Author's Note:
Here it is, a battle chapter and cool down after the Zoroark arc. Not much else to say, we'll get to see more of Drake's complex around father figures and also how he'll use his newest team member in battle. We also get to see an evolution; I wonder who it'll be. Also, happy Easter to everyone who celebrates it, hope everyone has an egg-celent day. Not much else to say, just vote in the poll & with that, let's go...
Chapter twenty-five: Father's Day
The screen faded to black, and Drake stood up, attaching the last device to his belt. Glancing to the side, he found Marowak leaning against the wall with his club. Locking eyes, the ground type stood up and without a word, they began walking back towards the lobby. Their peaceful silence was interrupted by the sounds of arguing. One female voice, familiar while the other was male and not one, he could reconsign.
Stepping into the lobby, he found a forty something, large built man in a navy-grey business suit; short brown hair and the only colour being his red tie, looming over Bianca as her cheeks were red and stained with tears. A crowd surrounded the two of them during the arguement.
"-I'm not telling you to give up on your dream," the man said, holding his hand out.
"I'm staying here!" Bianca declared, tears escaping from her eyes. "I want to stay on my journey!"
"But Bianca," he said, moving closer with open arms. Looking like he was going in for a hug.
"And I'm going to do just that!" She continued, stepping back from his embrace. "You must remember how young you were when you became a trainer."
"That's why I'm so worried," he said, "a journey can be a dangerous thing, ya know. Plasma is right. You and a lot of others could've been hurt badly by-"
"By Plasma!" He raised his voice stepping forward.
"Sorry boy but this is a family matter," he said.
"You wanna bring up what happened yesterday?" he asked. "I was the one who stopped it. Stopped Plasma and the poacher from hurt people yesterday."
"It was Plasma's event which was attacked-" he said.
"Paid for and organised by Ghetsis, the supposed Plasma king," he replied, "it was a publicity stunt to fool mindless fools like yourself into siding with them."
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Drake Ketchum."
"I'm Greg, Drake and I'm Bianca's father," he said.
"Explains a lot," he said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Greg asked.
"Your like every father out there," he said, staring directly into the man's eyes, "arrogant enough to think you'd be suited to the role, so you have a child and without the slightest idea of how to raise one. Treating 'em like property... don't take it personally, all fathers are the same."
"You have no right to talk to me such ways," he said, stepping forward to loom down over him. Marowak stepped between us and held his bone out in a protective manner causing the man to smirk. "Drake, was it... tell me, what is your intentions with my daughter."
"Absolutely nothing..." He stared directly into the man's eyes. "She could walk off a cliff and I wouldn't lose a second of sleep."
"Then why are involving yourself?" he asked.
"I could never put my abusive piece of shit in his place, but I can with you," he replied, "call it therapeutic."
"It sounds like you want to battle?" he asked.
"Best of five-" He smirked. "When I win, Bianca continues on her journey."
"And when I win?"
"Emboar's fly," he replied.
"You need to return home and do your own maturing before another journey," he said, holding his hand out. Looking into his eyes, he reached out and shook his hand. He could easily fly to Kanto, visit home & fly back within a week. It's hardly a big deal given the lacks terms on his side of the deal.
The crowd began to move outside towards the battlefields, and they followed suit. His uncle and travelling companions moved beside him as they followed.
"Drake... are you sure about this?" Uncle G asked.
"Absolutely," he replied. "Cilan, you can do the honours."
Making it outside, they each took a side on the respective battlefield with Cilan on the ref's stand. The crowd surrounding them was decently sized too.
"This'll be a best of five battle between Greg from Nuvema town and Drake from Pallet town!" Cilan declared. "No time limit and substitutions will be made between each round. As the initial party offering the battle, Greg shall reveal his Pokémon first then we'll switch each subsequent round."
