Abby struggled to hold on. The wind pulled at her, coiling its long fingers around her arms, around her legs, around her whole body. It howled furiously in her ears, beating down against her face so hard that it forced her eyes shut. Her auburn hair was flapping behind her in a tight streak as the wind pulled at it so hard that she was sure it would just rip from her scalp. She kept a tight grip on the large, blue scales of Gyarados's back. So large, they were, that were more like thick plates of armour than scales. They felt warm to touch as they shimmered with light-blue energy, proving Abby some relief from the biting cold of the wind. Her feet were tucked in between their gaps, using the scale as a foothold. Gyarados's body whipped violently as he climbed up into the air, threatening to shake her off. Abby didn't dare open her eyes. She knew that seeing the ground rush away from them, to see the trees shrink into small green dots and the routes become more than small brown lines across a vast plain would surely make her lose her already tenuous grip. Higher and higher they climbed, streaking through the sky like a blue comet. The wind only got worse, battling against her, determined to rip her from Gyarados's back. It came at her from all different angles, smashing into her side, beating down on her back, sneaking in underneath her and slamming up against her stomach. No matter how hard it tried though, Abby's grip stayed true. Even as her fingers began to ache from the strain of holding on and the cold air chilled them, she held on, knowing that at this height even a moment of weakness could send her crashing back to the ground. Suddenly the wind disappeared along with the warmth of the sun and the orange glow beaming through her eyelids.
She had been plunged into darkness, the air around her became cold and damp. As if rain were hitting her from all sides. Cautiously, she opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by a cloud. No sooner had she been greeted by her white, fluffy surroundings than it had vanished. Gyarados erupted out above the clouds with a shower of rainwater around them. He came to a stop and hovered above the vast, white expanse of clouds. The wind returned, still howling and complaining but it allowed her to stay. After taking a moment to recover from the shock, Abby felt a rush of excitement.
"Wooooohoooo!" She shouted, her eyes gleaming with awe.
The fantasy she had played over and over again in her head. The image she had sketched down countless times into. Her dream was right in front of her. It was utterly surreal.
"DOOOOOOS!" Gyarados roared, splitting the air with his mighty voice.
The clouds around the rippled and split apart as Gyarados's voice cut through them. Abby had to lay down flat and hold on for dear life as his whole body shook violently. Once it had passed she laughed hysterically, staring out at the clouds with manic excitement. Although the ride had been far more terrifying than she had imagined, the view was beyond anything she had dreamt in her wildest dreams. A never-ending blanket of white fluff stretched out in all directions, rolling like hills and forming massive mountains of white in the distance. It all moved beneath her, slowly floating along as it meandered with the current of the wind. She looked up at the spotless, blue sky. It was mesmerising. Like the clouds below it stretched out in all directions endlessly, curving over the horizon and disappearing around the curve of the Earth. The light-blue energy shimmering off Gyarados's scales seemed to grow more powerful up here, pulsing brilliantly beneath the barren sky. Only the sun interrupted the uniform blue sky, a large white and yellow ball that shone fiercely above them. Its rays felt hotter than ever, helping fend off the freezing cold air that nipped at Abby's skin. Abby couldn't help but just marvel at all of it, staring off into the distance, straining her eyes to see each and every detail.
Out in the distance, something else broke the uniformity of the sky. Dark, storm clouds were rolling over the horizon. They were pitch dark, a stark contrast to the white clouds they encroached on. Little sparks which Abby amused was lightning, crackled and popped from them. As they slowly rolled in they showed no sign of stopping, only growing larger and larger in mass. Abby guessed that maybe it'd be a day or two until the storm arrived. She was glad Green had bought her a rain jacket. Suddenly, a flock of Murkrow broke through the clouds to join them. The four, blackbirds circled around Abby's head, eyeing her with their intense red eyes from beneath the brim of their hat-like plumage around their heads. Their long, pointed yellow beaks opened and closed as they screeched.
"Murkrow! Murkrow!" They cried.
Gyarados let out a frustrated cry and thrashed his tail, swatting at them as if they were bugs. Abby held on tight and stroked his back soothingly.
"It's okay, shhhhhh," She cooed, her voice only wavering slightly as she was almost thrown off his back.
Gyarados calmed down but still eyed the Murkrow angrily. They chattered happily together.
"Krow krow krow," They seemed to laugh.
Each one, Abby noticed had a distinctive personality. One was much larger than the others, but also much clumsier. He swayed in the air unsteadily at times as he struggled to control his bulky body. Another was quite the opposite, small and slim. He glided through the air precisely and took amusement in knocking the larger Murkrow off balance. The third was loud and proud, chattering loudly to the others. He wasn't paying much attention to Abby or Gyarados, seeming more interested in himself. The final Murkrow was completely quiet, not making a single sound. He stared at Abby, his eyes piercing and intense. From below a Honchkrow burst out of the clouds, followed by a small baby Murkrow who was flapping her small fluffy wings rapidly to try and keep up.
"Krow!" The Honchkrow cried out furiously.
The Murkrows winced and rolled out away from Abby. All except the slim Murkrow, who hesitated for a moment and watched Abby thoughtfully before joining his brothers. They swooped down to meet their furious mother who squawked at them scornfully. She dipped back down below the clouds and the four Murkrow followed after her, with their baby sister doing her best to keep up behind them. She cheeped unhappily as they raced off and she disappeared below the clouds after them.
"Gyara…" Gyarados muttered before letting out a thunderous yawn.
Abby giggled and patted his scales.
"Okay yeah you've earned a rest, let's go back now," She spoke gently.
Abby took one last awe-filled look at the sky before Gyarados ducked down beneath the clouds. His tail breached the surface of the clouds as he angled himself down, disappearing swiftly and returning the vast white expanse back to a peaceful calm.
