Author's Note:
Here it is, the last part before we reach the big city and it's another rival-battle chapter. Before we start, I want to apologise for the late upload. Its been a hectic work day for me & everything just got on top of me. Enough about that, let's get on to the actual chapter. Due to not having the ability to communicate between trainer & Pokémon, I need to use more battles to show off their characters. This is why most of these will be the newer members of the team introduced. We also get to view another of the rival... and boy do I have some views on this rival. I won't share them all here, just know more of my issues with the black and white seasons of the anime will be discussed as this series go on. Not much else to say, don't forget to vote in the poll & with that, let's begin...
Chapter fourteen: Battle on Skyarrow Bridge
"Ah, the Skyarrow Bridge, an early example of steel-wire suspension! It uses a hybrid of cable-stayed and suspension bridge design, with both vertical and diagonal suspender cables. Originally, the four towers were stone towers but upgraded it metal late last century."
Drake sighed as Cilan continued his gushing over the structure beneath their feet. While he couldn't deny the impressive design, spanning well over a mile long, he also didn't find it that interesting. It's a bridge. With the help of Pokémon, putting constructs like this together is easy with the know-how.
"And then we'll reach Castelia city!" Cilan continued. "We have so much to do. The royal Unova allows visitors to take trips along the Castelia canal. The battle company puts high skilled trainers on the big screen. Liberty garden is a must see. We also need to try the Castelia cone-"
"Guess this'll be goodbye then... nice knowing you, have a good life."
"What's this about Drake?" Iris asked.
"I don't like big cities..." He grunted. "I've got to get the badge but the sooner I get it, the sooner I can leave."
"What's bad about the city?" Cilan asked. "You know what they say about Castelia? If you can make it here-"
"-then your just as special as the other eight point four million people here?" he asked, cutting the eldest member off.
"Do you have to make jokes about everything?" Iris asked.
"I don't have to-" He emphasised the third word. "But when your this good at it, might as well put it too use."
Stopping in his tracks, the high patter of footsteps drew his attention. He looked out over the bridge as a cry echoed through the air.
"What the-"
He blinked and dodged to the side as a blur shot past with a rush of wind. It took him a second to registrar what happened. Looking behind him he found the same boy he met back in Nuvema on top of Iris. Both wiggling around to try and get back onto their feet.
"Get off me!" She cried, pushing him off. He lifted his hand to cover himself as he tried to stifle his laughter.
"Wha-" He ended up on his back as she jumped back to her feet. He nervously scratched his head, sitting up on the floor. "Sorry about that. I was kind of in a hurry. You know what it's like, you start running and then wham!"
"What was you running for?" Cilan asked.
"I just caught a new Pokémon!" He exclaimed, jumping onto his feet. "I want to get Nurse Joy to check 'em over. So off to Nacrene we go!"
"Wouldn't the centre in Castelia be closer?" he asked.
"Erm-" He paused, like a Stantler in head lights before his face scrunched up. He smacked his hand against his forehead. "I'm an idiot."
He was not about to argue with the astute observation.
"I take it that you must've had a pretty bad battle if medical attention is that desperate-" Cilan added. "I could give them the once over if you'd like."
"Thanks, but we didn't really battle-" he shrugged. "I fed 'em some bread then caught 'em."
"So why the rush to the Pokémon centre?" he asked.
"Isn't that what trainer's are supposed to do?" he asked.
"Maro."
Hearing the ground type, he turned to face him. A blue blur ran past just like the boy before. He turned to try and make out the Pokémon.
His eyes glanced down to the side of the energetic boy. Stood up to his knee, roughly, was a small, blue, bipedal canine Pokémon. With black torso and legs, a blue tail, and yellow collar. He had rounded bumps on the backs of his forepaws. The face had a black 'mask' and red eyes. Stood on his tip-toes instead of his entire foot. Two black appendages hung down from the sides of his head, which resembled ears, swaying back and forth.
"Ri."
"I see you're interested in my good friend!" Cameron boasted, drawing his attention back to himself. "Let me introduce you too, Riolu!"
Hearing the Pokémon's name, his eyes burst open, but he quickly squinted them into a scowl. He felt his heart thump against his chest, but he tightened his fist, digging his nails into his skin to keep him focus on not showing his reaction. Swallowing hard, he felt a lump form in his throat.
"He hatched from an egg my folks gave me the day before I got Oshawott-" Cameron smiled. "He hatched about a week ago and really helped during the Nacrene gym. Boy was that a tough one, her Watchog really gave us a run for our money."
"Just Watchog?" he asked, not daring to glance back to the little Pokémon by his side.
"Yeah-" He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "When she said it'll be one-on-three I thought it would be easy, but it wasn't-"
"hmm." He mused. "How about a battle? Six on six."
"Six?" he asked, a nervous undertone in his voice.
"Yeah-" He narrowed his eyes. "A full battle."
"I really can't do that-" He nervously chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I've only got four Pokémon."
"Four?" He sighed. Pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. We can have a four-on-four battle. You can even sub if you want."
"Sure thing!" Cameron burst out in a wide grin. "This is gonna be great! There's a field just up here!"
