"Darfaller!"
"Dragonsong!"
Out of Kip's Pokéball came the Houndoom, and out of Gaby's came a Dragonite.
"Dragonsong!" Gaby shouted. "Dragon Rage!"
The Dragonite went into a fury, bashing the Houndoom out of the way. Surprizingly, it got back up again, though shakily.
"Darkfaller! Crunch that Dragonite!"
The Houndoom leapt forward, clamping its jaws down on the Dragonite's arm. The Dragonite toppled over, but got back up again.
"Continue your attack!" Gaby shouted.
Once again, the Dragonite used its attack, Dragon Rage. Once the Houdoom was hit, it got up again, but one more hit and it would be over.
"Darkfaller, take him down! Hyper Beam!"
The Houndoom charged up its energy. Once ready, it fired it at the Dragonite. The Dragonite was knocked backwards, and Gaby returned it instantly. She knew that her first Pokémon was KO'd.
"Alright! You did it, Darkfaller!" Kip said, running in the field to his Houndoom. "You took down her Pokémon!"
"What makes you think this is over?' Gaby said, taking out another Pokéball.
"You mean we're battling all our Pokémon?" Kip asked alarmed. He couldn't take down all of Gaby's Pokémon. Not a chance.
"Of course! I haven't really accepted you until I see how you battle! But for a little encouragement, you're impressing me. Now, let's get on with it! Go, Trouble!"
Out of Gaby's Pokéball came a Pidgeot. Tall and proud it stood, and ready to battle.
"Trouble! Steal Wing!"
The Pidgeot flew forward with such surprising speed, that when the Pidgeot had returned to its post, the Houndoom named Darkfaller had only just begun to fall. Once he did fall, he did not get up again.
"D-Darkfaller!" Kip cried, running to his Pokémon.
"You're loosing points. Hold in the sentimentality until after the battle."
Kip reluctantly returned to his post, then returned his Pokémon. Pulling out another ball, he glared at Gaby.
"You'll pay for what you did to Darkfaller! Avenge your friend, Nightflyer!"
Out of the Pokéball came a Noctowl, but instead of brown, it was black and red.
"Nice Pokémon!" Gaby said, impressed. "But this isn't a beauty contest. Your move."
"Alright then! Nightflyer, Double Team!"
Gaby almost laughed as the Noctowl split in two. She bent down and whispered something to her Pidgeot, then stood back up again.
"You do have a lot to learn. One of the most important lessons in battling is never use Doubled Team on a Pokémorph! Trouble, attack the left one now with Wing Attack!"
Once again the Pidgeot took off, and once it got back, the right Noctowl had disappeared, and the left one was on the ground, its eyes swirling(Anime style).
"Ahh!" Kip cried. Then, glancing over at Gaby, quickly returned it as if he hadn't said anything. Pulling out a new Pokéball, he cried, "Go! Quickzap!"
A Raichu suddenly appeared on the field. Gaby sighed.
"Quickzap! Thunder!"
From the Raichu came a blast of thunder that shook the area. The Pidgeot collapsed.
"Return!" Gaby said, and the Pidgeot was back in its ball.
"Good! So you know about type weaknesses and resistances. Very good! Now let's see how you do in a multiple choice situation! GO! AFFECTION!"
A Meganium was on the field now, and with a determined look on her face.
"Affection?" Kip asked. "Why is it named Affection?"
"Because I saved her with love." Gaby replied. "But enough chit-chat. Affection, Body Slam!"
The Meganium slammed itself to the ground on top of the Raichu. The Raichu got up again, but once standing, was found to be paralyzed.
"Damn!" Kip said under his breath. "Now what? Do I switch out, or keep on going? Switching out might be better for Quickzap, but strategically it's a bad idea. But how can I not save Quickzap when it's so easy? I have to try! Quickzap, return!"
The Raichu disappeared into its ball. Gaby shook her head.
"Did I do something wrong?" Kip asked, unsure if he had made the right choice.
"We'll talk later. Send out your next Pokémon."
