[color=a9a9a9]With the [i]ponigiri[/i] distributed, Hana stowed the container and looked to Satomi.[/color] [color=00aeef]"Shall we see about finding another training opportunity, then?"[/color] [color=a9a9a9]Satomi simply nodded, falling into step beside her Trainer as the latter headed for the tall grass along the road north. Initial forays suggested that many of the same species could be found both south and north of Viridian - but many of them scattered and disappeared at the sight of Hana carefully walking along the outskirts of their habitats.[/color]

[color=a9a9a9]Or perhaps Satomi was causing them to run off. A Steel-type was not something commonly seen in these parts, Hana surmised. Though that didn't stop one particularly aggressive creature from running in out of the blue, almost knocking Satomi off her feet with the speed of its initial charge.[/color] [color=f9ad81]"Mankey! Manmankey!"[/color]

[color=a9a9a9]Satomi rounded on the ball of fur and limbs, raising her claws as Hana took a quick scan with her Pokédex:[/color]

[hider=Pokédex Entry: Mankey]
[img]https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/thumb/4/41/056Mankey.png/250px-056Mankey.png[/img]
[color=a9a9a9]#056: Mankey[/color] [color=0072bc]♂[/color]
[color=a9a9a9]Pig Monkey Pokémon[/color]
[img]https://cdn.bulbagarden.net/upload/6/67/FightingIC_Big.png[/img]
[color=a9a9a9][b]Height:[/b] 1'08" / 0.5 m[/color]
[color=a9a9a9][b]Weight:[/b] 61.7 lbs / 28.0 kg[/color]
[color=2e2c2c].[/color]
[color=a9a9a9]The smallest of things could cause it to lose its temper. Because it doesn't hold in its stress, this Pokémon can live a long time.[/color]
[/hider]
[color=00aeef]"Well, then. This could be difficult. Satomi, let's see if we can win this."[/color] [color=a9a9a9]Satomi obliged, beginning with a single swipe at her opponent. An exploratory Scratch to test his defenses. The Mankey was quick to retaliate, seemingly forgoing all strategy in favour of all-out assault. Satomi was able to deflect the first reckless swing, but the second and third got past her defenses. They only seemed to glance off her metal body, but Satomi seemed shaken more by the aggressive behaviour than anything else.

Hana had a very similar reaction. Never had she seen a Pokémon that gave so little thought to its own safety in favour of recklessly attacking its adversary. But she couldn't exactly ask anyone to step in on her behalf; she had to deal with this creature herself.[/color] [color=00aeef][i]Focus. Remember the basics. Opponent is Fighting-type: that means Daring Strike and Fury Cutter won't work here. We have to wear him down.[/i] "Satomi, Leer!"[/color] [color=a9a9a9]Her partner threw off another swing, drew herself up to her full height and fixed the Mankey with an imperious glare, clanging her blade-hands together as she did so. This only seemed to drive the Mankey into a greater rage, as he redoubled his efforts to batter at Satomi's metal form without making contact with any sharp edges. No easy task, considering how many she possessed.[/color]

[color=00aeef]"All right, Satomi, claws out. Wear him down with Scratches."[/color]

[color=de0000]"Pawn-ya!"[/color] [color=a9a9a9]In a sharp contrast to Mankey's wild swings and full aggression, Satomi's fighting style was precise and controlled. She aimed for the center of Mankey's large fuzzy form, though the flailing limbs took several hits that were meant for center mass. The Mankey seemed to be getting desperate, swinging at any part of Satomi he could reach - and recoiling when a hand or foot found one of the many bladed edges on her person.

The two exchanged blows for a while longer, but Satomi eventually managed to send her adversary keeling over onto his back, exhausted. Whether that was because her strikes had done significant damage, or the Mankey had worn himself out trying to punch through metal armour, Hana didn't know. All she was certain on was that such a creature wasn't going to be compatible with her approach to battle. She doubted food would be a good training tool to quell the rage that Mankey could seemingly fly into on a moment's notice, according to the Pokédex.[/color]

[color=00aeef]"Well done, Satomi. That looked rough."[/color] [color=a9a9a9]Hana crouched down to inspect her partner Pokémon. She seemed to be covered in little scratch marks. Nothing a Potion or a good meal and a buffing wouldn't fix. She shook her head all the same as she stood up.[/color] [color=00aeef]"Look at you. Stars above... I hope we don't have to face more of those. Let's stick to the road for now. We don't want to get too far away from the others."[/color] [color=a9a9a9]Satomi nodded wholeheartedly, staying close to Hana as she retreated back to the main road.[/color]