"A battlefield on a bridge..." He pinched his nose as the boy ran ahead. "And here I worried Unova had actual safety standards."
"Don't be so sour-" Cilan replied, "Skyarrow is built to withstand an earthquake. It can easily withstand your battle."
"Maro."
"I am almost tempted to let you put that to the test but no... this will be a chance to test their newer Pokémon-" He told the ground type. Turning to face Cilan. "You can do the honours. You know the basics."
Focusing ahead, it didn't take them long to find the standard dirt battlefield on a slight platform on the side of the bridge. As he walked over into the trainers box, he caught sight of the city outline. A sickening feeling of the high population bubbled in his stomach. He really dislikes people in large quantities, the sooner he can get the badge and get out, the better but for now he has a battle to focus on. He locked eyes with Cameron across the field.
"This'll be a four-on-four battle between Drake of Pallet and Cameron from Nuvema." Cilan announced. "Both sides may substitute between rounds and there will be no time limit. With a coin toss, Cameron shall reveal his Pokémon first and the battle will be over when all Pokémon on one side is unable to continue."
"Alright Riolu!" Cameron hollered, pointing his finger out over the field. "Let's get this thing started!"
The small blue-and-black Pokémon ran out and took up an offensive stance. Bouncing slightly, both front paws raised in front of his face. The two floppy ear-bags flicked up, standing on guard. He pulled out his dex and scanned the opponent:
Riolu, The Emanation Pokémon. It can use waves called auras to gauge how others are feeling. These same waves can also tell this Pokémon about the state of the environment. It's exceedingly energetic, with enough stamina to keep running all through the night
Putting his device away, he tried to hide his frown from the others. He knew that Ash would someday get one of his own and you could almost see the small fighting type as the reason for his father's behaviour. Closing his eyes, he shook his head and took a Pokéball off his belt.
"Yamask!" He held the device out. "Battle formation!"
In a flash of light, his ghost type materialised. Floating in a simplistic but eerie manner.
"Aw cool!" Cameron hollered, a shimmer in his wide eyes. He scanned the ghost with his own Pokédex. "Where did you catch Yamask?"
"A museum-" He frowned. "Enough talk. We gonna battle or what?"
"Okay." He held his hands up. "If you're really that eager to lose."
Tightening his fist, he narrowed his gaze. He really couldn't care about winning or losing this battle, it's just a chance to properly test his newer captures and use a benchmark. Afterall, Pignite started his journey on the same day so he should make a good measurement for his progress, at least. Although he couldn't deny wanting to beat this small Pokémon specifically. After all, he is the embodiment of his dad and the reason he'll never be able to live up to him.
"Riolu verses Yamask!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round One
He watched carefully as his ghost floated back and forth. Lowering down onto the floor, he seemed to be taunting by letting out a series of cries.
The pure fighting type charged forward and jumped to the ghost. Grabbing hold of his face, burning red eyes burst open. A single red beam shot out and struck his ghost type. His body shuddered with a red outline as the emanation Pokémon flew past, dragging him along and tossing him over the field.
Yamask crashed into the floor. Rolling on the dirt, throwing dust up over him. Floating back up, he coughed and shook the dust off.
"So, it knows foresight..." He mused. "Interesting... inflict will-o-wisp and start taking this fight seriously."
Blue fire balls formed around the ghost as he started floating around. Throwing them around the field to hit the fighting type.
Imploding onto the field, leaving small fires burning. Each missed the speedy opponent as he jumped around the field.
Landing on a bent knee, his arms stretched out like a runner in a starting position. In a blink, he shot off and smashed into Drake's ghost type.
Skidding to a halt on his heels, he shot back and struck Yamask again. Sending him flying high into the air.
"Stable yourself and set up toxic spikes on your way down!" He instructed.
Seeing him float down with his mask glowing purple. A purple ball shot out and exploded into a rain of purple toxins. He got about half way before shooting out another one. Riolu continued to perform his quick attacks to avoid the spray of toxic spikes.
Reaching the floor once more, he floated just above it. A purple ghostly-ball formed in front of the mask.
"Copycat!" Cameron shouted.
A second shadow ball formed in Riolu's hands, and he tossed it forward. The two ghost-attacks smashed together and each imploded.
Bursting through the smoke of the two attacks, Riolu tackled his ghost type. Holding one palm up, another shadow ball formed around Yamask.
Throwing the attack out, it smashed into a metal fence around the field. Floating out in a wobbly motion, swaying back and forth.
"Psychic and finish this!" He grunted, clenching his fist. Feeling his anger bubble up in his stomach.
Blinking. He could've sworn he sore Ash stood where Cameron previous was. Shaking his head, the real world returned around him.
Yamask floated with Riolu up in a stretched out hold with a psychic outline. Blue fire balls shot out and struck him, bursting into flames.
"Metal claw into vacuum wave!" Cameron shouted.
Grunting against his psychic restraints, silver-claws made up of pure steel energy stretched out of his paws. Slashing them around to break the psychic field, he landed down on one knee. Bringing both hands together, he thrusted them out. A strong wind blew out and sent Yamask backwards.
Taking up a runner's pose, he shot off but with a slight limp. Flames flew off his body as he crossed the field.
