Chapter 16: Trails of Eterna
It had been five days since Dawn left Floaroma Town. She walked through Eterna Forest, the path ahead shrouded in shadows cast by the towering trees. Chimchar, always eager to explore, trotted ahead of the group, his tail flame flickering with each step.
Staravia kept a close watch from Dawn's shoulder, his feathers occasionally ruffling in the cool forest breeze.
Shinx, ever vigilant, walked at Dawn's side, his fur bristling slightly at every rustle in the underbrush.
Chimchar suddenly stopped, his ears twitching. Dawn caught up to him, and as she looked ahead, the forest seemed to warp. The trees grew taller and denser, their branches intertwining like the bars of a cage.
The sunlight dimmed, and a cold wind swept through, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
"What's wrong, Chimchar?" Dawn asked, her voice trembling slightly. Chimchar pointed to the sky, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.
Dawn looked up and saw a pink, ethereal light shimmering in the sky. It was beautiful, otherworldly, casting a surreal glow over the forest. "Woah... I've seen that before," she whispered. "That's the same thing I saw from the lake!"
Before she could process what was happening, Staravia's wings began to twist and contort. The crooked, damaged wings straightened out with audible cracks and pops, as if his very bones were reshaping themselves. Feathers smoothed and aligned perfectly.
Dawn's eyes widened in shock. "S-Staravia, how're you doing that?" she shrieked.
Staravia flapped his newly restored wings and took off into the sky, his ascent graceful and swift.
The girl's heart pounded as she watched him soar higher and higher until he vanished into the ethereal light, leaving her even more stunned and bewildered.
She turned to Shinx, who was now sparkling with electricity. "Shinx, what's going on?" she asked, her voice shaky. The electricity coursing through Shinx intensified, but something was clearly wrong. His body flickered, and then, just like Staravia, he vanished into thin air.
"Shinx!" Dawn called out, her voice echoing through the now eerily silent forest. Panic surged through her as she heard Chimchar cry out in pain. She spun around and ran to his side with her heart pounding in her chest.
Chimchar's body was writhing and twisting in unnatural ways, his cries of pain echoing through the darkness. His skin bulged and stretched, bones protruding grotesquely as his limbs elongated and muscles swelled. His fur fell away in clumps, revealing raw, pulsing flesh beneath. Dawn watched in horror as Chimchar's form twisted into that of Purugly.
His eyes bulged, and his bones cracked and snapped, pushing against his skin as it morphed into the grotesque creature.
His face elongated, his snout growing broader and more menacing, while patches of fur tore away, leaving gaping wounds that oozed a dark, viscous fluid.
Dawn's stomach churned, and she felt bile rise in her throat. "Chimchar, no!" she screamed, her voice breaking.
She could barely comprehend what she was seeing, her mind struggling to process the grotesque transformation before her.
Purugly, with Chimchar's eyes staring out from its monstrous form, gave a low, menacing growl. Dawn's horror grew as she realized that this abomination was looking directly at her, as if blaming her for its existence.
Dawn's heart pounded as she dashed away from the mutated Purugly, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
She glanced back, the monstrous form chasing her with a predatory gleam in its eyes. The forest around her seemed to warp and shift, branches clawing at her as she ran.
Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet began to crack and crumble. Dawn stumbled, trying to keep her balance, but the earth gave way entirely. She plummeted into a chasm, screaming as she fell. She hit water with a splash, the cold liquid engulfing her. It was red, almost like blood, its eerie hue making her skin crawl.
Dawn fought against the water, struggling to keep her head above the surface. The more she thrashed, the deeper she seemed to sink.
Her lungs burned, and panic set in as she began to drown. Just when she thought she would lose consciousness, she felt something grab her.
A giant hand, emerging from the water, lifted her into the air. Dawn's eyes widened in horror as she realized the hand belonged to a massive Mars.
The giantess loomed over her, an unsettling smile on her face.
Dawn screamed, looking away, her body trembling with fear. She was trapped in Mars's enormous palm, completely helpless.
Mars's voice echoed around her, "See, Dawn? This is what happens when you get in our way."