"You have a lot of nerve to challenge my abilities as a father like you have so it'll be a good chance to teach you some manners-" He produced a Pokéball in hand. "You see, when I was your age. I won the Unovan Pokémon league! Yellow Thunder, my Galvantula, you're up!"
In a flash of light, a yellow arachnid Pokémon appeared. The body consisted of a head and abdomen which were yellow on the top and a light purple underneath. Two large, blue, forward-facing eyes with black pupils; and four, smaller simple eyes sitting in a two by two pattern made up the head. He had two long pedipalps connected from the underside of the head, which were blue and hairless on the lower half. The body was covered in fur which sizzled with electricity. Four tufts of hair sprouted from under the abdomen and grew upwards. Two large tufts sprouted from the left and right of the rear, while two smaller one's sprouted from either side. Some of the fur on the back was light purple and with three thick, yellow stripes running up towards its behind. He only had four legs; unlike other arachnid species he had seen. Each leg was connected to the head and upper body. He pulled out his Pokédex:
Galvantula, the EleSpider Pokémon. The evolved form of Joltik. It launches electrified fur from its abdomen as its means of attack. Opponents hit by the fur could be in for three full days and nights of paralysis.
"You're not looking so confident now," Greg said with a smirk and arms folded.
"Maro?" his ground type asked.
"Not yet," he whispered, pulling a device off his belt. "You know Greg, in chess, the pawns go first. Shelmet, time to set the stage."
In a flash of light, his pure bug type materialised on the floor. The size difference between the two bugs were evident but he knew what he was doing. He can afford two losses and still win. Shelmet isn't one of the Pokémon he expects to win... just prepare the field for the rest of the match.
"Shelmet vs Galvantula." Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Drake verses Greg: Round one
He watched Galvantula's front fangs lifted up and a condensed beam of electricity shot out of the arachnids mouth. The charge beam struck his own bug type and sent him flying over the field. Landing on his side as the beam faded. A second charge beam shot out in quick succession.
"Mud slap," he said.
Shelmet's body flicked up sending a heap of dirt in the way. It intercepted the charge beam and dispersed it as he wobbled back into a standing position.
Shaking on the spot and a series of pins shot up into the sky. They rained down over the field and into the ground.
Galvantula shot out a thick string shot which expanded into a web as hit shot forward. It was like some sort of hand reaching out to grab him.
His pure bug type slightly opened the armor body, and a squirt of purple liquid shot out. The acid hit the sticky web and dissolved it before it landed.
Greg's electric bug type shot forward, radiating with dark type energy. With a swipe of the leg, he delivered a sucker punch, sending his own Pokémon flying.
The snail Pokémon shot out another wave of spikes in his flight path. He crashed onto the floor and skidded to a stop.
Sparks generated around the arachnid Pokémon and a wave of electricity shot out. A protect shield burst up around his bug, blocking the discharge.
"Keep going," Greg said, "they can't keep protect forever!"
He smirked as another discharge echoed out from the bug electric type. His own Pokémon clamped up and vibrated within the shield. As the protect faded, so did the discharge. Looking towards Galvantula, bug type energy manifesto over the arachnid, the infestation blocking the electrical charge.
Greg's EleSpider Pokémon charged forward in another sucker punch. Stopping right in front Shelmet, a snooze bubble popped in his face.
The dark type energy failed to manifest, and he clamped himself shut. A shimmering mystic light covered his bug type as his opponent stumbled back.
Falling onto his side, the larger bug fell asleep. "Let yourself loose. Feel free and try to finish this."
His bug type nodded and shot up a final layer of spikes. Flicking the armored body in the ground, mud slaps flung into Galvantula's face. Balls of green energy flew out of the larger duel bug type and into his snail Pokémon. His infestation continued to drain their opponent, bit by bit as he slept.
"Wake up!" Greg yelled. "You need to wake up right now!"
Galvantula's eyes burst open, and the electric bug type let out a loud screech. Shelmet stopped in his tracks. A condensed beam of electricity struck him.