Black zig-zagged beams shot out and struck the ground. The fighting type jumped from side to side, avoiding each night shade as he closed the gap.
Leaping up to the ghost type, he formed another shadow ball. A wall of purple ghost energy formed with the hex tentacles expanding out.
Blowing a hole into the attack, he flew through to his emanation Pokémon. Thrusting his palm into the ghost, he went flying backwards.
Skidding over the field, sparks covered his body. Lying helplessly on his side, grunting as he tried to float back into a battle-ready stance.
Another shadow ball struck him and sent him further over the field. Skidding to a stop just in front of, swirls replaced his eyes.
"Yamask is unable to battle!" Cilan declared. "Making the winners of this round Cameron and his Riolu!"
Pulling out his Pokéball, he quietly recalled the ghost. Looking to the device in his hand, he couldn't help but feel perplexed. Back in the museum and in the battle against Lenora, he showed far more prowess in battle and skill. Part of that could be explained with the boosts given by Xatu, at least in the latter battle, but it doesn't explain his performance today. If he never saw him battle, then based on this performance he might've never caught him.
"What's different?" he muttered to himself. A thought entered his head, but he shook it and clipped the device back to his belt. "We'll discuss it later."
Looking over the field, he saw the fighting type patting the flames down and walking back over to his trainer. Jumping and cheering, he once again saw the same spirit of his little brother in his current opponent. Biting down on his inner cheek, he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.
Hovering his hand over the Pokéballs on his belt, he already knew he wouldn't use Marowak. Win or lose, this is his chance to test out his newer. Out of his Unovan team, Excadrill is by far his strongest and this arena hardly lets him explore his fighting style.
That leaves three options and given that the opponent is a fighting type that's burnt. He unclipped a Pokéball and held it out, "go Rufflet!"
In a flash of light, his normal flying type hatchling materialised onto the field. He turned to stare at him with a blank expression as his head tilted to the side. A questioning look behind his wide eyes. A small chirp asking the only question he could.
"Battle-" He instructed, pointing behind him.
Turning around, he faced off against the fighting type. His talons scratched the floor as he shook his body. Stretching his wings out.
Riolu took up his original position and entered a stance like a martial-artist. Flames erupted around his body, and he winced but didn't fall.
"Riolu verses Rufflet!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round two
Almost instantly, his youngest Pokémon took off over the field with impressive speed. His beak glew white and extended out as his opponent charged in too. The flames flickered off as the two of them closed in. Metal claws extended out of his two front paws.
Jumping up, Rufflet's small size made him difficult to hit. Flying over the swipes in air, he began pecking his beak down onto the emanation Pokémon.
Riolu covered his face as Rufflet unleashed his fury. The onslaught of pecks knocked him onto his back and the small bird onto his chest.
He continued his beak-assault until flames erupted over the fighting type. Jumping back, his body shook, and seared feathers fell off.
"Foresight then keep Rufflet away!" Cameron shouted.
He frowned at the command. Biting his tongue, he was genuinely interested in what the kid was thinking.
The fighting type ran forward and scooped the small bird up. Holding him right in front of his eyes, he once again used foresight. A red outline surrounded the eaglet Pokémon. Purple ghostly energy formed around him and went flying. Rufflet fluttered down as the shadow ball harmlessly flew with him.
"I'm just curious-" he muttered, "what did you think would happen there?"
"Bu-but- Foresight... it's meant to-" Cameron stuttered.
"Its use forced a ghosts atoms closer together," he explained, "there wide spread atoms allows them to phase through pretty much every surface so forcing them together makes it susceptible to more physical hits. It has literally no effect on any other type, including a normal or flying type."
"Arrrrh!" Cameron cried, pulling the headband out. Letting go, it slapped back against his head. "We'll stick to the same plan! Vacuum wave!"
Riolu waved his arms around, glowing with fighting type energy. Thrusting them out, a wind engulfed with the energy shot out.
"Run with the wind and spread your wings!" Drake shouted.
His youngest Pokémon started running along the wind tunnel. With jumps he began getting higher and higher off the floor. With spread wings, he flew up.
Flames erupted around Riolu, causing him to kneel over. The vacuum wave halted and Rufflet instantly began losing his altitude.
"Use your wings and tail!" Drake instructed. "Aim for Riolu and set up peck! Then let the energy spread over yourself!"
Rufflet's beak glew white and extended outwards. As he fell, he repositioned himself into a direct path for Riolu. A light blue glow covered his body.
"Get up and ready!" Cameron shouted. "We're gonna end this with counter!"
Pushing himself up, the flames faded as he took a defensive stance. Orangey-red fighting energy radiated off him in a tight stance.
He smirked. "Spin!"
Rufflet began spinning on his axes, folding his wings in. Entering a quicker decent, for a split second, he saw Riolu's eyes widen, and his stance loosen.
Unable to take the blow, his small bird crashed into the chest. Both went skidding over the floor. His normal flying type bounced off and somersaulted through the air. Landing on his behind, as the dust over Riolu settled. Revealing the beat-up fighting type with swirls in his eyes.
"Riolu is unable to battle!" Cilan declared. "Making the winners of this round Drake and his Rufflet!"
