Korie rolled her eyes, unimpressed by the boy's antics. [color=palevioletred]“Of course not,”[/color] she said sarcastically when the boy brought up the events earlier that day. [color=palevioletred]“No hard feelings at all, imaginary Gyarados and stolen Pokeball or not.”[/color]

So maybe he had stolen the pokeball and he didn't really have a gyarados. At this point, it would have been pointless to keep insisting. So he smiled, eyes glittering.[color=0072bc]"Glad you're not too upset then."[/color] 

At Korie's side, Daigh looked suspiciously at the Torchic approaching him, eyes narrowing to slits but not moving. The fire bird Pokemon seemed rather harmless -- almost clueless. Although the Charmander usually didn't like coming into contact with other Pokemon, he wasn't one to bully them either, so he turned to stare at the male human that was, presumably, the Torchic's trainer.

[color=palevioletred]“Last time I told you my name, I didn't get one back. At least not a real one. So if you'll forgive me for asking for your name first this time,”[/color] the girl said curtly in response to the boy's first question. When he brought up the Torchic, the girl looked down at the two fire Pokemon -- her Charmander, who was doing his damned hardest not to mind the Torchic circling the flame on the tip of his tail and pretty much trampling the rest of it, and the Torchic, appearing young and well-cared for. Her gaze softened slightly as she took that into account, looking back up at the boy. [color=palevioletred]“Korie. My name's Korie, and I guess the Torchic really is kind of lucky, all other things aside.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Silly, I did tell you. My name's Evian,"[/color] Evian replied. Instantly, he kind of regretted it, because he could have totally just thrown a random name at her. Too late now. Oh well. [color=0072bc]"Korie, huh? So charming." [/color] Meanwhile, Ammo had finished his inspection of the firey tail tip, and thoroughly satisfied, moved to the front of the other pokemon. He cheeped at the Charmander, boldly asking questions of his own. Evian couldn't help but smile. [color=0072bc]"Look at them, I can't help but wonder what they're talking about."[/color] The bird in question was on the tips of his talons, chirping brightly, ruffling his feathers. He stopped abruptly, then hopped over to Evian, who looked down at him, amused.[color=0072bc]"Whatever is it?"[/color]  Ammo seemed to motion with one wing at the charmander, and then at himself. He peeped furiously. It took him a few moments to understand. [color=0072bc]"You want that Charmander to help you?"[/color] 

Korie looked down at her Charmander who was now completely over the Torchic and solely focused on his trainer with a face that spoke of how utterly unamused he was by the entire situation. [color=palevioletred]“Tell you what,”[/color] Korie said, giving the boy a friendly glare, [color=palevioletred]“he'll train your Torchic if you agree to have a battle with me.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]"Train [i]my[/i] pokemon? You must be joking." Like hell he needed her overrated lizard training his sweet Torchic. The Charmander line was a set of pokemon he especially disdained, due to his mother being absolutely obsessed with them. To him though, they were annoying. Especially since most dragon tamers started off with them, they just seemed banal and overrated. "A battle though..."[/color] He mused thoughtfully. It almost seemed like too much work. Still, he was kind of curious to see how she did handle herself. Sure. It could be a tidy distraction.  [color=0072bc]"Alright, Korie. No thanks on the training, but I'd be happy to grant your wishes."[/color] The best part? No prize money wagered, so no skin off his bones.

[hr]
A clearing in the forest was secured for the battle. Trees surrounded them, like gnarled spectators in the crowd. It was quiet. The pokemon that had lived in the forest knew what happened when humans came, especially if they brought foreign species to their grounds. They peered through the bramble and branches; Evian felt the eyes burning into him. He squared his shoulders, thinking. He hadn't even gotten a chance to see his new pokemon, and here he was, standing in the forest, ready to have some battle. Well, whatever. It was a nice distraction and he was willing to do whatever for Ammo to get stronger. The little pokemon in question was constantly jumping up and down in his arms out of excitement. He pecked at his arms and his talons gripped Evian's shirt, trembling. [color=0072bc]"Wow, you're really excited, aren't you? My, where did all this enthusiam come from?"[/color] 

