Goodness gracious, this took me a whole to write. So much stuff going on with school for me, and volleyball drama (ugh), and college visits (yay)! And this chapter marks the first real pokémon battle of the story, so I wanted to make it really good. I don't really count that thing with the robot as a real battle, mostly because it wasn't a conflict between trainers. Ja feel?
But man, if it took me this long to write this short of a battle, this story is going to take me forever to write.
Regardless, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
black angel's wing does not have anything to do with owning the pokémon franchise. All she does is play the games. And watch the show. And write this story. Cora's hers, and that is it.
Chapter Three
Professor Rowan led us around to the back of the lab, where a grassy field provided a perfect battleground for Ash and Paul. The former walked with an excited hop in his step, obviously anxious to begin. The other boy walked with his hands shoved in his pockets and a steady, confident stride. Both boys were ready.
I pulled Dawn to the side, where we stood beside the professor. Brock moved to stand near the center of the playing field, and declared that he would be the referee for the match.
"Oh wow!" Dawn gushed. "I'm so excited!" Her hands were shaking, and her eyes had a light in them that showed her obvious emotion.
Ash grinned over at her. "Well then, I'll make this battle one you won't forget. Hold onto your hat, Dawn!"
I saw her hand move unconsciously to her white knit cap, and fought back the urge to roll my eyes. I felt more than heard Ralts giggling on my shoulder, and shrugged it playfully in response.
"Oh hush," I scolded lightly. "It's her first time seeing a battle, and it's his first in this region. Be nice, they have excuses to be excited."
He huffed, and gently rammed his body into the side of my head. Actually rolling my eyes this time, I turned my attention back to the battlefield.
"You just sound like such a little kid," I heard Paul comment. So he was one of those trainers, huh?
Ash didn't handle the snarky remark well, and clenched his fists in rage. "Oh yeah?" He shouted back.
"Yeah," was the snide reply. "Like I said before," Paul continued, "this will be a three on three battle with no substitutions. The first one with two wins will win the match, got it?"
"Yeah, I got it," replied Ash through his teeth as he pulled out a pokéball. "Starly, I choose you!"
The capsule opened in the air, releasing the little black and grey bird. It gave a battle cry as it flew in circles above Ash's head before landing gracefully on the grass at its trainer's feet.
I could see Paul's smirk as he released his own pokémon. "Alright Starly, standby. I choose you!"
I cocked my head to the side. A battle between two Starly? Paul didn't strike me as the kind of trainer to not play by type advantages, and with Ash's pokémon on the field first, any number of other pokémon could have given him that advantage.
"I'll let you have the first move."
Ash nodded at the offer, and acted immediately. "Alright Starly, Quick Attack, let's go!"
"Starly!" it agreed, launching itself into the air. It gathered speed as it flew closer to its target, the air beneath it's wings flashing a bright white as the attack formed. The two birds collided, Paul's taking the hit directly.
"It's a hit!" cheered Dawn. She was bouncing in her heels, excited by the contact.
"Yes, but I don't think it did much damage," observed the professor.
"Just testing the waters," I hummed. Elaborating for Dawn, I continued. "I think Paul is checking out Ash's Starly's power before striking back."
"Starly, use Aerial Ace!"
Paul's Starly tucked in its wings as is descended upon Ash's pokémon, gathering speed and power. Aerial Ace was a strong flying type move, but I doubted the repercussions would be too severe for Ash.
I was proved right when his pokémon bounced back within seconds of being hit. Following it's trainer's command, the Starly flew in closer, preparing to launch the Wing Attack that Ash had called for.
"Double Team!" called Paul.
Inwardly, I groaned. Paul's Starly immediately copied itself, and it soon looked like the entire sky was full of the little grey birds.
Ash's Starly tried to stay cool under the pressure, but was looking around, frantically searching for its actual opponent.
"Starly, the real one's behind you!" came Ash's strained voice. "Dodge it!"
"Aerial Ace!" was Paul's command.
Ash's Starly wasn't able to move fast enough, and took the attack head-on. It spiraled to the ground, landing with a soft thud. I could tell by looking at the pokémon's eyes that Ash had lost the first round. Those Aerial Aces had done more damage than I had originally thought.
"Ash's Starly is unable to battle," announced Brock. "Paul's Starly is the winner."
Ash recalled his defeated Starly with a rueful grin. "You battled really well. Thank you." He spoke softly, and I only just managed to hear him.
Paul placed a hand on his hip. "I think I figured out your battle strategy," he taunted, "and I feel sorry for any pokémon who gets stuck with a lousy trainer like you."
He had recalled his own Starly as he spoke, and looked at it scornfully. "Is that all you've got?" Wait... Was he talking to his pokémon or to Ash..?
Ash gritted his teeth and selected another pokéball. "Aipom, you're up next!"
The purple monkey danced onto the field with a huge grin, itching to battle.
