Alex vs Bunny, I hope you enjoy.
Bunny had volunteered to help build the school garden. The garden had fallen in bad condition and thus Bunny had spent most of last year carefully fixing up the garden. Bunny loved tending to the garden and fixing it up. She had pulled out the old plants and replaced them with new bright ones. She had even helped pick in some new fountains and paths for people to walk in the garden. Whenever Bunny had not been studying for a test, practicing battling, or taking care of Ribes, she was in the garden. She had wanted to make this the Crown Jewel of the Institute. Bunny had gone out to the garden regardless of rain or sunshine. Even when it snowed, Bunny had made sure to use some protection to cover the plants. She had to make sure that the garden was cared for. She actually spent more time working on the garden than she had talking to people at the Institute. Yes, it hurt her social life, but Bunny did not care. Rather she knew that the garden would soon show the fruits of her labor. Bunny knew the garden like the back of her own hand.
Which is why Alex telling Bunny to meet him here didn't surprise her. The garden also housed a practice battling area away from the floral section. This had been Bunny's suggestion as she didn't want the beautiful garden to be destroyed in battle. She had worked far too hard on it. If someone would have destroyed her garden it would have devastated her. That was why she was glad when the administration had agreed to build this side practice ground area. Of course Bunny had used this ground to practice with her beloved Torterra. Ribes was the only battle ready Pokémon that she had. Bunny also had an Eevee, but it was not ready to battle. Rather she just wanted to concentrate on really making Ribes the strongest he could be. That was why they had spent many hours not only tending to the garden, but practicing on the spare field next to the garden. Of course they had done poorly last year in all competition, but just like her garden Bunny had a feeling that her battling skills were going to turn the corner.
The sun was starting to set as Bunny had made her out towards the garden. The plate of greens in her hand for her Pokémon. "Ribes, I am here!", she called as she got even closer. The ground started to shake as Bunny tried to keep her balance. She had gotten used to this by now whenever Ribes got excited. A large figured charged at Bunny. The figure had made sure to walk around the garden before reaching his trainer. "TORTERRA!", Ribes had shouted excitedly. The 7'3 gargantuan Pokémon nuzzled against Bunny. The 4'5 female chuckled as her Torterra continued to nuzzle against her. "Terra Tor Terra!", Ribes body shook in pure excitement from seeing his trainer. Ribes presses his large head against his trainer in just pure joy and euphoria to see his trainer again. This was not something new as Ribes had always acted like this whenever he saw Bunny.
Bunny let out a chuckle, "Ribes, it's only been a couple of hours. You know I had to go chase down that Sawsbuck and go to the welcoming ceremony." Bunny held out the plate of greens to Ribes, "I even brought you something." The massive Pokémon stuck his tongue out and carefully took the plate of food from his trainer. He would then begin to chew the food and the bits of plate. Bunny sighed, "Ribes, I told you that you can't eat plates. It's not healthy for you. Plates are not food." Ribes did not seem to care. Rather he just continued to chew and chew. A smile had appeared on his face though his stomach still growled. Clearly the plate and the greens on it were not enough to satisfy the huge Pokémon. Bunny pet her Torterra on his head though her eyes searched for Alex. She knew that he was around somewhere. Afterall he had been the one to send him a message and challenge her.
"Hey BunBun", Alex had appeared behind Ribes. The large Pokémon at first was startled and jumped a little bit. But once Ribes had seen who it was, the Torterra became excited. He knew that Alex was a good person and one of Bunny's best friends at the university. Ribes was extremely protective of Bunny and rarely allowed too many people to get close to her. But Alex was the exception. "TERRA!", Ribes shouted as he nuzzled Alex. Alex chuckled, "Ribes, I literally saw you five minutes ago. You don't need to keep nuzzling me." Still the large grass Pokémon continued to nuzzle the arrogant second year. Alex would then turn his attention back to his best friend now turned arch nemesis at least for today. He glared at Bunny, "are you ready to battle traitor? I can't believe that you would say such harsh things about me. It really stung my heart." He gave a faux cry which caused Bunny to simply just roll her eyes and huff. This was Alex at his worst.
