Told you it was gonna be a long time before I updated. So far, this is my longest chapter. Is it my best chapter so far? Let me know in your reviews. I don't own Pokemon, but if I was, Alain would replace Ash a long time ago..
Chapter 4: A New Rival
Cade steadied his breathing. Calm down, already. He said to himself. No time to look on a loss. Make sure you win the next one. Those words filled him with confidence as he readied his next Pokemon for battle.
"Rattata, I choose you!" His next Pokemon was a purple rat-like Pokemon with a curled tail and huge fangs. His opponent, Jordan, revealed a brown-furred, fox-like Pokemon with pointy ears and a bushy tail.
"Eevee, get ready to anticipate him!" Jordan called to his Pokemon, which was looking back and nodding in affirmation. The fox-like Pokemon shuddered, and readied its gaze upon Rattata.
"Rattata, use Bite!" The rat-like Pokemon lunged at Eevee with its fangs and managed to score a hit. The opposing Pokemon wasn't that distraught, though. Eevee managed to throw Rattata off of it and readied its attack. What Jordan called out next, though, made Cade as confused as his Hoothoot earlier.
"Eevee, use Baby-Doll Eyes!" The brown creature let out an impossibly adorable glare that managed to captivate Rattata for a moment. Cade remembered his earlier battle against Cathy. When Bulbasaur used Growl, his Pokemon did less damage with attacks. Was it the same case here? His Pokemon's damage from attacks would seriously be affected. Not to mention his Rattata isn't the most hard-hitting Pokemon ever. Then, he recalled his battle against one of the trainers on Route 1. His Rattata was on the verge of being knocked out while the opponent's Sentret was still in prime battle condition.
The Sentret followed its trainer's command by using Defense Curl twice. Cade followed up by commanding his Rattata to use Focus Energy. Rattata then managed to knock out the Sentret with one well-placed Quick Attack. What he had learned before, he had to apply here.
"Rattata, use Focus Energy!" The rat-like Pokemon then tightened its gaze on the Eevee. Its eyes were wandering around the opponent, looking for possible weak spots. It managed to lock on to a vulnerable area: Eevee's back. But, before it could strike, the Eevee landed a Quick Attack on Rattata. Rattata was still unfazed, though, and managed to counter with a Quick Attack of its own. Both Pokemon were giving it their all and neither seemed to have a clear advantage. Even so, the earlier status-depleting move by Eevee was taking a not-so-obvious effect. Rattata's attacks did less damage than they're supposed to.
As if sensing his hesitation, Jordan let his Eevee use Tackle to finally finish his opponent. Eevee hit Rattata square in the middle of its body. Rattata tumbled over and rolled a few times before coming to a halt right in front of Cade.
"Rattata! You can't give up yet!" The boy was desperately trying to urge his partner on. Rattata seemed to be listening, but it was still having a hard time trying to stand up.
"I know we've only been partners for a short while, but I believe," he started, then stopped. After a hesitant gasp, he continued," I KNOW you can beat him!" Rattata is still weak on its knees, but slowly began rising up to face its adversary. "My goal is not only to train Pokemon and get stronger, it's also so I can meet and make new friends with everyone, people and Pokemon alike.."
You're tougher than I thought, kid. Jordan thought to himself. Could he be the next one?
"I've only started to know about battling, but you're more to me than a partner, Rattata," Cade couldn't help the tear in his eye slide down his cheek, but his face showed a determined expression. "You're my friend..."
Rattata then began to glow. Its body started shifting into a different form. Its fur color became brown and its teeth now looked comically intimidating.
"It evolved?" Jordan was saying in question and awe.
"It evolved.." Cade repeated with pure awe in his voice. "Now, this is more like it!" A surge of confidence flooded through his body. And, although he could not see it, his partner seemed to feel his confidence, too.
POKEDEX ENTRY: #020- Raticate, the mouse Pokemon, evolutionary form of Rattata:- It whittles its constantly growing fangs by gnawing on hard things. It can chew apart cinder walls.
