"You can have the first move Silver!" Lance shouts from across the battlefield.
Looking on, the future dragon master in the flesh in front of me. My heart started to race, a full fledged champion in the making.
'I wan't to send out Beedrill. But it's better if he's used against terrorist organizations instead of showing off.' I thought reeling myself back.
It was unwise to show my trump cards even if somewhat known. This is just a friendly battle after all. Pokeball now in my hand, I fiddle with it staring at the sleek metallic feel. "I appreciate it, lets start!"
*Zzzt!*
"Gliscor!" The fang scorp Pokemon roars out, slight sonic booms radiating the Pokemon. Landing on its tail with a wide grin.
Lance seeing this got a wide grin in excitement. It seems like I wasn't the only person who was looking forward to this battle, much better than any talks with political figures any day of the week.
Watching the bird trainer throw a Pokeball, an elegant serpent appeared. A loud audible thump hitting the floor making my heart skip a beat.
*Thump!*
"DRAA!" Shockwaves way larger than Gliscor appear as the wind makes my clothes float a bit.
"Scor..." Gliscor seeing this narrowed its eyes, joyful look now gone.
Time to lock in.
Lance's Dragonair coiled elegantly across from Gliscor, the serpent's scales gleaming under the warm lights of the hall. The chatter of the party dulled around us as people realized what was about to happen.
I exhaled, keeping my eyes on Dragonair. If I went straight for Ice Fang, it would dodge and punish me. This wasn't a turn based game.
'How annoying...'
"Gliscor, [Harden] now."
My partner let out a shrill cry as its body stiffened, wings spreading wide. Metal-like resilience shimmered faintly over its frame.
Lance's lips twitched in amusement. "Dragonair, Extreme Speed."
The serpent blurred forward.
In an instant as Gliscor crossed its hands to protect itself, taking the impact head first.
*Boom!*
The hit sending the fang scorp Pokemon several steps back barely keeping his footing. A few seconds after a green hue appeared due to his ability and item combo. Any amount of healing helped.
Gliscor who recovered squinted in pain.
'A direct attack, alright.'
"[Harden] and try to grab it." I say a little quiet.
"Dragonair! [Dragon Rush]".
Oh...
'Fuck me.'
Gliscor slammed its tail onto the floor, dust starting to fly up as it looked the raging blue dragon head on with without fear. Dragonairs body lit up in blue as a dragon five times its size manifested.
Soon after it blitz forward with no regard to its surroundings.
*CRASH!*
With my breath held in, the dust starting to settle as the sight of my Gliscor barely hanging in there, back to the ground. His trembling body holding Dragonair by its mid section as the warrior he is.
Another poison heal activating.
Just the small boost he needed to survive.
"NICE! [Sand Attack] The eyes!" My scream echoes.
Gliscor now trembling used his tail to shove sand in Dragonair's eyes as it recoiled in the unfamiliar feeling.
"Dragonair [Aqua Jet]!" Lance shouts to no avail as his dragon tried to recoil with its body, but failed due to being held by Gliscor. Gliscor who saw this soon after my commands went in for an [Ice Fang].
*Boom*
"Nair!" It shouts, but it wasn't in pain... It was rage. With a short distance now being made after the attack.
"[ICE FANG]!"
"[AQUA JET]!"
We both end up shouting.
*SWOOSH!*
Water started to gather around Dragonair as Gliscor closed in, but before the fang scorp Pokemon got close, it was too late. He gets blocked by the water and weakly gets send backwards.
This small hit not even being an attack, made the poor guy recoil. Hitting the floor just a meter away.
Fainted.
'That was exhilarating.' Grabbing my chest feeling my raging heart beat, a wide smile found itself in my chest. Lance's quick thinking to use [Aqua Jet], a move that surrounds his Pokemon to help with [Sand Attack] is impressive.
A quick fight but a sweet one.
"Such an elegant Pokemon!"
"WOAH!"
"Gliscor nooo! My bet..."
Claps and cheers could be heard as the moment stopped. With Lance returning his Dragonair back, still looking like it didn't get hit at all. Seeing his giddy expression he must be happy.
"Great battle, I must insist for a rematch." I say talking first which caught him off-guard.
"Haha! I'm welcome anytime, lets exchange numbers." He says to which I nod.
Looking back it really wasn't a close match with how damaged his Dragonair was, but it was still great to test my reaction time and decision making. Gliscor the tank actually landed a hit.
"Enough talking. It's my turn!"
