Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon.
A/N: Well, here we go with our next chapter. Hopefully it's a little more riveting than walking along a road.
Enjoy.
...
Stumbling into the city, the four observed the vibrant and bustling city all around them. Well dressed people confidently strode along, eager to sample Lumiose's world famous cuisine. Young people filled the streets, heading towards the many clubs that the city boasted, part of the bustling night life. A symbol of affluence and class, the four of them looked totally out of place.
Skylar was seemingly death on legs, Kaila's long hair was frazzled and sticking out in every direction, Tyler was dressed in an absurd number of layers, dirt staining all of his clothes, and Josh's fedora was titled and his hair ruffled. The four were exhausted, every muscle in their bodies aching from their walk, and empty stomachs plagued them all.
"I never thought I'd see a city again." Kaila admitted.
"Bah, I preferred the danger and excitement of the wild!" Tyler retorted.
"Let's just find a Pokemon Centre and get some sleep."
Catching looks from most pedestrians, the four ignored them, far more focused on reaching a bed at last. Stumbling along, they managed to get lost, several times, the maze like layout of Lumiose working its magic. This was worsened by the fact that, for some unknown reason, the Pokemon Centre of Lumiose had the bright idea of making its store look different to any other one in Kalos. At any rate, they eventually located the building.
"Crimson, it had to be crimson." Tyler bemoaned, referring to the color of the building.
When they entered, Nurse Joy seemed far more concerned with the health of Skylar than the group's Pokemon.
"I just need some rest. Just take care of my team!" Skylar insisted half-heartedly.
"Now, I know you're a Pokemon trainer, but that's no reason to jeopardize your own health." The Nurse scolded.
"I just need some rest. Just take care of my Pokemon!" The teen insisted once more, his repetition doing little to alleviate Joy's concerns.
Regardless, he was able to push his Pokeballs into the Nurse's hands and she sighed with resignation.
"I would much rather you have a check up. But I can't force you to." She admitted unhappily.
"Thanks." Skylar replied genuinely, Nurse Joy gathering everyone else's Pokemon.
"The male rooms are to the left, the female rooms are to the right." The dutiful nurse informed the group.
Gratefully they walked, stumbled and waddled to the rooms on offer, with Skylar so exhausted he was scarcely able to take off his shoes before he was lying in bed. Yet still, he found it difficult to get to sleep, the peace and serenity of non-consciousness eluding him, but nonetheless tantalizing. Eventually, he found himself drifting off to a restless sleep.
...
The morning light poured into Professor Sycamore's lab, giving the entire building a feeling of renewal, everything bathed in the faint winter sun. A young man walked along, slowly sipping his tea as he made his way down the corridor, a Growlithe excitedly trotting along beside him. Upon reaching a particularly gaudy door, he pushed it open and found Professor Sycamore at his desk, shuffling through his notes.
Of all the Pokemon Professors he'd met, the man had to say Sycamore seemed the least eccentric of them all. Oak's lapses in memory were legendary, while Birch was constantly fidgeting, notes flying through the air at all time. Birch was rarely seen in his lab and known to dash out of important meetings and the like because he got an 'itch for fieldwork'. Rowan's stoic nature led to him being impressed by almost nothing, while Juniper could drink a Cradily under the table.
Against all this, Sycamore was a comparatively normal individual, although it was possible that eventually the stress and brilliance of being a Pokemon researcher would get to him and he'd develop his own quirks.
"You're up early, Lachlin." The professor remarked.
"Not as early as you, evidently." The younger man replied.
Lachlin took this opportunity to observe his surroundings. Dotted on the walls were a variety of Pokemon photos, with sketches next to them. On the Professor's desk, ancient looking parchment and scrolls could be seen, and in a glass container in front of him was a strange stone all too familiar to him.
"Working on Mega Evolution, I see." The younger man remarked.
"Yes, but I'm short of a Pokemon to use it on. It seems identical to another stone I've encountered, but that can't be the case, there are several minor differences." The professor replied, placing a hand on his chin, perplexed.
"Perhaps it relates to the Legend of X and Y?" Lachlin suggested lazily.
"How so?" Sycamore asked tentatively.
