After discussing Team Rocket's operation in Diglett's Cave, Summer, Samir, and Brock went back to the scene to find the mural. The Diglett and Dugtrio, who deemed Summer and Samir as trustworthy, led them to a mural depicting the Legendary Birds and their resting spots in the Kanto Region. Although they think they're one step ahead of Team Rocket, Giovanni knows otherwise. While Brock prepares a brunch for everyone, Samir challenges Summer to a battle. Who will win the battle between friends?

Chapter 24: Defense Makes the Best Offense

Samir and I stood on opposite ends of the battlefield, giving each other a big smile. A small crowd of Trainers and families formed around us, interested in the upcoming battle.

Samir took out a Pokéball and suggested, "Let's make this interesting, Summer! How about a set of three singles format battles? I only have three Pokémon, and I think it'll be more of a challenge."

"Sounds good to me, Samir!" I accepted with a grin. "Bring it on!"

Samir threw his Pokéball and shouted, "Let's go, Cappy!"

Cappy eagerly jumped out of his Pokéball, ready to battle.

"Guess friends think alike. Go, Lightning!"

Lightning softly landed on the ground and shouted, "Let's go, Summer!"

"You can have the first move, Samir!" I offered.

"Thanks, Summer! Cappy, use Charge!"

Cappy focused his electricity into his cheeks; his eyes then briefly glowed yellow.

"What?! How can a Pikachu learn Charge?" I wondered aloud.

Samir smiled. "Remember that Egg we gave to Professor Elm? It turns out it was a Pichu Egg. Professor Elm gave it to me, and it immediately hatched. He quickly evolved into a Pikachu after I gave him some massages I learned from my grandparents. I was surprised he knows Charge too, but I figured he got it from his parents."

"I see. Guess Samir's saving up Cappy's power. Lightning, use Quick Attack!"

Lightning nodded and sprinted towards Cappy. She hit her opponent in the chest, but he quickly recovered.

"Time for a new tactic! Cappy, Double Team!"

Cappy nodded and created ten illusory copies of himself, surrounding and confusing Lightning.

I didn't know Cappy has a defensive move like that! How do I figure this out?

"Now Cappy, Thundershock!"

Cappy removed the illusions and released a weak lightning bolt at Lightning. Unlike the Thundershock from yesterday, this one seemed to have more power. The bolt struck Lightning, slightly injuring her. She held her ground and wanted to keep going.

"Lightning, Thunderbolt!"

Lightning charged up her cheeks and released a strong bolt of electricity at Cappy.

"Cappy, Double Team again!"

Cappy then dodged the attack through his illusions and surrounded himself around her again. Lightning was frustrated, but she knew not to attack wildly.

There must be some way for Lightning to tell them apart! Maybe there is…

"Cappy, use Thundershock!"

As Cappy charged his cheeks, I saw the opening I was waiting for. "Lightning, use Quick Attack then Sweet Kiss!"

"Sweet Kiss…?" Samir muttered, confused.

Lightning charged forward in a white streak of energy, dodging the Thundershock and smashing Cappy into the air. Although Cappy recovered by spinning around and correcting his position, Lightning jumped after him and created a small pink heart. The heart touched Cappy's left cheek, causing him to become confused. Both Pokémon fell to the ground; Lightning landed gracefully while Cappy hit the ground with swirls in his eyes.

"Cappy, are you okay?" Samir asked with concern.

Cappy tried to respond, but he only got up and spun in circles.

"Now Lightning! Iron Tail!" I shouted enthusiastically.

Lightning ran towards her confused opponent, smiling at the turn of events. She charged her tail and instantly swung it into Cappy's chest. Cappy tumbled backwards and fell to the ground, unable to move.

"I guess you win this round, Summer. Thanks for your help, Cappy. Take a good rest."

"Lightning, great job! Come back for some rest."

Lightning looked at me and nodded, running back to me. The small crowd clapped in response to the result. It seemed more people had come over to watch since the beginning of the battle.

"Go, Terry!" Samir shouted, throwing his second Pokéball into the air. Instead of a Pidgey, a Pidgeotto flew out and soared over the battlefield.

"Hey, Terry evolved!" I said, amazed at the agile Pokémon.

Samir nodded and said, "Yeah, our training's been paying off. Despite his docile nature, he loves battling."

