Bianca's gym battle went about as well as it could. Knowing what I do about their strategy, it's clear that she is in control. The battle is turning out almost ideally for her. Her Pansear easily defeated Cilan, and had a pretty good run on Cress. Once Panpour appeared, though, it was pretty much over for her little monkey. Now, she is calling in Lily, her weakest Pokémon, against Cress' strongest. Does she know something I don't?
It would appear that she does. Both Bianca and Lily are bursting with confidence. She calls for a sand attack, a growl, and then- thunder fang? How the heck did she get that lucky? Lillipup can't learn that until it is a Stoutland! Sure, some of those Stoutlands pass it on to their children, but those Lillipup are rare. What are the chances of one of those being the same one she caught?
Cress knows as well as I that this isn't good for him. He has Panpour launch a Mud Sport, then prepare a water gun. It's obvious what he's trying to do- water in actually a pretty good insulator, as long as it is pure. If he times it right, the Thunder Fang will become a subpar bite. At first, it appears to be working. Bianca's attacks are muted by the water and the mud, until you can' even see the electricity at all. If it continues like this, then Bianca's Pokémon will even come out the worst from this exchange… Oh. Wow. It isn't even a thunder fang at all! It's just a bite attack.
I've never even heard of a strategy like that before. I mean, people have used code names to keep the opponent from knowing what they're doing, but I've never seen it used for that before. I wonder how long it will take for Cress to figure it out.
It would appear that the answer is a long, long time. It's been 3 minutes, and he still hasn't caught on. Still, he's definitely noticing the damage Panpour is taking. After another 30 seconds he withdraws Panpour, surrendering. Lily doesn't look much better, though. Despite Bianca's strategy, Lily is still far weaker than Cress' Panpour. Despite that setback, Bianca has this fight in the bag. Shell is Bianca's strongest Pokémon, and she will be super affective on Pansear.
After her surprising victory over Panpour, Bianca's battle ends quickly. Shell requires only two hits to knock out the Lillipup, and Pansear is, if anything, faster. I don't think shell even took any damage. I suppose that there is something to be said for extra training.
It's a good thing that that is done, though. I'm more than a little anxious to get going, seeing as this is our third day in Striaton. I have this sort of goal to complete the circuit in 80 days. It's sort of a record, as it's only been done a few times before. What's worse, all of those were in Japan. My pride as an American won't allow me to let that stand. Also, Cheren challenged me to race, but that has nothing to do with this at all.
Luckily there isn't much foot traffic, so we're able to get out almost immediately. I'm behind schedule for my training. Still, I have to take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty. The trees and grass are almost picturesque, and the sun is shining brightly. I've never been a huge fan of the outdoors, but I'm going to see a lot of it while I'm travelling. Most likely, most of those memories will not be fun. Unova is civilized, but no one has ever been able to completely tame Pokémon. If nothing else, there are the legendaries. To counteract this I should get in as many good memories as possible as soon as possible so I don't give up on training.
That's the idea, anyway. What actually ends up happening is me looking around for a few minutes before seeing a Yanma and running off. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Cheren running after a Blitzle. Great minds think alike, I guess.
In an incredible stroke of luck, that Yanma is one of them with the speed boost ability. This is exactly what I wanted! Unfortunately, it has the speed boost ability. After a short battle, It's able to flee at a frankly ridiculous speed. I so should have seen that coming. I suppose I ought to train. The next gym likely won't be this easy. This is going to take a while.
As I train, I see a gaggle of preschoolers walk over. I brace myself for the worst, expecting an endless stream of questions. Instead, they ask me for a battle. What the heck? Who gives Pokémon out this young? These kids can't be more than 4. Who are their parents? What were they thinking?
Deciding to humor them, I send out Kusanagi. Thus I'm rather shocked when they send out 5 Pokémon- three elemental monkeys and 2 Purrloin. I guess I won't have to go easy on them. That would be humiliating- beats gym leaders, defeated by 4 year olds. Cheren would never let me live it down. Still, I shouldn't be as aggressive as I usually am. These Pokémon are likely as unused to training as the children. It wouldn't do to hurt them.
As I somewhat suspected, they have no real strategy other than pile the snake. Sure some of them use status moves like growl, but those only help me anyway. In about 30 seconds, Kusanagi is easily winning. Still, he seems to know what is going on, because he plays at being harder pressed then he his. When he finally wins, it appears far closer than it was.
It's just about then that the nursery aid catches up. That makes a lot more sense- They were supposed to be in a safe environment with an adult. Still, she looks harried. I'm willing to bet her job is very stressful.
