"So which one ya want?"
Strey was twirling Chowbow's ear with her fingers as the sweet pup gazed at the stones with a happy pant. After the brief meeting with Professor Holloway Strey was sent on her way towards the stone bazaar. Her heart was still beating happily at this new pokemon and was just as eager as the adaptable pokemon about evolution. Only, despite Strey's yearning to choose one of the many options for evolution, she knew this was not her decision.
"Choo," Chowbow growled softly, licking his maw in thought. Golden eyes glanced between the gems before finally landing on the baby blue gem. "Bow," the normal type barked strongly, nudging the gem toward Strey.
"So you've chosen an Ice Gem, eh?" The owner of the store was Professor Holloway's brother. He was a rather large version of the professor with much darker skin and hard looking hands. His honey brown eyes, however, were the softest feature about him. "Tell ya what, since sissy sent ya on ova how's about I give you a discount?"
"Right on," Strey thanked, only to have a near heart attack at the actual amount she still had to pay. She just had to remind herself that she often spent over 1500 on a night out with gals and this was far more important that booze. It was for a living creature in her care. Strey gave her Chowbow a large grin and was awarded with a lick. "C'mon, you," Strey cooed. "We gotta get you trained up before that jewel has any effect on you."
"Choww!" Chowbow howled in agreement, fluffy curled tail wagging.
- - - - - - -
"Well hello there, cutie," Strey cooed. Her eyes must be hearts as she gazed at the purple cat pokemon, its fur like wisps of smoke. "Where is your grave, sweet thing?" Strey and Chowbow had made it to the park. It was a desolate place, dead grass and empty trees making up the place. An elegant fountain of twirling Milotic was at the center of Central Park, its dried and dirtied feature making it look much older. "Is this your graveyard?" Strey mused as she gazed about the near empty park. People as worn looking as the park littered about in small numbers, some looking like they were here for
more than a stroll in the park.
"Graaaa," the Gravate purred, stretching fully and friendly sniffing at Chowbow. "Vate." And then Strey got a curious sniff. "Vttteee!" the ghost cat purred as Strey scratched heartily at the underside of its jaw and up over purple ears.
"You are definitely not a wild," Strey mused at the overly friendly pokemon. Her heart skipped a beat as she thought of home. Gravate were known to wander cemeteries and play with the spirits of children, or at least that's what Strey grew up knowing. Gravate were rather common in her home town as it had quite the cemetery. Strey had partied a few times too hard and had woken up snuggled to the graves with a Gravate curled protectively around her. They were good pokemon.
"No, she definitely not a wild," a sudden voice sang.
"Arceus's Realm!" Strey startled. She swirled around quickly and took in the newcomer, actually blinking a few times to see if she was actually staring at this sweet looking young woman. She twirled black as ink hair with a finger and smiled charmingly; blinking the most stunning blue eyes Strey had ever seen. They made her think of flying through cloudless skies and going into the deepest of depths. "Who the fu… uh, this Gravate is yours?" Strey corrected herself. She eyed this newcomer, taking in her long, sunflower yellow dress with sewn Sunkern dancing across her hem and the rather impressive amount of pokeballs clipped on a makeshift side belt. This girl may have a sweet aura about her but she was by no means someone to turn a blind eye on.
"Yes, she's my travelling partner." No one should look this bright and beautiful in the decaying park with shady people creeping about behind the bushes. Although, and as Strey continued to stare at the five pokeballs, she wondered who would really be the one in danger. "My name is Willow."
"Strey," Strey responded, smiling back. There was just something about this girl that put her at ease. "I'm kinda surprised to see another trainer, actually. There doesn't seem to be much of us left." In fact, didn't the Professor mention that they were a dying breed and that there were only a select few?
At their feet Chowbow and Gravate were beginning to tussle playfully. Gravate looked like an amused older sibling and was rolling onto her back a lot more than Chowbow could really handle in a real battle.
