Route 8 was unusual among the thoroughfares the Violet pair had traversed so far in Kanto. Instead of having a direct path, the road wound around a large, fenced-in area where wild Pokémon ran freely through the grass. Trainers dotted the landscape here and there, either tracking down or battling those wild Pokémon as they traveled. There were some Pokémon that neither youngster had seen in the region yet, like Vulpix and Growlithe, but since both James and Jen had Fire-types already, they used them as targets to train their teammates instead. The presence of so many of these Pokmon was a problem for Jen, since she was trying to prioritize Kakuna in her training, holding out hope that he could evolve and contribute to her team selection against the Celadon Gym.
“C'mon, Kakuna, one more. Hit him with Poison Sting!” Kakuna fired a sharp, glowing violet spike at Nidoran, who shrugged off the attack easily. “This is ridiculous. We can't just build up power against another Poison-type all the time.” As she sighed and looked down at the bug, Pichu let off an electric blast out of nowhere. The blast hit Elekid, who was standing nearby, and he sank to his knees from the strength of the charge. “Hey, way to go, Pichu! You're getting more powerful every day!” Pichu, for her part, had already dashed over to Elekid and was patting her protector's arm in apology. James looked on with interest.
“She's even knocking Elekid down now? That's gotta be a strong charge.” He turned back to his own group, where Blue was conversing with Golbat. “Try it again, Blue. Doduo's ready to take the hit this time.” Blue rushed the Twin Bird, her jaws taking on a dark violet tinge, and bit down hard on his leg. Doduo cried out in pain from the bite, then yelled out again when the poison effect kicked in. James, sensing danger, ran over to Doduo and pulled a yellow spray bottle from his bag. The liquid inside misted as James spritzed it onto Doduo's leg, and the purplish tinge to his body faded. “Thank goodness for that two-for-one sale, right?”
“Considering the amount of Poison attacks our teams have, I'd have bought them full price,” Jen responded, looking down at her Pokédex as she watched Magmar firing at Togetic. “Keep moving, Togetic! Watch for your opening!” Togetic flitted away from an extra-hot Flamethrower attack, then her eyes glowed, and an iridescent beam of light hammered into Magmar. The Spitfire Pokémon backed away in surprise, and Jen laughed. “She's not just a mobile target any more, Magmar. I think you've got competition again.” Magmar spat out a mouthful of flame, then aimed at her teammate once more. “Keep it up, you two. We can only get stronger.” As she reached to adjust the hem of her t-shirt, she jumped and let out a yell as Typhlosion burst from underground, sending bits of earth flying everywhere. “Typhlosion! Don't scare me like that! At least give a girl a warning.”
“But that would defeat the purpose,” James said, struggling to keep his face straight. Jen glared at him. “No, I didn't put him up to it, if that's what you're thinking.” He looked over at Electabuzz, who was now absorbing Pichu's ThunderShock and Elekid's Shock Wave. “Good on you, pal. That takes care of two problems. Those two can let off their excess electricity, and you won't wander off and kill the power in any buildings nearby.” Electabuzz had the decency to look sheepish at this; he'd certainly been tempted by at least three power substations they'd passed along their route. James grinned and turned towards Doduo, who looked to have shaken off the poison effect entirely now. “Ready for another round?” Doduo chattered excitedly and ran straight at Electabuzz, his two beaks spinning like drills. “Hey, I didn't say to do...” James broke off with an exasperated groan as Doduo collided with Electabuzz, knocking the Electric Pokémon over. Pichu and Elekid had jumped clear, and the latter was yelling incoherently at the Twin Bird, who looked bemused. “Don't give us that look, you knew exactly what you were doing.” James rolled his eyes as Doduo continued to feign innocence, and looked at Nidoran. The Poison-type was glaring at the scene, barely noticing that Kakuna was still shooting ineffective stings at him. When he noticed his trainer looking at him, Nidoran growled and leapt into the air, aiming a Double Kick at Kakuna.
“Hey! What's he up to?!” Jen cried as Kakuna braced for impact. The bug's shell glowed briefly, and looked shinier after the Harden finished. Nidoran's kicks still drove Kakuna back, but the damage was limited by the defensive move. Jen shooed Kakuna back towards her own team. “I know Kakuna can take the hits, but Nidoran needs to get a grip.”
