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Vs Vinya
xxx
The trainer closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Tangrowth are among the most powerful grass-types anywhere. They rely on stealth, Vine Whip, and earth manipulation to capture prey that would otherwise be dangerous. The Tangrowth line slap their prey into submission and then drain their life force until they fall unconscious. Arguably the greatest Power Whip users, but the most fragile vines among grass-types. The vines of its arms regenerate immediately and don't transmit pain. Their weaknesses are elemental attacks and speedy fighters. The boy's eyes snapped open. Vinya had finished her greetings and was now waving at the confused Piloswine. Gore grunted at his partner who could only shrug.
"Vine Whip!" Erika ordered crossing her arms over her chest.
"Take down!" Ash whispered, his order. They would need every advantage they could get. Vinya gargled, and hopped from foot to foot before slapping the surging ice-type with a vine. Gore grunted and narrowed his eyes, the white glow surrounding the boar intensifying as he did.
"Ancient Power!" the Gym Leader barked her eyes widening. Her challenger grinned at the expression. Focusing on Take Down and Avalanche was a good move after all. Vinya chirped and spat a silver orb at the ground. A chunk of earth taller than Ash rose in front of the grass-type and met the boar's charge. Gore rammed the boulder without hesitation, but only succeeded in moving it an inch. "Mega Drain," Erika murmured with a disappointed sigh.
Ash's eyes widened as his first and strongest Pokemon was easily subdued by the Tangrowth's vines. This is a powerful Tangrowth! "Now!" he muttered with a grin. As if possessed the ice, and snow Gore had produced raced to its master aid.
"Release it!" Erika commanded her tone urgent. Vinya blinked confusedly, and then shrieked when the boar's ice and snow wrapped around its vines. The flailing Pokemon's limbs were immediately covered by a thick layer of frost. Ash smirked, Tangrowth lived in warm climates where Fire-types were common and had evolved to handle heat. They never had a need to prepare for the power of an ice-type. After a moment, the frost began to creep up the vines toward Vinya itself. "Cut them and Ancient Fortress!" the Gym Leader cried snapping the trainer out of his musing.
"Don't let up! Take Down!" Ash barked. The boar snarled and tore through the weakened vines with ease. Gore raced around the boulder with a battle cry. Vinya spat an Ancient Power at the ground in front of its opponent. A chunk of earth sprung up with such speed that it threw the ice-type into the air. The Piloswine squealed as he was thrown through a sycamore. "Are you okay?" the trainer asked, his voice shaking.
Gore groaned and shook his head vigorously. "Alright then," the boy muttered tugging on the bill of his hat. The trainer's eyes narrowed at the "fortress", while the swine had righted himself Vinya had surrounded itself with large boulders. But they're just as limited as we are now. So why have it trap itself? He received his answer when numerous vines stretched above their shield. "Icy Wind on the vines!" Ash said, his eyes narrowed. It almost looks like they've gotten a bit longer! Could it be Synthesis?
"Detach!" the Gym leader countered. The grass-type shrieked when the ice hit it, but managed to rip the vines off before it could spread. "Smash it!" she ordered scowling. Half of a boulder was flung toward Gore at astonishing speed. The swine leaped away from the attack only to find another chunk of earth sailing at him.
"Get behind the trees!" the raven-haired trainer shouted struggling to be heard over the battle. His partner grunted an acknowledgement before being hit in his flank by one of the boulders. "Buddy!" Ash cried clenching his fists. He got hit because I distracted him!
"Tomb!" Erika shouted with a grin. Vinya gurgled excitedly as it blasted two chunks of stone at the boar. To Ash's shock, the grass-type's attack missed his partner completely. Gore blinked at the stones that rested at his sides. "Energy Ball!" the Gym Leader ordered her grin widening.
"Ice Shard!" Ash yelled. Gore blasted the largest chunk of ice he had ever created at the grass-type. Vinya launched its attack with a shriek. The moves met and struggled for dominance, the struggle lasted only a moment. The Energy Ball tore through the ice with the ferocity of a Nidoking. Gore squealed as he crashed into the tree behind him. Vinya slumped slightly, the strain of having so many vines destroyed finally catching up to it.