"Alright, um... Come on out, Psylight!"
With that, an Espeon joined the battle. Gaby nodded.
"Very nice! You seem to really love your Pokémon. That's good." Gaby said, surveying the Espeon.
"Thanks! But now, I have to wipe that Meganium off the field! Psylight! Psychic attack!"
A wave of Psychic blasted the Meganium out of the way. It lay there, motionless.
"Affection!" Gaby cried, her voice breaking. "You'll pay for this! Go, Sapphire!"
Out of Gaby's Pokéball came a Charizard. It was the blue one with the silver streaks on the side. Kip stepped back.
"Where'd you get a different coloured one?!" He asked.
"Found her at a breeder's site." Gaby answered. "But she has more then good looks. Sapphire, Fire Blast attack!"
Out of the Charizard's mouth came blue, not red, flame. Kip thought that it must be cold, seeing as it was not fiery and blazing. But when his Pokémon collapsed from the impact, he knew that he had thought wrong.
"WHAT?!? How come it's blue?" Kip asked as he returned his Espeon.
"Breeders mix around genetics, like the Rockets, only they don't harm the Pokémon in any way and they have permits. They have what you call authorised experimentation. But when breeders do something to a parent, it is usually implied to the baby to, sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. In Sapphire's case, stronger."
"Wow." Kip said. "But anyway...Let's go, Aurora!"
A huge form appeared on the field. It was a Lapras, tall and proud, floating above the ground.
"Good! Good!" Gaby said. "More type matching!"
"We'll see how good my judgement is! Hydro Pump!"
The Charizard was doused with water, and it fell, dripping. Before it hit the ground, Gaby returned it, frowning. But then she smiled.
"You took her down. Good for you. But now, it's time you see my real power."
"R-Real power?" Kip asked, afraid. "What was all that, then?"
"A warm up. An appetizer. Let's wipe them out, Slicksilver!"
The Skarmory appeared, and Gaby's face went into a determined smile. She shook some silver hair out of her face, then faced Kip again.
"Now is when I take you down. But don't be discouraged. You have to be pretty good to make it this far. You're the best I've seen. Ever."
Kip couldn't help but smile. This girl, she was nice, great with Pokémon, and...He just couldn't put it in words.
"But we'll talk later. Right now, let's battle! Slicksilver, Steal Wing attack!"
In a matter of seconds, the Lapras was down, then off the field.
"I've only got two left." Kip muttered to himself. "Better save Quickzap. Won't do very well with paralysis. That only leaves..." His voice rose. "Gice it your best! Slasher!"
Out of his Pokéball came a Sandslash. Gaby managed not to laugh. Keep his confidence up, she told herself.
"You do realize," Gaby said, "That my Pokémon gets to go first."
"What? Why?"
"Because my Pokémon has a high speed, and that means I get to attack first, just like any other time. I've just been letting you go."
"Damn!"
"Anyway...Steal wing! Now!"
The Sandslash took the hit, and got up again, but one more hit and it would be over.
"Yes! Slasher, Slash attack!"
The Skarmory took the hit, weakened, but fighting fit.
"Finish him!"
And that is what the Skarmory did, and soon Kip had only one choice.
"Quickzap! Go! Thunder attack!"
The Skarmory, unfortunately, was hit in a weak spot, and was KO'd instantly.
"Slicksilver! Damn you, Kip! You're so good!"
"Thank you."
"But you know what's left, don't you?" Kip gulped. He did all right. He was dreading this part.
"SILVERSONG! TAKE HIM DOWN!"
As soon as the Lugia emerged, Kip knew what was going to happen. Without a word, Gaby had communicated telepathically to her Lugia.
'Whirlpool!'
A great whirlpool swept up the Raichu. After it disappeared, the Raichu was on the ground, defeated. Whirlpool wasn't a strong attack, but the combination of paralysis, the Body slam, and the Steal Wing was just too much. Kip returned his Pokémon solemnly.
"Why so glum? Is it because you were beaten?"
"Well, it's just that you pummelled my Pokémon. I could tell you were going easy on me. Very easy."
