Chapter 7: Into the Heart of Jubilife
Jubilife City teemed with life, its streets filled with busy crowds and the hustle of daily activity. Tall buildings lined the avenues, their vibrant colors illuminated by the afternoon sun.
People of all ages moved through the streets; people of all different walks of life. School children skipping along with youthful vigor, bustling business professionals navigating through the urban landscape, families out enjoying the city's offerings together. And Pokémon Trainers too, of course.
But among the throngs of trainers, there was one who stood out the most—the awestruck figure of Dawn.
As the girl entered the Jubilife, her eyes were drawn to the iconic "Welcome to Jubilife" sign standing proudly at the city's entrance. Dawn paused by the sign, taking a moment to absorb the energy and excitement of the city that lied ahead of her.
Horns blared and engines roared as cars sped by, weaving through the maze of traffic like it was nothing. Neon signs flashed overhead, brightening the scene with vibrant colors and dazzling lights.
It was a stark contrast to the quiet streets of Twinleaf, or the cozy charm of Sandgem. It was a metropolis unlike any Dawn had seen before, and also the biggest city anywhere from Sinnoh to Kanto.
"So, this is Jubilife..." Dawm murmured to herself, her voice barely audible over the din of the bustling street. "I love this place."
Standing on the crowded sidewalk, she watched streams of people flow past her in a constant tide of motion. The energy of the city enveloped her, it was almost overwhelming.
Dawn glanced around, her eyes widening at the sheer amount of people crowding the sidewalk. There were more pedestrians here than the entire population of Twinleaf combined. As she started to walk, she found herself jostled and bumped by the mob of passersby, the constant flow of bodies made it difficult to walk through the streets.
This is starting to get ridiculous... Dawn thought, unable to take it for much longer. She stepped off the sidewalk and onto the road of the crosswalk
As Dawn made her way across the road, the cacophony of the city engulfed her, she suddenly heard a loud honking sound. Startled, she turned her head just in time to see a car speeding towards her, its horn blaring in warning.
Dawn's scream ripped through the chaos of the street as she stumbled backward, her pulse racing with adrenaline. The car veered sharply, tires screeching against the pavement, narrowly avoiding the streetlamp before careening back onto the road and speeding away.
"You brainless idiot!" The driver's voice echoed through the street as his car vanished into the distance.
The girl stood frozen in awe, feeling the weight of every eye upon her for a fleeting moment. But as quickly as the attention had come, it disappeared, and the bustling city resumed its normal rhythm, almost as if nothing had happened.
She rose from the ground, her heart still racing as she brushed off the dirt from her dress. "That, uh, could've turned real ugly," she mumbled, disbelief coloring her tone.
Suddenly, the blare of a thousand honks erupted behind her, jolting Dawn from her gaze. She turned her head to see several cars looming ominously close, their drivers leaning in their horns impatiently.
Dawn pouted, "I hate this place..." she muttered under her breath.
"Spare change! Doesn't anybody have spare change?" an old man's voice rang out amongst the hard-of-hearing crowd. His weathered hand extended, clutching a battered tin cup without a dollar in it.
The man slumped against the wall of a convenience store; his presence partially obscured by the shadows cast by the harsh neon lights overhead. Despite his pleas, the steady stream of people walked past him without so much as a glance in his direction.
A little girl walking hand in hand with her family pointed excitedly at the homeless man. "Mommy, daddy, he looks like he could use some help. You should give him some money," she chirped.
The man's face lit up with a tentative smile, however, the family exchanged apologetic glances before giving the man a sympathetic smile and veering around him, counting on their way.
With a heavy heart, the homeless man's smile faded replaced by a sigh. He let his tin cup slide from his grasp. "I just want a bite to eat," he murmured softly, hanging his head down in disappointment.
Before he realized it, a glimmer of cash flashed before his eyes catching his attention. Startled, he looked up to see a young girl standing before him, holding out a handful of Poké Dollars.
"It's not much, but 3,000 Poké Dollars," Dawn said with a warm smile, extending the money towards the man. "Get yourself some food."
The man's eyes lifted towards Dawn, gratitude shining in their depths as he accepted the money. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You're too kind. God bless you."
"Use it wisely," Dawn advised, wagging a finger gently. "Get something filling, think protein."
"Oh I will, I promise," the man replied earnestly, counting the money in his hand before meeting Dawn's gaze once more. "You, you're not from around here, are you?"
"No, I'm from south of here, place called Twinleaf," Dawn replied softly, answering his question. "How could you tell by the way?"
"Because unlike these lot, you seem to have a heart," the old man remarked with a wry grin. "My father used to say Jubilife was designed to induce apathy in people. You seem different. What's your name anyway?"
"It's Dawn," she answered, her name punctuated by a confident smile. As she began to walk away into the crowd, she paused and turned back to him. "Remember my face, because I'm gonna be the next champion of Sinnoh!"
As she walked away, her stomach growled. "Oh yeah, come to think it, I haven't eaten anything myself since that croissant two days ago," she said, glancing around at the surrounding buildings.
The first thing she noticed was a café with a chalkboard sign advertising fresh pastries and coffee, next to it, a small ramen shop with steam billowing from its open kitchen, and to the right of that, a sandwich stand where a vendor was assembling towering subs which really caught her eye.
But what really caught her attention was a Pokémon-themed ice cream shop. The awning was a bright yellow, with a Pikachu's face and ears adorning the corners. The front windows showcased large cutouts of various Pokémon enjoying ice cream cones and sundaes. Inside, she could make out rows of stainless-steel tubs showcased a variety of colorful and tempting flavors, each named after a different Pokémon.