"It's almost over, girl! Just a bit more and you can take a nap in the sun!" Erika urged with a small, reassuring smile. The Tangrowth gargled and faced its opponent. Gore panting heavily and glared at his opponent. The proud swine was determined to be defiant even when his defeat was all but certain.
"Give it your best," Ash mumbled swallowing harshly, uncertain how he could help his friend. The boar's legs were shaking with exertion, it was apparent that standing alone had become painful. We've gotta at least weaken it a bit more for Bulbasaur. There's no other choice. "Take Down with everything you've got," he muttered his eyes narrowed.
Gore roared and charged, putting every ounce of power he had into his final attack. Vinya realized its opponent's intent and launched another, far larger Energy Ball at the boar. The swine took the blast head on and continued in his attack undeterred. Vinya shrieked and took a fearful step back.
"Whip and Ball!" Erika snapped her brow furrowed. Vinya slapped at the boar with all of its vines, eliciting pained grunts, and began gathering energy between its hands. Gore snarled, recognizing the technique and leaped. The grass-type shrieked as the boar crashed into it. Vinya was thrown onto its back and tumbled several feet away from its opponent.
The swine huffed smugly and shifted his weight to his right side. Ash sighed, the recoil from Take Down could be lessened with time, but at the moment it was still dangerous. They'd been fortunate the boar couldn't pick up speed in his previous charges, otherwise the fight would have been over. "Icy Wind!" the trainer barked his eyes snapping open.
"Tree!" the Gym Leader countered. Ash's brow rose at the odd command. The Tangrowth sent the majority of its remaining vines to block the boar's attack. Then the Pokemon stretched several vines to a thick tree branch and pulled itself up. Gore snarled and shot the smallest Icy Wind he had created since his evolution at the grass-type.
Vinya squeaked and ripped a branch out of the tree. The branch blocked the majority of the attack, but the Tangrowth lost a couple of its seemingly limitless supply of vines. Ash gaped at the Pokemon. Is that how Bulbasaur got away from that Vulpix pack? The trainer hadn't given her climbing the tree much thought, he had been much too elated that she was safe. His mind whirled with possibilities. If she can do that then I wonder what else she can do? Even after asking Misty and some of the trainers at the camp, he didn't know much about her species.
A thud made him flinch. The trainer's shoulders drooped as he recalled his partner. "You did great buddy," he whispered, pressing the boar's capsule to his chest. A warm feeling grew in his chest when the ball twitched. The trainer exhaled heavily, King may have still been able to fight, but his friend didn't have the stamina to dodge the Energy Balls anymore. Everything relied on Bulbasaur.
"In the match of Tangrowth vs Piloswine the winner is Tangrowth! Challenger if you-"
"I got it!" Ash snapped at the referee as he released his final Pokemon. Bulbasaur snorted a quick greeting as she took in her surroundings. The dinosaur's ears fell when she realized what her opponent was. She turned to him her eyes wide as if expecting him to say it was a joke. "I know it's a Tangrowth, but if she's really hurt," the trainer encouraged with a strained smile. The saurian gave him a doubtful look, but turned back to her opponent. Ash couldn't blame her for not believing him. Centuries ago, experienced Tangrowth had been reputed to clash with Venasaur.
The trainer blinked when he realized Erika wasn't moving. The raven-haired girl was staring at Bulbasaur as though she expected her to disappear the moment she blinked. "Where?" the Gym Leader inquired breathing heavily. She didn't specify, she didn't need to.
"My "starter"," the brown-eyed boy explained with a shrug.
"How?" Erika demanded, making Ash and Bulbasaur jump. "I've been trying to get one for years! How did you get the Laramie's to give up a Bulbasaur? Especially a cow?"
"I didn't! Professor Oak did!" the boy explained, taking a step back. Are all Gym Leaders like this?
"Professor Oak," the Gym Leader repeated, taking a deep breath. Bulbasaur was glancing between the Gym Leader and her trainer like she was expecting them to do battle.