Gaby looked away guiltily.
"Did you want me to wipe out all your Pokémon one shot each with one Pokémon? That was the other alternative."
"No, but now I feel like I just survived because you were going easy."
"Um, Kip? That wasn't easy mode for me. It was normal. And taking down 5 of my Pokémon on normal is like beating the Pokémon League 3 times in a row. That's something to be proud about."
Kip smiled.
"Really?"
"Really."
"But what about our Pokémon? They're all hurt, and the next Pokémon Center isn't for miles!"
"Kip, you have to learn a few things. I haven't gone to a Pokémon Center for a long time. You see, I'm my own little Pokémon Center."
Gaby pulled out all the Pokéballs, then touched each of them in turn. Every time, a faint blue light would come from her finger tips, then recede, the Pokémon inside healthy again. But every time, Gaby's face got weaker and weaker, until finally, at the last Pokémon, she slumped against a tree, panting.
"Wow! Did you use your own energy to do that?"
"Yes. But now, we have to talk about the battle!"
"Right! You said You'd give me points. How many did I get?" "Out of 100, you got an 92. You need an 90 to pass my class."
"90!!! But that's so high! How many people have passed before me?"
"None."
Kip slumped back, amazed. None? That means...
"That you are the first person ever to pass my test."
"What did I do wrong?"
"Well, you were sentimental, and that shows weakness. I know you love your Pokémon, but when others see you have a weak spot, they go for it immediately."
"Like when I was captured?"
"Exactly. Control means power." Gaby said, her expression turning grave. Kip couldn't be sure, but he thought that he saw a flash of red enter the eyes, but if it had, then lasted for only a split second.
"The only other thing you did wrong was switch out. If you had kept your Raichu out, you might have gotten a hit on Silversong. And sometimes, one hit is all it takes to separate the winners for the losers. Whenever something happens to a Pokémon, keep it out. If you return it, then you're trapped."
Kip nodded. She was so smart, and he had learned so much from her already.
"Thanks."
"Dragonsong!"
Out of Kip's Pokéball came the Houndoom, and out of Gaby's came a Dragonite.
"Dragonsong!" Gaby shouted. "Dragon Rage!"
The Dragonite went into a fury, bashing the Houndoom out of the way. Surprizingly, it got back up again, though shakily.
"Darkfaller! Crunch that Dragonite!"
The Houndoom leapt forward, clamping its jaws down on the Dragonite's arm. The Dragonite toppled over, but got back up again.
"Continue your attack!" Gaby shouted.
Once again, the Dragonite used its attack, Dragon Rage. Once the Houdoom was hit, it got up again, but one more hit and it would be over.
"Darkfaller, take him down! Hyper Beam!"
The Houndoom charged up its energy. Once ready, it fired it at the Dragonite. The Dragonite was knocked backwards, and Gaby returned it instantly. She knew that her first Pokémon was KO'd.
"Alright! You did it, Darkfaller!" Kip said, running in the field to his Houndoom. "You took down her Pokémon!"
"What makes you think this is over?' Gaby said, taking out another Pokéball.
"You mean we're battling all our Pokémon?" Kip asked alarmed. He couldn't take down all of Gaby's Pokémon. Not a chance.
"Of course! I haven't really accepted you until I see how you battle! But for a little encouragement, you're impressing me. Now, let's get on with it! Go, Trouble!"
Out of Gaby's Pokéball came a Pidgeot. Tall and proud it stood, and ready to battle.
"Trouble! Steal Wing!"
The Pidgeot flew forward with such surprising speed, that when the Pidgeot had returned to its post, the Houndoom named Darkfaller had only just begun to fall. Once he did fall, he did not get up again.
"D-Darkfaller!" Kip cried, running to his Pokémon.
"You're loosing points. Hold in the sentimentality until after the battle."
Kip reluctantly returned to his post, then returned his Pokémon. Pulling out another ball, he glared at Gaby.
"You'll pay for what you did to Darkfaller! Avenge your friend, Nightflyer!"
