A lot is happening in this chapter and I don't want to bore you with it so that's why the paragraphs are small. This chapter was written by AEthereal Devastation and 4fireking. halcyonhuer is still a co-author and a friend of this story and he did help this chapter. Please read and review.
XXX
Patrick and Archer trudged up the hill.
"No fire Pokémon yet." He heaved a sigh of relief.
"I wouldn't speak so soon." Archer informed him,pointing to a fire pokemon jumping out of the ground.
"WOAH! A Heatmor." Patrick exclaimed. A look of determination suddenly appears on his face. "Krokorok, GO!"
The Heatmor launched a flamethrower attack.
"Dodge with dig." Patrick ordered Krokorok calmly. Archer raised an eyebrow when he saw this.
"Now attack and use Brick Break!" He commanded.
The poor Heatmor had no idea where the attack came from and was knocked unconscious by the powerful Brick Break.
Archer applauded at the side. "I thought you were afraid of fire types?"
"I am, but I'm protecting Houndour, I had to face my fear." Patrick calmly replied.
"I think that's enough for today. Let's head back." Archer smiled.
Patrick happily but hurriedly headed back down the hill. He was exhausted and couldn't wait to sleep. Archer slowly followed behind him, smiling and shaking his head.
Back at the bridge, Archer finally sighs. "So, I guess it's time."
"Yeah." Patrick looks slightly disappointed. Despite the short time they spent together, they did form a bond.
"As much as I want to continue travelling with you, I have my own journey to go, and you have yours. I hope to meet you again one day. Farewell Patrick." Archer smiled at him.
"I like to travel alone too." Patrick smiles back. "See ya soon!"
Patrick continues the path down the bridge as Archer waves goodbye. Along the way, he releases his three Pokémon, Mienfoo, Krokorok and Houndour.
"That was fun, wasn't it guys." He smiled.
The three Pokémon smiled and followed Patrick.
"Hey trainer!" Someone calls as Patrick reaches the end of the bridge.
Patrick sees the person and walks over, only to find out the person was an old man.
"The double tag team, tournament is starting soon, you should go sign up." The old man slowly told him.
"Double tag team tournament?" Patrick asks.
"It's the tournament where you get teamed up with another trainer and play a double battle. It's happening at the stadium just a few minutes walk away." The old man answered.
Interested, Patrick headed there after thanking the old man. He signed up and the person at the counter informed him, "You have been teamed up with Miss Faye Breighton. Your preparation room is 7C."
Patrick nodded and headed to room 7C, wondering what Faye looked like. He found out as he entered the room. A beautiful lady in a long dark blue dress greeted him.
"You must be Patrick, I'm Faye." She introduced herself.
Faye was probably the same age as him Patrick thought silently, this is going to be a good day after all.
Patrick looked at Faye, judging her to be roughly the same age as him. After a moment, he shrugs, considering that it might be a good day after all.
XXX
In another preparation room, the person Patrick's pokémon sensed earlier awaits their battle partner. Mumbling to themselves, the figure paced the room, checking the clock every few seconds.
"I know Patrick's here," the figure murmurs. "No, he won't cause any problems. Even if he does, by some miracle, get far enough that we battle, I can ensure he focuses on my partner. He'll never think twice about me."
With that, the doors to the room open, and the person assumes a nervous expression that hadn't been there a few seconds ago. An artificially shaky voice greets the newcomer, so fake that only an idiot could fail to spot the deception.
"Oh, hello! I guess you're my partner?" The figure asks.
"I am," the new person agrees, an eye flicking towards the mysterious figure.
"Bad luck for you, I'm afraid. I'm not terribly skilled," the figure fakes a tense chuckle even more obviously. "But I suppose good luck for me, huh? After all, you seem like a strong, capable trainer. I'm pretty good at spotting talent in others, at least. I'll just follow your lead out there if that's okay with you, champ."
The new trainer considers these words for a heartbeat, then he beams with confidence, swaggering over to the figure, his laugh loud as he claps the figure on the back.
"Ha! Well, I don't wanna brag, but I am pretty good. Just stick with me, buddy, and we'll do fine!" In response to that comment, the figure rolls his eyes beneath his low-brimmed cap.
