A/N-Hi, I'm back. Hope you all enjoy this.
"Well that was fun," Lexi said sarcastically, as the three walked towards Route 4. For the past hour, she had been sat in the Trainer School with Kat and Calem, listening to a class on status changes in battle.
"Status changes are important to understand. Knowing how to cure them could be the difference between winning and losing."
"Yeah, but what about actual attacks, like Flamethrower and Thunder Shock. That's how you win," Lexi argued back.
"That's the thing," Kat said, joining in with the debate. "When battling, do you go with strategy or outright power."
"You're right, attacking an opponent is important. But you won't win unless you know how to take advantage of moves like Poison Powder and Sing. See, it says right here," Calem said, pointing to a paragraph in the book he was reading.
"Calem, get your head out of that book before you walk into... never mind," Kat said rolling her eyes.
The two girls burst out laughing, leaving Calem to sit on the floor rubbing his head irritably. This wasn't the first time that Calem had walked in to something or someone, when he was reading.
"Are you two just going to stand there laughing, or are you going to help me up?"
"Alright," Kat said as she and Lexi pulled Calem to his feet. "Next time I tell you to get your head out of a book, listen."
The three carried on wandering towards Route 4, when a loud noise stopped them, followed swiftly by a large Gogoat carrying film equipment. "Uh, what's with the Gogoat?" asked Lexi. She looked at Calem, "you're smart, any ideas?"
Calem shrugged, "I don't know, Gogoats are not indigenous to this area."
She turned Kat, "okay, Kat, what about you?" but Kat was muttering to herself instead of paying attention.
"If Gogoat's here..." she muttered softly, scanning the meadows. "Hey! Alexa!" she yelled suddenly.
Alexa, who had been crouched in amidst the flowers with her camera, looked up. "Hey kids, what are you doing here?"
"We're going back to Lumoise City." Kat replied, running over to her sister, the other two following close behind. "Professor Sycamore wants to see us about something,"
"Aw that's a shame." Alexa said, standing up. "I would've given you a lift on Noivern if I wasn't so busy with my latest article."
"What's the article about?" Lexi asked
"It's a series of articles focusing on life as a trainer," Alexa said handing over the camera that she'd been using.
Lexi and Calem both leaned in as Kat started to flick through the pictures. "Ooo, I like that one," said Lexi, as one of the pictures came up.
Alexa looked up from trying to fix her spare camera. "Which one?" she asked.
"It's the one with the Flabébés, and the Combee that's hovering above a Skitty," said Lexi.
"Yes, I know. I'll tell you what, when I get back to my office I'll print out a copy of it for you."
Lexi smiled, "cool, thanks."
After looking through the rest of the pictures, Kat handed the camera back to Alexa. "Well, we should be going now."
The three teens were about to walk off when Gogoat moved in front of them again, blocking their way.
"Hey Alexa, can you get Gogoat to move," Kat said looking back at her sister. "We have things we need to do."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to wait. You see I'm waiting for all the Flabébés to gather here at noon to absorb the sunlight."
"Noon. That's an hour away," Kat complained. "Why can't we go through now."
"Because we might scare them off," Calem voiced calmly
Kat turned to look directly at him. "Stop being the voice of reason. I'm trying to argue with my sister."
"Look, why don't you challenge the Santalune City Gym Leader while you wait," Alexa suggested. "I'm sure Viola would enjoy that."
Kat shook her head immediately. "Nuh uh. No way. Last time I battled her, I didn't hear the end of it for months."
Lexi put up her hand, "I'll have a go."
The glass doors slid open to reveal a long corrier, decorated with various photographs on the wall. "These are really good," said Calem.
"Why thank you," a voice said, as a young woman came into view. "I may be a Gym Leader, but photography is my true passion." Her eyes landed on Kat. "Ah little sister, here to battle me again?"
"No," Kat said abruptly. "She is." She shoved Lexi forward.
"Oh good, a new challenger." Viola said with a smile. "Follow me." She led them through a set of double doors into a new room.
The room was very large with a dirt floor and many different species of plant, which could only be likened to a very big greenhouse.
"Both sides are allowed two Pokémon each." The referee standing on the side, said. "The Battle will be over when both Pokémon are unable to battle. In addition only the challenger will be allowed to switch pokémon during battle."
Viola smiled. "That determined expression. That glint in your eye that says you're up to the challenge. It's fantastic! Just fantastic! Whether it's the tears of frustration that follow a loss or the blossoming of joy that comes with victory. They're both great subjects for my camera! Fantastic! This'll be just fantastic! Now come at me! My lens is always focused on victory, I won't let anything ruin this shot!"
