Over the course of the next few weeks, Mari and I met a few friends and acquaintances from school. Many of them were happy to engage in a battle or two, letting our Pokemons be exposed to more battle conditions instead of only training individual skills. Kelly and Kelsie, not surprisingly, were travelling together. We had an interesting battle with their starters, a cute baby Spheal and an Aron respectively. Estelle evolved after a battle with Aron, causing squeals from everyone at the battlefield. We met Axel and Tony as well. Axel turned comically red and stomp off, leaving Tony to say hi. Mari turn suspiciously quiet during our conversation, her cheeks reddening. Getting Estelle to learn Thunderbolt and Lexy Headbutt was my main focus in the weeks leading up to the gym battle. In the meantime, I found out that getting to know and training Scyther was alarmingly difficult. The green insect was obstinate in his contempt at me. Estelle told me that he didn't want to leave his swarm and was probably angry at being captured.
'Not all Pokemons want to be trained by humans.' Estelle informed me. 'They think they can be stronger by themselves, fools.'
It didn't matter that his own swarm didn't seem to care much about him. It wasn't like I could tell him that his own swarm just cared about themselves. I was honestly at a loss of what to do. He sat at the side during trainings looked away, scythes crossed. I caught him looking at us a few times, but once I catch his eye, he'll look away with a harrumph. He must have been interested in training, but I couldn't get through his stubborn ass. On the other hand, Mari's Salandit, whom she named Hermes, the Patron of thieves, was mischievous but at least he participated in drills.
Hermes, also known as the god of tricksters. i groaned as I watched Hermes pulled Estelle's skirt while beside me, Lexy managed to Headbutt a tree successfully, prompting a flurry of leaves to befall us. Then, Hermes learnt that this could shock some Pokemon into a falling out of trees and he made Lexy headbutt more trees. When Pokemon landed on the ground, Hermes will be there, claws out to poke the Pokemon. I groaned mentally. Trainings were turning into a circus with Hermes around. Until Lexy discovered he could also Headbutt berries out of trees. He gleefully went around Headbutting trees without Hermes' prompting. I looked around for Estelle, who had managed to not get a single leaf on her. She showed me proudly that she figured out she could rub her skirt and gather static. I was glad that at least one of my Pokemon was getting something done today. I patted her, only to get a static shock. I could sense that my hair was in a real disarray and Estelle was trying really hard not to laugh at me. I sighed, asking her to try to direct the electricity. She did manage to successfully release a weak Thunderbolt, though the bolt of lightning went directly up instead of in front. This caused the branch above us to crack and I dove to the side. Estelle teleported away just in time but my hair got tangled in the falling branch. Lexy and Hermes didn't hold back their laughter. Hermes was really a bad influence for Lexy. Mari and I decided to end training then, seeing Lexy and Hermes couldn't continue. The pair had taking to rolling around on the forest floor in laughter.
Stepping into the Pokemon Center, I spied Tony at the vending machine.
'Mari, can you help me get a can of Sprite?' I saw the perfect opportunity and couldn't help myself. I gestured at my mud splattered clothes. 'I'm gonna go clean up first.'
Mari, who was unfairly mud free, snorted at my weird request and turned to the vending machine. Before she could realize I didn't actually want a can of Sprite, I slid away and up the stairs, Estelle trailing behind me. I returned Scyther and Lexy because well, Scyther didn't want to listen to me and Lexy was still laughing at me. Estelle was apparently the only one who could be civil. Turning into our floor, I bumped into a girl who was dimly familiar, though I couldn't place her in my mind.
'Hey!' The girl said, a familiar half smile forming on her face.
'Ronnie?' I stared at the girl in front of me. She was in a casual loose fitting white t shirt and grey skinny jeans, traded her travelling jacket for a leather one. Brown glossy hair fell in waves down to the middle of her back. She looked ridiculously gorgeous for someone in casual clothes. Dimly, I was aware of the sticks and leaves sticking out of my hair and my mud splattered clothes. Oh, how the tides have changed. She was apparently thinking of the same thing.
'Wow,' Her green eyes twinkled with amusement and the annoying half smirk widened. 'This was what I looked like after I crashed into a tree chasing Mirabell huh.'
'You wish you are half as pretty as me,' I rolled my eyes.
She let out a laugh of surprise at my comment. She crossed her arms and leaned on the wall. 'So what have you been up too? Estelle evolved huh, congratulations you both. Have you caught any new Pokemon?'