"Just because it evolved, don't think that you need to take me lightly!" Jordan warned his opponent. "Eevee, use Swift!" Star-like projectiles appeared around the fox-like Pokemon. Each one of them hit the newly-evolved Raticate with authority. However, Raticate just shook the pain off and steadied its gaze on Eevee. "Impressive. It actually took it.."
"Maybe you're the one who's underestimating me instead, Jordan! Raticate, Quick Attack!" Raticate jumped at the Eevee before it could react. Eevee was still standing, just barely.
"Eevee, Sand-Attack," Eevee readied its move, but was interrupted by the quicker and more agile Raticate.
"I don't think so!" Cade said to Jordan. "Raticate, Quick Attack!" Raticate lunged at Eevee and scored a direct hit. At that moment, the weak spot it managed to zero in on earlier was vulnerable to a powerful finishing blow. As if it was telepathically sending this message to its trainer, Cade called for the finishing blow.
"Raticate, Hyper Fang!" The rat-like Pokemon drilled its fangs into Eevee's back. The fox-like Pokemon screamed in pain as its body was now in Raticate's mouth. With authority, Raticate threw Eevee all the way back to Jordan, who was keeping a calm and composed expression on his face. Eevee then collapsed, defeated by the newly-evolved Raticate.
"Alright! Raticate, you did a great job out there!" Cade went over to his partner Pokemon and embraced before putting it back into its Poke Ball.
You did great, Eevee. We'll get him next time, Jordan said quietly to his fallen partner before placing it back in its Poke Ball. "Pokemon are amazing creatures, aren't they?" He said to Cade who was still smiling from his first victory, though it was one of joy, not confidence. "They'll do whatever it takes to please their trainer. They won't give up until the very end, and, as you illustrated, even evolve when at dire conditions. It's all thanks to the pure hearts of their trainers," He then continued, but was now keeping his gaze on the younger boy. "There's something special about you, Cade. You have been with your Pokemon for, what, less than a day? And they already have complete faith in you. I know you're destined for a bright future as a trainer. Heck, you could even be a Champion one day.
Cade reminisced at the thought of being on top, being the best Pokemon trainer ever. Then, reality started to kick in. "I don't know if I'll ever be THAT good. I'm not even in the same league as you are, you know,"
"A kid can dream, can't he?" Jordan concluded with a grin. "Now, each of us have one Pokemon left. Care to finish what we started?"
"You bet! If I can beat you, I know I'm capable of going farther than just a regular trainer,"
"So, basically, you're just gonna treat me as a stepping stone?" He questioned with a smirk on his face.
"No! No! Not like that," Cade said defensively, as he still wanted someone to mentor and guide him to grow as a trainer. "I want to view you as a tutor,"
"Tutor? Dude, I suck at teaching people," He said, though the smile on his face was still present. "But, I am going to school you, right here and now! So get ready to learn, pilgrim!"
"I think you mean pupil," Cade couldn't help laughing. Jordan tried his best to remain composed, but failed and started laughing, too.
"Are you done?" His voice was still shaky after laughing for a few moments. Cade shifted his expression from playful to determined, and readied his signature Pokemon.
"Yeah, I'm done. Squirtle!" The blue turtle Pokemon appeared out of the Poke Ball and readied itself for the final round.
"So, your starter. Nice pick," Jordan complimented while readying his Pokemon. "Go, Nidoran!" The Poke Ball opened the purple Pokemon from earlier. Nidoran showcased a cocky grin on its face, matching its trainer's. "You're move, my friend,"
"If you say so. Squirtle, Bubble!" Squirtle fired a frothy wave of bubbles at Nidoran. It was quick enough, though, to avoid the attack.
"Nice job, Nidoran! Now, use Horn Attack!" Nidoran charged at Squirtle with its horn protruding and hit Squirtle square in the chest. Squirtle, however, seemed unfazed. "Wow, your Squirtle is really bulky. That barely dented him," commented Jordan.
"Well, I'm not going to make it easier for you, Jordan! Squirtle, Withdraw!" Squirtle stiffed its body and shell. Jordan then gave Nidoran the order to use Poison Sting. Squirtle was just quick enough to evade, however.
"Squirtle, Withdraw!"
