grabbed her hand lightly. "My name is Jaune. And this doof is Azul."
"Lilla Morado," the girl said calmly. She smiled at Azul, who glanced over at her. Lilla blushed and looked away. "Well, if you'd like to train a bit, you can always battle me. I've been looking for a full battle."
"Full battle?" Azul asked. "But I haven't anything to eat today. I'm empty."
"A full battle is a 6-on-6 battle," Jaune said, correcting Azul's obvious mistake.
Azul grinned. "Oh! I have six really strong Pokémon! I'd love to battle you!"
"That's what I like to hear! All of the Nugget Bridge members were weak! Maybe you'll actually be a challenge," Lilla said. She drew out a Poké Ball, and Azul did the same.
"Go, Magikarp!"
Magikarp appeared and flopped around. Azul took this as Magikarp trying to intimidate his foe.
"Magikarp, eh?" Lilla wondered. "I'll be using Sandshrew!"
From Lilla's Poké Ball, a light brown Pokémon appeared, curled into a ball. It uncurled and yawned, taking in Magikarp.
"Shrew?"
"Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. Sandshrew burros deep underground in arid locations far from water. It only emerges to hunt for food. Level is 19, and known moves are Defense Curl, Poison Sting, Scratch, and Rollout," Azul's Pokédex read.
"Alright, Magikarp, let's use Tackle!"
"Defense Curl," Lilla ordered.
Magikarp bounced into the air, aiming for Sandshrew. But Sandshrew was quick. She rolled into a ball, and Magikarp smacked against her, its attack failing.
"Now, Scratch!"
Before Azul could take in what was happening, Sandshrew unrolled and slashed at Magikarp. Magikarp flew back, flailing on the ground from pain.
"Magikarp!" Azul screamed.
"Rollout!" Lilla ordered.
Once again, Sandshrew turned into a ball. She flung her body forward, smashing herself into Magikarp. Magikarp fell to the ground in a heap, no longer squirming.
Azul lifted his Poké Ball and returned Magikarp. Without hesitation, he threw out his next Poké Ball. Spearow appeared, angry as usual.
"Peck!" Azul called.
Spearow shifted her body and dived for Sandshrew. She bounced off of her, Sandshrew's defense being to strong to crack.
"Poison Sting!" Lilla ordered, her calm demeanor still strong.
Sandshrew stopped spinning and released poisonous needles from her mouth. The needles pierced into Spearow, making her fall from the sky. She landed onto the ground with a hard thud.
"Rollout," Lilla said.
Sandshrew jumped into the air, and rolled into a ball. She flung her body down the field at Spearow.
"Into the air!" Azul cried desperately.
Spearow mustered up as much strength as she could, and she jolted into the sky, avoiding Sandshrew.
"Aerial Ace!"
Spearow's beak started to glow, and she flung herself at Sandshrew. They collided with one another, both being flung back. When the dust cleared, only one Pokémon stood.
"No!" Azul called. He lowered his head and returned Spearow. "It's up to you, Cherry."
Azul's Bulbasaur nodded and ran onto the field. She glared at Sandshrew, knowing that this could be a rough battle.
"Razor Leaf!" Azul ordered.
Cherry nodded and leaves bellowed from her bulb.
"Continue Rollout!" Lilla called. Azul could clearly see that she was one hundred percent confident.
Sandshrew took on the Razor Leaf directly. Each of the leaves bounced off with ease, and she continued towards Cherry.
"Leech Seed!"
Cherry let a pink seed blow from her bulb. The seed connected with Sandshrew and immediately sprouted vines, wrapping themselves around Sandshrew. But the strong Pokémon continued.
Azul had to think quick, knowing that Rollout was only getting stronger. "Throw 'em with Vine Whip!"
Cherry wrapped her vines around Sandshrew, finally stopping her attack. She twisted her body and tossed Sandshrew into the air. She unrolled from her ball and stared, frightened from the fall.
