Chapter Six: Reassertion of Strength

Sayo silently strode along the smooth, sun dappled path that wound its way around the foothills outside Cerulean City. The bumbling forms of her two Pokémon could be seen several feet ahead, reveling in the afternoon stroll. Day after day had been spent in rigorous training getting ready for their upcoming gym battle, and the short respite was welcome for all. Even the taciturn Sayo had cracked a smile or two as she observed their antics, but it would quickly disappear as she sank back into the depths of her own thoughts. This city held no fond memories for her, and she was anxious to get her challenge over as quickly as possible.

She gave another sigh and pulled out the gleaming silver badge case that had been given to her by an unknown person. Sayo suspected Dante, but something in her head told her that it was not quite his style. Even so, the snug velvet lining and her newly polished Boulder Badge gave her a small burst of warmth inside her stomach whenever she looked upon it.

Up ahead, Charmander had grown tired of chasing after his energetic companion and was now imperiously strolling along at his own pace. As he passed under the boughs of a large copse of oak trees, something hard hit him on the top of his head. He jumped in surprise and growled threateningly, looking around for the culprit. It was a large red apple. Charmander picked it up curiously and was about to continue walking, when yet another fruit struck his skull. This time he did not wait to identify the projectile, but sent a burst of flames up into the tree.

To his surprise, a small yellow ball came spinning out of the foliage and landed on the road in front of him. It uncurled itself to reveal that it wasn't a ball at all, but a very round fuzzy Pikachu.

"Pika!" It said, snickering at Charmander's dumbfounded expression.

"What on earth are you doing, buddy?" Sayo asked as she caught up to him. Upon seeing the small electric Pokémon she squealed with delight. "Oh it's a Pikachu! How adorable! Wherever did you find this little darling, Charmander?"

The little fire-type gave a gag of disgust at the word "darling" but dutifully held up the apple and pointed to the tree. He mimed being hit by the apple and growled once more. Pikachu merely snickered once more.

"Oh I see." Sayo said, rounding on the stranger. "So we have got ourselves a little trouble maker have we? Well then, I'll just have to catch you!"

She picked up an empty pokeball and tossed it threateningly up and down in the palm of her hand. Pikachu didn't look at all phased, and merely stuck its tongue impudently out at her.

"What bad manners."Sayo growled, sounding uncannily like her Charmander. "Lets just make one thing clear. No one can harass my friends and get away with it! Poke Ball-"

Just as she lifted her arm to throw, a smooth voice cut in. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."

Sayo and Charmander spun around. A very tall boy stood on the hill behind them, wearing a moss green shirt and a pair of sunglasses perched in his wavy blonde hair. He strode down the hill to meet them, and stood in front of the little yellow Pokemon.

"Why wouldn't I want to do it?" Sayo asked, completely taken aback. The boy merely grinned and held out a strange looking Poke Ball. It looked just like the normal ones except for a bright yellow lightning bolt emblazoned on the top. She reasoned that it must be one of the newfangled Poke Balls that were becoming popular in the other regions.

"Because this guy's mine, see. He ran ahead when I was taking a water break and obviously thought that your little Charmander here was a good way to derive some amusement." The boy then gave a wry look at Pikachu, making its ears droop ever so slightly. "I'm sorry for all the trouble he caused you, see, but he didn't mean any harm. How 'bouts I make it up to you with a Pokemon battle?"

Sayo broke out into a grin. "I promised these guys the day off, but I'm sure that they won't mind me cutting their free time a bit short. What do you say, guys? Ready for a battle?"

She looked around for a moment, and then frowned. "By the way Charmander, what happened to Eevee?" Charmander shrugged and looked a little guilty.

The boy laughed again and pulled off his shoulder bag. He carefully opened it and Eevee's head popped out of the top. She gave a happy cry and leaped onto the surprised Sayo's shoulder. "I found this little one roaming around in the meadows. I could tell that she belonged to someone by the way she carried herself, see. The wild ones always have this certain demeanor about 'em. Oh, by the way, my name is Xeo. What about yours?"

"Sayo," the girl answered. "But let's get proper introductions out of the way later. Right now, it's time to battle!"

"Let's make this a two-on-two battle!" Xeo declared confidently, facing Sayo some ways across the field. "Substitutions are not allowed. Agreed?"

Sayo merely nodded and held up her poke ball. "You can do the honors!"

