Chapter 9: The Art of Falling
It was a long and exhausting trek, but finally, Dawn made it. It had been a little over a week since she started her journey, and already, past the trials and tribulations, she finally made it to Oreburgh.
Dawn stepped into Oreburgh City, feeling the roughness of the rocky terrain beneath her feet. The wind picked up, sending a lone tumbleweed across the dusty streets.
Under the scorching Oreburgh sun, people and Pokémon alike bustled about in their daily routines. Miners, clad in light, dust-clothing trudged along the rocky paths with some even accompanied by sturdy Machoke carrying heavy loads of mined ore.
Many of the people on the streets wore extremely lightweight clothing. Dawn even noticed a woman confidently walking around in a sports bra and loose joggers. Making her feel awkward about the three-layers of clothing she was wearing.
"This place..." Dawn muttered, scanning her surroundings. "This is not what I was expecting."
The buildings varied in style but shared a common ruggedness reflecting the city's mining heritage. Many structures were made of sturdy stone or brick, their facades weathered by decades of dust and sun.
It was far different from Twinleaf, and even more different from Jubilife. She couldn't quite decide if she liked Oreburgh City or not.
As Dawn continued her stride through the town, a group of kids in rugged clothing caught sight of her. They exchanged glances, their eyes lingering on the shiny-looking watch she wore proudly on her arm. A murmur of whispers passed among them until one boy, slightly older than the rest, stood up from where they were gathered.
"Where you going, pretty lady?" Dawn heard, startled, she pivoted around to see a boy who looked to be about 8 or 9 years old approaching her.
The boy had dirty blond hair that stood out, his tousled locks falling over his forehead in unruly waves. He wore a yellow-stained white shirt that looked well-worn and slightly oversized, and only had socks on his feet.
"Um... I'm a Pokémon Trainer, I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader," Dawn answered, her voice steady despite the unease creeping into her demeanor.
"Really, what's a fine-looking girl like you doing as a trainer?" the boy said flirtatiously, a smirk playing on his lips. "You could be my girlfriend instead."
Dawn chuckled, her sense of unease dissipating. "Sorry buddy, but you're a few years too young to be talking to woman like that," she replied with a hint of amusement in your voice.
"Can't blame a guy for trying," the kid said with a shrug, he extended his hand towards Dawn in a friendly gesture. "Name's Cleet, by the way."
"Dawn," she said with a smile, shaking his hand firmly.
"So..." Cleet began, his tone casual. "Would you like me to lead you to the gym? I wouldn't want you getting lost or anything."
"Oh, I don't know..." Dawn replied, not wanting to bother the boy.
"C'mon, I promise I don't bite. Heck, I can even give you a whole tour of Oreburgh while we're at it," Cleet said with a grin, walking forward and waving for Dawn to follow him.
His tone was light-hearted and persuasive, she had no reason not to trust him. "Alright, I guess I will... thanks," Dawn said, following behind him.
As Cleet led Dawn through the streets of Oreburgh, the atmosphere turned tense. Eyes followed them from doorways and windows, silent gazes lingering with suspicion. Passersby slowed their steps casting furtive glances and muttering under their breath as the unusual pair walked by.
"So, where you from anyway?" Cleet asked casually as they walked, trying to break the tension. "Lemme guess, Jubilife?"
"No, thank God," Dawn answered with a chuckle. "I'm from a little place called Twinleaf Town, ever hear of it?"
"Yeah, Twinleaf Town..." the boy said, recalling. "I've heard of it before. It true what they say, that it always snows there?"
"Nah, it never snows in the summer," Dawn answered honestly. "But it does get pretty bad during the winter. I'm talking snow that'll reach up to the rooftops."
"Jeez, I can't even begin to imagine that," Cleet replied with wide-eyed wonder. "I mean, I don't think I've even seen it rain in this place!" he said, turning a corner.
In front of them stood the Oreburgh Pokémon Center, definitely a more modest building compared to the grandiose one in Jubilife.
"This here's our very own Pokémon Center," Cleet said proudly, pointing towards the building. "You may need its services after your battle with the Gym Leader."
Dawn walked ahead of the boy, nodding thoughtfully. "Huh, that's good to know. Gotta remember where to find this place and make sure I don't forget."
Cleet's eyes were drawn to pristine bag hanging from Dawn's shoulder like a Kangaskhan to its own kin. He then looked around, noting that there were no adults or anyone else in the general vicinity around them.
"That watch you're wearing," Cleet said with a low whistle, his eyes fixed on Dawn's wrist. "It looks really nice, by the way."
"Hmm," Dawn responded, turning to Cleet with a curious expression before his compliment registered. "Oh, this," she continued, raising her arm to show off the watch. "Yeah, a friend of mine—well, he's not really a friend, but this guy I know let me keep it. Pretty cool, huh?"
"Yeah, it's called a, wait, don't tell me..." the boy said, rubbing the sides of his head in mock confusion. "Pokétch, right? It's called a Pokétch?"
Dawn nodded in agreement. "Yup, at least that's what the guy said about it. Truth be told, I don't know all that much about it."
"Really," Cleet said with a malicious smile spreading across his face. "Hey, you know, these Pokétchs are worth a lot. I heard they're going for a fortune in Jubilife right now. One in good condition could probably sell for 300,000 Poké Dollars!"
"Wait, seriously?" Dawn gasped in shock, her eyes widening as she glanced down at her watch in awe. "I-I didn't know these were so special."
"You keeping yours in good condition, I mean, no scratches or anything on it?" Cleet asked casually, his tone now tinged with a hint of calculation. "You know, to maximize the profit you could make off it if you were to sell it?"