The high-rise skyline of Vermilion City loomed behind Green as she made her way through the Vermilion outskirts. As she walked further and further away from Vermilion's metropolis, the land around changed. No longer were there blinking lights, the constant bustle of countless people and pokémon, or the salty smell of the ocean in the air. Now, the ocean that had been following her to her right disappeared behind a mighty mountain range, taking its salty air with it. The air became sweet with the smell of pine and grass as the ground shifted from grey concrete to lush, green fields. Skyscrapers and tightly packed stores became sparsely placed houses, separated by acres of empty fields. One lowly dirt road replaced the vast, wide paved streets. It was a bittersweet feeling, while the openness of Vermilion's outskirts made her feel at home, it was in the concrete jungle of Vermilion City that she made memories she would treasure for a lifetime. At least, she thought, Surge had given her a hell of a night and a hell of a morning to remember. A morning and a night that left behind a tenderness between her legs. As the inevitable smile crept onto her face as she recalled those memories, Machoke, who was walking beside her put his arm around her. He recognised her smile for what it was and gave her a sly smirk.
Green blushed and giggled before happily resting her head on his shoulder. His body, she now noticed as she got a close up look at it, had grown significantly since he evolved. His already large muscles had developed significantly, gaining a lot more bulk and definition. Her eyes scanned his arm, running down from his shoulder to his hand. His upper arms, which had started out bigger than her hand outstretched had grown wide than her waist. His forearm bulged below his elbow, slimming down as it reached his wrist. Still, the slimmer section looked like it was the same width as her neck. Green's eyes fell onto the slight scarring left behind on his hands and she frowned unhappily. The attack he suffered from Electrode at the end of their fight had been so brutal that no amount of healing from the machines would remove the scars. Although Joy had assured her it was normal and that it was just superficial markings, the thick scar that ran from the base of his thumb over the gap between the thumb and index finger onto his palm made her cringe. She clutched her hands, imagining the sight of Machoke's charred hands and the pain he must have been in. His other hand wasn't free of markings either, a jagged scar ran across the palm diagonally. Machoke noticed her frown and followed her eyes to his scar. He gave her a reassuring smile and pulled her closer to him.
"Machoke!" He exclaimed happily and held up his other arm, flexing it confidently.
Green's frown softened and she allowed herself a small laugh. She looked around to make sure no one was looking before planting a kiss on the bottom of Machoke's jaw. Machoke chuckled and lowered his head so she could reach. They kissed a brief but loving exchange. In the corner of Green's eye, she caught the tall yellow ears of Elekid poking out of the surrounding grass. When he had found himself with Green there had been a mixed reaction. On one hand, he seemed excited to be somewhere new but on the other, he refused to interact with Green at all. So, she had decided to let him do as he pleased. At first, as she and Machoke began their way down the dirt path he had refused to follow. Instead of choosing to sit by the checkpoint gate out of Vermilion's city district and pout, but when it was clear it didn't get him anywhere he followed, if from afar. Green figured that was good enough for now. He was a curious Pokémon, unlike any she had really met before. He intrigued her. Elekid poked his head out of the grass as she and Machoke kissed, watching them curiously. When Green broke the kiss and looked back at him, however, he narrowed his eyes and ducked back into the grass. Green chuckled and shook her head. She felt her belt, running her hand over the now four pokéballs on her belt. First Machoke's, then Graveler's, then Primeape's and then Elekid's. His hand continued around the belt band, running over her three badges. The grey hexagonal Boulder badge, the blue raindrop Cascade badge and the yellow octagonal star-shaped Thunder badge. Pride still swelled in her as she caressed the smooth surface of the Thunder badge's orange gem.
Ahead, the lowly dirt path met a set of stairs that led down into a field of tall grass. By the staircase was a sign on a rusted, bent pole.
"Route 11," It read.
Green and Machoke, with Elekid following from afar headed down the stairs and into the field. The grass was knee-high on Green, brushing against the bare skin exposed by her denim shorts. A thin, winding path formed by infrequent foot traffic snaked its way through the vast field. The path branched off, connecting to patches of open area. These patches were shaped like ovals and had clearly been made purposely. The grass around them has singe marks, the flattened grass that covered the ground had been split where small ravines left behind by something cutting into the earth below. In one of these patches, Green saw something that made her grin eagerly. Out in the field, Jackson was training with Beedrill, shouting commands with infectious enthusiasm. To Green's amusement, Jackson was training his Beedrill by sparring with him himself. Jackson threw stiff punches at Beedrill, shouting with each one.
"Dodge! Dodge! Counter!" He shouted.
Beedrill weaved back and forth, dodging Jackson's left fist than his right. He lunged his drill at him, catching Jackson under the arm as his arm outstretched to punch. The drill stopped abruptly just before piercing Jackson's side, only inches away from his chest. Jackson grinned wildly.
"Again! Dodge! Dodge! Counter!" He shouted, repeating the action.
Machoke watched them with fearsome enthusiasm. He took a step forward before Green and slammed his fist into his palm, staring intently at Beedrill, his eyes blazing with fierce excitement. The sound of his fist hitting his palm caught Beedrill's attention as he again stopped his drill inches away from Jackson's chest. His large, bulbous red eyes gleamed as he turned his head to face Machoke. They narrowed as their eyes met and Beedrill hovered up higher in the air buzzing unhappily.
"Beedrill…" He muttered in a high pitch, nasally voice.
Jackson turned to see what Beedrill was looking at. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Green before a cocky grin spread across his face.
"Give up already huh? Guess Surge must have been too hard for you!" He exclaimed.
He placed his hands on his waist, pushed out his small skinny chest and gestured to himself with his thumb.
"Of course, he'll be no issue for me! My team is leagues above the likes of Surge!" He proclaimed.
Green allowed him to continue prattling on and calmly approached him. When she was within a few paces of him, she patiently gestured to her belt with a shit-eating grin.
"Actually, I beat him," She corrected, gesturing to the Thunder Badge.
Jackson's confident frame faltered as he stared at the badge in disbelief, his eyes wide with shock. He contemplated the revelation for a moment, looking back and forth between the badge and her. His brow furrowed and he turned up his nose dismissively.
"Humph! I guess Surge is just as overrated as Sabrina then!" He responded defensively.
Green giggled and took a step forward, leaning down so that their faces were level.
"Well then, if that's true you'll have no issue beating my team will you?" She challenged.
The notion made Jackson grin madly and he turned his face back to her. He leaned forward, making sure to puff up his chest as much as he could.