On the other side of the clearing, Korie had released her two Pokemon -- Laetus, her Lotad, and Daigh, her Charmander. [color=palevioletred]“Alright guys, we're gonna be battling a trainer for the first time,”[/color] Korie was saying to them in low tones as to not be heard by the other trainer across the clearing. [color=palevioletred]“This'll be our practice match for the gym battle, since I figure that we still need some training. After this, we'll drop by the Pokemon Center and get patched up, go for food, and then head towards into Coraick forest again to finish training. What do you two think?”[/color]

The Charmander nodded, eyes flashing with determination at the prospect of training. Next to him, the Lotad directed his eyes towards the sky, worrying his trainer.

[color=palevioletred]“Laetus, you hear that?”[/color] Korie asked, waving her hands in front of the Water-Grass type's eyes. A Growl snapped the Lotad out of his daze, prompting him to look at the Charmander beside him before slowly turning to his trainer and giving her a slow nod. [color=palevioletred]“Great, we're agreed then,”[/color] Korie said with a beam, standing up and turning to see if Evian was ready.

Evian paused, thinking. Why not just bring the new addition to the team out now? Maybe he could get him up to speed with the team and his new companions. On the other hand, it might just go wrong if he brought out Kappa now. There was no telling how it would react. If it ran away in shock or something, he wasn't sure what he'd do. Ammo pecked at his shoes.

[color=0072bc]"Hm?"[/color] He looked down to see the Torchic looking up with a shining look in it's eyes. [color=0072bc]"You want to battle? Are you sure?"[/color] Ammo hopped up and down in affirmation. Evian looked to Aria, who was preening herself dilligently on a nearby branch. [color=0072bc]"You don't mind, do you?"[/color] Aria seemed to giggle in her own birdlike way, tittering and cooing. It was the sign for the go ahead. So he scooted Ammo forwards. [color=0072bc]"Have fun,"[/color] he said. Ammo ran forwards, and the battle had officially begun.

Seeing Evian's Torchic enter the battlefield, Korie frowned at the boy's choice. What was he thinking, sending out the poor baby bird Pokemon? But, seeing the Fire-type's enthusiasm, Korie realized it probably wasn't Evian's idea -- she'd have a hard time refusing her own Pokemon too, if any of them ever turned out to be even half as enthusiastic. 

[color=palevioletred]“Laetus, you're up then,”[/color] Korie said, looking down at the Lotad in question. The Water-type looked up lazily, seemingly understanding, before looking back down and stopping all motion. [color=palevioletred]“Alright, forwards. Towards that Torchic that you're going to hit with a few Bubble's, okay?”[/color] Korie asked, manuevering herself behind the Lotad and giving it a gentle push in the right direction. 

Laetus walked forwards slowly, mind concentrated on its steps until it realized that there was a bright orange-and-yellow bird Pokemon in the middle of the field. Was this the target his trainer had been going on about?

[color=palevioletred]“Okay Laetus, Growl!”[/color] Korie called from her side of the field, watching as the Lotad followed her instruction and waiting until the Torchic neared the Lotad to continue. [color=palevioletred]“Now Bubble!”[/color] she shouted.

As shockwaves distorted the air, Ammo was hit by the growl attack, making him somewhat shaky. His instincts were reacting to being in battle though, and he ruffled his feathers threatningly. [color=0072bc]"Ammo, shoot out an ember attack!"[/color] The burst of hot flames managed to collide into some of the bubbles, weakening the attack just enough and creating a cloud of thick steam. Ammo was still hit anyways, and he let out a screech as the water hissed against his body. Yet all at once, he glowed. He was gaining speed. This would make dodging attacks easier. Well.... if he didn't trip... [color=0072bc]"Use scratch, straight ahead Ammo!"[/color] Ammo burst out from the obscuring cloud, talons glowing. Evian observed thoughtfully. Perhaps [i]he'd[/i] been babying the pokemon too much. Or maybe the Torchic experiencing a battle as it was, without having Aria to intervene all the time, made his attacks have more punch. Whatever it was, he seemed so in the zone that his normal confidence issues didn't seem to be plaguing him as much. 

