Chapter Seven: A Battle of Wits and Wings
A strong gust of wind had started over the past few minutes, but Alaska and Sandy hadn't noticed it in the drama that had unfolded. But now it made their battle setting even more dramatic: the trees whistled and creaked ominously, whilst leaves, blades of grass and sticks went flying across the field they had created. The grass was rippling softly, but this battle was taking place in the air, and Alaska was ready for it. She could imagine dramatic music playing in the background, a sort of hard rock anthem her father use to listen to, turning their friendly battle into a violent, near deadly match.
"Ooooh, this wind is very dramatic, isn't it?" Sandy said as she clutched at her dress, and Alaska scowled and grouchily rolled her yes.
"Well it was a moment ago! By pointing it out, you've killed it!" She sighed, and Sandy and Butterfree exchanged a rather sad look. "The moment's ruined, let's just get on with it! GO PAIGE!" Alaska shouted, and threw the PokeBall into the sky. Butterfree floated forwards as the red energy quickly formed together, and Alaska's Pidgey appeared, instantly glaring towards her new opponent and ready to battle. Alaska felt a tinge of excitement as the tense scene reformed, the two flying types glaring across at each other: finally, a battle that could actually be a challenge!
"I'll kick things off!" She shouted. "Quick Attack go!" Paige nodded, and suddenly shot forwards at an alarming speed. Sandy didn't look worried though, simply watching as Paige sped forwards with beady eyes.
"PoisonPowder as soon as she hits you," She called out, much calmer than Alaska. Alaska was rather surprised that she was still using her usual airy nature for battling: she had hoped to see a much tougher, stronger side to her now. Instead, the two watched as Paige smashed into Butterfree, who flapped her wings furiously to stop herself from flying backwards. The silvery white wings suddenly turned a rich purple, and with a single waving motion, purple particles were released.
"Pidge!" Paige squawked as the particles landed on her feathers before she could get away. Her entire body glowed purple, and she fell several feet through the air, recovering just in time to avoid colliding with the ground.
"Poisoning…" Alaska mumbled bitterly. "Clever move." Sandy simply smiled back, and Paige angrily flew back into the air, flapping her wings furiously to show her anger. Alaska wanted to win even more now, and only had a few moves left to do so.
"Gust!" She shouted.
"Confusion," Sandy called back. Paige flapped her wings vigorously, and the strong wind flowing through the forest was sent crashing directly into Butterfree, battering her with airborne leaves and sticks.
"Free Free!" Butterfree whimpered as she spiralled around, and fluttered her wings to hold herself in place. Than she stared fixatedly at Paige, her large eyes glowing an eerie pink. Alaska wondered what was going on when Paige was suddenly sent flying backwards, nearly crashing into her. As she halted herself and glowed the poisonous purple, Alaska noticed that was moving in a rather odd manner, cross eyed and grinning stupidly.
"Poisoned and confused," Alaska growled at Sandy, though she couldn't help but smile as well. "You sure know your statuses, don't you?" And Sandy simply giggled and winked, and Butterfree did so too. Alaska was even more desperate to win now and triumph over these two setbacks.
"Sand Attack!" She cried.
"You use your Gust!" Sandy said. Paige dived towards the ground, a determined look in her eye, and Alaska thought for a second that she was conquering the confusion already. But Paige didn't pull up from the dive: Alaska shut her eyes as her Pidgey smashed into the ground with a sickening thud. Butterfree smiled as she flapped her eyes, causing a strong burst of wind that rival that of Paige's. Alaska watched as Paige was sent spiralling into the air, wailing loudly with displeasure at the treatment.
"QUICK ATTACK!" Alaska shouted, beginning to get worried about her fate, and smiled as Paige burst free of the gust and smashed straight into Butterfree's head. The two went crashing towards the ground, and Sandy gasped in shock as Butterfree crash landed in the same spot Paige had.
"Gust again!" She wailed. Butterfree rose up, looking pained, and flapped her wings quickly, but Paige easily soared above the wind, smiling down at the Butterfly Pokemon.
"That'll be Tangled Feet," Alaska called out with a smile. "When confused, it's much easier for Paige to evade attacks even if she may hurt herself sometimes!" Sandy was looking rather shocked now, and Alaska was glad to have the upper hand again. "Steel Wing, NOW!"