"I am sorry that you can't handle the truth. But I absolutely meant what I said. She didn't cheat Alex.", that was when an idea popped into her head. Bunny was not one to have "evil" ideas, but this time she had come up with something that she couldn't resist. It would get Alex to shut up about his loss. "Alex, you want to make a bet?", the young man's brown eyes lit up. He nodded emphatically, Alex was always up for a good wager he had made a few in his past. Bunny knew this and had decided to take advantage of his eagerness to make a wager. "If you manage to beat me then I will back up your claim that Ava cheated you out of your victory last year. But if I win our little friendly battle then you have to sit down with Ava and actually have a conversation about what happened. Oh and you have to apologize.", Bunny smirked. She knew she had gotten the upper hand on Alex.
Alex mumbled something that Bunny could not hear until he finally agreed to the terms. "Alright BunBun, I will agree to those terms. However, you aren't going to beat me. As much as I enjoy Ribes, I have the perfect Pokémon to counter everything he can do. So I am not expecting to have to apologize to that cheater.", Alex was usually extremely confident, but this time there was a sense that he could actually back up what he was saying. That this time he could finally back up his talk. At least this was what he had hoped. He had nearly killed himself in Kanto trying to catch this specific Pokémon. This one was going to be his ace. The Pokémon that would take him to the next level. Bunny would be the first one to see her. Alex could not wait to actually show off the latest Pokémon on his team. It was going to be absolutely spectacular. "So should we make our way over to the battle field?", Alex asked as Bunny nodded.
Bunny would motion for Ribes to lean in close which the Torterra did. Bunny stood on her tippy toes as Ribes titled his head, "Ribes we are going to be fighting Alex. I need you to really be tough. We know how he battles." The Torterra recoiled in horror after hearing that he would be fighting one of Alex's Pokémon. Friends did not fight one another and Ribes was concerned that something had happened between Bunny and Alex. His eyes widened in horror, "TORTERRA????" He was clearly confused and shocked by the relegation that Bunny and Alex were going to fight. Bunny waved her hands in front of the Pokémon. She didn't want Ribes to think that someone bad had happened between Alex and her. "No, we aren't mad at one another. It's just that Alex was being arrogant again and got upset when I told him to stop being a jerk. He then challenged me to a battle. You know how he is.", Ribes sighed. He did know how Alex was. Jet, Alex's Floatzel, had taken on his personality and she was a non stop braggart so Ribes had an understanding of how Alex could be based on Jet's personality.
Bunny and Ribes stared at Alex from across the practice ground. Bunny cracked her neck. The little female did not usually like to battle unless she had to. But for Alex she would make an exception. Ribes was the same way, he would have rather have been laying in the garden than battling, but the Torterra wanted to prove his worth. He dug his feet into the ground as he prepared for whatever Alex was going to call out. Bunny's almond eyes looked over at her friend, "come on Alex, let's see what you have. What is it a Gyrados? One of those legendary birds? What?" There was only one Pokémon that she hoped that he didn't catch. Of course the sinking feeling in her stomach told her that her suspicion would be correct about what he had caught.
Alex cracked his neck as he pulled out the master ball. "You sure about this Bunny?", he mockingly asked which caused Bunny to flip him off. Alex had challenged Bunny for two reasons. First, he wanted to test out his new Pokémon that he had just caught. Bunny would be a good test as she was actually a really good strategist despite her protests about not being that good of a battler. The second reason was that Alex felt that Bunny was hiding something. That there was more to Bunny when she battles. He wanted to put that theory to the test. "Well then BunBun, I want you to meet my latest partner. Come on out Drago.", Alex tosses the masterball up into the air as a bright beam of light escaped the masterball as Bunny fears were confirmed.
'He caught a fucking Dragonite', Bunny moaned. The orange friendly dragon Pokémon floated high in the air. It just tilted it's head at Ribes and Bunny. There appeared to be a smile on its face. Bunny just sighed as she saw Alex doing a victory dance across the field. Alex had been talking for as long as Bunnt could remember about getting a dragonite. The only other Pokémon he held in such high regard waste Avantura version of a lycanroc. So the mad man had finally done it and caught his beloved Dragonite. "So this is the Pokémon you caught, huh? Well maybe now you will shut up about it now.", Bunny stuck her tongue out at Alex who truly wasn't paying attention to Bunny. Rather he still stared lovingly at the beautiful dragon-flying type he had caught. Yes the trek to Kanto had been long and arduous, but Alex now had his ace. The Pokémon was going to take him to new heights. He just had one more to check off his list and he would have the perfect team.
