SO, I'm horrible. Completely forgot to post this last night and just remembered about five minutes before actually posting this. Y'all can laugh at me. Go ahead… Done laughing? Cool. Enjoy this latest addition to Adlien's torment and joys! Well… maybe they're just my joys. I just laugh so hard when writing this stuff that I do to all the characters. My humor might be a bit dull, though… Eh. Enjoy! Remember to review!
Univerce
Adjusted Gym Battles
According to Officer Jenny, Professor Juniper had returned recently, not really calm despite the way everything had been covered. Ash and the others had gone off with her, myself staying with Burgh to help handle the Venipede still in Central Plaza. After running over a few plans, we decided to go ahead and herd them towards the gym, which would shut down for a few days until the professor gave a go ahead. Once that was received, we would go on and return them to the desert where their network of tunnels no doubt still remains. Until then, however…
"As much as I love pokemon, this is a bit much, don't you think?"
"Oh, why so down, Adlien?" Burgh laughs. "They're all wonderful! Even the leader, now that it's not so violently inclined."
"Yeah, yeah," I groan, leaning back against one of the large potted plants. "They're all absolutely adorable and fantastic. Any news from the professor yet or is she still missing from the face of the planet?"
Burgh gives me a weak grin, an easy enough answer for my question. Despite Juniper recently arriving from whatever escapades, she clearly has made no contact whatsoever. Whatever's happened, she probably doesn't want the rest of the world to start freaking out about it for no real reason. Well, if she's keeping it secret, it's probably a perfect reason in and of itself to start screaming in panic…
"Nothing, then," I sigh, looking at my feet where a Venipede sits quietly.
This particular Venipede has taken a vast liking to me, much to my surprise, and has refused to leave my side since entering the gym. It's probably just too scared to really go back into the colony surrounding it, being a fair bit smaller than the rest. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if this pokemon was the runt of a litter, and therefore the runt of the entire colony. Most likely it hasn't exactly felt safe even with its own family and friends, meaning it has instead turned to me, probably the only being to show kindness. And concern. Or anything vaguely resembling either action or emotion. Sad, huh?
"Well, I'm sure Ash, Iris and Cilan will show up soon enough and enlighten us to their adventures," the gym leader shrugs. "After all, it could be a great deal of inspiration for me! I can already picture it. A vast battlefield for a mysterious energy source that might one day devastate the rest of the world!"
Great, his dramatics again.
"Anyway, while I wait on them, why don't you give that painting a try again? I bet it'd be beautiful if you gave it another shot!"
With that said, he dashes out the door, grinning like a kid at Christmas, and most likely up into a tree. The Castelia City Gym is more like a nursery or an indoor farm than anything else. In fact, Burgh has so many different bug types roaming around his gym that truly help him with growing and harvesting all the plants. How he manages them all is a miracle, but he does – the famous bug type trainer in action.
After some slight debate on his words, my shoulders shrug themselves almost on their own as I turn towards a canvas. It's rather boring at the moment, just some lines on a white background marking out a very boring picture of my Shinx. He'd been such a patient little kitten while my fingers had the pencil in hand. Even Burgh himself had commented about the quiet demeanor my first pokemon had adopted at that moment. Murk just seemed to chuckle to himself while perched up in a tree. At the moment, both of them are out exploring the gym's many gardens. Not really surprising, actually.
Now standing before the black, white and gray canvas, this bored feeling sort of sets in. Personally, Burgh's crazy when he says 'try again' with this thing. Because he doesn't seem to realize that this canvas actually is done. My lines look good and there's no smudges to be corrected. Although the thought of smudging brings a thought to mind at that moment, making me dig into the pretty much unexplored bag off to the side. My dad must have forgotten what kind of girl I am, having stuffed a thing of clear nail polish into the stupid thing…
Or did he?
Bug bites need air to itch in any way, which can be taken care of by covering them with nail polish, and clear is the least conspicuous… Smart man…
But now this stuff is going to get another use today, instead covering up every one of my pencil lines. Carefully, and with the steadiest hand my fingers could manage to save on polish, I trace out all the lines on the canvas. That should hold long enough for Burgh to get the message.
"All done," I sigh, smiling for the first time at the picture.
The nail polish on it is now shining lightly in the sun that seeps through the gym's many skylight windows. It's a rather beautiful sheen, too, highlighting along a specific angle like invisible stripes. Never intended for it to look quite like that, but it's pretty awesome how coincidences work out. Now if only Burgh was here to see this creative genius, he might have a few ideas on how to use it… Eh, let him wonder how a mere kid managed something so amazing. He'll figure it out eventually. Especially if the nail polish, nearly empty now after covering every bit of sketch line, is left on the easel.