The inviting sign above the door read, PokéCream Delights. She made up her mind.
After crossing the street, Dawn approached the ice cream shop. She pushed open the door, a bell chiming overhead as she stepped inside.
The sweet aroma of freshly made waffle cones and rich, creamy ice cream filled the air. Dawn's eyes widened as she took in the colorful decor, with posters of Pokémon lining the walls. She walked up to the counter, thankfully, there wasn't a line.
A friendly girl behind the counter greeted her warmly, "Thank you for choosing PokéCream Delights. How can we sweeten your day?"
Dawn took a closer look at the menu board behind the girl. It listed an array of enticing different flavors. There was "Bidoof's Butterscotch Bliss," "Budew's Berry Blast," Pikachu's Peanut Butter Delight," just to name a few.
But there was one in particular that piqued her interest: "Chimchar's Flaming Fruit Fusion."
"Could I get whatever the Chimchar fusion thing is?" Dawn asked, pointing at her selection on the board. "Ooh, and do a cone please."
"Sure thing!" The girl behind the counter beamed. "One Chimchar's Flaming Fruit Fusion coming right up!" With a deft hand, she scooped up a generous portion of the ice cream carefully swirling it into a crisp waffle cone. With a final flourish, she handed the cone to Dawn with a warm smile.
The creamy swirl of fiery orange and red hues danced together, almost identical to the flames atop Chimchar's head. She couldn't wait to try it already.
"Your total comes to 500 Poké Dollars," the kind employee said as Dawn handed her the cash.
"Thank you, have a great day!" Dawn said with a wave as she headed out the door, her tone cheerful and friendly.
Dawn walked over to the nearest bench on the sidewalk and took a seat. She raised the Chimchar ice cream to her lips and took a lick. It tasted wonderful, the fruity notes danced across her taste buds, mingling with the creamy richness of the ice cream.
"Oh wow, this is the best ice cream I've ever had!" Dawn exclaimed with wide eyes and a grin, clearly, the "delight" in the store's name was fitting.
After about five minutes or so, Dawn was already licking her fingers, thoroughly enjoying every last morsel of the delicious ice cream cone. With a satisfied sigh, she savored the lingering taste on her lips before it could fade away.
Dawn leaned back, stretching her arms across the top of the bench and tilted her head upward to gaze at the sky. Against the backdrop, she caught sight of a flock of Starly gracefully gliding through the air.
As she followed their midair movements, her thoughts turned to her own Pokémon. I've got to get them some food too, don't I? she mused to herself. I wonder if there's any places around here where you could get some Pokémon food?
"How much money do I have on me now..." Dawn murmured, reaching into her wallet. She counted 6,500 Poké Dollars, which surely wouldn't last her too long.
"I got it!" Dawn exclaimed, a bright idea dawning on her. "Anytime a trainer loses a battle, they have to hand over some cash, right? If I can find a few trainers and battle them, I could earn some serious mula!"
Dawn glanced around, her eyes scanning the busy streets. There was no shortage of pedestrians on the street, but it wasn't at all clear if any of them were trainers. She wasn't quite sure where to even start looking for one.
With a sigh, Dawn shoulders slumped, her gaze falling to the ground. But, like a ray of sunshine breaking through the clouds, her eyes flickered with a newfound energy as she thought of something that uplifted her.
"I wonder what Barry's up to right now... Knowing him, he's probably already made it to Oreburgh by now," Dawn pondered aloud, giving a chuckle.
Dawn got up from her seat with determination fueling her. She had made her decision, after she fed her Pokémon, she would leave straight for Jubilife and head straight for Oreburgh, the thought of Barry outpacing her fueled her resolve.
The girl maneuvered through the packed street, weaving her way through the throngs of people and Pokémon bustling about their daily activities.
She passed by a variety of buildings, each with their own unique charm. There was a towering skyscraper adorned with neon signs, likely a department store. Next to it stood a quaint café, its inviting aroma wafting through the air. Adjacent to it stood a boutique clothing store, its elegant window displays showcasing the latest fashion trends. Further along the street she caught sight of the familiar red roof of a Pokémon Center, welcoming trainers and their Pokémon in need of rest and rejuvenation.
Dawn's expression brightened. "Jackpot," she murmured to herself. "A Pokémon Center's got to be teeming with trainers!"
Dawn ascended the stairs with purpose, swinging open the doors extravagantly. "Listen up, everyone!" she declared boldly. "My name is Dawn Platinum, and I'm going to defeat every single one of you! Who wants to go first?"
Her voice echoed across the room, commanding attention from everyone present. Trainers paused mid-conversation, looking at her with blank stares, and even the busy nurses at the corner halted their tasks to glance at the newcomer.
As the weight of all eyes fixated on her began to sink in, Dawn felt a knot of nervousness in her stomach. "S-sorry, don't mind me," she stammered out, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Quickly, she made her way to the nearest available seat, finding herself sitting beside a boy roughly her age who was already seated there.
Dawn glanced over at him; he was engrossed in a newspaper. She caught sight of a headline mentioning something about some Team Galactic, though she wasn't sure what that was all about.
She leaned in closer, whispering, "Hey," as the boy's gaze slowly shifted towards her.
"What?" the boy asked, turning his attention fully to Dawn.
Dawn glanced at the door for a brief moment before turning her attention back to him. "Wanna get outta here? Have a battle?" she whispered eagerly.