"There aren't," Willow answered softly, her eyes downward. Strey cringed at how easily this woman wore her emotions. Chowbow was beginning to bark competitively, Biting down on the wispy fur and causing the purple cat to shake about in an attempt to unlatch those incisors. It's amused look never faded. "We are becoming a rare breed." Her eyes reflected her pokemon's mood, both trainer and pocket monster feeling the energy of battle.
"Rare as a legendary," Strey quipped. By now Gravate had rolled Chowbow off her back, tail whipping back and forth as sharp claws struck the young pup in a more chastising mood. Chowbow yelped soundly, looking for Strey for help. Amused, Strey gave her pokemon a smile that showed her growing love for this new pokemon in her life. "Get her," Strey said quietly, encouragingly. "You can do this." Enthused, Chowbow chased after the ghost cat with yet another a Bite.
Willow laughed in a singsong tone. "Go on, love," she encouraged her own pokemon, enjoying the playful tussle of elder pokemon against youngling. "Show that wily pup what you've got." Meowing happily, Gravate turned mischievous red eyes back on the Growling Chowbow, ears pressing back for a moment from the terrifying sound. Shaking herself, fire ignited from the whispy fur, floating hauntingly around the ghost cat as if in dance. Willow turned her attention back to Strey, watching the other trainer intently. "You think someone might want to capture us?" her tone was teasing, referring to their early joke.
It was enough for Strey to bark out a laugh even as the ghostly blue fire balls enflamed her own pokemon, the golden pup yelping more in shock than pain, wincing in amazement as his paws soon were covered in burn marks. "Let's hope not," she answered seriously. "They would need a master ball!" The two girls giggled. Chowbow now actually angered reared up with another Growl, burns sapping energy. "You're ok," Strey encouraged to her pokemon, "just a little burn. You're stronger than some status condition."
Chowbow nodded determinedly, mouth shutting with a snap to soothe the Growl before rushing forward. Shadow Ball blasted toward him, the pup dodging expertly. Strey noticed with warmth that the ghost cat was training her pokemon in defense and doding. Gravate purred loudly, tail high in the air as she crouched low, purple form jumping smoothly over the incoming pup. "Graa." Swiping fast, golden fur was ripped from the crying Chowbow, claw marks visibly appearing. Enraged once more, pup no longer playing despite Gravate's good natured mood. Howling louder than Strey had yet to hear, Chowbow leapt toward that flicking tail, Biting down with a strength that had both trainers wincing in sympathy for the ghost cat as she yowled even louder than her attacker. Gravate was a scattering mess, jumping this way and that, bottom shaking and tail whipping to dislodge Chowbow.
Willow raised a red and white monster ball to return Gravate in the beam of red energy, Chowbow falling to the ground as his grip no longer had anything physical. The two trainers exchanged grins, this time a fire burning between them once the mock battle was over. Now they were itching for something more, the trainer song of battle calling them. Willow waited until Strey had returned Chowbow before raising her next pokeball, the two girls staring each other down. As one, as if some unknown count down had been issued, the young women tossed their spheres. Red light brightened the dead park, two forms coming too.
Deviter appeared just like she did as a Sprian. Claws twitching eagerly and tail wagging, only now as much more mature and lengthy pokemon her spiked tail whipped the ground with such a force rubble came up and she turned long horns towards her foe. The most stunning, Strey thought, as she hadn't even imagined, were the stocky sharp wings flicking stiffly as if trying to take flight. The devious pokemon curled low, purring a sound that was childish and evil, promising pain in the most fun way possible.
On Willow's end a stocky purple bat appeared, tiny arms twitching amongst white fur that looked very warm and fluffy. Those long, sharp wings, however, were nothing to scoff at, and it proved so by jumping immediately in the air and hovering in place. Deviter hissed agitatedly, sharp wings picking up speed but still not lifting the lengthy pokemon from the ground. Amused by the lack of skill with flight, and without even bothering to wait for a command, the new bat pokemon swiped her wings forward powerfully, strong wind blasting from the force and sending Deviter skidding back. Claws dug into the ground, tail whipping, Screeching, and also without waiting for her trainers order, Deviter leaped high, far higher than she would have been able to do as a stocky Sprian. Suddenly, to Strey's delight, those sharp wings straightened and curved as far as they could go, the extra skin allowing the devious pokemon to actually glide through the strong winds.