Clair stomped forward, with her Dratini at her side, eyes practically burning holes into me. Totodile dangled from her other arm, still chewing happily on a half-eaten pastry. The little traitor gave me a cheerful wave, as if he hadn't abandoned me to my fate a few minutes earlier.
"You lost, so it's only natural I make it twice!" Clair jabbed a finger at me. "Silver, battle me!"
I blinked, then smirked despite myself. "I see how it is, well don't regret your words."
'To use or not to use Beedrill.' The temptation was there.
She nodded fiercely.
No time to breathe here, is this the battle tower?
...
Totodile bounced from my arms onto the floor, tail wagging like he'd just been handed dessert. Clair stepped forward with a spark in her eyes, Dratini coiled at her feet.
"Finally," she said, pointing straight at me. "My turn."
The crowd from before still lingered but not a sign on my father being there at all. Looking back at clair her eagerness amused me.
"You ready, Totodile?" I asked.
"Dile!" He slapped his jaws together like he'd been waiting all night for this.
Clair gave a sharp nod. "Dratini, Extreme Speed!"
'Fuck off.' I thought, my mind imitating that resigned looking dog, staring into the sunset.
The serpent blurred forward, a silver streak across the floor. Possible to sort of track with the human eye.
"[Crunch]!" I barked in the hopes of a two peat grab like Dragonair.
Totodile's fangs started to hue black just in time. Dratini slammed into him, but he bit down on the scales, The impact making Totodile launch backward, but the momentum also dragging Dratini due to being bitten down on.
"TINI!" The dratini realising its situation cried out.
'Oh shit he caught that? Lets go!'
"Slam it to the ground" I shouted. "Pommel it with [Ice Punch]!"
Totodile jerked his head, flinging Dratini right under it. The little dragon hit the ground, skidding with a pained cry. For a moment, it coiled and tried to steady itself.
A shiver going down its body staring at the Totodile staring at it with a large smirk.
Ice now on its two fists.
We dual wielding this bitch.
Clair clenched her fists. "Get out of there Dratini!"
It didn't matter.
She could only helplessly watch as her Pokemon literally got beaten up as if it was a defenseless fighter. Hit after hit Lance has to eventually step in to stop the battle as Clair had watery eyes.
"That's not even f-fair..." She croaked out.
'Shit with Totodile's luck grabbing a speeding snake, I'd be crying too.' I thought wincing at the fainted Dratini.
Yeah...
"Type matchups are part of the game," I replied lightly, kneeling to pat Totodile as he preened over the victory. "Besides, your Dratini's still a baby. They're known to be absolute monsters when they evolve after all."
That earned me a reluctant hum from her, though she still looked away in a pout. But her chest clearly puffed proud of the lineage of her Pokemon.
The pride was still intact at least.
Lance, on the other hand helplessly chuckled. "Who's ready to eat! Let's go Clair!" His stomach growling.
"I already ate." Clair murmurs unimpressed at Lance but he just looks over at me.
"Lets get to munching Silver! I'm not trying to leave a buffet hungry now..." He grabs my shoulder for a split second as if it's some wise sage's advice. As he proceeds to dash away.
Haha.
...
Some time passed.
We gathered our partners back, and the small crowd that had formed around us began to drift off, returning to their drinks and chatter. Almost forgot it was in front of a crowd but that's just how it goes. The battles had been a sideshow in a night built for politics, but for everyone here, the connections mattered.
'And I made the best one.' I thought a bit smugly.
As the three of us stood near the edge of the hall, Lance slipped his number to me with Clair's also being there. "Here. Message me anytime. Clair also told me to add her number just in case you wanted it." His sly grin making me look at her.
Looking at the girl she had a "I'm gonna kill you face". Well that's his problem.
I took the note. "Appreciate it brother."
Totodile, still buzzing from victory, waved at Dratini, who hid behind her trainer in fear.
"Tini! (Stay away!)"
That's when Lance glanced back at me, his voice lowering just enough. "I'll be challenging the Elite Four soon. So don't be surprised when I make the news." A genuine smile on his face as he points to himself.
I grinned back at him. "Then save a spot up there. I know you'll make it, but you'll just have to wait for me to catch up."
Lance's answering smile was sharp and challenging. "I'll make sure there is one."
Holding out my fist, we soon fist bump each other as Clair looked on in disgust.
I laughed, shaking my head, but my chest felt lighter. This night was one of the best times of my current life.
Already looking forward to the battles ahead.