Dawn took the Pokétch off her sleeve and held it up for a closer inspection. "I think it looks okay," she said thoughtfully, turning it over in her hands. "I've only had it for like a day now. But then again, I don't really have an eye for this kind of thing."
"Whad'ya know, it's your lucky day I'm here," Cleet said, holding out his hand eagerly. "Let me take a crack at it. I'm an expert on watches."
"Okay, I hope you know what you're talking about," Dawn said, a hint of uncertainty in her voice as she passed the Pokétch to the boy.
Cleet examined the Pokétch with keen interest, turning it over in his hands and inspecting every angle. He traced his fingers along the screen and the edges, checking for any signs of wear. "Looks like you've been taking good care of this thing alright," he said, nodding appreciatively.
"So, guess I just gotta find somebody with 300,000 Poké Dollars—" Before Dawn could finish her sentence, she felt a sudden, forceful tug on her bag. The straps slipped from her grasp, and she stumbled slightly, unprepared for the unexpected assaulted.
Dawn darted around locking eyes with the culprit behind her. Clutching her bag was another dusty kid with dirt-smudged cheeks and hair partially obscuring his face. He wore a pair of tarnished earrings that faintly gleamed in the light. His shirt, tucked in haphazardly, was held up by a pair of worn suspenders that looked as though they'd seen better days.
"Thanks for the bag, I'm sure it'll sell for a lot at the thrift!" The boy taunted; he dashed away, kicking up dust as he sprinted down the street, the bag bouncing on his side.
"That jerk!" Dawn screamed in anger, her eyes blazing with fury. She turned towards Cleet, desperation in his voice. "Help me chase him down—"
Before she could finish her plea, Cleet's expression shifted. With a long throw, he tossed the Pokétch towards the other kid, who caught it effortlessly. Dawn's heart sank as she realized the betrayal.
"Oh, you better hope I don't catch you once I'm threw with him!" Dawn yelled furiously towards Cleet as she dashed after the boy with her belongings.
"Smell ya later, sucker!" Cleet jeered with a mocking laugh. Without hesitation, he darted off in the opposite direction disappearing quickly down a side street.
Dawn sprinted down the street, her determination propelling her forward with her stride. Her eyes remained fixed on the figure ahead, the thief that had her bag and Pokétch. Dodging around pedestrians and weaving through the market stalls, she pushed herself harder, adamant about getting her things back.
She didn't care about her bag or her Pokétch; those were just material possessions. What she desperately needed were her Pokémon who were tucked away safely inside their Poké Balls within her bag.
The boy ran ahead, his movements quick and agile as he glanced back over his shoulder. A wide smirk played across his face as he let out a mocking laugh.
He turned a sharp corner, his form disappearing briefly from sight as he navigated through the maze-like streets of the city. Dawn followed closely behind; her breaths heavy with exertion as she rounded the same corner just moments after him.
Without warning, Dawn's foot landed on a patch of slick, slippery fluid spread across the pavement. Panic flashed across her face as she tried to regain her balance but it was too late. With a cry of alarm, she topped sideways, arms flailing for purchase.
She crashed into a row of trash cans with a resounding clatter, the metal containers tipping and spilling their garbage around her.
The thief, watching from the next corner, grinned maliciously as he waved mockingly at Dawn before dashing off.
"Oh, he is so going to pay for this!" Dawn muttered fiercely, tossing a banana peel off her head as she quickly got to her feet.
Pedestrians and vendors alike stopped their activities momentarily, expressions of surprise and awe painting their faces as the two dashed through the streets.
Dawn continued her determined chase through the winding streets with her footsteps echoing against the cobblestones as she approached the bustling marketplace.
The air buzzed with activity as she entered the crowded area teeming with vibrant stands and street vendors. Colorful banners fluttered overhead casting lively patterns of light and shadow over the throngs of people and Pokémon alike.
Dawn's eyes scanned the crowded marketplace, her focus unwavering as she searched for any sign of the fleeing thief. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted the boy ahead, bumping into startled shoppers sending fruits from their baskets and causing Pokémon to scatter in surprise.
She sprinted through the area, her voice carrying over the din of chatter and activity. "Oops, sorry! Didn't mean to bump into you!" she exclaimed apologetically, swiftly sidestepping a vendor's stall and dodging a wandering Pokémon.
As they entered a narrow alleyway, the pickpocket looked over his shoulder in surprise to find Dawn hot on his heels. He swiftly squeezed through a gap between a dumpster and wall, his nimble form barely fitting through the tight space.
Dawn followed closely behind, squeezing through the same gap despite the confines of the alley. She finally burst into a courtyard, her heart pounding as she skidded to a stop. The little street rat stood in the center, flanked by three other ruggish looking boys, each wielding a menacing baseball bat.
Two Geodudes hovered beside them, their rocky forms exuding a solid, intimidating presence as they stood there looking scary.
In the forefront, sitting nonchalantly on a crate was a boy who appeared to be Dawn's age. He wore a grey, worn-out flat cap tilted slightly to the side. His face was framed by tousled, dark hair, and a jagged scar ran over his right eye.
A cigarette dangled from his lips, the smoke curling lazily into the air as he observed Dawn with a cool and detached demeanor.
Dawn took her eyes off the pickpocket taking a glance around at the menacing figures that surrounded her. Her gaze shifted to the leader on the crate, his scarred face and his cigarette's glow cast an eerie light in the dim courtyard.
"Should we kick her out, boss?" one of the boys said, tightening his grip on his baseball bat. "Just say the word."