"Alrighty then! Starfire, let's show her what we can do!" He threw yet another strange Poke ball in the air, and out erupted an ever stranger Pokemon. It was very large and flew about on a pair of magnificent wings. It had grey and white mottled plumage and let out a strange fluttering cry.

"Staravia, the starling Pokemon," Her pokedex chirped. "They live in forests and fields. Squabbles over territory occur when flocks collide. These Pokemon are indigenous to the Sinnoh region."

"Wow, that's cool." Sayo remarked, putting her pokedex away in her bag. "Let's see how you can handle my Eevee. Prepare for battle!"

Her Poke ball erupted in silver light and Eevee emerged, looking ready for a fight. "Wee!" She cried, and stood bristling in front of Sayo.

Xeo's face at once melted from his usual jovial expression into one of cold calculation. "I will take the first move. Gust, Starfire!"

Starfire beat her wings and sent an enormous burst of wind at her opponent. Eevee hunkered down and tried to endure it, but the sheer force was pushing her backwards little by little.

"Eevee, don't try to fight it!" Sayo called, shielding her eyes against the wind. "Use dig to escape!"

Eevee did as she was told and flung herself into the ground. This didn't faze Staravia at all, who merely flew higher, out of range of Eevee's attack. Sayo gritted her teeth; she knew that since Staravia was a normal and flying type, Eevee's Shadow ball and Dig attacks wouldn't do her any use. However, she still had two trump cards up her sleeve that she and Eevee had been practicing ever since the gym battle in Pewter City, and she decided that now was a good time to use them.

As Eevee emerged from her hole, Xeo ordered Staravia to use her wing attack. Starfire at once zoomed down with amazing speed. "Eevee, wait until she gets close and then use Iron tail!" Eevee growled in consent and dashed towards her opponent. When the two speedy Pokemon collided with each other, a big cloud of dust billowed around. Both were sent flying in different directions, but by mere chance, Eevee managed to find her feet first. Sayo wasted no time.

"Hidden Power!"

Eevee began to glow and then shot her attack at the still unsteady Staravia. It hit dead on, and the bird Pokemon fell to the ground in defeat. Undeterred, Xeo recalled her back to her Poke ball and immediately let loose his second Pokemon. "Blaze, I choose you!"

A huge Arcanine emerged from the ball and bellowed out its challenge. Sayo grimaced, but nevertheless she plunged bravely ahead. "Eevee, Shadow ball!" Eevee let loose her attack, but the fire type dodged it with blinding speed. Xeo's expression didn't change; he merely nodded to his Pokemon and then shouted his next attack aloud. "Arial Ace!"

"What?" Sayo began, completely dumbfounded, but before she had time to collect herself, Blaze had struck, and Eevee lay unconscious by her feet. "How could an Arcanine know a flying attack?" She said to Xeo, still slightly shocked.

"Because of its speed." He answered. "Any Pokémon that is fast enough on its feet is able to learn Arial Ace. It just takes a lot of time and effort. Obviously, Arcanine is a perfect candidate."

Sayo grimaced again. This young man was not an opponent to be taken lightly. Obviously he had a lot of skill and experience, as well as a natural talent. She saw no choice but to use her Whiteflame. "Charmander, prepare for battle!" He emerged growling as usual, undaunted by his opponents' superior size. "Use Whiteflame to draw a ring around that Arcanine, we need to stop its speed!"

Arcanine cringed with the heat, despite being a fire type. He looked left and right but was unable to find a point weak enough to escape. Still, his trainer seemed unconcerned. "That is a very strange and powerful attack that your Pokemon has, Sayo, but do not place too much faith in that alone. You need to have a diversity of strengths in order to become a Pokemon Master." He turned back to his Pokemon, folding his arms across his chest. "Arcanine, use Dragon Pulse!"

Sayo watched in horror as the mass of energy was sent hurtling toward Charmander. "Get out of the way!" She screamed, but too late. Charmander was unable to doge it and was sent flying, unconscious, into her arms. He growled in pain, but she shushed at him, and recalled him back to his Poke ball. The truth of the situation seemed to hit home then all of a sudden. Her powerful, invincible attack had failed, and so had she.

*Sorry that this took so long guys. I was camping in the Black Hills with some classmates all week and was unable to use my computer. As always keep up with the suggestions and reviews. I will try to accommodate all of you! Thanks for reading Legende!