"The legendary trainers of Kalos's past, X & Y, perhaps the greatest trainers of ancient times, and who are widely credited with revolutionizing Pokemon battling as a whole, amongst the first of the battle revolution-"
"Yes, no need to get carried away." Sycamore replied, not in the mood for a spiel regarding a topic he already knew.
"Sorry. But you recall the legend that stated they both used the same Pokemon, yet it took two different forms through Mega Evolution?"
"They are but old legends."
"And all legends have a grain of truth."
"You may have a point."
...
Skylar woke up feeling marginally better than the previous day. Managing to force himself out of bed, he still seemed pale, yet was able to move freely and even think coherently. Looking around, he noticed that only Tyler remained, sleeping like a Geodude. Realizing he'd fallen asleep fully clothed, Skylar decided to make the best of the situation, and managed to straighten out his jacket somewhat, as well as flatten down his hair.
Looking about as good as someone who'd just trekked halfway across Kalos, the teen wandered out to the food court, and found a few trainers scattered around, including Kaila and Tyler. Joining them, he took a seat and was immediately met with scrutinizing gazes.
"So, what time is it?" Skylar asked quickly, aiming to direct attention off himself.
"Around twelve." Kaila replied nonchalantly.
"What? Wait, why isn't everyone here eating?" The male asked, recovering from the initial shock of oversleeping.
"We're in the cuisine central of Kalos, if not the world. Do you really think people would choose the Pokemon centre over Lumiose's cafe and restaurant scene?" Josh inquired.
"Well, I guess not."
"Speaking of which, we should go get something to eat!" Kaila suggested.
"Well, we can't exactly leave without Tyler." Skylar replied.
"And where is he?"
"Asleep."
"I'll get him." Josh replied.
Striding away, the remaining duo eagerly awaited his return. Several loud bangs, creative uses of profanity and various indiscernible noises later, Josh and Tyler emerged, the latter not looking too happy.
"Great! Let's go get some food!" Kaila cried.
"Well, we can't be seen in Lumiose's restaurants looking like we do, most won't accept us. We'll have to get a fresh change of clothes." Josh piped in.
"We could just teleport our clothes over from Santalune's Pokemon Centre?" Skylar offered.
"Nonsense! We're in Lumiose City, the heart of Kalosian fashion! We can frequent one of the city's innumerable boutiques!" Tyler offered excitedly, rapidly having left his funk.
The other three sighed.
"Well, I'd better go shower." Skylar eventually stated, walking off to the block.
"I'll join you! So...what are yooooou going to buy?" Tyler excitedly cried.
"Are you sure that guy isn't an eight year old, trapped in someone's body?" Josh asked.
"Fairly certain. Still checking, though." Kaila replied.
...
"Sir, we have just received word that the police now have the shipment." A mysterious man informed a shaded figure.
Cloaked in the darkness, little could be garnered about it from its shape, bar the fact it was male, and reclining on a comfortable looking chair.
"Any explanation from our agent?" He asked, the fan above slowly beating, cooling the room despite the lack of any natural light.
"No sir."
"Hmm."
The inky blackness of the room left little to visibility, but it was apparent that neither of the duo needed to see the other. The man in shadows faced away, not bestowing the honor of his presence on the subordinate.
"I want her dead. She's now a target."
"But of course, sir."
...
Skylar was uncomfortable in the boutique. The sheer number of clothes made him somewhat uneasy. It was simple to get lost amongst all the dresses, shirts and other articles of clothing. To make matters worse, the shop attendants all looked down on him for his choices, and their advice gave him impractical or insanely expensive shirts. He was eagerly awaiting the trio leaving.
Now wearing a dress shirt with sleeves rolled up, black dress pants and suspenders, Skylar felt overdressed and somewhat ridiculous. He was just glad for his jacket, which would allow him to cover the formal shirt. Josh had become very defensive after they'd tried to talk him out of his fedora, and made his purchases quickly.
Tyler was off Arceus knows where, while Kaila was arguing extensively with the female shop attendant.
"Just show me some pants!" The younger girl roared indignantly, tiny next to the tall woman, whose height was accentuated by a pair of high heels. The pinnacle of fashion, she was well dressed, and clearly looked down upon Kaila, both physically and metaphorically.