"Lady Erika?" the referee called holding her flag as though it were a shield. "Ma-may we continue the match?"
"Of course! I'm sorry Jennifer," Erika said, smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles in her dress. "I apologize to you as well," she offered Ash and his Pokemon.
"We're good," the trainer replied averting his gaze.
"Resume when ready," the referee said, raising her flag.
"Remember our strategy," Ash muttered clearing his throat. Bulbasaur snorted her eyes fixed suspiciously on the waving Tangrowth. The trainer couldn't blame her, he hadn't seen anything so friendly in a fight. "Energy Ball!" he barked.
"Throw it!" Erika snapped before Bulbasaur could even charge her attack. Vinya chirped and leaped off her perch. The grass-type threw the branch at her opponent mid leap. The saurian sidestepped the stick with ease. She fired her Energy Ball with a bark, and then surged toward the Tangrowth. Vinya batted the orb away easily with a hand, then she slapped at the dinosaur with three of her vines. Bulbasaur shot an Acid that tore through the appendages with ease.
"Poison Powder!" the challenger ordered with a grin. Everything is going according to plan! The saurian slid to a stop a yard in front of the stunned Pokemon. Vinya squeaked as the toxic powder sank through her vines and onto her. The Tangrowth slapped Bulbasaur with its right arm, sending her flying. "Grab a branch!" Ash roared struggling to be heard over the cow's terrified squeaking.
"Vinya you have to calm down!" Erika cried as the beast flailed. Vinya whined and ripped off several of her vines in an effort to protect her real body.
"Don't let it recover! Use your vines and the trees to get to it!" Ash barked at his Pokemon. Bulbasaur whimpered and eyed the tree next to her anxiously. "You can do it!" he cried clenching his fists. The trainer took a calming breath. If he lost his temper she'd lose the will to fight.
"Energy Ball!" the Gym Leader's cry made the boy flinch. He muffled a curse.
"You have to move!" the trainer cried. He swallowed as Vinya launched the orb of energy. The cow squawked and leaped, extending her vine as she did, and grabbed the branch. "That's it!" Ash cheered pumping his fist. Now that Vinya had lost the majority of her vines, the only way she could keep up with the agile dinosaur was with moves. No matter how strong she was it would take it's toll. All she has to do was buy a bit more time.
Unfortunately, Erika had come to the same conclusion. "Ancient Pellets!" Vinya blinked blankly at her opponent as she spat the silver orb of Ancient Power. The Tangrowth rumbled and a stone as tall as Gore was torn from the earth. The stone creaked and then cracks appeared on it. The boulder shatter making the boy and his Pokemon flinch. The boulder had been broken into countless tiny stones.
"Keep moving," Ash advised tugging on the bill of his hat. Her mastery over this technique is insane! Ancient Power was widely believed to have been the first move modern Pokemon had ever learned. The power to manipulate stone to a degree that only experienced earth Pokemon could compare to.
"Fire!" Erika snapped waving her arm. Bulbasaur squeaked and dove behind a nearby Sycamore. The tree bent slightly under the force of the pellets, but the dinosaur was unharmed. Vinya narrowed her eyes and stomped a foot. Many of the rocks clumped together to form a fair sized boulder. The Tangrowth blasted it at the tree with a furious cry.
"Run away!" the trainer barked his eyes wide. Bulbasaur peeked beyond her tree before squeaking and moving behind it once again. The little tree gave nearly immediately under the boulder's weight. A pained squeak made his heart feel as though it had been gripped by a cold hand. It's way too soon for her! I should have never let her fight! A coo made him blink. The saurian was perched precariously on the Sycamore's neighbor. The saurian was frightened of the older Pokemon that much was evident by the shaking in her legs. But, she has to know I'd recall her if she asked. Ash breathed in deeply and straightened his back. To think it ended up being my resolve that nearly cost us the match.
"She's on the oak!" the Gym Leader barked at her confused Pokemon. Vinya hopped from foot to foot and clapped her hands after locating her opponent. Bulbasaur gave her a confused look before glancing at Ash. The trainer imagined if the tiny cow had an eyebrow it would have been raised. "Oh, Vinya," Erika mumbled pinching the bridge of her nose. "Wide," the Gym leader commanded with a sigh.