'As a matter of fact –' I launched into the story that was Scyther and his stubborn ass.
'Hmm,' Ronnie mused, looking at my Pokedex data on Scyther. 'Razor wind, Bug buzz, Quick Attack, Steel wing. Your Scyther might be a trained one.'
'You mean like he is somebody else's Pokemon?' I asked.
'Probably released. The normal Scyther doesn't learn these moves by themselves.' Ronnie handed the Pokedex back to me. 'I can help you with him, if you want?'
Just then, Mari came up the stairs, a can of Sprite in hand and a faint blush visible on her cheeks, muttering to herself. 'I am going to kill that little…' She trailed off upon seeing Ronnie and I in the hallway.
'I hope you're not planning on murder,' One of Ronnie's eyebrow shot up in amusement.
'Oh, hi Ronnie!' Mari said, before fixing a glare on me. 'Bitch you knew HE was there.'
'Ok, this is obviously the site of murder,' Ronnie pushed herself off the wall. 'Well, see you tomorrow morning at the field by the Pokemon Center? Bring Scyther!'
'Hey Ronnie, join us for dinner?' I asked, hoping that she could be the shield that will protect me from Mari's wrath.
'Can't, got a date,' Ronnie gave a casual wave of her hand as she left.
I vaguely wondered who her date was. And then how far she travelled for a date because she didn't strike me a Petalburg city girl. Then I realized, if someone had Fly, they literally could have their date anywhere. And then I thought, how many people had dates that end up in these rooms in Pokemon Centers. And if Ronnie had ever, oh my god, I was spiraling. Which would not had been ideal under normal circumstances, but it's especially not with Mari glaring at me for setting up a conversation with Tony.
In the morning, I stood at the edge of the field with Scyther's Pokeball in my hand after my morning run. I sent Lexy off to practice Headbutt with Mari and hoped that he wasn't causing too much trouble with Hermes. Of the two, Estelle seemed more level headed, which will probably come in handy while dealing with Scyther. Of course, Estelle could translate Scyther speak so that was a plus. I caught a glimpse of Ronnie's dark hair from the other side of the field. She seemed to have went for a morning jog as well, wearing only a Under Armour sports bra and tights, clutching a brown package. Mirabell was keeping pace with her by her side.
'Hey!' Ronnie waved. 'Let's go over there!'
Estelle and I made our way to the other side of the field, where there was only one trainer with his Torkoal. I secretly hope he doesn't burn down the field. Or at least keep his fire away from Scyther (I learnt the hard way with Lexy's Ember. Terrible story, do not ask me.).
'Morning run?' I asked conversationally.
'Of course, a girl's gotta keep her figure,' Ronnie winked at me.
Her figure was, of course, impressive, amazingly toned and complete with abs. But I'm not going to tell her that. Instead, I let out Scyther, who was apparently sleeping. Just then, a very large, very familiar shadow whooshed pass us, landing directly in front of Scyther and I. He put his face very close to mine and stuck out his tongue in a comical manner. I jumped backwards, and contrary to what Ronnie says, did not let out a shriek.
'By Arceus, Rogue!' I crossed my arms, couldn't help but think this was the exact sort of thing Lexy and Hermes would love to do. I resolved to keep Lexy away from Rogue.
Scyther scrambled up from the field in fright, scythes out. Ok, fake sleeping then. When he realized the gigantic bat was not going to eat it, he huffed and cross his scythes. All this time, the trainer with the Torkoal, who was standing a very safe distance away from Rogue, stared at the scene with wide eyes.
'Hey Scyther,' Ronnie said, approaching it cautiously. An elegant tattoo on her left shoulder caught my eye, simple lines depicted a mountain under the night sky completed with script written in small, flowy letters.
I think she meant to look non-threatening but honestly, there is a limit to how non-threatening can someone look when a dragon bat is hulking behind you. Scyther eyed her warningly.
'So,' Ronnie asked conversationally. 'Have you eaten?'
'Scy?' Scyther was still eyeing Ronnie, who had sat down on the grass in front of him.
'I know Rogue is also grumpy early in the morning when he hasn't had his breakfast.' Ronnie said, not worried that the scythes were oh so close to her head.
On the other hand, I was. 'Ronnie!' I exclaimed.
Ignoring me, Ronnie pulled out a grilled Pidgey from the package. 'Here you go' She placed the grilled Pidgey on the brown paper bag and left it on the field in between then.
'Scyther,' Scyther said, before darting forward and spearing the Pidgey on his scythe.