"Nidoran, Double Kick!"
This time, Squirtle hid its entire body in its shell. Nidoran connected with both kicks, and knocked back Squirtle a few feet. After coming out of the shell, though, Squirtle seemed unfazed.
"His defense is rising every time he uses Withdraw. I've got to capitalize on.."
"Squirtle, use Bubble!" The frothy wave was fired again by Squirtle and found its target this time. Nidoran was knocked back in the sea of foam. Its movements were slowing down. Jordan was stunned to see his signature Pokemon being bested. He wasn't one to give up, though, and his partner was the same.
"Nidoran, Poison Sting!"
"Squirtle, Bite!"
Nidoran's horn was going to drill into Squirtle's chest when at the very last second, Squirtle twisted away from being hit by the attack and followed up by biting Nidoran on the back. It then weaved and wandered and bit Nidoran again, this time at the base of the neck area.
"Woah.." Jordan was now both in awe and worried about his partner's condition. "Nidoran, are you okay?" Nidoran looked back to its trainer and nodded with affirmation. If we can poison that Squirtle, we might have a chance. That thought has been stuck in Jordan's mind since the battle began. "Nidoran, I believe in you."
"Squirtle, use Bite again!" Cade was looking to end this battle immediately. Squirtle rushed over to the injured Nidoran and bared its beak.
"Now, Nidoran! Poison Sting!" Nidoran jumped and managed to hit Squirtle with its horn and inflict poison. Squirtle quickly recovered, but it suddenly looked tired.
"What's wrong, Squirtle?" Cade asked. His Pokemon was weak on its knees. It was standing, it just can't move that much without hurting.
Excellent, now we wait it out.. "Nidoran, back off and just be ready to avoid his attacks!" Nidoran understood its trainer's command and stood its ground.
Squirtle proceeded to launch attack after attack, and Nidoran managed to dodge them all. Cade noticed that with every attack his Squirtle launched, it became weaker and weaker. When Cade commanded Squirtle to use Withdraw, it was to weak to even stand anymore and was on its knees.
"What's happening, here?" Cade asked to no one in particular.
"It's called a status condition," Jordan explained to him. "There are many status conditions, this being poison. You're Pokemon will gradually lose health until it can't fight anymore. Being the gentleman I am, I won't waste your time," Jordan said with a cocky grin. "Nidoran, Double Kick!"
The purple Pokemon dashed at Squirtle and landed two kicks in quick succession. Jordan saw this as the opportunity to finally put an end to their battle.
"Nidoran, Horn Attack!"
Nidoran put some distance between itself and Squirtle. It then charged at full speed before crashing its horn against Squirtle. The starter Pokemon landed with a thud. Cade's eyes turned to the trainer opposite him, grinning with confidence.
"You did amazingly, Squirtle," Cade said to his partner. He then turned his attention to the older trainer. He didn't put Nidoran back into its Poke Ball. Jordan noticed the boy looking at his Pokemon.
"Pokemon are living creatures, you know. Let them out of the Poke Ball once in a while for some fresh air,"
"I never thought of it that way before.." Cade then noticed that it was already late in the evening. "Wait, where am I supposed to sleep?"
"Most trainers usually camp out, but the Pokemon Center has a few spare rooms," Jordan stated, pointing toward the white and red building.
"What about you?" Cade asked.
"I'm staying at a friend's house. She lives around here. I doubt she's gonna let you sleep there, though. She's really strict and has rules for everything," he said.
"Oh, its fine. Thanks for the battle. I learned a lot from you," Cade offered his hand, which Jordan accepted. "I guess I've found a tutor,"
"Hey, no sweat! If you need tips or want to battle, give me a call on the Pokegear, okay?"
"Sure! I'll make sure I'll beat you next time," he concluded.
"You'd better. Or else, the next time we're going to lunch, it's on you," Both trainers broke into laughter.
They finally parted ways, not knowing the fact that for the entirety of their battle, they were being watched...
Somehow I feel satisfied after writing this. Homework has been slowing me down for, like, a few days now. It's such a relief that this is FINALLY finished. Let me know how good this chapter is by leaving a review.