The boy rolled his eyes and returned to his newspaper. "As much as I'd love to shut up a loud mouth like you, my Pokémon are in treatment right now... idiot," he muttered under his breath.
Surprise hit Dawn. "Haha, right, I knew that, I was just kidding," she said, getting up from her seat.
She looked around and noticed a girl in the far corner pacing back and forth, beside her a Cherubi.
Dawn casually strolled beside the girl, whistling softly as she leaned against the wall. She casted a glance towards the girl, noticing her nervous demeanor as she paced back and forth, her nails bitten down to the quick.
"Hey, everything okay?" Dawn asked gently, causing the girl to halt her pacing.
"Yeah, I'm fine, it's just... I'm fine," the girl's voice trembled slightly as she spoke, and she avoiding making eye contact with Dawn.
Dawn's gaze flickered towards the Cherubi standing beside the girl, then returned to her. "You know what always lifts my spirits when I'm feeling low?"
The girl finally met Dawn's gaze, not sure where she was getting at.
Dawn leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "A Pokémon battle," she suggested, a spark of excitement in her eyes.
The girl shook her head and walked away, her Cherubi trailing behind her obediently.
Dawn let out a sigh of disappointment realizing it was pointless. With a shrug, she turned her heel and exited the Pokémon Center as quickly as she had entered.
Dejected, Dawn slumped onto the steps, her mood souring. Why did I think that was a good idea? she mused to herself. I'm such a jerk, challenging those people when all they want to do is to fix up their Pokémon... What is wrong with me?
Feeling defeated, Dawn remained seated for a few more minutes, the weight of defeat heavy upon her. Passerby paid her no mind as they hurried on their way, but her attention was piqued when she noticed someone standing at the bottom of the staircase, someone she didn't expect to see.
Dawn's eyes widened in surprise as she uttered, "What are you doing here... Lucas?"
At the bottom of the stairway, Lucas looked up towards her. "I thought it was you, Dawn... fancy seeing you here."
Dawn rose from the stairs, a proud smile gracing her lips. "Heh, you probably never thought I'd make it this far, right?" she said, her voice tinged with pride. "Well look at me now. My next stop is Oreburgh, and pretty soon I'm gonna get my first badge."
Lucas averted his gaze and shook his head. "So what, you want a medal or something?" he muttered, then started to walk away.
"No, wait up, Lucas," Dawn hurried down the stairs calling after Lucas. He stopped in his tracks, and Dawn caught up to him, her steps echoing on the sidewalk.
"What do you want?" Lucas asked as he turned around, his expression guarded as he faced Dawn.
"Um, I was wondering... if you'd like to uh..." Dawn hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "I mean, I wanted to know if you'd be interested in..."
"I'm gonna stop you right there Dawn and save us both the embarrassment," Lucas interrupted her, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm not interested."
Dawn's brows furrowed in confusion. "Wait... what?" she asked, unsure of what he was implying.
Lucas shrugged, his tone matter of fact. "Look, you're not really my type, I like blonds, you get me? Plus, I can't stand you, so..." He trailed off, resuming his stride.
A surge of anger pulsed through Dawn's veins as she realized his insinuation. "Ew, that's not what I meant, you jerk!" she recoiled as if physically repulsed by the idea. "As if I'd ever even lower my standards enough to ask a lame like you out!"
"O-oh..." Lucas halted in his tracks once more, his expression shifting to one of surprise.
Dawn's voice took on a mocking tone as she drew out the "ohhhhh," but then she composed herself. "I was just trying to see if you'd be up for a battle," she clarified.
"Why would you want to battle me?" Lucas questioned. "In case you've forgotten, I'm a researcher, not a trainer."
Dawn raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. "You seemed pretty competent back when you captured that Pachirisu," she pointed out. "You could be a good opponent for me. What, are you scared or something?"
Lucas smiled, his tone condescending. "Scared of you...? No, what's there to be scared of?" he retorted, a hint of mockery in his voice. "Get lost, alright, I have zero interest in battling you."
The girl turned around, walking off. "Whatever, it'd be way too easy anyway," she muttered just loud enough for Lucas to hear, her frustration evident in her stride.
As Lucas watched her walk off, his irritation simmered into anger. "I still don't get it, what was it about you two that made the professor give screw ups like you Pokémon."
Dawn turned back around, her expression shifting into an angry smile as she glared back at the boy.
Lucas continued, his tone laced with disdain. "I mean, you're bad enough as is, but the other one, son of Palmer Pearl, and he turned out like that. Christ, I pity his family."
Dawn stormed up to Lucas, her eyes blazing with anger. "Don't you dare talk about Barry that way," she shouted, jabbing her finger into his chest. "He's a better person than either one of us, so get that through your thick skull, alright!"
A few passersby on the street stopped in their tracks, staring at the confrontation with surprise etched on their faces.
Lucas flashed a smile, his demeanor suddenly shifting. "Fine, if you're so eager to get a one-way ticket to the Pokémon Center, then I'll oblige," he said, striding ahead of Dawn. "Follow me, we'll take this elsewhere."
"You'll be the one heading to the Pokémon Center," Dawn retorted as she followed Lucas.
Under the afternoon sun, a cluster of Rattata scuttled across the worn surface of the basketball court. Their sleek bodies moved through the patches of sunlight and shadow cast by the surrounding buildings.
Suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps reached their sensitive ears. Instantly, the Rattata froze, their ears twitching in unison. With a short burst of speed, they scurried away, disappearing into the safety of nearby bushes and alleyways.
Standing on two opposing sides of the now-empty basketball court, Dawn and Lucas faced each other with their eyes locked in a tense glare. The silence between them only broken by the distant sounds of the city around them.
Lucas was the first to break the silence. "Let's keep this a simple two-on-two. But before we get started," he called out, his voice stead and challenging, "I say we up the stakes."
"How do you mean?" Dawn asked, she kept her stance firm ready for whatever he was about to propose.
"When I defeat you," Lucas said confidently, "you'll give up on being a trainer. You'll return Chimchar to me, and you'll go back to that dump of a village you call home."
Dawn's eyes widened in shock, he mouth dropping open slightly. "Wow, that's a pretty wild suggestion, don't you think?" she said, regaining her composure. "I wonder, would Professor Rowan agree to that?" She raised an eyebrow, challenging Lucas's boldness.
"I don't see Professor Rowan here," Lucas said boldly. "You're never gonna see him again after this, so I'll just tell him you realized being a trainer isn't for you."
"Oh yeah, and what if I say no to that?" Dawn replied, her eyes narrowing as she took a step closer.
"If you don't agree, then I walk," Lucas declared, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "If you really want to battle me, then that's the price.
"Alright, so be it then," Dawn agreed, her voice steady despite the stakes. "But if I win, you have to admit you're wrong about me and Barry."
"What, that's it? Sure, if you can beat me, I'll admit I'm wrong about you and Barry," Lucas agreed with a smirk, his confidence unwavering.
Dawn smiled mischievously. "Oh, and also, if you lose, you'll give me all of your money."
Lucas was taken aback. "Wait, what... what the heck does that have do with any of this!?" he asked, clearly surprised by the girl's unexpected demand.
"Well, if I lose, I'm no longer a trainer, right?" she held her ground. "If I listen to your demands, you can listen to mine."
Lucas sighed impatiently. "Fine, whatever, I don't even care... can we just do this already?"
"You took the words right out of my mouth!" Dawn exclaimed, swiftly reaching into her bag tossing a Poké Ball. "Chimchar, I choose you!"
Out from the Poké Ball emerged Chimchar, landing on the court with a confident stance, his fiery tail flickering with energy.
Chimchar's expression turned to one of confusion as he found himself facing Lucas. "C-char?" he cried out in surprise.
"Hello Chimchar," Lucas greeted with a wave. "After this, you're gonna be coming home with me! I'm sure you'll like that better than hanging around that loser you're stuck with."
Chimchar turned to his trainer, confusion evident in his gaze, as he noticed the anger on Dawn's face.
"Don't listen to him, Chimchar," Dawn retorted firmly. "We're gonna steamroll this clown, and then I'm gonna buy you all the Pokémon food money can buy!"
"C-Chimchar..." Chimchar grumbled, turning to face Lucas with uncertainty in his eyes.
Lucas retrieved a Poké Ball from his bag and tossed it. "Pachirisu, stand by!"
Pachirisu burst from its Poké Ball landing gracefully on all fours. Its fur bristled with electricity, crackling around its form like a shimmering aura.
Chimchar's eyes narrowed as it recognized the Pachirisu from their earlier encounter. A mischevious grin spread across its face, relishing the chance for payback.
"Let's do this, Chimchar, kick things off with Ember!" Dawn exclaimed, signifying the start of the battle.
Ignoring his trainer's command, Chimchar unleashed Flame Wheel, engulfing himself in a blazing inferno that roared with power as he surged forward towards his opponent.
"That's not what I said!" Dawn's frustration boiled over as she again watched her starter do the opposite of what she wanted.
"Intercept it with Thunder Shock, Pachirisu!" Lucas commanded, determination in his voice.
Pachirisu unleashed a brilliant burst of electricity, crackling and sizzling as it streaked through the air towards Chimchar, illuminating the court in a dazzling display of power.
"Dodge it, quick!" Dawn yelled urgently.
Chimchar swiftly leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming attack as it crackled and fizzled where it would have struck. Utilizing the momentum from its dodge, Chimchar gracefully uncurled midair, unsheathing its sharp claws aiming for a Scratch attack.
"Don't let it hit you!" Lucas yelled just in time. "Dodge then leap into the air!"
Pachirisu, reacting swiftly to its trainer's demand, vaulted onto Chimchar's face catching him off guard for a split second, before springing off with a nimble bounce launching itself into the air.
"Now, use your Spark attack!" Lucas exclaimed, seizing the moment.
The EleSquirell Pokémon's fur bristled with intense electric as it charged up for the move. With a sudden burst of energy, it unleashed a ferocious surge of lightning that arced and danced through the air, as it hurtled down towards Chimchar with great force.
With a silent focus Chimchar planted his feet firmly on the ground, its muscles tensing in anticipation. Eyes locked on his foe, he waited for the perfect moment to unleash his Scratch attack.
"What are you doing? Dodge it now!" Dawn yelled, not at all understanding her starter.
Choosing to ignore Dawn's frantic commands, Chimchar remained steadfast, committed to its own strategy.
As Pachirisu closed in, Lucas barked out, "To the side now!" Pachirisu swiftly altered its trajectory upon his trainer's word, veering to the side of Chimchar evading a fierce Scratch attack.
From this new angel, Pachirisu unleashed Spark, hitting Chimchar with full force from the side.
"C-Char!" Chimchar groaned in pain as he was launched through the field by the sheer impact of the move.