The hand began to close around Dawn, the fingers curling inwards. Darkness enveloped her, and just as she felt the crushing pressure, she woke up screaming.
Her eyes snapped open, and she found herself leaning against a tree. It was night time, the forest eerily quiet. Dawn's breath came in heavy pants, her heart racing.
Chimchar was directly in front of her, his eyes wide with concern. "Char?" he asked, his voice confused and worried.
Dawn kept panting, her breath ragged and desperate as if she couldn't get enough air. The terror of the nightmare still clung to her. She felt a cold sweat on her skin, and her hands shook uncontrollably.
The fire-type, eyes filled with worry, walked up to her tilting his head. "Char?" he asked, his voice full of concern.
"I-I'm fine, Chimchar," Dawn finally responded, trying to steady her voice as she pushed herself up from the tree.
Clearly unconvinced, Chimchar glanced back at the spot where Dawn had been sleeping, then back at her, his eyes reflecting his unease. He scratched the ground with his foot, a clear sign of his worry.
Dawn ran her hands through her hair, the motion shaky and frantic. "I'm fine!" she snapped, her voice louder than she intended.
She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calm herself down. After a moment, she opened them again, her voice softer. "I'm sorry, Chimchar. I didn't mean to raise my voice. I-I'm just... I'm fine."
Chimchar continued to look at her with concern, but he didn't press further. Dawn took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare.
Dawn's eyes glanced around, taking in the peaceful scene of her other Pokémon.
Shinx was curled up a few feet away, his small body rising and falling with each gentle breath. Staravia rested nearby, his wings folded neatly at his sides as he slept soundly, occasionally twitching in response to some dream.
After a deep breath, she turned her gaze back to Chimchar, who was still staring up at her with wide, concerned eyes.
"Look, Chimchar," Dawn said softly, trying to sound reassuring despite the lingering tremor in her voice. "I know you're worried about me, and I really appreciate that. But it was just a bad dream. No need to worry, okay?"
She reached down to gently pat her starter on the head, her fingers brushing against his warm fur. Chimchar's gaze didn't waver, and he continued to look up at her. Dawn felt a pang of guilt at seeing him so distressed. She forced a small smile, trying to inject some reassurance into her tone.
"It's getting late, and we've got a long way to go tomorrow," she continued, her voice steadier now. "I need to get to Eterna City first thing in the morning. So why don't you get some rest? You'll need your energy for tomorrow."
Chimchar hesitated for a moment longer, his eyes still reflecting his unease. Dawn gave him a gentle nudge, encouraging him to settle down.
"I promise I'm okay," she said, her voice softening. "Just a stupid nightmare, that's all. We'll tackle whatever comes next together, alright?"
The fire-type looked at her for a moment, then crossed his arms with a dismissive "Char!" He turned away from Dawn, clearly unimpressed, and fixed his gaze on a tall tree nearby.
With a flick of his tail, he sprang into action. Scaling the tree with lightning speed, Chimchar climbed effortlessly, each leap upward smooth and powerful.
Reaching the top branch, he settled down with a satisfied grunt, curling up in a perfect spot to sleep. His tail flame glowed softly against the night sky, casting a warm light over the forest below.
Dawn looked up at Chimchar nestled high in the tree, a fleeting smile gracing her lips. As she watched his peaceful slumber, the warmth of her smile slowly gave way to a shadow of unease, her thoughts slipping back to the chilling images of her nightmare.
She retrieved her MP3 player and headphones from her bag with deliberate movements, her hands steady despite a slight tremor. Her fingers fumbled slightly as she connected the headphones, she could feel her body start to twitch involuntarily
Sitting back down against the tree, she took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. Her legs jittered, and her fingers twitched as she navigated through her MP3 player.
The forest around her felt oppressive, and the night seemed to close in with an almost palpable heaviness.
Dawn selected a song, as she gradually turned up the volume, the music started softly, its notes filling the silence. She winced slightly at the sound, her body still twitching with tension as she adjusted the volume higher.