"Viola, get on with it!" Kat yelled from the stands. Lexi smiled to herself. Kat had mentioned before that Viola could be a bit overzealous sometimes, especially when photographing something or battling a trainer.
Viola tossed a pokéball in the air, "Let's go Surskit!"
"Go Fennekin!" Lexi yelled.
"Let the battle begin!" commanded the referee.
Lexi was first off mark, "Fennekin! Use Ember!"
Fire emitted from the small fox and hit its opponent directly. Nothing happened though. Viola smirked, "nice try, but Surskit is part water. Surskit! Quick Attack!"
Surskit lunged forwards at a rapid speed and hit Fennekin, squarely. The fox went flying backwards and hit the ground.
"Fennekin is unable to battle. Surskit is the winner."
Lexi looked flabbergasted. "H...how is that possible," she stammered. "Fennekin return!"
Okay, so obviously her original plan of just burning the hell out of her opponent wasn't going work now. She other had Pokemon, thanks to a catching spree suggested by Calem earlier in the day, but most of them were no good.
Azuril had no good attacks yet, apart from maybe Water Gun, but was slow as hell. Pidgey was faster, but again had barely any attacks to work with. And Litleo was the strongest but was at type disadvantage. That left..."Pikachu! Let's go!"
The mouse landed, electricity crackling from its cheeks, signalling that it was ready for battle.
"Pikachu use Thunder Shock!"
"Surskit, Bubble," Viola responded almost immediately, and a stream of bubbles blocked the electric attack. "Now, Quick Attack!"
"Pikachu, you too!"
The two pokémon rocketed towards each other and collided in the centre of the pitch, both sides sustaining damage. "You alright, Pikachu?"
The mouse twitched its tail and responded, "pikka chu"
"Good, now use Thunder Shock!" Lexi yelled. A small thunder bolt shot directly at the pond skater.
"Dodge it, Surskit!" Viola yelled, and the small Pokémon danced away from attack.
"Pikachu, do it again!" Lexi yelled, starting to get frustrated.
"Get behind them, Surskit!" The pond skater started to move faster, almost dancing circles around its opponent.
"Lex! You can't just stand there!" Kat yelled from the stands.
"I...I...uh," Lexi stuttered, the pond skater getting closer, "Thunder Shock." Surskit plowed into Pikachu, just as the mouse released a jolt of electricity.
"Surskit, no," Viola gasped, as the pond skater fell to the floor.
"Surskit is unable to battle. Pikachu is the winner."
Viola withdrew her defeated Surskit. "Not bad, but you haven't won yet. Vivillion, let's show them what a real masterpiece looks like."
"Shut up Viola!" Kat called in a sing song voice.
"Be quiet you," Viola said pointing directly at her sister, without taking her eyes off of her opponent. "Are you ready?" she asked Lexi. Lexi nodded once. "Good, let's begin. Vivillon use Tackle."
"Pikachu! Dodge it and use Thunder Shock!"
Viola laughed, "don't think it's that easy. Vivillon fly up high and dodge it!"
Lexi glared at her. "Pikachu!" she yelled, "keep using Thunder Shock!"
"Vivillon use Infestation!"
A strange turquoise light appeared around Pikachu, stopping it from moving. "Pikachu, what's the matter?" Lexi yelled, seeing the mouse bent over in pain.
"You didn't think I'd let you beat me so easily, did you?" Viola smiled
Lexi glared back in frustration, "come on, Pikachu!" the mouse struggled to move.
"Vivillon use Tackle again!" The butterfly flew up and collided with the mouse in a full bodied attack.
"No! Pikachu!" Lexi yelled. The yellow mouse was still trying to stay upright. "Come on!"
"Vivillon, finish this." It was all over in a matter of seconds. Pikachu fell backwards almost as if in slow motion.
The referee held up her right. "Pikachu is unable to battle. The winner is the Gym Leader, Viola."
Lexi withdraw her Pikachu back into pokéball and just stared at her feet. She lost.
"Hey Lex, are you alright?" Kat asked softly, as the three walked away from the Gym. Lexi gave slight nod. "For a first Gym battle, you did quite good."
"Kat's right. Gym Leaders are some of the toughest trainers in the region, second only to the Elite Four and, of course the Champion. So don't feel too bad."
Lexi stopped, "guys I think I need to be alone for a bit. I'll meet you in the Poké Centre in a bit."
"Uh...yeah, sure," Kat replied, as Lexi walked off.
She lost. How had she lost. Her plan had been good, hadn't it? Fennekin against Surskit may have been a bad idea, but Pikachu had the type advantage. And then there was Vivillon. Kat was right, bug types were annoying.