"We can easily escort her outta here!" another said, glaring at Dawn.
The leader on the crate silenced the others with a simple gesture, raising a hand to hush them. He finally shifted his gaze towards Dawn, bringing his cigarette to his lips, taking a slow, contemplative puff.
"Hey, where your manners at?" the leader barked with a commanding presence. "One of youse, bring the girl a seat, quick!"
The boys looked around realizing there were no chairs in the area. After a moment's hesitation, one of the Geodudes floated by the leader, its sturdy, rocky form seemingly offering itself as a makeshift seat.
The leader on the crate casually placed the cigarette between his lips, taking a contemplative drag before removing it from his mouth holding it loosely in his hand. He reached out and patted the head of the Geodude hovering nearby. "You," he said, his voice carrying a note of authority, "take a seat, now."
Dawn shot a fierce glare at the pickpocket who still clutched her belongings, his grin faltering under her gaze. She slowly took steps up to the leader and settled herself uncomfortably on the Geodude.
The leader remained seated, his soul-piercing gaze fixated on Dawn. Smoke from his cigarette curled around him, drifting uncomfortably close to Dawn's face as the two sat there in hush.
Dawn averted her gaze from the boy consciously avoiding inhaling the smoke. "Okay..." she began, breaking the tense silence. "You gonna tell me who you are, or are we just gonna sit here all day?"
"Don't talk to him like that—" one of the boys yelled before the boss turned sharply, glaring at him, effectively silencing him.
The boy finally turned back towards Dawn. "Seeing as you won't be here too much longer, I don't see any need to tell you my name. Now I understand you must have business with one of my boys," he said, pointing towards the one Dawn chased, "otherwise I don't imagine you'd be chasing him, now would you?"
Dawn met the boss's gaze squarely, determined not to show any weakness. "Your friend stole my satchel," she declared firmly. "It contains all my Pokémon. He also stole my Pokétch. I'm not leaving until I get my things back." Her eyes unwavering as she asserted her demand.
The boss casually brought the cigarette to his lips, took a final drag, and then extinguished it with a quick flick of his tongue before dropping it to the ground.
He turned his attention to the thief. "Benny, come here for a sec," he said, motioning for him to approach.
"Don't listen to her, boss, I didn't steal a thing—" Benny protested, trying to hide Dawn's belongings behind him.
"I said, come here," the boss repeated in a stern and commanding tone.
Benny, trembling with fear, took two steps towards the boss. The boss gestured for Benny to come even closer. Reluctantly, Benny moved until his face was mere inches away from the boss, who swiftly grabbed and ripped out one of Benny's earrings, causing him to cry out in pain.
"Oh God!" Dawn shrieked, her voice filled with horror as she looked away from the sight before her.
As Benny held his bleeding ear, the boss examined his earring in hand with a stern gaze fixed on him. "Let me free up your ear since you seem to be hard of hearing. Next time you steal from someone, don't get caught. Am I clear?"
Benny, still nursing his ear, nodded vigorously not wanting to upset the boss anymore.
"Now, give the girl her stuff back, and apologize," the boss instructed, crossing one leg over the other.
The pickpocket approached Dawn, extending her purse and Pokétch. "I'm sorry, I just couldn't help myself."
Dawn sheepishly reached out, accepting her belongings. "Uh, n-no need to worry. All is forgiven," She then inspected her purse, frowning. "I'm missing half of my cash," she stated matter-of-factly.
Benny reached into his pocket, pulling out a few bills. "S-sorry, I forgot," he stammered apologetically.
The boss leaned forward, maintaining his intense gaze on Benny. "You're lucky she's being forgiving today," he said coldly. "But remember, every action has consequences. Don't let it happen again."
Benny nodded intensely, his face pale. "Y-yes, boss. I won't mess up again, I swear I won't!"
"Now, what's your name?" the boss asked, shifting his piercing gaze to Dawn.
Dawn glanced at the boss, regretting in hindsight that she hadn't given a fake name, but fear held her back. "Dawn. It's Dawn Platinum," she replied nervously.
"Dawn Platinum, I'm gonna remember that name. I got good memory," he said, tapping the sides of his forehead. "You tell anyone what you saw here today, and we'll track you down. You really don't want that to happen, you understand me?"
The girl took her eyes off the boss and glanced nervously at the menacing gazes around the room.
"Don't look at them, you look at me," the boss commanded, grabbing Dawn's attention firmly.
Dawn met his gaze directly. "Fine, whatever, sure," she responded, complying with his demands reluctantly.
The boss nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, get outta here," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
With a heavy sigh, Dawn rose from the uncomfortable perch of the Geodude, casting a final glance at the boys who stared silently as she exited the premises. She emerged from the alleyway back onto the marketplace street, securing her Pokétch back onto her sleeve cuff.
"Stupid... kids..." Dawn muttered under her breath. "They think they can threaten me! Who do they think they are!" She paused abruptly; her frustration clear to see on her face.
She spun around swiftly, contemplating her next move. "Maybe I should go back, with Chimchar, Starly, and Shinx, we could easily get the drop on them! Though those Geodudes might be a problem." Her mind raced with thoughts of retaliation.
Dawn slumped her shoulders and groaned aloud. "I'll spare them for now, but once I get my first gym badge, I'll settle things with them!" She muttered determinedly as she turned around and started walking away.
As she walked off in a foul mood, Dawn passed someone unexpected, her gaze catching theirs briefly before she stopped in place.
"It's you..." Dawn cried out in recognition, extending a finger.
A cluster of people obstructed her view, until suddenly, Barry stepped forward, striding confidently past the crowd and into Dawn's line of sight.