As he skidded to a stop, he planted his feet firmly onto the ground, one hand bracing against the surface, the friction between his body and the ground intensified sending sparks flying in all directions.
Chimchar finally came to a halt in front of Dawn, emitted wisps of steam from his body as he stood, his form still tingling with residual energy of the attack. The air around them crackled faintly with the remnants of the electric shock.
"Darn it, Chimchar, you need to cool off!" Dawn yelled in frustration as she swiftly retrieved her Poké Ball, recalling her starter Pokémon.
"Wow, it's been what, a week since you started your journey, and Chimchar still hasn't learned to listen to you," Lucas scoffed. "I don't know whether to laugh or pity you."
"Shut your big mouth!" Dawn's anger boiled over. She reached into her bag and hurled another Poké Ball.
"Starly, Star!" Her new flying-type announced as he landed on the battlefield, ready for action.
Lucas inspected Starly, his gaze lingering on its crooked wings. "That's your second Pokémon?" he remarked with a raised eyebrow.
Starly's confidence wavered as it sensed Lucas's skepticism, it tensed up, its feathers ruffling defensively as if to shield itself from his judgmental gaze.
"Don't listen to him Starly, sure, you may not be able to fly, but it doesn't matter, you're stronger than anyone!" Dawn cried out trying to motivate her Pokémon, but it only earned her a surprised look from Lucas.
"It can't fly... seriously? Well, I guess a Pokémon like that's fitting for a trainer such as yourself," Lucas remarked, he pulled out his Pokédex scanning Starly with a look of disdain.
"What are you doing?" Dawn's voice betrayed her confusion. Lucas, tucked his Pokédex away, looking up towards his opponent with utter confusion.
Lucas's voice trailed off as he struggled to find the right words. Suddenly, realization dawned on him and a chuckle escaped his lips. "You are unbelievable," he remarked irritably. "You haven't been using your Pokédex this entire time, have you?"
Dawn hesitated for a moment before responding, "Uh... no," she lied blatantly.
Lucas shook his head, "This is exactly why I told the professor not to give you Pokémon. You guys didn't listen to a word he said. He could've asked for your soul in trade for a Pokémon, and you idiots would've agreed," he argued, exasperation in his voice. "But since you seem to have a hearing problem, I'll repeat it for you: the Pokédex can scan data on Pokémon. And if a Pokémon is registered under your name, it can even tell you said Pokémon's moves."
Dawn reached into her bag, grabbing her Pokédex. She held it towards Starly, and a beam of light emitted from the device, scanning Starly from head to toe.
"Starly, the Starling Pokémon. Because they are weak individually, they form groups. However, they bicker if the group grows too big," the voice from the Pokédex announced, surprising Dawn with its unexpected clarity.
"Good grief," Lucas sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Honestly, I don't know why I even bother explaining it to you, considering you'll be returning your Pokédex along with Chimchar."
Dawn studied Starly's moves carefully before returning her Pokédex. "Alright, I can work with this," she said before turning towards her Pokémon. "Look, Starly, this will be our first battle as trainer and Pokémon. Let's do our best, okay?"
"Star!" Starly agreed, eyes gleaming with newfound confidence as he turned his gaze from Dawn to Pachirisu.
Lucas smirked confidently, noting Starly's type disadvantage. "Alright, Pachirisu, end it one hit with Thunder Shock!" he commanded.
With a surge of crackling energy, Pachirisu fired off Thunder Shock. The electric currents bursting forward like a bolt of lightning, aimed directly at Starly.
"Dodge!" Dawn cried right in the nick of time.
Starly sensing the imminent danger swiftly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the electric attack.
"Yes, now use your Fury Attack!" Dawn cried out with a swipe of her arm.
Starly hopped forward, claws extended as it unleashed a flurry of rapid strikes with its sharp talons, aiming for Pachirisu with relentless determination.
The flurry of strikes moved too fast for Pachirisu to dodge in such close-range combat, each hit landing with brutal force, causing Pachirisu to cry out in pain with each strike.
"Don't just take that, use another Thunder Shock!" Lucas's voice boomed across the court as he desperately urged his Pokémon to retaliate.
Lucas wants us to lay off with the hits? I don't think so, Dawn thought before commanding, "Starly, use Double Team!"
As Pachirisu began to crackle with electricity mid-hit, Starly halted abruptly. Suddenly, a flurry of afterimages surrounded Pachirisu, created by Starly's swift movements.
"P-Pachi?" Pachirisu cried as it looked around urgently, its eyes darting between the multiple Starly afterimages.
"Don't just stand there!" Lucas freaked out. "Attack all of them, Pachirisu, and fast!"
Despite the confusion Pachirisu followed its trainer's command, launching his Thunder Shock in a circular motion, aiming to attack all 20 duplicates of its opponent.
The stream of electricity passed through the afterimages one by one, each disappearing upon contact. As the final afterimage flickered out, the real Starly revealed himself, swiftly dodging the attack with a nimble maneuver.
"Quick Attack, throw Pachirisu off!" Dawn shouted, urging Starly into action.
"Don't let it, continue with Thunder Shock!" Lucas responded, not backing down so easily.
Starly darted across the battlefield at lightning speed, his movements generated an intense rush of air, creating a shockwave that echoed with a thunderous boom Each time Pachirisu launched a Thunder Shock, Starly vanished in a blur, only to reappear closer and closer with each evasion. The force of his speed caused the ground to tremble, sending vibrations rippling through the very earth.