The louder music began to overpower the eerie quiet of the night, filling her ears and momentarily pushing away the remnants of her nightmare. She closed her eyes, trying to find a sense of calm amid the overwhelming sound.
Shinx was the first to stir as the morning sun filtered through the trees of Eterna Forest, creating dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air was crisp, cool, and filled with the chirping of distant Pokémon greeting the new day. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking sleepily before stretching his lithe body.
Nearby, Staravia began to stir. Having slept on the ground with his head tucked under a wing, he slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the morning light.
Upon the treetops, Chimchar was already awake. He sat perched on a sturdy branch, his tail flame flickering in the morning breeze. Nimble fingers peeled a banana, and he took a bite chewing thoughtfully while scanning the surroundings.
The three Pokémon perked up at the sound of loud noises. They turned towards a tree where Dawn sat, slumped against the trunk, headphones still in her ears.
Her snoring reverberated through the forest, and the music blaring from her headphones was loud enough for all three of them to hear.
Chimchar leaped gracefully from the high tree branch landing deftly in front of his trainer. She sat against the tree trunk, snoring loudly with drool trickling from the corner of her mouth.
He tapped her shoulder, trying to wake her, but she remained in a deep sleep. Irritated, Chimchar yanked the earphones out of her ears and yelled, "Char!"
Dawn jolted awake to Chimchar's cry, her eyes snapping open. She looked disoriented, dark circles under her eyes, and her hair disheveled.
As she wiped the drool from her mouth, Dawn looked at her three Pokémon standing in front of her. "Good morning," she said groggily, her voice raspy from lack of sleep.
Dawn grabbed her MP3 player off the grass as she stood up. "Alright, you three, we've been lost in these stupid woods for a few days now, but no more, alright? 'Cause before the end of the day, we're making it to Eterna."
Chimchar, Shinx, and Staravia exchanged glances and nodded. Dawn stretched, her joints popping. "Okay guys, let's get a move on."
Dawn and her Pokémon continued through the forest, determined to find their way out. The dense foliage and towering trees made navigation tricky, but the sound of rushing water gave them some hope of finding a clearing or a path.
As Dawn walked ahead, she brushed against a low-hanging branch. Unbeknownst to her, the branch was part of a hidden Beedrill nest.
The sudden disturbance agitated the Beedrill and they emerged from their nest with an angry buzz. The menacing hum grew louder as the swarm converged on Dawn, their red eyes gleaming with fury.
Dawn froze for a moment, eyes wide with shock. "Oh God," she whispered, her voice trembling.
One particularly large Beedrill darted forward, its stinger glinting with a poisonous sheen. Before she could react it lunged at her with a Poison Jab.
Time seemed to slow as the Beedrill's stinger hurtled toward Dawn. Just as it was about to strike, Chimchar appeared in a blur of motion interposing himself between Dawn and the Beedrill.
With a swift, powerful motion, Chimchar caught the Beedrill's stinger in his tiny hands. The Beedrill's eyes widened in surprise, its furious buzz faltering.
The fire-type opened his mouth and unleashed an Ember attack at point-blank range. The flames erupted from his mouth, engulfing the Beedrill in a searing inferno.
The Beedrill was sent hurtling against a tree, its body consumed by flames as it impacted with a thunderous explosion.
But the explosion also stirred up a hornet's nest—quite literally. Dawn's heart sank as she saw around fifty more Beedrill emerging from the trees, their eyes filled with rage.
"There's too many of them!" Dawn cried out.
As the swarm descended upon them, Chimchar, Shinx, and Staravia sprang into action. Chimchar unleashed another Ember, Shinx fired a Thunder Shock, and Staravia used Quick Attack to knock away as many Beedrill as possible. But the sheer number of Beedrill overwhelmed them. The air was filled with buzzing and the flashing lights of attacks.
Dawn ducked and covered her head trying to shield herself from the onslaught. The Beedrill's stingers narrowly missed her, but one managed to pierce her arm causing her to cry out in pain. She fell to the ground clutching her arm and grimacing as the sting's poison began to spread.
"I've been hit," she gasped, her voice strained.