Sending his bug type flying, a string shot fired and caught him mid-air. Pulling him back like pray, he raised a leg which glew purple with poison type energy.
Smashing it straight into his pure bug type, Shelmet went flying over the field. Landing on his side, half open with swirls in his eyes.
"Shelmet is unable to battle-" Cilan declared. "Giving the first victory to Greg."
Pulling out the Pokéball, he quickly recalled the fallen bug and clipped the device back to his belt. Scowering the field, he watched Greg do the same with a wide smile on his face. He did his best to remain stoic, not letting up that he expected Shelmet to lose... he did pull off the one thing he needed though.
"Please Drake, stop this already!" Bianca cried. "I'll give up, return home! You can't put yourself on the line like this!"
"Back off," he said, barely giving her a sidewards glance. "This battle is mine and mine alone.
"Let me ask you something, why are you risking so much on having a battle for Bianca?" he asked. "Drake you're a total stranger. It shouldn't matter either way if Bianca continues on her journey or goes back home with me. What do you have to gain?"
"Typical Unovan, never listening-" He produced his next Pokéball. "I'm not doing it for Bianca. I couldn't care less about her. I'm doing it because I know an arrogant arse parading himself as a decent father figure and people always get hurt by your lot. Your defending Plasma yet they kidnapped your daughter back in the dream yard. The same daughter you claim to love now. Hypocrite! All you father's, your all the same."
"Drake-" Bianca said, barely above a whisper as Iris pulled her back into the crowd.
"What do you mean?" Greg asked. "Bianca what happened in the dream yard?"
"Enough talk-" He held his Pokéball out and it burst open. "Cofagrigus, stand by for battle!"
His pure ghost type materialised and slammed down onto the floor. His shadow limbs extended out with a cackling laugh which sent shivers down the spine.
"If that's the way you want it then so be it!" Greg tossed his next Pokéball. "Red Flash, my Darmanitan, it's your turn!"
In a flash of light, their next opponent materialised, and a series of explosions erupted over their feet. Stumbling back and hidden by the smoke, it took a few moments for him to take in their next opponent. A primarily red, squat, ape-like Pokémon. He had long, bushy flame eyebrows that curl at the base, and round, black-ringed eyes. The upper portion of his tanned-face was separated from the lower portion by a diagonal red stripe, and his largemouth sported sharp spiked teeth. All the facial features gave the impression of a manic or angered expression. The head had no discernible neck to distinguish it from the rest of the body and it rounded back, which culminated in a stubby tail. He had long arms with spiky hair-fringes on the wrists and large tan hands, with a similar arrangement for the hind limbs. He pulled out his Pokédex and scanned their opponent:
Darmanitan, the Blazing Pokémon. The final evolved form of Darumaka. Its internal fire burns at two-thousand-five-hundred degrees fahrenheit, making enough power that it can destroy a dump truck with one punch. While incredibly dangerous, they're also fiercely loyal for friends
"What the hell was that?" Greg asked. "You need to cheat and get in a cheap shot before the match started?"
"Guess again," he said, "Shelmet set up spikes throughout the battle now each subsequent round you'll need to deal with it."
"Tricks-" he said in a disapproving tone.
"Tactics," he said, "surely you didn't think I'd expect Shelmet to beat a Galvantula, one-on-one. Now we've made ourselves clear, it's time we got on with it."
His ghost type let out another cackling laugh as their opponent stomped the ground. Clearly getting angered by either one or both of them.
"Cofagrigus verses Darmanitan!" Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Drake verses Greg: Round two
His pure ghost type shot out a series of purple stingers which rained down. Entering the floor like Shelmet's spikes did prior.
He watched as a searing flamethrower shot out over the field and his ghost type dived into the floor. A shadow formed on the ground, and it shot across with great speed. Jumping up out of the ground, it knocked the pure fire type with a heavy blow. Stopping his flamethrower in its tracks.