Barry smiled warmly as he approached Dawn. "Hello, Dawn. So, you've finally made it," he greeted, his hands on hips.
Dawn returned his smile with genuine happiness. "Barry! Man, am I happy to see you!" She giggled softly feeling a sense of relief wash over her at the sight of her best friend.
As she walked closer, she noticed something on his sleeve cuff. "Cool!" she said, grabbing hold of his arm. "You have a Pokétch!?"
"Sure, I won it from some clowns earlier," he explained with a chuckle, "they made me take some weird kind of quiz. I was this close to fining them before they handed me this."
"Well, what do you know, Barry," Dawn grinned mischievously as she lifted her arm, displaying her own Pokétch. "I also happen to have one."
"Woah, look at you, Dawn!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm infectious. "You pass the clown quiz too?"
"No, not quite. I ran into Lucas, and after... well, there was thing whole thing," Dawn recounted the story. "But all you need to know is he eventually gave me a Pokétch!"
"Lucas?" Barry muttered, his brows furrowing slightly as he tried to recall the name.
Dawn looked puzzled. "Yeah, Lucas. Lucas Diamond? The one who gave us our starters?"
Barry drifted into thought for a moment before shaking his head dismissively. "Well, if I can't remember him, he must not be very important," he shrugged casually. As they walked, their destination uncertain, he turned to Dawn with a curious smile.
"So, how's your journey been so far? It's been a few days now, hasn't it?" Barry asked as they casually strolled through the marketplace.
"Ugh, it's been... really difficult, but also really fun at the same time, and I've also caught a bunch of Pokémon too!" Dawn's excitement bubbled over her as she spoke eagerly.
Barry nodded in agreement. "Same here, I've caught a bunch of Pokémon, 2 to be exact."
Dawn smiled, pondering for a moment. "So, you've got 3 Pokémon," she said, stopping in her tracks and narrowing her eyes playfully at Barry. "I also have 3 Pokémon!"
The boy returned her smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You know, Dawn, if I didn't know any better, I'd say it sounds like you're issuing me a challenge?"
"I may have lost to you during our first battle, but I'm a completely different trainer now than I was then," she retorted confidently. "I'm leagues stronger now. Let me prove it to you."
"You've got yourself a deal, Dawn, since you're so confident, I'll humor you," Barry replied, he scanned their surroundings briefly before spotting a stretch of rocky terrain in the distance. "I say we move this elsewhere. I don't wanna disturb these civilians. How about we make it a race? Whoever makes it there last is a rotten egg and gets fined!"
With that, Blurry dashed off towards the rocky terrain, his competitive spirit getting the best of him.
Dawn's eyes lit up with excitement at Barry's challenge. "Wait up, Barry!" she cried out enthusiastically, running after him.
The rugged landscape sprawled with weathered boulders and sparse vegetation framed by jagged cliffs in the distance. Skorupi cautiously navigated the uneven surfaces, their tails poised defensively under the fading sunlight. Nearby, a Kricketot's soft chirps echoed from low shrubs, blending in with the rustling leaves.
It was almost peaceful, the tranquility of the scene momentarily untouched. However, the moment of peace was quickly shattered as two loudmouth kids burst onto the scene with reckless abandon.
"Yes!" Barry cried out, racing ahead and clearing the imaginary finish line first. He pumped his fist in triumph, a wide grin spreading across his face.
Mere moments later, Dawn caught up to Barry panting heavily as she dropped to her knees. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath.
"Still too slow, Dawn. You were 4 seconds behind me this time," Barry muttered, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "If your plan was to defeat me by boring me to death, then you nearly succeeded."
"I wasn't blessed with lungs as good as yours, Barry," Dawn mumbled as she got up from her knees, brushing off dust from her clothes.
Barry shrugged nonchalantly. "Whatever, as you always say, 'no need to worry, right?'" He scanned their surroundings, his eyes addressing the area thoughtfully. "What do you think? This place looks alright for our second battle?"
Dawn nodded decisively. "Looks fine to me. So, you ready for this?"
Barry smiled confidently. "As ready as I'll ever be," he replied, pulling a Poké Ball from his belt. "Let's see if you really have gotten stronger!"
"Fine, let's," Dawn agreed, reaching into her bag and tossing out a Poké Ball. "Starly, I choose you!"
"Starly!" the flying-type cried out, executing a mid-air flip before gracefully landing on the battlefield.
Barry's initial excitement faltered slightly as he took notice of something different about Dawn's Pokémon. "You have a Starly..." he began, then noticed its wings. His smile remained warm, but his tone became more cautious. "Uh, heads up Dawn, but you might wanna take a look at its wings there."
"Don't worry about Starly's wings, 'Cause if you underestimate him, you'll regret it!" Dawn cried out, complete faith in her Pokémon.
"If you say so Dawn, well, you're gonna love my Pokémon," Barry said, tossing his Poké Ball.
"Oh wow, that looks just like Starly," Dawn exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she observed Barry's Pokémon. It was slightly larger than her Starly, with a more robust build and sharper features that marked its evolution.
She immediately reached for her Pokédex and activated it, scanning the flying-type.
"Staravia, the Starling Pokémon. Recognizing their own weaknesses, they always live in a group. When alone, a Staravia cries noisily."
Barry grinned proudly as Dawn scanned his Pokémon. "In case you couldn't tell, Staravia is the evolved form of Starly," he explained, his arms crossed confidently. "I caught this bad boy a few days ago when he was in his previous stage. But we trained so hard, he actually evolved!"