"I see. We'll give him a challenge. Go Errol!"

Errol flapped to the ground after being released from his Pokéball. The two birds recognized each other and nodded solemnly.

"You can have the first turn this time, Summer!"

"Thanks, Samir! Errol, use Growl!"

Errol released a low growl from his beak, but it appeared Terry wasn't that affected.

"Terry, use Quick Attack!"

Terry flew up, then descended towards Errol in a white streak of energy.

"Quick, Errol! Use Hypnosis as a counter!"

Errol nodded and released two purple rings. Surprisingly, Terry narrowly dodged the attack.

That was so close! At least Errol didn't get hit.

"Interesting defense, Summer. But let's see if you can handle this! Terry, Gust!"

Terry aggressively flapped his wings, creating a small whirlwind that engulfed Errol. The Owl Pokémon tried to break free, but his small wings harmed his attempts.

Knowing I had to find an opening, I shouted into the whirlwind, "Errol! Use Foresight to find Terry, then use Peck!"

Errol winced in pain, but he used his purple monocle to find the Pidgeotto. Once he did, he used the power from the Gust to fly up and slammed into Terry with his extended beak. Terry recovered from the attack as the whirlwind vanished. Errol landed safely on the ground, but I noticed he was getting tired.

"Are you okay, Errol?"

He determinedly muttered, "Do not concern yourself, Ms. Summer. I am all right."

"Okay. Use Hypnosis once more!"

"I don't think so! Terry, blow those rings back with Gust!"

I watched with surprise as the whirlwind blew the purple rings back towards its creator. Unfortunately, Errol was just as surprised and was easily hit by his own attack and the Gust. He rolled backwards and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

"Errol, please wake up!" I desperately shouted. But it was no use.

"Terry, finish this battle with Secret Power!"

Terry flapped his wings, releasing streams of green arrows at the sleeping Hoothoot. With no chance of a defense, the attack hit Errol in slow motion. Errol then rolled towards me, unable to move.

"You win this round, Samir," I acknowledged with a small smile. I then picked up my exhausted Pokémon. "Are you okay, Errol? I'm sorry I couldn't help you land one hit."

Errol slowly opened his eyes and whispered, "I shall be fine after a rest. You do not have to apologize."

I returned Errol as Samir returned Terry.

Samir sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and said, "Sorry if Terry was too aggressive. He's normally not like that."

I gave Samir a wide grin and replied, "Don't worry about it, Samir. It shows you trained him well. I guess I need to battle with Errol more. But now here comes the tie-breaker!"

"Right!" Samir said, taking out his last Pokéball.

If he's choosing that one, I'll do the same.

"Go Banksia!"

"Blaze, let's do this!"

Both of our starter Pokémon jumped out of their Pokéballs and landed on the battlefield. Instead of a small light green Chikorita, a medium-sized yellow Pokémon with small leaves around her neck and a stronger-looking leaf appeared. The large leaf had a cut shaped like a small half-circle.

I took out my Pokédex and scanned her. [Bayleef, the Leaf Pokémon and the evolved form of Chikorita. A Bayleef's neck is ringed by curled-up leaves. Inside each leaf is a small tree shoot. The fragrance of this shoot makes people peppy.]

"Wow, it's so cool Banksia evolved too!" I said, amazed at how much she changed.

"The same goes for Blaze!" Samir happily gasped, scanning him with his Pokédex. "I've never seen a Combusken up close!"

"You ready to battle one, Samir?"

"Of course, Summer! You can go first."

"All right. Blaze, use Flamethrower!"

"Banksia, shield yourself with Light Screen!"

Blaze released the stream of fire from his beak while Banksia created a glowing yellow barrier with her eyes. As the Flamethrower passed through the barrier, it hit the Leaf Pokémon, but with less power. Banksia winced at the super effective attack, but otherwise didn't receive much damage.

"So that's the power of a Light Screen," I pondered aloud.

"Yes! I thought it would be a good strategy because of the type disadvantage. Plus, the Light Screen will be active for several turns!"

That pretty much eliminates my best attack…for now, at least. Time to get in close…

"Try to counter this, Samir! Blaze, charge in and use Double Kick!"

