Ch. 2: Conflict
Previously, on POKEMON: ARJANA REGION-
Jade and Jaden received vulpixes as their first Pokemon. BD tasked the students with training their new partners for a week and facing him in a double battle to earn their first badge. After a practice round against Team Michael, the twins learned that they have a lot to learn before they can get that badge and headed off to Umooja Lake to do some training.
Jaden and Jade sauntered off to the lake with their vulpixes in tow.
Jade: …
Jaden: Come on Sis! You cannot still be mad over the battle?
Jade (growling): We lost.
Jaden: It happens. We learned a lot.
Jade : How can I live up to mom's legacy if I cant win a simple battle?
Jaden: Look, we can't dwell on the past; you and vulpix will get stronger, as prosfessor BD says-
Jade/Jaden: "Victory is a comfort, but defeat is the greatest teacher"
The siblings laughed at their teacher's all too repeated phrase. Jaden smiled at his now beaming sister.
Jaden: There, you see!
Jade: Alright, alright. But we're gonna kick butt next time! Right, Vulpix!
Vulpix: Vulpiii!
As Umooja lake came into view, both vulpixes wriggled free of their trainers' hold and playfully dashed towards the water. Surrounding the lake was a verdant field of grass. Out of the field came flowers of bright yellows, greens, and oranges. Rattatas and oddishes played along the coast of the lake. Just above, butterfree happily flew along, tending to their newly evolved kin. The lake itself was a beautiful sapphire that punctuated the landscape. It was clear to an almost translucent degree. The scene was capped off with the chorus of Pokemon cries that eased the soul.
Jade: Wow, how long has it been since we were last here?
Jaden: Two years ago. We were doing field work for class and you tried to catch a pidgey with your bare hands.
Jade: And I almost had him!
Jaden: The only thing you got is the scars from where it pecked you.
The siblings laughed to themselves, reminiscing on more stories as they pulled out their old rods to begin fishing. Jade's vulpix lunged eagerly at the water to see what lay beneath the surface.
Jade: Whoa! You're a fire type remember? You and water don't mix.
Vulpix: Pix…
Jade: Don't you give me that look. Now stay near me or you're going back in the pokeball.
In the meantime, Yuki rested comfortably next to Jaden, pawing at the flowers in bloom. Just then, a magikarp leapt out of the lake.. Yuki let out a cry and attempted to escape to the the sudden spout of water. Jaden just managed to thwart this attempt by stepping in front of the snow fox at the last moment.
Jaden: Easy, Yuki. It's just a magikarp. The only thing it can hurt is itself!
Yuki: Vul...
Yuki turned her nose up in mock bravery.
Jaden: Ok, Ms. Diva. No need to pretend. How about this-
Jaden picked up Yuki and sat her in his lap. The trainer soon began to fish again. Yuki was at first cautious but soon began to relax in her trainers lap. Jaden's gentle petting assured his pokemon that she was safe and sound. Ten minutes of monotony had passed before their silence was suddenly interrupted by cheeky voice.
Braxton: Oh great, it's you two.
The twins turned to see Braxton, rod in hand with Murkrow in her shoulder. Blitz and Machop trailed behind, carrying the rest of their gear. Braxton flashed her usual scowl at the twins.
Braxton: The professor sends us out here to meditate and look what we find, the pignite twins!
Murkrow [snickering]: Murk! Murk!
Jade: It's true what they say, the Applin doesn't fall too far from the tree.
Braxton: What is that supposed to mean?
Jade: You keep that attitude, you'll end up in jail just like your parents.
Braxton: You little-
Blitz: Ladies, ladies… let's put the claws away. We're supposed to be fishing. Bonding with our pokemon.
Braxton: Oh, I have an excellent way to bond. Let's say we double your losses for the day. A battle! Right here, right now!
Jade: Oh, you're on!
Jaden: Count us out! We just wanna fish! Right, Yuki!
Yuki: Pix! Pix!
Blitz: Oh, there's no way I'm missing out on some action. You're battling! We never pass up on a chance to flex our moves!
Blitz and his Machop strike a pose and flex their muscles in the most obnoxious way possible.
Braxton: Then it's settled. MURKROW! Peck these Pignites!
Murkrow: Murkrow!
Murkrow launches into action. The dark bird charged its opponent with a glowing beak.
Jade: Vulpix, use ember!