[color=palevioletred]“Laetus! Dodge and retaliate with an Astonish!”[/color] Korie called, knowing that her Lotad would be outsped by the enemy Pokemon. Still, letting the Torchic close the distance between itself and the Lotad could be used to their advantage, allowing Laetus to get a move or two in as a bonus. Evian's Torchic was upon the Lotad within a few seconds, talons gleaming in the sunlight as they raked down on Laetus. The Lotad attempted to dodge the attack, causing the move to clip down on the lilypad on his head before the Water-Grass dual lashed back with an Astonish. [color=palevioletred]“Now, move back and use Bubble!”[/color] Korie shouted. Laetus followed, leaping back a foot or two in the clearing before opening his mouth to fire another Bubble.

As the scratch connected and Korie called out for an astonish, Evian called out. [color=0072bc]"Ammo, you've got some footing, so jump while using ember."[/color] As talons firmly squashed down on the lilypad leaf, Ammo was able to push off the makeshift platform, propelling himself even more with the fireballs that spewed from his beak and rained upon the other pokemon. His ember attack had seemed to improve in the heat of battle. He landed farther back. Laetus had jumped back as well and spewed another spray of bubbles. As such, there was more than enough distance between them for Ammo to try to dodge and get a running start. 

Or, they could practice a little. [color=0072bc]"Block with a sand attack,"[/color] Evian instructed. They were just bubbles, right? Ammo kicked up a blast of sand, able to wall many of the bubbles that came his way, popping some harmlessly while others veered off course. Some of the water element attack did manage to get him. His legs were small and at this stage, they didn't kick up a huge wave of sand. It still wasn't as bad as bearing the full brunt of the attack. Feathers bristling, his body glowed once more. [color=0072bc]"Circle around it, and shoot your ember!"[/color] Ammo ran in rapid circles around his opponent, rapid firing the embers from as many directions and angles as he could towards the Lotad. 

[color=indianred]“Laetus, aim the Bubble dead ahead!”[/color] Korie called, figuring that the Lotad would fare better by ensuring a hit rather than wildly aiming around for the Fire-type. The Lotad did as hisdid as the human called, content with moving as less as possible. The Embers the Torchic fired at him stung a little, but his continuous Bubbling ensured that air around him remained humid enough to soften the long-ranged Fire-type attacks. 

Their luck had run out. The battle had been going pretty well, but Ammo tripped over his own feet just as he had earlier. His face ate the dirt, and at that point, he was a perfect target for the bubble attack. They were like little explosions against his fluffy, warm body. He jumped back, weakened and shrill, stumbling. Before he could fall, Evian pressed the return button on Ammo's luxury ball, and the Torchic was recalled where he could rest in the utmost comfort. Though Torchic hadn't come out on top, Evian was more than pleased. He'd been worried before, but this battle had proved this pokemon had it in him to fight. He felt at ease and had a wide smile on his face.
[color=0072bc]"Aria, would you do me a favor? I know you hate getting dirty but can you deal with that frog of hers?"[/color] The blue bird gave herself a quick preen, making sure there wasn't a speck marring her appearance before fluttering over to the grass. [color=0072bc]"Your move, doll."[/color]

Korie felt both relieved and worried when Evian returned his Torchic. On one part, Laetus had successfully won his first battle. On another, he'd just beaten a poor Torchic into the dirt -- quite literally. Korie was just about inquire as to how the Torchic was doing when Evian called his Swablu to the scene, a smirk on his lips as he spoke.