With an intense burst of speed, Starly vanished from Pachirisu's line of sight, only to reappear in an instant behind the startled electric-type Pokémon.
"Pachirisu, your backside!" Lucas cried out with urgency, a bead of sweat glistening on his forehead.
"Now, use another Fury Attack!" Dawn seized control, taking charge.
With a swift kick from his talon, Starly executed a single, powerful Fury Attack that sent Pachirisu soaring through the air like a blur, crashing into the Basketball hoop support with such force that is bent it into an acute angle.
Pachirisu fell from the basketball hoop stand, landing on the floor with a series of bounces akin to a dribbling basketball before it came to a halt, utterly unconscious.
"Yes! In your face!" Dawn's victory cry exuded triumph. "That'll teach you to underestimate my Starly!"
"Pachirisu, return," Lucas commanded, withdrawing his fallen Pokémon to its Poké Ball. "Good work out there boy, leave the rest to me," he added before fixating on Dawn with a stern glare.
As the boy wordlessly reached for another Poké Ball, he tossed it, releasing his Turtwig. The ground shook slightly as Turtwig's feet kissed it.
"Turtwig, show them what you're made of," Lucas commanded with a determined tone.
"Turt," Turtwig responded, its gaze plastered on Dawn and Starly, resolve burning in its eyes.
Dawn commanded with fervor, "Starly, another Quick Attack, let's go!"
Starly darted forward once again with blinding speed, slamming into Turtwig with Quick Attack. Turtwig was sent sliding across the field, skidding to a halt just in front of his trainer.
"Now, Fury Attack!" Dawn yelled, continuing on the offensive.
With lightning speed, Starly propelled itself off the ground executing a perfect leap that carried it across the field in an instant. Its talon extended forward in a swift kick, aiming directly for the grass-type.
Lucas smiled, Duck, then catch it with Bite!" he commanded.
Turtwig swiftly lowered its head under the attack before extending its neck, clamping down on Starly's tail feathers with its sharp teeth.
"S-Starly!?" Starly let out a grunt of pain as Turtwig's bite struck home, causing it to falter.
"Now, slam it Turtwig!" Lucas called out. "Don't be so gentle with it either, don't let up for a minute!"
Turtwig grabbed hold of Starly and ruthlessly slammed its opponent against the ground with unrelenting force, each impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield. The repeated assaults left Starly gasping for air, his body battered and bruised, and he even coughed up saliva between brutal blows.
With one final devastating slam, Turtwig drove Starly into the ground with such force that the ground beneath them cracked, sending shards of dirt and debris flying into the air.
Dawn's breath caught in her throat as she gasped, her eyes widening in horror. Unable to bear witnessing the brutal onslaught any longer, she turned away, covering her eyes with trembling hands.
"Now, toss your opponent skyward," Lucas instructed, enjoying the sight of Dawn's cowardice.
Turtwig swung its head upward forcefully while releasing Starly from its clutches, sending the Starling Pokémon soaring into the air.
"Starly can't fly? Well, he is now!" Lucas uttered with a wicked smile. "Now, unleash your Razor Leaf, Turtwig!"
The grass-type launched a flurry of Razor Leaf projectiles upward, each one finding its mark on Starly. The barrage overwhelmed the airborne Pokémon, sending it tumbling back down to the ground with a heavy thud.
Dawn's eyes finally returned to the battlefield, and as expected, Starly lay sprawled on the ground, clearly defeated.
She lifted her Poké Ball, admiration in her voice. "Starly, that was incredible for our first battle. You were amazing!" As she glanced up, she caught Lucas's pitiful gaze.
"It's tragic, really. Leading a poor Starly that can't even fly to believing it can become something with itself. Filling its head with hopeless ideals," Lucas remarked, his gaze piercing Dawn. "Making it think it can become strong, when fate decided from its birth that it'd forever be weak!"
"What was that!?" Dawn's voice cut through the air, sharp and accusatory. "You weren't spouting that nonsense when Starly was folding your Pachirisu. You're getting too cocky!"
"Tell me, why keep up this facade?" Lucas challenged, his voice laced with pessimism. "You strut around acting tough when you know you're weak. What's the point?"
"I won't be so weak once I defeat you, now will I?" Dawn's question elicited a sigh from her opponent, who was clearly growing tired.
Lucas muttered under his breath, frustrated. "It's like talking to a brick wall with you," he grumbled before intensifying his glare. "Just bring our Chimchar so we can get this over with already!"
Dawn swiftly tossed her Poké Ball, and Chimchar once more emerged on the battlefield, locking eyes with Turtwig, a fierce determination blazing in its gaze.
The girl's plea was desperate as she clasped her hands together, her eyes filled with urgency. "Chimchar, please," she implored, her voice wavering with emotion. "If we don't work together here, we're going to lose. You'll have to return with him to Sandgem if that happens. So please, listen to me!"
Chimchar glanced back at Dawn, a cocky grin spreading across his face, before nonchalantly turning back to face Turtwig.
Confident in his type advantage, Chimchar dismissed any concerns his trainer had believing victory was assured. Dawn's worries seemed unfounded, as always.
Chimchar approached Turtwig with swagger, causing Dawn's hopes to wane. He arrogantly pointed to his cheek, essentially offering Turtwig a free hit.
Lucas snickered at Chimchar's bravado. "What a generous offer. Turtwig, Tackle now!"
