Sibling Rivalry

Jet watched with bated breath as a wild Abra napped noiselessly by a tree. He had come out to this area just outside of Cerulean to train his Pokémon. He looked around for a good half-hour to find a good spot to start training. Although the area he found was not an ideal training spot, a wild Abra definitely made his search worth it.

He slowly drew an empty premier ball from his bag. He attempted to enlarge it as noiselessly as he could. The Abra did not stir, so he threw the ball. Normally, he would try to battle a Pokémon before catching it, but he didn't want this one to teleport away.

The wild Abra was sucked into the premier ball. Apparently it was in a very deep sleep because it did not fight being captured. The ball clicked and Jet picked up his new Pokémon to register it.

"Let's see," he said to himself, "Level ten, male. Of course his strong points would be his speed and special attack. Attacks include Teleport; that's useful. Rest, and Telekinesis. I suppose Telekinesis can be used offensively; like Psycho used to do. I can teach him Hidden Power, and I'll just figure things out from there."

Jet registered the new Abra under his name and grinned, "I'm calling you Neo!"

XXX

Amy rode shotgun while Brian sat in the back of Gary's Corvette. Brian had been right; Gary was loaded. Apparently both him and Amy have a trust fund, but only have access to the money once they get out of college. Brian had to admit though, if one was to go on a Pokémon journey than this was the way to do it; with style.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the nugget bridge. Gary parked and they made their way to an area fit for battle, (if somewhat slowly due to Amy's ankle). Once they found the right spot just off the bridge, Gary said, "No wagers. Just an honest battle between me and my baby sister!"

"Ok, but I should warn you," Amy smiled, "I ain't no baby!"

Gary smirked and said, "Whatever makes you happy, three on three sound good?"

Amy nodded and said, "Ready when you are!"

Gary took out a great ball and sent his first Pokémon into battle, "Let's go, Umbreon!"

A black and yellow Pokémon appeared that looked like a cross between a dog and a cat. Amy struggled with her crutches for a second, but then sent out Ivysaur.

The two Pokémon readied themselves for battle for a second, and then Brian shouted, "Begin!"

"Umbreon, Night-slash!"

"Ivysaur, Vine whip!"

Umbreon quickly avoided Ivysaur's attack and slashed his side. Ivysaur let out a low growl, and then turned and bit Umbreon's tail. Gary yelled, "Use sand attack!"

Umbreon kicked sand in Ivysaur's eyes with its hind legs, and then kicked Ivysaur off its tail. Gary grinned and said, "Now use Shadow Ball!"

"Dodge it, Ivysaur!"

Umbreon's eyes went black, and it created an ball of dark energy at its brow. After charging it to a considerable size, the Shadow Ball was shot at Ivysaur, who dodged it immediately and used Growl. Umbreon winced and went in for a Tackle. Amy said, "Use Body Slam!"

Ivysaur pounced just before Tackle was about to hit him and slammed into his opponent. Gary yelled, "Use Dig!"

Suddenly there was no one under Ivysaur as Umbreon buried deep underground. Amy called to Ivysaur, "Use your vine whip to pull him from the ground!"

Ivysaur quickly got up and did as was told. He wasn't quick enough, however, and was knocked into the air by Umbreon's attack. Amy gritted her teeth; this was not going well for Ivysaur. She called out, "Ivysaur, use your Leech Seed!"

Ivysaur landed safely on the ground and shot a well-aimed Leech Seed at Umbreon. The latter winced when the attack took hold and began draining its energy. Gary yelled, "Use Shadow Ball!" at the same time Amy said, "Now try using Takedown!"

The result was disastrous for Ivysaur. The poor Pokémon ran head first into Umbreon's powerful Shadow Ball attack. He was knocked back several meters. Umbreon was released from the Leech Seed, and Gary grinned, "Finish him with Quick Attack!"

In that moment when Ivysaur was about to be out for the count, his memory flashed back to his basic training:

"Remember, Bulbasaur, you're on four legs so you can't dodge the same way as Charmander and Squirtle," Jet said, "You have to roll out of the way of attacks like this."

Ivysaur lifted his head up and rolled sideways just before getting hit with Umbreon's Quick Attack. Ivysaur rolled to his feet again, albeit exhausted from the Shadow Ball. He then thought back to a strategy Jet had taught him for when he was in a tight corner. As Umbreon positioned itself for another strike, Ivysaur decided this situation called for it.