Happy with my work, I leave the tiny vial of polish on the easel as planned, turning towards the door. The little Venipede that's been hovering around me follows almost instantly, making me wonder just what could have happened to make it so dependent on me.
Oh well.
Stepping out into the main area becomes and unexpected theatrical entrance, an entrance with a bang. Literally. A loud explosion is what highlights my entry into the area, the dust clearing with me standing right at the middle line opposite of the referee. Checking both pokemon at hand, it becomes rather evident that Ash had won his gym battle, especially as the man across from me declares it.
"Leavanny is unable to battle!"
Naturally, since the poor grassy bug is laid out flat on the battlefield, eyes circling in opposite directions. Burgh must have put the poor thing through the wringer to manage that much damage in such a short amount of time. It makes me wonder just how they fought.
"Pikachu wins! Which means the victory goes to Ash of Pallet Town!"
As the two of them start leaping with joy, Burgh retrieves a small box from a randomly appearing assistant. With a smirk on my face, I turn away from the overly mushy scene and head into the foliage instead, somehow completely unnoticed the entire time. Slipping into the greenery, Venipede still right behind me, my eyes scan for a pair of familiar pokemon, both of which bolt right past me. Both Shinx and Murk zoom between the trees, disappearing from sight and making me roll my eyes. The two of them have been racing since we got here, for some reason thinking this place was perfect for it. Well, whatever makes them happy, I guess.
Quickly shoving that thought aside, I follow after the two, determined to catch them this time before they manage to upset anyone. Per usual, the Venipede follows me quietly, like a little baby Ducklett does to its mother. How cute. Sort of. Turns out, the two have already caused a problem, seeing as it seems that Shinx probably used Charge to blind Murk during flight and made the poor bird slam into a tree. While the two of them are arguing, clearly, at the base of said tree, a few bug types are above them, looking none too happy.
"Enough, you two," I sigh sadly. "Let's all get along. We need to leave soon."
Both of them look up, my kitten sparking happily and beginning to skip around my feet and legs. Murk, the more mature of the two, somehow, simply flits over through the air and lands on my shoulder. Not really surprising, of course – they both hate their pokeballs – but this isn't the time to think about that.
"Alright, alri- Shinx! Please!"
The kitten freezes, looking up with cute, wide eyes. Giving a sigh, my arms open up, the blue furred baby leaping into my arms with a happy yip. Behind me, a very sad cry of a Venipede catches my attention. While the now satisfied bug types that had been disturbed disappear – apparently me snapping at the two of them, in a way, has appeased them – my eyes turn back to a sad looking centipede pokemon. It just breaks my heart to see the sadness there, but that particular one has the ability poison point, probably. And last time I checked, living things and poison don't mix…
"Well… you might have swarm, too," I hum quietly, cocking my head to study the pokemon.
A telling indicator of an ability is to find things that go with it. For instance, a pokemon with the ability poison point, usually has bumpy looking skin or scales or whatever. Anything that would allow a small poisonous barb to stick out of the skin to infect whatever attacks it. This particular bug type happens to look completely smooth, no little bumps anywhere on the shell. At least, not visibly. Crouching down, I glide my hand across the surface, carefully, just to check. The stroke seems to make the Venipede shudder before giving a pleased chirp.
No pricks on my hand, so no poison point… Perfect!
"Well, I don't see why not, then," I smile calmly, adjusting my hold on Shinx.
Just as carefully as petting it, I lift the rather small bug in my hands, placing it on my other empty shoulder, much to its pleasure. With all three happy, and my balance against Murk restored, my feet spin me toward the door. Note to self, grab a pokeball for Venipede, since it seems to want to come with me… And double check that it wants to come with…
"Where do you think you're going?"
My legs freeze right at the threshold to the gym, sheepishly turning me around to face a frowning Burgh. Whose frown quickly flips into a sneaky grin. He has something planned, no doubt, which was why I'd attempted to leave in the first place. It will probably be something either rather painful for my emotions or humiliating to my pride. Or, in a very terrible worst case scenario, both…
"Did you think you could leave without a goodbye? Not a chance! Now get back in here and let's have a battle!"
Battle?
How does this keep happening?
Sitting on the field before me is my Murkrow, affectionately named Murk, ready for a second battle against a gym leader. Why exactly Burgh wants to fight me so badly, no clue, but it's a pain in the neck! Lenora probably told him how they managed to convince me into battling her the first time, since he quickly cited my need to be ready for a 'journey.' Of which, by the way, I'm technically not even going on! Haven't been given a starter yet, people! Apparently no one else besides myself and my mother, who has screeched at me every morning for the past couple days about it, truly realized that… Dad did, actually… He just didn't care…
I don't think Lenora did, either…
Jerks.