Turtwig lunged forward, headbutting Chimchar squarely so hard the fire-type bit his own lip, sending him staggering backward. The Chimp Pokémon quickly recovered, laughing off the hit as he wiped the bruise on his face.
Dawn sighed, feeling fed up. It was nice when Starly was battling... at least he listens to me, she thought, lamenting the current situation.
Chimchar's smile faded as he lunged forward, his claws extended, glinting in the sunlight as they sliced through the air with a sharp, menacing sound.
"Use Razor Leaf, now!" Lucas yelled, thinking fast.
Turtwig responded swiftly to his trainer's command, summoning another flurry of razor-sharp leaves that whirled through the air toward Chimchar with deadly precision.
With nimble agility, Chimchar dashed towards the oncoming Razor Leaf attack, nearly giving Dawn a heart attack.
"Don't underestimate it because it's a grass type move!" Dawn implored. "You have to dodge, quick!"
Instead, Chimchar slashed at the Razor Leaves, slicing each one with his hand moving like a whirlwind, but eventually, he was hit by one Razor Leaf, halting his movement, causing him to be struck by the rest of the Razor Leaves.
After being hit by the final Razor Leaf, Chimchar's fatigue began to kick in. His breaths became labored and his movements slowed, showing the toll the battle was taking on him.
Lucas took notice of Turtwig, who, while in much better condition than his opponent, looked a bit disheveled.
The boy smiled, "Seems you could use a bit more energy, Turtwig. How about a Leech Seed attack!"
"Leech Seed?" Dawn uttered, unfamiliar with the move.
Turtwig lowered its head, and a small seed shot out, planting itself firmly in the ground near Chimchar. Almost instantly, roots sprouted from the seed, quickly growing and wrapping around each of Chimchar's limbs, binding him tightly.
"What the heck is going on!?" Dawn asked out loud, completely awestruck as she watched the vines constrict and immobilize her starter.
Chimchar thrashed and tugged, attempting to break free, but the vines were as tough as chains. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break their grip. His movements grew more frantic, but the vines remained unyielding.
Dawn noticed something peculiar; a faint green energy seemed to be escaping Chimchar's body, flowing through the vines and entering Turtwig. Her eyes widened as she realized the true effect of the move, draining Chimchar's energy and transferring it to his opponent.
"You've got to break free, Chimchar!" Dawn screamed, her voice cracked with desperation.
Chimchar's movements slowed, the fierce resistance draining from his body. His vision began to blur and he ceased struggling against the vines, all his energy being sapped away by the vines.
Turtwig began to visibly revitalize as the green aura enveloped him, his stance strengthening and his determination intensifying.
Lucas's smirk widened as he declared confidently, "This match is over. You lose."
Chimchar's hand fell limply to the ground, his head drooping as a heavy silence enveloped the battlefield.
As a solitary tear traced its way down Dawn's cheek, her eyes widened with a mix of anguish and defeat. Her chest and her shoulders sagged under the burden of implications her loss held. She wouldn't have it. She couldn't. With a quiver in her voice and tears welling in her eyes, she screamed, "Chimchar, you have to get up, please!"
"He can't hear you, he's unconscious," Lucas's voice cut through the tension, he turned his gaze towards Chimchar, his eyes lingering on the whited-out Pokémon.
As if ignited by an internal fire, sudden wisps of steam began to radiate off Chimchar's body, shrouding him in an otherwordly haze. His eyes snapped open, glowing with an intense crimson hue as his trainer's cries repeated in his mind.
A blaze erupted from Chimchar's core, swiftly engulfing his entire body in a searing inferno. The flames danced with a ferocious intensity, consuming the vines that bound him reducing them to mere ash.
Dawn stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat as she beheld the spectacle unfolding before her eyes. Confusion mingled with awe as she struggled to comprehend the sudden transformation overtaking Chimchar.
From the fiery inferno, Chimchar emerged. With each step his fiery silhouette flickered and danced, casting ominous shadows across the battlefield.
Lucas's voice faltered as he stumbled backward, his expression contorted in fear. "It can't be... I've seen that before, that's..." Before he could finish his sentence, Chimchar suddenly staggered, interrupting the tense moment.
The red hue in Chimchar's pupils suddenly faded back to their original color, and Chimchar nearly collapsed before shaking his head to recover, steadying himself.
"What was that just now..." Dawn muttered to herself, perplexed by what she had just witnessed.
"I was scared for a second, I thought you actually managed to bring out Chimchar's true power..." Lucas remarked as he rationalized what had just transpired. "No... at the level he's at now, it's too soon for him to use that ability."
"You know what that was about?" Dawn asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Turtwig, this battle is at its end. End it with one final Razor Leaf," Lucas, with a hint of disdain in his voice.
As Turtwig launched the Razor Leaf attack straight at Chimchar, the latter staggered backward, trying to move out the way, but his fatigue was at its limit.
"Chimchar, don't try dodging" Dawn cried out, her words fraught with urgency. "Please, you need to listen to me, you need to use Ember!"
Despite ignoring her commands the entire battle, Chimchar finally heeded Dawn's plea. With a flicker of determination, he unleashed Ember, albeit a weakened version due to his weariness. The flames clashed with the Razor Leaf, creating a swirling cloud of smoke that enveloped the basketball court.
Lucas shielded his eyes, momentarily averting his gaze from the brightness filtering through the dense smoke. However, as he cautiously peeked through his fingers, he discerned a vivid orange hue slicing through the fog barreling straight towards Turtwig.