"Energy Ball!" Ash snapped. Vinya swept both her arms at the smaller grass-type. Bulbasaur's attack reduced the pellets to dust before it soared toward Vinya. The orb slammed into the Tangrowth's belly making her trip. "Get her!" the trainer roared as their opponent steadied herself against a tree. Bulbasaur growled, a predatory glint shining in her pink eyes as she rushed the stunned Pokemon.
"Tree!" Erika commanded.
"Ignore the vines aim for the main body!" the challenger ordered. The saurian barked and shot a spray of poison at the Tangrowth. Vinya's eyes widened in horror when she recognized the attack as Acid. She detached her left arm and then swung it her to meet the attack. It melted nearly immediately, but it bought the experienced Pokemon time to heft her bulk onto the tree behind her. "Poison Powder!" Ash said with a grin.
Bulbasaur glared at her opponent and squared herself. She chirped as she shot the largest cloud of poisonous dust that she had ever created at the cornered Pokemon. A red beam consumed Vinya, saving her from the tiny Pokemon's move. Ash and Bulbasaur gaped and blinked respectively when their opponent disappeared. Clapping brought their attention to a beaming Erika and a crooning Bloom. The Meganium's warm smile made the smaller dinosaur hide behind her leg.
"In the match of Bulbasaur vs Tangrowth, the winner is Bulbasaur!" the dazed referee declared waving her flag toward the exhausted dinosaur.
"You did great!" Ash told his Pokemon as he strode onto the field. She chirped and ran toward him on unsteady legs. Bulbasaur stumbled, but her trainer caught her. The trainer hugged her to his chest. "I'm really proud of you, girl," he added rubbing her bulb. She licked his cheek and nuzzled him. The saurian yawned her eyes drooping. "You can take as many naps as you want til we leave Celadon," Ash said with an amused smirk.
"Misty told me that a rookie trainer who managed to defeat several Rockets would come seeking the Rainbow badge," Erika announced as she and her Meganium strode to them. "I thought she was exaggerating, but I can now see why she was so impressed," the Gym Leader finished with a small smile, coming to a stop in front of Ash.
"Glad I could surprise you," the trainer replied with a shrug. He wasn't entirely sure what to say to something like that.
"Thank you for the battle! I haven't had so much fun in over a month," she continued offering him what he assumed was his reward.
"You're welcome," Ash replied with a smirk as he took the badge. As had expected, the Rainbow badge was designed to look similar to a flower. Each petal was a unique vibrant color. To his slight surprise, in the middle of the petals there was a smiling Meganium. That's right, all the gyms use their signature Pokemon on their badge. "So, later then!" he said turning toward the exit.
"Do you truly intend to challenge the rest of the Eight?" Erika inquired before he could get far.
"Yeah, I do," the trainer answered turning to look into the Gym Leader's green eyes. "Think it's dumb?" he asked his eyes narrowed. Several of the older trainers had outright laughed at him when he revealed his plans. Ash would defeat the Eight, or he wouldn't go to the conference it was that simple.
"It's very…. ambitious of you, but it's certainly not dumb," the raven-haired girl answered. She sighed and began smoothing her dress again. "I would recommend Saffron next, I'm afraid the others would be far too much for you at the moment. Then, I suppose Brock would be best."
"Thanks for the advice!" Ash chirped with a smile.
xxx
"Ya know, the shade's way better over here!" Ash yelled cupping a hand to his mouth. Bulbasaur gave him a cold look and snuggled deeper into Gore's brown fur. "Suit yourselves," the trainer mumbled leaning back onto the tree he was resting on. He sighed and covered his eyes with the bill of his hat. The trainer understood why Bulbasaur was angry with him, but he would stand by his decision. It wasn't fair that King had a name while she had to wait. But if she became a Venasaur she would likely live for over two-hundred years. The trainer wanted to make sure she would be proud of her name until the day she passed on.