"You're in Lumiose, show some class! Wear a skirt for Dialga's sake!" The taller woman cried.
"I hate skirts!"
"And this is why you'll never pick up a man!"
"Well you're no prize yourself!"
"How dare you?!"
"This could take a while." Josh remarked.
Eventually the woman relented and gave Kaila a pair of pants, shuddering as she did so, and the trio were just about set to go off. However, as per usual, Tyler decided to make his grand entrance.
Walking out from amongst a collection of dresses, he stood in a brilliant white suit, a gaudy conquistador hat with a purple feather sticking from it, and a black mask that rested over his eyes.
"Greetings, peasants, I am Tyler, guru of fashion and God of style!" He announced.
"Godamnit, Tyler..." The three muttered at the same time.
...
"And stay out!"
Skylar stood outside the restaurant, leaning against the wall and feeling terrible. Exactly how it had begun was unclear, but it definitely involved Tyler, a mallet, several live Claunchers and several indignant staff. Having left in the midst of it, the teen had heard several loud bangs, a furious Kaila, a cry of shock from Josh, and several other sounds he couldn't quite place.
Literally thrown out, Tyler landed on the pavement with a painful thud, before Kaila and Josh scuttled out, looking embarrassed.
"Fine! I'll take my business elsewhere!" Tyler cried, his suit ruffled, and his hat slowly drifting to the ground behind him.
"Please don't." Skylar begged.
"I didn't realize you could do that with a tablecloth." Kaila mused.
"This is just like that jockstrap incident, only now I don't have Alex around...Hmm. Skylar, how good are you at digging holes?" Tyler asked, springing to his feet and dusting himself off.
"I really. Really. Don't want to know." The teen replied with a groan.
"Well, since my last idea ended like...that...what do you guys propose we do next?" Josh asked, still somewhat shaken.
"I know-" Tyler began.
"No!" Kaila yelled.
"But you don't know what I'm going to sugg-"
"No!" All three yelled together.
"Well then, what're your bright ideas?" Tyler asked.
"Maybe we could go for a walk?" Skylar suggested quickly. Anything that didn't have Tyler's chaotic hands on it was preferable to the anarchy he could wreak.
"A walk?" Tyler scoffed.
"That sounds great." Kaila shot back at Tyler before walking over to Skylar.
"I'll go with that." Josh suggested.
Murmuring something about betrayers and the 'False Prophet Flareon' Tyler nonetheless followed along, Josh doing his best to ignore the manifesto of the madman next to him.
Meanwhile, Kaila and Skylar were walking ahead together, almost too close.
"Are you alright?" Kaila asked tentatively.
"Uh...yeah. Why do you ask?"
"Well, you were really sick yesterday, and you still look a little off." Kaila admitted.
"Haha, well I feel fine. Thanks." Skylar replied somewhat awkwardly, not having had a conversation solely with Kaila since that night.
"That's good." Kaila replied, equally awkward.
Behind them, Tyler had said nothing. No snide comment, no teasing jape, no dry quip. This went against everything that Josh had come to know about his idiotic traveling partner.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Josh asked Tyler tentatively.
"Are you?" Tyler replied coyly.
"What? No. It's just that it seems like a golden opportunity for you." The younger trainer replied, gesturing towards the two walking closely.
"What do you take me for? Some kind of prick?" Tyler replied.
That shocked Josh. The trainer had seemed so transparent, so idiotic, that it was almost pointless trying to reason with him. Josh couldn't stand stupidity, and Tyler had embodied it.
"I seem to have misjudged you." Josh apologized.
"Most do." Tyler replied with a coy grin, his aura of knowledge and mystery diminished somewhat by his ridiculous choice of dress.
Something occurred to Skylar.
"Oh! I've never actually let Ralts out of its Pokeball!" He announced, grabbing it.
"Ah..." Kaila looked a little disappointed, and stepped away from Skylar.
"Alright, let's go, Ralts!"
The small Pokemon landed in the bustling Lumiose City with a startled expression on its face. It looked around a few times, seemingly in panic, before it dashed off, shocking the four trainers behind it.