"You can go first, if you like!" Burgh grins, absolutely ecstatic.
"You're all jerks," I grumble quietly. "Murk, start us off with a Tackle!"
And my bird takes off into the air, a great distance over the field.
"Dwebble, Protect!" Burgh calls out, his first pokemon already set and waiting.
As my bird dives down, zooming into range, that annoying little shield comes up, blocking out all damage from the bug. Instead of slamming into the annoying shield, however, Murk has the foresight to swing around and loop back my way instead. So much for the Tackle. But his momentum is enough to rocket him back into the air, enough distance to dodge anything that Burgh might throw our way.
"Interesting," Burgh hums. "Your Murkrow forgoing the attack and instead looping around to use momentum to ascend again… Where did it learn that?"
Thinking for a moment, my mind returns back to the forest, where this same bird had used its surroundings to its advantage. Murk had stayed in the shadows when it could, then zoomed out when it thought it had a chance… He's always known how to use his area.
"He's just a natural," I shrug, giving a smile up to my bird who cries in agreement.
"A natural, huh?" the gym leader muses. "Well, let's see how natural he is! Dwebble, Rock Wrecker!"
My eyes lock onto the small boulder forming between the bug's claws, then completely ignore it as the bug launches it upwards. Murk effortlessly dodges it, pulling a dodge roll and flip just for performance sake. Now the immaturity is starting to come out – what a show off.
"Murk! Gust!"
And just like the last battle, the gym leader across from me braces low to the ground as the bird pulls his wings back before flicking them forward. At such a distance, the effect isn't as great, but it's enough to kick up a bit of dust, enough to effect the bug's sight. Sandstorm isn't the only way to affect eyesight.
"Dive into Tackle!"
With a final flick of his wings into a backflip, my friend does just that. Swooping down low to level off, the bird hits the slightly blinded bug straight on, the gym leader finally clearing his own eyes to gasp.
"Dwebble! Get up!"
It's a rather impressive sight to watch the little shell covered thing climb back to its… feet? I guess they're feet… Anyway, its back up and raring to go, making me frown slightly. As the battle's adrenaline starts to pump, though, I push it down – no enjoyment out of it this time. Instead, my arms cross while studying the opponent before me, trying to find a suitable win. Murk, probably seeing the thoughts cross my face, lands a few feet ahead of me, stoically awaiting any further orders. Burgh, on the other hand, stands across from me, looking a bit confused.
"Something wrong, Adlien?"
"No, go ahead. Murk will dodge."
He gives me a look before shrugging and ordering an X-Scissor from Dwebble. Which Murk does impressively dodge. While Burgh does his one-sided battle over there, my eyes finally lock onto a suitable target for a win. Why not do a repeat, since he's set it up so perfectly? Giving a look up at Murk, who is dodging small boulders left and right, my mind is made up.
"Murk! Dive for the scarf!" I call out, pointing decisively at… Burgh.
His fault for wearing a scarf…
"Wait, what!?"
Murk gives a screech, which sounds an awful lot like a cackle, and dives downward, swooping right by a surprised Dwebble towards the gym leader. Burgh, in hilarity, ducks to the side, running out of the trainer box. My ever faithful Murk, however, follows after him, screeching in annoyance.
"Dwebble! Help!"
"Quit running," I call out in amusement, smirk on my face. "You're just making this more and more hilarious for the rest of us. And embarrassing yourself."
"Dwebble!"
After about five minutes of him running around and Murk dodging X-Scissors and Rock Wreckers – he may have taken a few hits, slowing him down – my bird finally catches up to Burgh, yanking the scarf right from his throat. Moving target and attacker put together, that's a win in my book. Like he's done this before – duh, he has! – Murk banks away from a rather irritated Burgh, who attempted to snatch his scarf back, and ducks under a final Rock Wrecker. One small leap from myself, and the soft red fabric is in my own hands. Waving it around, a grin lights up my face as both opponent gym leader and pokemon groan.
"Round one, mine!"
"How is that a win!?" Burgh huffs, glaring at me.
"Murk not only had to retrieve something," I sigh with a small smile on my face as said bird lands on my shoulder, "but also had to dodge a separate attacker. Far more difficult than you realize once you stop and think about it."
Burgh does just that, a thoughtful look on his face, and then realization strikes. With a resigned smile, he gives me a nod before walking over, holding out his hand.
"I assume that means Dwebble loses, then?"
"That's correct," I nod, sending Murk off to the sidelines and into a tree. "Here's your scarf… It's soft…"
"I know," the gym leader laughs, replacing the fabric around his neck. "Now then, are all these battles going to be like this?"
