Author's Notes: Jeez, I'm like, 3 weeks since I posted the last chapter. Sorry about that! Hopefully, I can get on a once-per-two weeks-schedule. Maybe then this fic might get some popularity, if it deserves it.
For anyone would ask, I am using Japanese-like names throughout the fanfic. Originally, I just used it only for my first two characters--Haruki and Etsuko. I sorta just wanted to keep a pattern. Why am I using the English Pokémon names then? Eh, it's not that important, I suppose. Anyway, on with Chapter 2!
Chapter 2: Child's Play? Haruki and Cynda's Toughest Battle Yet! Part I
The sky above was covered with the bright blue sky of the afternoon. The area was padded with short, dark-green grass. Several trees could be seen off into the horizon. There was a dirt path for travelers, and a nearby sign that read “Welcome to route S.1.”
Haruki and Etsuko stood in the path, glancing at their energetic challenger.
“Okay, you can’t be serious...” Haruki commented. “You, a simple little girl, want to battle us. I just can’t believe it.” The “mysterious” young trainer was enraged by Haruki’s insulting comment. Cynda, still rested on Haruki’s head, and shivered a little bit.
“
<Battle? I really, really hope Haruki declines. Good, it looks like he’s going to...>” Cynda thought.
“Well, you’d better believe it,” She . “My name’s Ami And I need to win a Pokémon battle to pass my exam. So, which one of you is it going to be?”
“Exams?” Haruki asked.
“Yep,” Ami explained. “I attend a Pokémon school in a town close to here. We all need to beat a random passer-by to graduate.” Haruki glared at Ami in disbelief.
“What kind of school forces their students to
attack simple travelers...?” Haruki remarked. “A battle is a battle.” Cynda’s head perked up in fear with her trainer’s comment.
Etsuko tapped Haruki’s shoulder to get his attention, and brought her mouth to his ear.
“Haruki, I think it would be a good idea if you battled her,” Etsuko whispered. “since you and Cynda need the experience more than I do, right?” Haruki turned to his friend, and nodded.
“Okay, Ami, I’ll battle ya!” Haruki agreed. Cynda shivered again, and struck Haruki’s head with her paw.
“<Haruki, what do you think you’re doing?>” Cynda protested. “<You know I dislike battling...don’t you remember what happened last time we battled?>” Haruki glanced up to Cynda, and smiled.
“Of course I remember. Believe me, I’m doing this for your own good,” Haruki reasoned. “C’mon, battle for me, and I promise to buy you a great feast at the restaurant in the next town.” Cynda pouted at her trainer, and turned her head away.
“<I won’t do it.>” Cynda affirmed.
“C’mon, Cynda.” Haruki sighed. “This is a
little girl we’re battling. It’s a guaranteed win.” He added. “Don’t forget the
promise we made.” Cynda stared above and remembered what he was referring to...
“<Right, the promise.>” Cynda remembered. “<I guess I’ll try my hardest, then.>”
-------------------------------------------------------
Ami and Haruki were a bit farther away from each other now, in order to give their Pokémon some space. Etsuko, who would referee the match, leaned upon a nearby tree bark to get an even view of the battle. The wind that was previously calm had now accelerated. Darker clouds could be seen in the distance.
“Ready, Haruki?” Ami yelled.
“Bring it, small fry!” Haruki replied. Etsuko searched through her bag for something. She pulled out a notebook and a pen and began taking notes.
“Okay, this’ll be a one-on-one battle. No time limit, battle ends when I deem a Pokémon unable to battle,” She announced as she continued to write notes and had her eyes focused on the notebook.
Ami grinned at her gripped Pokéball in confidence. The young girl tossed the red-and-white orb to the ground. The Pokéball’s top latch opened, and a surge of light forced out a bright, white figure. A small, brown bird materialized from the light.
“This one’s my partner, Starly!” Ami revealed. Haruki snickered at his opponent.