Ivysaur let out a Growl. Once he saw his opponent hesitate he went in for a Tackle. Umbreon was knocked back several feet; the strategy was working. Using Growl again, Ivysaur got his opponent to flinch before recovering; allowing him the perfect window for another Tackle.

After this second strike, however, Gary got wise to Ivysaur's strategy, "He's trying to phase you with his Growl, use Dig!"

Umbreon immediately went underground. Ivysaur looked at Amy for instructions. Amy knew that Ivysaur wouldn't be able to handle another dig, so she recalled him and sent out Hoot-Hoot.

"Stay in the air!"

Hoot Hoot flapped its little wings in an attempt to stay airborne, but wasn't quick enough to dodge the receiving side of Umbreon's Dig. Hoot Hoot was knocked into the air and fell straight on her face. Amy gritted her teeth and said, "Hoot Hoot, use Growl!"

Hoot Hoot got up and growled with all its might. Umbreon flinched again as the Growls were beginning to take their toll. His ears were now ringing, and his head felt as though it were suspended in jello. But he had to carry on; he couldn't be beaten by a simple Hoot Hoot! His master would so disappointed! So Umbreon fought through the headache, and went in for a Takedown.

"Use Growl, Hoot Hoot!"

Hoot Hoot growled again and Umbreon winced. Hoot Hoot then jumped Umbreon's attack, which didn't have the speed or force behind it as it usually did. Amy smiled, That Umbreon is getting worn out! Just a little more and Hoot Hoot might be able to take him out!

Gary watched as his Umbreon winced in pain. Those growls were severely cutting into his attack power, and Shadow Ball wouldn't affect Hoot Hoot. He had to end this quickly, "Give them a taste of their own medicine; use Snarl!"

Gary then covered his ears as Umbreon sent out a powerful, sinister sound wave at Hoot Hoot. Amy and Brian covered their ears too. But as Hoot Hoot was the target of the attack, she got the full force of Umbreon's Snarl. The attack was a sound based wave that used dark aura to fuel its power. It was similar to Round, except the dark aura helped to lower the target's special attack. Hoot Hoot screeched and flinched when hit with the attack.

Gary then said, "Finish it with Night Slash, Umbreon!"

Umbreon gathered its energy and shot at his opponent. Hoot Hoot dropped, unconscious, after being hit with the attack. Amy recalled her Hoot Hoot as Umbreon panted, waiting for the next opponent.

"Go, Poliwag!"

"Umbreon, return!" Gary recalled his Pokémon, "You could use a rest after that fight! Now, let's go, Elekid!"

Amy gritted her teeth; an electric type going against her Poliwag was not good. She needed to act fast, "Use Hypnosis!"

"Hit em with your Thundershock!"

Elekid's attack hit first, and it was over almost before it even began. Amy recalled her Poliwag, which was now KO'd, and sent back out Ivysaur.

Gary smirked, "This one again? It doesn't have the umph to go on, Amy. It's just going to get hurt."

"Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!"

Ivysaur sent several sharp projectiles at Elekid, who was caught unaware. The leaves knocked him back and left several cuts along his front. Elekid let out a cry and pulled one of the projectiles from his arm. Gary gasped as his Pokémon started to bleed freely and said, "Your foe is still weak, use Quick Attack!"

Elekid stood up and charged at his opponent. Ivysaur wasn't going to let a little thing like weariness stop him, however, and used Takedown to face the little electric Pokémon head on.

With Ivysaur's superior strength, he knocked his opponent back a couple of feet. Elekid rolled to his feet but stumbled. Amy took advantage and had Ivysaur press his opponent back, "Use another Razor Leaf!"

Elekid let out a cry of pain as he was cut once again by multiple razor-sharp projectiles. More than a few leaves were sticking out from his body, this time, and the blood flow was now too much to ignore. Gary recalled his Pokémon, "Return, Elekid! Go, Doduo!"

A large, two headed bird was sent forth, and Amy was once again at a type advantage. Thinking it best to try to put her opponent to sleep again, she said, "Use Sleep Powder, quick!"

Ivysaur immediately sent a purple spore at his opponent, but Gary said, "Jump over it and use Pluck!"

Doduo jumped over the powder and dove at its opponent. It was hindered, however, when Ivysaur caught him in mid-air with his Vine Whip. He wrapped his opponent and held him in the air in such a way that it was extremely difficult to get free. Amy smiled and said, "Good job, boy! Now slam him and use Sleep Powder!"