"Confusion!" Sandy said, and clutched her dark green satchel worriedly.
"Pidge Pidge!" Paige chirped, and flew forwards with a glowing silver wing. Butterfree continued to rise up, still looking pained, but she swerved as soon as Paige approached, leading to the Tiny Bird Pokemon to crash into a tree at the edge. Butterfree's eyes glowed pink again, and Paige shot backwards, smashing into the ground.
"Butterfree's Compoundeyes might just counteract Tangled Feet," Sandy said, breathing deeply and looking rather faint. "This is really getting intense, isn't it?" Alaska merely grunted back, and watched as Paige rose slowly from the grass: it was quite clear she was close to fainting, with bent wings and a flustered look to her wings. Despite Sandy's apparent excitement about the thrilling match, Alaska knew it was coming close to ending. Butterfree was looking equally as sore, and both Pokemon were moving their wings with a lot less power and anger than they had before. The next move would decide the match, and Alaska could see Sandy had worked this out as well: it was time to end it.
"Gust!" Both girls exclaimed at the same time. Paige and Butterfree acted instantly and simultaneously: both gave a powerful flap of their wings, and two bursts of wind went hurtling towards each other. The effect was too be expected: the opposite forces collided, releasing a cold, windy shock wave that sent both Pokemon twisting around in a spiral. Alaska cried out as her red shirt and jeans fluttered, and Sandy had to clutch her dress frantically to stop it shooting up. It was impossible to tell who was going to win.
Than, with a single movement, it was over.
Alaska and Sandy watched as the wind suddenly faded, leaving things very still, very quiet and very dramatic. For a moment, Paige and Butterfree remained airborne, looking strange as they simply hovered there. Than the two Pokemon tipped backwards, hurtling back through the leaves and branches, falling dramatically towards them. Alaska couldn't contain herself, and she rushed forwards, catching Paige before she hit the ground. There was an 'oomph' from besides her, and it was clear Sandy had saved Butterfree as well.
There was silence asides from heavy breathing for a moment. Alaska looked down and saw that Paige had fainted: she was squirming in a feeble manner, giving Alaska a rather grouchy look as if it was her fault Butterfree had used those moves, but still hadn't fainted. Alaska was glad her best friend hadn't been too badly injured, and she pulled a Potion and an Antidote out of her bag.
"MY GOSH that was exciting!" Sandy boomed from next to her, and Alaska shot her a look as she sprayed Paige with the healing liquids. Sandy was doing the same to Butterfree, and was wearing her same cheery smile. "That was SUCH an exciting battle, I can't believe how much fun it was! I'm surprised my socks haven't been blown off," and she let out a loud, carrying laugh. Alaska was agitated about her irritating loudness, but did have to agree it had been her most exciting battle since she had started her journey.
"Thanks for that, I did enjoy it," Alaska said once she had drained the two bottles: Paige fluttered up into the air, flexing her wings and fluttering around Butterfree, who remained more calm and sensible than her feathered rival.
"I really look forward to battling you again!" Sandy said, smiling and nodding. "And hopefully it won't be a draw next time!" Alaska nodded, and put her arm out for Paige to land on, finally feeling like her battling needs were satisfied. However, Paige didn't land. Confused, Alaska looked up and saw Paige was staring directly overhead, moving her wings slowly and with a glare in her eyes.
"Paige, what's wrong?" Alaska asked, and turned her head slowly.
She felt like she'd been slapped.
Chloe Carmichael was standing directly behind her, today wearing a bright blue blouse and a denim skirt. She was wearing her usual smirk, the wind tossing her hair around and making her look very model like. Damian and Lachlan were standing behind her, staring at Alaska and Sandy but not with the same vigour and anger that Chloe had in her eyes.
"What do you want?" Alaska hissed, ignoring Sandy as she peered around her. Her blood was beginning to boil, and could feel her elation about the great battle seeping away as Chloe continued to stand there, her nasty little smile making Alaska want to scream.
"I still haven't gotten over that loss," Chloe replied, her voice fill with acid despite her smile, and pulled a PokeBall out of her pocket. "I hope your Raticate with wings hasn't had too much of a hard time: I want my revenge, and I want it now!"