"That's right! I won't!" He shouted in her face.
He took a step back, ran over to the other side of the open patch in the grass and pointed at her.
"Since you challenged I get the advantage! That's the rules!" He insisted.
Green shrugged and made her way over to the opposite side.
"Fine by me!" She called back across the oval-shaped space.
Machoke and Beedrill took a moment to stare each other down, sizing the other up before joining their respective trainers by their side. Green gave Machoke a pat on the middle of his back, gesturing him forward.
"We'll start with Machoke then, who'll you choose?" She didn't have to wait long for a response.
Jackson outstretched his arm in front of him and pointed at Machoke, clutching his fist by his side.
"Beedrill! I'll choose you!" He declared with a shout and confident smirk.
Beedrill zipped past him, his wings buzzing as he zoomed through the air swiftly. Machoke and Beedrill moved a few paces in front of their trainers, staring at each other intensely.
"Allow me to show you what hard work gets you! You and your pedigree pokémon might learn a thing or two!" He added with a sneer.
Green chose not to satisfy that remark with a response.
"So, if I beat one of your pokémon, mine stays in but if you beat one of mine you're allowed to switch once I release my next pokemon?" She clarified.
"WHEN, I beat your pokémon yes, I get to switch!" Jackson confirmed.
Green smirked.
"Great, you'll need the help," She remarked slyly.
That made Jackson scowl angrily.
"No! You'll need the help!" He shot back with unwavering resolve, despite whether or not what he said just made sense.
Green only laughed and decided to not correct him on it. Behind her, Elekid poked his head out of the grass and watched spectacle curiously. He considered Green for a moment and then quietly snuck up beside her, peering around her knee at the battle. Green noticed him right away but decided to let him believe he hadn't been seen. If he was finally showing interest in something, she wasn't about to go ahead and ruin that.
Having just seemingly realised the flaw in his comeback, Jackson stomped the ground with an impatient and bewildered look.
"Shut up! Let's just start already!" He screamed and pointed at Machoke again.
With that, the battle began.
"Twin-Needle!" He ordered.
Beedrill flew into action and sped through the air towards Machoke. He raised the massive cone-shaped drill heads on either of his arms, poising them to strike. A shimmer of light-green light covered the drills in a glowing aura and a liquid coloured dark-grape purple oozed from the tips of the drills. Machoke didn't need a command for his response, Green knew that but she shouted one anyway.
"Dodge!" She yelled as Machoke did just that.
He ducked nimbly to the side, moving his large bulky body with fast precision. Beedrill stabbed at him and the drill cut through the air where his chest had been. Machoke raised a fist and slammed it down at the top of Beedrill's head, igniting the fist with orange flames. Beedrill moved back out of the way with a blink, sending Machoke's fist soaring past where he had been. A shower of white sparks erupted as Beedrill blinked back. The speed caught Machoke off guard and Beedrill stabbed Machoke's left side, plunging the tip of his drill into Machoke's rib cage. Machoke cried out and whirled around, swatting at Beedrill with his other fist. Beedrill pulled back his drill and blinked back again with a shower of white sparks. The drill left behind a small hole of a wound, roughly the size of a bottle and while blood seeped from the wound, purple liquid oozed from it too. The veins of Machoke's body, usually concealed by his dark grey skin began to throb purple around the wound. Machoke winced and clutched his side with a grimace.
"Ha! Your pedigree pokémon is poisoned! You're gonna lose!" Jackson called out triumphantly.
Green didn't say anything, instead, she simply watched Machoke with a confident smirk. Machoke raised his head, his eyes burning with fiery fury. He bellows angrily and swung at Beedrill, coming at him from the right with orange blazing fist. Beedrill blinked to the left but Machoke pulled back as he did, shifting his whole body as he swung a brutal counter-attack with his left and slamming Beedrill from his blind spot. The impact cracked with a mighty boom and a shower of orange sparks, sending Beedrill arching up into the air flailing. For a moment he was limp, his limbs flailed loosely and his glazed over, turning a light shade of pink. Then, mere feet from the ground he suddenly awoke. His wings fluttered and began buzzing again, stopping his fall with a rough jerk. His eyes darkened, returning to their normal deep red as they focused onto Machoke. The hard, yellow exoskeleton around his head was cracked. Where Machoke's fist had connected there was a noticeable crater that had cracks splintering off over the whole left side of his head. The left antenna was crooked and his right-wing sputtered ever so slightly as it buzzed. A yellow-green mucus-like substance seeped from the cracks.
"BEEDRILL!" He screamed, his high-pitch voice split the air sharply.
His drills began to whirr, spinning rapidly. They ignited with a white flame that shone like the sun, gleaming and flaring brightly. Machoke didn't back down, he opened his arms and puffed out his enormous chest.
"MACHOKE!" He roared back and thudded his blazing fist against his chest with a shower of orange sparks.
Jackson's eyes widened, looking back and forth between the two pokémon.
"Beedrill wait!" He called out but Beedrill didn't listen.
He sped towards Machoke, leaving behind a trail of white flame with his drills pointed directly at him, whirring terribly. Machoke ran forward too, his heavy steps thundered against the ground. Beedrill lunged at Machoke, stabbing at his head with a blazing, whirring drill. Machoke dropped down and slid beneath Beedrill, through the sizeable gap between him and the ground. Beedrill looked at the now empty space of air before him, stunned only for a moment in confusion, but it was enough. Machoke whipped around and while skidding to a halt brought his blazing hand down on Beedrill, slamming him from above with open palm. Beedrill hit the ground with a devastating crash and a sickening crunch, sending dead grass flying. He lay twitching on the ground, his drills no longer consumed by white flame and no longer whirring. The exoskeleton along his back and thorax had been shattered brutally. His wings were bent and twitching. His eyes had lost most of their pigment, turning black with only flecks of pale pink.
"Drill…" He whimpered before Jackson hit him with the beam of his pokéball.