Blaze nodded and ran towards Banksia with his arms behind him. He then jumped up and attacked, right leg first. The leg hit Banksia squarely to her head, pushing it to her right. Blaze then used his left leg, hitting the same target. Despite Banksia taking two direct hits, she was still standing firm.

"Great job, Blaze. Double Kick again!"

"That's not going to work a second time, Summer! Banksia, grab those legs with Vine Whip!"

Banksia shot two strong vines from her neck, which wrapped around Blaze's outstretched legs. As she held him upside down, Blaze struggled to break free from his uncomfortable position.

Not again! I have to act faster this time!

"Blaze, use Flamethrower on the vines!" I shouted, trying the strategy I wanted to do during my battle with Weldon.

"Oh no!" Samir shouted worriedly. "Banksia, throw Blaze to the ground before he attacks!"

The Bayleef nodded and began a throwing motion as Blaze charged the Fire attack in his beak.

I can't attack Banksia unless I also want Blaze to get hurt in the process…Maybe that strategy I saw on TV would help…

"Blaze, redirect your attack to the ground!"

Blaze pointed his beak to the battlefield and fired his attack as the vines hurled him into the ground. The impact shook the field, creating a large dust cloud. As I covered my eyes with my arms, I hoped my idea worked. Once the cloud disappeared, I saw Blaze slowly getting up and brushing off the dirt from his arms. I breathed a sigh of relief as I noted the softened dirt around him.

"Hey, I recognized that strategy!" Samir pointed out as Banksia retracted her vines. "That guy in the Silver Conference in Johto used a similar strategy with his Blaziken!"

"Yeah, that's right…" I sheepishly acknowledged, rubbing my right hand behind my head. "It was a big risk, but it paid off."

"It sure did!" Samir then noticed our panting starter Pokémon. "I guess one move will decide this battle. Banksia, use Razor Leaf at max power!"

"Blaze, use Flamethrower, full power!"

Both Pokémon charged up their strongest attacks and launched them at each other. Although the leaves and fire clashed in the center, the Flamethrower burned through the leaves and collided into the Light Screen. I thought the Light Screen would continue protecting Banksia, but the barrier faded, causing her to receive the full damage. She then fell to the ground, burned and unable to move.

"Oh, no!" Samir shouted as he fearfully ran over to his fallen partner.

I immediately took my gardening kit out of my backpack and harvested a Rawst and Oran Berry. As I calmly walked over to Samir and Banksia, Blaze took an Oran Berry from the tree and ate it to recover some of his strength. He then put the kit into my backpack and carried it.

"Here, Samir," I said, offering the Berries. "These should make Banksia feel a lot better."

Samir smiled gently and took the Berries from my hands. "Here, Banksia. Eat these."

Banksia weakly ate the two Berries Samir placed in front of her mouth. After chewing the healthy fruit, she immediately felt better and stood up. Samir petted his friend and looked relieved she was okay.

"You've really improved, Summer. I'm impressed."

"I'm impressed, too! You've gotten stronger since Cherrygrove City!" I praised. "Let's battle again next time."

Samir nodded firmly, the smile returning to his face. I put out my hand, and Samir shook it eagerly. The crowd clapped at the good sportsmanship and slowly dispersed. After a few minutes, Samir's Pokégear suddenly rang.

Samir picked it up and listened to the caller. "Okay, thanks." After he hung up, he said, "That was Brock. He said we can head back to the Gym for brunch."

"Okay, let's heal our Pokémon first."

Samir nodded in agreement. We returned our Pokémon, healed our Pokémon at the Pokémon Center, then hungrily ran to the Gym.

Pokémon: Blaze (Combusken, male): Brave Nature, moves: Quick Attack, Double Kick, Flamethrower, Focus Energy

Errol (Hoothoot, male): Rash Nature, moves: Foresight, Growl, Hypnosis, Peck

Swirls (Poliwhirl, female): Relaxed Nature, moves: Water Pulse, Hypnosis, Water Gun, Doubleslap

Lightning (Pikachu, female): Adamant Nature, moves: Thunderbolt, Quick Attack, Iron Tail, Sweet Kiss

Flower (Bulbasaur, female): Gentle Nature, moves: Tackle, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Sleep Powder

Questions for the Chapter:

Which battle was your favorite?

What do you think of Samir's battling style?