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Chapter 5: The Learning Curve

"I hope I'm not way over my head with this." Aiden said to his friends.

"Seeing the bond you have with your Sandshrew you should be fine." Jed reassured him.

"Yea," He said, looking down to his small friend resting in his arms. "We fought a little at home but we really focused on digging."

"You have some advantage because of that also."

"True. Anyways, what Pokemon did you get?"

"I chose a Voltorb."

"Any particular reason?"

"No, it just seemed like a fitting choice."

"So how does the test work?"

"You just battle a random student."

"So only half the class can get permits?"

"Not unless you do horribly. They rate you on performance."

Jed's name was called and he headed up to the stadium. Aiden figured he could learn something from the battle. Both Jed's Voltorb and his opponent's Zubat approached the middle of the stadium.

"Alright students, this match will be one on one and will be judged by myself, Mr. Pentel, and Principal Adams. Winning does not assure gaining your permit. With that in mind let's begin!" Ms. Clark said, as she backed away from the center of the arena.

Jed made the first move,

"Zap Zubat." Jed said confidently.

Lightning shot out of the red and white Pokemon. It shot just to the left of the Zubat.

"Drain its energy Zubat!" The other student said.

The bat Pokemon flew at the Voltorb and latched onto its head while draining its energy with its fangs. Realizing the advantage Jed now had he told his Pokemon,

"Electrocute him now."

Sending electricity directly into its opponent's body forced it to release the bite. With a slight smirk on his face Jed gave hid finishing command.

"Now follow up with another shock."

One final jolt was all that it took to bring the Zubat to the ground. After the Zubat was down for a few seconds Ms. Clark called out,

"The victor is Jed and his Voltorb."

The judges talked amongst themselves and finally Mr. Pentel said,

"We have decided that only Jed shall receive a permit."

Jed shook hands with his obviously disappointed opponent. He then carried his Voltorb for a quick check up by the advanced care classes having a real lesson on healing Pokemon.

Aiden decided to look for Katie and see if she could answer some of his questions. He found her standing in the corner of the room with a bird Pokemon perched on her shoulder. He began to approach her but the bird was getting ready to attack.

"I'd probably stay where you are, Spearows are pretty aggressive." She warned him. Aiden then noticed the bandaged slash on her arm.

"Why would want a Pokemon that would scratch you up?"

"That was my fault, I mistook it for a milder Pidgey." She said, somewhat embarrassed, "Anyways, I see you found your Sandshrew."

"Yea, I can't believe it." He said as he began stroking it.

Katie noticed that her Spearow took its attention off of Aiden,

"I think it would be okay to approach him now, but be careful."

Aiden set his Sandshrew down and told it to stay. He then approached with his body in a full bow and his head down. He had approached territorial Pokemon before and knew what to do. When he got to where he was a couple feet from Katie he began to slowly stand up straight but still avoided looking at Katie or the Spearow. He waited a bit longer before he began to talk again.

"What is he doing now?" Aiden asked in a calm, steady voice.

"Looking right at you, don't move." She said in a worried voice.

He almost nodded but remembered the level of danger. A minute passed and Spearow finally lost interest in Aiden, instead he flew over to investigate the Sandshrew.

"Will they be okay together?" Katie asked with concern for the desert Pokemon.

"He's made friends with more intimidating Pokemon before, we once met a person with a Tauros."

"Wow, I've never seen one up close."

"Yea they are pretty big bu-"

Ms. Clark came up from behind Katie and said,

"Sorry for interrupting but Katie has to battle now."

She nodded and called to her Spearow. When her and another student, a girl with crazy orange and purple hair, had taken their places Ms. Clark went through the rules again and started the battle.

Without missing a beat Katie made the first move.

"Spearow go in for a peck."

The bird moved in a horizontal line towards the small rat Pokemon with its beak ready to strike like a javelin. The small and nimble Pokemon sidestepped just in time but it was not quick enough to counterattack. Confidently following up Katie said,

"Scratch it."

Panicking, her opponent said,

"Prepare to bite, Rattata."

Spearow made a tight turn and presented its talons. Rattata's sharp teeth were also ready to bite as it readied itself to spring upon its foe. When they became close enough Rattata bit one of Spearow's legs, only to be scratched off by the other one. The attack caused Spearow land and recover from the fierce bite.

Trying to gain the advantage Rattata's trainer commanded,

"Bite again."

Hurling itself towards the grounded bird its attack was answered with a sharp peck on the head from the longer beak of the Spearow. The enraged Pokemon continued as the small Pokemon was unable to move and its shocked trainer gave no support. Spearow then finished with a head but that knocked the Rattata back towards its trainer. The judges talked amongst themselves and Mr. Patel delivered the decision,

"Katie will receive the permit but you do need to work on controlling what your Spearow does in battle."

She nodded as she headed towards the principal to receive her license.

"Next up is Aiden Marks and Tom Adams."

"Of course I have to battle him, it couldn't have been anyone else but my somewhat of a rival." He thought to himself, mocking the irony of the situation.

A/N: Yay cliffhangers! Thanks to Blake for criticism on my lack of description, I hope I fixed it.