'The insect said, finally someone who gives me food.' Estelle told me.
Of course, I was so busy with trying to get it to listen to me that I completely forgot about using food as a motivation. Before you get mad at me, I kept Scyther in his Pokeball most of the time. The Pokeball keep Pokemon in stasis, so whatever condition it was in when the Pokemon goes in, it will remain so until it is let out. The Pokemon is conscious in the Pokeball, of course. But they don't feel hungry or an urge to pee or anything really. It was not good for the Pokemon to remain inside their Pokeball for very long though; it was not good for their overall growth. Not to mention their mental health.
'So,' Ronnie was asking Scyther. 'Do you hate training?'
'Scyther, scy, scyther' Scyther said, before lauching into a tirade, waving his scythe around I was honestly worried that Scyther was going to slide Ronnie's head off, or at least give her a hair cut. I rather like her long hair and I was wondering if I should interfere, but I was worried about my own head getting caught in one of the long sweep of Scyther's sharp scythes.
'To summarize, he said that all humans cannot be trusted. Only Scythers will have his back.' Estelle said, then added thoughtfully. 'You should wash his mouth out with soap.'
Of course, I had a foul-mouthed Scyther. Scyther had completed his tirade and Ronnie was gesturing for me to join them.
'Not all trainers are terrible,' Ronnie was saying. 'I knew of a trainer once. Her love for her Pokemon for so beautiful. She would literally move heaven and earth for them, whether they are her Pokemon or not.'
Somehow, I had the feeling that Ronnie was not talking about herself. Ronnie had a faraway look and a smile on her face as she recounted how the trainer had spotted a Trapinch trapped on a cliff in the desert just as a sandstorm was coming. The trainer bravely climbed the steep walls without any gear and got the Trapinch into the cave where she and her friend were sheltering in. Scyther listened to the story with rapt attention, something he had never given me.
'Give your trainer a chance, ok,' Ronnie patted the Scyther on the shoulder and surprisingly, Scyther let her. Ronnie gave me a half smirk. 'The rest is up to you, hot stuff.'
'Hot stuff?' I demanded.
'Like, literally,' Ronnie pointed to my backpack, which was on fire.
Turns out, the Torkoal didn't burn the field, but it did let out a stray ember at my backpack, which was on my back. I stood up with a yelp and pulled it off my shoulder. The boy noticed and was jogging over.
'When's your gym battle?' Ronnie asked, standing up, gesturing for my Pokedex in my pocket.
'Tomorrow, the last match,' I handed over my Pokedex.
'Here's my number, just in case you have any questions about Scyther. Or anything really,' She gave me another half smile. 'See you.'
With that, she walked off, leaving me to deal with my smoking bag and an apologetic boy. And wondering why she was so nice to me, a complete newbie. I waved off the boy's apologies, before noticing that his sandy hair looked really familiar.
'Wait, you're the boy from Meteor Falls!' I exclaimed. 'Finnick, right? With Panda the Machoke'
'Yeah, I'm Finnick,' Recognition dawn on him. 'You are the girl! Wait I didn't actually get your name.'
'Wow, what a small world! I'm Cara, Cara Young.' I shook his hand. 'I guess we can say that we are even now.'
'HAHA yes,' Finnick said sheepishly. 'Did you say your battle's tomorrow? Mine's too! In the morning.'
'Hey, join us for lunch?' I asked him.
'Us?'
On the way, I explained to him that Mari and I were travelling together for the moment. We were going to split up after the first gym. Then I learnt that Petalburg was actually his third gym. He got his Pokemon license and immediately went home to Fallabor Town. His first two gyms were Lavaridge and Mossdeep respectively. He was training at side of Meteor Falls nearer to his house when the explosion happened and he volunteered to help.
'I guess I didn't realized it had been a year,' He laugh sheepishly, his hand ruffling up the back of his hair. 'Hey, I was thinking of going to Rustboro next, do you want to travel together after the battle tomorrow?'
'Sure, if I win,' I laughed nervously. I realized I haven't really thought about it, but my first battle was going to be tomorrow! I should do more prep with Lexy and Estelle in the afternoon, then give them the evening off.
'Of course you will,' Finnick proclaimed. 'The first gym battle is always easier.'
