Author's Note:
Oh, man, Quagsire12, does he wish. He wishes so hard…
And a word or two of thanks to The Nova Writer for the Favorite and Follow! 'Tis appreciated!
… Whoops, nothing to say here again besides the obligatory shout-outs. I may want to come up with something, besides, of course:
Happy Christmas in the near-future, for those who happen to celebrate it, and happy holidays to those who do not!
Disclaimer:
Pokémon and any other referential materials found in this story do not belong to me. They belong to their respective owners and subsidiaries, and I claim no ownership of them.
Of Children, Men, and Monsters
Chapter Twenty-One: First Fight
The appearance of this kid rather startled Marza, and she cried, "Wha – You can't just come out of the blue and do that!"
Joey sniffed impudently, not appearing to care for her words.
"Yeah, I can! The kids and I at school do it all the time! Anyways, you've gotta fight my Rattata and I! It's top-percentage, y'know!"
"And who says I have to?"
The kid let out a bark of laughter.
"Well, besides me? Almost everyone who would want to fight you! It's your pride and duty as a Trainer to fight someone who issues you a challenge!"
He grinned at Marza sardonically, next saying slyly, "Unless you're a wussie…?"
Marza smiled back.
"I'll have you know that I am no coward, and that I am also aware that you're trying to play me. But I'll go along with it, regardless!"
Cue music – Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal Version soundtrack – Battle! (Trainer)
"Alright! Go, Rattata! Show this girl who's boss, and why you're among the top percentage or Rattata!"
The ball he threw popped open, revealing what was clearly a rat-like Pokémon with a purple back and a creamy bottom, a tail that curled into an end protruding from its behind.
Marza promptly took out her Pokédex, and it read, "Pokédex Number Nineteen: Rattata, the Mouse Pokémon. Typing: Normal. Ability: Guts. Bites anything when it attacks. Small and very quick, it is a common sight in many places."
'Hmm… Seems easy enough to beat… This is our first battle, though, so we had best not be reckless!'
"Get over there, Oscura! Show this kid what you're made of!"
'That being more or less solid rock,' though Marza, grinning internally and externally. 'Probably less, actually. I mean, doubtless she has organs and such, so–"
"Tackle 'em, Rattata!"
'Aw, geez! Focus, Marza!'
"Oscura! Defend yourself!" she commanded, not really certain as to what Moves Oscura possessed.
Rat monster met rock monster, the forming roughly attempting to shove the latter to the ground with little success. It was rather comical, really – Oscura was a touch heavier than she looked, and, as such, hardly even suffered a loss of balance from the strike.
She then picked up the rat-like Pokémon with utmost ease, raising it up into the air before, slamming it effortlessly into the dirt, a small grunt of effort leaving her mouth as she chucked it down.
Seeing as how Oscura was hardly what anyone would consider tall – at least, relative to humans and such – the height itself hardly served to fulfill the purpose of harm. The raw force, however…
"Oh, shoot! Rattata! You alright over there!?"
Joey and Marza both were not sure of the status of the Mouse Pokémon due to the small dust cloud that had emerged because of Oscura's assault, but after a second or so, it sprang out from it, bruises already appearing here and there on its body. It let out an enthusiastic cry, still appearing willing and mostly able to battle.
"Alright! Go for a Quick Attack next; see if that'll do any better!"
"I'm hearing "ifs" already? Maybe this is a fight that you shouldn't've gotten into if you're already doubting you and your partner!" Marza bit, intended to make him lose his cool.
The lad was certainly appearing to be peeved by her snarky words. "Yeah, well, we'll see you be so smart-aleck-y when I kick yer' butt! Give this attack all you've got, Rattata!"
'Hook, line, and sinker, especially if he was serious about that "everything you've got" part…'
The Mouse Pokémon pawed at the ground thrice, glaring as fiercely as it could at the Rock Skin Pokémon, before it once again charged forth. This time, however, it attacked with near-blinding speed, making the tiny Pokémon appear as if it were a blur of silver charging at Oscura.
Oscura was taken by surprise with the raw speed of the attack, not even having the chance to even raise her arms in defense as it barreled into her, succeeding this time in knocking her down.
"Nice one, Rattata! Keep attacking; don't let 'em get up!"
"Come on, Oscura! Don't let something so tiny get the better of you so easily!"
After a few blows, Oscura managed to wrest the Mouse Pokémon off of her person. She appeared only slightly worse for wear than before; with a huff, she glared at the Rattata. Remembering her previous experience with this stare, Marza knew that it would practically freeze her opposition into something as still as an ice sculpture.
"Good thinking, Oscura! Now, sic 'em!"
The Rock Skin Pokémon did precisely that, running in and, in a surprisingly intelligent move, slowed just before making contact, ducking and placing her horn under the rat-like Pokémon's body. With a somewhat loud grunt of effort, she chucked her opponent into the air. The Pokémon was sent flying for three whole seconds, and it was scrabbling about in the air frantically as well as comically. Oscura reared back, head bent and body bent, and just when it was about to land, she gave the Rattata a fierce, horn-tipped head butt.
The wind was knocked out of the purple-on-cream Pokémon, and when it actually landed, it was very clearly incapable of continuing the fight, gasping on the grassy ground, a bruise already becoming rather prominent on its belly.
"No! Rattata!"
Marza watched, guilt stabbing at her heart as she watched Joey rush over to his partner, cradling it in his arms, concern being the only thing noticeable on his features. Oscura, too, watched, panting softly as she rubbed at the bruises that were already beginning to form upon her skin.
"C'mon, Rattata! Speak to me! Tell me you're alright!?"
Slowly, its eyes opened from their previously closed state, and it gave its trainer a re-assuring nuzzle. The Youngster returned the gesture with gusto, giving it an affectionate cuddle, pleased and alleviated smile on his face.
Marza reluctantly walked over, as did Oscura. Hesitantly doing so, she next said, "Ah… Oscura and I are sorry for roughing your Rattata up. Is it going to be okay…?"
The boy gave a small sniff.
"Yeah, Rattata ought to be fine after a trip to the Pokémon Center. Mom says I've always got to remember to thank Nurse Joy when she heals up Rattata, but I don't think I've gotta; I say "thanks" nearly every time I see her…"
'Nurse Joy? Hope she doesn't get made fun of too often because of that undeniably silly name… But why is it that he's even telling me about this in the first place...?'
"Well, that's good to hear," she said next, uncertain as to what to speak of besides that.
A brief, awkward silence ensued.
"Uh… You gonna leave now, or what?"
Marza stuttered, "Oh, um, yeah, sorry. I'm socially awkward at times…"
That being said, she rose from her crouching position, beckoning the Rock Skin Pokémon over. She hopped into her arms, rubbing at her sternum affectionately, and Marza gave the Pokémon a few rewarding pats on the head before she turned around.
"See you later, possibly…"
And then they left, the Youngster waving them as they walked off, following after the sunset and Lyra's direction. A small tingle being felt in both of their hearts at their first battle and first victory.
Joey, meanwhile, slowly sat up, still clutching his Rattata tightly.
"She's definitely a bit weird… She was pretty nice, though…" Joey mumbled, a miniscule smile on his features at her previous show of courtesy.