“He does,” James agreed, looking at Nidoran, who glared back. “C'mon, stop with the glare. You're not frightening anybody. I get it, you're frustrated, but staring at me instead of following orders isn't going to make you evolve any faster.” Nidoran growled and turned away. “Hey! D'you want to be in contention for a spot against Celadon Gym or not?” Nidoran didn't answer, but skulked away towards the tent. “Guess not.” James groaned and looked over at Jen. “Kakuna's okay?”
“He's...” Whatever Kakuna was, Jen never got to say. Doduo had chosen that moment to start chattering at the top of his voice, and started running this way and that, nearly trampling several of his teammates. Elekid grabbed Pichu and dove for cover, while Electabuzz fired a Thunderbolt to try to stop the bird's tirade. Doduo shrank back from the electric blast, but didn't go down. Electabuzz growled and prepared to shock the bird again, and Typhlosion shot a Flamethrower from the other side, knocking Doduo over and reducing the grass around him to cinders. Doduo went still, his rampage over.
“What was that?” James asked wildly as he ran over to check on Doduo. Electabuzz kept his eyes squarely on the bird, and Typhlosion began checking the positions of his teammates. Blue had run over to see what was happening, and Nidoran followed his sister over. Elekid glared at both James and Doduo as he continued to shelter Pichu. “I knew Doduo was pretty wild when we encountered him, but I've never seen him go off like that before.” As James continued looking Doduo over, Jen turned and spotted a couple of people walking toward them.
“Heads up,” she warned, signaling her team to form up. Magmar placed herself behind her trainer, and Jen winced from the Fire-type's latent heat. Elekid didn't move, but stayed crouched in front of Pichu, while Golbat and Togetic flew up onto either side of Magmar and their trainer. As the distant figures grew more distinct, Jen narrowed her eyes. An older man in what looked like a chauffeur's uniform was approaching, followed by someone shorter and lighter-haired than she was, someone familiar.
“That was some Uproar,” the man said, looking over at where James was kneeling next to Doduo. “Quite the performance. We could hear it from the road.” Jen nodded, but glared at the girl behind him. Even without the Eevee at her heels, she'd recognize the pink shirt, jean shorts and ruby eyes anywhere.
“What are you doing here?” Jen asked, a little louder than she expected. Stephanie Anderson just smiled.
“We were passing along when we heard that noise,” she said, smoothing her white jacket. “I didn't know you guys had gotten here already.” Eevee ran over to where Doduo lay on the ground and cooed sadly. “He'll be okay, Eevee. Don't worry.” The man next to her pulled a red and yellow spray bottle from his coat pocket, and handed it to James.
“Here. This Super Potion should have Doduo up and running in seconds.” James accepted the bottle with a nod of thanks, and began spraying it on the bird's body. Just as the man said, Doduo popped up almost instantly, and looked around curiously at the newcomers. “There we are.”
“Hartson thinks of everything, doesn't he?” Stephanie asked admiringly, as the man bowed. “I don't know what I'd do without him.”
“Maybe you'd train properly instead of city-hopping,” Jen muttered, turning away from them. The man called Hartson simply chuckled; either he hadn't heard Jen's comment, or had ignored it.
“I am here to help, Miss Anderson. But you have not properly introduced me to your friends here.” Stephanie gasped and nodded.
“You're right! Um, the cute one over there is...” she broke off, flushing. Jen spun around while James stiffened at the implied compliment, then the latter turned to Hartson.
“I'm James, from Violet City. Thanks for the help, Mr. Hartson.” Hartson waved the comment aside.
“It's nothing, my boy.” He turned towards Jen. “I never caught your name, young lady.” Jen flushed herself now, and fought to control herself.
“I'm Jennifer. Sorry if I was rude.” Hartson laughed.
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“No apologies necessary. Miss Anderson has told me of previous run-ins you two have had in the past.”
“No kidding,” Jen muttered again, her eyes shifting to Stephanie. The lighter-haired girl just stuck her tongue out. “So, have you caught any new Pokémon since Viridian Forest?” Stephanie nodded, pulling three retracted Pokéballs from her jacket pocket.
“Eevee's got three friends now. Well, besides me and Hartson. C'mon out, everyone!” Stephanie tossed all three balls in the air, and their occupants appeared in a flash of light. The Caterpie she'd caught in Viridian Forest emerged, followed by a grey humanoid with reddish eyes and three tan ridges on his head. The third arrival was a reddish-brown fox with a split orange tail; Jen had seen a few of its kind along the route. “You've met Eevee and Caterpie, and this is Machop and Vulpix.” Vulpix gave a shy bark, and Machop flexed his muscles, giving Jen and her team what he clearly thought was an intimidating look. Magmar looked less than impressed, though, and he desisted.