"Stand by, Chimchar!" Paul decided. Funny, I don't recall Paul ever visiting Professor Rowan's lab, so did that mean he caught that Chimchar? They were pretty uncommon in the wild.
Ash pulled out his new pokédex, and scanned his opponent. 'Chimchar, the Chimp Pokémon. Chimchar easily climbs the sheerest of walls and lives on mountain tops. When it sleeps, its flames go out.'
Paul sneered at the automated voice. "Well isn't that nice. You've got your Chimchar lesson for the day!"
My hands balled into fists self consciously. What a sarcastic little aleck... He couldn't have been older than Ash, who I had placed at around 13, yet he acted like he was so much better. It wasn't his fault that he wasn't from this region!
Ash reacted similarly, his own hands trembling slightly as he gave his pokémon an order.
"Use Swift, Aipom!"
Aipom leaped into the air in response. The hand on the monkey's tail glowed brightly, formulating stars as the pokémon slashed it downward toward its opponent. The attack was met by the Chimchar's Ember, Paul's counter. Smoke filled the tense air as the two attacks cancelled each other out.
Once the atmosphere was clear and Aipom was back on solid ground, Ash called for a Focus Punch. His pokémon began charging Chimchar, who looked on with curiously determined blue eyes.
"Flame Wheel," came Paul's steady command. His pokémon reacted immediately, curling itself into a ball and setting itself ablaze. It spiraled into the oncoming Aipom, colliding solidly with its upper torso and effectively stopping it's attack.
"That Focus Punch just disappeared!" Dawn gasped from beside me. I gave her a sidelong glance. She really didn't know much, did she.
"Yes, see, if a pokémon is using Focus Punch and an opposing attack makes contact with it before it's own attack is complete, that Focus Punch cannot be finished," I let the professor explain. I was too busy watching the interaction between the trainers to offer up my opinion.
"Not a very smart move," taunted Paul with a hand on hip. "Chimchar, let's go! Ember!"
Ash was gritting his teeth. "Double Team, Aipom!" was his swift reply.
Soon, the small fire type was surrounded by copies of Aipom. With a small growl, it began firing it's Ember attack rapidly as it spun to face each double.
Ralts sighed from my shoulder as each of the copies slowly vanished. I raised an eyebrow at him, but he shook his head and nodded back to the match.
Ash had ordered another Focus Punch as soon as the real Aipom had retreated to stand by it's trainer's side.
Shaking it's tail vigorously, the little purple monkey took off toward Chimchar once more.
Paul shook his head slowly. "Flame Wheel," he ordered again with a sly smirk on his lips.
As the two pokémon neared each other, I realized what Ash had in mind. I crossed my arms with a grin, approving his strategy. It would surely catch Paul off guard, who was obviously anticipating an easy win.
"Alright Aipom, jump to dodge, then attack!" called Ash. Aipom responded just in time, and leaped into the air just before it collided with Chimchar. With a battle cry, it swung it's glowing tail down onto the fire type pokémon, sending it flying into the grass in front of its shocked trainer.
"Chimchar is unable to battle. Aipom is the winner!" declared Brock once it was clear that Chimchar couldn't continue.
Ash and Aipom cheered loudly, and the latter climbed onto its trainer's head and started banging on Ash's head like a drum. Still laughing, he recalled his victorious pokémon to its pokéball. "You take a good rest," he praised.
Paul recalled his defeated pokémon without a word.
"Well it looks like it's one on one now," called Ash. "Alright, Pikachu, let's go! I choose you!"
The yellow mouse pokémon scurried onto the grassy field before Ash could even finish. I could see the electricity sparking off of its rosy cheeks, an obvious sign of its excitement.
Paul nodded slightly and pulled out his last pokéball. "Stand by, Elekid!"
The capsule released the electric type with a burst of white light. A proud yellow pokémon stood at attention, staring down its opponent.
"Wow," Dawn said airily, "I've never seen that pokémon before."
"Well, Elekid is the Electric Pokémon," I began, trying to quote the pokédex as closely as possible. "They can produce really strong electric charges by swinging their arms around." I paused for a moment, tapping my chin in thought. "If I recall correctly, their weakest spot is right between the prongs on their head, but it's protected by an electric current that runs between them, which can be dangerous if you aren't prepared."
Turning to the professor, I saw him nod curtly, and I beamed at the unspoken praise. Dawn's eyes were wide as she returned her attention to the battle.
"Pikachu, Thunderbolt, let's go!" cried Ash, eager to have the first move.
I sighed simultaneously with Ralts. Ash had to know that electric attacks didn't cause much, if any, damage to electric pokémon. On top of that, if Elekid was well trained, it could turn around and make an attack of the same type that much stronger by using the power from Pikachu's attack.
Which, of course, is exactly what happened.
Paul called out for Thunder, and it took its toll on Ash's Pikachu.
"Woah, Elekid sure is powerful." Dawn was in awe because of the display.