Just then, a bright, almost blinding flash erupted from the forest. A woman emerged; her eyes shielded from the intense light. She wore a practical, forest-green jacket over a white shirt, with cargo pants and sturdy hiking boots. Her long, chestnut-brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she exuded an air of calm authority. She looked to be about 15 or 16.
Beside her was a Chansey, which released an overwhelming burst of light from its body. The brilliance of Chansey's Flash was like a solar flare, cutting through the swarm and stunning the Beedrill momentarily. The intense light forced many of the Beedrill to recoil, their wings flailing erratically as they struggled to adjust.
Taking advantage of the disorientation, Skiploom floated beside Chansey. With a graceful sweep of its petals, Skiploom released a thick cloud of Sleep Powder, drifting over the swarm.
The Sleep Powder enveloped the Beedrill, causing many of the Beedrill to drop from the sky, fast asleep.
As the enemy Pokémon fell to the ground, Dawn's Pokémon hurried to her side. They huddled around their trainer protectively, Chimchar's flame flickered with a subdued glow, Shinx's fur crackled softly, and Staravia fluttered nervously nearby.
The woman approached, and Dawn's Pokémon reluctantly moved aside, giving the stranger space to tend to their trainer.
"Let me help," the woman said, her voice calm yet urgent. She pulled up Dawn's sleeve, revealing the inflamed bite on her arm.
"T-thank you," Dawn murmured weakly.
The woman pulled out a small container of ointment and began applying it gently to the sting. "This will ease the pain and start neutralizing the poison. You're lucky I was nearby. That swarm could have caused much more harm."
Dawn winced as the ointment touched the wound, but the soothing effect was almost immediate. "I couldn't have managed without your help," she said gratefully.
The woman's lips curved into a reassuring smile. "You and your Pokémon did remarkably well holding them off. We should head back to my campsite to ensure the poison doesn't spread further."
With the woman's support Dawn carefully got to her feet. Her Pokémon, now visibly more at ease but still watchful, stayed close. Dawn glanced at them and then back at the woman. "Yeah, please," she said, her voice steadier.
Rain poured down, drumming steadily against the tents and the leafy canopy above. The campsite was a small clearing, with a few tents pitched around a crackling campfire sheltered by a makeshift tarp. The light from the fire flickered, casting warm glows amidst the cold, rainy surroundings.
Inside one of the tents, Dawn lay on a sleeping bag, her arm resting on a makeshift pillow. The woman sat beside her, wrapping a clean bandage around the sting site to ensure the poison didn't spread further.
Outside, her Pokémon huddled close to the tent, their eyes vigilant despite the pouring rain.
"I hope this doesn't sound rude," The woman said, her hands gentle but efficient, "but haven't I seen you somewhere before?"
Dawn remained silent, her gaze fixed on the tent's fabric above her.
The woman paused, looking at Dawn's face for a moment before continuing, "I saw you on Jubilife News. You were the girl who fought off those Team Galactic criminals. You're a hero."
At the mention of Team Galactic, Dawn's face hardened, and a flash of lightning illuminated the tent, briefly highlighting her darkened expression.
The woman noticed the change in Dawn's demeanor and quickly added, "It's an honor to meet you. My name's Cheryl, and I'm also a Pokémon Trainer."
Dawn's eyes met Cheryl's, her expression softening just a bit. "Dawn," she replied simply.
"So, how're you feeling?" Cheryl asked.
The girl began to sit up, wincing slightly as she did. "Me, I'm fine," she replied, "Listen, thank you for all this. You're seriously awesome."
Cheryl finished securing the bandage around Dawn's arm and sat back slightly, her expression one of genuine concern. "So, Dawn, what brings you to Eterna Forest?" she asked gently.
Dawn sighed, rubbing her eyes wearily. "I've been trying to get through these woods for the past few days, but I've gotten hopelessly lost," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "I'm heading to Eterna City. I want to challenge the Eterna Gym for my second badge."
Cheryl nodded understandingly. "Eterna Forest can be tricky, especially if you're not familiar with the area. But don't worry, you're not alone in wanting to challenge Gardenia."