[color=palevioletred]“I don't do nicknames,”[/color] Korie said, frowning as she looked at the soft-looking bird Pokemon. [i]It looks sorta weak,[/i] she thought, scanning the Pokemon with her Pokedex. The device identified the blue-and-white bird as a Swablu, a Normal-Flying type. [i]Nothing too special. Just a normal Flying-type,[/i] Korie thought, snapping the Pokedex shut and tucking it into her pocket. [color=palevioletred]“Alright, Laetus. Why don't we lead with a nice Growl? If the birdy stays up in the sky after that, we'll follow with a round of pretty Bubbles, alright?”[/color]

[i][color=0072bc]You shouldn't have mentioned it,[/color][/i] he thought, grinning wryly to himself. He'd be sure to dote on her with the most sacharrine and ridiculous names he could come up with. Pumkaboo-boo, Litten Kitten, Cutiefly... It'd be ridiculous. He had to focus though. Almost lazily he called out, [color=0072bc]"Aria, use disarming voice, knock it all away."[/color] Though she was hit by the growl attack, Aria opened her beak immediately after to let out a beaming barrage of purple colored soundwaves. The bubbles in the way popped easily when getting hit by the attack. The large, resounding beam of soundwaves headed directly for the Lotad.

[color=palevioletred]“Laetus! Get out of the way and fire more Bubbles!”[/color] Korie shouted, wincing as the soundwaves richocheted off her Pokemon. Of course she hadn't expected the bumbling Water-type to have the speed to match Evian's Swablu, but she'd hoped that he might, even against all odds. Korie gave it another few seconds of Bubbling before returning her Lotad with a frown. The Pokemon's speed was his main obstacle, and Korie noted it down under her mental list of points to work on. [color=palevioletred]“Good job, Laetus. Come back,”[/color] Korie said, returning her Water-type and hooking his Pokeball back on her belt and unclipping her other Pokeball. [color=palevioletred]“Dei, why don’t you give it a go?”[/color]

The Charmander burst forth, eyes narrowed as it took in the fluffy-looking bird Pokemon. [color=palevioletred]“Dei, Smokescreen and then Ember!”[/color] Korie called. The Charmander jumped back, snorting up a storm of smoke and vanishing within the heavy smog before a slew of small, succinct bursts of fire shot out from within the smoke and towards the Swablu.

[i][color=0072bc]Smokescreen was a tricky move,[/color][/i] Evian thought. The scent of acrid smog filled his own nostrils. Aria blinked, her eyes watering from the attack, and she let out a series of coughs, her lungs adjusting to the now suddenly harsh air. She was hit by the ember. Evian gritted his teeth. [i][color=0072bc]Think, it's okay,[/color][/i] he reminded himself. [color=0072bc]"Aria, use mist. Clear it out."[/color] 

So she circled up, inhaling and then exhaling a silvery, thick translucent cloud of mist. It drifted around her, almost forming some kind of protective cloud. Though she could have used it like Charmander used the smokescreen, a means to confuse the opponent and hide from them, there would have been no point. Here now, using it as defensive means meant her keen accuracy could be kept high. [color=0072bc]"Alright, go for a peck, but keep straight above him!"[/color] That Charmander had some stubby arms, it couldn't even reach over it's own head. Perhaps they'd be able to use it to their advantage. So she dove into the smoke, which was much clearer now having dispersed, approaching from directly above the Charmander. Her beak glowed, elongating fiercefully, and she went for a jab at the pokemon's head.

[color=palevioletred]“Dei, above you!”[/color] Korie shouted. The Charmander, in a flash of understanding, ducked and threw himself to the side, the Swablu’s beak clipping his shoulder and leaving a visible gash. Blood welled up from within the wound, frightening Korie, but the Charmander quickly doused it with a small Ember before looking to his trainer again for futher instructions. 

[color=palevioletred]“K—keep your distance and use Ember!”[/color] Korie called, trying to calm her panic. Her Pokemon was fine — he still wanted to fight, and Korie could see that much. But she didn’t want him to get hurt like he did — that wasn’t part of the plan, was never part of the plan. [i]If this is what being a Pokemon trainer entails…[/i] she thought, trailing off as she watched her Charmander hurl a throng of succinct Embers at the opposing Swablu, [i]then it’s not just my Pokemon that need training.[/i]

[color=0072bc]"Aria, watch it,"[/color] Evian said tersely as she was flapping, trying to evade some embers but getting hit by others since she was close range. Well, then... they'd have to try something else. [color=0072bc]"Aria, use sing!"[/color] Swooping around the Charmander called Dei, she opened her beak, a soprano sang for a flurry of multi-colored music notes to come out and float around the Charmander. One touch from a sing attack, and the pokemon would fall prey to a slumber status. 