As Starly glanced up at his opponent, his feathers slightly ruffled with nervousness as he faced his evolved form. Staravia exuded a commanding presence with its larger and more assertive posture. Its sharp eyes locked onto Starly, gazing into his soul.
"S-Star!" A nervous chirp escaped Starly as it shuffled its feet, trying to maintain its composure under the intense gaze of Staravia.
Darn it, this might be hard for Starly, battling his evolved form... maybe I should switch to Shinx, Dawn considered, reaching into her bag. She hesitated, giving Starly a thoughtful glance before withdrawing her hand.
"Be confident in yourself, Starly!" Dawn encouraged with unwavering support. "You're stronger than anybody! I know we can win this!"
Not wasting anymore time, Dawn commanded, "Now, start with Quick Attack!"
With a burst of speed that blurred his form, Starly launched himself forward crossing the distance between him and Staravia in an instant.
"Dodge it, glide into the air quick!" Barry swiftly reacted in time.
Staravia complied, soaring into the air evading Starly's Quick Attack with agile finesse. Starly struggled to brake his momentum caused by the uneven, rocky terrain. His small talons skidded across the ground, kicking up rocks and creating a swirly dust cloud behind him.
The dust settled gradually as Starly managed to finally come to a stop, his feathers ruffled and his breath heaving from the exertion.
"Now, use Wing Attack!" Barry instructed, seizing the opening.
Staravia angled downward, accelerating towards Starly with its wings poised for the strike.
"Starly, dodge it!" Dawn cried out, a drop of sweat glistening on her forehead.
With a nimble leap backward, Starly narrowly avoided the initial strike of Staravia's Wing Attack. However, Staravia quickly adjusted mid-air redirecting his trajectory with a swift turn slamming into Starly with the force of its wing.
"Starly!" Starly shouted in pain as Staravia's powerful blow slammed him to the ground, cracking the earth beneath him.
"Now, don't let up now Staravia, use Air Cutter!" Barry commanded, determination in his voice as he pumped his fist.
Responding to his trainer's instruction, Staravia shot up into the sky soaring fifty feet above the battlefield. The air around it shimmered as it began to execute Air Cutter, unleashing a flurry of slicing wind blades.
The force of the attack was so intense that it kicked up gusts of wind, causing Dawn to shield her face as she watched anxiously.
Worry gripped Dawn as she saw the multiple Air Cutters descending towards Starly. Amidst the chaos, she noticed a pattern in the attack's trajectory. "Starly, jump between the Air Cutters!" she shouted, her voice ringing with urgency.
Starly gathered his resolve and sprang into action, using his talons to leap between the oncoming Air Cutters. Each jump was a struggle with his talons burning from contact with the attacks, but he pressed on. His agile movements allowed him to navigate through the powerful onslaught, eventually positioning himself directly in front of his opponent.
"Perfect, now use Fury Attack!" Dawn yelled, taking control of the opportunity.
With a burst of energy, Starly launched into a series of rapid, sharp strikes with his talons, each blow landing squarely on Staravia. The attacks connected with precision, momentarily overwhelming the larger Pokémon.
As a flurry of hits subsided, Dawn noticed something off. Both Pokémon began to descend towards the ground, Staravia, with a graceful mid-air flip managed to recover and glide before slamming into the ground.
Starly however, unable to fly, landed hard on his talons, wincing in pain from the impact of the fifty-foot fall but still, he stood resiliently, determined not to back down.
Barry's eyes lit up with excitement. "It's weakened, now's your chance, Swift!" he commanded.
Starly responded immediately, unleashing Swift. Dozens of glowing stars shot from its wings, creating a dazzling, lethal barrage aimed directly at Starly.
"Quick, you've got to dodge it!" Dawn yelled desperately.
Starly leaped into the air, trying to avoid the incoming stars. For a brief moment, it seemed like he might escape unscathed. However, the stars began to redirect mid-flight, homing in on Starly with relentless precision.
One after another they sliced into him, causing him to cry out in pain. The relentless assault was too much to bear, and Starly struck repeatedly before finally descending towards the ground with another thud.
"Starly!" Dawn cried out, rushing forward, but it was too late. Starly lay on the ground, knocked out and unable to continue the battle.
"Alright, that's one point for Barry Pearl!" Barry cheered, pumping his fist in excitement. "Good work, Staravia, you're awesome!"
"Star!" Staravia chirped happily, basking in the praise from its trainer.
Dawn knelt down beside her fallen Pokémon, gently cradling its Poké Ball. "Starly," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude, "you did your best. Get a good rest now." She returned Starly to its Poké Ball with a soft, reassuring smile.
Rising to her feet, she fixed her gaze on Barry, conviction and respect in her eyes.
"Despite not being able to fly, I'd say your Starly did pretty okay," Barry complimented, giving praise where it was due. "Thing is, that attack we used just now, Swift, is borderline impossible to evade. As you saw, it locks onto its target with 100% accuracy."
Dawn simply smiled, determination shining in her eyes as she grabbed her next Poké Ball. "You're up next!" she cried, tossing it into the air.
From the ball emerged Shinx landing on the ground with a powerful thud. His fur crackled with electricity, tiny sparks dancing across his body as he prepared for battle.
Barry's eyes widened in surprise. "Hmm, as strong as Staravia is, fighting an electric-type might not be the best move," he said, returning his Pokémon. He quickly grabbed another Poké Ball and tossed it.
Out came a small, red Pokémon with a bright yellow beak and a flame at the tip of its tail. The Pokémon's body radiated intense heat, and its eyes gleamed with fiery resolve.
I've never seen that one before, Dawn thought, pulling out her Pokédex to scan it.