Shaking his body, a manic grin covered his face. Holding his open palm out, he moved his fingers in a taunting manner.
Cofagrigus eyes glew red and black beams with red out lines shot out. The zigzagged night-shade struck the ground, but Darmanitan jumped.
Spinning through the air, the blazing Pokémon dodged with superior mobility. His ghost continued to launch an onslaught of attacks.
Summersaulting over the coffin Pokémon, he smashed down onto the ground. A seismic shake echoed out and struck his ghost type.
Tensing up through the bulldoze, it seemed his ghost type was stuck. Darmanitan used the opening and slammed his fists against his chest while letting out a wild battle cry. A red outline surrounded the physical powerhouse as the bulldoze slowed to a stop. A light broke off from Cofagrigus' outline.
"Haze then hide and seek," he said.
A white mist escaped from the golden case body. It blocked both Pokémon from sight, becoming nothing more than shadows themselves.
Darmanitan let out a loud cry and the white mist turned red. Flames rose up revealing the fire type alone on the field.
"They're hiding in the ground!" Greg shouted.
Leaping into the air, the ape-like Pokémon dove into the ground. He struggled to stop the smirk from forming over his face as the two Pokémon came flying out, his ghost type on top and the fire type flying up underneath with a fist out. The corner of his lips flicked upwards at the sight.
"Checkmate," he said, "time to hurry this up Cofagrigus."
Reaching down with the shadow hands, he dragged the fire type up. Opening the coffin body, he stuck the fire type inside and slammed shut.
Seconds later, Darmanitan broke out and the two landed on the floor. A red barrier showing his sheer force overtaken by mummy.
Turning on a heel, Greg's blazing Pokémon's fangs foamed with dark type energy. Charging forward with an open mouth, ready to bite.
Cofagrigus shot out a single red beam from his eyes and it struck the fire type. The dark energy disappeared, and he stumbled forward as his ghost released a powerful psychic wave. The ESP picked him up and blew him back. Levitating in air for a couple seconds, he slammed him up and down like a basketball.
With a final blow back, he released his psychic hold on their opponent. Skipping over the ground, Darmanitan came to a stop with swirls in his eyes.
"Darmanitan is unable to battle." Cilan declared. "Giving the round to Drake."
He quickly pulled out his Pokéball and recalled his ghost type. Clipping it back onto his belt and he noticed Greg crouched beside his fire type.
"You miscalculated," he said, "correct, you may have won the Unovan league but I'mma predict you were a teen like most winners. It's unlikely one wins their first conference. However, that was many years ago. I'm also going to guess that since your business ventures, you've not kept up with your battling or even training. In which case, they are far from their league winning condition. My team likely has more recent experience thus better shape."
The old man looked back with a scowl. Recalling his fallen partner and returning to his trainer's box.
"We'll see who miscalculated." He snarled. "Cosmic Feather, Sigilyph, you're up!"
In a flash of light, a multicoloured, totem pole-like Pokémon materialised. A single cyan eye on the stick where the head should be. With two similar-looking eyespots on the body. The base was mostly black with a green zigzag pattern in the middle and the black pattern surrounded by green. A pair of wings and a long tail-like appendage that were yellow with blue and red stripes on each of the feathers. Two black 'feet' with three toes on each stuck out to the side of the body. Drake pulled out his Pokédex and scanned the newest opponent:
Sigilyph, the avianoid Pokémon. Psychic power allows these Pokémon to fly. Some say they were the guardians of an ancient city. Others say they were the guardians' emissaries. A discovery was made in the desert where Sigilyph fly. The ruins of what may have been an ancient city were found beneath the sands
"Interesting," he said, putting the device away. He picked up his device and whispered to the device before holding it out. "You're up!"
In a flash, his fire fighting type appeared on the field. Hopping back and forth from one foot to the other, clearly energetic for the battle.