XXX
"So…uh…have you done this sort of thing before?" Patrick asks as casually as he can, trying to sound calmer than he feels. Faye shakes her head, fiddling withe her fingernails.
"No, this is my first time. I've battled other trainers before, obviously-"
"Obviously," Patrick agrees, cutting her off. Faye's glance meets Patrick's eyes, and he suddenly finds the texture of the ceiling very interesting.
"No. I…I haven't been in any tournaments, really. It's my first time too," Patrick admits after a moment.
"Good," Faye says, causing Patrick to look at her in surprise.
"Why is that good?" Patrick asks incredulously. In response, Faye blushes slightly, then giggles a bit as she brings her hand up to cover her face.
"It's silly, but I guess I was worried that I would be partnered with someone who did this a lot. I'd feel awkward about being inexperienced and all," Faye reveals.
Patrick smils sympathetically, chuckling silently. "Yeah, I know what you mean."
Faye lowers her hand from her face in response, returning Patrick's smile. "I'm just glad I got a partner in the same sort of situation. At least this way, it's a mutual first experience."
Patrick felt heat quickly rush into his face. Curse the way my brain finds hidden meaning in things, he thought to himself, resuming his study of the ceiling texture and running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, that, ah, that does make it less awkward."
Faye giggles again, less nervous than a moment ago. Patrick felt silly for being embarrassed. Come on, change the subject, he thought. Luckily, Faye does it for him. "What kind of Pokémon do you use?"
As if on cue, Krokorok appeared from his Pokéball, announcing his arrival with a snap of his jaws and a proud posture. Patrick's face cooled a bit. He shrugged one shoulder and smiled. "Well, him, for one."
Faye smiled and leaned down, pausing with one hand outstretched and looking up at Patrick. "Is it okay?"
"I don't mind so long as he doesn't," Patrick shrugs.
Faye brushes Krokorok's snout from its tip upwards with her fingertips. She gently feels the point of his molar fang before tickling his neck.
"He's got good skin and strong teeth. You did a good job with him. I'm impressed that you decided to let him evolve later than usual," Faye compliments.
Patrick scratches the back of his head. "Yeah, he's pretty tough. Well, thanks, though I dunno how much credit I can take for it... Wait, how did you know he didn't evolve right away?"
Faye stood upright again. Krokorok lazily swayed on his feet. "He's bigger than average. Most trainers know that Pokémon learn new moves faster in their early stages, but they also tend to grow more than they do after evolving. Aside from the growth spurt that happens during evolution, the majority of a Pokémon's physical growth will happen early on in their life."
Patrick looked down at Krokorok, considering Faye's words. Krokorok turned his head to look up at his trainer.
"Don't look at me, Pat. I'm not the one with the handheld computer in my pocket. But last I checked, I'm about 3'6" and 82 pounds." Krokorok says.
Patrick takes out his Pokédex, searching for the data on Krokorok as a species. "Three inches taller and almost ten pounds heavier than what it says in here. Wow," Patrick whistles.
Patrick looked up at Faye. "I had no idea. That's really cool," Patrick smiles in thanks for the information.
Faye waves her fingers at him with one hand and hides her face behind the other as she answers. "I just do a lot of reading when I take a break from training and traveling."
Patrick laughed. "More than I've done, apparently," he says. Wait, how would you know your height and weight? Patrick thinks. Krokorok rolls his eyes in answer.
"They measure and weigh us before and after treatment at the Pokémon Centers, Pat."
" Oh of course, how silly of me," Patrick mused in his head, not thinking twice about Krokorok's apparent telepathy.
"So what kind of Pokémon do you have, Faye? They have to be pretty strong with such a knowledgeable trainer, right?" Patrick inquires.
Faye blushed again, more than before, but she was clearly flattered. "Well, I-"
Just then, the doors to the preparation room opened, and Faye and Patrick were told to report for their first battle in the tournament within five minutes. Faye and Patrick exchanged looks. Faye laughed and smiled coyly at Patrick as she walked out ahead of him.
"You'll get to see soon enough!"
"Heh..." Patrick smirks and let out a sigh, some tension leaving his body. He closed his eyes, pulling together all the confidence he could. His face hardened into an expression of determination. He glanced down at Krokorok. "You ready?"
"Let's do this."
Patrick curled his hands into fists and followed Faye out, his Pokémon at his side.
