Aedre Charbonnet & Amber Pine
— Mesalon City —
Aedre looked at her trusty drama queen, who stepped forward with a mischievous grin. Seeing as Thea was happily settled on their side of the field, Aedre looked to Amber with a hesitant smile. Which Pokemon would Amber use and how would Thea best counter them? That most of Amber's Pokemon were rock-types wasn't very reassuring considering Little's type disadvantage. Decus was the only one who held the advantage in that regard, but entrusting the battle to her newest Pokemon wasn't a wise move.
But, watching as Amber talked with her own Pokemon, Aedre was reminded that this wasn't a competition. She rubbed her hands together, trying to dispell her competitive streak. This wasn't an exam or field test, she reminded herself; there would be no losers here, only winners.
“Ready when you are!” Aedre shouted with a grin, realizing that if she looked past all her anxiety about the outcome, the battle might actually be fun.
Amber took her place, facing Aedre. However this went, there was no need to worry. It was just a sparring match, to train for whatever else lay ahead...
Tacita must have felt her tense. With a soft "Row!", the owl fluttered out of Amber's pocket and perched on her shoulder, nuzzling her face.
"Hey, you want to go first?" Amber asked, relaxing as she ruffled the bird's feathers. With a hoot of affirmation, Tacita swooped and landed, her beady eyes fixed on Thea.
As Aedre grinned, Amber found herself doing the same. Maybe, just for now, the battle would help them put aside their fears.
"Ok, begin this with Leafage!" she called. Tacita spread her wings wide, launching a flurry of leaves at the Togepi.
“Thea, dodge it!” Aedre shouted.
Thea, for her credit, was already doing so, and the move grazed her side—her shell and maybe her arm, but Thea shrugged it off quickly, turning back to glance at Aedre for a second.
“Right, right,” Aedre said, racking her brains for her next move as she fumbled for her Pokedex.
“Use Metronome!”Thea nodded, waving her arms back and forth once, twice before she glowed briefly, sprouting green spikes.
Aedre winced, glancing down at her Pokedex. Spiky Shield, apparently, a grass-type move that protects the user from attacks and damages physical attackers. Not too useful against a ranged attacker like Tacita.
“Metronome again!” While Aedre was counting on one of the randomly-pulled moves to work, her more sensible side had no such aspirations. There were over five hundred known Pokemon moves, and more were being discovered all the time. For Thea to be able to pull just the right ones—the damaging ones, and one that could exploit the Rowlet's weakness—was pretty unlikely. But she had to start somewhere, and Thea was reliable in ways Metrenome wasn't, so she mentally crossed her fingers as she watched Thea wave her arms again in the rhythmic beat she'd done before. Her Pokedex registered the move before it even Thea even finished her waving, and Aedre's eyes widened at the text that appeared on the screen: Dragon Rush.
Amber wasn't disheartened at the leaves glancing off of Thea's shell. On the contrary, she whipped out her notebook.
"Well," she said, scribbling frantically,
"that backs up the theory of why Togepis keep part of their shells, as a defense mechanism."A hoot drew her attention back to the battlefield. Tacita pointed a wing at Thea as Aedre called out the countering move - Metronome. The Togepi glowed green, cactus-like spines jutting from her body.
"Another Leafage!" Amber called - having Tacita try out her contact making moves, as she'd originally considered, would be a rather bad idea.
The barrage of leaves didn't even make a dent in the shield. When the Togepi retaliated, it was with quite a different random move - a blue energy wave that formed a dragon shape, slamming into the owl before she could react. "Rowww..." With an exhausted cooing noise, Tacita flopped to the ground.
"Tacita!" At once, Amber held out the Pokeball, withdrawing the fainted combatant.
"Come on back. Wow, Metronome really is quite something." Maybe not the most reliable of moves, but sometimes, luck was all it took to decide a battle.
"Ok Larimar, you want to go next?"The sturdy Rock type crawled forward, tilting her head, round eyes fixed on the Togepi as she sized her up.
"Alright, use Scratch!" Amber commanded. The Anorith scuttled with surprising speed for her type, lashing a claw at Thea.
Aedre stared as Amber withdrew Tacita, mouth poised to catch a Cutiefly. Of all the moves Thea could have Metronome'd out, there were only a handfull of moves that dealt substantial damage, so for Thea to so perfectly pull Dragon Rush, a dragon-type move that was, according to her Pokedex, learned by the likes of Dragonite and Garchomp, was pretty much slim to nil.
Thea, though, was not as shocked as Aedre, and she bounced up to Aedre with a gleeful grin, waving her arms around to get Aedre's attention. "To!"