"Your just handing me the match with this choice." Greg laughed. "It seems you're the one to miscalculate."
"Looks can be deceiving," he said.
Stopping in his jumping, a mischievous laugh echoed from Pignite. Causing Iris and Cilan to quirk there eye brows up.
"Pignite verses Sigilyph." Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin!"
Drake verses Greg: Round three
His Pokémon charged forward and leapt, curling into a ball. Rocketing down the field, he noticed the mysterious bird floating up. His rolling Pokémon jumped up and crashed into Sigilyph and they flew up further into the air. She tried to shake off the unwanted passenger but to no avail.
"Psychic and throw it off?!" Greg yelled.
The eyes on the golden bird glew bright blue but it just wove over his Pokémon. Sigilyph began shaking but couldn't knock off her passenger.
Pignite's eyes glew bright red and a hint of dark type energy shot out. Although it quickly morphed into a flamethrower from the snout.
Sigilyph crashed into the floor and a fiery ball landed on top of her. Both Pokémon became nothing but shadows through the heat-haze.
"Fire wall and cut them off!" He ordered, his Pokémon's shadow morphing slightly.
Stomping the ground, a wall of fire erupted in a circle around them. It was now difficult to make out anything but orange... although it wasn't hot.
"Gust and extinguish those flames!" Greg said with a raised voice.
A powerful wind erupted, and the flames diminished into nothing... his Pignite was no-longer visible either, but Zoroark was.
"What the heck!" Greg yelled. "What sort of trickery is this?!"
"Zoroark is an illusionist... completely legit," he said, "so I'll ask again, are you sure I miscalculated?"
His newest team member shot out another night-daze which knocked the golden feathered bird back. Entering a run, her claws extended to the side and glew with dark type energy. Clearing the short distance, she delivered a series of swipes which kept knocking their opponent back.
"Dazzling gleam!" Greg yelled.
As the mystical bird glew bright with fairy type energy, his dark type dived into the ground. The dazzling gleam shone bright but harmless to Zoroark.
Leaping up on the far side of the field, she barked and launched a series of swift stars. Travelling over the field, they struck Sigilyph in the back.
Skidding down into the floor, the bird stopped and lay motionless. His dark type landed and walked back over towards him.
"Sigilyph is unable to battle." Cilan declared. "Giving the round to Drake."
His illusionist stood before him with a mischievous smile and glint in her eye. A look of pride spread over every fur on her body as he watched the grown man behind return his fallen bird. He frowned as he returned his eye line to meet her's.
"Your flames looked real, but they lacked heat," he said, "that sort of mistake would've given away your trick prematurely. You got the look down, but you need to master the other senses too... touch, smell, sound... all of them."
Her expression fell to a more serious one and he gave a small nod. Holding out her device, she disappeared in a red light.
"Your trickery won't help you again!" Greg said with a raised voice.
"Your already down two," he said, unclipping his next Pokéball, "one more loss and this is over. Your turn, Blitzle!"
In a flash of light, his female electric type materialised on the field. Scrapping a hoove on the floor, she shook her mane, and it sparked with electricity.
"And this one is all ours-" Greg held his next device out. "Tsunamic Force, Seismitoad, you're up!"
A bulky, aquamarine-blue, bipedal toad-like Pokémon landed with a small seismic shake echoing out. His stomach and bumps found on various parts of their body were cyan with thick black edges. Each hand and foot had three bulbous digits. His eyes were red, with an unamused frown over the face. Heavy breathing raised and expanded his stomach. A long tongue visible within his mouth.
Small explosions erupted by his feet and his arms raised to cover his face. As the entry hazards settled, he lowered them, revealing a purple mark over his face. Smirking at the sight, he pulled out his Pokédex and scanned his latest opponent:
Seismitoad, the vibration Pokémon. The final evolved form of Tympole. They shoot paralyzing liquid from their head bumps. They use vibration to hurt their opponents. It increases the power of its punches by vibrating the bumps on its fists. It can turn a boulder to rubble with one punch
"Alright," he uttered, putting his device away. He was hoping to test out his timid electric type prior to the gym but he's almost certain it'll go to the last round now. "Blitzle, you're electricity won't work. We're going to need to work around this."