"Magby, the Live Coal Pokémon. Its magma-like blood circulates throughout its body. Its body heat can top 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit."
Dawn returned her Pokédex, her gaze locking onto Barry's Pokémon with interest. Magby, sensing the attention, puffed out its chest and blew out a small flame from its beak.
"Alright Shinx, this is gonna be our first battle as trainer and Pokémon!" Dawn declared with excitement. "So, let's make the most of it!"
Shinx turned towards her, staring intently with a head nod before returning his gaze to his opponent, determination glowing in his eye.
Barry smiled confidently. "Alright, we'll begin this time around. Magby, start with SmokeScreen!"
Magby inhaled deeply before exhaling a thick, dark smoke that quickly spread across the entire battlefield. The dense cloud enveloped Shinx like a suffocating blanket, obscuring Dawn's vision as well. She squinted, barely able to see with one eye open.
"Shinx, surround yourself with electricity!" she called out through the haze.
Shinx obeyed, electricity crackling around him in a protective aura, ready for whatever came next. As the smoke began to clear both Dawn and Shinx scanned the area searching for Magby. The fire-type nowhere to be seen.
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Magby appeared right behind Shinx with extraordinary speed.
"Yes! Now hit it with a Screech!" Barry screamed.
Magby opened its beak wide and let out a piercing, high-pitched scream that sounded like a hundred rockets launching into the air at the same time. The ground beneath Magby shattered from the sheer force of the sound wave.
Dawn screamed and covered her ears, the noise so overwhelming that she couldn't bear it. Shinx staggered back, his ears ringing painfully from the deafening noise.
"Alright, now continue with Fire Punch!" Barry commanded.
Magby charged forward, its fist igniting with fierce flames. It swung its fiery punch straight at Shinx hitting him squarely in the face. The impact was so powerful that Shinx was flung like a cannonball across the battlefield, crashing into a cluster of jagged rocks shattering them into pieces.
Dawn watched in fear as her Pokémon struggled to get back on his feet, the severity of the blow and the loud Screech evident.
"Not too bad, huh," Barry grinned from cheek to cheek, earplugs falling out of his ear as he spoke. "That Screech really did a number on Shinx. Although it doesn't do any physical damage, it drops the defense of any Pokémon it encounters. Plus, I figured it'd haze Shinx enough for us to be able to land a Fire Punch!"
"W-what!?" Dawn yelled; her voice shaky as the deafening ring from the Screech began to subside.
"S-Shinx!" Shinx screeched, jumping out from the rubble. He lowered his head, growling fiercely.
That Fire Punch, it should've done less damage thanks to Shinx's Intimidate, Dawn deduced before the realization hit her. Wait a minute, Shinx was released against Staravia, not Magby. So the ability didn't go off against it!
"Well played Barry," Dawn said, slapping her cheeks to focus. "Shinx, use Thunder Shock!"
Shinx's body dazzled with electricity which then shot across the ground in a brilliant shimmering arc aimed directly at the Live Coal Pokémon.
"Dodge it, Magby!" Barry cried out.
Magby leapt into the air with impressive agility, narrowly avoiding the streak of electricity that scorched the ground where it stood previously.
"Now, Spark!" Dawn commanded, her voice ringing with urgency.
The Flash Pokémon sprang into the air, electricity surging around his body as he used Spark. He collided with Magby mid-air, the electric energy creating a luminous burst of light. The impact sent Magby crashing face-first into the ground, the earth cracking slightly beneath it from the force.
"Now, Shinx, use another Thunder Shock!" Dawn cried out, not giving Magby a chance to get up.
As Shinx lit up with electricity, the surging energy around him suddenly turned into scorching hot flames. Shinx cried out in pain writhing as the flames licked at his body.
"W-what!?" Dawn cried in confusion.
"It went off!" Barry declared. "It's our lucky day, Magby, use Iron Tail!"
"Mag, Mag!" Magby screeched as it moved with blinding speed, reappearing in a flash behind Shinx. Its tail, now gleaming like polished steel, swung around with immense force. The heavy, metallic tail smashed into Shinx's throat, causing the Pokémon to spit up saliva from the brutal impact.
"Shinx, no!" Dawn cried out in shock and concern.
Shinx was sent flying back, tumbling across the rocky terrain before coming to a stop.
Barry's smirk widened. "Now, finish it with Fire Punch!"
Magby leapt into the air, flames swirling around its fist once more like a blazing comet. It descended toward Shinx with a fiery intensity, aiming to deliver the finishing blow.
"Quickly Shinx, you've got to move!" Dawn screamed in fear, her heart racing.
Shinx struggled to rise, his body battered and weary. With a burst of effort, he managed to leap away just as Magby's fiery punch smashed into the ground where his head rested moments before. The impact sent chunks of rock flying, one of which struck Shinx directly in the face.
The force of the blow knocked Shinx off balance and he fell heavily on the ground, unmoving and defeated. Dawn could only watch in anguish as her brave Pokémon lay whited-out on the battlefield.
Dawn raised her Poké Ball, recalling Shinx with gratitude. "Thank you, Shinx. You did incredible," she said softly before shifting her gaze towards Barry.
"That Shinx of yours was great, Dawn!" Barry admitted with a grin. "I'm sure you're wondering what that fire was that formed around Shinx was. See, Magby's got this little ability called Flame Body, occasionally when an opponent makes physical contact with him, it burns the attacker periodically throughout the battle."
"Flame Body?" Dawn repeated, in sheer amazement.