"Wait, Ralts! Come back!" Skylar yelled as he attempted to return Ralts to its ball. However, the Pokemon moved too quickly, and the beam missed.
"Never fear, Tyler is here! Go, Aura!" The elder trainer yelled, flying through the air as he leapt past Skylar with surprising agility.
The blue Pokemon landed ahead of him and stared down the rapidly fleeing psychic type.
"Catch Ralts!"
Lucario nodded and leapt forward, aiming to grab the tiny Pokemon. However, just before he could grip it, Ralts vanished, causing Lucario to land flat on its face. Angry that its normal grace had been disrupted, the fighting type gazed around and saw Ralts fleeing away.
"Aura, Extremespeed!" Tyler yelled.
Nodding, the blue Pokemon vanished with blinding speed. However, Ralts once again teleported and Lucario was unable to adjust its momentum. Nearly bowling over multiple pedestrians, Aura was sent careering into a nearby fountain, destroying the water feature utterly. Sitting up amongst a cloud of dust, stone and water, the fighting type was pissed.
Dashing forward with pure fury coursing through its veins, it aimed to grab Ralts, who continually teleported out of its reach, whether behind it or away. Eventually, Lucario attempted Extremespeed again, only to this time end up embedded halfway into a nearby building. Satisfied with Lucario's urban terrorism, Tyler returned the blue Pokemon to its ball with more then a little shock.
"But that Ralts was just a weak wild Pokemon! How were its reflexes quick enough to avoid Aura?" He asked faintly.
That was indeed scary, Skylar's own Pokemon had been effortlessly brushed away by Lucario while training for the Santalune City Gym. Neither had been able to land a hit until he'd distracted Tyler, yet Ralts teleported away like it was nothing. That was some scary potential, and all the more reason to recapture Ralts.
With the tiny Pokemon rapidly escaping them, Skylar was the first to give chase, the other three following suite.
"Quick men...and woman, after him!" Tyler cried gallantly.
"I need better friends." Josh murmured, running after the flamboyant trainer.
...
Lachlin walked along, a plastic bag swinging from his hands and Growlithe trotting along contentedly next to him. On an errand to pick up some potions for the professor, he questioned exactly how this would teach him anything about Kalosian myths or Pokemon research, but it was probably due to the Professor's help being on vacation. Assistants got great benefits, and it was a gig he had considered in the past.
As he moved along, he was shocked to see a Ralts of all things dashing along towards him. He quickly bent down to meet it, and it ran towards Growlithe, grabbing onto it in fear. The fire type spoke to it reassuringly as Lachlin grinned down at him. With a slow raise of the hand, he stroked the psychic type's head, and felt the Pokemon's power seep into his mind. A familiar sensation, it never quite felt normal, although it was certainly bearable. With the Pokemon having relaxed, the man picked it up in his arms, Growlithe picking up his bag. The psychic type realized he meant it no harm, it being impossible to fool a Pokemon that thrived on emotions, and was willing to let him hold it.
Suddenly, an overdressed boy, an underdressed girl, an even more overdressed boy, and perhaps the dankest gent Lachlin had yet seen in the city all came screaming around the corner. A look of recognition flashed in the boy's eyes and the Ralts flinched slightly.
"I presume this is yours?"
...
"I presume this is yours?"
Skylar stared at the strange man who was facing him. Definitely in his late teens, he was somewhat overdressed for the mild weather, and had managed to pick up his Ralts which, just moments ago, had been dashing away like a Crobat out of Hell.
"Y-yes." Skylar stammered out.
"It seemed to be running away from you? Any reason that would've happened?" He asked, sounding somewhat stern, clearly concerned that Skylar had been mistreating his Pokemon.
"I just let him out of his Pokeball, and he ran away!" The younger teen replied earnestly.
The man's brow furrowed, and he looked down at Ralts with concern.
"You are aware that Ralts read emotion, and that stepping into a city, so full of life and conflicting, turbulent emotions is overwhelming, if not unbearable for them?" The man inquired, Ralts suddenly looking very delicate in its arms.
"I had no idea." Skylar muttered.
At this the man's face softened slightly. The boy seemed genuinely sorry for his actions, and every trainer had made their fair share of mistakes across their journey.