"Really? What brings you here, then?" Dawn looked up, curiosity piqued.
"I'm here to train for a rematch against Gardenia," Cheryl smiled ruefully. I lost to her pretty swiftly in our last battle. She's the most powerful person I've ever faced."
Dawn's eyes widened. "Is she really that tough?"
The woman nodded. "Like you wouldn't believe. Her Grass-type Pokémon are incredibly well-trained, and she knows how to exploit their strengths to the fullest. My defeat was a wake-up call. I've been training hard ever since to make sure I'm ready for our next battle."
Looking down at the ground, Dawn's thoughts were racing. Cheryl noticed her silence and leaned closer. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked softly.
Dawn looked up and smiled. "Listen, I appreciate all the help, Cheryl," she said, getting to her feet. "Oh, and good luck with training for Gardenia." With that, she exited the tent.
Outside, Staravia and Shinx immediately ran to her side. Dawn crouched down, ruffling Staravia's feathers and scratching Shinx behind the ears. "Hey, you two," she greeted them warmly. "There's no need to worry, I'm fine now. Thanks for sticking around."
Staravia chirped enthusiastically while Shinx nuzzled her hand, purring softly. Dawn's eyes drifted towards Chimchar, who stood in front of a tree staring at them with a smile. She looked up from Staravia and Shinx, meeting Chimchar's gaze with a smile of her own.
Chimchar noticed her looking and quickly gritted his teeth, turning away with a huff, pretending to be annoyed. Dawn chuckled softly, feeling the camaraderie she shared with her team.
"Alright, team, that Beedrill encounter was a setback, but we're back on track now!" She looked at her Pokémon with a confident grin. "Let's get a move on and make it to Eterna City!"
As Dawn started to move, she heard a voice call out, "Wait!"
Turning around, she saw Cheryl stepping out of her tent, her expression earnest. "Hey, Dawn!" Cheryl said, jogging over to her. "I was just thinking—how about I show you the way to Eterna City? I can get you there in half a day, guaranteed."
Dawn's eyes widened in relief. "Really? That would be amazing, Cheryl. Thanks so much!"
Cheryl nodded with a reassuring smile. "No problem at all. Let's get going!"
The moon hung low, casting a soft, silvery glow that illuminated the landscape with a gentle light.
From the edge of the forest the view of Eterna City was both majestic and inviting. The city lights shimmered in the distance. Tall buildings and structures punctuated the skyline, their silhouettes framed by the soft illumination of streetlights and the glow of signs.
Dawn and Cheryl stood at the edge of the dense, shadowy woods, which Cheryl had been calling the Twilight Grove. The view of the city beyond was striking, with the lights of Eterna City gleaming like a constellation of stars against the dark backdrop of the night.
The girl's eyes widened as she took in the sight. "Wow, it looks beautiful," she said, her voice filled with awe.
Cheryl smiled, looking at the glowing city lights. "It really does, doesn't it? There's something magical about seeing it from here, especially after being in the woods for so long."
The journey from the grove had taken about five hours, but fortunately, they had encountered virtually no trouble along the way.
"Thank you again for guiding me here, Cheryl," Dawn said, her voice carrying a note of gratitude. "I'm really excited to get to the gym tomorrow."
As Dawn prepared to head towards Eterna City, a sudden disturbance made her pause. She took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let's get over there and check this place out."
But just as she took a step forward, her foot caught on something. She stumbled and fell, her face landing directly in the dirt with a thud. Cheryl, who had been keeping a watchful eye on her, immediately noticed what had caused the mishap.
She spotted a thin wire stretched between two trees, nearly invisible against the dimming light. It had been cleverly camouflaged, and if not for the sudden trip, she also might've walked right into it.
"Hold on a second!" Cheryl called out, rushing over to help Dawn. As she knelt beside her, she carefully untangled the wire from where it had caught Dawn's foot.
As Dawn winced in pain, Cheryl quickly moved to help. She knelt beside her, carefully removing the thin wire that had caught Dawn's leg.