"YAS!" Strey roared, invigorated by her pokemon's growth and new abilities. Her pokemon's energy coursed through her very soul, a feeling that should be so natural for a trainer. On a darker thought, why was that ability being lost? "Air Slash!" she ordered. Cackling, her pokemon heaved its body forward, swiping at the air with sharp blade fairy wings that sent cuts air blades toward the hovering bat. It smacked hard, Phyrstat jerking roughly with each painful blast struck. He fell downward, Deviter already landing on solid ground and running fast, tail whipping back and forth excitedly. "Tail Whip!" Strey ordered quickly, going with the movement of her pokemon. "Arc just like you did in the air."
Deviter seemed to understand as she made a beeline straight for the descending Phyrstat, rolling into motion and swinging her body all around so that her tail was flicked with the utmost of force against the opponent, those deadly sharp spikes that Deviter had grown struck true. Gashes bled into the white fur of their opponent, the bat hit away and rolling midair for but a moment as it smashed hard into the ground. "Deviter!" Deviter cried proudly, a high screech in her voice. With am arrogant cackle she lept after her prey, teeth glinting and ready for a Bite.
"Dodge," Willow sang sweetly, not at all perturbed at the beating her pokemon just took. Swiftly, her purple bat righted itself, twirling midair and just nearly avoiding a sharp nip from Deviter's Bite, her sharp teeth clacking loudly. "Now let's show them our fangs. Phyrstat, be a dear and use Poison Fang!"
"Phyr!" Phyrstat screeched, teeth glistening with an oozing purple sludge. Beating its wings fiercely, the purple bat set itself upon the purple mischief maker and sank those large incisors right into Deviter's back. Strey gasped at the pained howl her pokemon made. The fairy type was shuddering violently, body twitching at the super effect attack. Both trainer and pokemon were calling out, Deviter's voice getting higher and higher in pitch as she was unable to detach the bat pokemon. Finally, when she couldn't bear it any longer, Deviter turned her head completely around, jaw open wide, sound waved erupting from within. The Disarming Voice was the loudest the mischief pokemon had ever made, her opponent taking clear damage as it shuddered and finally released its grip to roll away with the force. With a final defiant screech, Deviter lifted her spiky tail and slammed down with a solid crunch. "Ph…" the poison bat croaked one last breath, spiting out left over poison that made Deviter's snout curl in distaste.
"Return," Willow said softly, a congratulatory grin on her lips. "Come out, my friend." With yet another smooth throw the red and white sphere burst forth a creature as red and powerful as the beam of energy itself. Flames curling about its long winged form, ash feathers glowed with heat, flames at the tips of strong talons. "Flampheon, take fight."
A trill that sang as sweetly as its trainer filled the dull park, igniting a candle flame of happiness that would burst forth into untamed forest fires. Phoenix, Strey's mind supplied as she watched the fire bird flit into the air. Its beak opened suddenly and tiny balls of flame descended upon the battle field. Deviter rolled to the side, still gasping for breath after such an attack. It was hard to believe that her pokemon had only been struck once and was down to her knees. Was the type match up really that powerful or was Willow an even stronger trainer than Strey gave her credit for. The flames struck the ground harmlessly, Deviter quickly blasting Disarming Voice towards the hovering pokemon. The flame bird shuddered but stayed aloft, its wings beating powerfully through each strike.
"Air Slash!" Strey ordered quickly. "Keep to long range for now!"
Growling, Deviter lunged forward, sharp fairy wings striking the air once more. Air blade swept towards the still beating fire type, Flampheon taking the attack in stride and even using the currents for speed. "Verrr!" Deviter growled loudly, suddenly staggering. It was the moment their opponent was waiting for. Flampheon dove gracefully, wings wide and angled so that she struck Deviter head on. A fierce Play Rough was struck upon the fairy type, Deviter more or less getting a harsh back slap from the fairy type attack.