She nodded and lowered her head. Her body charged and electrical flashes shone through her stripes.
"Blitzle verses Seismitoad." Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin."
Drake verses Greg: Round four
Upon starting, his electric type took off in a gallop over the field. Picking up speed, she disappeared in a blink. Slamming into the amphibian Pokémon with great speed, she stumbled back due to the weight imbalance. Stumbling in her stance, she shook her body from the recoil.
Seismitoad wound a fist back and punched her in the chest. Knocking her back across the field, skidding on her hooves from the drain punch.
"Double team!" he said.
Strengthening her stance, a mystic glow covered her coat and soon several Blitzle covered the field. Each running around in a circle around Seismitoad.
The water ground lurched up a blast of toxic purple liquid from his mouth. It sprayed into the herd, but the Blitzle it hit vanished as a copy.
One by one they shot across the circle and clipped his side. Causing the vibration Pokémon to continue to spin to try and catch each of them.
"Earthquake!" Greg shouted.
With a small jump, the water ground type slammed down onto the ground. Seismic waves echoed across the floor and blew every Blitzle out. The copies disappeared but the real one leap over the single shock. Racing towards the opponent from his blind spot.
Stopping just before her opponent, she reared up onto her hind legs. Fighting type energy surged her hooves and slammed into a wart on his back.
Spinning on the spot, he knocked her over and she skidded on her side. With a leap, the water ground type smashed down on her body.
Crying out in pain, her body glew bright white and her evolution begin. Growing in size, the opponent stumbled back, and she stopped glowing, standing up to reveal her full new appearance. She was the same black with white stripes pattern. She grew and basically tripled in size. There was one-pointed stripe extending from her nose, two elaborate stripes on her neck and chest, one zigzag stripe on each jaws, back, and hindquarters, one triangular stripe on each of her thighs, and two stripes banding each of her legs. Her ears were triangular with blue insides, while her eyes were blue with yellow sclerae and while eyelashes. Her nose was black, and her hooves were grey. A while, spiked mane runs the length of her body, beginning with two horn-like extensions on her forehead and running down her back, which ended in a long tail with a starburst-shaped tip. He pulled out his Pokédex and scanned her:
Zebstrika, the Thunderbolt Pokémon. The final evolved form of Blitzle. They have lightning-like movements. When Zebstrika run at full speed, the sound of thunder reverberates. When this ill-tempered Pokémon runs wild, it shoots lightning from its mane in all directions
Type: Electric
Ability: Motor Drive
Hidden Ability: Sap Sipper (Note: This hidden ability is currently locked)
Gender: Female
Nature: Modest (Note: This nature could change when/if this Pokémon evolves)
Move(s): Quick attack, tail whip, charge, ion deluge, thunder wave, tail whip, shock wave, flame charge, pursuit, spark, stomp, double kick, double team, agility, sand attack, discharge, swift
Swinging her head around, a series of stars shot out. Striking Seismitoad's face, he lifted his arms to block the onslaught.
Running forward, she repeated her double kick onto his blocking arms. This time knocking him back slightly as she landed back on all four.
The warts on Seismitoad's back glew bright purple and a thick wave of toxic sludge expelled from his body. Washing out in all directions, the sludge wave knocked his electric type back. She lay on her side and swirls replaced her eyes as the sludge came to a stop, her opponent walking back to Greg.
"Zebstrika is unable to battle." Cilan declared. "Making the victor Greg."
He pulled out his Pokéball and recalled the fallen electric type. Gripping the ball, he considered the electric type. He never expected her to win this particular match, but he certainly expected better especially after her evolution. The real question now is whether she'll take part in the gym battle.
