Nova woke early the next day, and ran through the morning preparations. 'Today…I think I will give Gyarados some proper training, providing she will listen, of course.' He walked to the front desk, and once again, retrieved his pokemon. 'Gyarados, and Machoke…They did great at the gym and seem really strong, but Houndour…I need to train him some more too', Nova analyzed his pokemon. The sun was still below the horizon, and it was likely it would stay that way for a while. Nova was determined to get a full day of training in today for the competition, he wasn't going to allow time to fly by today.
Waking to the outskirts of Pewter City, Nova released his pokemon. Gyarados shattered the quiet morning with a roar, and moved over to a pool of water, it was surprisingly deep, for she was able to swim in it easily. Machoke stretched his large muscles, then pumped his arm, ready for training. Houndour gave his usual greeting, and Nova began formulating a training plan. Gyarados, in the mean time, was busying herself with launching jets of water into the ground, not only stamping the ground down, but creating more space to swim in. Machoke yawned softly, then turned to Houndour, and began speaking in a relaxed manner. Houndour , who hadn't seen Machoke after he evolved, began grinning after realizing his friend had gotten stronger.
'Let's see…Gyarados looks to have temper problems, We'll have to work that out of her system. Machoke can work on his attack dodge. Houndour…Hm, definitely need to work on his strength, maybe that Fire Blast TM will help some…', Nova pondered. Hearing a deafening blast, Nova looked over in the direction it came from, and discovered a bunch of dust had been kicked up, and when it cleared, the pool of water was much larger then it had been at first. It looked like Gyarados was quite proud of her strength.
"Hey Gyarados! You are definitely strong, It will be fun having you around, I believe!", Nova grinned as he said the last part. She gave an angry roar, then resumed her assault on the earth. As the earth was blasted into the air once more, a surprised cry could be heard this time. "Hey, Hey! Hold up, I don't wanna die yet!"
The voice was all too familiar, and out of the trees came Lucien. Scratching his head sheepishly, he walked over to the group.
"Hey Nova. How have you been since yesterday?", Lucien asked, trying to change the subject.
"Hmm…you were following me weren't you", Nova asked, ignoring the question. Lucien shook his head.
He explained, "You see, I don't really think that it'll be too much fun to travel around by myself. I mean I have my pokemon, but it isn't really the same. And I also notice that you seem to be a pretty good trainer. I also happen to think we get along well, and you seem like a fun person to travel with, is what I'm saying basically. Would you mind if I tagged along?", his reasons seemed pretty solid to Nova, but he couldn't quite agree with Lucien about the good trainer part. He had a ways to go before he got to that status. Still, why deny the praise?
Nova looked over Lucien, he had medium-length, red hair, tied in a pony tail, a white jacket, a pair of dark green shorts, and some gray shoes as well. Nova had to admit, he looked like he was dressed for comfort more then for traveling. Nova thought it would be a good idea to have him around.
"Hmm…I don't see why not! Yeah, that would be fun to travel with someone.", Nova liked the idea of having someone around to talk to. Lucien gave a jump for joy, then, "So, your Machop evolved, huh? And a Gyarados! Wow…you have some impressive pokemon!", Nova grinned at the mention of his evolved friends.
"How about you show off your pokemon, in a battle?", Nova replied. Gyarados and Houndour both cast their gaze on the two trainers, hearing that a battle was afoot. Lucien was looking pressured by the three, and accepted shortly. "Let's do a 2 vs. 2 battle!", Lucien said, "Diglett, and Chimchar, get out here!"
Nova grinned then ordered Gyarados and Houndour to fight. Gyarados roared with excitement, Houndour followed suit. Scanning the new arrival, Chimchar, Nova smirked. He realized that his side had the advantage, and quickly proved it with a water gun from Gyarados. Gyarados was pleased to get the first order of the battle, and let loose a torrent of water from her mouth, and Chimchar was struck by the water, unable to move from its spot, still intimidated by Gyarados.
"Chimchar! Argh, Diglett use rock throw on Gyarados!", Lucien ordered.
"Not gonna work, Lucien! Houndour, use Tackle on Chimchar!", Nova grinned. Houndour gave a delighted bark, then dashed to the small monkey. Chimchar, however, was faster then expected, and sprang away into the trees, long before Houndour even arrived at his previous position. Diglett, in this time, had launched several large stones at Nova's water-dragon. 'Those look a bit bigger then they were last time…has Diglett gotten stronger?', Nova asked himself. The rocks smashed into Gyarados's side, although only causing minor damage, it had angered her. She roared viciously, and orange energy began forming in her mouth; a Dragon Rage was evident. Launching the powerful attack, she roared once more, reveling in the destruction it would cause. Dragon Rage rocketed towards Diglett, and Lucien called out to Diglett. Nova couldn't hear what he said, but Diglett decided to burrow underground, going straight under the attack! As if that wasn't a bad enough surprise, before surfacing, A light shone through the earth, and when Diglett resurfaced, it was no longer a Diglett. "TRIO!"
Nova and Machoke looked at the ground type in surprise, 'It seems to be quite a week for evolving…', Nova thought.
"Alright! How do you like them apples, Nova? You aren't the only one who can evolve his pokemon! Dugtrio, use Rock Throw again!", Lucien said smugly. Dugtrio turned its three heads towards Gyarados and hurled larger stones then before at her. Gyarados knew that this attack wouldn't be simply brushed off, and braced herself for the attack. Gyarados took the attack bravely, but was showing a bit of fatigue after standing through the attack.
"Gyarados, good job holding up! Water Gun!", Nova commanded. Gyarados was only too happy to oblige, and furiously shot out the stream again. Dugtrio dodged underground, although Nova had expected this, and ordered a Dragon Rage right where Dugtrio dug into.
"GYAR!", Lucien cringed slightly at the intense roar, and watched as his pokemon was hit by Dragon Rage.
Dugtrio surfaced, fainted. Gyarados gave a victory roar, then another.
Houndour in the meantime, was having little to no luck getting to the little Chimchar in the trees above his head. The monkey jumped down finally, and slammed his fist into Houndour for a super-effective Mach Punch! Chimchar was panting heavily from the Water Gun earlier, and seemed like it could fall after another attack. Houndour was sent backwards from the force of the attack, although it seemed that it didn't take too much out of him. He was about to give the little Chimchar an ember, when Gyarados roared again. She was getting too pumped up by her victory, and was letting anger take control.
"Gyarados! Take a break!", Nova pulled her pokeball from his belt, and withdrew her to the pokeball. "Lucien, Houndour, let's stop for now. I'm up for a break", Nova said as he walked over to Houndour with Machoke.
"Houndour, here take this. It'll help you out.", Nova said, handing Houndour the Fire Blast TM. He focused on the small orb, then looked up at Nova with a fiery look in his eye. As the orb lost its' color, Nova knew that it had worked. Houndour knew Fire Blast now. Patting him on the head, Nova continued on to Lucien.
"Come on! You gave up, didn't you? You were scared of my Chimchar and my Dugtrio, weren't you!?", Lucien was angered by the battle's end. Lucien walked over to Nova with Chimchar following behind. Throwing three pokeballs into the air, Luciens' team was revealed to Nova. Kirlia, Dugtrio, and a new one; Jigglypuff. Upon seeing the rest of his friends, Chimchar bounded over to them, and began chatting happily to them as Lucien administered a Potion to the injured Dugtrio. Nova sat down at the water's edge, and began reviewing his pokemon through the pokedex again.
From a distance, a set of eyes watched the events unfold…