"Is Ralts familiar with you?"
"No, I'd never let him out of his Pokeball prior."
"What? And you thought a city would be an appropriate place to do it?"
"It was a nice day..."
Lachlin sighed and looked down. The trainer meant well, even if he were as thick as a Steelix, and he couldn't fault him for a mistake. Gazing at the Ralts, he questioned the wisdom of returning him to such an ignorant trainer. Then again, every Pokemon had their quirks and problems, and it was up to the trainer to try and address them. Looking up at the Ralts, Lachlin decided to test his skill, and determine whether he was worthy of keeping the Pokemon.
"Alright, I'll return him to you on one condition."
Skylar could tell where this was going.
"I need to see how you get along with your other Pokemon, and determine whether this was an isolated incident." The man explained.
"Let's go then." The younger trainer replied, gripping a Pokeball and feeling it expand in his hands.
"As I issued the challenge, I will choose first. But before I do..." Lachlin explained, before putting the small psychic type down and murmuring something to it. Reluctantly, it nodded and began to walk away.
Although it would've been easy for Skylar to return the Pokemon and run off, his willingness to battle suggested he was a man of integrity. And, beyond that, Lachlin had no doubt he could chase him down.
"Well then, Growlithe, are you ready to fight?"" The man asked expectantly, before Growlithe nodded and placed the bag back in its trainer's hands and then leapt onto the field with a mighty bound.
"Well, that doesn't really change anything. Let's go, Braixen!" Skylar yelled, before his starter landed in the midst of the field, facing its fellow fire type.
At this, Lachlin grinned. It was apparent that this trainer was something of a rookie, not knowledgeable in the finer points of Pokemon battling.
"You may have the first move." The man offered.
Skylar nodded at this, his opponent was giving him all the advantages, and he'd have to try and make the most of them all. Growlithe was a fire type, so Braixen's flame attacks would do little to it, so best to save those for later. Which left...
"Braixen, Psybeam!" Skylar ordered.
The fire type's eyes glowed a purple color, before a beam of the same color erupted from its recently grasped wand. Growlithe and its trainer stared down the oncoming beam, and in that moment Skylar felt something shift. An indescribable feeling, something changed in his opponent's stance and aura.
"Dodge it, Growlithe, and then go for a bit attack." The trainer replied, remaining calm in the face of an attack.
Elegantly, the dog Pokemon bounded to the side, nimbly evading the beam, even as Braixen swung to try and catch it, before charging towards the fire type.
"Counter with a close range Scratch!" Skylar ordered.
Meanwhile, Lachlin's calculating gaze observed the situation. Braixen would need a few seconds to end the Psybeam, another moment to dissipate the last of the psychic energy in its body, and at least two seconds for it to move its arm back and build up momentum, and another few moments to thrust its arm forward for the attack. At Growlithe's current trajectory, it would catch Braixen at a vulnerable moment, before it could move its arm back.
Skylar was shocked when Growlithe's jaws set around Braixen's wand wielding arm, causing it to drop the wooden object in shock, the flame on the end extinguishing.
...
Meanwhile, Tyler grinned at the exchange.
"And what are you smiling at?" Josh asked.
"This guy's damn good."
...
"Now get out of there!" Lachlin commanded.
The dog Pokemon released its hold, and jumped off the fox Pokemon, causing it to stumble backwards in slight disorientation.
"And another bite." Lachlin commanded.
"Braixen, counter it with a Flame Charge." Quickly grabbing its wand, and thrusting it in its tail, the fire type gathered flames around its body, and leapt forward, the sphere of flames floating around it, before it jumped forward and attempted to take the fire type head on.
Getting suspicious when the fire type didn't alter its course, Skylar nonetheless didn't call the attack off, although he doubted he would have time. The two were moving at incredible speeds, and the battle was fast paced and all out.
Expecting to see the dog Pokemon hurled backwards, Skylar was shocked to see the flames all be absorbed by Growlithe, its body glowing with the pure red of flames.
"Ember!" Lachlin cried.
Already shocked by its attack vanishing, Braixen was sent hurtling back by a gargantuan Ember attack, resembling a souped up Flamethrower than anything. Landing on the ground and skidding back a few feet, Braixen looked beaten up, and had yet to land a single blow on the smaller fire type.