Cheryl looked up, her brow furrowed in thought. "This kind of setup is pretty elaborate. It could be a warning or a trap from someone trying to protect this area. Maybe a local group or even—" She paused, her eyes scanning the surrounding trees. "—it might be Team Galactic, considering the area and the recent troubles. They've been known to set up traps."
As she finished speaking, Cheryl noticed a soft sniffling sound. She turned to Dawn, who was still kneeling on the ground, her face partially hidden by the dirt.
Concerned, Cheryl asked gently, "What's the matter? Are you okay?"
Dawn looked up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I'm not fine..." she replied softly, wiping away the dirt from her face.
Her tears began to fall, a soft reaction to both the pain from her fall and the emotional strain that had been building up. The past few days had been overwhelming, and now, in the quiet of the moment the accumulated weight of her recent trials came to the forefront.
"Honey," Cheryl said softly, settling beside Dawn and gently rubbing her back in a comforting gesture. "Please, tell me what's wrong?"
Dawn met Cheryl's gaze, her eyes struggling to find the words. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. After a moment of hesitation, she pushed herself up, brushing off the dirt with her sleeve. "It's nothing... I'm sorry," she said, her voice wavering slightly.
She forced a smile, the effort to mask her emotions evident in her sudden change of demeanor. "Look, I really appreciate all the help you've given me. I hope our paths cross again someday," she added, trying to sound cheerful.
"Dawn..." Cheryl muttered, her gaze drifting downward as she considered her next words. After a moment, her eyes flicked back up with a determined glint. Standing up from the ground, she met Dawn's back with a resolute expression.
"Hey," Cheryl said firmly, "We made eye contact just now. When two trainers' eyes meet, then they have to battle, right?"
Dawn turned around, her eyes narrowing in surprise at Cheryl's unexpected proposal. Yet, as Cheryl's determination shone through, Dawn's expression shifted from initial surprise and sadness to a resolute conviction.
"Oh, yeah? Maybe I didn't hear you right, but it sounds like you're challenging me to a battle!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a newfound spark of resolve.
"That's what I said, didn't I?" Cheryl retorted, her eyes flashing with a mix of challenge and excitement. "I want to see exactly who between the two of us is the stronger trainer. Maybe facing off against the hero of Jubilife will show me just how much stronger I've become!"
Dawn and Cheryl moved to a nearby clearing, the forest opening up to reveal a space just large enough for their battle.
The air was thick with anticipation, the quiet buzz of the forest replaced by the tension between them. Each trainer stood at their designated end of the clearing; their eyes locked in a silent standoff.
With a synchronized motion, they threw their Poké Balls into the air.
"Char!" chimed Chimchar, emerging from his ball with a confident flare. He landed smoothly on his feet, his eyes shining with conviction and his tail flickering with a fierce blaze.
"Chanse, Chansey!" called Chansey as she materialized from her ball. It plopped down with a soft bounce, it gave a small, reassuring wave with its tiny arms ready to prove its strength.
"I never got the chance to scan it earlier," the girl muttered as she took out her Pokédex, she aimed it at Chansey, her fingers moving swiftly over the device.
"Chansey, the Egg Pokémon. A kindly Pokémon that lays highly nutritious eggs and shares them with injured Pokémon or people."
As Dawn put her Pokédex away, she turned her attention back to the Pokémon. "Okay then," she said firmly. Then, raising her voice, she commanded, "Alright, Chimchar, use Rock Smash!"
In an instant, Chimchar vanished from view with blinding speed. His rapid movement blurred the edges of his form as he reappeared behind Chansey before the gentle Pokémon could even process his shift in position.
With a powerful surge, Chimchar's fist collided with Chansey's side. The impact created a shock wave that rippled through the clearing, momentarily disturbing the stillness of the forest.
Chansey was thrown sideways, it skidded across the ground, narrowly avoiding collision with a tree as it managed to halt its movement just inches away from the trunk. The Egg Pokémon steadied itself, visibly shaken but ready for the next move.
"Not bad at all," Dawn remarked with a hint of admiration. "That move was super-effective, and Chansey took it quite well. Okay, Chimchar, continue with Flame Wheel!"