"Let's see, Starly and Shinx are both out," Barry thought aloud. "That leaves you with what? One Pokémon left, and I'm pretty sure I have a good idea of which one that is."
Dawn pulled out her next Poké Ball, her resolve unwavering as she locked eyes with her rival. Barry, just as always, you're... you're you. You're amazing, she thought, a sense of admiration in her mind. But that won't stop me from giving it my all.
"Chimchar, I choose you!" Dawn yelled tossing her final Poké Ball forward.
The Poké Ball burst open and her starter emerged on the battlefield. The fiery primate landed on the ground, its eyes narrowing as it assessed its opponent, another formidable fire-type.
Without hesitation, Chimchar pounded its chest defiantly, shooting a burst of Embers into the sky as a fiery declaration of readiness.
Magby returned Chimchar's gaze with a steely glare, equally prepared and unwilling to accept defeat easily.
"Now, start with another SmokeScreen!" Barry yelled, swinging his arm decisively.
Magby responded swiftly, releasing a dense cloud of smoke that enveloped the entire battlefield. Chimchar squinted, trying to see through the haze that obscured his vision.
As the smoke began to clear, Magby emerged from the dissipating fog with lightning speed, closing in on Chimchar from behind.
"Not the same strategy again!" Dawn screeched in frustration, watching the scene unfold.
"Now, Fire Punch!" Barry commanded.
"Dodge it!" Dawn yelled desperately.
Magby's fiery fist surged forward with intense heat, aimed squarely at Chimchar. However, instead of evading like his trainer instructed, Chimchar turned swiftly on his heel, catching his opponent's incoming punch with his own hand.
Steam emitted from Chimchar's hand as he gripped Mabgy's fist tightly. With a confident smirk, Chimchar flared up, his flames intensifying as he locked Magby in place. Magby struggled futilely against Chimchar's grip, unable to break free.
"Err," Barry growled, frustration evident in his voice, "Use Screech!"
"A-anything but that!" Dawn muttered, covering her ears against the piercing sound. "Chimchar, do something!"
Magby let out another ear-splitting Screech, the sound waves reverberating through the air and causing the ground to tremble. Chimchar winced but remained steadfast, using his agility to partially evade the full force of the move, though the ground behind them cracked under the supersonic assault.
Releasing Magby's hand, Chimchar swiftly retaliated with Flame Wheel. The Chimp Pokémon enveloped Magby in a blazing vortex, rolling across the ground with immense speed. Magby was swept up in the whirlwind of flames, unable to escape as Chimchar carried it forward like a fireball.
With a powerful heave, Chimchar launched Magby towards a nearby boulder. The impact was tremendous, shattering the boulder into pieces upon impact with Magby's back.
Magby lay on the ground, dazed and defeated, smoke rising from its singed fur.
Chimchar uncurled and confidently turned his back on Magby, extending a thumbs-up gesture in victory.
Dawn's eyes widened in astonishment as she witnessed Chimchar's amazing display of power. Without hesitation, she leaped into the air extending one arm towards the air in jubilation. "Yes! You did it, Chimchar! That was insane!"
Barry's expression shifted from irritation to contemplation as he recalled Magby holding the Poké Ball close.
A smile soon spread across his face. "You were spectacular. I'll take you to a Pokémon Center soon enough. So rest up for now," he said reassuringly, his gaze then turned intently towards Dawn.
Dawn returned his smile confidently. "I told you, I've gotten much stronger than before."
"You sure did. It's a good thing too, because if you didn't, I would've had to fine you," Barry teased, retrieving another Poké Ball. "But as strong as Chimchar's become, this battle's going to end the same way it did last time!"
With a swift motion, Barry tossed his Poké Ball, releasing Piplup onto the field. The water-type cried out, "Piplup, Lup!" and fixed a scowl on Chimchar.
The fire starter tensed, recalling his previous loss to the Pokémon standing before him.
"Alright, Chimchar, let's start with—" Dawn began, but before she could finish her command, Chimchar lunged forward extending both claws in a rapid charge towards Piplup.
Chimchar charged forth with incredible speed, kicking up massive clouds of dust as he raced across the battlefield. With lightning-fast movements, he maneuvered behind Piplup readying his claws for a barrage of Fury Swipes.
"Think fast! Intercept it with Peck!" Barry commanded sharply.
Piplup reacted swiftly, darting around to face Chimchar and jabbing him in the face with a quick Peck attack. Chimchar staggered backward from the unexpected blow.
"Now, BubbleBeam!" Barry shouted confidently.
Piplup unleashed a powerful BubbleBeam directly at Chimchar. The bubbles struck and popped with immense form, each impact feeling like a bullet train crashing into Chimchar. The super-effective attack slammed Chimchar into the ground, leaving him struggling to regain his footing in a pool of water.
"Chimchar!" Dawn cried out in concern. "I know your hurt, but we can still win this if we work together!"
Slowly, Chimchar rose to his feet shaking off the water, his tail burning brighter with determination.
"Alright, Chimchar, use Ember!" Dawn commanded urgently.
Chimchar obeyed, focusing his energy to conjure a volley of glowing embers. He launched the fiery projectiles straight towards Piplup, each ember trailing a comet-like tail of light through the air.
The embers sailed across the battlefield, leaving a trail of shimmering sparks in their wake. Piplup danced nimbly around the flaming projectiles, gracefully evading most of them with swift movements. However, one Ember grazed Piplup's side, singeing his feathers and causing a small, fiery explosion on impact. A plume of smoke billowed briefly as the Ember fizzled out against the ground.
Chimchar, emboldened by his attack, stood firm with the flames on his tail dancing triumphantly.