"Braixen!" Skylar cried as the fire type tried to stand up once more, the burn marks now adjourning its body unfamiliar to any fire Pokemon.
"Growlithe's Flash Fire ability allows it to absorb an opponent's fire attacks, and turns them into its own power. So every attack you launch only makes Growlithe stronge-".
Their exchange was interrupted by Ralts sprinting onto the battlefield over to the fallen Braixen. It looked down concernedly at its fellow Pokemon, gripping it with its tiny hands, and trying to support the injured fire type.
"Ral Ralts?" It asked as all trainers present looked down at it.
"Brai Braixen." The fire type responded.
...
"What's going on?" Kaila asked.
"Ralts is asking why Braixen is doing this. Why it lets this happen." Tyler explained, as Growlithe trotted over to join the two, still pulsating with flames.
"So, Ralts doesn't understand the bond between Pokemon and trainers, what keeps them going, the love between a Pokemon and trainer." Josh reasoned.
"Hit the nail on the head." Tyler replied.
...
Standing up, Braixen looked down the smaller fire type, and the two nodded at one another. Ralts still looked a little uncertain, but a reassuring glance from the two larger Pokemon saw it nod and return to the sidelines.
"Well then, our Pokemon are ready, let's do this for Ralts!" Lachlin exclaimed.
"For Ralts!"
"Alright, Growlithe, Ember!" The older trainer began.
"Braixen, dodge it and Psybeam!" Skylar replied.
The fox Pokemon leapt over the massive burst of flame, which began to lick up against Skylar, waves of heat pouring towards him, before the burst of purple energy soared from its wand down towards Growlithe.
"Dodge it!"
However, the flames were so vast, that Growlithe found itself unable to cease them and close its mouth too quickly. And so, the purple beam struck the dog Pokemon, shocking both it and its trainer.
"He used Growlithe's ability against it?" Lachlin murmured.
"Now, Scratch!" Braixen cocked back its arm and began to soar down towards the smaller fire type.
"Dodge it!" Lachlin commanded, and the dog type leapt backwards.
Steadying itself upon landing, its knees buckling from the impact, Growlithe had a momentary opening to attack it.
"Flame Wheel!" Lachlin commanded.
At this, the dog Pokemon bounded forwards, somersaulting as flames gathered around it. Moving at incredible speed, just as Braixen was about to catch its balance, it was greeted with a hurtling ball of flame.
"Dodge it!" Skylar commanded, and in response fox Pokemon swayed to the left, narrowly evading the hurtling ball of death.
"I miscalculated?" The older trainer asked in shock.
"Now, Psybeam!" Skylar replied.
"Don't let up with that the Flame Wheel, it'll protect you!" Lachlin commanded, quick to return to battle.
The beam of purple energy collided with the flames, and a massive explosion ensued, causing Skylar to cover his eyes, while Lachlin gazed on professionally, the bag in his hand flapping wildly.
As the smoke cleared, the two Pokemon stared one another down, a look of intensity in their eyes. Growlithe pulsated with energy, barely able to contain its power whilst Braizen looked beaten down, thoroughly exhausted by the ordeal, but with its fighting spirit still in tact.
Ralts looked on at the two Pokemon with a combination of awe and amazement. It had never seen such commitment in Pokemon before. A dogged desire to serve one's trainer. Is that what it meant to be caught?
"Ember!" Lachlin commanded.
"Dodge it, but remain on the ground!" Skylar retorted, just as the burst of flames erupted from Growlithe's mouth.
"Swing to catch it." The older trainer ordered.
Although Braixen managed to evade the initial flames, it was quickly forced to continue, barely remaining ahead of the virtual eruption. The fire licked at its heels, and even on all fours the Pokemon could do little to evade the attack. It needed more speed, and there was an attack that would grant that, but Flame Charge was risky, since Growlithe could just absorb it and become absurdly powerful. However, it could be his only chance to win.
"Braixen, Flame Charge to escape, but don't attack him!" The teen ordered.