In an instant, Chimchar's body ignited in a blazing inferno, enveloping it in a fiery, spinning wheel of intense heat. With lightning speed, Chimchar barreled toward Chansey, the Flame Wheel roaring like a fierce inferno.
The flames churned and crackled, leaving a trail of bright, searing light in its wake. The sheer force and speed of the attack made it seem almost like a comet streaking through the night.
Cheryl's smile widened as she watched the spectacle unfold. "Dawn, you might want to cover your eyes," she said with a hint of anticipation. "Chansey, use Flash!"
In response, Chansey's eyes blazed with a radiant intensity. A blinding burst of light erupted from its body, spreading across the battlefield with an overwhelming brilliance. The light illuminated the entire clearing, flooding the night sky with a blinding glow that momentarily turned night into day.
Dawn instinctively shielded her eyes, squinting against the brilliance as she could barely make out the scene through her tightly closed lids.
As the blinding light of Chansey's Flash began to fade Dawn could hear Chimchar's distressed screeching through the haze. Peering through the dimming brilliance, she saw Chimchar, eyes tightly shut and visibly disoriented, struggling to see.
Chansey, meanwhile, stood directly in front of him with an almost cheerful expression.
"O-oh no, it's right in front of you, Chimchar!" Dawn shouted, panic in her voice. "Use Rock Smash and knock it away!"
Cheryl shook her head with a mixture of concern and amusement. "Don't let it touch you, girl! Dodge it!"
Still blinded and uncertain, Chimchar began to swing his fists wildly. The punches flew through the air with erratic precision, each strike missing Chansey by a wide margin.
The disoriented Pokémon's attacks lacked the usual speed and accuracy, making them easy for Chansey to sidestep. The Egg Pokémon moved with effortless grace, evading Chimchar's sluggish swings without breaking a sweat.
"Now, Double Slap!" Cheryl commanded with a tone of excitement.
Chansey's eyes sparkled with delight as it moved forward, delivering two swift, open-palmed slaps to Chimchar's face. Each slap landed with a satisfying smack, sending Chimchar reeling back.
The force of the blows staggered him, causing him to stumble before he managed to regain his footing.
Chimchar's eyes snapped open, now blazing with a fiery intensity. A low, menacing snigger escaped him, his claws extending sharply as he glared.
"Alright, now use Fury Swipes!" Dawn shouted, her voice filled with determination.
Chimchar burst into action, his movements were a blur as he charged straight at Chansey, claws extended and ready to strike.
"Egg Bomb!" Cheryl called out with urgency.
Chansey responded by reaching into its pouch, pulling out a handful of eggs, and launching them with a flick of its wrist. Each egg flew through the air, their surfaces shimmering slightly as they sailed towards Chimchar.
Upon impact with the ground, the eggs exploded with surprising force, sending showers of debris and bursts of light into the air. Chimchar weaved and ducked with agility, carefully maneuvering through the barrage of explosive eggs to avoid getting caught in the blasts.
Finally, Chimchar closed the distance, its face mere inches from Chansey's. With a sudden burst of precision, it slashed out with its claws in a series of rapid strikes. Each swipe cut through Chansey's defenses and the Pokémon screeched in agonizing pain.
Dawn's face lit up with a confident smile as she watched the battle unfold. "Now, pull back and use Ember!"
Chimchar leaped back, performing a series of impressive backflips to create some distance between itself and Chansey. As he landed, he gathered a fiery charge in his mouth before unleashing a powerful Ember attack.
The attack spread across the battlefield like a wave of molten light, the searing flames collided with Chansey, creating a dense burst of smoke that obscured the view of the Pokémon.
As the smoke began to clear, Dawn squinted through the haze and caught a glimpse of Chansey's silhouette. Despite the powerful attack, Chansey appeared almost unscathed, its cheerful expression unchanged. "Chanse," it said with its usual upbeat tone.
Dawn's eyes widened in shock. "W-woah! J-just how durable is that thing!?"
Cheryl chuckled softly, "Chansey is known for its impressive endurance and high levels of health. It can take quite a beating and still keep going strong."