He smirked seeing his bird wobble back up onto his feet. A red light recalled the emanation Pokémon, sucking it back into the device in Cameron's hand. His attention refocused on the smug looking bird as he walked back with his head held high. His smirk fell into a frown with his brow twitching.
"Don't get too confident-" He instructed. "You only got airborne from the vacuum wave. You need to increase your strength because your opponent won't always be considerate enough to help you out. And that was meant to be an aerial ace, but your form was-"
"Wait, wait, wait! Hold up!" Iris' voice raised. "Are you saying you tried to teach Rufflet a new move mid battle?!"
"Yeah-" he shrugged. "What's all the hub-bub about?"
"Who taught you to do that?" she asked.
"Myself." He rolled his eyes. "It's not really a big-"
Rufflet jumped up, jabbing his beak down in a swift manner. He cried out, falling onto his behind as his arms raised to defend from the bird.
"Little shit-" he grunted as the normal flying type landed in front of him.
"Maro." His ground type smirked.
"And you can shut it too-" he grumbled standing back up.
"You're up, Ducklett!" Cameron shouted, drawing his attention.
In a flash of light, a light-blue, psyduck-like Pokémon materialised. She had two feathery tufts on her head that connected at the bottom, forming a heart shape. She had darker blue, feathery underside which made it appear like mid-moult. Two large, compared to his own bird, wings spread out. Two yellow, webbed feet and a small tail also stood out. A derpy glimmer in the wide eyes. He pulled out his Pokédex to scan the new opponent:
Ducklett, the water bird Pokémon. They are better at swimming than flying, and they happily eat their favourite food, peat moss, as they dive underwater. When attacked, it uses its feathers to splash water, escaping under cover of the spray
"Hmm... interesting-" he mused as he put the device away. His eyes lingering on the derpy bird. "Too bad Blitzle is back at the lab. This would've been-"
"Ruff Rufflet!"
His normal flying type ran back out onto the field. Jumping up and down in an aggressive manner.
"You wanna keep going?" he sighed. "Your gonna lose... you do know that right?"
The eaglet bird turned to look at him with bulging eyes. His leer didn't exactly have the desired effect on him.
"Fine... just don't come crying to me when its over-" he uttered. "You won the last match because you were fresh, had a type advantage and Riolu was burnt."
"Ruff-let!"
"Don't say I didn't warn you-" he held his hands up.
"I'm willing to bet that Ducklett was the Pokémon that you just caught?" Cilan asked.
"Sure is!" Cameron beamed.
He watched as the derpy bird waddled out in front of Rufflet. The two birds stared each other down as a cool wind blew between them.
"Ducklett verses Rufflet!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round three
He watched as the aggressive eaglet charged forward over the field. Clearly, he built up energy from the last battle. He took a jet of water head on and was blown backwards. Landing on his behind, his soaked feathers flopped down. He shook them around, sending droplets flying everywhere.
Ducklet came in an awkward run over the field. Her wings glew with a light-sky-blue colour.
"Maro Marowak!" His bone keeper Pokémon shouted.
The stubby little wings shimmered into metal, and he brought them up just in time to hit an incoming wing. Ducklett stumbled slightly before striking with her second wing. It smacked into the back of his head and sent him flying over the field.
"Maro?"
"No-" He shook his head to the ground types question. "I told him he'd lose. Maybe this'll humble him some."
"Wak." The ground type grumbled.
He turned to the field to see Rufflet running straight into Ducklett... literally. His head was up against the stretched out webbed-talon.
Ducklett yawned with a lean back, patting her wing over her mouth. An angry cry came from the young hatchling charging into her foot.
Kicking her second foot up, she launched the eaglet Pokémon into the air. A sphere of water formed in front of her beak.
The water pulse shot up and struck Rufflet on his way back down. His eyes caught sight of his ground type rushing into the field. Catching the normal flying, he cradled the knocked-out bird and showed the result to Cilan.
"Rufflet is unable to battle!" Cilan declared. "Making the winners of this round Cameron and his Ducklett!"
Pulling his Pokéball off his belt, he silently recalled the fallen normal flying type. Shrinking it in hand, he clipped it back onto his belt without hesitation.
"Maro?" his ground type growled. "Maro-wak."
"He chose to take on-" The wind was knocked out of him due to a bone in his stomach. Thumping down onto the floor, he gasped for breath as he fought to keep sitting. It took a few moments to somewhat recover. "What in hell was that for?!"
"Wak-Marowak." He smirked, spinning his club in his hand.
"I don't care if he's a young hatchling!" He yelled. "I told him what would happen. If he doesn't listen, then he'll suffer more def-"
The bone smacked right between his eyes, and he flew back. His bone keeper Pokémon stood over him with a disapproving scowl.
"I don't know why I put up with this," he muttered as he pulled himself up. Dusting himself off he heard the low chuckle from his pure ground type.
"You ready to continue or should we give you two a little more time?" Cilan asked.
Grunting a response, he ran over the two remaining options. Both are weak to either water or flying types... or both at the same time. So, he should save the more experienced fighter for last in that case.
He unclipped a device from his belt and held it out. "Go Shelmet!"