"Now, finish this with Take Down!" Azul ordered.
Cherry bounded forward. And as Sandshrew was falling, the Bulbasaur smashed her body into her. Sandshrew slid across the ground and stopped at Lilla's feet, unable to get back up.
Lilla smiled and returned Sandshrew. "Is that Bulbasaur your starter Pokémon, by chance?"
Azul nodded. "Yep! Cherry is one of my best friends!"
Lilla grinned. "Then I'll use my starter Pokémon. C'mon out, Charm!"
From her Poké Ball, a brown, quadruped appeared. It smiled up at Azul as he scanned it with his Pokédex.
"Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon. Its genetic code is irregular. It may mutate if it is exposed to radiation from elemental stones. Level is 22, and known moves are Quick Attack, Shadow Ball, Bite, Dig, and Iron Tail."
"I've never heard of a Pokémon knowing more than four moves," Azul noted out loud.
"Give your Pokémon enough attention, they can learn an infinite amount of moves!" Lilla said happily.
"Awesome! Cherry, use Razor Leaf!"
Cherry nodded and released her attack.
"Charm, Quick Attack!" Lilla called calmly.
Charm nodded and dashed through the leaves, easily avoiding every single one. She reached Cherry in a matter of seconds, and before Azul could realize what had happened, Lilla made her next command.
"Iron Tail!"
Charm swung her body around, smashing her iron hard tail into Cherry's jaw. Cherry flew across the field, landing onto the cold ground, a mark on her face.
"Cherry!" Azul and Jaune cried.
"Dig!" Lilla ordered.
She's taking advantage of everything. She doesn't waste a single second. I stand no chance against her if I can't think fast, Azul screamed in his head.
"Do something, Azul!" Jaune screeched.
Azul nodded. "Vine Whip!"
"Bite!"
Eevee blew up from the ground, and instantly grabbed ahold of Cherry's vines. She swung her head, tossing Cherry into the air.
"Finish this with an Iron Tail!"
Before Cherry could hit the ground, Charm darted forward, her tail turning to silver.
"Razor Leaf on the ground!" Azul screamed desperately.
Cherry complied, sending a plethora of leaves into the ground, digging up dirt and tossing it everywhere. Charm stopped in her tracks, trying to look through the smoke.
"Spin and use Shadow Ball!" Lilla ordered, not wavering in strategy even in the smoke.
From the smoke, many black energy balls blew.
"Vine Whip!"
Cherry let loose her vines, blocking some of the balls. Others were able to break through, pelting her in the face.
"Take Down!" Azul called.
Still waving her vines around, Cherry bounded forward. She entered the wavering smoke and checked Charm.
Lilla smiled, Azul walking into her trap. "Quick Attack into Iron Tail!"
Charm did as told. She raced forward, smacking her body into Cherry before turning around and using Iron Tail as hard as she could. Cherry fell back at Azul's feet.
"Cherry…" Azul mumbled. He grabbed ahold of her and handed her off to Jaune. "We'll beat her. I promise…"
"I'll give you this, Azul. You are much better than a lot of the people on Nugget Bridge. Bulbasaur put up a major challenge," Lilla complimented. "But if that was your most powerful Pokémon, you may want to forfeit so no more of your Pokémon get hurt."
Azul smiled. "I haven't even got started yet! Let's go, Pichu!"
Pichu appeared out of his Poké Ball and crossed his arms. He glared at Azul, who desperately wanted him to listen.
"Quick Attack!" Lilla ordered, not wasting any time.
Pichu glanced over at the charging Eevee and smiled. His hand turned to sparks, and he swung at Charm.
"Dodge!" Lilla called.
Charm jumped over Pichu and prepared for her next attack.
"Shadow Ball!"
"Pichu, watch out!"
Charm unleashed her attack, exploding on contact with Pichu. Pichu slid against the ground, glaring at the Pokémon.
"A Pokémon as strong as Pichu…" Jaune mumbled.
"Thunderbolt!" Azul ordered.