Jackson gave Green a scornful look full of hate. It surprised her, she had never imagined his dumb little face so serious and intense. His lips were twisted into a deadly scowl and his eyes were hard, cold with unyielding anger. For once, Jackson said nothing. He silently reached for his next pokéball along his crudely made belt, popping open the plastic container and pointing the ball outwards. Not once did his eyes leave Green's. The pokéball was released and Golbat materialised with a crazed cry. He whipped around at Jackson, talons poised for shenanigans but when he saw Jackson's face he froze. He lowered his talons and considered Jackson for a moment, unsure.
"Golbat, use Aerial Ace," He commanded coldly, still keeping his eyes locked onto Green.
Golbat turned around and considered Machoke. Machoke hadn't been paying attention to Jackson, he was too busy staring furiously at Golbat. His right fist was still blazing with orange flame but his left was clutching his wounded side. The throbbing purple veins in his side had spread up to his armpit and around to his shoulder blade. Golbat wasn't interested in that however, he was too focused on the yellow-green blood spattered on Machoke's fist. His eyes filled with rage and he took off into the sky with an explosion of light-blue energy. Green watched with alarm as he became a blue streak, looping to swoop at Machoke like a bullet.
"Dodge it, buddy!" She cried out.
As Golbat sped towards him, rapidly descending from the sky, Machoke tried to roll out of the way. Golbat kicked up dead grass as he swooped low to the ground right at Machoke. When he rolled to the side, there was another enormous explosion of light-blue energy and Golbat changed the angle of his attack sharply. He cut across Machoke's chest in the blink of an eye. The impact exploded with a ring of light-blue essence and sent Machoke hurting to the side. He crashed in the ground hard, his enormous weight created a thud that Green could feel through her hiking boots.
"Ma!" He gasped with a choke as pushed himself up off the ground.
A huge gash cut across his chest but it didn't bleed, the wound had been cauterised by the heat of the raw energy Golbat had emitted. Machoke rose to one knee, seemingly in shock. He patted the burnt wound, confused and distressed. Jackson didn't show an inkling of sympathy. The shade of his wide-brimmed safari hat cast his eyes in shadow. With his eyes still fixed on Green he pointed at Machoke.
"Again!" He called out.
Instantly, Golbat obeyed and rocketed into the sky with a burst of energy. He looped and swooped, crashing into Machoke's back. Machoke cried out as he was slammed onto his face brutally. Again, as Golbat readied another pass he struggled to rise, somehow mustering the strength to get up on one knee. No sooner had he risen than he was stuck again, this time Golbat made a pass at his corrupted left side. Machoke cried out in agony as he was sent hurtling to the right this time. He slammed down onto his good shoulder and bounced a few times as he skidded. Again, he tried to rise but Green had seen enough. She raised his pokéball.
"Forfeit," She said with a whisper, still shocked by Jackson's sudden brutality.
She recalled Machoke and instantly Jackson's face changed. It brightened and he beamed ecstatically.
"Yes!" He shouted jumping in the air and pumping his fist, "you did it Golbat! Great job!" He exclaimed proudly.
Golbat raced over to him and they embraced, Jackson hopped around in a circle as he hugged him. Green had to stifle a laugh, in the intensity of battle she'd forgotten that he's still just a kid. He turned to her with his usual cocky grin and pointed at her.
"See! Hard work beats natural talent every time!" He proclaimed, "Golbat and I had been working on that move all week!" He boasted, puffing out his chest.
That irked Green in a way Jackson had never managed to before. She scowled and went to grab for Graveler's pokéball when Elekid rushed out from behind her leg. He ran onto the arena of dead grass and smirked confidently at Golbat.
"Elekid!" He proclaimed in a mocking tone.
Whatever he had said it made Golbat flare with fury. He raised above Jackson and screeched at him, making the air vibrate violently in a cone. Elekid plugged the holes in his rectangular ears with his stubby hands and poked out his tongue at Golbat, unaffected by the attack. Green's scowl wavered and became a thoughtful smile as she watched the exchange. She liked how he adapted quickly to that, there was defiantly potential there. How to get at it she still wasn't sure. She returned Graveler's pokéball to its holster. Golbat gave up and stopped his screeching. He shot Elekid a dirty look and swooped down beside Jackson's shoulder. Elekid unplugged his ears with a smug look.
"You wanna fight Elekid?" Green called out.
Elekid turned partially to look back at her. He scowled but approached her.
"Elekid!" He proclaimed.
His voice was full of defiance, Green could tell but still, he nodded and turned to face Golbat. Green gazed at him curiously, trying to interpret what he meant to do.
"Use Thunderbolt, Elekid!" She commanded.
Elekid huffed and began running at Golbat. Electricity began arching between his ears, spitting out yellow sparks. However, rather than shooting a bolt at Golbat as he was instructed, he instead enveloped his fist in electricity. Lighting, covered the round stubby hand, creating an aura of yellow bolts. Jackson watched Elekid with a devious grin.
"Bite him," He commanded.
As Elekid ran towards them, Golbat swooped down from Jackson's shoulder and sped towards Elekid close to the ground. He opened his huge jaws wide and engulfed his teeth in black flames. As he went to bit down, Elekid swung his charged hist at him. Golbat rolled to the side nimbly, moving out of Elekid's tiny reach before lunging forward and clamping his jaws down around him. Elekid cried out unhappily as Golbat's teeth sunk into him. He flailed his short little arms and legs, waggling them pitifully as Golbat picked him up off the ground.
"Fly up and drop him!" Jackson shouted gleefully.
With one powerful flap of his jagged, purple wings Golbat shot up into the air, taking Elekid with him. Green watched with a neutral expression.
"Elekid, use Thunderbolt," She commanded again, fully aware he wasn't going to listen.
He didn't. Instead, he swung his fists wildly as he fussed. The electricity careened through the air, whipping and spitting viciously but it didn't matter. Golbat had Elekid on his side between his jaws and his arms were too short to reach Golbat. From a good 20 or so feet in the air, Golbat let go and dropped him. Elekid cried and complained but it did nothing to stop him from slamming into the earth, bouncing a few feet and hitting the ground again. Miraculously, he managed to struggle to his feet but Golbat swiftly knocked him back down. He swooped down and clipped him across the back of the head with his talon, knocking him out. Green sighed and returned him, hoping that he would learn something from the experience. Jackson roared with laughter.