"Well since he isn't paying attention, Ribes use stockpile", if they could catch Alex off guard a bit then that would throw Alex off. Bunny knew that he liked to make the first move and control the tempo of the battle so making the first move would throw him off a bit. "Tor..", Ribes started to glow green as his energy was starting to be stockpiled. While the dragonite was probably faster than Ribes, Bunny knew that Ribes defense could withstand any attack Alex would come up with. By using stockpile, Bunny hoped to start building up her beloved Torterra's attack. Yes he would be a sitting duck, but it would be worth it if this plan worked in her favor.
Alex, meanwhile, had turned his attention back to Bunny after admiring Drago's majesty. "Oh Bunny, so defense. Smart, but you forget that Dragonite's hit like a truck.", that was one of the reasons why Alex had been so keen on grabbing one. Yes, dragonite were naturally peaceful Pokémon, but make the, mad and they would hit hard. "Drago, darling, use extreme speed.", the dragonite nodded. She dived bombed down towards Ribes at a rate of speed that was hard for the human eye to see. Being slow while using stockpile was not a good combination for the Torterra regardless of its defensive prowess. Drago would slam directly into Ribes's back hard then take off into the sky again as she circled around the large Pokémon.
"Torterra...", Ribes said gruffly. That had hurt him. Bunny winced, "sorry Ribes. But we need to continue to use stockpile. Just hold on and stay strong." The Torterra made a little smile and nodded. Bunny had a plan and he trusted his trainer to outsmart Alex and this dragonite. Ribes trusted in Bunny as she had never let him down before. Bunny's eyes shot up towards Drago, this dragonite was strong. Plus she listened well to Alex so far. Now Bunny understood why he had been so passionate last year about getting a dragonite. They were really tough. 'We need to get it on the ground somehow. If we can ground that dragonite then we have the advantage, right now Alex has all the advantage in the world.', and that's when it hit Bunny. She knew exactly how she would get Alex's dragonite on the ground. She just worried if Alex would actually fall for the trap she had laid.
"Extreme speed again, Drago", Alex called as again the beautiful Pokémon moved at a dangerous speed as it crashed/slammed into Ribes' body. Again Ribes let out a gruff noise, but tried to shake it off. After slamming into Ribes a second time, Drago took off higher than before. This had been part of the strategy Alex had decided to implement before Bunny had arrived to the field. 'She's setting up for a powerful toxic attack. She's trying to draw us in, but Drago is too high for it to land.', and if she did try to use toxic they had a counter. On his trip to Kanto, Alex had spent the trip mentally preparing for various battles. The battle vs Bunny was one of them. So he had studied her battle style and was prepared for it. He looked over at his best friend, "you going to launch an attack or are you going to just let Ribes get picked apart?"
Bunny rolled her eyes. She knew that Alex was trying to goad her into making a mistake. She had seen him to it to others, but would not let him do it to her. "You know Alex, there's more to battle than just relentless attacking. You should learn a thing or two.", Alex shrugged. "Just wait for it Ribes", Bunny managed to squeak out. Bunny looked up in the air and saw Drago start to dart towards Ribes again. Her almond colored eyes widened, 'holy shit it actually worked.', Alex had fallen for her trap. She had figured that he was maintaining distance because he was worried about the toxic attack. But he had clearly not anticipated the attack that she had in store now. "RIBES, LEAF STORM NOW!", Ribes' tree on his back started to lose its foliage as it flowed green. The leafs would then float in the air and glowed the same color. "TorTerra!", Ribes crowed as he unleashed the powerful attack. The leafs would shoot towards the charging Drago.
"Dragonnnnn", Drago cried as the leaf storm attack hit her head on. The powerful attack piercing her head and more importantly her wings. It was as if she had been stabbed over and over again. The wail of pain from the dragonite had sent a shiver up Alex's spine. He watched in horror as Drago hit the ground hard. There were cuts throughout the poor Pokémon's body and her wings had a few on the, as well. The braggart had just placed his heads behind his head out of pure shock. 'How did I forget that Ribes had leaf storm? She had been setting me up this whole damn time. She was using stockpile to save up for when Drago came in again. Fuck I am an idiot!", Alex could not believe that right now Bunny had out strategized him. He rubbed his head out of pure frustration. He watched as Drago struggled to get back to her feet. "Sorry Drago, that was my fault. We'll get them back for that.", the Dragonite smiled and nodded though she looked in rough shape as her face was filled with cuts.