Strey grimaced as her already weakened pokemon was more or less mocked by the attack. Knowing that Deviter still had some fight left in her but could really use the breather, she recalled her pokemon in a beam of red light. Strey smiled consoling as her okmemon snarled angrily before she disappeared. "Just for a moment," she whispered to the monster ball, grinning at Willow's questioning look. "Let's go, Chowbow!" Once more the golden pup emerged. He held his front left paw up, a noticeable burn making the normal type wince. "Chowbow!" Strey called seriously, gaining his attention. "You're here as back up, bud! I need you to stay strong and weaken those defenses!" Chowbow barked in response, understanding his position. Golden eyes glared courageously at the flaming bird, knowing his fate. "Good boy, now Growl!" Strey commanded, extremely pleased, heart fluttering happily at how her new pokemon was so eager to fulfill her orders. For a moment, she wondered about the ice gem the normal type held closely, wondering about possible evolution soon and if it would change the happy pups personality. Don't think of that now, Strey scolded herself, instead focusing on the present. "Keep back from those long range attacks. I want to hear your fiercest Growl!"
With a mighty howl that honestly was far cuter than savage, Chowbow bared his fangs and growled lowly, a deep tone resonating around the park and putting his opponent on edge. The Flampheon shuddered mid flight, chirping defensively. "Smart plan," Willow said pleasantly as her pokemon shied away. "Flampheon, use Fires Spin. This time you won't be returning for a rest."
Strey scoffed at the assured tone. "Keep up those Growls," she ordered even as red flame spiraled around her entrapped pokemon. His burn struck once the heat surrounded him fully, Chowbow whimpering through harsh Growls. He walked forward confidentially through his limp, trying to get through the whirling Fire Spin. Strey 'tsked' in thought, sort of wishing for a beer, sort of wishing her pokemon was a bit stronger, but also hoping for a future fight with this interesting trainer in the future once her pokemon had been properly trained.
"Choow," Chowbow Growled. This time Flampheon cawed loudly in defiance, wings beating soundly. Willow's long black hair was blown about, covering serene blue eyes as she watched her pokemon dive toward the normal type. Chowbow shook in place, going flickering flame licking at his paws. Wings heavy, Flampheon swooped in. It happened so fast, Strey blinking for but a moment. A flash was left in the place of the normal type, his form blurring as a Quick Attack was unleashed by the terrified pokemon. He dodged by the tip of a feather, fur singing as he jumped through the rising flames. Flampheon cawed shrilled and turned wing on the spot, a skillful flyer indeed, and beat his wings towards the Growling Chowbow. The fire type shuddered as his guard was lowered by the deep Growl but still he came forward, Wing Attack propelling the pup backwards into an unconscious tumble.
"Reeturn." Strey smiled even as her heart beat raidly. She wasn't going to win this battle. "Go, Deviter!"
Once more her devious pokemon appeared, purple gunk expelling from her maw as she roared ferociously, pissed beyond belief that her trainer had dare recall her mid battle. Astonishingly, Deviter began to stomp her feet up and down like that of a haughty child that had been denied a treat. Strey frowned at her pokemon's behavior, knowing that she should admonish her pokemon for her bad behavior, but Deviter's jaw had already opened wide, Disarming Voice deafening them all and Falmpheon to twitch in midair. "Flaaa! The enraged phoenix cried, flames engulfing it entire body.
Strey could not help but awe for her opponents beauty, barely stuttering a "Feint Attack!" before the flaming bird struck. She cringed at the close call, Deviter turning dark with black shadow, her form being taken to a place that no human knew of, and reappeared behind the still flaming Flampheon. Claws engulfed in enlarged black claws, Deviter struck, hissing as she took took damage from the element. This time Flampheon lost complete control of her flight, descending fast into the dirt ground. "After it!" Strey urged, Deviter running as quickly as she could, gasping up poison, red eyes determined.
"Right yourself!" Willow commanded. "Bounce back with Fire Spin!" Her astounding blue eyes were determined, hand held high and pointing, giving her pokemon verbal strength.