The small bug materialised onto the field in front of Ducklett, who spread her wings in an intimidating fashion. Clamping the armour shut, the pure bug type shot back behind his ankle. Frowning, he turned and kneeled, placing a hand on the shell.
"I know that you're scared but let me tell you about fear," he whispered, "your heart is beating so hard, I can feel it through your shell. There's so much blood and oxygen pumping through your brain, it's like rocket fuel. Right now, you could run faster, and you can fight harder, you could jump higher than ever in your life. And you're so alert, it's like you can slow... down... time. What's wrong with scared? Scared is a superpower. It's your superpower."
The small bug opened his shell and peaked out. A glimmer of hope within those misty-eyes.
"Now you've got a choice to make, let that fear control you. Keep you scared and hiding in your shell or-" He stood back up. "-get up... and fight. Use that fear to your own ends. Worst that can happen is you lose... but guess what, you lose if you don't even try."
His eyes darted back and forth as the snail Pokémon took a deep breath. Letting it out slowly, he gave a single nod and narrowed his eyes. Turning around, he wobbled out into the field once more. A slight shiver showed his fear was still there, but he was overcoming it.
Standing up, he narrowed his own gaze over the field. Ducklett flapped her wings in an intimidating manner, but he wasn't too concerned.
"Ducklett verses Shelmet!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round four
"Acid armor!" His command came just in time as the water flying came flying over the field. Wings glowed white with a tint of flying type energy. Slamming the shell shut, his armor glew with a mystic light. Ducklett's wing crashed into the side, and he went flying over the field.
Landing on his side, his shell opened slightly. A dazed looking bug type spilled out as the water bird turned to follow him.
Wobbling back to his stubs, he glew with a bright green light. Balls of energy flew out of Cameron's latest capture as he closed in.
"Acid armor!" He shouted.
Withdrawing once again, the defence boosts came just in time. The wing slapped him and this time he skidded over the floor.
Ducklett stopped in her tracks, rotating her wing in a motion like someone stretching an injured muscle. A smirk flickered upon his lips.
"We should keep our distance for now!" Cameron instructed. "Use water gun!"
"Stand your ground and use struggle bug!" He countered.
Sticking his stub legs into the dirt, he took the blast of water head on. Skidding back a couple inches, he managed to take the blow as the armor-shell protected his face. Water continued to blast onto him as dark green waves of energy radiated off him. Beams of bug type energy flew out.
Striking the water bird Pokémon, her posture slouched, and water gun weakened. Eventually, she stopped and panted from the continuous assault.
"Defog and use it for cover!" Cameron shouted. "They can't attack if they can't see!"
Ducklett let out a cry and spread her wings. A thick mist radiated off her body, covering the field and his newly caught bug type.
Narrowing his eyes, he clenched his fist. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head, so his ear was closer to the field.
The sound of flapping wings hitting something. His eyes burst open. "Yawn! Then mega drain!"
It took nearly a minute for the fog to clear. It revealed the water flying type lying flat on her stomach with his bug stood right beside her. Balls of green energy flew out of her body as a mystic healing light covered his body. It didn't take long for her eyes to open, revealing swirls within them.
"Ducklett is unable to battle!" Cilan declared. "Making the winners of this round Drake and his Shelmet!"
He resisted the urge to smirk as his bug type wobbled back over. A red light engulfed the water bird as she disappeared back into her own device. Locking eyes with the snail Pokémon, he flexed his brow down and he turned back around, his expression falling into a more stoic one.
"Don't let it get to your head-" he instructed. "Keep focused or you'll get caught off guard. I've got a plan to see this battle end now."
"We won't just let you win-" Cameron cried, tossing his next Pokéball out. "Go Dewott!"
He took in the sight of the bipedal, otter-like Pokémon that had a primarily light blue colour. His head was made up off small black ears, a red nose, long white whiskers forming tilted V-shapes and a small mouth in a frown. Two pointed teeth were visible in the upper jaw when he let out a battle cry. A tuft of fur stood up behind the head, like some sort of fin. His forelimbs had three-fingers on each black paw. The feet and flat tail are also black. Around his waist was a large, dark blue, fringed arrangement of fur, with two shells on the thighs. His stance reminded him of Machamp and Pinsir, both skilled close-range fighters.
Pulling the two shells from the thighs, he spun them around in his hand. He had to admit, it was certainly a skilful display. One which you might expect a master martial artist perform. He pulled out his dex and scanned the latest opponent to face:
Dewott, the Discipline Pokémon. The evolved form of Oshawott. Dewott has a studious and stern personality. It masters the use of its scalchops through dedicated, repeated training. It's said that people modelled swordplay after the way Dewott's movements flow like water while it's wielding its two scalchops
"Evolved form of Oshawott..." He mused, putting the device away. "So, this was your starter."
"Sure is!" Camerom beamed, earning a confirmation bark from the water type. "And he's my strongest... but I guess that's obvious."
"Not necessarily-" He shrugged, turning to the bug type. "Focus Shelmet. This one won't be as easy as the last."
