Chapter 4
Katarina rushed down the hall of the Claes Manor after being told that the Fourth Prince had arrived to see her she knew she had to get cleaned up and quickly, sure Prince Gerald didn't mind when she came in from farming but she doubted Prince Alan would feel the same way, fortunately she hadn't done anything on her farm patch that mourning except look at her plants so she just needed a change of clothes ''sorry I made you wait'' she said bursting into the waiting room.
There sat on the couch in front of the door way glaring at her with a scowl was Prince Alan, despite the two being twins Prince Alan looked vastly different to Prince Gerald, where as Gerald had neat blond hair and light blue eyes Alan had messy silver hair and dark blue eyes, Alan dressed in a shirt with a loose blue tie around his neck and a pair of brown trousers, he had a green sweater tied around his waist, similar to his brother Alan had an Eevee at his side but unlike Gerald's Eevee who looked bright and happy this Eevee was scowling at her just like its owner.
''Took you long enough'' he scoffed, Katarina was taken aback by the rude response.
'What's his problem, he's the one who showed up unannounced, wait it's ok he's just a child mentally I'm seventeen plus an addition nine years, I can't be too angry at a child being childish' Katarina thought to herself before giving him a curtsey ''I'm sorry about that it took a bit to get ready, my name is-''
''Yeah I know who you are and I'm sure you know who I am, so lets just cut to the chase'' said Prince Alan.
Katarina's eye twitched ''alright'' she said.
''I'm here about Mary Hunt'' said Alan surprising Katarina slightly ''she's my fiancee now, are you aware of that?''
''Yes, I know all about that'' said Katarina confused.
''If you know then stop trying to seduce her!'' Alan cried.
''S-seduce her what do you mean?'' Katarina asked.
''Don't even try to play dumb with me, I know what your doing!'' Alan cried ''I invited her over, but she refused saying she had plans with you and even when we're together your all she talks about, its obvious your trying to seduce her!''
''Excuse em wa, that is a blatantly false accusation!'' Katarina cried.
''Oh and whats so false about it? You were trying to corrupt her!'' Alan cried.
Katarina was really starting to get fed up with this kid now ''that's ridiculous, you obviously just invited her at the wrong time its just a coincidence and as for your conversations well they're probably just boring, mostly because of you!''
''What!'' Alan growled.
Anne's eyes widened as she realised where this was going and what was going to happen ''L-Lady Katarina''
''Any girl would accept an invitation as long as the asker appeals to her and you don't have any appeal whatsoever!'' Katarina cried, for a minute they're was just silence with Alan just steering at her, his Eevee snarling at her and Anne having buried her face in her hands her Blissey mimicking her actions, Katarina then realised what she said and put her hands on her mouth 'oh no! What have I done!'
''No appeal'' Alan growled lowly, his Eevee nuzzling up to try and cheer him up ''I don't think I've ever been insulted straight to my face before''
''Err, I didn't- that was frustration I had for someone else, yeah'' said Katarina quickly nodding ''saying it to you was just a slip of the tong!''
''I'll give you this much Katarina Claes you have guts!'' Alan growled ''we will have two showdowns, one between us and one between our Pokemon!''
Soon enough Katarina and Alan were stood on opposite sides of one of the Claes estates Pokemon battle pitch, they were going to have a battle and afterwards they would compete in something else of Katarina's choosing, Anne was going to referee they're match ''how many Pokemon do you have?'' Alan asked.
''I have two'' Katarina lied, she still didn't want anyone to know about Gible so she'd have to rely on Pumpkaboo and Pinky.
''Very well then'' said Alan taking out a Pokeball ''it'll be two on two then'' he then threw the Ball ''let's go Buizel!''
A burst of light was released from the ball which formed into an orange weasel with two tails it had two blue fins on its arms and what appeared to be an inflatable ring around its neck.
Katarina threw her own Pokeball calling out ''Pinky, Battle Dance!'' The ball released a burst of light forming into Katarina's Shellos.
''A Shellos, why use that when you'd have an advantage with your Pumpkaboo?'' Alan asked confused.
''Maybe I just have a strategy with Pinky, ever think of that?'' Katarina smirked.
''Alright, the battle between Prince Alan's Buizel and Lady Katarina's Shellos Pinky will now begin'' called Anne.
''Buizel use Quick Attack!'' Alan ordered, Buizel glowed white then jetted forwards on all fours.
''Pinky fire Mud Shot!'' Katarina ordered.
Pinky opened its mouth and fired a barrage of mud balls at Buizel, all of them directly hitting Buizel, with one hitting it right in the face, sending Buziel flying, when Buziel got up its eyes were closed it obviously had mud in its eyes, but this didn't deter Alan.
''Buizel use swift'' Alan ordered, Buizel turned around and started spinning its tails and stars started to form around it before shooting towards Pinky ''we can't miss with this attack!''
''But we can block it'' smirked Katarina as the stars shot towards Pinky ''Mud Shot!'' Pinky fired multiple mud balls again all of them hitting the stars causing them to explode, Alan growled.