“Right, good—great job, Thea. That was—wow, keep that up and we won't even need Little or Dee,” Aedre said, laughing nervously. Maybe the next time Thea got into an argument with a teammate, Aedre should be afraid for the teammate instead of the little egg-encased ball of surprises that was her Togepi.
Across the field, Amber had called out her next Pokemon: Larimar, her Anorith. And Thea, boosted by her fresh victory, sauntered onto her side of the field with her hands raised dramatically.
“Yes, Thea,” Aedre said, smiling out of amused exasperation,
“Metronome.”Thea waved her hands, but Larimar was fast, and she struck just as Thea was completing her move. A swipe of her claws, thanks to her lower vantage point, took Thea's balance and sent her reeling onto her side just as her Metronome move went into play. Confide, Aedre's Pokedex told her, was Chatot's special move and would lower the opponent's special attack. In this case, though, Larimar was a physical attacker, and Thea was on her back, trying unsuccessfully to throw her weight onto a side.
“Thea! Get up! Hurry! Aedre called, alarmed. Larimar had tapped into one of Thea's primal weaknesses: her round shell, and therefore inability to get back up quickly. Usually, Aedre was the one pulling her back up, but in a battle Aedre could do no such thing. Instead, she could only watch as the events unfolded, wondering whether this was karma coming to pay its respects to Thea for her earlier theatrics.
"Now's your chance, Larimar!" Amber put away her notebook and pulled out her Pokedex, glancing from the Anorith to the screen. Water Gun would probably be less effective than physical attacks, and Fury Cutter wouldn't be the best move to use on a Fairy type.
"Use Scratch again!"Larimar knew exactly how to go about this. In an instant, she scurried behind the struggling Togepi. Before Thea could right herself and turn the battle back to her favour, Larimar aimed a claw at the side of her head.
Aedre winced as the claw came down, pulling out Thea's Pokeball to return her.
“You did great, Thea." Taking one Pokemon down with Metronome was already more than what she could reasonably expect, statistically speaking.
Glancing back at the field where the Anorith stood, Aedre hesitated. She was far more comfortable using Little next, but Decus had the type advantage, and she did want him to get some experience with trainer battles. He was still low-leveled, but at least he was immune to Scratch.
“Decus?” Aedre looked to her Honedge, who drifted over with erratic swishing movements Aedre could only interpret as him being 'happy.'
“Alright. Start out with Swords Dance, then Tackle,” Aedre called. Hopefully the boost would give Decus what he needed to make an impact on Larimar's carapace.
On the field, Decus swayed back and forth, seemingly in a trance. His blade glinted off sun as he moved, then suddenly came down in Larimar's direction—a challenge.
Even though Decus was the opposing Pokemon, Amber stared in sheer fascination as the Honedge's swift movements heightened his focus.
"Quite some graceful swordplay already there," she commented, before shifting her attention to Larimar. Now was a perfect opportunity to get a move in, but which one? Scratch wouldn't work, Fury Cutter would barely leave a mark, and Harden would only do so much to counter the boost. That left one option.
"Ok, quick, use Water Gun!"Larimar raised her head, aiming the jet at Decus, but seemed to hold back. The stream, much thinner than it should be, splashed against the Honedge as if from a child's water pistol. Amber grimaced. This had to be because of Thea's move, still in effect.
Shaking Larimar's attack off, Decus attempted his Tackle, flinging himself at the fossil Pokemon.
Although Larimar's shell protected against cuts, it couldn't protect her from being knocked across the battlefield. "Hold on, Larimar!" Amber shouted, watching the spirited little Pokemon scuttle back to face her opponent. The Anorith's resolve remained strong, as did her body, but the disadvantage was clear.
"Come back for now." Returning her to her Pokeball, Amber took another capsule from her belt. A green one.
"Well," she said, eyes flicking from the Dusk Ball to Aedre,
"here's your opportunity to study and compare Ghost types."After a moment's hesitation - who was to say this Pokemon would even listen to her - Amber pressed the button. She had to gain her newest team member's trust and respect somehow. In a flash of red, Almandine appeared, that sharp-toothed grin stretching across her face at the sight of a formidable opponent.
“Yep!” Aedre looked at Decus, who seemed wetted by Larimar's Water Gun but still rearing to go. Against Almadine, he would have the advantage of Fury Cutter, but it'd still be a close call, especially since Decus was naturally susceptible to both of Almadine's types. If the Sableye knew strong dark- or ghost-type moves, Aedre didn't like her chances, but at least Decis had managed a Swords Dance already.
“Decus, use Fury Cutter!” Decus flipped his wet sash, scattering water droplets as he rushed towards Almadine blade first.