The day of the battle arrived. Having promised Finnick that we would watch his match, Mari and I had to wake up earlier. I had to drag a sleeping Mari up to go for a run, with her grumbling all the time. We reached the stadium with plenty of time to spare and decided to register our Pokemon for our battle later in the day. We were supposed to register latest 2 hours before our matches, but since we were early and wouldn't be doing last minute training (the Pokemon cannot be a different level or evolution stage as registration), we decided to just go ahead. Finnick had the first battle of the day and the stadium was empty. We easily spot Finnick by a bench.
'Hey good luck!' Mari and I told him.
'Thanks! I am ready,' He told us, Pokeball in hand. I couldn't help but admire his confidence.
We went in the stadium past a bleary eye security guard. He waved us through without even scanning our e tickets. I guess there just wasn't many people interested in a morning match. We had a nice clear view of Finnick and Denise Meyers, the current Petalburg gym leader.
'Challenger! State your name!' Denise's voice boomed over the speaker in the stadium.
'I am Finnick McQuinn, and I challenge the Petalburg gym for my third badge.' Finnick's voice was steady.
'These traditions are really old,' Mari whispered to me. 'Maybe they should change them y'know.'
I agreed. We don't even get badges anymore. The match results were electronically scanned into the Pokedex and your trainers license. All of this was just a formality.
'Do you hereby declare that you are entering this battle without the influence of any substances banned by the Pokemon League and are willing to follow the rules set down by the Pokemon League?' Denise called.
'I do,' Finnick said.
'Then, Finnick McQuinn, I hope you are as excited as I am.' The screen showed a close up of the beautiful gym leader. 'I haven't had a third gym battle in a long time.'
She had an excited smile that backed up her sentence as she waited for Finnick to choose his Pokemon. League rules declared that Challengers have to release their Pokemon first. I couldn't help but wonder how she was so cheery in the morning. I guess the dreary first battles were so bad that the prospect of battling a more experienced trainer had her awake and pumped.
Finnick released his first Pokemon. A Krokorok, an evolved form of Sandile, which were also an invasive species found in the desert. While Sandile were mere pests, burrowing underneath the topmost layer of sand and generally getting in trainers' way, a Krokorok is a force to be reckon with. Standing up on two legs, the Krokorok roared, showing an impressive array of teeth. This one was raring to go. Denise released a white bipedal Pokemon, a Vigoroth. It beat its chest with a roar to rival the Krokorok's. It seemed that the Vigoroth reflects the trainer's eagerness for battle. It probably hadn't had a gym battle in a while. The match started with a flurry of claws and fangs, neither Pokemon giving an edge.
'Snappy, Dig then Crunch' Finnick ordered, his voice amplified by the mic and speakers.
'Let him bite you, then Crush Claw,' Denise said.
That was the negative thing about the way gym battles were conducted. Everything was spoken into a mic and amplified so everyone could hear, even the gym leader, who can then counter it. It all boils down to how well trained the Pokemon was. Some trainers had even developed some sort of signal, like whistling or clapping, to combat this. But it is not easy to get Pokemon to respond to nonverbal commands.
Snappy the Krokorok came up out from his Dig and bit into the Vigoroth's arm. Vigoroth claws slashed down on Snappy's exposed underbelly.
'Now! Iron Tail!'
Snappy's tail had already turn ramrod stiff and was curving up to Vigoroth's head as if anticipating it's trainer's command.
'Wow, what insane abs,' I whispered to Mari, then nudge Lexy, who was watching the battle wided eye.
'What is abs?' Lexy asked.
'Its…' Unbidden, Ronnie's toned abs flash through my mind.
'Its your tummy muscles,' Mari poked Lexy's tummy, causing him to squeal.
The Iron Tail had connected with the Vigoroth's head, knocking it out.
The second battle between Torkoal and a Persian was over pretty quickly. The Persian's claws could not pierce Torkoal's Iron Defense, and went down after two direct Flamethrowers to its face. For the third battle, Finnick released a gargantuan humanoid Pokemon with four arms. His Machoke had evolved into Machamp. None of Panda's friendliness from Meteor Falls could be seen on its face. Its lips were pressed firmly into a line as it waited for his opponent. Denise released a large bull that cantered into the battlefield. A Tauros, a high leveled one at that, judging by its massive horns and hulking size. The two Pokemon went at each other with a clash. In the end, the massive bull went down when its Headbutt was met with a well placed Brick Break right on its head.
Finnick bowed amidst a splattering of applause, congratulated by Denise. I thought it as pretty dramatic.
'Now that's a handsome lad,' I commented to Mari, who seemed to be mentally comparing him to a certain brown hair boy.
