As we ventured in search of an ideal spot for our battle, a small crowd trailed behind us. Their keen interest in observing our skirmish suggested a possible desire for distraction from a recent tragedy that had occurred weeks prior. It seemed as though they sought solace or diversion through the spectacle of our Pokémon battle amid troubled times.
We finally discovered an unscathed makeshift battlefield amidst the aftermath of the forest fire. On one side, haunting violet flames persisted among the branches, somehow finding enough sustenance to continue their unwelcome existence—a relentless force reminiscent of a recurring cancerous growth persisting within a body.
In stark contrast, on the other side stood several rows of logs and strategically placed plant life serving as makeshift audience stands. It appeared likely that these had been arranged by the Park Rangers and their Pokémon, a testament to their efforts amidst the chaos to provide a semblance of order and structure amidst the turmoil.
Standing on opposite ends of the field, Meredith and I prepared for our battle, the Rotom phone already set up with the league-sponsored referee on camera. As the referee began reciting the formalities, my hand instinctively moved toward Champ's Poké Ball, poised for action, but suddenly halted mid-air, freezing in place.
How could I even contemplate using Champ now? Am I being insensitive? No, the realization hits me—Champ has transitioned into my new starter following Zephyr's passing. Shaking off those thoughts, I redirect my focus, reaching for Beca's Poké Ball, unclipping it from my belt, poised to release her into battle.
The paramount concern is preventing any further harm to my cherished partners. I've taken the previous precautions by acquiring new gear, teaching them TMs, and now intensively training Beca. Her newfound enthusiasm for training seems sparked by the harrowing encounter with that terrifying creature—it's as if facing such a monstrous threat has kindled a burning desire within her to grow stronger.
The determination to secure victory surged within me. However, a haunting vision flashed through my mind—Meredith, injured and bloodied against a tree, a grim reminder of a timeline where I failed to prevent her tragic fate at the hands of Scabsol. The chilling imagery sent shivers down my spine, causing a wave of unease to wash over me.
Clutching Beca's Poké Ball, my grip tightened until my knuckles turned white, a physical manifestation of my determination and anxiety. Meanwhile, Meredith, her ball firmly in hand, wore a resolute expression, a stark determination etched upon her beautiful features, ready for the imminent battle.
The announcer's voice snapped me back to the present as they initiated the countdown for the impending battle.
Across the ash-laden, overgrown field, our eyes locked in a tense gaze. Meredith's intense stare held a captivating mix of determination and intensity, leaving me uncertain whether to admire it or to feel a sense of unease—akin to a predatory readiness about to strike its prey. I respected her tenacity, yet the depth of her emotional attachment remained a mystery to me.
I grappled with the enigma of her emotional investment, unable to decipher its roots amid the impending clash between our Pokémon.
As the countdown began, thoughts swirled in my mind, wondering if Meredith's intensity stemmed from guilt over our journey through Viridian Forest. Brandon's unfortunate fate, frozen alongside his Bastiodon, weighed heavily on my conscience. Yet, I knew deep down it wasn't her fault. Blame lay more with Brandon for leading us astray in the first place.
The timer ticked down.
3…
The sky appeared perpetually dreary and gray, a stark contrast to the usual sunlight. Despite the combined efforts of numerous flying-type trainers and the weather team deploying their Castform army, the sun remained elusive for the past two weeks. Rumors circulated about a possible clearing of the skies over Viridian City in a week, but grimly, it was speculated that the ash clouds lingering over the remnants of Viridian Forest might become a permanent fixture.
2…
The countdown initiated a rush of people flooding in from the park, with Pokémon peddling berries and food items—a bizarre scene that left me bewildered. Where had this sudden influx of individuals emerged from? Among them, a Meowth stood out, engaging in conversations and even facilitating wagers, causing me to pause in astonishment. A talking Meowth? That can't be right, wasn't there a talking Meowth that was part of Team Rocket many years ago?
1…
“Erembour! Focus, damn you!” Meredith's voice jolted me back to reality, her urgency cutting through my distraction. Just as her voice resounded, the alarm signaled the end of the countdown, snapping me back into battle mode.
Stolen story; please report.
Shit!
The battle commenced as I released Beca onto the field, simultaneously witnessing Meredith's Pineco emerge on her side. Her Pineco began spinning with a low hum, while Beca appeared, her body enveloped in the silvery sheen of Iron Defense—a testament to the diligent training that I had drilled into her.
Noticing that Meredith chose the Pineco I gifted her, it dawned on me that her Dewdrop hadn't fully recovered from the prior battle's damage. Despite this, I'd observed Meredith diligently training Pineco over the last two weeks, knowing it wouldn't be an easy match for Beca.
Taking a deep breath in I steadied myself to -
Meredith wasted no time in commanding her Pineco, urging it to initiate a Rollout attack. The spinning Pineco leaped into the air, curving downward in an attempt to strike Beca.
Responding swiftly, I instructed Beca with a calm tone, "String Shot, dodge it!" Acknowledging the speed and momentum of Pineco's Rapid Spin, I anticipated that her silk would not impede its movement but could aid in evading the attack.
Beca swiftly utilized her String Shot, evading Pineco's initial Rollout attack, which tore up the ground where she stood moments before. Pineco, undeterred, circled back, gearing up for another ramming attempt.
Responding to the impending attack, I directed Beca, "Magical Leaf and dodge when it gets closer!" A flurry of vividly glowing green leaves surged from Beca, pursuing Pineco as it zigzagged to evade the incoming projectiles. Despite its evasive maneuvers, Pineco couldn't entirely dodge the leaves, causing sporadic impacts.
However, Pineco's momentum persisted, forcing Beca to skillfully dodge at the last moment, narrowly escaping the incoming assault. Another trench formed as the collision threw debris in all directions.