Ivysaur growled affirmative and slammed his opponent head-first into the ground. He then sent out another wave of purple Sleep Powder. When Doduo attempted to recover from Ivysaur's first attack, it accidently breathed in some of the spores.

"Doduo, don't breath it in!" But Gary's Pokémon was already swaying as the Sleep Powder began to take effect. Amy's heart pounded as she saw victory in sight, "Now finish 'em with Takedown!"

Ivysaur did not need telling twice. In a speed that seemed impossible for his stature, Ivysaur struck down his opponent with a powerful Takedown. Doduo fell hard; asleep or unconscious, it was difficult to say.

Gary sighed as he recalled Doduo and smiled at his little sister, "I'm really impressed. I've been raising my own Pokémon for a few years now. Now here you come with an Ivysaur that was given to you last month and you're able to last this long against me? You're definitely an Oak, that's for sure."

Gary pulled out his Great Ball which held his Umbreon inside. "I wanted to give you more time to rest, but our opponent is better than I thought. I need you, so come out and show them why we're undefeated! Go, Umbreon!"

Umbreon was sent back into battle as Ivysaur braced himself to finish what was started. Amy thought to herself, If I could just get Umbreon to fall asleep like Doduo, then we can when this match! Undefeated, huh? Not for long, Gary!

"Use Sleep Powder, Ivysaur!"

"Use Dig, Umbreon!"

Umbreon avoided Ivysaur's attack by going underground. Amy told Ivysaur, "Close your eyes and listen for Umbreon underground!"

Ivysaur did as he was told. He was vaguely aware of how much his body hurt from that last Shadow Ball, or that his head was aching from all of those Takedowns. The only thing that mattered was defeating this damn Umbreon, who was the hardest opponent Ivysaur faced since his old master's Charmander. Ivysaur felt his opponent beneath him before he heard him, and rolled out the way just like he had done earlier.

Umbreon shot from underground but missed his target. Amy shouted, "Use wrap!" and Ivysaur shot his vines at Umbreon just as he had done with Doduo. Wrapping his opponent with vines from his back, Ivysaur lifted Umbreon in the air to slam him down. His foe was heavier than usual, however, as exhaustion had begun to seep through his very vines.

"Counter it with Snarl, Umbreon!"

Umbreon opened his mouth to unleash his attack on Ivysaur, but was slammed on his head before getting the chance. If Umbreon's head had hurt before, it was nothing compared to the thumping pain that he felt now. Amy smiled and said, "Sleep Powder, just like before!"

"Use Dig!"

Umbreon gathered his senses and dug deep within himself. Using a power that was usually common in ground type Pokémon, Umbreon parted the earth beneath him and dove. As he burrowed deeper under the ground, he became acutely aware of how much harder it was to breath under there. He had never really noticed, either, just how tight it was. Perhaps it was exhaustion seeping in, but Umbreon was beginning to severely hate using this move. The more he dug, the more tired he felt. In fact, he was unconvinced that he'd be able to pull of the attack right when he did emerge.

But he couldn't think about things like that now; he could sense that he was under his target. Gathering his remaining energy, Umbreon drove forward, full force, in an attempt to end this battle in one last attack.

He was unsuccessful. Somehow Ivysaur had pulled of yet another dodge and sent what looked like a Razor Leaf attack his way. Umbreon jumped out of the way and let out a low growl, this Ivysaur was really giving him a headache!

Ivysaur grunted as he missed his opponent. He thought that last Razor Leaf would hit for sure. He then heard the opposing trainer yell something about Night Slash and prepared himself for the dodge he was about to make. Behind him, his master's voice said, "Dodge it, Ivysaur!" Ivysaur smiled to himself, A little late, aren't you?

Ivysaur had little time to react; his opponent was dangerously fast. He barely had time to roll out the way. And he doubted whether he would have had time at all if Umbreon didn't seem so exhausted. He thought once again back to his early training. Back to when he would fight himself to sleep against Charmander and Squirtle. Jet had once told him,

"When you fight at full strength, you tend to rely on that strength for the battle to outmatch your opponent. If you're a lot stronger than your opponent, this will usually work. But if you are fighting against a stronger opponent or an enemy who is around the same level as you guys are, then hang in there for as long as possible until you exhaust yourselves.

"It's when you have no strength left that you began to fall back on your training. You begin to focus more on technique rather than power. You take your time and assess the situation instead of running in head-first. During this time, remember your basics. They are your greatest weapon."