Dawn's expression tensed, her concern for Chimchar growing. "Alright, once more—use Rock Smash!"
Chimchar wiped a drop of sweat from its brow, its determined gaze locked onto Chansey. With a powerful leap, it closed in and struck Chansey directly in the gut with Rock Smash. The force of the impact caused Chansey to grunt in pain, and it spat up slightly, but the Pokémon held its ground.
Before Chimchar could react Chansey's arms shot out and firmly grabbed Chimchar's arm. The Pokémon struggled trying to escape, but Chansey's grip was unyielding.
"Okay, now let's end this," Chansey declared with a firm tone. "Use Seismic Toss!"
With surprising ease, Chansey threw Chimchar high into the air, Chimchar soared upward, propelled by Chansey's strength, reaching about 50 feet before Chansey leaped after it.
The two Pokémon ascended into the night sky, and Chansey held onto Chimchar with a fierce grip. The descent was swift and brutal as Chansey piledrived Chimchar down into the ground with such force that the earth shattered upon impact.
The ground exploded with debris and dust, sending shockwaves through the clearing. Dawn's eyes widened in horror as she watched the devastating move unfold.
"C-Chimchar, no!" Dawn cried out in shock.
As the smoke and dust settled, Chansey stood tall and proud with its demeanor unaffected by the intense battle. Beside it lay Chimchar's unconscious form sprawled on the ground.
Chansey looked down at Chimchar with a satisfied smile and declared, "Chansey!" with confidence and triumph.
Dawn hurried to Chimchar's side; her face etched with worry. She gently shook him, her voice trembling. "Chimchar, are you alright? Chimchar!?"
Chimchar's eyes slowly fluttered open, locking onto Dawn. Despite the exhaustion, he managed a reassuring smile. Dawn's worried expression softened as she cradled him in her arms, her relief palpable.
"You did amazing, Chimchar. Thanks for giving it everything you had," Dawn said with a tender smile. She retrieved his Poké Ball and returned him to it, whispering, "Rest easy now."
Turning to Cheryl, Dawn saw Chansey dart in front of its trainer. Cheryl quickly gathered her Pokémon in an affectionate embrace. "Good work, Chansey. You did awesome," she praised. "I can feel it—we're so much stronger now."
Her gaze then shifted to Dawn. Dawn, initially sporting a hardened expression, let it fade into a genuine smile. "You beat me, Cheryl. Man, I had no idea you were that good!" she said with a mix of admiration and respect.
"And you too, Dawn," Cheryl replied warmly. "That Chimchar of yours is incredibly strong. You're lucky to have such a powerful Pokémon."
Dawn's face softened into a grateful smile, her gaze shifting to the horizon. "Okay, well, I guess I'll just have to challenge Gardenia tomorrow morning once Chimchar's all rested up. What will you do, Cheryl?"
Cheryl's expression grew more serious, her gaze focused as she rubbed the back of her neck thoughtfully. "I'm still not confident in my ability to defeat Gardenia, so I'll keep training."
Dawn's eyebrows knitted together in surprise. "Wait, you don't think you can defeat Gardenia, even at the level you're at now?"
A flicker of doubt crossed Cheryl's face before she forced a bright smile. "I'm afraid so, Dawn. But don't let that discourage you. A fire-type like Chimchar should have an advantage against an all-grass-type Gym Leader. I'm sure you'll do just fine."
Extending her arm with a hopeful grin, Dawn said, "Let's do this again sometime, Cheryl."
Reaching out to shake Dawn's hand, Cheryl's eyes met Dawn's with a spark of camaraderie. "Agreed."
A friend of mine told me Dawn cries too much in this story, but like, she's been through so much traumatic events in the past few chapters, plus she's only 12.
Anyways, that's this chapter, bit of a filler chapter between Floaroma and Eterna, but also a necessary one since Cheryl is a canon character from the games, plus they're needed to be a good shift in tone from the conflict in the last chapter and Dawn's upcoming gym battle which we'll see in the next one.
Y'all take care now, Imma go eat some oatmeal, with soy milk of course.
—yonas813, out.