With a strategic mindset, I instructed Beca to maintain her Agility and persist with the barrage of Magical Leaf attacks, urging her to dodge whenever necessary. The tactic aimed to gradually exhaust Pineco or provoke a mistake from Meredith due to irritation.
The battle unfolded with a consistent pattern. Beca adeptly evaded Pineco's relentless assaults using her String Shot technique, while Pineco struggled to connect with its attacks despite accumulating damage from the ongoing barrage. Surprisingly, Meredith displayed an unwavering calmness, maintaining her focus on the battle without succumbing to frustration. Her composure mirrored my own, indicating a calculated approach to the battle.
My eyes narrowed in suspicion as I grew weary. What was she planning?
“I know your type, Erembour! You think because people get hurt around you that you're better off on your own. That you'd rather take the brunt of the danger for yourself. Well, fuck you! We're a team now. I'm not some damsel in distress and I'll prove it to you right now! Poncie! Gyro dig! Give it all you've got!”
Caught off guard all I could do was stare at her. Gyro… What?
Her Pineco immediately rolled into one of its trenches to use as a ramp and lift off into the air, the two ends of its body glowing a light silver before slamming into the ground to bury itself beneath the earth.
Shit! That's what she's been working on for the past two weeks. Beca isn't going to be able to dodge that.
“Beca! Iron Defense! Toughen yourself as much as you can to mitigate the damage!”
Her body shined pure silver as the metallic sheen took hold. It was in the nick of time as the ground beneath her ruptured open as a spinning top of silver slammed into Beca’s underbelly knocking her ten feet up into the air.
“Give her a spinning Take Down!” Meredith cheered on.
“Aim down, Beca! Carpet the ground with a Seed Bomb barrage!”
As Pineco emerged, drilling upward like a projectile from the earth, Beca swiftly repositioned herself mid-air. In a calculated move, she inhaled and unleashed a barrage of large green seed-like projectiles, aiming directly at Meredith's Pineco.
Perfect, with no way of changing direction in mid-air, Pineco will get hit with all of them. The trade off from this will be in our favor -
“We got them where we want them! Power Trick, Poncie!”
Wait. What? Its body glowed multicolor as the bombs made contact and exploded against its body. There was a loud increasingly repeating staccato of explosions as bits of Pineco’s barky exterior fell off just as he slammed into Beca’s descending form with an audible thud.
As Pineco's silk threads ensnared Beca, binding her tightly to its barky shell, a sense of impending danger loomed. Pineco, spiraling faster with each passing moment during its descent, hinted at a strategic move.
"Beca! Endure and strike with Bug Bite!" I urged Beca, but Meredith's counter was swift and unexpected: "Too late. Poncie, execute a controlled self-destruct." Meredith's smirk hinted at her strategy.
Before I could say anything the scene unfolded rapidly, Beca and Pineco hurtling toward the ground akin to a comet's descent. Moments later, an explosive burst shattered the tranquility of the battlefield, hurling debris in all directions, and leaving a colossal fifteen foot crater at its epicenter.
The aftermath revealed Pineco's worn and fractured exterior, showing glimpses of its vulnerable larval body beneath. Remnants of the protective barrier faded away, leaving the Pokémon visibly damaged but resilient.
In the heart of the crater, Beca lay unconscious, bearing the full impact of the self-destruct. Despite weeks of rigorous training, the battle's outcome hadn't swung in our favor. Yet, acknowledging Meredith's skill, I couldn't deny the challenge she posed. Reluctantly recalling Beca into her Poké Ball, I observed Meredith's exuberant celebration with Pineco.
As Meredith gleefully lifted her Pineco and danced around, her infectious smile beamed across the battlefield. Her playful gesture, sticking her tongue out, reflected the spirited camaraderie even amidst the intense battle.
Acknowledging Meredith's jubilant demeanor helped dissolve any lingering disappointment about the battle's outcome. With a sigh, I directed my attention to Beca's Poké Ball.
"You gave it your all, Beca. I underestimated our opponent's strength and was caught off guard. But now, we've gained a companion for our journey," I murmured softly, before returning her to her ball and securing it on my belt.
Walking over to Meredith, I accepted the referee's declaration of her victory. The surrounding crowd, witnessing the intense match, erupted into cheers and applause, their support and enthusiasm ringing out from the sidelines.
Extending my hand towards her, a grin crossed my face as I acknowledged Meredith's victory with admiration and respect.
"Well played. It was an excellent battle and it's shown me the areas where I need to improve. Despite my reservations about your involvement, you've won fairly. I'll keep my promise. Thank you," I expressed, offering her my gratitude.
Moved by the gesture, Meredith's eyes welled up as she disregarded my hand, enveloping me in a tight hug. The crowd reacted with a mixture of playful teasing and warm-hearted support, alternating between playful "ooooo"s and "awwwwww"s before some chuckles emerged, while others respectfully allowed us space.
“I'm happy that my hard training paid off. I really didn't want to lose. I couldn't bear the idea of you traveling alone with that thing out there. We're sticking together.” she whispered into my ear before pushing me away to be at arm's length.
“Now! As part of my reward it is only customary that you should invite me out to eat, your treat!” she exclaimed loudly which got the crowd to agree with her.
I let out a huff of air and scratched the back of my head. Of course she would back me into the corner for some food. It's fine, it's only fair considering she paid for our last meal. Who knows, it might be better to have a traveling companion with me. It'll be less lonely compared to having only Champ and Beca.
“That's fine with me, but there's somewhere I need to be first. Come on, let's go. I gotta go see my sponsor. Try and keep up.” I tell her as I rush off with a head start and her chasing after me.