The basics… The basics…

Ivysaur charged into his opponent to close the distance, letting out a long, powerful Growl as he did so. Umbreon flinched as it took the brunt of another Growl, and Ivysaur lunged forward with another Tackle. Tackle through your opponent; always make sure to follow through.

After hitting Umbreon with Tackle, Ivysaur slid and did an about face the way Jet had once taught him. He then got on his hind legs and tried to stomp his foes head. Umbreon quickly got up and dodged left, leaving his side exposed. Ivysaur's heart pounded as the feint worked, and pounce forward taking his opponent to the ground.

Ivysaur was now on top of his opponent in a dominant position, it was time to secure this position by pinning his opponent. He stomped at the neck and tail. He pinned one of Umbreon's legs while keeping one of his own legs securely on the ground. He then got to work on attacking with bite.

Amy watched in shock as Umbreon screeched while being mauled by Ivysaur. She had always focused on Ivysaur's advanced techniques, and had no idea where this animalistic attack had come from. What really surprised her was that it was working. They had a chance to win this!

Gary gritted his teeth. He knew Umbreon wouldn't be able to build the concentration to use a special attack, and this Ivysaur was too good at close quarters combat. He had to try something, so he said, "Umbreon, use Snarl!"

To Gary's surprise, Umbreon was able to use his attack even while taking so many bites. His attack was even powerful enough to knock Ivysaur back, giving Umbreon time to recover. His heart beating in his chest, Gary quickly followed up with, "Use Shadow Ball!"

"Use Razor Leaf!"

Brian watched the struggle between Ivysaur and Umbreon with awe. He had always adored Pokémon, and this was why. It was amazing that creatures normally so graceful and so playful can turn around and have an all-out battle to this degree. The ground was messed up from all of the dig attacks. There were razor sharp leaves sticking out of park benches and light posts. Blood was scattered all around the ground. And now two Pokémon who fought so hard to overcome each other lay unconscious from their struggle.

Brian called out, "Both Ivysaur and Umbreon are unable to battle, and this match is a draw."

Both of the trainers recalled their Pokémon. Amy was slightly saddened; she was sure for a second there Ivysaur was going to pull through for a win. Not that she was disappointed in the Pokémon himself, he fought bravely, and showed her a side of him she had never seen before. This is why I love battles. It lets us get to know our Pokémon more, and brings us closer together.

Gary walked up to his sister and hugged her, "That was the best match I ever had. When I was living with dad, none of the local trainers there ever gave me and my Pokémon a real challenge. If I had to have my first draw, I'm glad it's with you, sis."

Amy smiled, "Thank you, Gary! That Umbreon of yours is something else."

Brian walked over and said, "Your Ivysaur was incredible! I guess I still have a long way to go, I still haven't figured out how to unlock Wartortle's true power like you and Jet did."

"Well," Amy said, "Jet was their original trainer."

Gary frowned, "Whose original trainer?"

"My Ivysaur and his Wartortle. My friend Jet was the one that hatched them and taught them how to fight."

Gary scratched his head and said, "I want to meet this guy. If he's as good of a trainer as you two say, I want to battle him!"

"Yeah, well," Amy sighed, "We got to go heal our Pokémon before we go battling anyone. Then let's head to Cerulean Cape, I feel like I'm due for a win."

Author's Notes:

So, I'm not updating as often as usual, simply because I'm a little busier than usual. Next chapter will see more battles as the gang, (minus Jet) head to the battle club. You may get to see more of Gary's Pokémon; I know I'm going to have Brian do a match.

What do you think of the match between Gary and Amy? Who do you think you want to see next? Gary vs. Brian? Amy Vs. Brian? Leave a review to let me know, (Yes, sometimes I do take request).

There is still a good… three chapters until we get to a Gym match, but I definitely have things in the works for the Battle club. Stay tuned to find out what, and as always, please Review!

*Amy's Team:

Ivysaur – Lvl.21, Male

Hoot-hoot – Lvl.15, Female

Poliwag – Lvl.16, Male

Paras – Lvl.14, Male

Clefairy – Lvl.14, Female

Zubat – Lvl.13, Male

*Gary's Team:

Umbreon – Lvl.24, Male

Elekid – Lvl.16, Male

Doduo – Lvl.18, Female

Sudowoodo – Lvl.20, Male

These are simply the Pokémon Gary is currently training. He does have a lot more in Storage, and you may meet some of them later.