“Miss Anderson and her team have been training hard since we passed through Vermilion City,” Hartson explained as Stephanie recalled everyone except Eevee and scooped the Normal-typed fox up into her arms. “Once she saw the Classic, she told me that she's finally decided on her future goal.”
“You're going to become a Coordinator?” Jen asked, and Stephanie nodded. “I mean, you've got the vanity part down...”
“Hey!” Stephanie cried, and Eevee squeaked in agreement. “Just because you catch scary-looking Pokémon doesn't mean the rest of us...”
“Ladies, please,” Hartson interrupted, interposing himself between the two girls, who were now glaring at one another. “This is hardly the time or place for an argument, wouldn't you agree?”
“No, I think it's the perfect time and place for an argument!” Stephanie shouted, and Eevee squeaked again from her arms. “Just because I don't spend all my time falling into ditches and getting mussed up doesn't mean I'm no good at training!”
“Just because my Pokémon aren't all beauty contestants doesn't make them useless either!” Jen shot back. “This gang's gotten me two Kanto badges so far, and we're heading for a third.”
“Shouldn't you have three? Or was Vermilion too much for you?” Stephanie smirked as Jen struggled for a comeback. James, finishing his checkover on Doduo, got up from beside the bird.
“We took on Vermilion Gym together. Not having a Thunder Badge is more my fault than hers.” Stephanie looked at him, her expression softening, but James saw through it. “Don't try to reframe it. It's the truth.”
“But...but...” Stephanie stammered, unable to respond. Jen smirked with triumph, and Stephanie rounded on her. “All right, then. Let's have a battle, two against two. I'll show you that beauty doesn't mean weakness.”
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“Jen, this is a bad idea,” James said quietly as Jen looked her team over, trying to choose her two Pokémon. Jen scoffed in response.
“She can't beat us. We've been training harder than she ever will. I'll show her...insult my Pokémon, will she? I'm going to...” James groaned.
“Jen, will you get a grip? You're taking this way too far.” Jen glared at him, but James didn't back down. “So you and she don't have the same taste in Pokémon, big deal. No need to start a fight over it.”
“Yes, there is,” Jen hissed as she looked from Elekid to Pichu and back. “I'm gonna show her what I can do.” She pointed to Elekid, then to Togetic. “You two are up. Let's put this show-off in her place.” Elekid growled, and Togetic looked worried. “C'mon, Togetic, work with me here. This is a chance to get some real practice in.” Togetic sighed and followed her trainer, while Elekid dashed forward to keep pace. The rest of the team settled down to watch, and James' team joined them. James himself moved to the side, where he could watch both sides better.
Hartson moved between the two girls as Stephanie motioned for Eevee to stay behind her. “Ladies, this is a two versus two match. Once both Pokémon on either side are unable to continue, the match will be over. There can be no substituting once the battle begins. Are you both ready?” Jen nodded as Elekid squared his shoulders and Togetic floated nervously above him. Stephanie smiled as she took out two of her Pokéballs.
“So it's your Elekid and Togetic? At least one of your Pokémon has a nice appearance.” As Jen fumed, Stephanie tossed out her Pokéball. “Let's go, Machop and Vulpix!” Machop hit the field and flexed his muscles again, while Vulpix barked in excitement. Elekid snarled at Machop, and the Fighting-type pointed in an obvious challenge. Hartson watched all four Pokémon get into position, then nodded.
“Begin the battle!” Stephanie pointed quickly at Elekid.
“Machop, Scary Face!” Machop grabbed his face and pulled a grotesque expression in Elekid's direction. Elekid looked unimpressed, while Jen sneered.
“Like we're afraid of that! Elekid, rush in with Brick Break! Togetic, up, then use Magical Leaf on Vulpix!” Elekid's fist sparked as he ran towards Machop, and Togetic gathered a cloud of shining leaves around her.
“Machop, counter that with your Karate Chop! Vulpix, Captivate!” Machop moved to intercept Elekid's attack, while small pink hearts formed in Vulpix's eyes and shot towards Jen's Pokémon. One hit Elekid and dissipated, while another caught Togetic full in the face and burst; Togetic lost control of the Magical Leaf she was preparing and the move exploded, causing her to have to fight to regain her composure. Meanwhile, Machop and Elekid's attacks met, shaking the area and sending both opponents sliding back towards their trainers.
