Lesson 26: Victory

Static electricity filled the air of the Nacrene City Gym. A sore but nonetheless proud Raisa trotted to my side. Petting her nose I turned to face Lenora. We were down to her last Pokémon. Finally, after a long and hard week of training, morning jog sessions, Bianca Pep-talks and sore muscles victory beckoned.

Her Watchog was growing tired, add some paralysis to the mix and we had a beatable opponent. I knew it, my Pokémon knew it and judging from the unhappy expression on the gym leader's face, she too knew it. Nonetheless a smile pulled at her lips when she eyed my side of the battlefield. Hanging around with electric types was terrible for a girl's hair. Standing next to the equine Pokémon I could feel how my thick ponytail rose into the air, the dark skinned woman with her frizzy hair didn't seemed to mind, like herself her hairdo remained unfazed. Cheshire was doing no better.

The grumpy cat eyed me dryly, after using me as a diversion don't your dare laugh at me. In fact, don't even think about laughing. I couldn't help myself and laughed anyway, he looked really silly.

"Hey you agreed to it when we discussed battle tactics!" I replied wrinkling my nose at my Pokémon. "Tonight I'll give you a long and nice grooming session, aaaand" I narrowed my eyes at the dark type, my playful tone had caught its attention, "fresh Moomoo milk! Had to search all of Nacrene City for it, just for you! So tell me who's the man?"

You are a girl.

"I know that Sherlock, it's just a figure of speech! Now admit it I'm the best!"

I would rather eat a Lilipup's dinner.

Despite his passive face a delighted flicker had cursed through the feline's emerald eyes, I had won this fight.

"Now for the official fight." I muttered to myself before throwing Marron's Pokéball towards the battle field.

"Oh I see, your little Snivy has evolved, nice work little trainer." Lenora remarked, her low voice calm.

"Yeah, he been dying to show of his new look."

The grass type flashed his smug smile when he noticed his opponent, not allowing the rodent a second respite he showered the Pokémon with razor sharp leaves.

You had these coming. He hissed when Watchog managed to dodge the largest part of the incoming attack but gained a deep gash in his paw.

And you have a nice run in with a wall coming. The rodent said, snapping his large front teeth at Marron's tail.

"Don't get too confident Marron!" I said when I noticed his behavior, "You know he's strong!"

Yes, strong and paralyzed. He replied but crouched into a defensive stance nonetheless.

A few minutes later Lenora had to admit defeat. Her Watchog had given Marron a run for his money, the serpent had been so busy dodging blow after blow that he didn't find the time to toss a few snide remarks. He had ended the fight by flinging the Pokémon at the Snivy shaped dent in the wall. The wall just about had it, after that final blow it was impossible to identify the strange shaped hole, unless someone had ever heard of a Pokémon with eight paws, two heads and what looked like two tails.

I left the gym as the proud owner of two badges in total and a lot of money Lorena had given me as a bonus. "It's an honor to compensate you for such a good match." She had said sternly when I tried to refuse it.

"Took you long enough." Cheren commented before I had the chance to share my victory, the dorky grin on my face said enough.

"Congratulations!" Biance shrieked. Throwing her arms around my neck we performed a strange little victory dance to celebrate. "Indian food tonight, I'll pay this time!" I cheered sharing a clumsy high five with Marron who sat perched on top of my cap. The grass type was getting way to big for it, but he loved it when I walked for him.

Two days ago Bianca had shared her price money with us by treating us to ice cream. Cheren had refused to waste his money on such "Stupid stuff" as he liked to call it. My bespectacled friend was all about saving your money for times of need while Bianca and I had the tendency to spend more money than we owned. And while we felt okay with using a small part of it to have ourselves a little party, Cheren had used his own money to buy some Great Balls and a few Potions, doing us a grand favor by promising he would sell us some for half the price.

Bianca's mouth had dropped when my friend had the audacity to say something like that while eating a banana split she of all people had paid for. "Isn't he the sweetest. Such a catch." I had whispered audibly to some other female customers. Bianca and I nearly choked on our own desserts at the sight of Cheren's sour face.

"It did take you quite some time to challenge her again." Bianca said releasing me from her bear hug, "I mean even Oreo and I managed to beat her and unlike your Pokémon, mine hasn't evolved." Her tone became somewhat sad when she mentioned Oreo's lack of evolving, the fire type was breathing a huge amount of fire and smoke and started glowing occasionally but nothing had happened yet. Off course Bianca blamed herself for this.

"You should be proud, Oreo managed to beat that Watchog as a Tepig. Cheren nor I managed to do that!" I said eying my friend kindly.

Cheren raised and eyebrow, he knew what I was up too, "Yes that's nice and all but don't try and change the subject." He said. I grimaced.

Crap. Stupid Cheren always so observant.

"Errr… I grew fond of the city?" I tried sounding very unlike myself. I admit, I'm a lousy liar.

"Suuure and only yesterday you were complaining about the lack of art stores, and when you tripped over that can of coke you kept going on and on about -"

"Okay okay point taken!" I shouted back.

"Well?" the black haired teen asked, pressing me to continue with a wave of his hand.

"I admit, I really hate soda, you know the stuff is so sickly sweet and when the bubbles get inside your nose it's a mess."

Cheren blinked. "I'm not even going to dignify that with an answer."

"Did you meet a cute guy?" Bianca tried tapping her chin with her index finger. Cheren pinched the bridge of his nose, "Not everything revolves around guys Bianca." He snapped shaking his head. Now that his attention was fixed on Bianca I took a step back, followed by several others.

"I didn't say that!" the blonde replied, cheeks reddening.

"You don't have to."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Go find a cute guy and ask him."

A snort caught the arguing pair's attention. Oreo who had decided to release himself from his Pokéball pointed towards the spot I had been standing a few seconds ago.

"We need to buy her a leash or something." Cheren groaned.

Hey everyone, I'm back from the dead and finally updated this story. Thing is, I've been busy with college and writing my own orignal story/novel. I would really appreciate it if some of you would find the time to read it maybe? it's posted on fictionpress, same author name: Adsini. Check it out and please review!