Ash had known this anger had been building in her since they left Celadon, but he hadn't predicted. He rubbed his sore shoulders, the boar had even refused to carry the bag. Maybe I should just let her pick a name? It's been ten days and they haven't shown any signs of letting up. If things don't change I'll have to skip Saffron and head straight to Lavender. He scowled at the thought. Historically, the Saffron Gym was the easiest to earn a badge from among the Eight.
The city was the largest in Kanto, and had the most issues with crime by far. Things had gotten so out of hand that another Gym had opened up to help protect the city. Sabrina had far greater things on her mind than an upstart. With Gore's power, King's claws, and Bulbasaur's speed he was certain they could at least put up a fight. Ash knew he managed to defeat Erika because of the massive advantages Gore and Bulbasaur had over Vinya. If he wanted to stand a chance against Sabrina they all needed to work together. But what can I do?
Then again the sooner we go to Lavender the sooner I get a fire-type. The Vulpix line were known for their matriarchal society, ruthlessness, and respect for the dead. Ash couldn't connect with the vixen through the first two so the last was his only option. Going to Lavender, the home of the famous Pokemon Graveyard may yet get through to the vixen. Well, there is one other way. The boy shuddered, gender reassignment was not an option.
Ash blinked, King was in a large puddle to his left, Gore and Bulbasaur were napping beneath a tree as far away from his as possible, but where had Vulpix gone? He rose immediately, leaving her alone for too long always made him a bit anxious. The trainer flinched and dove away from a small ball of purple fire sailing at him from his right. "What the he-" he rolled away from another orb of flame.
"Guys C'mere!" the trainer barked his eyes scouring the woods for their assailant. I have a pretty good idea who it is though. King crawled out of his puddle with a frustrated hiss and red eyes. The crab gave him an impatient look when he didn't see any threat. Ash drew breath to explain when the water-type was struck by a much larger ball of flame from the left. "You okay?" the raven-haired boy asked as he helped the Pokemon stand.
King snipped at his hands and glared at the trees to their left. "Gore! Bulbasaur!" he shouted cupping his hands up to his mouth. Gore's ear twitched, but Bulbasaur didn't react at all. Why aren't they? Ash winced as he realized why they wouldn't respond. I should have stayed at Celadon longer and let them rest after the battle!
"It's just you and me," the boy muttered joining the crab in searching for Vulpix. The water-type clicked his understanding quietly. King turned around quickly and shot a spray of bubbles that only just managed to block a tiny ball of ordinary fire. Ash's eyes narrowed. That was way weaker than earlier. And she didn't even use Will-O-Wisp! Is she just testing our reflexes? If so, then the vixen must have come to the same conclusion he had earlier, she just couldn't compete with the boy's power.
A rustle alerted the duo to the vixen's next move. They turned as one to the sight of the two-tailed vulpine running to them. A simple frontal attack? He found himself oddly disappointed in the vixen. Then Vulpix was consumed by a white hue. Ash's eyes widened as the fire-type rushed them with a bark. King responded with several Water Guns that were avoided with ease.
"Bubble max power!" Ash snapped. Vulpix's eyes shone with a triumphant gleam as the crab's chest puffed out. The vixen slowed slightly in her charge before darting around the bubbles with only a glancing blow. The trainer's eyes widened in alarm. Since when can she turn in Quick Attack? Unlike his trainer, the crab wasn't stunned into inaction. King shot a widespread Bubble at his opponent's paws.
The fire-type howled as she slipped and skidded along the ground. The Krabby shrieked a battle cry and charged the downed vixen with glowing claws. Vulpix yipped in alarm before flipping back onto her paws and rushing toward a cluster of bushes. "Water Pulse!" Ash cried, shaking himself. I can worry about that later! King hissed, his understanding as he cocked his right claw back. After a second, an orb of rippling water formed above the claw. The Krabby sent his attack surging at his opponent with a cry.
The vulpine glanced over her shoulder at the cry. She shrieked as she reactivated Quick Attack. Vulpix dove behind a tree narrowly avoiding the Water Pulse. The orb sailed into a bush with enough force to remove the majority of its leaves. In spite of the seriousness of the situation, Ash found himself grinning. We've come far.