After that fiasco, it's almost a relief when Cheren challenges me to a battle. He leads with Felix, and I with Kusanagi. He quickly withdraws, but not before I get off a leaf tornado. We really need to learn Leaf Storm. Cheren has learned from last time, so he attacks with Heat Crash. When I try a repeat, he has Flare burn hotter, sending away the leaves away in an updraft. I didn't know you could do that! Still, it stalls him for long enough for me to bring in Panpour. After taking a super affective water gun, however, he switches out to his Pansage.
I know I'm in trouble here. If I stay in, I am weak to him, and if I leave he'll switch as wall. What's more, he has the advantage here. Both of his Pokémon resist Kusanagi's STAB attacks. There's only one thing to do- bluff. This is completely contrary to my style, so he shouldn't expect it. Still, there is a reason people don't bluff. Unless you are gambling, it usually isn't worth it. It takes time and energy to set up good bluffs, and that time can generally be better spent preparing. Still, Bianca showed that it is viable.
I order my Panpour to use work up, then one last water gun. After taking the hit, he preemptively withdraws, hoping to get a hit on Kusanagi. To his surprise, I don't switch out, and promptly order another water gun. It hits, and I don't care what level you are, a +1 STAB super affective attack is never fun. Sadly for me, Flare's levels do make a difference, and he still manages to win out. It's time to play Kusanagi.
"Leaf storm!"
"Heat crash."
The two moves clash and Kusanagi comes off the worse. Still, Flare was already injured, and that counts for a lot. The question isn't whether I can win or not, it's whether I can win and still beat Pansage. Speaking of which, I still need to name Panpour. Perhaps Mizaru? Not now, though. I have to focus on the battle.
The battle continues much in the same vein. Kusanagi spams Leaf Tornado and hides among the leaves, looking to avoid a fight. meanwhile, Flare stumbles around with Heat Crash, hoping to connect. In a stadium my, strategy would be unworkable. Luckily for me, Cheren doesn't exactly have an eagle-eye view of the battle. He can't guide Flare because he doesn't know where Kusanagi is. The same applies to me, though, so it is with bated breath that I watch the battle.
When the leaves clear, I am the winner. However, my fears do not prove misguided. My Snivy is in no shape to continue. Just as I am about to surrender, Snivy begins to glow. Yes, evolution! Well, it's actually metamorphosis, but who the heck cares? It means that Kusanagi will final become a Servine, with all that that implies. I have this battle in the bag! Sure, evolving makes it harder to learn some moves, but it allows access to many more. I'm so pumped. Thank you, training. With this, my next gym badge is almost assured!
Cheren sends out Pansage, but his resigned look shows he's come to a similar conclusion. Still, he's not about to give up.
"Leaf Tornado!"
"Seed bomb"
I watch the spiral of leaves take form around Kusanagi, impressed. We might be even able to pull off leaf storm… no, it's a pipe dream. Anything we try at this stage would still be way to weak. Doesn't mean we shouldn't try, though. With this large an attack, Pansage won't stand a chance… wait, did he just say Seed Bomb? How does his Pansage know Seed Bomb? What the heck?
Even as the leaves begin to batter the monkey, it spews out a single seed. I know it's hopeless, but I pray that the leaves bat it aside, that Servine is able to block it. The explosion hits, and I'm kind of surprised by the sheer power. Still, Kusanagi is a grass type and stronger, so he should be able to take it… there it is.
"Leaf Tornado! Get in close and don't let it try that again!"
"Seed Bomb, once more"
I can see it attempting to charge another Seed bomb, but the first one almost exhausted it. Cheren must have been banking everything on that attack. Still, it is a good strategy. Another attack like that and Kusanagi is out. We'll just have to stop him from completing the attack.
"Mega Drain, remove that power! Don't let it finish that!" Even as I say it, I know it won't be enough. It is then, however, that an idea hits me. "On second thought, back out of range! Keep up the attack with Razor Leaf!" If I do that, then Pansage will have to sacrifice power for range, and Kusanagi will be able to dodge. Still…
"I… concede."
Did I just hear what I think I heard? Cheren surrendered? "Who are you, and what did you do with my friend?"
"Nothing. I can't win, so I shouldn't keep fighting. That was a well thought out strategy at the end. My Pokémon lacked endurance, so you used that against me. This is how you fight. Huh.
Further conversation is cut off when we hear a scream.
A/N: I'm back! Reviews are love, but I will keep publishing without them. I'm sure anyone who has played the game will know just why there was screaming. If you don't know or you haven't played, well, you''ll have to wait until next chapter to find out. Well, either that or Bulbapedia. The name, by the way, means See no Evil, the monkey which Panpour is based off. Original, I know.