''Buizel lets clean your eyes, use Aqua Jet!'' he ordred, Buizel jumped up and water formed around the weasel Pokemon propelling it into the air, before diving down at Pinky.
''Pinky use Water Pulse'' said Katarina.
Pinky formed a large ball of water before shooting it at Buizel, Buizel collided with the water pulse causing a small explosion Buizel fell from the blast to the floor, it slowly got up but it was spinning around the Water Pulse had confused it.
''Buizel please snap out of it!'' Alan cried.
''Pinky fire Mud Shot!'' Katarina ordered, Pinky once more opened its mouth to fire multiple mud balls all of them hit Buizel and Buizel collapsed to the floor.
''Buizel is unable to battle, the winner is Pinky'' Anne called.
''Alright, way to go Pinky!'' Katarina cheered jumping up and down in joy, Anne sighed seeing her charge act like that but Pinky was beaming in pride that it made its trainer so happy.
''Thanks Buizel you did your best'' said Alan returning Buizel to the ball, before pulling out a different ball ''Kricketune, your up!'' A burst of light came from the ball and formed into a red cricket creature with bladed arms and a large moustache.
''Alright Pinky you did good, now return'' said Katarina returning Pinky to its ball before pulling out another ball ''Pumpkaboo battle dance!'' Katarina's Pumpkaboo formed out of the burst of light.
''I underestimated you last time, but not this time, Kricketune use Fury Cutter!'' Alan ordered, Kricketune's blades glowed before charging at Pumpkaboo.
''Pumpkaboo, Shadow Sneak!'' Katarina ordered, shadows started to form from Pumpkaboo before jumping from the ground hitting Kricketune and knocking it off balance ''alright, now fire Leech Seed!''
Alan's face paled as he heard that ''Kricketune quick dodge!'' he cried, but it was too late, Pumpkaboo spat a seed from its mouth that hit Kricketune square in the forehead, vines then sprouted from the seed and wrapped around Kricketune ''oh no! Quick naw it off with Bug Bite!''
''We won't let you! Pumpkaboo fire Shadow Ball!'' Katarina ordered, a black sphere with a purple centre that sparked through the sphere formed in front of Pumpkaboo which it fired hitting Kricketune and knocking it down a red burst of energy shot from Kricketune into Pumpkaboo.
''Kricketune, please get up!'' Alan cried, the cricket Pokemon slowly got back to its feet ''alright, naw it those vines off with Bug Bite!'' Kricketune quickly got to work before Katarina could give an order to stop it and had ripped the vines off it, biting them apart ''alright now, lets hit it with X-Scissor!'' Kricketune's scythe arms glowed red, it formed them to an x and charged forwards slashing Pumpkaboo, pushing it back.
''Pumpkaboo!'' Katarina cried concerned, Pumpkaboo was damaged but it could keep battling.
''Hit it with X-Scissor again!'' Alan ordered, Kricketune did the same action.
''Pumpkaboo, fire Shadow Ball!'' Katarina ordered, Pumpkaboo fired another Shadow Ball which hit Kricketune causing a small explosion, Kricketune collapsed to the floor and didn't get up.
''Kricketune is unable to battle, the winner is Pumpkaboo'' Anne called ''and by winning both battles the winner of this contest is lady Katrina!''
''Alright, way to go Pumpkaboo!'' Katarina cheered running up exitedly and jumping up to give the pumpkin a big hug ''you were incredible in that battle, way to go!''
Anne put a hand to her face at her Lady's antic's but she did smile, happy she had won the battle, Prince Alan's attendants put comforting hands on his shoulders trying to reassure him he had done a good job and his Eevee nuzzled up to his leg trying to cheer him up as he returned Kricketune.
''Good job Kricketune, don't worry this isn't over yet'' said Alan returning the cricket Pokemon ''We're not done here, I said we'd have one Pokemon battle and a competition between the two of us, since your a girl you can pick the contest''
''Anne, can you tell Keith I need a favour'' said Katrina, Anne quickly went off to find Keith and give him the message ''alright, I choose tree climbing''
Of course being a monkey child Katarina beat Alan at tree climbing several times, until he ran off declaring he'd win next time.
After the Alan came back day after day to challenge Katarina to a battle then to a tree climbing contest and each time he did Katarina beat him, not that Katarina minded him coming over so often, she quite liked the training his visits gave Pinky and Pumpkaboo, but over time the two eventually became friends, they would talk a bit after their contests the two got along really well and Alan's Eevee even started acting like Gerald's did with her.
Alan had just come for another challenge but froze and turned as white as a ghost when he saw Katarina sat with Gerald, Alan's Eevee's ears dropped when he saw Gerald's Eevee cuddled up to her.
''W-what are you doing here?'' Alan asked shakily.
''Katarina is my fiance isn't she, why shouldn't I be here?'' Gerald asked.
''w-well I'm here to challenge her, so don't but in'' said Alan.
''How many times have you challenged her now ten? Twenty times?'' Gerald asked ''you've challenged her so many times and you haven't won once, maybe it's just time you give up''
''No, not yet, I can win, I just- I just-'' Alan looked down weakly.