Pichu shook his head and bounded forward, his body becoming surrounded by electricity. Charm easily moved around him, making Pichu stop in front of Azul.
"You should've listened to me!" Azul snapped.
Pichu shook his head again and zapped Azul slightly. He then turned around and charged again at Eevee, a white streak of light following him. He smashed his body into Charm, tossing her back.
Azul scratched the back of his head. "That hurt, Pichu…"
"Pichu!" Azul's Pokémon cried while he shot electricity from his coat. It zapped into Charm, who pulled back slightly.
Lilla lifted her Poké Ball and returned Charm. "I'll use you if I need you, but I want to try out someone else."
"What? Too scared to battle my Pichu?" Azul asked, acting like he had full control over his Pokémon.
Lilla smiled. "Actually, I just want to use a different Pokémon. After examining your Pichu's fighting method, I'm sure that Charm could take him."
"What?" Azul squealed.
"Pichu!"
The fact that she was able to remain so calm annoyed him the most. When Verde would say something like that, it was to make Azul mad. Lilla truly believed what she said, and that's what made Azul feel worse.
"But maybe Pichu has a chance against my Ditto," Lilla said, tossing out her Poké Ball. A pink blob of a jelly like substance appeared.
"Ditto, the Imposter Pokémon. Ditto are capable of copying an enemy's genetic code to instantly transform itself into a duplicate of the enemy. Level is 19, and only known move is Transform."
"That sounds weak…" Azul mumbled.
"Ditto, Transform!" Lilla ordered.
"Ditto!" the pink blob cried out while glowing white. It suddenly shifted and changed its form to match Pichu's.
"What the?" Azul wondered.
"Were you not paying attention to what your Pokédex said?" Jaune asked, not surprised as to how forgetful Azul was.
"Oh yeah… Pichu, use ThunderPunch!"
"Pichu!" the Pokémon snapped. He dashed forward, his body covered in lightning.
"Not Volt Tackle! You'll hurt yourself!"
"Ditto, ThunderPunch!"
Ditto nodded. "Dichu!" He lowered his tiny arm and swung it at the oncoming Pichu. Pichu was knocked onto his back, but was able to muster enough strength to stand back up.
"Pichu, you have to listen to me!" Azul screamed.
Pichu shook his head and released volts from his body. The volts raced for the faux Pichu, but Lilla was ready.
"Quick Attack," she ordered.
"Pitto!" It cried, easily moving around the electricity. It spun and smashed its body into Pichu's, making Pichu sink into the ground.
"No…" Azul murmured. He lifted his Poké Ball and returned his fallen Pokémon. "I can't believe that Pichu lost…"
"You can forfeit if you need to," Lilla said calmly.
"No!" Azul snapped. "I still have two really strong Pokémon!" He tossed out his next Poké Ball revealing his Paras, Sarah.
"Paras!" she said happily.
Lilla returned Ditto and threw out another ball. A purple, thin, snake-Pokémon with a single golden ring below his head appeared.
"Ekans, the Snake Pokémon. They move silently and stealthily. It eats the eggs of birds, such as Pidgey and Spearow, whole. Level is 20, and known moves are Wrap, Poison Sting, Bite, and Acid."
"Another challenge," Azul whispered. "Sarah, use Cut!"
Sarah scuttled forward as quickly as she could and took a swipe at Ekans with her claw.
"Wrap."
In an instant, Ekans shot his long body around Paras, completely wrapping himself around the small Pokémon.
"Now squeeze," Lilla said softly.
Ekans did as told, wringing his body as hard as he could. Paras let out a cry, scaring Azul.
"You have to do something!" Jaune screamed.
"Sarah, Stun Spore!"
From the mushrooms on Sarah's back, a yellow powder emerged. It blew over Ekans, freezing him and stopping the bind.
"Now, get out of there with another Cut!"
Sarah twisted her body as fast as she could, and sliced at Ekans. Ekans fell back, releasing his hold on Paras. She waddled away, taking in deep breaths.