"That was pathetic!" He cried madly.
Green ignored him and released Graveler out before her. He appeared with a yawn and rubbed his eyes with his upper arms. Immediately, Golbat reared back at the sight of him and sped away over to Jackson. Jackson scowled unhappily and reached for Golbat's pokéball in its plastic container.
"I'm switching!" He announced loudly and did just that.
He returned Golbat and popped open the fourth container along his belt. In it was a blue pokéball, decorated with waving patterns of light blue, resembling a wave and its white foam. Jackson retrieved the Dive Ball, tossed it into the air and shot Green a cocky grin. The ball opened and erupted with red light, materialising a Quagsire before him. He stood as tall as Jackson on two flat feet. His head, covered in a rubbery light-blue skin was broad and round with no neck to speak of. His wide mouth opened as he cried out.
"Quag, Quagsire!" He declared gleefully and beamed at Graveler.
His tiny, black eyes blinked blankly at Graveler. He whipped his plump tail back and forth along the ground, waggling the dark-blue fin that ran along with it from his back. Surrounding the fin was a splotch of purple skin, the slimy surface of which gleamed beneath the sun. Jackson caught the Dive Ball and crossed his arms, still grinning at Green.
"Ready to lose?" He asked.
Green furrowed her brow, still annoyed by his comments earlier.
"Are you?" She shot back.
Both trainers pointed at the other and shouted their commands.
"Water Gun!"
"Rock Wall!"
A powerful, thin torrent of water shot from Quagsire's mouth with a shower of dark blue sparks. Graveler's hands became engulfed in brown flames as he drew a thick slab of rock from the ground to block the attack. The water struck the wall, blasting through the rock but not far enough to penetrate it.
"Roll Out!" Green shouted.
Graveler tucked up into a ball and sped around the wall. As he rounded the wall Green shouted out again.
"Dodge!"
Graveler took a wide turn around the wall. Quagsire's beam of water sliced across the rock wall as he turned his head to meet Graveler. A thin line was cut deep across the wall, splattering mud everywhere. The wall buckled and collapsed forward under its own weight and left behind only a long stump. The stream of water cut into the ground where Graveler would have been if he hadn't taken a wider path, sending mud flying in all directions. Graveler trundled towards him in a wide arc, keeping ahead of the stream as it turned to hit him, intent on slamming into Quagsire.
"Dodge!" Jackson cried with unwavering confidence.
Just as Graveler was about to slam into him, Quagsire slapped the ground with his tail and jumped a few inches into the air. He pushed himself up in such a way that his body fell forward and made him look straight down at the ground. A thick, powerful burst of water exploded from his mouth and he flew up into the air. Graveler sped by beneath him, missing by mere inches. He uncurled and grasped the ground with all four hands, digging his rocky finger into the ground to bring him to a sudden stop. At the same time, Quagsire crashed back down into the mud puddle he had created, hitting his head. Although, the impact didn't seem to affect him as he quickly back on his feet with a dumb smile. As Graveler awkwardly waddled to turn around Jackson shouted another command.
"Mud shot!"
Quagsire's stubby hands with three digits became engulfed in light-brown flame. The mud beneath his was enveloped in a light-brown aura and rose into the air with a wave of Quagsire's hands. The mud came together, formed a ball the size of a basketball and was shot like a bullet towards Graveler. It slammed into Graveler's face as he turned around, doing little more than superficial damage to his rocky skin. However, it did get in his eyes and blinded him. Quagsire didn't hesitate and slammed his foot into the ground with a burst of light-brown sparks. A powerful shock wave tore through the ground and hit Graveler, throwing him into the air. Quagsire fired a torrent of water at him as he arched the rough air, hitting him for a devastating combo. The powerful blast of water punctured his rocky skin, melting it into the mud and piercing the soft flesh beneath. Blood sprayed from the wound as Graveler hit the ground with a deafening thud, forming a small crater. He cried out and clutched the wound between his two left arms. No sooner had he rolled back onto his feet than another powerful blast of water had hit him, this time in the forehead. Again and again, Quagsire bombarded Graveler with short but powerful bursts of water, creating puncture wounds all over his body. Graveler struggled frivolously, trying to block with his arms only for the water to pierce right through the solid rock. Green watched on helplessly before raising his pokéball begrudgingly, she had seen enough.
"Forfeit," She muttered bitterly and returned Graveler to his pokéball.
Jackson clutched his stomach as he roared with laughter.
"HA! You've only got one pokémon left! You're gonna lose!" He taunted.
Green seethed quietly, gritting her teeth. Quagsire was staring at her with his tiny black eyes, blinking stupidly with his dumb smile on his idiot face. She knew her anger was getting the better of her but Green didn't care. There was no way she was about to lose to Jackson, she refused to accept it. Stiffly, she unclasped Primeape's ball and tossed it hard into the air. Primeape materialised onto the field with a flash. He looked around confused more a moment before his eyes met Quagsire's. Primeape bellowed furiously and began beating on his chest with clenched fists. Jackson straightened up when he saw Primeape.
"You evolved Mankey," He observed with disappointment.
Green just stared at Jackson with a cold look and caught Primeape's Pokeball.
"Primeape," She raised her hand and pointed at Quagsire, "Go."
Primeape threw back his head with bent knees and let out a bellowing howl.
"PRIIIIIIIME!"
His fists burst into orange flames and he charged towards Quagsire. Quagsire opened his mouth and fired a powerful blast of water at him but Primeape was prepared. He kicked the corner of the stump of the rock wall hard, sending a large chunk of rock flying at Quagsire. The stream of water hit the rock but its jagged edges split the stream in two for just a moment before it was melted into mud. That split second was enough though. Primeape flew at Quagsire with an eruption of orange energy from his heels and his fist flew through the rock as it was melted and socked Quagsire right between the eyes. The impact roared with a mighty bang and Quagsire was sent flying with a shower of orange sparks. Although completely vulnerable as he flew across the vast open field, Primeape didn't give chase to Quagsire. Instead, he waited, eyes narrowed with anticipation. Quagsire hit the ground with a puff of dirt, disappearing into the tall grass. He was gone only a second though. He immediately got to his feet and clutched his head with his stumpy hands.
