The next morning was met with excitement and groggy Pokemon. Baz was already ready to head on to the flower field to battle Colin for the first time. Colin was dragged out of bed and into his clothes as he walked out the door following the sprinting Baz like a shuffling zombie. A 2v2, they had decided on. The two chose to stop and train before the battle with the Pokemon they planned on using. Baz was planning on using Prinplup and Budew. Colin, as he only had two Pokemon, Croagunk and Luxio, he was to use them. Zubat wasn't planning on fighting , as it had taken it's place atop Baz's head. The two sparred their Pokemon against each other, with Croagunk barely overcoming Luxio and Prinplup easily trumping Budew. After healing at the Pokemon Center, Nurse Joy had offered to officiate. "The match between Baz of Twinleaf Town and Colin of Petalburg is about to begin. This will be a singles match, 2v2. Trainers, ready your Pokemon. Begin!" The battle of the flowers was underway.
Nurse Joy had barely gotten her hands down when the Pokeballs flew forward. Baz had decided on Budew. Zubat would sit this one out. Colin sent forth Croagunk. Baz reacted first. "Alright, Budew! Start with Pound!", he yelled. Budew sprinted forward, but Croagunk was faster. The frog Pokemon jumped into the air, and used an Astonish on Budew as it passed under it. Colin's zombified look was replaced with stupor. He never said to attack, but he wanted to use Astonish. Budew stopped for a split second. All the time Croagunk needed. "Croagunk! Poison Sting!", Colin ordered. Croagunk slamed back onto the ground in front of the dazed Budew and fired the Poison Sting at point blank range, sending Budew flying backwards. Budew caught itself a few feet in front of Baz. "Budew, use Pound again!", Baz said. "Croagunk! Counter with Mud Slap!", Colin yelled. Baz was one step ahead. As the two Pokemon raced toward each other, Baz smirked. "Budew! Stop and use Stun Spore!" Colin saw it all fall into place before he could react. Croagunk received a Stun Spore and froze, instantly dropping to the ground in paralysis. Baz took his chance. "Budew, Absorb!", Baz said. Budew began to glow with a soft green light as it drained Croagunk. Croagunk struggled to stand. Colin yelled, "Croagunk, Mud-Slap!" Croagunk weakly hit the ground and caused mud to take Budew off its feet. Colin smirked, as did Croagunk. "Follow up with Pursuit.", Colin said. Croagunk disappeared for a split second and returned behind Budew, jabbing the plant Pokemon's back. Budew froze and fell to the ground, spiral eyed.
"Budew cannot continue! First round goes to Croagunk and Colin!", shouted Nurse Joy as the plant Pokemon was brought back into its Pokeball. Croagunk seemed pleased with itself. Colin did too. Baz looked annoyed. He glanced up at Zubat, wo was sleeping peacefully (somehow) on Baz's head. Baz rolled his eyes at the Bat Pokemon and brought out his last Pokemon, Prinplup. Croagunk turned back to Colin and smirked. It could keep on going, the Pokemon seemed to say. Colin nodded and Round 2 got underway. "Prinplup, use BubbleBeam!", Baz ordered. Prinplup shot forward a stream of bubbles that moved like bullets through the air. "Croagunk, try to dodge them!", Colin yelled. Croagunk tried its best to dodge the attack, but paralysis wasn't making things any easier for it. Croagunk dodged some, was grazed by others, and hit head on by most of them. "Croagunk, use Mud-Slap!" Croagunk began the attack, but staggered as yellowish bolts appeared to streak across its skin. Severe paralysis, fantastic. Baz saw his opportunity. "Prinplup, Peck!", he yelled. Prinplup launched itself forward like a missile and struck Croagunk directly in its chest. Croagunk cried out in pain and was sent flying backwards, but was caught by Colin. The force of the frog Pokemon sent Colin to the ground. Needless to say, Round 2 was over.
"Croagunk cannot continue! Round 2 goes to Baz and Prinplup!", Nurse Joy yelled. Colin placed Croagunk next to Nurse Joy for now. Colin winced. Prinplup had taken no damage. It was up to his last Pokemon now, Luxio. Colin sent out Luxio. This was it. The final round was underway and neither side showed any sign of giving in. The two trainers eyed each other carefully, both reluctant to take the first move. "Luxio, use Bite!", Colin yelled. "Prinplup, Metal Claw!", Baz said. The two Pokemon clashed. Prinplup's Metal Claw hitting Luxio's flank and Luxio landing a hit on Prinplup's flipper. The two went back and forth for some time. Prinplup would take massive damage from Luxio using Spark, Luxio getting sent backwards by a Peck or Metal Claw. Neither side could give an inch as that would be one inch too many for the other to capitalize on. It was afternoon when they had started this battle. The sun set as the two Pokemon clashed like titans.