"Hello Drake," Iris called out. "Ducklett had a type advantage-"
"And zero experience with Cameron as her trainer." Drake cut her off. "She also previously battled Rufflet, allowing me to see her style. A clear power battle, she exposed the major weakness with it. Once that power is removed, you've got nothing to work with. Give me a utility fighter any day."
"Dew Dewott!"
He smirked, hearing the clear anger in the starter's voice. Narrowing his eyes, he watched closely as his bug type shivered in place. He knew this was going to be an unlikely victory. After all, Shelmet's no master fighter and by his own admission. A purple mark formed over Dewott's face.
"Dewott verses Shelmet!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round five
He watched the pure water type charge forward, spreading both scalchops out to the sides. Radiated with blue energy, they stretched out into the forms of pointed swords. Slamming his shell shut just in time for the discipline Pokémon to strike down. He skidded back but not by much.
A mystic light covered his body. The middle-stage starter continued to strike with the razor-shells in an onslaught.
"It's not working!" Cameron cried. "Switch to water pulse!"
Jumping back across the field, a sphere of water formed between the shells. With a spin on his heel, he tossed it over the field with speed.
"Spikes!" He instructed.
Sharp pointed pins shot out of the armor shell all around. Popping the water pulse, it soaked his bug through as they dived into the ground.
Dewott took a deep breath, blasting a jet of water out of his mouth. It struck Shelmet head on, blasting him back further then Ducklett's did previously.
Green energy radiated off from him and beams of bug energy shot out. Flying over the field, it struck the discipline Pokémon, lowering the intense pressure from the water gun. After a few seconds, it ended once more and Dewott nearly kneeled over, panting heavily.
"What's wrong Dewott?" Cameron asked.
The pure water type wiped his forehead and turned to face the boy. Letting out a cry, he spun around with fury on the ill-ridden face.
"Use acid and line around the field!" He instructed.
Opening his shell, a thick purple liquid shot out. Spraying across the field, it created a U shape with both Pokémon inside.
Covering himself in water, the discipline Pokémon rocketed into the air. Performing a full loop, he shot down towards his bug.
"Protect!" He ordered.
Slamming his shell shut, a green shield formed around him. His opponent crashed into the protect head first, rebounding off onto his back.
"That it for Shelmet, Cilan-" He pulled out his device. "He can't battle any further."
The bug type turned to face him with wide eyes, but he didn't hesitate. Holding the device out, he quickly recalled his latest capture.
"Shelmet has been deemed unable to battle by his trainer!" Cilan declared. "Making the winners of this round Cameron and his Dewott!"
Clipping the device back onto his belt, he quickly swiped the next one. His eyes flickered over to Dewott as he wheezed whilst standing up. Despite being his supposed strongest fighter, the sight of him now really did put that into doubt. He fought the urge to smirk at the sight of his utility approach.
"Who's the kid now, Drake?" Iris asked. "Even I could see that Shelmet could continue. Why pull him out now? What about getting the most out of everyone."
"He could-" He agreed. "But he had sufficiently filled the role I needed him too."
"But substitutions aren't restricted!" Cameron added. "Why not just-"
"A runner has to put themselves through tougher training than that which they'll experience in the actual race," he explained, "I'm not allowing myself the privilege of substitutions during these practice matches to put my mind through a more strategic approach. I'm playing as if they're restricted for me."
"Then let's see what these plans are!" Cameron declared. "We're ready for anything! Right Dewott?!"
"Dew Dewott!"
Despite the determination hidden within the water type's voice, his posture gave a different story. The purple mark was more prominent as sweat washed down his face. His breathing became visible with the stretching his stomach in motion.
"Go Pignite!" He shouted.
With a heavy thud, his own middle-stage starter slammed onto the field. Huffing out ember clouds from his snout, he slapped his stomach in an aggressive manner. Stomping his foot on the ground, his eyes flicked up to see the water type take up his defensive stance more... although clearly worst off.
"Iris!" He called out. "You asked why I didn't keep Shelmet in. The answer is... I didn't need him past this point. Everything is now in place."
Glancing to the side, he noticed her own browl flickered down. He resisted the urge to smirk as he refocused on the field.
"Dewott verses Pignite!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round six
The moment the Cilan started the battle, he called, "flame charge along the acid!"
Stomping his feet onto the ground, a cloud of dust formed around him. The pure water type charged towards him, extending both shells out to the sides as water energy radiated around them. Pignite shot out covered in flames, knocking Dewott over as he ran over the toxic puddle left by Shelmet.
His eyes widened as a wall of fire formed on top of the poison. Pignite skidded to a stop next to the flames with Dewott trapped on the inside.
"Water gun!" Cameron panicked. "Put it out."
When he heard those words, his eyes widened but it was too late. The blast of water struck part of the firewall and it exploded into wider flames.
"You idiot! Don't they teach you anything in Unovan schools?!" He yelled, turning to the side. "Marowak... make sure it doesn't burn down the bridge."
"Maro." He moved off to the site of the explosion.
"Gas fires can't be put out with water!" He yelled. "If you want to put them out, starve them of oxygen!"
"Says the one who set the fire!" Iris retorted, suddenly standing behind him. "What's the point of this anyway!"