[color=palevioletred]“Dei!”[/color] Korie shouted in alarm when the Charmander slumped over upon being hit with the Swablu's lullaby. From what she knew, Pokemon couldn't be roused from a sleeping status condition without certain berries or spray cures. It was an artificially-induced sleep and Pokemon would commonly only wake naturally after the orignial stigma was long gone. [i]Note to self: invest in berries,[/i] Korie thought as she waited on the tips of her toes for her Charmander to show any signs of waking up. [color=palevioletred]“C'mon, Dei. You can do it. Wake up,”[/color] Korie said quietly, staring intensely at the slumbering Charmander.

They were close, they were close. Evian hadn't really cared too much for the battle at first, because there'd been no prize money wagered, but he found himself being drawn in anyway. [color=0072bc]"Aria, you know what to do,"[/color] he said smiling. [color=0072bc]"Up in the air."[/color] She nodded, and then wrapping her talons around the Charmander's shoulders, lifting the fire type. She flapped her wings, higher and higher, soaring. Sleeping pokemon always stayed down for [i]awhile[/i]. What would be the chances of Dei waking up? 

[color=palevioletred]“C'mon, Dei,”[/color] Korie whispered as the Swablu flew up. [color=palevioletred]“C'mon... Come on, Dei!”[/color] Just as the Swablu released the Charmander, the fire-type's eyes shot open and it released a spew of Embers that clapped onto the Swablu as the Charmander fell. [color=palevioletred]“Dei!”[/color] Korie shouted, grabbing her Pokeball and returning her orange lizard Pokemon before he could hit the ground. She turned to Evian ready to admit her defeat when she realized that he was just as concerned about his Pokemon as she was.

Normally, Evian was pretty good about keeping how he was feeling masked. But his jaw dropped when he saw how quickly the Charmander woke up. [color=0072bc][i]How?[/i][/color] He wondered. In all the battles he'd been in so far, with wild or trained pokemon, they didn't wake up [i]that[/i] quickly. Was it an ability or something? No-- no way. He wasn't a walking encylopedia on pokemon, but he knew for a fact that Charmanders, pokemon that were highly used by dragon tamers, didn't have that kind of skill. For heavens sake, he'd seen Charizards put down by sleep powder attacks that had made them absolutely washed out. He didn't have too much time to gawk, though, because Aria was falling like a rock. "A-Aria!" He sputtered, and recalled her just in the knick of time. As she dissapeared in a flash of red, he held her ball close, looking down.  He was tenderly quiet for a moment. She hadn't seemed seriously hurt, but he'd have to get her looked at properly.

His characteristic smile returned. [color=0072bc]"Close, but no cigar."[/color] So... maybe it had just been luck. Maybe that played a part too. He hadn't really given it much thought. Perhaps it was a lesson for him all the same-- would it have been different if he had just ordered her to attack the Charmander? What if she'd dropped him earlier? What if she'd used sing earlier?
It was pointless wondering though. Well, he'd definitely have to keep it in mind for later. Especially if he was going to go up against that gym leader-- maybe they'd need to refine her sing attack or something. So, it was a tie then? [color=0072bc][i]Not cool,[/i][/color] he thought. But he was already over it all the same.

[color=0072bc]Guess that's that, then,"[/color] he said, shoving his hands into his pockets. [color=0072bc]" Good job, though. I'm so [i]proud[/i] of you."[/color] Whether he was being serious or sarcastic, it was unclear. His eyes were crinkled up at the sides nonetheless.[color=0072bc] "It was fun, Litten Kitten, but I've got some important meetings to attend. Gyarados and I-- we're a busy pair. I bid you farewell, 'till we meet again my precious Pumpkaboo-boo."[/color] With that, he strolled away cheerfully. Pulling out his pokegear, he made a point to call Grey.

He was going to teach him a little something called style. And... probably mooch some items off him because his pokemon needed it.
[hr]
[@rockatiel]