Lights illuminated the battlefield. "Prinplup, use Tackle!", Baz yelled. The attack caught Luxio off guard. Luxio staggered for what could've been a half second. All the time Baz needed. "Follow up with Peck!", Baz yelled for what felt like the thousandth time. Prinplup was flawless in it's movement, sending Luxio flying backwards into a lightpost. Colin was shocked, Baz felt great. Luxio lay slumped against the flickering lightpost. "Prinplup! Finish this with another Peck!", Baz yelled triumphantly. Prinplup came barreling toward Luxio. Colin had to act fast. Then, an idea struck him. "Luxio, stand up and wait.", Colin said. Luxio stood up and waited patiently. Prinplup was about three feet away from Luxio when Colin yelled, "Now, Luxio! Spark!" Baz couldn't stop it. Prinplup attempted to stop itself but it was too late. The lightpost went out as Luxio fired its Spark at the penguin Pokemon. Prinplup was hit directly and stopped dead in its tracks. It stood, swayed for a small bit, then fell backwards, spiral eyed. Luxio puffed out its chest, roared, then also fell over. The match was over. Colin was the victor.
Colin felt more relief than victory. He watched Croagunk fight its heart out and instantly got taken down by Prinplup. Luxio nearly had the same fate if not for his quick thinking. Colin sighed. He was in the Pokemon Center's lobby now. Baz was packing their stuff up. All Colin had on him was Luxio's Pokeball, the curtains from Jubilife, and his pack. Baz came over and sat next to him. "Hey.", he said. Colin replied, "Hey." "So that was fun wasn't it? We both got a bit carried away but you know, still pretty fun, right?", Baz said, nudging Colin. "I, I'm not sure. I mean, yeah I won, but our Pokemon got hurt.", Colin said, dejected. Baz sat there for a second. He turned to Colin and said, "You know Colin, you've got a good heart." Baz smiled and walked over to the Pokemon Center's counter. Colin looked at the floor and smiled. "He's right, you know", a voice next to Colin said. Colin jumped and looked up. "Professor Rowan! What're you doing here?", Colin asked. "Business trip. But what Baz said about you is true. You really have such a good spirit. You truly care for your Pokemon. You can't stand to see them get hurt, much less get hurt by your friend's Pokemon.", Professor Rowan said. He WAS right, Colin thought, right about a lot. Rowan smiled and said, "Anyway, I've got to get on my way now. But Eterna Forest isn't too far away from here. It's your best bet of getting to Eterna City. You spent enough time in Floaroma Town, don't you think?", Rowan said. Colin leaned back in his seat and looked up at the ceiling. "Yeah, maybe we did kinda settle in for a bit.", Colin said, chuckling. Baz ran over. Croagunk on his back, Zubat on his head, Budew in his arms, Baz looked overwhelmed. Colin laughed. "Who were you talking to just now?", Baz asked. "Oh, just th-", Colin cut himself off. Professor Rowan was gone, out the door. "Nobody, Baz, nobody.", Colin said. "Oooook. What now?", Baz asked. "We leave for Eterna Forest. Like, now.", Colin said, getting up. "Sure, but could you please get your Croagunk off my back first?", Baz asked turning around. Colin turned around and Croagunk was suddenly on Colin's back. A few minutes later, they were out of the City of Flowers and on their way to Eterna Forest.
~ And so, our two "heroes" are on their way to their second badge. And so much more! But only time will tell what happens next! ~
-AUTHOR'S NOTE-
It's been too long, my friends! How are you all? First off, I want to apologize for my three month absence. I had computer troubles and couldn't write. Secondly, this will hopefully the first of many chapters following the "Floaroma Arc" which has just concluded (finally)! But that was honestly fun to write! Anyway, I just want to say that I am thankful people actually decide to read this. Be sure to review this, tell me what you think. And I hope you have a wonderful day! :3
Best Wishes,
-S