"What do you say now, kid!" Greg called out, recalling his water ground type. "When your tricks run out, you can't handle us with real strength!"
"I suggest you stop throwing stones before leaving your glass house," he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Maro!"
"We both know your little ground type is next," he said, revealing his next Pokéball. "Royal Florae, Serperior! Your turn!"
In a flash of light, a primarily pale green, serpentine Pokémon appeared. Small explosions erupted beneath her and a purple mark formed on the face, which was mostly white along with the throat, while her back were dark green. Curled, mint-coloured patterns extended into the white portions of her face, and she had narrow red eyes. Her lower jaw were two fangs visible when she opened her mouth. Two pointed yellow extensions on the back of her head. Coiled, dark green extensions spread out from the sides of her lower neck, forming a curving pattern lower down the body. Her body lacked any form of limbs but just below her neck were two small leaf's like arms on either side of her body, which were folded behind her back. She had curved yellow markings around the middle and several palmate leaves where on the tip of her tail. He pulled out his Pokédex and scanned the clear grass type:
Serperior, the Regal Pokémon. The final evolved form of Snivy. An intimidating gaze and majestic appearance have caused this Pokémon to be known as the Lord of the Forest. It generates energy from sunlight, then amplifies that energy dozens of times within its long body
"Final evolved form of Snivy," he said, "so I'm assuming this is your starter?"
"Correct," he said with a smirk, "so now you have a choice. Admit defeat or send in your little friend to an unwinnable battle."
"I'm under no obligation to use Marowak," he said, tapping through his Pokédex before using it to switch one of his Pokéballs. Taking the new device in his hand, he lifted it to his lips and whispered, "make a scene and scare them."
Holding his device out, it burst open, and his own starter materialised on the field. With a loud, ear burst roar as his fiery tail raised up, wings flaring. He noticed the grass type shrink slightly in her stance and even Greg took an apprehensive step back.
His starter stopped and turned his head to the side. Their eyes met and he asked un-spoken question.
"Make this quick and win," he said.
A smile flickered upon his lips, and he turned back to the grass starter. Moving into a crouch, his fangs flared as his long tongue licked them.
"Charizard verses Serperior." Cilan declared. "Let the battle begin."
Drake verses Greg: Round five
His starter rushed just above the field in a glide. His fangs burning with fire as he closed in. Her tail coming in with a steel sheen. Grabbing it with one clawed hand, he pushed it back and snapped his fire fang attack around her neck.
Flicking his tail down, the fiery tip ignited the remaining sludge. Rocketing up into the air with his prey helpless in his grip.
Brown seeds shot up above him and he came to a stop about the height of a small skyscraper. Breathing a flamethrower through his fire fang.
Exploding the seed bombs before they came close to hitting. Serperior used the moment of reprieve to manuvers her body around him.
With a bright red glow, his heat wave radiated off his body prevented her from tightly restricting him. Pulling her off, he dropped her from the height.
Flapping his wings, the heat wave shot down and crashed her into the fiery sludge. Diving down after her, he landed with a heavy thud.
Stalking closer with loud steps, the weakened serpentine Pokémon lifted her head. Two red beams shot out and struck his fire flying type.
Stopping in his tracks with static over his body. The grass type opened her mouth with dragon flames spewing out to the side.
"Now we're talking," Greg said with a confident smirk, "your dragon might be tough but he's not invisible."
The dragon pulse shot out and hit his starter. Blowing him back, his clawed feet struggled through the paralysis and gripped the floor.
"You'd be right..." he said, "if Charizard was a dragon... checkmate."
A white flame with tints of yellow and orange flickered within his mouth. Shooting out, the inferno bomb skipped over the dragon pulse. Striking the grass type, it exploded upon impact and brought her dragon pulse to an end. An intense heated wind blew out in a shockwave.