Out of the Pokéball came a Noctowl, but instead of brown, it was black and red.
"Nice Pokémon!" Gaby said, impressed. "But this isn't a beauty contest. Your move."
"Alright then! Nightflyer, Double Team!"
Gaby almost laughed as the Noctowl split in two. She bent down and whispered something to her Pidgeot, then stood back up again.
"You do have a lot to learn. One of the most important lessons in battling is never use Doubled Team on a Pokémorph! Trouble, attack the left one now with Wing Attack!"
Once again the Pidgeot took off, and once it got back, the right Noctowl had disappeared, and the left one was on the ground, its eyes swirling(Anime style).
"Ahh!" Kip cried. Then, glancing over at Gaby, quickly returned it as if he hadn't said anything. Pulling out a new Pokéball, he cried, "Go! Quickzap!"
A Raichu suddenly appeared on the field. Gaby sighed.
"Quickzap! Thunder!"
From the Raichu came a blast of thunder that shook the area. The Pidgeot collapsed.
"Return!" Gaby said, and the Pidgeot was back in its ball.
"Good! So you know about type weaknesses and resistances. Very good! Now let's see how you do in a multiple choice situation! GO! AFFECTION!"
A Meganium was on the field now, and with a determined look on her face.
"Affection?" Kip asked. "Why is it named Affection?"
"Because I saved her with love." Gaby replied. "But enough chit-chat. Affection, Body Slam!"
The Meganium slammed itself to the ground on top of the Raichu. The Raichu got up again, but once standing, was found to be paralyzed.
"Damn!" Kip said under his breath. "Now what? Do I switch out, or keep on going? Switching out might be better for Quickzap, but strategically it's a bad idea. But how can I not save Quickzap when it's so easy? I have to try! Quickzap, return!"
The Raichu disappeared into its ball. Gaby shook her head.
"Did I do something wrong?" Kip asked, unsure if he had made the right choice.
"We'll talk later. Send out your next Pokémon."
"Alright, um... Come on out, Psylight!"
With that, an Espeon joined the battle. Gaby nodded.
"Very nice! You seem to really love your Pokémon. That's good." Gaby said, surveying the Espeon.
"Thanks! But now, I have to wipe that Meganium off the field! Psylight! Psychic attack!"
A wave of Psychic blasted the Meganium out of the way. It lay there, motionless.
"Affection!" Gaby cried, her voice breaking. "You'll pay for this! Go, Sapphire!"
Out of Gaby's Pokéball came a Charizard. It was the blue one with the silver streaks on the side. Kip stepped back.
"Where'd you get a different coloured one?!" He asked.
"Found her at a breeder's site." Gaby answered. "But she has more then good looks. Sapphire, Fire Blast attack!"
Out of the Charizard's mouth came blue, not red, flame. Kip thought that it must be cold, seeing as it was not fiery and blazing. But when his Pokémon collapsed from the impact, he knew that he had thought wrong.
"WHAT?!? How come it's blue?" Kip asked as he returned his Espeon.
"Breeders mix around genetics, like the Rockets, only they don't harm the Pokémon in any way and they have permits. They have what you call authorised experimentation. But when breeders do something to a parent, it is usually implied to the baby to, sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. In Sapphire's case, stronger."
"Wow." Kip said. "But anyway...Let's go, Aurora!"
A huge form appeared on the field. It was a Lapras, tall and proud, floating above the ground.
"Good! Good!" Gaby said. "More type matching!"
"We'll see how good my judgement is! Hydro Pump!"
The Charizard was doused with water, and it fell, dripping. Before it hit the ground, Gaby returned it, frowning. But then she smiled.
"You took her down. Good for you. But now, it's time you see my real power."
"R-Real power?" Kip asked, afraid. "What was all that, then?"
"A warm up. An appetizer. Let's wipe them out, Slicksilver!"
The Skarmory appeared, and Gaby's face went into a determined smile. She shook some silver hair out of her face, then faced Kip again.
