Machop, Dewott, and Monferno

They were there at the gym every day, Mike and Dan. They showed up around the same time, training themselves in their own ways. While they knew of each other and had talked some, they weren't really friends. There wasn't anything that connected them other than working out at the same place.

Being a Machop, Mike dabbled in all of the equipment: lifting weights, running on the treadmill, doing resistance workouts, all of it. He also took any introduction classes that came around, looking to build his strength in every way possible. He had tried nearly every martial arts style in the world, but hadn't yet settled on one to master. Whenever newcomers came in, Mike would challenge them to a fight or show them how to use the machines in the equipment room. If there was a chance to show off, he would be there.

On the other hand, Dan the Dewott was focused on one training style alone. His whole regimen was geared towards making the most out of his two battle scalchops, yellow shells with razor sharp edges which had grown naturally at his hips. Due to all but the flat edge being sharp, they were dangerous to handle. A single slip could make a deep cut all across the user's paw. Dan constantly practiced handling them, slicing with them, throwing them, and jabbing them at weak points. He sometimes did other training, but only if it could help him with his scalchops.

The gym was in a large town, where Fight type Pokémon were common, so there were always others to challenge to fights, or to chat with. Still, being regulars meant that their paths would cross at one point. And that point came about because of the girl.

She was a Monferno, and she was one of the loveliest Pokémon that either Mike or Dan had ever seen. The colors in her soft fur were bright and the flames of her tail fire trailed gracefully after her. Although she was a part Fight type, it seemed she hadn't focused as much on athletic training as most of the gym regulars. She had apparently devoted that time and effort towards building her beauty, and that had worked out perfectly for her. One afternoon, she came in and began speaking with the gym's owner.

Before long, everyone in the gym was wondering about her. What was her name, what did she like, what was she doing here? She seemed to know the owner quite well, given how the two of them laughed at points. But no one had seen her around here. Mike especially was interested in the girl. Maybe he should impress her and get her interested in him too.

Looking around, he saw that Dan was also glancing at the Monferno, interested in her but trying not to stare. Mike smirked to himself. Any time he'd seen the Dewott training, he thought the guy was being too serious. He never showed any signs of having fun, like yelling, laughing, or posing. Yet he kept on training. It was high time he got some teasing.

The Machop snuck up behind Dan. "So you like her, huh?"

Dan clenched on of his scalchops as he jumped around, but relaxed his grip on seeing who it was. Still, he scowled. "And why would you care if I did or not?" he asked quietly.

"Just cause." He winked. "If you want to get her attention, you might show off some. Like by fighting someone, like me."

"Is that why you're talking to me?" he asked. He'd seen too much of Mike's 'help' by boasting that he felt skeptical.

"Wanna find out?" He hopped back and punched the air between them. "You're the only other regular around here that I haven't fought. Come on, show me what you can really do."

Dan wasn't that interested in showing off, usually. But if it might get the Monferno's attention, it was worth it to humor Mike. Besides, when dealing with Fight type Pokémon, it was often an insult to turn down a request for a battle. "Fine, you can try against me. But you'd better focus on the battle, and not the girl."

With that settled, the two Pokémon went to the center of the gym, where an open space with mats was kept for battles. It was an informal match, so Mike only waited for a nod from the Dewott to know that he was ready. He then came at Dan with a high kick. Taking hold of the yellow shells, Dan caught the kick with one arm and thus block much of the damage; he then slashed at the Machop's shoulders. The scalchop was sharp enough to cut through his tough gray skin. Mike knew he needed to watch for those weapons then.

He attempted to karate chop into Dan's arm, to limit how much he could use both of his natural weapons. "I know exactly what you're going to do," Mike bluffed, smiling confidently. "You only ever study one style of fighting and you get stuck in that one style."

Dan hopped out of the strike, but missed his own counter attack when Mike blocked it fully. "You study so many that you never master any of them." He then turned his failed counter into grabbing the Machop's arm and throwing him onto the mat.

By that point, several other Pokémon in the room had stopped to watch, including the owner and the Monferno. Someone even cheered the throw, which someone countered by booing. Good, the attention was good, but he needed to look good. Mike flipped around, kicked Dan, and got up in the same motion.

"Wanna bet?" he asked, grinning. "Besides, you're not even a Fight Pokémon." He started a punch that would lead into a pummeling, but Dan countered that surprisingly well. "And when you next evolve, your fighting style will be completely worthless to you. On the other hand, I'll only get better because I'll stay close to the same body form."

Mike then made it look like he would punch, but he was planning on kicking instead. But then Dan surprised him by ramming his shoulder into him, knocking him off of the mats. "You talk too much," Dan said, holding up both of his scalchops and making a slashing motion in the air. The message was pretty clear: he could completely knock Mike out if he so chose to then, but he would leave it at the ring-out.

"Nice move!" the Monferno called out amid the cheers from the rest. "Can I fight you next?"

"I don't think he'd be the sort to hit a girl," Mike said, knowing that she'd probably hate it if Dan agreed.

And the Dewott knew that too. "If you want to challenge me, you're welcome to try," he said, turning to her and bowing. "The name's Dan."

She came onto the mats and nodded. "Hi, I'm Mercia. Okay, I'll show you what I can do!" She dropped into a low stance, with her tail held high. The flames there flared and were soon encircling Mercia. With that shielding her, it would be impossible to take her on in close combat without getting burned. She then rushed at Dan, ready to punch.

Even though being a Water type would protect him some from the flames, Dan dodged aside and threw one of his scalchops at her. It hit her with enough force to knock her right onto her face before returned straight back to the Dewott's paw. He skillfully caught it without getting himself cut on its sharp edges.

It took her a moment to get back onto her feet. But Mercia was smiling. "Wow, you're pretty powerful to hit that hard! Without using Water even. I'm still learning, though. Hey, want to go out for a shake?"

Mike felt rather annoyed that Dan had gotten the girl's interest today. But it was just the first round, he thought to himself. There was still a chance that he could come out the winner, if he planned his next moves out carefully.

…

Machop Leaf Green entry: Loves to build its muscles. It trains in all styles of martial arts to become stronger.

Dewott Black entry: Strict training is how it learns its double-scalchop technique.

Monferno Platinum entry: It skillfully controls the intensity of the fire on its tail to keep its foes at an ideal distance.

I think it's interesting that Dewott's Pokedex entry is that, when it does evolve out of its bipedal form. Unless Samurott is more agile than it looks.