"Flame Wheel, huh?" Lucas muttered under his breath, his expression hardening with recognition. "Turtwig, jump out of the smoke fast!"
Turtwig leaped into the air propelled by a burst of energy, but as he ascended, his gaze inadvertently met Chimchar who appeared silhouetted against the bright sunlight.
"Tur-Turtwig!" The grass-type screeched, caught off guard by the sudden intensity. Turtwig instinctively averted his eyes, utterly blinded by the glare.
"No, Turtwig!" Lucas's voice echoed with panic as he stared directly into the blinding sun, his eyes wide with horror.
"Alright Chimchar, we'll be the ones to end this," Dawn exclaimed confidently. "Let's do this, give it one final Ember!"
The fire-type summoned the last of his dwindling strength, unleashing his strongest Ember yet. The flames surged forth in a torrent of fiery intensity, enveloping Turtwig in a blazing maelstrom.
Turtwig crashed down onto the ground with a resounding thud with the engulfment of fire, the intense heat radiated outward, causing the surrounding air to shimmer with heat.
Chimchar landed on the ground with a heavy thud, his chest breathing heavily as he struggled to catch his breath. His fur matted with sweat and ash.
Meanwhile, Turtwig remained motionless amidst the dissipating smoke, almost like the Ember attack had zero affect.
Finally, Chimchar staggered backward, his breaths labored and erratic. With a weary sigh, he collapsed onto the ground, his body going limp as he succumbed to exhaustion.
"You were a worthy opponent, Dawn..." Lucas acknowledged, his voice solemn. "But the outcome of this battle is clear. You have lost."
Dawn's smile was confident as she countered, "Oh yeah, you sure about that?"
Lucas's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Turtwig, when he realized his earlier assessment was wrong. Despite still standing, his Pokémon was unconscious. It was all a surreal sight, the Pokémon maintaining its upright stance even in defeat.
Dawn stood tall, her voice firm. "This battle is a tie," she declared, flashing Lucas a victorious V-sign.
Lucas let out a soft chuckle and withdrew Turtwig back into its Poké Ball. "A tie, I guess that means Chimchar can stay with you... for now."
"Chimchar's gonna stay with me forever," Dawn softly murmured as she returned Chimchar to his Poké Ball. "Oh, and I guess you can keep your money too."
Before either of them could say another word, they heard a muffled voice come from around the corner. They turned their gaze towards a nearby trash can beside the court, its lid popping off as the homeless man Dawn had gifted money to earlier emerged, startling both Dawn and Lucas.
The man began to clap his hands enthusiastically, a banana peel and crumpled paper sticking to his clothes. "That was an amazing battle!" He said stepping out from the trash can. "You two were awesome!"
"H-have you been following me!?" Dawn's voice rose with a mix of shock and unease.
"You mean you know this weirdo!?" Lucas's cry rang out with disbelief.
The man's tone was cryptic as he acknowledged their realization. "It seems you've deduced my true identity, how perceptive you are," he mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"What are you talking about!?" As Dawn protested in confusion, the man suddenly tore off his clothing, revealing a completely different look underneath.
Underneath the tattered attire, the man transformed into a completely different person, looking to be a man in his early 40s. He wore black penny loafers, brown suit pants, a white shirt with a pink tie, a lighter brown vest, and an investigator's coat. His brown eyes bore an inquisitive look, and his dark hair was neatly combed. He seemed like an entirely different entity from the disheveled appearance he previously wore.
"My code name... you may call me Looker," the man announced with an extravagant flourish of his hand. "I apologize for misleading you earlier. I was searching for... shady individuals, and needless to say, you've passed my test. I think you've earned my trust. Dawn, was it?"
"Funny you say you were looking at shady individuals, 'cause I'm looking right at one!" Dawn yelled, her voice tinged with frustration. "You were pretending to be homeless, you even got me to give you money. I want it back!" She held her hand out assertively.
As Looker's face lit up with realization, he bolted out of there, sprinting onto the street. Unfortunately, his escape was short lived as he collided with a passing car, cracking the windshield. Undeterred, he rolled over and continued his frantic dash, disappearing into the distance.
Dawn and Lucas watched in sheer awe, "Wow..." Lucas spoke first, "What a cartoon character he is."
"Yeah..." Dawn agreed, as she turned her gaze towards Lucas, she noticed a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"Even though I didn't necessarily lose, I'll admit, you can use a lot of work, but you're not too bad of a trainer," Lucas reached into his bag and pulled out something. "Consider this a parting gift," he said, handing it to Dawn.
Dawn's expression shifted to one of confusion as she examined the strange-looking watch device Lucas had handed her.
"It's called a Pokétch," Lucas explained, a grin spreading across his face. "Funny story, I won it from some clowns earlier. But I think it matches you more, plus, I already have one." He flashed the Pokétch on the cuff of his sleeve as proof.
Dawn stared at Lucas, taken aback by his sudden kindness. It was as if he was a completely different person now, she didn't know how to react.
Lucas offered Dawn a reassuring pat on the arm. "You get to keep being a trainer, so lighten up, okay?" he said before walking past her.
Dawn turned to face the boy as he walked away, a smile finally spreading across her face. With a newfound sense of determination she looked up towards the sky, feeling uplifted.
Honestly, I'm really happy with the battle between Dawn and Lucas, I wasn't too fond of the first battle I wrote, Dawn vs. Barry, but I think this one was some of my best work.
As for what power Chimchar activated in their fight, I guess we'll find out soon enough.
—yonas813, out.