So this is a fairly small chapter so I might upload the next one pretty quickly...maybe :) I hope you guys are enjoying the read as much as I enjoy writing the story, but I'll hand over to Ruby now!
Somehow I managed to persuade Charmander to train a little during our time in Viridian Forest, though he could be incredibly stubborn and mostly did his own thing until I pulled rank and either forced him to sit out or made some sort of bargain with him. So far I owed him a lot of spicy sweet treats.
Still, he was growing stronger and better every time we practiced, even Pidgey nodded in approval as he fought off a swarm of Weedle without her help, though initially I had sent her in but Charmander had growled at her and shot me a look that read that he could do it himself.
The Weedle ran away in fear and Charmander nodded his head smugly, folding his arms. "Char."
"Wow! You were totally awesome Charmander!" I beamed. "You're going to grow up to be a strong Pokémon one day." He looked at me curiously but did not reply. We were about to move forwards when I felt someone creeping up behind me. "Huh?"
"Hiyah!"
"WAARGH!" I yelled, diving backwards as a sword swiped at me. "Watch where you swing that thing!" I bellowed at the Samurai who sheathed it gracefully.
"My apologies, lady, but I have been watching you for a long time now." I blinked at him. That's not at all creepy. "I have fought two trainers from Pallet Town, all of them displaying incredible strength and battle skill. I have come to challenge you and then the last of the four, that is of course if you are a trainer from Pallet Town." I smiled.
"That's me. I'm Ruby." I introduced myself. "Who are you?"
"I am Samurai. Now, trainer of Pallet Town, fight me!" With a flash of his bug catching net which was slid onto his back, Samurai then flung forwards a Pokéball. "Go Pinsir!"
"Pinsir? What on earth is that?" I startled backwards then pulled out Dexter as the Pokémon emerged from its ball. It was a bug type Pokémon that looked like a brown beetle with long arms, muscly legs, horrible gaping mouth with long teeth and finally, claw like horns on its head which clamed together. "Wow…"
"Do you accept my challenge?" Samurai demanded to know as he stood with a smirk behind his Pinsir.
"Pinsir. This fearsome Pokémon uses its powerful claws to put the squeeze on its opponents." Thank you Dexter, but I think I figured that much out for myself.
"Okay, let's do this!" I agreed. "Pidgey, I choose…"
"Charmander!" Charmander leaped forwards and faced Pinsir, boldly inhaling and exhaling deeply to ready itself for battle and its tail flame brightened, getting hotter as he excited himself up for the fight.
"Charmander? You want to fight?" I blinked in surprise.
"Char." He nodded his head. Slowly I sighed.
"Okay, but you're going to have to listen to me, deal?" He gave no reply but I allowed him to remain in the field, deciding to give him a chance. Looking up to Samurai. "I'm ready, what are the terms?"
"This will be a one on one battle with no time limit." He answered. "Now begin! Pinsir, use Focus Energy!" Pinsir stomped the ground and a red light circled around him, sweeping upwards as it growled.
"Pin! Pinsir…" It hissed, looking menacingly at Charmander.
"Charmander, use Growl to lower its attack!" However Charmander sprung forwards and pulled back its claw to use Scratch instead. "No! You mustn't get too close! Watch out for the horns!" I yelled and my fists jumped to my mouth with worry, watching helplessly as Charmander went for the Scratch.
"Pinsir, use Bind! Clamp down on that little pest!" Pest? PEST! I'LL SHOW YOU PEST!
"Argh! Dodge it Charmander!" I yelled as Pinsir lowered his head and tried to sweep up Charmander. This time Charmander leaped up into the air, listening to my direction then landed on Pinsir's back. "Great, now you listen to me!" I shouted, pointing to Charmander who blinked at me in surprise. "I have had enough of your attitude. If you don't start listening and doing as you're told then you and me are going to have serious issues. If you want to win this fight then you need to listen to me and not your own vanity." His jaw dropped open slightly as my anger continued to escalate as Pinsir tried to shake Charmander off.
"Use Seismic Toss Pinsir, flatten that Charmander!" Quickly I thought of a way to escape the attack.
"Charmander, Growl as loudly as you can! Try and startle Pinsir out of the attack!" I called and Charmander paused before nodding his head. He leaped back off Pinsir, flying up into the air then sucked in a deep breath. What we heard was hardly a Growl, it was more like a Roar! The force of the Growl slammed into Pinsir and he stumbled, clapping his hands to his ears to block out the sound but his attack stats practically hit the floor.