Looking around, every spectator covered from the blast, including Greg. His starter acting like a shield to protect himself from the blast.
As the inferno faded, Greg's charred grass type slumped forward. A silence echoed as the red light retrieved her from the flames.
"Serperior is unable to battle." Cilan declared. "Making the overall victor, Drake from Pallet town."
His ground type rushed forward and used his terrain manipulation to extinguish the field. While the fire flying type skipped to the side of the fire-pit.
Walking around the edge of the field, he stopped just in front of Charizard. Watching, his opponent stopped a few steps away.
"Well... take it personal," he said, "you're Pokémon are certainly experienced but without recent training, it's like memories of what once was."
"You might have won but that doesn't mean I'm wrong," he said, "it is dangerous out there in the wild."
"It's dangerous everywhere," he said, "personally, I'd take the risk of the wild over that of an abusive arsehole pretending to be a dad."
"I'm a good dad!" He raised his voice but a growl from his starter prevented him moving closer.
"You hope that by telling yourself that, it might someday be true," he said, "but if your being honest, there's no such thing."
"You truly believe there's no good fathers?" he asked, his tone sounding deflated rather than defiant.
"I wouldn't be so stronghold on your opinions-" A female voice announced.
Turning to the source, he found a tall female in her twenties. Blonde hair in a bowl cut with a slit through her right side, while it hung low in the back. She had a pair of headphones on with two long cables dangling down by her feet. She was dressed in a long slim yellow sleeveless dress with black arrows down her front. Along with her baby blue eyes, she matched all criteria for conventional beauty... not that he cared, he wasn't his brother who'd throw all caution to the wind for a supposedly attractive blonde-hair, blue-eyed girl.
"My name is Elesa. I'm the Nimbasa city gym leader," she said, "I also happen to be a model."
"A model?" he asked. "I'd be surprised if your view of fathers weren't as strong as my own."
"You know, there are many people in this world," she said, "there are people whose way of thinking may be completely different from yours. Sometimes, this means you may get hurt."
"I'm not hurt because your all blind to the truth," he said, "annoyed, but not hurt."
"But it's important to keep trying, to learn about the differences between yourself and others... To learn that being different is okay. And you shouldn't worry," she said, turning towards Greg, "trainers always have Pokémon at their side. Pokémon are wonderful. It's not only how cute they can be, but also how much you can depend on them..."
"I'm not denying that," Greg said, "but it's also dangerous. I'm just concerned for my daughters safety."
"Course-" Drake rolled his eyes. "It's not just because you lost your control over her."
"I'm sure he travelled as a Trainer himself, in the past..." She looked towards them. "Being a parent must be hard."
"It's something he picked to do," he said, "so I have little sympathy."
"Did I meddle unnecessarily?" she asked, "you both looked troubled, so I decided to chime in. If it'll help, I'm more than happy to host you and your daughter so you can both properly put your own thoughts and feelings across towards each other... if you'd like to take me up on that offer."
"I appreciate the chance to talk," Bianca said, stepping forward.
"Thank you," Greg added, moving to give his daughter a hug.
"And Drake, I believe your challenge has already been scheduled for tomorrow?" she asked, to which he nodded. "Good. A heads up, you'll need three Pokémon and it'll be a rotation style battle... and we can each select one member of the other's team... I pick your Zebstrika, she intrigues me."
"Right," he said, "and I pick your strongest Pokémon. Whichever that ends up being."
"We'll be ready and waiting." She smiled.
"Make sure you are," he said, "the Unovan gyms up to this point have been... disappointing."
"Hey!" Cilan objected.
"Truth hurts," he said, turning and heading into the centre.
His companions and uncle were following behind with the ground type beside him. Ideas of who'll join Zebstrika in tomorrow's battle rushing through his head, although he also realised, he'll be best researching what precisely a rotation style battle entails. It's always best to be prepared.
Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...