Katarina decided to speak up, she knew the twins had a bad relationship and knew she had to do something before it became worst because of her ''oh, Prince Alan I'm fine to battle you, but I'm afraid my mother will find out I've been climbing trees so how about we have our challenge first, but this time we do something else'' she said.
''Very well, then what shall we complete in?'' Alan asked.
Katarina looked around trying to think what they could do then it can't to her ''how about the piano?''
Katarina went first playing a pretty good piece, when she was done all in attendance, Gerald, Anne, Alan and his attendants, applaud ''how surprising I didn't know you could play piano'' said Gerald.
''I sure do'' said Katarina not sure if that was an insult or not.
''I play the violin, perhaps we should play together sometime'' smiled Gerald.
''Err, sure'' said Katarina ''ok Prince Alan it's your turn''
Alan moved his head to one direction then another as though he was trying to decide something, finally he spoke up ''do you mind if Kricketune plays with me?'' he asked ''we usually play together''
''No that's cheating, Katarina didn't have a Pokémon to assist her, so I don't see why you should'' said Gerald.
''No it's alright, I don't mind Prince Alan, you can play with Kricketune if you want'' said Katarina.
Alan released Kricketune from his ball and took a seat behind the piano and played, Alan was very good from the first few notes he played that Alan was the winner of this contest and Kricketune's playing only added to the already impressive tune, when Alan and Kricketune finished everyone responded with loud applause.
''That was incredible you were so good'' said Katarina.
''It's nothing special'' said Alan looking away.
''No, it was amazing, we played the same song but it sounded completely different you have a remarkable talent for music'' said Katarina.
''Yes, Katarina's right, that was a splendid performance'' said Gerald.
''I know you don't think that! I know your all mocking me on the inside, calling me a failure!'' Alan cried before running off his Eevee and Kricketune following behind him.
Katarina went to make sure he was alright and found him sat against the big tree they had climbed for there contests, his Eevee was nuzzling against him trying to cheer him up, but Kricketune wasn't in sight so Alan had obviously returned it to its ball ''I thought I'd find you here'' she said sitting next to him.
''I don't have anything worth calling a talent'' said Alan.
''That's not true and you know it'' said Katarina.
''I can't do anything really, compared to Gerald I'm nothing'' said Alan.
''Why do you think that?'' Katarina asked.
''I've been compared to my twin since I was born, no matter what I do I can't hold a candle to him, everyone tells me he got all the good qualities and I'm just the leftovers, how am I suppose to feel confident'' said Alan.
''I think it's just a matter of finding what your suited for'' said Katarina.
''What do you mean?'' Alan asked.
''Well Prince Gerald is good at a lot of things but there are things he's bad at too and I'm sure I can say that about you too, we all have strengths and weaknesses'' said Katarina.
''Well, I've never heard of Gerald having a weakness'' said Alan, which caused Katarina to grin.
''Oh he has a weakness alright, I discovered it last week'' she said.
''Really? What is it?'' Alan asked interested
''Katarina!'' A call from Prince Gerald caused Katarina to grin time for a test to see if this would protect her from a Doom Flag.
''Oh, good I can show you, come on'' said Katrina taking Alan's hand and pulling him into a bush, she looked out to see Prince Gerald passing and pulled out a Pokeball, she threw it in the air and it released a burst of light summoning the Pokemon in front of Gerald, Gerald jumped back alarmed and gave a started scream as an Serviper now blocked his path ''there it is, your brothers weakness is snake Pokemon, he's terrified of them''
''Really?'' Alan asked interested.
''Well, I didn't know for sure so I went to catch one, I managed to catch that Serviper and kept it from him, waiting for a time to test it'' said Katarina.
''While I appreciate the gesture that's not what I meant when I said 'weakness''' said Alan, but Katarina was too caught up in dream land and didn't notice Gerald approaching them.
''Katarina'' he said causing her to jump.
''P-Prince Gerald, hey'' she said nervously 'how did he get past Serviper' she glanced over to where the Pokemon should be only to see Gerald Eevee standing over it 'oh right, when I found it, it was acting all tough but Gible beat it pretty easily so it's pretty weak'
''That was your Pokemon wasn't it? Surely you wouldn't send a Pokemon out against your fiancee in such a manner would you'' said Gerald giving a
'Oh no, I'm going to be banished for sending a Pokemon out at a Prince!' Katarina thought to herself, but Gerald instead did something much worst.
''I guess I need to tell your mother about that and your tree climbing'' he said walking off with Katarina chasing after him begging him not to, the two didn't notice Alan starting to laugh at them both happier than he'd been in a long time.
So that's the chapter, I hope you enjoyed it sorry if it was a bit short, I hope you liked the first battle in the story I hope you didn't mind Katarina basically curbstomping Alan because she is meant to be a pretty strong trainer in this fic, I decided to go with Serviper for Katarina's snake Pokemon, I was really struggling to decided wether I give her an Ekans or Serviper flipped a coin this was the result, next chapter we're going to meet Sophia and probably Nicol, I have things planned out for next chapter so the only thing I know concretely is that Sophia will be introduced, not so sure about Nicol.
