Chapter 12: Kathie

The next day, we left Violet City, heading to Route 32. It was a rather cloudy day, and it looked like it would be raining soon. On our way we encountered some wild Pokémon again. Travis and I had no problem fighting them off at all; especially after we both evolved and had our training session tonight. We soon encountered a wild Mareep.

"Ah, finally." Jess said. "I was looking for one of them. Travis, just weaken it, I want to catch this one. Use Quick Attack."

Travis quickly charged at the Mareep hitting it fast but not too hard. The Mareep countered with a Tackle.

"Alright that should be enough." She grabbed an empty Pokéball and threw it at the Mareep.

The Pokéball sucked the Mareep in and fell to the ground. It was shaking, once, twice, and then a third time before it gave a small sound, signalling that the Mareep was caught.

Jess picked up the Pokéball from the ground and released the Mareep.

"Hello little Mareep, My name is Jessica, or Jess for short. Welcome to my party. This is Travis…" She pointed at him. "…and this is Nick." She pointed at me.

"So let's see, you need a name, you're a girl, so how about Kathie?"

Kathie gave her a smile accepting her new name.

Travis then went over to her. Welcome to our party Kathie, I'm Travis and sorry if I hurt you in our battle before.

Oh don't worry about that, I've taken much stronger hits than that. She said in a proud tone. Only the strong survive in the wild you know.

'I guess she'll be tough to handle, I don't really like people who talk like that, I just hope she drops that attitude soon.' I went over to her and to introduce myself. Hi Kathie, my name is Nick, nice to have you on our team.

You two can just lean back; I'm strong enough for any opponent.

'Ok, now she's annoying me already, who does she think she is?' I gave Travis a worried look, and he just nodded back at me.

Jess seemed to notice us and she quickly withdrew Kathie to her Pokéball.

"Don't worry you two, she just needs to get used to this new situation. I'll handle that." She said while smiling at us.

As we went on, we encountered a young trainer. She called Kathie out of her Pokéball.

"Kathie, you just sit down and watch how this is done, Nick it's your turn."

Wait? You're not letting me battle? I can handle things way better than that Guy. Kathie complained at Jess.

Travis stepped in. If Jess wants this to be Nick's battle, then it IS Nick's battle. She's our trainer and she makes the decisions.

Fine, but don't ask me to step in when he looses. she said offended.

Just watch him, he won't lose that easily. He's really strong.

The other trainer sent in a male Nidoran.

"Alright Nick show him your Razor Shell move" – "Use Double Kick Nidoran!"

I took both of my scalchops charging both of my blades, and waited for the Nidoran to come closer. He charged at me with full speed, just when he jumped off to perform his Double Kick move, I stroke at him with both of my blades, making him faint before he could execute his attack. 'Looks like that midnight training wasn't for nothing.'

See, he's really strong. Travis told Kathie.

Anyone could have beaten such a weak opponent. She replied.

The trainer withdrew his defeated Nidoran, and called out another one.

"Now it's your turn Kathie." Jess said.

Ha, now I'll show you how this is done.

I sat down next to Travis.

Ten bucks that she's gonna struggle a lot? I whispered to Travis

What's ten bucks? Travis asked me confused.

Never mind.

Kathie stepped onto the battlefield.

"Kathie use Tackle!" - "Double Kick Nidoran!"

Both Pokémon charged at another. Nidoran was faster, giving Kathie two kicks with his hind legs. Kathie took some damage from that attack and got angry. She tackled Nidoran with all her power, knocking him back some inches. Nidoran however wasn't defeated, and still seemed to be OK.

"Another Tackle Kathie!" - "Double Kick Nidoran!"

The scenario repeated. Only Kathie almost fainted at Nidorans Double Kick this time. However she refused to give in and tackled Nidoran again. Nidoran was visibly damaged from the attacks, but wasn't even close fainting.

"Kathie come back, it's enough. It's your turn Travis!"

Travis walked towards the battlefield, while Jess recalled Kathie into her Pokéball. The switch allowed the Nidoran to perform another Double Kick, but Travis didn't take too much damage of that attack. He then quickly ended the battle with his Ember.

After the battle Jess called Kathie out of her Pokéball again.

"I hope this was a lesson to you." She said while using a Potion on her to heal her wounds. Kathie didn't say anything. She was ashamed.

I went over to her. Hey, don't take that loss too serious. You may have been great against the wild Pokémon out there, but your opponent was a well trained Pokémon from a trainer. There's a huge difference in that.

You don't know anything!

What?

Being retreated from a battle is even more shameful than losing it. She had tears in her eyes.

God damn it, just listen already! I said angrily. You're not in the wild anymore; you don't have to prove anything. You're part of a team now, and a team is supposed to help each other. I'm weak to Grass types, but it doesn't matter since Travis can help me out here. You're weak to Ground types, where I have an advantage. Together we're strong. So just quit your stupid whining and don't act like a brat. Just have trust in Jess' decisions, she's a great trainer, just do what she sais and you'll soon be as strong as Travis and I.

I just turned around and walked over to Travis, while Jess was kind of impressed of what I just did. She may not have understood a single word I said, but judging from Kathie's reaction she knew what was going on.

Do you think I've gone too far? I asked Travis

No, I think you did the right thing. You're really scary when you're angry you know?

You think so?

Yeah, that's because you're usually so calm, one wouldn't expect anything like that from you.