"Alright, now use Scratch but keep behind the Pinsir, avoid his horns and limbs to protect yourself!" Charmander landed on the ground just as I spoke so he raced forwards and began to scratch the Pinsir, swiping at its hard body.
"Quickly use Vice Grip, don't let that little Charmander escape!" Samurai called and Pinsir whirled around.
"Move Charmander!" But it was too late. The horns clamped down around Charmander and he cried out as he was lifted off the ground.
"Chaaaaar!"
"No!" I gasped and Pidgey flew up, preparing to attack but I flung out a hand. "This is Charmander's fight Pidgey, you can't get involved." I informed her so she dropped back down to a branch, watching closely as Charmander continued to struggle.
"Clamp down tighter!" My eyes widened. What could I do?
"Charmander, hit him with another growl then Scratch for all that you're worth!" I yelled but Charmander began to light up with a red fuzzy glow, flickering brightly as his rage escalated. He turned his head down then spat out a large burst of fire, hitting the Pinsir in the face which made it cry out and let go.
"Pinsir!" I gasped. Charmander had learned Ember? Alright!
"Way to go Charmander, now hit him again with Ember, let's finish this!" Charmander called out in agreement as he inhaled oxygen to stoke up his fire source.
"Char! Chaaaaaarmander!" Fire shot out in a short but powerful burst, slamming into Pinsir and swallowed him completely.
"Pinsir!" Samurai called out as the flames engulfed him.
"Hold fire Charmander." I commanded but Charmander ignored me and shot another burst again. "Charmander! That's enough, stop that!" I yelled at him and he looked around at me as if surprised. I glared at him. "You can't obliterate your opponent like that, once they've had enough then that's it, the battle is over. You've already won so what else is there to prove? Only that you're being a bully. So stop with the fire attack and just sit there until I'm ready to deal with you."
To my surprise Charmander sat down and lowered his head, sullenly looking at the ground as I turned my glare away then walked towards the Pinsir, who was collapsed on the ground and groaning, still covered in little flames from a burn.
"Piiinsiiiir…"
"Hey it's okay." I murmured as Samurai rushed over.
"Pinsir! Are you alright? Don't worry, I shall get you to a Pokémon Centre as fast as I can."
"No need." I told him brightly, fishing through my things. "Here, this is a Burn Heal and a Super Potion. My dad gave me a basic rundown on the essentials for a Pokémon journey. I'll heal him up for you right here." I first gave the Burn Heal, putting out the flames then the Super potion.
The bad condition lessened and I watched as the scratches disappeared as well as the burns. In no time at all, Pinsir leaped up then began to nuzzle me in thanks, rubbing his hard shell against my face which was surprisingly soft. "Haha! You are more than welcome." I beamed, giggling as I rubbed his head. "You just take care now, okay?"
"Thanks you. You are indeed, a worthy and honourable opponent." Samurai bowed as I stood and I smiled to him.
"It's no trouble, thank you for a fantastic battle, you really taught me how to be a better trainer. Despite you having the advantage of experience, I was able to use my Pokémon's skills to his own advantage." Nodding my head to him I chuckled. "Well, the last trainer you'll need to find is Ash. He'll be heading through this way sooner or later, I wish you luck with your battle with him but be careful, he has some pretty powerful Pokémon!"
"Thank you. Good luck to you also." Samurai smiled as he returned Pinsir to his Pokéball. "Farewell to you, honourable rival."
"Goodbye." I waved as he moved on, waiting until he was gone before turning to Charmander who was still sitting on the ground where I had left him. "What am I going to do with you?" I sighed, all anger now disappeared. "Hey." I murmured as I knelt down in front of him. "That was a pretty impressive battle. You're really growing strong now, in no time at all you'll be sprouting a pair of wings and flying up into the sky as a Charizard." I tried to cheer him up but he merely whined.
"Chaaar!" Getting up he sulked over to my belt then pressed his Pokéball and returned himself.
"Oh come on, don't be like that." I groaned. "I'm sorry I yelled at you, that was wrong of me." Still no answer. "Okay, well…you rest up then. You definitely deserve it." With that I lifted my arm and let Pidgey settle on my shoulder before heading on towards Pewter City.