"Now is when I take you down. But don't be discouraged. You have to be pretty good to make it this far. You're the best I've seen. Ever."
Kip couldn't help but smile. This girl, she was nice, great with Pokémon, and...He just couldn't put it in words.
"But we'll talk later. Right now, let's battle! Slicksilver, Steal Wing attack!"
In a matter of seconds, the Lapras was down, then off the field.
"I've only got two left." Kip muttered to himself. "Better save Quickzap. Won't do very well with paralysis. That only leaves..." His voice rose. "Gice it your best! Slasher!"
Out of his Pokéball came a Sandslash. Gaby managed not to laugh. Keep his confidence up, she told herself.
"You do realize," Gaby said, "That my Pokémon gets to go first."
"What? Why?"
"Because my Pokémon has a high speed, and that means I get to attack first, just like any other time. I've just been letting you go."
"Damn!"
"Anyway...Steal wing! Now!"
The Sandslash took the hit, and got up again, but one more hit and it would be over.
"Yes! Slasher, Slash attack!"
The Skarmory took the hit, weakened, but fighting fit.
"Finish him!"
And that is what the Skarmory did, and soon Kip had only one choice.
"Quickzap! Go! Thunder attack!"
The Skarmory, unfortunately, was hit in a weak spot, and was KO'd instantly.
"Slicksilver! Damn you, Kip! You're so good!"
"Thank you."
"But you know what's left, don't you?" Kip gulped. He did all right. He was dreading this part.
"SILVERSONG! TAKE HIM DOWN!"
As soon as the Lugia emerged, Kip knew what was going to happen. Without a word, Gaby had communicated telepathically to her Lugia.
'Whirlpool!'
A great whirlpool swept up the Raichu. After it disappeared, the Raichu was on the ground, defeated. Whirlpool wasn't a strong attack, but the combination of paralysis, the Body slam, and the Steal Wing was just too much. Kip returned his Pokémon solemnly.
"Why so glum? Is it because you were beaten?"
"Well, it's just that you pummelled my Pokémon. I could tell you were going easy on me. Very easy."
Gaby looked away guiltily.
"Did you want me to wipe out all your Pokémon one shot each with one Pokémon? That was the other alternative."
"No, but now I feel like I just survived because you were going easy."
"Um, Kip? That wasn't easy mode for me. It was normal. And taking down 5 of my Pokémon on normal is like beating the Pokémon League 3 times in a row. That's something to be proud about."
Kip smiled.
"Really?"
"Really."
"But what about our Pokémon? They're all hurt, and the next Pokémon Center isn't for miles!"
"Kip, you have to learn a few things. I haven't gone to a Pokémon Center for a long time. You see, I'm my own little Pokémon Center."
Gaby pulled out all the Pokéballs, then touched each of them in turn. Every time, a faint blue light would come from her finger tips, then recede, the Pokémon inside healthy again. But every time, Gaby's face got weaker and weaker, until finally, at the last Pokémon, she slumped against a tree, panting.
"Wow! Did you use your own energy to do that?"
"Yes. But now, we have to talk about the battle!"
"Right! You said You'd give me points. How many did I get?" "Out of 100, you got an 92. You need an 90 to pass my class."
"90!!! But that's so high! How many people have passed before me?"
"None."
Kip slumped back, amazed. None? That means...
"That you are the first person ever to pass my test."
"What did I do wrong?"
"Well, you were sentimental, and that shows weakness. I know you love your Pokémon, but when others see you have a weak spot, they go for it immediately."
"Like when I was captured?"
"Exactly. Control means power." Gaby said, her expression turning grave. Kip couldn't be sure, but he thought that he saw a flash of red enter the eyes, but if it had, then lasted for only a split second.
"The only other thing you did wrong was switch out. If you had kept your Raichu out, you might have gotten a hit on Silversong. And sometimes, one hit is all it takes to separate the winners for the losers. Whenever something happens to a Pokémon, keep it out. If you return it, then you're trapped."
Kip nodded. She was so smart, and he had learned so much from her already.
"Thanks."