However, Piplup recovered quickly, standing tall with a smirk of his own, seemingly unscathed by the attack. He puffed his chest and chuckled mockingly at his adversary.
Chimchar's temper flared at the taunt, but Dawn's voice cut through his anger.
"Cool your head, Chimchar!" Dawn urged firmly. "If you lose control and go nuts, we won't stand a chance!"
Chimchar heeded her words, visibly controlling his anger by biting down on his arm.
Both starter Pokémon locked eyes in a tense standoff, the battlefield now charged with anticipation.
Dawn finally yelled, "Okay Chimchar, use Flame Wheel!"
Chimchar responded instantly, his body engulfed in flames as he ignited his powerful Flame Wheel attack, hurtling across the battlefield towards Piplup.
Barry smiled confidently, sensing an opportunity. "This is risky, but I've been wanting to test this move out some more. Piplup, use Bide, now!"
Piplup hesitated for a moment, glancing back at its trainer before bracing himself, eyes shut tightly as he prepared to endure Chimchar's move head-on.
The blazing inferno engulfed impact, sending him careening backward across the rocky terrain. The friction between Chimchar's fiery wheel and Piplup's webbed feet caused sparks to erupt leaving scorch marks on the ground as Piplup struggled to maintain its balance.
Despite the force of impact, Piplup dug his feet into the ground with determination, using the resistance to gradually bring himself to a stop, steam rising from its feet where the hot embers had scorched his webbed appendages.
Dawn's brow furrowed in confusion. Why did Piplup just stand there, what's Barry's game? She quickly refocused. "Alright, now use Fury Swipes!"
"Char!" Chimchar screeched as he extended his claws, rushing towards Piplup and slashing repeatedly. Piplup stood firm, enduring the blows with gritted teeth, each hit landing solidly but failing to break him.
What the heck is Barry up to? Dawn fretted as she glanced over to her rival who was watching his own Pokémon getting pummeled with a smug smirk. Suddenly, catching all her attention, the water-type found itself enveloped in this expanding blue energy that emanated outward from Piplup's body.
The intensity of the glow startled Dawn, causing a pang of fear to grip her as she struggled to comprehend the unfolding spectacle before her eyes. The energy wave expanded rapidly, creating a shockwave that blasted through the air and left a large crater in the ground beneath them.
The explosion was blinding, forcing Dawn to shield her eyes from the overwhelming brightness.
As the smoke and haze gradually dissipated, Dawn's heart pounded with anxiety. She rushed forward into the lingering haze desperately calling out, "Chimchar, I'm coming for you boy!"
Dawn slid down the crater's edge and found Chimchar amidst burn marks and bruises, unconscious from the intense attack. She quickly reached her side, gently cradling him in her arms.
"Chimchar, hang in there," she whispered, her voice filled with concern as she checked his condition.
The Chimp Pokémon's eyes slowly opened, and he gazed at his trainer. Dawn smiled with relief, but before she could say anything, Chimchar pushed her hand away.
"Char! Char!" Chimchar screeched, clearly agitated and unwilling to be touched.
Dawn gasped, taken aback by Chimchar's reaction. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Chimchar turned his head to glare at her, anger and frustration in his eyes.
A tear welled in her eye as she turned away from Chimchar, gently returning him to his Poké Ball. She looked up toward Barry and Piplup, who stood above the crater, the sun's glare forcing her to shield her eyes.
"That was the strongest attack I've ever seen..." Dawn muttered to herself in shock, her gaze falling towards the ground. "Even after everything we've been through, we're still so... weak."
Her head dropped, shoulders slumping and the weight of the battle finally overwhelmed her. Silent tears streamed down her cheeks as she struggled to hold back her emotions.
Barry observed from above, his expression softening with empathy. Without a word, he slid down the crater, landing gracefully in front of Dawn alongside his starter.
"Don't beat yourself up, Dawn," Barry told her, holding out his hand for her to grab. "You did great, I can see you've become pretty awesome yourself."
As Barry extended his hand towards Dawn, she looked up, tears streaking down her cheeks. Despite her emotions, a faint smile crept across her face as she reached and grasped his hand firmly as he helped her up.
Barry placed his other hand on her shoulder, his voice calm and reassuring. "Dawn, I'm being serious. Your growth is incredible. There were some parts where even I thought I was going to lose."
Dawn's eyes wavered, using her sleeve to wipe away her tears. "Sure Barry, I guess that's why you had two Pokémon remaining while I had zero."
Barry closed his eyes briefly, collecting his thoughts before meeting Dawn's gaze again with a serious look on his face. "Sure, you lost the battle. And while your and Chimchar's teamwork has improved, it could still use some work. But you know what?" He turned slightly beginning to walk away.
Dawn looked on, perplexed by her friend's sudden change in tone.
Stopping and glancing back over his shoulder, Barry grinned. "Of all the trainers I've faced, you're the strongest."
A gentle breeze ruffled Dawn's hair as she watched Barry walk away, her stunned expression slowly giving away to a sense of awe at the sudden revelation.
I'm sure this fic has its issues in some areas, but one thing I think I'm doing flawlessly is the battles. Call me crazy, but I think the battles this time around are really fun and exciting, at least it feels that way for me.
Anyway, that's this chapter, only thing I think I really need to focus on is shortening the length of chapters, maybe I should divide this one into two, but no, I think I'll leave it as one.
But yeah, Dawn lost to Barry, which you know if you've read my previous work, I really like buffing the rivals, even the ones that come off as silly as Barry. Well, I'll try and have that next chapter in like, 4 days or so, wish me luck.
—yonas813, out.