I recalled Grookey and sat down on the edge of the battlefield, legs stretched out in front of me. I still felt like Grookey had a few battles in him. Maybe it was selfish of me to immediately send the guy out to battle, but I couldnt help it.
'I'll just spoil and give him more attention later...'
The Pokédollars transfer pinged on my phone a second later. One thousand whole Pokedollhairs my good sir. Which was around $10. I cannot lie it did feel good to win some sort of money.
Before I could stare too much at the earning though, Piers was already beside me.
"…That was a good battle." Piers had moved from the bench and was standing a few steps away, hands in his jacket pockets like before.
"Thanks," I said.
He watched me for a moment, then added, "You're not a rookie are you?"
I blinked. "I am though? Grookey is my starter." My clearly confused face definitely sold the bit if there was any. It did make him pause.
Hearing my words Piers just gave me an impressed look as if in approval. Thinking back to the fight, Grookey didn't get hit once which is sort of impressive. But still in my opinion a far cry to not being a rookie.
"Fake Out straight into an opening, then a dodge when your opponent committed to a high-risk move. Quite the impressive first battle there, though if Scorbunny had [Ember] you would be in big trouble." He says, talking the most in just that one sentence, than our whole time together.
'True that.' I thought. Piers was right that if the Scorbunny had a super effective move I would be screwed, on top of it being a ranged attack. While I doubt Scorbunny at this level could accurately attack seeing how well [Leech Seed] was smacked away. Grookey could dodge could out last it.
At the end of the day, I'm no expert of the Scorbunny line. Everything I think are just speculations.
[Fake Out] had been obvious first move choice because of its flinch chance and priority in the games. I'd known that before I ever stepped onto the field. Same with High Jump Kick being dangerous. I hadn't remembered the recoil part exactly, but I knew it was something you didn't want to tank head-on.
The dodging was more of an influence of the anime and manga.
'So the video games and show do help me quite a lot in battles. A welcomed surprise.'
"Fair enough." I respond a little speechless at his analysis. Did I really care that much about him thinking I'm not a rookie? Not in particular, it won't kill me that my skill was above average at the start.
It's more of the mid-late game where I truly have to adapt.
Piers didn't push further at my answer.
After offering another battle with Piers who shut me down in an instant. What a surprise... I soon found myself searching for another opponent in the park. Which thankfully wasn't hard due to the new trainers getting their partner Pokemon for the first time today.
The next battle was another Scorbunny. Different trainer. I wagered another thousand.
'I'll let him go first, reacting to their move seems to be the play for now.' I thought to myself, wanting to switch it up a little bit. The trainer in front of me sent out a familiar Scorbunny.
"Go for a [Tackle]!"
"[Leech Seed] Grookey,"
Scorbunny sprinted forward in a dash as Grookey produced some sort of glowing green seed in its palm. As it threw the green seed at the charging bunny, it was unfortunately smacked away mid [Tackle].
Taking the opportunity, Scorbunny rammed into Grookey making it the first hit he ever took.
"Groo (Ugh)!"
'What.' I thought a bit speechless. We definitely need to work on Grookey's throwing speed and aim.
"That's it Scorbunny! Use [Super Fang]."
"Grookey, [Fake Out]."
Grookey seeing the charging Scorbunny, pouted with a stare wanting its get back. Proceeds to meet its pace and meet in the middle of the battle field, clobbering its head with a hand and wooden club before it could bite.
Making it flinch.
'I have an idea.'
"Use [Strength] but hit it downwards."
"[Tackle] Scorebunny!" The trainer pleads seeing its Pokemon unable to respond. Grookey thought was grinning ear to ear seeing this. With his body glowing a white hue, it swung an overhead punch on the bunny.
*Thud*
"Groo Grookey (Oh yeah)!" Grookey celebrates.
"Again!" I shout wanting to end this quickly. Grookey got the memo as Scorbunny's trainer helplessly watched his Pokemon get smacked twice, causing him to lose the match. By this point I could see that my Pokemon was spent.
My boy was breathing heavy, probably due to spamming [Strength] as if it was the move [Scratch].
"Grookey Groo (Did I do good trainer man)?"
"That's enough for one buddy, you were amazing." I murmur, rubbing his head and giving some complimentary pats. He definitely deserved it, the ₱2000 he earned was immediately gonna be used to buy him something.
I sat back down near Piers.