The blade struck before Almandine had a chance to move. The Sableye reeled back with a yelp, then scampered forward, snickering as if to ask if that was the best Decus could do. Nonetheless, Amber couldn't help but wince. This was just a casual battle, but if Alma lost, that wouldn't do much for her mood or training.
Amber consulted her Pokedex, thinking fast. If there was a way to throw off Decus' moves, that would be best...
"Alma, use Astonish!"The Sableye opened her mouth, letting out an unearthly shriek. Maybe, Amber thought, goosebumps rising on her skin from the sound, that would startle the other Ghost type too much to attack.
Aedre was about to call for another Fury Cutter when the
sound shrilled out of Almadine, shocking her into a momentary standstill. When she recovered, though, seeing Decus drift slowly back upright, bouncing up and down midair as his sash waved uncertainly, Amber was already calling her next move.
"Good work, Alma!" Amber commented, watching Decus freeze in midair. Just as he shook off the stunned stillness, the researcher gave Almandine another command.
"Use that again! Astonish!"The thankfully compliant Sableye leapt forward, filling the air with that same eerie wail. Amber wasn't counting on another flinch - she couldn't always rely on luck - but either way, the move would hit hard against another ghost.
On the field, Decus shuddered, his wet sash rippling in a disconcerting manner, but this time he did not fall over. Instead, he sank down onto the ground, the tip of his blade sinking into the earth below.
“Decus!” Aedre shouted, covering her ears against Almadine's wail.
“Use Fury Cutter again!”Shakily, Decus drifted up out of the indent he'd made in the ground, then accelerated slowly forwards at Almadine as her cry trailed off, his blade glinting in the sun.
Almandine stumbled back as the blade slashed across her. Like before, she steadied herself and advanced, but did so with laboured steps. A black mist-like substance seeped from cuts running along her torso.
Amber shuddered, but knew exactly which move this called for.
"You're doing a great job!" she encouraged, ears still ringing from the shrieks. Not that she minded too much. No wonder people described ghost cries as unforgettable - she'd just
had to experience that herself.
"Hang in there and use Recover!"A golden glow formed around Almandine's body, then faded, revealing smooth skin where wounds had been a moment ago.
Aedre hesitated, then pulled out Decus' Pokeball.
“Good job, Decus. C'mon back for now.” With both Astonish and Recovery, Almadine was set to play the long game whereas Decus was still new, inexperienced, and altogether not ready for a loss. Maybe Aedre was projecting, and maybe she wasn't; either way, she wasn't taking any chances.
“You ready, Little? Aedre asked, looking to the Fletchling perched on a branch behind her, who'd taken flight at the sound of his name, flitting to her side of the battlefield.
“Alright,” Aedre said, grinning. Back to the stuff she had experience with.
“Quick Attack!”Little threw himself up in the air, then swept forwards at Almadine.
When the bird made contact with Almandine, instead of knocking her back, he simply passed straight through.
Amber took the opportunity right away.
"Hit with Night Shade!" The Sableye turned and sent forth a wave of dark energy - which did nothing more to Little than the Quick Attack had done to her.
"Ahh... Mutually immune, I see," Amber said, checking her Pokedex as she should have done before. Sure enough, neither Normal nor Ghost Pokemon could affect each other using solely moves of their type. She gave an awkward smile.
"Ehh, easy thing to forget."“Oh,” Aedre said, laughing lightly. The type immunities had completely slipped her mind, with her caught up in what Decus might feel and everything. She paused, then focused on Amber.
“I think Decus is pretty much out, considering how much damage he's taken, so let's just say it's Almadine's win on that one.” At Aedre's words, Almandine perked up from her disappointed slouch.
"Ah, well Decus put up a good fight there," Amber replied. It was probably best for him not to get knocked out, if this was his first trainer battle.
"Alma, you did great too, but it's time to come back now." Grumbling at the current unsuited match, the Sableye slunk away from her opponent and let Amber return her. Hopefully the one victory would mean something to her, at least.
Taking another Pokeball, the researcher sent her Anorith back into the fray.
"Your turn again, Larimar!" The fossil Pokemon eyed Little with caution. While most Rock types had the advantage over Flying types, her Bug typing cancelled this out, at least in terms of defense. The fact that she had yet to learn a Rock type move meant this fight could go either way.
"Use Scratch!" At Amber's command, Larimar sped forward and lashed at the bird.
“Little, let's try that Quick Attack again!” Aedre shouted.
On the field, Little dove down at Larimar, who was ready with her claws. The edges grazed him as he swooped past, his own attack largely bouncing off Larimar's hard exoskeleton.
“Right, rock-type resistances,” Aedre muttered, looking down at her Pokedex for guidance.
“Try Peck this time, Little!”Making a turn in the air, Little dove again, beak shooting down at Larimar.