“
Score! Starly is the weakest Pokémon in Soroto!” He thought. Haruki grinned at Cynda, who still rested on Haruki’s head. “Okay, Cynda, time to battle. Go for it.” Haruki said. He put his hands to Cynda’s sides, gently bringing her down, and placed her at his feet. She paced forward to have a small distance between herself and Haruki. Etsuko looked up from her notebook and peered to the two trainers.
“You may begin!” She called out.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll be going first!” Ami exclaimed. “Starly Quick Attack ” Starly flapped his wings in order to gain height. The young starling flew with incredible speed towards Cynda. Cynda shook a bit. Startled by the Staryly's movements, large, reddish-orange flames burst from her back to defend herself. Haruki thought quickly.
“Cynda, don’t be afraid!” Haruki assured. “Use Ember to slow down Starly!” The small fiery Pokémon opened her mouth wide. Numerous small bursts of fire were thrust towards the Starly. The tiny bird slowed down considerably after each strike, until Starly stopped to land.
“Hah, perfect, Cynda!” Haruki applauded. “Now, try and follow up with Flame Wheel!” Cynda nodded. She hopped into the air, and shot enough fire to consume herself within the flame, as she landed. The Cyndaquil continued to spin on the ground, and readied herself for attack. “Go get ‘em!” Haruki pushed. Cynda pushed herself towards the downed Starly for a big hit.
“Starly’s stronger than you think!” Ami informed. “Starly, get back in the air!” She commanded. Starly immediately opened his eyes back up and flew back into the sky as Cynda rolled past in an attempt to land a hit. “We’re better than that!” Ami announced.
“
Now, I need to think of a good way to retaliate...”Ami analyzed. “
This match would have been over if Flame Wheel had hit. I can’t risk taking another hit.” Ami snapped her fingers in success. “Starly!” Ami commanded. “Hide yourself with Double Team!” Starly then created two complete shadows of itself, both which created two more, and another two more, until there was a circle of eleven Starlies all glaring at Cynda. The fire mouse trembled a bit and stepped backwards. Haruki stood still, not affected by the copies.
“Cynda! Only one Starly is the real one!” Haruki reassured.
Etsuko stopped her writing to peek at the battle. She yelled over to Haruki to get his attention.
“Uh, Haruki,” Etsuko said, “All those Starly copies can and will hurt Cynda. They’re all physical copies.” She explained.
“What? Really?” Haruki worried. “Oh crap, that can’t be true!” Etsuko nodded. Haruki pounded his fist into his palm in anger. “Cynda! Try to hit ‘em all with Ember!” Cynda blasted her small flames at all the Starlies. The Starlies slowly disappeared as they were struck. After the attack, all the Starlies had disappeared.
“<Where did the real one go ?>” Cynda worried. Haruki glanced behind him to see. Starly was coming in quickly, aimed directly at Haruki’s Pokémon.
“Cynda! He’s coming from behind us!” Haruki warned. “Quickly Use Smokescreen to hide!” Haruki advised. Cynda hurriedly coughed out black smoke to hide herself within the area. Starly stopped his attack, as to not enter the smoke.
Etsuko now had her attention completely focused on the battle. Her dark-blue eyes gleamed with amazement with Haruki’s battling skill.
“
I can’t believe it.” She thought. “
Cynda is a much better battler despite her fears. She’s forgotten all about whatever kept her from doing her best. And Haruki seems to know and work upon that. How did this happen?”
Author's Notes: Did I do the battle right? I'm not sure whether it should be nice and desrcipt or quick?
Man, this was a long chapter in comparison to the other ones. It would have been longer, but that's why it's 2 parts. I ended this one at a great spot, no?
Don't worry, there probably won't be another long break like before. Chapter 3 still needs to be edited, but I know what I want to do. And Chapter 4 is actually already written in my notebook. So, that's awesome!
What's going to happen next? Find out soon on "The Legacy of Failure" in a couple weeks!