"Pikachu, Volt Tackle!" Ash nearly snarled at Paul's smug expression.
It didn't help any with Paul's clever defense.
"Protect!"
Poor Pikachu slammed into the watery green barrier, it's attack null due to it's intended target's move.
As the mouse pokémon retreated, a nasty jolt ran through its tiny body. An effect of Volt Tackle.
"Volt Tackle causes damage to the one being attacked, as well as the attacker," the professor was explaining to a shocked Dawn. "With Elekid's Protect stopping harm from coming to it, Pikachu was the only one harmed by the attack."
Paul scoffed. "Are we done yet?"
"No way!" Ash seemed surprised by his opponent's comment.
Paul was scoffing. "You really should just give up now."
"No way! We'll never give up!" Ash said as he clenched his fists. Slowly, he knelt to his pokémon's level. "You still up for this?" he asked in a softer tone.
"Pi-KA!"
The trainer grinned widely at the enthusiastic reply. "That's what I like to hear! Use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu shook itself off before gathering itself briefly and launching itself at Elekid. With every step, it's tail grew brighter and brighter, and I knew that it was becoming more metallic the more blinding the light got.
"Use Brick Break!" commanded Paul.
The two attacks met directly, and the two yellow, electric pokémon were deadlocked.
After several moments, Paul let out a dark chuckle. "I'd hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your Pikachu seems to be all turned around. Meanwhile..." He paused here, taking in Ash's confused stance. "Elekid has a free arm. Thunder Punch, go!"
Ash took a step back, but was determined to win. "Not so fast, Iron Tail is still on the way!"
It was a long shot, but it was possible for Ash to still pull out a win here.
"Come on Pikachu, you can do it!" yelled Ash. Ralts stood up on my shoulder and started cheering as well.
Just as the Thunder Punch was about to make contact with its tiny body, Pikachu pushed off of the arm that had been attacking with Brick Break, somehow causing Elekid to lose hold of both attacks. Swinging it's tail around again, Pikachu's second Iron Tail struck Paul's pokémon squarely across the face, knocking it back several paces.
Both pokémon stood wearily across the grassy clearing from one another, eyeing each other carefully. Suddenly, Pikachu dropped due to exhaustion, followed very quickly by Elekid.
Brock raised both of his arms. "We have a tie! Both sides are unable to battle!"
What a strange outcome. And by the looks of it, neither side was taking it very well.
An angry look had entered Paul's stormy eyes, and he quickly recalled his fainted pokémon.
Ash was distraught, cradling a dazed Pikachu in his arms. Brock and I approached him slowly, side by side.
"That sure looked like a draw to me," I offered carefully. I didn't know Ash well enough to be able to gauge his reaction after a battle like that.
He only scowled. "Not to me. Pikachu still went down first. We lost, isn't that right?"
Paul walked up to face his opponent. "It was called a tie, so a tie it is," he replied coolly. He dug into his pocket, pulling out a pokéball. Enlarging it, he hit the little release button, allowing the pokémon inside to return to the wild.
In a burst of blue light, the Starly that had defeated Ash's own Starly took off into the sunset without a backward glance.
The three of us were shocked.
"Why'd you do that?" demanded Ash as he stood up. "That pokémon battled hard for you!"
"There's a million other Starly out there who are just as strong as that one." He rolled his eyes and turned to leave the clearing. "As soon as I run across a stronger one, I'll just grab it."
I felt Ash seething beside me, and placed my hand gently on his shoulder to prevent him from doing anything rash. Ralts was fuming on my own shoulder, and I used my free had to try and soothe him as well.
"Professor, thank you for the use of the field," Paul said to Professor Rowan as he walked past, stopping to bow shortly. My mentor nodded to him, and watched him walked purposefully down the road.
"What a weird guy," commented Dawn as she joined our small group.
Ash was silent, choosing to look down at his resting pokémon. Poor Pikachu was pretty banged up.
"Hey Ash, let's get your pokémon to the Pokémon Center," I suggested, giving his shoulder a little shake.
"It's getting dark out too," Brock observed, glancing at the sky. "Maybe we should stay the night in Sandgem Town."
I nodded. "That's a good idea, we can leave in the morning. You guys are more than welcome to stay at my house. Heaven knows I have the room." It had been a long time since I had people other than my family stay at my house, but I would enjoy the company. Besides, I had to get used to traveling with them anyway, I might as well start now.
"That sounds great!" agreed Dawn.
"Yeah Cora, that'd be awesome." Ash was speaking again, and nodded his head at the road. "Lead the way!"
A smile on my lips, I did just that.
So I use a phrase that's pretty common with my friends and I, but maybe not the rest of you. I say 'sarcastic little aleck.' Aleck comes from smart aleck. It's just shorter and a bit easier to say, ja feel?
Hopefully I'll see you all soon, so long as my life allows me the small pleasure of writing.
Lots of love! -black angel's wing