"Quag…" He complained with a mutter, before shaking his head and dropping his hands.
He looked completely fine, only a superficial red bruise was left behind between his tiny black eyes. Quagsire beamed at Primeape happily.
"Quag!" He shouted and waved to him.
Jackson slammed his palm into his forehead.
"Stop trying to make friends with the enemy!" He shouted, his voice strained as if he'd shouted the same thing many times before.
Unfortunately for Quagsire and Jackson, Primeape wasn't in a friend making mood. He launched forward again with a violent burst of orange energy. Quagsire fired another blast of water at him in response but it was no good. Primeape hopped to the side, dodging the attack. Quagsire turned his head, turning the stream with it but Primeape lunged forward. His fist caught Quagsire in the belly with a brutal uppercut. The impact exploded with a ring of orange energy and sent Quagsire flying into the air. Primeape persuaded, engulfing his legs in orange flame and leaping after him. The ground shook from the force of his jump. He flipped as he jumped, somersaulting backwards and bicycle kicking Quagsire back into the patch of dead grass where Jackson and Green were watching them. Jackson's jaw was hanging open in disbelief while Green's had a smug grin.
Quagsire crashed back into the arena at a shallow angle. On impact, he bounced towards Green with a shower of dead, dried grass. Green ducked with a gasp and Quagsire flew over her head. The tall grass behind her caught him and he disappeared within but again, his head poked up quickly with two more matching bruises. Although, he was a lot more dazed this time. He staggered out of the grass, clutching his head and fell forward onto his stomach.
"Quagsire…" He complained with a mutter.
Primeape landed back in the grass with a thud. He bellowed furiously seeing Quagsire still conscious and charged back towards the arena. Green got back to her feet and watched him charge towards through the grass, expecting him to stop but Primeape was blind with rage. His eyes were ablaze with orange flames, along with his fists and feet. Green gasped and again had to dodge a pokémon, jumping to the side landing on her back as Primeape charged past her. She grunted from the recoil of falling before calling out to him.
"Stop hitting him away! Keep him close!"
Despite his blind rage, Primeape listened and pinned Quagsire beneath his foot.
"Get out of there Quagsire!" Jackson called out
Quagsire tried, he blasted a huge stream of water from his mouth to rocket out from Primeape's foot but Primeape's grip was too strong. He kept Quagsire pinned firmly to the ground until Quagsire ran out of energy. His powerful torrent of water sputtered out and Primeape began viciously stomping on him over and over again. Although Quagsire's body was durable, it wasn't that durable. Stop after stomp squished his rubbery body, flattening him only for him to spring back into shape, leaving behind at first only bruises. Then small cuts and finally meaningful gashes that wept blood. Green cringed as she watched Quagsire squirm unhappily. She turned to Jackson.
"Forfeit, he's suffering!" She shouted angrily.
Jackson scowled and reluctantly pointed Quagsire's ball at him.
"Fine," He relented through gritted teeth and returned Quagsire to his ball.
Primeape stomped the now empty ground a few more times until he realised Quagsire was gone. He grunted with disappointment and stomped the ground a few more times for good measure.
"You're still not gonna win," Jackson muttered as he reached for Golbat's pokéball.
He held up the ball and waved it back and forth mockingly.
"Flying beats fighting! Flying beats fighting! Flying beats fighting!" He sang at her before releasing Golbat.
Although Jackson had said it in the most possibly irritating way imaginable, Green knew he was right. Green walked over to Primeape, grasped his arm and gave it a tug. He whipped around, growled angrily at her and loomed over her furiously. Green didn't let the sudden rush of fear show and kept her face stern.
"Listen," She hissed, still gripping his arm, "calm down, you need to think clearly if you're going to beat a flying type."
The orange flames in Primeape's eyes extinguished, revealing the furious glare in his eyes. Bloodshot and unblinking, they stared down at Green wildly. He blew hot air out of his nose into Green's face, blowing back her hair. She knew that if he wanted to, Primeape could snap her like a twig but Green saw through his actions for what it really was. A test. He was getting cocky with his new power level after evolving, she'd seen it in the way he'd been fighting. This was his way of challenging her, to see if he still needed her. So, despite her rapidly beating heart and tight chest she stayed firm and didn't break eye contact with him.
"He's fast, he's precise and he's vicious. If you let up for even a moment, give him any opening or make a single mistake he will crush you for it," She continued to explain firmly.
Jackson waved his hands and hopped from foot to foot.
"Hey! No fair! No pep talks!" Jackson cried out.
Green ignored him and stayed still, she couldn't be the one to break their standoff. Jackson stopped waving his hands and turned to Golbat who was hovering beside him.
"Alright, Golbat show them how great we are! Use your wings! Use your talons! Use your teeth!" He said much louder than he needed to, glancing over at Green and Primeape as he gave his own pep talk.
Primeape considered her, looking her up and down with a sceptical look. He bumped his chest against hers and when she didn't flinch he beamed happily.
"Prime!" He declared and stepped back away from her.
Green stayed firm until he walked past her and opened his arms at Golbat with a challenging smirk. She breathed a sigh of relief and let the fear show on her face.
"Fuck," She muttered, trying to calm her racing heart.
Golbat raced cried out angrily as Primeape taunted him and launched his first attack, beginning an exchange of lightning-fast attacks. Golbat became a light-blue streak as he shot forward. Primeape reacted quickly and dodged out of the way. He twisted as he dodged and brought his fist down, anticipating Golbat's pursuit but his fist only hit the air. Golbat had seen the attack coming and dodged back rather than perusing. As he lunged back and Primeape swung at the air, their eyes met for a brief moment of calm. Primeape took the offensive and swung at Golbat. Golbat dodged back and forth, weaving between Primeape's blistering flurry of attacks. He dodged a right hook and countered, biting down on Primeape's wrist with a mouth full of black flames. The attack was ineffective, barely breaking the skin. Primeape whipped him away, hurtling Golbat up into the air. Golbat swooped at him immediately, his wings glowing light-blue as he sliced them at Primeape. Primeape hopped back, now on the defensive as he had to duck and weave between Golbat's vicious bombardment of wing attacks.