Vulpix shot off spurts of flames, halting the Murkrow mid-flight. Murkrow flew up and began circling the wily fox. Vulpix continued to shoot embers as the Murkrow dodged effortlessly, snickering at the Vulpix all the while.
Blitz: Let's get in this, Machop. Use KARATE CHOP!
Machop: MACHOP!
Machop began chasing Yuki with a flurry of karate chops. Yuki used powder snow on the ground to speed up her escape, skating on the ice with mesmerizing speeds as Machop struggled to keep up. Machop picked up its pace, landing karate chops in the blankets of ice Yuki left in her flee.
Jaden: Wait, I have an idea!
Jade: What?!
Jaden: YUKI! Powder snow, UNDER MACHOP!
Yuki aiemd her powder snow at Machop's feet, causing the brawny pokemon to lose its barrings and slip with an embarrassing thud.
Braxton: Tell your Machop to get up, you're embarrassing us!
Blitz: Hey, don't be mean to Machop. He's trying his best.
Braxton: Ugh! I have to do everything! Murkrow, ASTONISH!
Murkrow abandoned the Vulpix it was circling around as it disappeared into a shadowy haze. In an instant, Murkrow's shadowy figure materialized behind Yuki, catchin g the skating pokemon off guard and causing it to flinch. The murkrow snickers a dastardly snicker before swatting Yuki away into the patches of grass uncovered by her snow trail. Vulpix dashes to Yuki's add but is caught by its tail mid-run by Machop.
Blitz: Machop, send it flying with REVENGE!
Machop: MACHOP!
Machop glows a dastardly red as it tosses Vulpix into Yuki with a surprising strength.
Braxton: This is curtains for you two! Murkrow, use PECK!
Blitz: Machop, use KARATE CHOP!
The two Vulpixes stare down their opponents as their tails touch back to back. They both shoot their trainers a knowing glare, causing Jaden's eyes to glow wide and suddenly fumble to check his pockets for the trainer cards BD gave them.
Jade: What are you doing?
Jaden: Look at this, follow my lead!
Jaden shoves the card in his sister's face as she notices the method to his madness.
Jaden/Jade: VULPX! USE DISABLE!
In an instant, as Murkrow peck and Machops Karate Chop come ever so close to landing critical hits, Yuki and Vulpix make eye contact with their opponents, their pupils glowing a sapphire blue. Murkrow's peck disappears as its beak returns to its normal shade, and Machop's hand loses its simmering weight, coming down on Vulpix with a weak limp. Jaden and Jade seize their opportunity to overwhelm their surprised opponents.
Jaden: Yuki, POWDER SNOW!
Jade: Vulpix, EMBER!
The two Vulpixes gleefully unleash an onslaught of fire and ice, sending the two rival Pokemons back to their trainers in a defeated slump.
Braxton: NO! I don't believe it!
Jade: you better, believe it! We just took you down!
Blitz: Awww, you okay Machop…?
Machop [rubbing it's head and giving a thumbs up]: Machop!
Blitz goes to shake the hands of the twins, humbled by his loss. Braxton starts to sulk and walks off towards the lake. A magikarp splashes itself onto land again, splashing Braxton with water, and she kicks it back into the lake feeling irritated.
Jade: Hey! That was totally uncalled for!
Braxton: Oh, cry me a rive-
Suddenly, a purge spout of water shoots from the lake as a powerful, daunting, and enraged GYARADOS rises from the depths of the lake. It's unhinged jaw belches a terrifying roar, blowing a puff of angry steam from its nose. The four kids stood in disturbed awe, sending their Pokemon back into their pokeballs. The Gyarados screeched another bone numbing screech and charged up a powerful water attack in its mouth.
BD: AUDINO! Use, PLAY NICE!
Jade/Jaden/Braxton/Blitz: Professor?!
BD ignored his students as Audino's gentle dance lulled the gyarados out of its rage and back into the depths of the lake.
Jade: How long have you been watching us?!
BD: The entire time! Magnificent battling students.
Braxton: You didn't see that part…. Where I ummm…
BD: Kicked that poor defenseless, Magikarp? Of course, I did. I'll like to ahve a word with you in my office. The rest of you can go back to the dormitorium for a good's night rest. There's only so much battling your Pokemon can take in a day. There's a long week ahead off you guys!
-End of Chapter 2-