"Bite!" Lilla ordered.
Ekans nodded and shot forward, he gripped his teeth onto Sarah and threw her into the sky. She landed onto the hard ground and rolled over, sticking her legs into the air.
"That's five down," Jaune whimpered.
"Chiboo…"
Sarah succumbed the red light, and Azul let his arm fall. He couldn't believe it. He had only been able to take down one of her Pokémon, and it wasn't easy. Then the other Pokémon that was faced with were too strong. He had never faced an opponent like this before.
His hand shook with his last Pokémon's ball gripped tightly. With a flick of his hand, his Nidoran was revealed.
"So, this is your last Pokémon. I hope it gives me a challenge," Lilla said with a smile.
"Double Kick!"
Nidoran nodded and jumped forward. Ekans tried to move, but the paralysis kicked in, and Nidoran was able to get in a few blows. Ekans spun on the ground and was able to regroup himself.
"Horn Attack!" Azul ordered, hoping to gain momentum in the very least.
Nidoran stamped his feet and lunged forward, his horn glowing white.
"I can only be effective with two attacks. I'll make due with what I have," Lilla noted out loud. "Wrap!"
Ekans shot his body and wrapped himself completely around Nidoran. He began to squeeze, and Nidoran started to struggle.
"Double Kick the ground!" Azul called.
Nidoran stopped struggling for a second and kicked at the ground as hard as he could, sending both Pokémon into the air. From the commotion, Ekans uncoiled.
"Now, Horn Attack!" Azul screamed.
Nidoran, using the momentum from the air, dove into Ekans. Both Pokémon crashed into the ground, making dust fly into the air. When the smoke cleared, both Pokémon laid lifeless.
"Nidoran…" Azul mumbled. He walked forward and grabbed ahold of his small Pokémon, careful to not get close to Ekans. "You did awesome…"
"That was a great battle, Azul," Lilla said returning her Pokémon. "You'll make a fine trainer someday."
"Are you mocking me?" Azul snapped. Lilla looked taken aback.
"Azul," Jaune scolded.
"I'm not mocking you. You are a fantastic battler. How many gym badges do you have?" Lilla asked. She began to fiddle with her bangs and blush.
Azul sighed. "I only have one…"
"Oh… Well, then you have good reason to not be upset. I have three badges," Lilla explained.
"Three?" Azul said, his mouth agape.
"Yeah. And with your skills, I'm sure you can win three in no time," Lilla said with a soft smile. She pet Nidoran softly. "The best thing that you can do is learn from your losses. You'll only get better."
Azul sighed. "But I've never lost so badly…"
Lilla smiled and avoided Azul's stare. She took her hand off of Nidoran and turned. "I've said what I need to say. I hope that we meet again, Azul and Jaune. May you find luck on your journey." She fastened her backpack and was on her way, eventually disappearing from the duo's view.
"What are you thinking about?" Jaune asked Azul while she was preparing her blankets.
Azul stared out of the Pokémon Center window. The sun was setting and he tried to hold back tears.
"My battle…" he said, letting a few tears flow. "I can't believe how bad I was…"
"You weren't bad," Jaune said. "She was just really good."
"Bulba…" Cherry cooed, nestling her nose against Azul's shin. "Bulbasaur…"
"I think that she's letting you know that everything is okay," Jaune said with a smile.
"Pichibu!" Chiboo cried happily.
"You think so, Cherry?" Azul wondered. Cherry nodded. "Well, if you think so, then I should too! How about this, tomorrow, we'll go to the Cerulean Gym and win ourselves another badge?!"
"Bulba!"
A/N Pretty lengthy chapter! And now we introduce Lilla! Azul's newest rival. I personally loved the battle. It was different for me to write. I'm so used to making everything even, so this was a change. Next chapter, he faces off against the Cerulean Gym Leader! Then they spend a little bit more time in Cerulean.
Peace! JohtoBlue