It was all Green and Jackson could do to keep up, let alone shout commands. They watched the fast-paced fight in intense silence. Green was looking for an opening, any small lapse in tempo from Golbat was an advantage Primeape could use but Golbat was flawless. Each fast swipe of his wings was precise, powerful and intent on closing any opening that his previous attack may have left. Eventually, Primeape grew frustrated and let Golbat hit him. The wing sliced into his face, cutting him just above the left eye with a fierce burst of light-blue sparks. While the attack was devastating and painful, it was nothing in comparison to Primeape's swift counter. He slammed his fist into Golbat from below, shooting him up above his head. At the same time, he raised his other hand and caught Golbat by the foot as he was sent flying. The sudden and quick stop broke Golbat's leg with a sickening crunch. He cried out, screeching in agony but Primeape didn't stop to sympathise. He slammed Golbat down by the foot hard into the ground and raised his foot to stomp down on him but stopped as he saw Golbat laying unconscious below him. Primeape stomped the ground beside him and threw back his head with a triumphant bellow.
"You're gonna lose!" Jackson screamed as he returned Golbat.
He was absolutely livid. His jaw was clenched, his eyes were bulging and his short skinny arms were trembling with rage. His hand shot to the second plastic container on his belt fumbled with the colourful lid and popped it open to retrieve his next pokémon. Green couldn't help but feel a smug satisfaction at his rage.
"Go, Jigglypuff!" Jackson cried, his voice cracking.
He threw the pokéball into the air and Jigglypuff burst from the ball with a flash of red. He appeared in the air and gently floated down to the ground, swaying to and fro as he descended. He landed daintily on the tip of his foot and sang cheerfully.
"Jigg-ga-lee-puuuuf!" He sang, floating from foot to foot.
His round, pink body warbled and shook like a balloon as he moved. He was significantly bigger than the last time Green had seen him back in Cerulean, now roughly the size of a beach ball. Still, despite the extra size, he looked as light as ever. Green shot Primeape a concerned look, although he had a type advantage, she knew Jigglypuff's physicality would cause troubles for him. On top of that, Primeape wasn't looking so great. The cut above his left eye ran from the centre of his forehead right to the very edge of his face. A curtain of red blood has soaked the front left half of his body, forcing his eye shut. He was breathing heavily but Green couldn't tell if it was due to exhaustion or anger. Jackson wasn't wasting any time to let her figure it out.
"Get him Jigglypuff!" He screamed maniacally.
Jigglypuff looked at Primeape as if he had only just noticed his presence. He gazed at him with large, curious eyes before looking back at Jackson.
"Puff?" He asked, pointing at Primeape with his short little arms.
Jackson clutched the sides of his head.
"YES, THAT ONE!" He shouted back.
Jigglypuff beamed at him and turned around, ready to attack. However, when he turned he was met with Primeape's fist, blazing with orange flames only a few inches from his face. The punch compressed Jigglypuff's body and sent him flying back at Jackson. He slammed into Jackson's chest with a loud thud, knocking him over. Jigglypuff bounced back off Jackson's chest twice as fast towards Primeape. Primeape's right eyes widened in alarm and he tried to raise his arms to protect his face but wasn't fast enough. Jigglypuff flew over his rising fists and slammed into Primeape's face, making him stumble back. As Jigglypuff bounced off Primeape's face, picking up speed like usual, his whole body gleamed with a white glow. He slowed down in the air as if caught by an invisible elastic band and sling-shotted back at Primeape, slamming into him again. The impact caught Primeape as he was stumbling backwards and with a shower of white sparks, he was sent hurtling onto his back. Jigglypuff landed back on the ground gracefully. Green grimaced and clenched her jaw, her mind racing to try and find a solution. In the meanwhile, Primeape tried his approach.
"APE!" He bellowed furiously as he jumped to his feet.
He charged at Jigglypuff, his feet burst into orange flames and he raised his foot to stomp. Jigglypuff watched foot curiously, cocking his head as it slammed down on him. His body compressed down, flattening like a pancake before springing back into shape flipping Primeape onto his back. Jigglypuff giggled and glowed white again. He leapt up and slammed down onto Primeape face, hitting him right between the eyes. Primeape roared furiously and swiped at him, batting him to the side. Jigglypuff arched back around and slammed into Primeape's side, with a powerful blow. Primeape rolled onto his front, away from Jigglypuff and rose back to his feet. He took a step back from Jigglypuff, his right eye wide with frazzled confusion. That's when it hit Green.
"Primeape! Grab him!" She shouted.
Jackson shouted back immediately.
"No! Don't let him Jigglypuff!"
Primeape grinned devilishly and charged at Jigglypuff with his hands outstretched. Jigglypuff darted away, glowing white and rolling across the ground fast. Primeape howled as he gave chase, the rest of his body burst into orange flames as the thrill of the chase pumped him up. Jigglypuff was fast but Primeape was faster, he blitz across the arena of dry grass after him and caught him quickly. He grasped Jigglypuff's round body with both hands, gripping him securely. Jigglypuff stopped glowing white as he struggled, wriggling his little arms and legs.
"Slam him!" Green called out.
Primeape lifted Jigglypuff above his head and slammed him down into the ground. His body compressed on impact and would have bounced high into the sky but Primeape's arms flexed as they resisted the force. He overpowered it and again slammed Jigglypuff into the ground.
"Hypervoice!" Jackson cried.
As Jigglypuff was slammed he let out a piercing screech. White rings of energy blasted from his mouth, larger than Primeape's whole body. The air split around Primeape's ears and he cried out. Green and Jackson had to cover their ears but still, Green's head felt like it was about to explode. Primeape only got madder though. As he roared through the pain he slammed Jigglypuff harder and harder, the orange flames flared furiously with each slam. They shot up above his head, a few feet then 10 feet, then they were an inferno of raw power.
"PRIME! APE! PRIME! APE!" Primeape bellowed over the screech, his voice thundering so loud that it shook the ground.