The beak struck with perfect precision, jabbing between the segments of Larimar's shell. The Anorith tottered on her claws before steadying herself, her guard back up.
"Defend with Harden!" Amber called. Larimar's carapace began to shine as she braced herself for Little's next move.
With the Harden taking effect, Little's attack was largely absorbed by Larimar's shell. Aedre hesitated, glancing between the Anorith and Little, who'd swooped up to a hover out of reach of Larimar's claws. At this rate, Larimar's Scratches would be more efficient than Little's Pecks, but did that justify a Growl? If Aedre remembered correctly, moves like Growl and Tail Whip were most effective at the beginning of a battle, not in the middle of one. But, at the same time, maybe she was looking at it all too formulaically; battles weren't all black-and-white, predictable based off number alone, so maybe the best thing to do was to stop treating it as such.
“Growl, Little!” Aedre glanced down at her Pokedex. Growl, then more Pecks? Or another Growl?
She looked up as Little uttered out a harsh, drawn out sqawk, realizing Little truly held the advantage here, since Larimar didn't seem to have access to rock-type moves. As an airborne fighter, Little could launch a slew of Growls without fearing an attack. But, Larimar's Hardens would easily bring him back up to speed, so that tactic was out.
“Follow that up with another Peck, Little!” Aedre shouted.
On her command, Little swooped down again, beak-first.
Larimar scuttled back from the squawk, her wing-like protrusions bristling. When she advanced again, it was with much more subdued movements. Before she could retaliate or dodge, the beak jabbed another chink in her armour.
Amber thought fast. Growl and Harden meant physical attacks would be dampened on both sides, so a change of strategy might give Larimar the advantage.
"Water Gun this time!" she commanded.
The Anorith raised her head, launching a stronger water blast than before at the bird. While Water Gun was far from her most powerful attack, having a non-physical move to fall back on could prove useful in situations like this.
Aedre's widened as Little fell, wings bogged down by Larimar's Water Gun. On Decus the Water Gun's effects had been negligible since only his sash was a target, but on Little, his entire body was at risk, being covered with feathers. And, since he was left a much more susceptible target as a result of the Water Guns, Aedre doubted the battle would be long. Maybe she'd be able to drag the battle out like before, but the end result was the same, and she'd rather not prolong a battle to no end.
“Little, let's give that one more shot. Try and dodge the Water Guns and get in another Peck,” Aedre called.
Little shook his feathers off and took to the air again, shakily, then aimed at Larimar yet again.
As the repeated Flying type attacks wore her down, Larimar stumbled, scratches showing on her carapace despite her boosted defense. Even so, she regained her balance, her focus on her opponent just as intent.
"It shouldn't take much more!" Amber called.
"Again, Water Gun!" Just as Little rose back up, Larimar shot another water burst into the sky, striking the aerial fighter with perfect accuracy. The bird, feathers waterlogged, swayed in midair and began to drift down.
“Good job, Little. Take a rest,” Aedre said, returning Little from where he landed. Then, after a beat of silence, Aedre looked to Amber with a smile that relaxed as she spoke.
“That was a good battle. Fun, even. We should do that again sometime—maybe after I work with Decus some more.”Amber smiled back. It had been a close one, but that meant worthwhile experience for both of them, and both Pokemon teams.
"Yeah. You put up a good fight there," she told Aedre,
"and once you've trained up Decus a little more... Well, with those moves, anyone who challenges you will have to be very careful indeed."With a slight laugh, she crouched down to Larimar. Chalcedony crawled over, nuzzling his fellow fossil Pokemon, while Kyra bounced and yapped, an equally excited Aeshna darting from side to side above her.
"I see that's boosted your morale," she said, taking the Anorith's Pokeball.
"Come on back now, let's get you healed up."She returned Larimar and headed back to the Pokemon centre, glancing over at her friend. It had just been a quick training session, the victory a matter of luck. She hoped Aedre, who'd been a hair's breadth from winning, wouldn't take the loss too badly in light of recent events.
Aedre was a bit lost in her thoughts after the battle, unable to help a roll of disappointment in her loss. Though she kept telling herself that it was normal, natural even, to lose to a trainer so early on, especially one more experienced than her like Amber, a loss could only signify bad things, not good.
Catching Amber's glance at her, Aedre straightened, putting on a smile again.
“I'm fine, really. It was a good fight.” Which it was. It really was, and with this in mind Aedre willed herself to stop being disappointed because it was a slippery and unproductive slope to resentment, and that wasn't the original goal.
“Hey, I lost today, but I'll beat you one day,” she said, flashing a grin at Amber. Competition academic settings were no different from Pokemon battles: there were winners and losers, and most people involved had competitive streaks.
@LuckyBlackCat
