[Kalos, Route 4]
Elias hiked along Route 4, the meadows stretching wide under a midday sun that stirred a quiet fire in his chest. The wildflowers danced in the breeze, their colors a vivid reminder of the challenges ahead as the path dipped toward distant woods. His heart swelled with pride for Deino and Fletchling, their Poké Balls a steady weight at his belt, though a flicker of tension gnawed at him. The Santalune Tournament is close, he thought, his ambition burning bright. But we need to be sharper, and those 135 credits won't stretch far. The journey had tested him—three trainers defeated: a nervous kid with a Rattata for ten credits, a farmer with a Mareep for fifteen, and a hiker with a Budew for twenty. His team was growing stronger, their moves refining with each fight, though no new techniques had emerged yet.
He paused in a clearing, the grass soft beneath him, and released Deino. The dragon growled softly, its blind eyes darting with focus, a hint of uncertainty in its stance. "Let's take it up a notch," Elias said, his voice firm with resolve. He pointed to a cluster of rocks. "Focus Energy, then Dragon Breath—time them together." Deino tensed, senses sharpening, but the first wave veered off, grazing the edge. Elias felt a pang of disappointment, his mind racing to understand. "Adjust your stance—lower your head," he instructed, stepping closer. The second attempt hit closer, but the force faltered, splashing weakly against the stone. Deino growled, frustration evident in its shaky breath. "Steady," Elias murmured, his hand brushing its side, a silent encouragement. Deino's growl softened, a flicker of trust in its tone. On the third try, the wave struck true, the intensity greater, scorching a deeper mark. Elias' chest swelled with pride. You're learning, he thought.
He continued, pushing Deino through a series of drills. "Bite on that stump—use Focus Energy to sharpen it," he commanded. Deino lunged, but the bite glanced off, too hasty. Elias knelt beside it, his hand resting on its head, feeling the dragon's tension. "Take a breath—try again," he said, his voice steady but warm. Deino growled, its body trembling with effort. The second bite cracked the wood, the third splintered it completely. Elias' eyes softened, a bond deepening. You're fighting for this, he thought, his determination mirroring Deino's. The training stretched on—four more attempts, each refining the technique. By the sixth, Deino's Bite held firm, its grip stronger, its confidence growing. Elias felt a quiet joy, his connection with Deino solidifying. We're in this together.
After a break, he released Fletchling, the bird landing with a sharp chirp, its eyes wary. Elias felt a surge of determination—this new partner needed trust. "Your turn," he said, his tone steady. Fletchling perched on a branch, its gaze meeting his with a defiant edge. "Agility, then Quick Attack—weave through those branches," Elias instructed. Fletchling darted forward, but the first strike clipped a branch, sending it off balance. Elias' heart sank, a wave of tension washing over him. You're resisting. He adjusted, setting up a tighter course. "Again—focus on control." The second attempt missed, Fletchling's wings faltering, a soft chirp of frustration escaping. Elias knelt, his voice soft. "Take your time—we'll figure it out." On the fifth try, Fletchling's speed increased, dodging with precision, its Quick Attack slicing cleanly. The bird chirped again, a hint of confidence emerging. Elias smiled faintly, his bond with Fletchling strengthening. We're connecting, he thought, his ambition growing.
The afternoon deepened, the training stretching into hours. Elias pushed Deino further, testing its endurance with repeated Dragon Breath bursts, each one more intense, the range extending with every try. Deino's growls grew steadier, its trust in Elias' guidance deepening with each success. Fletchling practiced Agility against a series of low hurdles, its speed improving, its movements smoother. Elias watched, his heart pounding with a mix of pride and anticipation. You're both rising to this, he mused, his resolve hardening. The Santalune Tournament loomed, a test of their growth, and he felt the weight of their potential.
As the sun began to dip, Elias continued along the path, the meadows giving way to a wooded stretch. His thoughts turned to the tournament—forty credits for entry, a prize in credits to secure better supplies. The weight of his current funds pressed on him, a subtle frustration that fueled his drive. I've beaten three trainers, he reflected, but Santalune will demand more. A figure approached—a young trainer, perhaps sixteen, with a confident stride and two Poké Balls at his belt. "You're the one with the Deino," he called, his voice steady. "I've heard about your wins. Let's battle—fifty credits on the line."
Elias sized him up, his pulse quickening with anticipation. Another test. "Deal," he said, his voice calm but firm. They moved to a patch of open ground, the trainer releasing a Bunnelby. Elias sent out Deino, the dragon growling softly, its eyes reflecting a newfound confidence. The trainer grinned. "Bunnelby, Tackle!" The rabbit charged, its ears flattened for speed.
"Deino, Focus Energy," Elias countered, his mind sharp. Deino tensed, its senses heightening, dodging the Tackle with a swift sidestep. The trainer narrowed his eyes. "Dig!" Bunnelby burrowed underground, the earth trembling faintly. Elias waited, his heart steady, analyzing the rhythm of the ground. It's coming from the left. The ground erupted as Bunnelby lunged, but Elias was ready. "Dragon Breath—full force!" Deino unleashed a shimmering wave, the intensified energy catching Bunnelby mid-air. The rabbit squealed, tumbling back, its fur singed. The trainer gritted his teeth. "Mud Slap!" Bunnelby kicked up a cloud of dirt, obscuring the field. Elias' tension rose. "Focus Energy again—push through!" Deino's senses sharpened, its growl cutting through the haze. "Bite—lock it down!" Deino's jaws clamped onto Bunnelby's leg, the grip tightening as the rabbit struggled. The trainer called for another Dig, but Deino's hold held, and with a final Dragon Breath, Bunnelby fainted, collapsing with a weak cry. Elias recalled Deino, his breath uneven, a mix of relief and pride flooding him. You gave it your all, he thought, his bond with Deino deepening.
The trainer sent out a Pidgey, its wings flapping with confidence. "Gust!" The bird stirred a whirlwind, the air swirling with force. Elias released Fletchling, the bird taking flight, its eyes meeting his with a flicker of trust. "Agility," he commanded. Fletchling darted forward, its speed boosted, weaving through the Gust with a narrow miss, feathers ruffling. The trainer smirked. "Tackle!" Pidgey charged, but Elias saw the trajectory. "Quick Attack—strike now!" Fletchling's blur of motion slammed into Pidgey, knocking it back with a sharp cry. "Agility again!" Fletchling's speed surged, dodging a counter-Tackle. The trainer adjusted. "Gust with more power!" The whirlwind intensified, but Fletchling wove through, its training paying off. "Peck—aim for the wing!" The bird's beak struck true, and Pidgey faltered, flapping weakly. Elias pressed the advantage. "Quick Attack—finish it!" Fletchling's strike landed with precision, and Pidgey collapsed, the trainer recalling it with a nod.
"You're tough," the trainer said, handing over fifty credits. Elias pocketed the money, his total now at 145 credits, a wave of pride washing over him. We're proving ourselves, he thought. The three prior victories—Rattata, Mareep, Budew—had honed his team, and this fight showcased their growth. Deino's Dragon Breath now hit with greater intensity, its range extended after hours of practice, while Fletchling's Quick Attack was faster, its agility sharper from repeated drills. No new moves yet, but their strength was undeniable, their bond with Elias growing with each challenge.
He continued toward Santalune, the path winding through the meadows. The tournament loomed, a challenge he'd meet with strategy and strength. He rested that night in a clearing, his team in their Poké Balls, his mind alive with plans. Deino's trust, Fletchling's emerging loyalty—they were his strength. Kalos was his to conquer, and this was just the beginning.