"Ahh.." sighed Kaya. "あついですねApollo!" She gasped, wiping sweat from her brow.
Apollo nodded, his tail wagging furitively in the air. The two had already set off on their journey, eager to see the Academy and its contestants. As they continued to walk, the sun slowly lowered it self until it rested on the mountains. Kaya and Apollo stopped when they saw a small apricorn tree. Just as they settled underneath it, a Psychic came towards them.
"Hello, young trainer..." sneered the Psychic. He obviously was looking for a fight. Kaya looked at the trainer, unblinking. She had gotten used to people looking at her, so she didn't mind. Her mind already knew what he was looking for. Apollo on the other hand, began to growl. The hair on his body began to blister and he went in front of his trainer. The Psychic seemed oblivious to this, his eyes never moving from Kaya. "I was wondering...would you like to have a pokemon battle? It's clearly obvious that you've had training. I'll even make it easier for you. You're Growlithe versus my Abra...deal?" The trainer stuck out his hand. Kaya stood up and gently grasped the Psychic's hand.
"Deal."
...
"Come on Apollo!" shouted Kaya. The battle had been dragging on. The Psychic's Abra was good. It kept on evading Apollo's attacks with Teleport, then countering with tackle.
"Keep it up Abra!" yelled the boy. "He's almost done!"
Apollo growled, but it was a weak one. Kaya looked at Apollo, trying to find a solution. "You can do it Apollo! Use Leer!" She noticed that Apollo's speed was drastically slow compared to his prime, and only now did she realize what had happened. The other trainer obviously had planned his attack, waiting for his opponent to lunge forward, blindy charging. Then, after they have made themselves vulnerable, he attacked. If Kaya had a chance to win this, it was slipping from her grasp. The time was now or never.
"Apollo! Stop moving!" She whispered. Apollo shot her a confused look. "Um, can we have a time out...please?" Kaya asked. The trainer scoffed. Seemingly bored with the fight. "Alright...Abra! Hold! Psh, you're losing anyways, so I guess that's fine..." he mumbled. Kaya motioned for Apollo, and he tiredly shuffled over. "Ok, so here's the plan..." she whispered.
...
"Are you done yet? I need to be home by six, or else there's no dinner for me!" shouted the boy from the opposite side. The sun disappeared from the sky, but light still leaked through the mountain. "Ok, I'm ready!" she managed to say. Kaya turned to Apollo, a bright smile on her face. "がんばって!" (Good luck!)
The two pokemon faced off again, the evening breeze gently blew though, creating a tense atmosphere.
"Go, Apollo!" ordered Kaya.
"Hmph, you're still doing the same thing? What was all that planning for anyways? Abra! Use teleport!"
As the two pokemon did what they were told, the moon replaced its significant other, rising into the sky. However, right when Abra teleported, Apollo stopped. Sniffing around for something, it continued to search. Abra could clearly see its enemy even though it's eyes were closed. Sensing his trianer's next order, Abra charged in...
Suddenly, growlithe was gone. Abra finally broke it's calm composture and looked around frantically, wondering where his opponent went.
"Quick! Apollo, use Bite!" yelped Kaya, finally seeing an opening. Apollo jumped out of the bushes, his mouth a few inches from Abra-SMACK! Instead of biting skin, Apollo's mouth hit the ground. Dazed and hurt, Apollo struggled to stand up right. What? How could I miss!? thought Kaya. I thought I finally got him...
"Ok, well it look's like it's time to wrap things up. Abra, use confusion!" said the boy.
Abra nodded, using all of its power to create the attack. Apollo stood it's ground, clearly aware of the situation. It prepared for the final blow...
"Ahh...sorry for being rude back there, I thought you were a tough trainer." shrugged the boy, gently holding his pokemon. Kaya carried Apollo, knocked out from Abra's move. "Really!? You were bluffing!? And here I thought you were serious..." gasped Kaya, embarrassed for her actions. The boy laughed, clearly he was enjoying the conversation. "Oh, are you sure? Anyways, you were really good for a beginner. I'm a little stronger than you, but I must say, that Growlithe of yours sure has potential."
"Apollo? Yeah, he sure does. If only he's awake to hear that..." chuckled Kaya, playfully ruffling Apollo's fur.
"Well, I'd better go, it's not safe to be around at night."
"Yeah...oh, wait! Do you want to stay at my house for tonight?"
"Eh...? Are you sure? But I don't want to be a bother-"
"No, no! It's fine, I owe you anyways. You fought hard, so you should at least relax."
"Oh, okay...thanks."
The two trainers set off down the road. Tired and excited, they walked towards the direction of the Psychic's house. "Hey, good match." said the boy, extending his hand. "Yeah. Good match," laughed Kaya as she shook the trainer's hand.