Bunny had leapt up in joy. Her plan had worked and now she had Alex baffled. "See Alex, I told you that you couldn't just attack. That's why.", the little female decided to tease her friend. Even Ribes seemed to be enjoying the fact that Bunny had just outsmarted Alex. He could only stand there and grit his teeth. Now Bunny had grounded the Dragonite temporarily and she would pounce, "Ribes use stomping tantrum on the ground under Drago. Cause her to go off balance." If they could get Drago in a compromising position then they could probably hit the Dragonite with a toxic. Then Alex and Drago would really be in trouble. Ribes began to stomp on the ground very hard which caused the ground to rumble underneath everyone's feet. A powerful shockwave from the attack started to shoot towards the downed flying and dragon type. Bunny knew that this was the moment where she could really take control of the fight and beat Alex.
"Earthquake to counter it!", Alex called. Alex hated being a counter attacker. He had preferred to be the one that dictated the fight. When he was on the counter that meant he was losing. He knew that Bunny had the advantage at this time. He just needed to have Drago survive this flurry and then he could regain his barring. The weakened Drago, began stomping the ground as well. Her feet nearly as heavy as the Torterra's. The practice ground would split a bit that formed another powerful shockwave from the earthquake had formed. "Dragonite", Drago cried as she released the earthquake attack towards the shockwave from the stomping tantrum attack from Ribes. The two shockwaves formed by the attacks collided with one another.
Smoke and debris filled the area. The two attacks had collided and caused chaos. The practice field was severely damaged from the two attacks. Ribes had been turned in his side and would struggle to get back up. The impact from both attacks had taken a toll. Drago floated above though it was clear that she was in severe pain. The tears in her wings from the leaf storm had taken a massive toll. She would wince every time she would flap her wings. Bunny had been sent flying from the collision of the attacks. She had landed on her right arm and she knew her shoulder had popped out. Dirt and grit had gotten in her eyes so her vision was impaired a bit. A major headache had started to come on as well, but it wasn't a normal one. Bunny knew what it was, but would fight to keep it down. She was in pain and wanted to cry, but her major concern was Alex. "Alex, you ok?", there was no answer from his side. The smoke and grit in her eyes had obscured her vision. "ALEX, ANSWER ME!", this was supposed to be a fun battle, but this had gone far enough.
"...yeah fine. Think I busted a rib or two.", he managed to cough out. Bunny sighed at least her best friend was fine. "Sorry about this Bunny, but a fight is a fight. Drago, fire punch.", came the command from a wheezing Alex. Bunny did not have time to react. She didn't know if it was from the two powerful ground attacks colliding or what, but she had completely forgotten that Ribes was a sitting duck. She couldn't do anything to stop it as the heavily damaged dragonite charged toward the open and exposed Ribes. Bunny closed her eyes as she refused to watch what was going to happen to her beloved Torterra. She winced as Ribes cried out in agony.
Drago's fire punch had landed flush. "Toooorrrr!", Reba cried as the grass type Pokémon had started to catch on fire. This had been Alex's ace up his sleeve against Ribes, but he hated to see it in agony. The eighteen year old had gotten up to his feet to see Ribes suffering a massive burn and winced. He didn't kn9w if this was from the pain from landing on his ribs or watching his best friend's Pokémon be burned severely. Ribes continued to cry out as the flames had covered his shell. It was absoutlely gruesome to see the Pokémon being burned so badly. 'Sorry Ribes. I'm sorry', Alex thought as he wheezed. This battle had been hard fought, but it was over. Alex knew it. He looked over to see Bunny lumped over on her ass. Her head hung low as her hair had covered her face. He had thought she just did not want to watch her Pokémon suffer. "Call him back Bunny! It's done.", Alex called. There was no answer from Bunny which caused Alex to be scared for his friend. "Bunny? Bunny!", Alex called. Bunny looked up and her eyes had turned completely green as she stared at Alex.