"Look-"
He pointed into the middle of the field where Dewott was on his knees. Coughing heavily with rivers flooding down his face. His own Pokémon stood to the side with his arms crossed. Flexing his arm-muscles, he curled up and a shimmer of mystic light covered his body.
"-typing doesn't matter... or not entirely," he replied, "you also need to consider experience... of both trainer and Pokémon. Or the terrain. Finish this Pignite!"
His fire fighting type stood back up and walked over. Picking the discipline Pokémon by the scruff, he lifted him up to the eye level.
Pulling back his fist, it glew with fighting type energy. Thrusting it into his chest, he let go and sent the water type flying.
Soaring through the flames, he skidded to a halt. Lying next to Cameron with swirls replacing his eyes.
"Dewott is unable to battle!" Cilan declared. "Making the winners of this round Drake and his Pignite!"
He smirked seeing the perplexed looks of the humans as the energetic boy recalled his fallen starter. His eyes drifted over to his ground type, who lept into the centre of the field, ushering his first Unovan capture over to his side. The flaming wall continued to rage.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked.
"Wak." He held the bone over his head and began spinning it like a helicopter. A rush of sand flew out and started to cover the flaming wall. The sand soon damped out the fire and buried the poison trail. With a smirk on his face, he walked back over to him and stood by his side.
"And what if I needed that fire for the next match?" he asked.
"Maro."
"I don't get it-" Iris muttered. "What caused Dewott to fall? Shelmet hardly hit him but-"
"Yamask used toxic spikes, remember," he explained, "that inflicted him with poison the moment he entered the battle. Shelmet just resisted his moves whilst it sapped his energy. Getting the field ready for Pignite. Already feeling ill, the intense heat amplified the condition. Making him succumb quicker."
"But what about his razor-shells?" Cameron asked. "They should've overpowered Pignite regardless."
"One... your assuming strength is a constant when Dewott, as I explained, was on his last legs," he explained, "two, this is the power of the terrain. The intense heat limited water vapour. It weakened his own element while increasing Pignite's. Putting the odds in his favour... not to mention, I've been training Pignite for such battle tactics while I imagine your training comes down to whatever you think is cool in each day. I like the odds to always be in my favour."
His eyes narrowed as the kid's expression changed. Cameron pulled out his Pokéball and tossed it. In a flash of light, a Watchog materialised with arms crossed and a scower over the field. Compared to Lenora's, this one was slightly shorter although he seemed taller just by comparing them to their respective trainer's height. Small parts of the normal type also twitched, like the whiskers and tail. Some small explosions caused it to stumble back
"What was that?!" Cameron yelled.
"Remember when Shelmet used spikes?" He smirked. "That was the result. It hurts each Pokémon upon switch in. Same with toxic spikes."
"That's what happened to Dewott?!" Iris yelled. His eyes flickered upon the normal type as a purple mark formed over his face.
"Bingo! Guess you can add one and one together-" He pulled out his Pokédex for a quick refresher on his next opponent:
Watchog, The Lookout Pokémon. The final evolved form of Patrat. When they see an enemy, their tails stand high, and they spit the seeds of berries stored in their cheek pouches. They're very common in all corners of the Unovan state
"Alright Pignite..." He turned to the fire fighting type. "Don't expect help... either way this is the last round so I want to how you handle a fight on your own."
Giving a single, serious nod. His middle-stage starter Pokémon walked out into the field. Slamming both fists together, he let out some aggressive snorts
"Watchog verses Pignite!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Cameron verses Drake: Round seven
He focused his gaze as the fire fighting type stomped onto the ground. The dust clouded surrounded his body and he shot out. Flames covered his body, and he crashed straight into the pure normal type. Knocking Watchog back slightly, the lookout Pokémon stumbled slightly from the blow.
Clenching both fists, they glew with fighting type energy. Punch after punch, he struck with powerful arm thrusts into the upper torso.
Watchog's eyes glew blue and the same colour outlined his body. Sidestepping, he caused the fire pig Pokémon to stumble through his assault.
His front teeth glew and extended out, taking a massive sharp form. He swung his head down and stuck it straight into his back, causing him to cry out.
Swiping his leg underneath, he knocked his fire fighting type onto his stomach. Slipping back across the field, creating distance between them.
"Hypnosis!" Cameron hollered.
Running in front of his fire pig, with glowing eyes. The two locked eyes as Pignite tried to push himself up. A tint of psychic energy radiated from his eyes, but a thick purple cloud blocked the waves as the sounds of coughs echoed from around them. A single ember ball shot out of Pignite's snout.
The cloud turned bright orange and erupted in an explosion. Bathing himself in the flames, he stood back up, re-energized.
Entering a run forward, he jumped and curled up. Rolling over the ground, flames seared off his edge as he picked up speed.
"Bide!" Cameron ordered.
His vision of the two Pokémon became clear through the flames and Pignite struck the leg. Continuing to roll past, he took a wide bereath to turn.
A white light shimmered over the normal types body. His middle stage starter struck his back, knocking him onto all fours as he rolled towards him.
Pignite took another wide berath and started to charge towards the normal type. He wanted to call out a warning but like he warned, he wouldn't be giving him any sort of direction. Win or lose, this will be his chance to see the fire fighting types prowess in battle now he's got some training under his belt.