It was her fault that her pokémon were in the Pokémon Centre. Well, all except Litleo, who not having a pokéball, had followed her. Maybe just wasn't meant to be a Trainer. Both Kat and Calem were better than her. Hell, if it weren't for them she wouldn't even have made it out of Lumoise.
A nearby yell made her look up. Her first thought was that Alexa was still trying to get the perfect shot. Except...it wasn't a woman's voice. It was a man's. She ducked down behind one of the hedges and listened. Two men seemed to be arguing about something.
"Just grab 'em and put 'em in the bag," one said.
"But they're so cute," said the other.
"I don't care. Now put 'em in the bag and let's get out of here before that blasted bird with the camera comes back."
Lexi crept around the hedge and came face to face with a sight that felt like déjà vu. Two men in identical bright orange suits trying to steal pokémon.
"Not you two again," she said, standing up suddenly from her hiding place.
The two men just stared blankly at her. "Excuse me?" one of them said, "we've never met before."
"Oh so you guys are not even original then," Lexi replied, all common sense going straight out the window.
"Buzz off," the first grunt said.
Lexi put her hands on her hips. "I'll leave when you let those Flabébés go," said gesturing to the sack the second man was holding.
"And if we don't?" The first one sneered
"Litleo! Get 'em!" The lion cub charged foward, teeth bared.
"Okay where the hell is she," Kat exclaimed. "I understand that she lost and everything, but this is just ridiculous."
"Kat, calm down. She's probably just got caught up doing something." Calem said in an attempt to calm his best friend.
"Alright," she said begrudgingly, and sat down. "But if she's not here in 10 minutes I'm going to find her myself."
10 minutes ticked by, Nurse Joy returned the pokémon, but still no sign of Lexi. Kat stood up, "that's it. I'm going after her myself, busy or not."
"Kat be reasonable," Calem pleaded
"Reasonable my ass!" Kat yelled, walking straight out of the doors, earning them the eyes of everyone in the room. "I've waited and now she's coming back!"
"What about the fur ball?" the second Grunt asked
"Leave the fur ball. Just bag the Flabébés. Boss needs 'em for his experiment." The shorter grunt holding sack, started filling it with the unconscious Flabébés
Lexi just watched in despair, how could anyone be that cruel? To kick a pokémon on the ground was just mean. And those Flabébés, what had they ever done to these men.
The warm ball of fur shifted in her arms. Litleo was looking up at her, then shifting its gaze to the Team Flare Grunts and growling.
"Do you want to protect the Flabébés?" a soft growl was her response.
"Kat, stop!" Calem said firmly, having just caught up with the fuming girl. "Ther..."
"Hello, you two. Route 4's all clear now." Alexa was sitting on the edge of the fountain with her sister. "Is Lexi not with you?"
"Get sick of you already did she, little sister?"
Kat glared at Viola. "No," she said, an angry edge to her voice.
"Actually," Calem said stepping forward. "Lexi was sad after losing and wanted to be alone. She never came back so we're going to go find her."
Viola looked away from her annoyed little sister. "She shouldn't be sad, it was quite a good match for a new trainer. When you find her, tell her that I'll give her a rematch if she wan..."
"MISS VIOLA!" A little blonde haired girl with pigtails ran over.
Viola knelt down infront of the little girl, "what's wrong, Mia?" she asked.
"There'stwoguysinorangeinParterreWayandthey'rerealscaryandthey'refightingagirlwithaLitleo."
"Woah, woah, Mia, slow down and say it again," Viola said gently
"There's two guys in orange in Paterre Way and they're real scary and they're fighting a girl with a Litleo." Kat and Calem looked at each other and suddenly took off towards Route 4.
"Are you gonna give up yet?" the taller grunt teased.
Lexi glared at him, "Litleo use Headbutt!"
Another pokémon battle hadn't been her original plan to stop the thieves, but when the Grunt had sent his Gulpin into battle, she didn't really have a choice.
"Gulpin! Sludge!" the Grunt commanded
"Dodge it!" Lexi yelled in response and Litleo leaped to the side, avoiding the purple gunge.
"32!" the other Grunt yelled, "I got them! Let's go!"
The Grunt smirked at her, "Be seein' you. Gulpin, Poison Gas."
She had only a second to think. The Grunts were going to escape with the Flabébés. What should she do? There fast footsteps approaching. One thing, one thing might just work.
"Litleo, Ember!"
"LEXI! NO!" a voice yelled
It all in happened in a matter of seconds. A loud explosion. Thick smoke. A pain in her side. And then...everything went black.
A/N-Ooo, cliffhanger alert!
This was originally meant to be based on the game but I had a hard time making the gym from the game work so I used something based on the version in the show. Tell me what you guys think, see you next time.