'So she does have Battle Bond afterall', Alex theory had been correct. Battle bond was the infamous connection between human and Pokémon. Only one Pokémon and trainer had a connection. It was an intense connection that had often appeared when a trainer had a intense emotional connection with a Pokémon. It was said that only a trainer and Pokémon that had pure, unrequited love for one another could ever unlock the Battle Bond. It only came out during intense battles and was controlled. It would raise the stats of the Pokémon in battle, but at a horrific cost. The trainer would suffer the same damage as the Pokémon. Yes, it helped the Pokémon in battle, but at a horrific cost. The bond would only last a few moments, but it was powerful. The best example of this was when Ash Ketchum had shown it with his Greninja. Since then other cases had popped up across the various regions. Alex had seen it in person with Ava. Now he had seen it with Bunny. He had seen the signs with Bunny last year. And now he knew for sure that she had it with Ribes.
Ribes' eyes had turned green as well which solidified to Alex that Bunny and Ribes we're connected. Bunny and Ribes stared at Alex, "are we freaks too, Alex?" Both Bunny and Ribes' mouthes seemed to move in sync. He didn't say anything, he just wheezed from the pain of the earlier attack. Bunny and Ribes would seemingly give Alex a death stare as they waited for a response. Alex did not give them one. Ribes/Bunny just snarled, "fine. Toxic!", the heavily damaged and burned Torterra would manage to fire out a purple blast of poison that landed flush on the injured Drago. The poison had started to quickly take effect as it circulated throughout her body. "Dragonite!", Drago wailed in utter pain as the poison seeped through her. Ribes/Bunny just stared and waited for Alex's next move.
'Well have to end this quick given that Drago is in utterly bad shape.', Alex thought. But he knew that they would be expecting another fire first or earthquake. No, he could not play right into their hands right now. There was another attack that he had not wanted to break out because it would essentially be a kamikaze attack and it would be extremely painful to Ribes/Bunny, but this was a break glass in case of emergency situation. Drago was in bad shape and so was Ribes/Bunny. This would be a calculated risk, but it would work. "Drago, if you can use outrage!", the Dragonite winced and nodded. Her poison infected body had started to glow orange as she let out a fierce roar that seemed to shake the whole ground. Drago, filled with rage and poison, shot straight towards the battle bonded Ribes/Bunny. 'Sorry Bunny', was all Alex managed to say.
Ribes/Bunny looked at the charging Drago, "stupid Alex." The leafs that were not burned started to turn green again. And they again fired off and hit Drago. This time though, Drago did not back off despite the leafs cutting into her skin like razors, as she continued to charge at the Torterra. Drago would connect with the Outrage attack as the energy surged through Ribes/Bunny. "AGGGGGHHHHHH", came the painful cry from the battle bonded pair. Alex had not looked at the chaos that he had assumed that had gone on. In fact he had kept his head down not wanting to see his best friend and his Pokémon in pain. The wails of pain told him that Drago had been successful in her attack. Then there was nothing, but silence and that told Alex that the battle was over. It was a draw. Alex took out his masterball and recalled Drago, "you did so good. I am so glad that you're on my team now. I will get you help immediately."
Alex looked up to see the bad,y burnt and damaged Ribes passed out. Next to him laid Bunny's small body. "BUNNY!", he cried. Alex rushed over to her. She had bruises on her body and her right arm was clearly broken and her shoulder dislocated. This was not what Alex had wanted. Not this, not having his best friend hurt like this. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I was stupid. This was my dumb idea. I'm so sorry Bunny. I didn't mean to hurt you or Ribes like this. I'm sorry. I promise I'm going to get you help.", Alex tried to craddle the small girl, but his damaged ribs wouldn't let him to left her weight. Alex didn't know what to do. His stupid pride had just taken a massive toll on him and his best friend. Now he didn't know what to do. That was until a hand landed on his shoulder, Alex looked up and saw an eloquent woman looking at him.
"Dr Thorne?", he asked.
Ooc: So yeah, I wanted to get this chapter up today. I am so very grateful for the reviews and views. You guys are fantastic and I am so glad that everyone is enjoying it. Now onto the story, yeah that was a great battle to right, a little more intense than I had imagined, but the reception to Alex and Bunny had made me change it a bit. Now who is this Dr. Thorne you wonder, well you'll see later. Next chapter will be following up with Ava and the first years including a new first year character. Also you'll find more lore about the Institute from a different perspective