Dirt, grass and clay erupted high into the air with each slam until Jigglypuff's screeching abruptly cut off. Although it took a moment for Green to tell as her ears rang in her head. As the dust settled around the pokémon, Primeape staggered out victorious. Behind him, Jigglypuff lay at the bottom of a huge crater unconscious. Jackson's eye twitched as he saw the results.
"No! No! No! No!" He shouted, stomping the ground with each no.
Still, despite his denial, he returned Jigglypuff to his ball. He whipped around and pointed an accusing finger at Green, his eyes flaring with manic anger.
"You lose! Forfeit, he can't fight anymore!" He shouted before gesturing to Primeape.
Green feared he was right. Primeape looked even worse now. He was staggering about, barely able to keep a grasp on his balance. His hands were clamped around his ears, his right eye shut tight as he winced.
"Primeape! Are you okay?" Green called out, desperate to continue.
Jackson's comments about natural talent still rung in her head, even more so than her ringing ears. Primeape didn't respond, he didn't so much as look in her direction.
"Ape," He muttered to himself and shook his head.
"HA! See he said no!" Jackson cried out.
Green scowled at him.
"No, he didn't, he's gone deaf!" Green argued.
Jackson sneered at her and crossed his arms.
"Nuh-uh! He shook his head! That means no! I win!" He declared.
Green clenched her fists. She wasn't going to let him talk his way into a win.
"Release your last pokémon! He'll try and fight it, you'll see!" She insisted.
Jackson huffed and opened his fifth container.
"He wooooon't," He taunted mockingly.
Jackson released his final Pokémon, pointing the ball at Primeape. It popped open and released a Magnemite. Magnemite hovered above the ground and looked at Primeape curiously with his eye. The magnets and bolts on his round, metal body spun as he let out an excited buzzing sound. Green smirked and folded her arms, waiting for Primeape to open his eyes. Eventually, after a few more moments of staggering, he grounded himself. His right eye opened, the left caked shut by dried blood. Just as Green knew it would, the sight of an electric type sent Primeape into a raging fury.
"PRIIIIIIIIIIIIME!" He roared and flew at Magnemite with an explosion of orange energy.
Magnemite's eye widened and he zipped to the side out of the way. However, Primeape had predicted his dodge easily and his fist slammed directly into the middle of Magnemite's body. There was a loud clang as Magnemite's metal body was dented by the impact. Magnemite flew fast Jackson's head like a bullet and hit the ground behind him with an explosion of dirt. Jackson's face dropped as he handed his defeat. He went quiet and turned away from Green, holding up Magnemite's ball to return him. Green returned Primeape immediately. Usually, she would have felt ecstatic after such a victory but all she felt was rage. She stormed over to Jackson, grasped his shoulder and spun him around.
"Listen! I'm not strong because I'm Red's sister, I'm strong because I work hard just like you!" She hissed, squeezing his shoulder.
Jackson looked up at her with a startled, shocked look.
"W-what?" He stammered with a sniffle, "I didn't say that."
Green was taken aback. She let go of his shoulder, recoiling away from him.
"Y-yes you did!" She argued, "you said hard work beats natural talent every time."
Jackson eyed her with a queer look.
"You don't have natural talent, Machoke does," He replied.
"Of course being Red's sister doesn't make you strong, that's insane," He added with a mutter and shifted his eyes away from her.
Green felt awful now. She took a small step back as if subconsciously trying to run from the awkward situation she had made for herself.
"Oh..." She eventually managed to say, "I'm uh, I'm sorry."
An awkward silence followed as they averted their gazes from one another. Suddenly, a smirk crossed Jackson's face and he looked up at her.
"You said I'm strong!" He observed mockingly.
Green couldn't help but laugh. She nodded and shrugged.
"Well you are," She admitted.
Jackson beamed with pride.
"Stronger than you!" He said, his cockiness returning.
Green chuckled and placed her hands on her hips.
"We'll have to see about that!" She shot back, now beaming too.
They laughed together, the awkward tension now gone completely. Jackson slung off the rucksack around his shoulders and sat down on the ground with it. He unzipped it and fished out a portable healing machine. One by one he placed his pokéballs inside the slots and turned the machine on. The golden light of the healing machine enveloped the balls in a thin veil, pulsing lazily. Green joined him on the ground and did the same, getting out her own healing machine.
"Do people think that you being Red's sister just makes you strong?" Jackson asked as Green placed her pokéballs into her healing machine.
Green sighed.
"Some do."
Jackson furrowed his brow.
"That doesn't make sense. Blue is strong and his sister isn't a strong trainer."
Green nodded as she flipped on her healing machine.
"Yeah," She agreed.
Suddenly, she released what Jackson had just said. She looked up at him with a confused look.
"Wait, how do you know that?" She asked.
Jackson smiled proudly.
"I know everything about Blue! Red too! They're so cool!" He proclaimed, his eyes full of starstruck awe.
Jackson gasped and leaned forward, getting right up in Green's face.
"You've Blue sister, haven't you! What are her pokémon?! She's super-private I can hardly find anything about her online!" He questioned intensely.
Green giggled at his pure enthusiasm and thought back for him.
"Well…" She pondered, "The last time I saw her was a couple years ago so it might have changed but from what I remember she had three pokémon. Granbull, Wigglytuff and a Marill."
Jackson reached into his bag and pulled out a notepad and pencil. He scribbled on it furiously.
"Wow! A fairy type trainer, that's rare!" He exclaimed.
Green leaned forward and peered over at his notepad. It was full of all sorts of notes in his unreadable handwriting. What she could make out were the detailed sketches he had made of Blue's pokémon. She marvelled at them, she'd never imagined Jackson to have such a talent for art.
"How'd you learn to draw like that?" She asked.
Jackson shrugged as he began drawing a Granbull beneath a page titled what Green assumed read, "Daisy."
"My brother taught me, he's an uh… entra-mola-gist," He sounded out.
Green giggled.
"Entomologist?" She asked.
Jackson nodded and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Green stopped herself from laughing too hard and continued watching Jackson draw. Her mind wandered back to his older brother, she remembered him quite vividly. Her face flushed and she had to push him out of her mind before she got too excited. Green stayed with Jackson in the field as their pokemon healed, watching him draw and answering his endless questions about pallet town. Having to grit her way through each question about Red.