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Chapter 6: Beginner's Luck

Aiden called his Sandshrew to his side and walked up to the arena.

"I wonder if this was fixed, maybe I should have read that note before I got here." He

thought to himself.

Aiden looked at Tom's Pokemon. It was a Geodude. He had seen plenty in the desert and he knew their weaknesses and strengths. They could roll into a ball like Sandshrew but it wasn't very mobile. He hoped their lack of decent mobility would assist him. Before she announced the rules Ms. Clark approached him.

"I understand if you don't want to face him, I can give you a different foe if you are uncomfortable."

"No, I'm fine. This makes the test even more challenging and is better for showing our skills." He said confidently.

"Alright then, good luck." She said as she walked to the center of the arena. "Alright students, this match will be one on one and will be judged by myself, Mr. Pentel, and Principal Adams. The battle is over when one of the Pokemon is forced out of bounds or is knocked out. Winning does not assure gaining your permit. With that in mind let's begin!" She stepped back to the judging table. Tom showed his school learned experience by immediately issuing a command.

"Go for a punch." He said almost emotionlessly.

Geodude used its arms to launch itself forward. Aiden had to react quickly. It was a good thing he had prepared a strategy. He issued his command right before the Geodude reached Sandshrew.

"Curl up Sandshrew."

The Pokemon rolled a defensive ball that would be almost impregnable. The Geodude struck the top and did no real damage. Seeing that Tom had no idea what to do next Aiden spoke to the Sandshrew like he was having an ordinary conversation.

"Now gain some momentum."

Sandshrew rolled past Geodude and accelerated. It began circling Geodude while it awaited another command.

"Now begin to spiral in." Aiden said. He hoped this would work, they had never done it before and he hoped Sandshrew wouldn't get dizzy.

While it was rolling it would occasionally use its tail to get it off the ground and allow itself to open up and get a bearing on its location without losing speed.

"Prepare for a throw." Tom commanded as calmly as before.

"Strike now!" Aiden said.

His adrenaline was pumping and he was allowing it to be shown. He was constantly moving and making motions with his commands. Tom on the other hand was standing like a statue with his hands behind his back.

"Grab it." Tom commanded.

The timing was right but Geodude didn't expect Sandshrew to be rotating so fast. It caught it in its hands but Sandshrew continued to spin and slipped out of the struggling Geodude's hands. The hit connected and it flew dangerously close to the edge of the arena.

"Follow it up." Aiden said excitedly. This would be his first victory. What he didn't expect was Tom issuing another command.

"Jump."

Geodude used its powerful arms to propel itself into the air. Aiden knew that Sandshrew couldn't turn fast enough and uncurling could hurt him. He gave a final, risky, and halfhearted command.

"Get airborne."

Sandshrew used all the power in its tail to launch itself upwards. Aiden bit his lip as the two Pokemon seemed to move toward each other in slow motion. In a gratifying moment the blow connected. Unfortunately Sandshrew aimed a little high and rolled over the top of Geodude. The suspense almost caused Aiden to give himself snakebites. The stunned Geodude rolled out of bounds while Sandshrew was still in the air. Aiden ran as fast as he could to catch his friend from a horrible fall. Diving off the platform he fell short of catching his friend. Instead the armor plated Pokemon hit someone on the head and knocked them out. He fell onto the ground safely. It uncurled and walked to its master a little wobbly. Aiden stood back up and returned to the arena with Sandshrew behind him. The judges talked for what seemed to be an eternity. Finally Mr. Pentel rose and gave the verdict.

"We have decided that both students have shone excellent skill and shall receive their permits.

Aiden jumped for joy and walked up to the principal and received his permit. He put it in a slot of his wallet and walked down to Jed and Katie who wore huge smiles on their faces. Before he made it to them Tom intercepted him and said coldly,

"Beginner's luck."

"Maybe I am a beginner," He retorted," but at least I didn't lose to one."

Defeated by Aiden in both Pokemon and wits he decided there was only one he could try to win at. Tom made a fist and moved his arm back for a punch.

Yay more cliffhangers!!! At least I'm writing again. I have many more ideas for the next chapters. I am going to skip through a lot of his school year as I've already wrote six chapters on one day. Please give some reviews so I know what I'm still doing wrong.