His Pokemon hissed, irritated with the vixen's escape. "Calm down, bud," the trainer murmured laying a calming hand onto his friend's right claw. "I know she's a pain, but we can't play her game," Ash said glancing around the woods suspiciously. To his dismay, Gore and Bulbasaur were still asleep. It was easy to forget that by his species' standards, Gore was still fairly young. The boy squeezed his eyes shut tightly. He had to be more mindful of overworking his team. King clicked quietly and tugged on his index finger lightly. His eyes snapped open. Ash gave the crab a thankful nod.
Right now she's got us right where she wants us. We can't make a move, or we risk being ambushed, but she can take shots at us without fear. The only one who could beat her at speed is Bulbasaur, the only one who can beat her at stamina is Gore. Ash smirked as an idea formed in his mind. Vulpix's stamina advantage over King was solely physical. The Vulpix line couldn't throw around fire like the Growlithe, Charmander, or Magby line could. "She's gonna end this in one go," he whispered.
The boy moved to stand behind his Pokemon. King gave him an odd look, then snapped forward. The crab Pokemon was determined not to be taken unaware by the vixen again. The duo scanned their surroundings anxiously for several moments before the vixen made her move. A gust of black wind slammed into King throwing the crab off his feet. Ash squawked as the crab soared into his back.
The boy and his Pokemon groaned. The trainer opened his eyes blearily. His eyes widened in alarm when he saw Vulpix dashing towards them. The Vixen was in Quick Attack, but what truly startled her trainer was that her claws were also glowing slightly. He rolled away from the vulpine's attack, sending King rolling off his back. Not only did she get better with her Quick Attack, she combined Scratch and Quick Attack too!
She wasn't this strong a month ago! She's been training while our backs were turned. "At night," Ash muttered. King strode in front of his trainer and hissed. Vulpix panted heavily, but matched the crab's glare. Ash wasn't surprised the vixen was already panting. Quick Attack was a move meant to be used in short bursts. Fire manipulation wasn't much of an issue as long as it was in small amounts, but Will-O-Wisp had to have been taxing. Combined with using her strongest attack, Ominous Wind, the vixen was likely running on fumes. "Try a Bubble, get her in the mud, then take her down," he whispered falling into a crouch.
Vulpix pawed the ground and hissed at them. She sidestepped the Bubble effortlessly then, she charged. The Krabby hissed and met her charge with another Bubble. As the duo expected, the fire-type evaded the attack. The vixen's front paw slipped in mud, making her yelp. King's eyes narrowed as he fired a small Water Pulse. The water-type move hit Vulpix square in her snout, knocking the fire-type on her back, and into a puddle. She dragged herself out of the small puddle with a weak whine. The Pokemon glared at them before finally giving into exhaustion and collapsing.
"Great job buddy," Ash said with a sigh. King gave him a weak gurgle and tapped him with his right claw. His work done, the Krabby sauntered back to his puddle. "Things are never boring for a trainer eh, Gramps," the raven-haired trainer said, sending the scattered members of his team tired yet fond looks. "Probably wouldn't give up for anything," he admitted to himself with a laugh.
xxx
Dexter on Hex.
Hex is a ghost-type move that the Vulpix and Ghastly lines are well known for. Often a one-tailed Vulpix, or a young Ghastly will use Hex to escape from stronger enemies. No one is sure why older Vulpix and Ninetales do not use Hex. Some speculate that Hex is similar to an Abra's ability to sense emotions, in the sense that it weakens over time. Others believe that the creature's other abilities are so advanced that such a move would be a waste of energy.
This attack temporarily increases its target's reception to pain.
Fun Facts
Vulpix was scanned off-screen. Her moves are:
Ember, Will-O-Wisp, Scratch, Quick Attack, Fire Spin, and Ominous Wind.
Ash's assumption about her training at night are correct.
Extrasensory is her egg move but she isn't nearly strong enough to use it.
At the time of her capture, Vulpix was six years, six months, and six days old.
Make of that what you will.