“Don't let up! Togetic, Extrasensory on Machop! Elekid, Shock Wave on Vulpix!” Elekid's body was surrounded by a cloud of blue electricity, and he zapped the fox with a grin on his face. Machop was hit by Togetic's beam of iridescent light, but the attack did less damage than Jen anticipated. “What the...? That should've put Machop away easily!”
“Not after Captivate!” Stephanie retorted in a teasing voice. “Togetic's ranged attacks won't be as strong now that Vulpix has dealt with her.” She turned to the fox. “Fire Spin!” A funnel of scorching flame exploded from Vulpix's mouth, and Togetic was caught inside it.
“Togetic!” Jen cried, looking wildly from her airborne team member to Elekid, who was locked in a wrestling match with Machop and growling in discomfort. “Quick, get away with Brick Break!” Elekid managed to free an arm and hit Machop across the chest with a sparking forearm shiver.
“Get it back, Machop! Knock it over with Low Kick!” As Elekid retreated, Machop dropped to the ground and swept the Electric-type's leg out from under him. Elekid crashed to the floor, snarling at his attacker. Machop gave him a hard Karate Chop for his trouble, and sparks played across the Fighting-type's body.
“Thank goodness for Static,” Jen breathed, then looked up to where Togetic was still wreathed in flames. “Ranged attacks are no good now, girl! Get after Vulpix and use Headbutt!” Togetic plummeted out of the air, her head aimed straight at the fox's.
“Not happening! Vulpix, sidestep and use another Fire Spin.” Vulpix watched Togetic to gauge her speed, but before he could obey his trainer, Togetic's forehead hammered into his, causing the fox to shy away in fear. “No way! You can't be scared of that, can you?” Jen laughed at Stephanie's and Vulpix's predicament.
“Looks like Elekid's not the only scary one. Another Headbutt, girl! End this!” She swung back to Elekid and Machop's fight. “Shock Wave, Elekid! There's no way that thing can stand up to your electricity!” Stephanie's eyes widened with fear, then took on a defiant edge.
“No way I'm letting you beat me like that! Machop, Karate Chop! Vulpix, Fire Spin!” Machop pushed through the blue lightning and chopped down hard between Elekid's horns, while Vulpix let fly with another fiery cyclone as Togetic bore down on him. Elekid yelled as Machop struck, while Togetic barreled into Vulpix, the fire dissipating on impact. The grass around the combatants was singed as the fire was blown outward, and James instinctively leaped backwards as the cinders scattered. Only Hartson remained unruffled, watching all four Pokémon as they moved back to their starting positions. One by one, they dropped. Elekid's knees buckled and he fell forwards onto his face; Vulpix barked weakly as he slumped to the ground; Togetic let out a weak squeal as she slowly descended and hit the ground with a dull thud; and Machop briefly raised his arms in celebration before his eyes glazed over and he pitched forward just like Elekid. Hartson watched the whole scene play out before nodding.
“It looks like all four Pokémon are done for the day. I believe we can call this match a draw.” Both Jen and Stephanie burst out with angry protests.
“A draw?! No way, there has to be a way to settle this!” Jen cried in disgust. Stephanie gave Hartson a pleading stare.
“That's not fair! Machop was the last one to fall, so I should be the winner!” Hartson shook his head at both of them.
“No, a draw is the correct result, Jennifer. There can be no further hostilities in this situation.” He saw Stephanie's pleading look, and shook his head. “I'm afraid it doesn't work that way, Miss Anderson. Even if Machop was last to go down, he's still down, and it's still a draw.” He looked at the sun sinking in the western sky, and gasped a little. “Dear me, is it that late already? We must move on, Miss Anderson, before night falls.” Hartson handed Jen several Super Potion bottles. “Use them well. Your teams both fought valiantly, if a little too separately. Miss Anderson?” Stephanie huffed as she recalled Vulpix and Machop. “Very well, we will treat them later.” As Stephanie started towards the road, Hartson bowed to the Violet pair. “Jennifer. James. Best of luck on your remaining travels.” He noticed Stephanie tapping her foot out of the corner of his eye, but he remained smiling. “Until we meet again, then.” As he moved to join Stephanie, James walked over to Jen.
“A draw's not that bad, is it?” Jen looked over at him with narrowed eyes.
“I'll get her next time. I'll be ready for her tricks, and now that I know which Pokémon she has, she'll be no match.” James raised an eyebrow.
“Man, I thought I could get worked up. She really brings out something in you, you know that?” Jen didn't answer, but just walked over to Togetic and began spraying Super Potion on her. “Guess she knows, but doesn't want to say it.” He shrugged, and walked back to where his own team was waiting for him, ready to continue the journey.