"Probably…"
He gives a dramatic sigh, striding across the field to pat a depressed looking Dwebble on the head. After a few seconds of quiet words between the two of them, the gym leader recalls his pokemon and returns to his trainer box on the other side of the field.
"Well, then," he calls, finally on his own side. "Let's start round two! Who would you like to work with next?"
"It's not like I have another one," I grouch, giving him a look. "Just my kitten."
A desperate cry denies my words. Turning around, my eyes land on both Shinx and the rather attached Venipede that's been following me around. It gives me a look from below, and for a second it occurs to me that it might want to battle for me as well… Burgh is a three-on-three battler, now that I think about it. But he knew before that only two pokemon actually travelled with me, as well.
"I think your Venipede wants to step up," Burgh chimes out. "Why not give the guy a chance?"
"My Venipede? And 'guy'?"
"Yep! Didn't know it was male?"
"Oh, be quiet," I grumble. "How can you even tell?"
"Carefully."
With a groan, I turn to Venipede and give it a questioning look. After a moment of though, in which the exact words 'why not' came into play, my hand gestures to the field for it. With a happy cry, the bug scuttles out, shivering in what can only be excitement. This might be an actual battle pokemon…
"Alright, then," Burgh chuckles. "If you'll go with a new pokemon, I should, too! Oh Sewaddle! Come on out, would you?"
Slightly surprisingly, a Sewaddle does exactly that, swinging into the arena by a sticky string. Landing on the field, it stands proudly with a hyperactive chirp.
"Alright," I muse quietly. "I started last time, Burgh."
"So I'll start this time," he nods. "Sewaddle! Bug Bite!"
And so it begins.
"Venipede, Rollout to dodge!" I call, the move barely getting the bug out of there. "Now Rollout for attack!"
Still in the same roll, Venipede swerves around and redirects for a slightly jittery Sewaddle, which Burghs demands to dodge. The little caterpillar does as directed, using String Shot to pull itself into the air and out of the way. Venipede just barely stops before the line, skidding on its legs to a halt.
"Let's try this again, then. Venipede," I call, catching my partner's attention, "Defense Curl!"
Luckily, Venipede does know that move. It's a rather basic one. As commanded, the bug immediately does as asked, then shifts into another Rollout as my voice echoes. The caterpillar yet again dodges with String Shot by Burgh's command. This is going to be a pain. Now I know how he felt dealing with Murk while using his Dwebble. That stupid caterpillar is going to drive me crazy with all that swinging around. Wait… swinging… Sewaddle can only control it's direction on that string once before having to use another… Hmm…
"Sewaddle! String Shot on Venipede."
"Wait for it," I breathe, watching closely as Sewaddle gears up.
Burgh gives me a funny look. Venipede stands ready, bracing itself for whatever may come, and most likely preparing to avoid being wrapped in disgusting string stuff. A moment later, however, as Sewaddle's string sticks to my partner's shell, Burgh sees the mistake.
"Rollout again! And keep it up!"
"Sewaddle! Cut the string, quick!"
Too late. As Venipede leaps and curls into a fast moving ball, effectively wrapping itself, Sewaddle is yanked forward. The second my bug lands, it bursts forward to meet the flying caterpillar head on, sending the tiny bug flying and out of the field.
"Win," I chirp, skipping over to the fallen bug. "And it looks kind of, uh…"
"Knocked out?" Burgh sighs.
"Yep…"
"Of course.
Today must be a slow day. After getting Sewaddle a good check-up, Burgh sent out his final pokemon first. A Whirlipede. Shinx, raring for battle… did nothing but dodge at my command. He seemed pretty peeved about it, what with his little alpha complex near bursting at the seams, but he did it anyway. Probably because, and I regret nothing about this, I promised him he could have whatever he wanted, within reason, from the pokemart…
Bribery works…
In the end, I declared my victory by sending a Whirlipede mid Steamroller out of the ring, just like Sewaddle. Only Sewaddle had been knocked out completely by accident. Said bug is now comfortably sat on Burgh's shoulder.
"Now that is interesting," Burgh chuckles, hands behind his back with his pokemon standing beside him.
Leavanny sighs a fond agreement.
"Really? I hadn't noticed," I hum, watching Shinx chase around a deactivated pokeball…
"Is he always like that?"
"Yes."
"Huh…" he chuckles. "Well, moving on, I do believe that, despite not actually aiming for it, you've earned this!"
I turn to see Burgh holding out his hand, a very familiar item sat in his palm. There sits an insect badge, the very thing that I'm pretty sure I never wanted to win… With a pointed glare at him, my fingers pluck the stupid thing from him, well aware he'll convince me to take it anyway.
"Oh, don't look at me like that. Lenora gave you an adjusted badge, too!"
Wait, what!?