"You gonna keep going?" Piers asked.
I shook my head. "Nah, Grookey is spent. Maybe later today." Hearing my words he nodded. To my surprise Piers acted as my guide which I was thankful for, as he knows I'm a rookie. Walking back through the pathway, Piers brought me to the Pokemon Center and how to get a checkup.
No ID checks or anything, just hand in the Pokeball with a name and who ever was in the front desk would be on it.
An Indeedee would bring it over to me at my convenience which was neat.
"You think this would look good on my Grookey?" I off-handedly ask Piers, while looking through the small shops connected to the Pokemon center. I was holding some shades which was something Ash's Squirtle and Krookodile had something similar to.
"Would you still buy it if I said no?"
"I suppose not, I'm already set on buying him this." My answer making him sigh. I also took the time to buy some Pokemon food. According to the Pokedex app I have, Grookey can eat both plants and a meat based diet which would effect either its grass type efficiency, or physical attributes.
So why not have both? Either way it's recommended to just use some sort of grass type kibble which achieves both purposes.
After buying the shades and food from the shop, I find Piers sitting down on a small table near the corner of the Pokemon centre. He really was taking any opportunity to rest on this trip.
"Kenji, Have you thought about any tournaments?" Piers asked randomly, to which I shake my head. "There's one coming up in Spikemuth for a sponsorship."
Now that got my attention.
"Sponsored how? Is it like an endorsement?" He pulled his phone out and showed me a poster with dark colours and neon accents. The Spikemuth logo stamped across the top with a date and some prizes.
"Sponsors aren't endorsements," he explained. "They don't get you into the major division. Just resources, some money, and what ever they want you to have. In this case there's a Scrafty egg."
Interesting Pokemon. The mega especially...
"I wouldn't mind. Is the tournament for newer trainers?" A totally valid question. Grookey wasn't gonna receive an ass beating for no reason now.
Instead of any comforting words about how it was only for rookies. Piers just gave me the most depressed smile I've ever seen and shook his head. "Only trainers up to three years can participate. It's worth a try at least."
"Sure?" I answer still unsure of this guy's intentions. Initially it felt like I was the one awkwardly trying to get close to him, now Piers feels like the weird one here.
'That reminds me, I should check out more local competitions.' I thought nodding. Looking at the poster Piers is showing me, the tournament was going to be in a week and a half's time. Which is not quite the big training saga I was hoping for.
Well beggars can't be choosers.
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To no one's surprise and definitely not Piers. After receiving Grookey from the Indeedee, we immediately returned to the battle grounds at the back of the Pokemon centre. This time though we sat on a bench as Piers scrolled through his phone.
While Grookey was on my lap.
"Hehe, what do you think little guy?" Grookey was now wearing the glasses was ecstatic at his gift. Wearing the shades with a sort of smug which was more entertaining than anything. Chukling at the little guy puffing his chest, I snatched them away like a villain.
I don't want them to break mid-fight, so they would be removed before battle.
"Groo groo... (Noo please)." He growls a little sad at the shades being taken away. Seeing his wide eyes nearly crying, I almost gave them back.
Grookey yearns for the shades.
Remembering the food in I specifically got for him. I quickly brought out the Pokemon food and pet him some more.
"I'm sorry, you can wear it later alright? Eat this for now and we will battle again."
(≧▽≦)
Seeing the little monkey's celebration at food completely forgetting about the shades, my cuteness aggression was acting up. 'He's my starter.' I thought a little giddy, the novelty not going to wear off anytime soon. Piers who was next to me just smiled at the interaction which didn't escape my sight.
Looking around, Piers and I spectated some battles going on just ahead of us. There were Grookey versus Grookey, Sobble versus Grookey and many more battles. Even a Growlithe appeared.
'Did that Grookey just lose to a Sobble...' I thought narrowing my eyes. I only got to see the ending part of the match, but that was a bit alarming. Not in danger way but more competition sense.
What moves did Sobble know? As my thoughts wandered, a girl went up to me. SHe had blue eyes, long black hair in a ponytail and seemed to be the same age as me.
"Um excuse me. I'm sorry to bother, but can we have a battle." The meek voice asked. Looking up with Grookey doing the same in sync we could see the girl who looked more like a scared rabbit.
One wrong word and she might cry.
"Sure, are we gonna wager or just a battle?" I ask.