Braixen nodded, and gathered a sphere of flame around its body before soaring forward, evading the flames with ease. The extra speed bonus was welcome, and it had in fact been the initial Flame Charge that allowed it to evade Growlithe's previous attacks and keep up with it. Although the attack proved useless, its added bonus was not.
However, advantageous as it had been, Flame Charge was a liability. And Lachlin had Skylar exactly where he wanted him.
"Now, Bite." Lachlin ordered.
Growlithe ceased its attack and bounded forwards, and Braixen attempted to adjust its trajectory. Yet, every leap to a different direction just saw the dog Pokemon gain on it, and the fox Pokemon was finding it harder to muster the energy to maintain the attack. Its reserves were running low, and it needed a break to replenish some of its internal power. But Growlithe wasn't letting up on the pressure, and so the Flame Charge continued.
Eventually, Braixen landed and was about to pivot when Growlithe caught its leg. Crying out in pain, the flames were all absorbed into the smaller fire type, and the fox Pokemon cried out in anguish, its leg injured and its flames gone. Falling to its knees, Braixen still refused to fall, and so Lachlin decided to end it quickly and humanely. A massive fire attack was unnecessary and cruel.
"Bite." The dog Pokemon's fangs settled around Braixen's torso, and the fox Pokemon finally went limp, its eyes spirals.
It was over.
"Return, Braixen. You did a great job."
"Haha, sorry Growlithe, but you need to go in your Pokeball, you're slightly injured and I can't have a walking furnace at my side."
"Growl..."
"It won't be for long, return." Lachlin apologized, before returning the dog Pokemon to its ball.
"So, can I have Ralts back?" Skylar asked earnestly
"Well, I would allow you to take back your Ralts, but that's its call to make." The older trainer reminded him.
"Oh, of course. So what do you say, Ralts, willing to give this idiot one more chance?" Skylar asked as he walked over to the psychic type and knelt down.
The Pokemon mulled over its options. It had never been very good at combat, but seeing the two fire types so enthralled in the battle. So determined to best one another...it wanted that.
Ralts nodded, and Skylar grinned.
"Alright! Don't worry, you won't regret this!" Skylar reassured the psychic type before he picked it up in his arms.
"I see you've reconciled." Lachlin explained as Tyler, Kaila and Josh all walked over.
"I don't believe we've met, I'm Jo-" Josh began before being, quite literally, shoved aside by Tyler.
"I'm the magnificent Tyler! Arguably the best trainer in the region of Kalos. Pleased to make your acquaintance." The teen exclaimed wildly.
A swift blow to the back of the head by Kaila quickly put the boisterous trainer in his place, sheepishly hanging around the back.
"I'm Jo-"
"Sorry about him, I'm Kaila and he's Josh." The girl explained, once more interrupting the fedora wearing trainer, agitating him greatly.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Lachlin." Lachlin replied warmly, shaking her, and Josh's hands.
"I'm Skylar." The youngest trainer present explained, returning Lachlin's extended hand, Ralts held in his other arm.
"Well, Skylar, you battle with skill, ferocity and a connection with your Pokemon I don't often see at your level." The older trainer complimented.
"Thanks, you're not too bad yourself." The younger trainer replied with a laugh.
"Well, Skylar, after we go to a Pokemon Center, I would like to invite you and your friends to a cafe. It's only polite after all, I did challenge you to a battle." The man offered.
"I'll pay, since I lost." Skylar replied.
"Now what kind of host would I be if I made those I offered coffee to pay for it?" Lachlin demanded, crossing his arms.
"Tyler." The younger trainer replied.
"Um?" Lachlin asked.
"You'll find out." Kaila warned him.
"That guy is a walking headache." Josh chimed in.
"Oh yeah, guy, can we not go to Fat Ducklett, I'm kind of banned...indefinitely." Said walking headache added.
"I'm starting to get the idea."
...
A/N: And there we go. Somewhat filler, but wait! Plot! A new character! Antagonists! An actual Legend of Kalos! Well, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and Lumiose City as a whole. Not much really happenned, but Lumiose is so vast, and there's so much potential for chapters and stories, so expect a bit of time spent here. At any rate, Lachlin's appeared. Will he be an important character? I don't know. I'd credit someone with him, but he's my OC, so you know...