Watchog opened his mouth and a massive white beam shot out. It struck his fire pig head on and blew him back over the field.
Uncurling through the flight, he skidded over the ground. The bide faded, leaving his first Unovan capture flat on his stomach.
He saw Cilan moving closer to investigate. Watching with a bite on his inner cheek, Pignite's eyes burst open. With grunts of pain, he pushed himself up.
A golden ball came flying over the field. It struck Pignite but seemed harmless other than diluting his pupils. Stumbling forward, he just wobbled in his steps.
Watchog wasted no time in scuttering forward with fairly impressive speed. Tackling into his stomach, he caused his fire fighting type to stumble. Swinging a leg underneath, he tripped him up. Pignite landed flat on his back as Watchog slashed his stomach with a super-fang from his front teeth.
Crying out in pain, a burst of flames came out. Causing the lookout Pokémon to fall backwards, he rolled over into a push up position.
Kicking a heap of sand over the field, it sprayed into his eyes. Squeezing them shut, he spat out the small parts which landed in his mouth, shaking his head.
Sniffing around, he rolled to the side as Watchog lept down where he previous was. The dark energy in his mouth faded as Pignite tackled him over. Straddling the pure normal type, he thrusted his fists down onto his chest a few times before walking off, leaving him in the dirt.
A proud smile covered his face as he panted heavily. Walking towards him, Drake noticed the lookout Pokémon struggling to his own feet.
Turning his head, his ears twitched. Spinning as the normal type came running behind him. He grabbed hold and brought the opponent in with momentum.
Spinning on the spot, he breathed out a coating of flames which covered both of them. Throwing Watchog with the built-up pressure, Pignite went running after him. Curling up into the burning ball, he crashed onto his back and the flames erupted around them both.
Pignite stood up with his face still scrunched up. Leaving the seared normal type flat on his back.
"Watchog is unable to battle!" Cilan declared. "With a Pokémon still able to continue, the winner of the battle is Drake."
Drake walked out over the field with Marowak by his side. His fire pig Pokémon came and met him, whilst he saw Cameron kneeling beside his fallen normal type behind. Looking down on the fire fighting type, he saw his head held high with tweezered brows. Calls from Marowak seemed inflate his ego as his chin thrusted out. The corners of his mouth twitched, as he fought to keep them from turning into a smirk.
Picking up his backpack, he pulled out a bottle of water. Opening it, he slightly poured some over the Pokémon's face. Washing the sand out, he shook his head and blinked as he took in the sight of the world once more. Wiping his paws over his eyes, he turned to look at him.
"Maro Marowak."
"You shouldn't be proud of this performance-" He growled. "Watchog's bide shouldn't have hit you. With a built-up rollout, your fast enough to dodge it and still go back for the finishing blow. Also, your arsenal of close ranged moves lacks variety. Had it been a tougher opponent, you wouldn't have survived."
"Wak!"
"Huh, fine-" he grumbled. "Good job. Enjoy this victory... but get ready because the training only gets tougher from here on out."
Pulling out the Pokéball, he recalled the middle-stage starter. Slinging the backpack onto his back, he glanced around before setting off back down the bridge towards Castelia city. The patter of footsteps alongside gave his moment of rest-bite an end as his two travelling humans appeared beside him.
"What's the big rush?" Cilan asked. "You can't just walk away."
"Actually, I can... I did-" He clarified. "Didn't you see me?"
"What I think Cilan means is-" Iris retorted. "It was rude to just leave without even a goodbye. You battled Cameron-"
"Everything that needed to be said was done so in the battle-" He rolled his eyes. "What use is standing around for... small talk?"
"It's kind-" Iris stomped her foot down.
"Your version of kind just sounds patronising," he replied.
"Now, now-" Cilan interjected. "Calm down you two. I think Drake is just eager to see the big apple. The heart of the Unovan state. Castelia city."
"Specifically, the gym-" He corrected.
"There's far more to the city than just the gym!" Cilan declared. Holding his hands over his heart, he spun out. "Castelia park; liberty island; battle company; trainer hub... there's so much to see we could spend a month and only just scratch the surface."
"You can do it if you want but I'm planning half a day-" he replied, "it's the gym then off to the next one."
"I'm actually on Drake's side with this-" Iris added, "I just find the big cities detached."
"But Castelia is the life blood of our state!" Cilan retorted. "You know what they say, if you can make it here-"
"You've hit rock bottom?" He interjected.
"Har-har, you won't say that when you've experienced the magic of the place-" Cilan replied, "it's the blending mix of all different cultures."
"Better not tell your would-be dictator or he'll build the next wall around it." He smirked.
"Do you have to make jokes about everything?" Iris asked. "I don't like the city either but-"
"I don't have too-" He clarified. "But it's just made so easy. After all, we've reached the place where the inverse ratio between the size of a mouth and the size of a brain reaches its extreme."
"You have no respect-" Cilan uttered.
"Correction, I have no respect for the states," he replied, "you see, respect has to be earned."
"And you have earned respect?" Iris asked.
"You're the ones who decided to travel with me-" He shrugged. "If you don't want to then don't continue on my account."
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