"We can wager, I'm sorry I'm not sure how much to wager..." She answers, head looking at the floor. Hearing her third sorry so far, I just kindly smile understanding the inconvenience at asking for battles.
"I'll wager ₱500. The name's Kenji. You?"
"O-Oh, my name is Mia." Standing up, I see her looking at me grateful. I've already won twice today and I didn't wanna lose all my earning that fast. It's like gambling and winning early, not that I've ever gambled real money.
Heading over to a open spot in the park, we soon found got into positions.
Watching her take out a Pokeball, she soon sent out a Sobble which seemed a little energetic.
'A Sobble.' I frown. Grookey still didn't have a grass move, this would be a little rough for me. Doing the same as the last two battles, I let her have the first move.
"Sobble use [Double Team]."
Well fuck.
What does one do against that, when they don't have a wide range hitting move. Mistakes were made.
"[Growl] Grookey, be on guard." I order.
Watching the lizard make five clones of itself, Grookey growled out loud which made the Sobble flinch a little. 'Interesting, growl did seem to affect the opponent some what. Though I don't specifically remember the difference between [Growl], [Leer]...'
"[Ice Shard] Sobble!"
"Oh hell no, Grookey dodge and close the gap."
Watching my starter run forward, five ice shards appeared in front of the Sobbles which were soon sent flying at Grookey. Grookey looking up with a frown, jumped sideways to dodge two shard. While another three headed his way.
*Boom*
"[Ice Shard] again Sobble!" The meek girl orders. Watching her go from shy to confident was definitely something.
Watching Grookey get up but clearly hurt, it made my heart ache a little. My mind was still a mess on how to win. This battle definitely didn't seem winnable in my eyes.
"Grookey [Hammer Arm], destroy the ice and then attack!" Grookey who heard my words, immediately had a sienna glow, destroyed the incoming [Ice Shard] and dove for one of the Sobble.
*Crash*
He hit straight air. Soon after this an [Ice Shard] hit him from the back. Causing him to lose the battle in the end.
Our first loss.
'Rip, I suppose the only way out of that was to be on the offense first. Plus pray I hit the right clone. On top of me forgetting about [Leech Seed], what a bummer of a match.' I sigh to myself. Walking up to Grookey, I gave him his shades and pet his head.
The match wasn't really his fault but mine. Either way he was kind of screwed.
"Grookey grookey... (I'm sorry trainer man, I tried my best)"
"You did amazing buddy, don't worry about loses. This is a learning experience for the both of us." I console the sad boy. Thankfully my words did work on him, especially with his shades back, his wide smile made me grin myself.
Gotta turn that frown upside down.
Walking up to Mia, I shake her hand and send her over the ₱500.
"Thanks for the battle, I've sent the money." I simply say. Mia who heard my words tried to apologise for Sobble hitting Grookey, but I just wave her off and soon after left. Piers who saw this followed.
Getting hurt was apart of the battle. I wouldn't go after someone for sparring with me and getting some hits in unless it was dangerous or overly aggressive.
Piers after my first loss recommended to eat somewhere and we soon after had a quick meal before heading back to the flying taxi. It's been a few hours and the guy wanted to go home as soon as possible.
This was when I sent Grookey back to the Pokemon centre as we ate.
'In all fairness, Piers probably wanted to go home right after getting his Grookey.' I thought in amusement. Definitely was a cool experience to be shown around by a future gym-leader. I have to be grateful.
I have his socials too.
"You boys ready to head back to Spikemuth?" The familiar taxi guy asked. Looking at his cab number of 108, both Piers and I nodded.
"Thanks for helping me out today." I say, as we both headed inside the small cab. Piers who heard me just shook his head.
"It's the most I can do for another fellow from Spikemuth." His words probably answered any question I could have.
Ah so that's why he helped me. Thinking about it more, this did make sense in the long run. He's been trying to help Spikemuth gain more popularity in both the anime, manga and games.
So supporting a fellow trainer wouldn't hurt no body.
'I still want a Rookidee.' I think to myself, feeling the large Corviknight start to lift off. Taking a better look through the window of us started to get higher in the air. The sight of a beautiful sunset could be seen in front as we soared.
Not a bad day. Not bad at all.
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[A/N: Any guesses for what Pokemon he's gonna be trying to catch in the next few chapters? A bit of a battle heavy chapter. The fanfic is called battle fanatic for a reason though]