Crooning, Flampheon pumped hard, his wings flickering with licks of flame that burned out quickly. Cawing mightily, a harsh arc of pounding wings brought the mighty flame bird to a stop mere inches from the ground, talons grazing grass. And then Deviter was upon him, teeth glinting through purple poison before she Bit down hard on the left wing. Flames erupted in a spiral around the two, Deviter's cries of pain mixing with Flampheon. The mischief pokemon held on, Strey shouting encouragement even when the tower of flames covered the two from sight.
"Deviter!" Strey cried worriedly, trying to peak through the raging flames. Will too was looking worried, calling out her pokemon's name softly. "Deviter, get out of there!"
No response came once the two cries faded, the flames raging in existence for a few moments after before dispersing to leave two very charred looking pokemon. Deviter twitched in pain, sharp wings still flickering weakly, teeth amazingly still stuck within feathers and flesh. Flampheon was shaking heavily, long neck on the ground and beak spitting out tiny weak flames yet unable to lift his head.
Strey's heart sank as she took in her pokemon's beaten form. She had hoped to at least defeat this pokemon as well, not end up in a tie. Though, Strey,thought sourly as she gazed at the multitude of pokeballs on Willow's belt, had she really ever had a true chance? Just how strong was this girl? How long had she been training and, most important, how long had she known about the immune?
Questions died before Strey even opened her lips as Willow recalled her pokemon with a proud smile. "I'm impressed," she said brightly, startling Strey. "Flampheon is one of my strongest. To get him down after fighting another one of my pokemon is something I haven't seen in a while." Despite Strey wanting to sarcastically ask when was the last chance she had a trainer battle, she held her tongue and smiled happily, feeling her stomach flutter with pride. Though, as she returned her own pokemon and stared at her sphere, she knew she would have to have a serious conversation with her pissed off partner. Although both pokemon had gone down, Deviter would consider it a loss. Strey sighed softly before walking up to Willow, the girls exchanging smiles. "Thank you for the battle," Willow said gratefully. "I don't know when my next friendly match will be."
Strey felt cold at the omission, knowing it to be true. "Same to you," she said honestly. Strey eyed her fellow sister trainer. "Will you be ok by yourself?"
Willow laughed just the slightest bit mockingly and Strey felt her cheeks redden. After all, it had been she that had lost this battle. "I think you should get another pokemon," the black haired girl spoke suddenly, startling Strey with a "Wha?" Willow nodded urgently. "You seem to have only one trained pokemon, though Chowbow may show promise. The next path is a long one, and the people far less friendly." Her eyes darkened as she stared intently at Strey, the girl nodding in understanding.
"Sure," Strey said, though she wondered, "Is it rushing my pokemon teaming up with others so quickly before they even get comfortable on a team?"
Willow smiled serenely. "I'm sure you can do it." Strey wanted to gap because it wasn't just that easy to train these mythical beasts of power. Pocket Monsters were emotionally powerful beings. She wanted them to be comfortable while under her control, not rushed. "After all, with times as they are, you will need to be ready." Well, yea, crappy and true. There were dangerous people and pokemon growing in numbers, Strey sighed as she shook hands with Willow before grinning widely. She just couldn't help it, knowing this girl was just good natured. "Here," Willow said with yet another warm smile as she handed Strey a few items. The girl blinked in bewilderment, noticing the berries and pink pastry, astounded by the kind act. "These will help your pokemon. I hope to see you in better battle form when we meet again."
She sounded so sure of herself that the two would meet again. Strey packed the items away, watching as Willow turned and continued on her way, just another interesting experience in the grand scheme of Strey's life. Blowing a piece of hair out of her face, Strey exited the park as well, feeling a little unsteady knowing all of her pokemon were out of commission. Strey kept a steady stride despite feeling a desperate churning in her stomach. She did not like this discomfort and suddenly the young trainer had greater understanding of Willow's warning. She did not want to be caught off guard by anything.
So first she had to heal her pokemon.
And then she had to speak to a pissed off Deviter.
Great.
