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[h3]Locking Eyes[/h3][u]Everdream Valley ~ Port Meridian[/u]

[b]Word Count:[/b] 1,065
[b]Level 8 Roxas:[/b] 17/80
[b]Exp Gained:[/b] +2
[b]NEW EXP Balance---[/b] 19/80[/center]

After another quick lunch with Pit, Roxas found himself wandering the port town on his own again. Well, not actually alone. Scamp was now following after him every step of the way. Of course, that begged the question of what to do now. He supposed at some point he ought to return to the Virgin Victory and introduce Scamp to everyone, but Roxas wanted to look around a little bit more before he did that.

Eventually the Nobody came across a park of some kind. It had a playground but it also curiously had a couple of areas marked by white chalk or paint drawings of rectangular battle lines. These were spots intended to be used for Pokemon or Pal battles. In fact one of the areas was occupied by a pair of kids battling with what looked like a couple of foxes. Clearly different types of foxes though, as [url=https://static0.gamerantimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/palworld_foxparks.jpg]one of them[/url] was reddish orange and it’s tail had a fiery tip while [url=https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfjavB9EET1B_D3bfBA87PIt3rjeV0YxWCMDddKvqhEw&s]the other one[/url] was a sort of lavender color with white paws and white tips on its ears and tail - and it also looked to be wearing a dark blue cape of some kind. Unfortunately Roxas couldn’t tell if these were Pals or Pokemon, nor could he even tell who was winning between the two.

“That Foxsparks doesn’t stand a chance, if ya ask me.” Said an unfamiliar voice. Roxas looked to see [url=https://i1.sndcdn.com/artworks-000509997696-pgvqq7-t500x500.jpg]a young kid[/url] had come up next to him to see the battle. He was dressed in a yellow t-shrt, blue shorts, and a blue baseball cap that he wore on his head backwards. “That Nox doesn’t go down easily, and I should know. I just got back from the Pokemon Center after losing to them.”

[color=gold]”Um… which one is which?”[/color] Roxas asked, having no idea which of the Pals was the Foxsparks and which one was the Nox. Although moments after asking he realized that Foxsparks was probably the one with the flame in its tail.

“Nox is the dark one with the cape.” the Youngster clarified. After that he got a look on his face and then smirked, “After losing I could use a little pick-me-up. You look weak! C’mon, let’s find out which of our Pokemon is tougher!” And without really giving Roxas the option to back down, the two trainers were now locking eyes in one of the battle zones. Youngster Joey wanted to battle.

[center][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyKfMtnITfc[/youtube][/center]

The kid reached for his Poke Ball and threw it, releasing [url=https://facts.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/20-facts-about-rattata-1689697557.jpg]a small purple rat Pokemon[/url] from within it. Youngster Joey sent out Rattata! The Pokemon gave a squeaky-sounding cry and awaited for whatever command that was about to be given to it.

[color=gold]”Go! Scamp!”[/color] Roxas with a point of his finger toward the battlefield. Scamp leaped out from behind him and barked at the Rattata in front of him. [color=gold]”Use Nuzzle!”[/color]

“Quick Attack!” Joey called in response. Unfortunately for Scamp, Rattata’s Quick Attack made it attack first and managed the first hit as a result, “Ha, too slow!” Joey taunted. But maybe he spoke too soon, since Scamp’s Nuzzle still managed to connect afterward resulting in his Rattata becoming paralyzed. “Shake it off, Rattata, you’ve got this! Use Quick Attack!”

[color=gold]”Go for it, Scamp!”[/color] Roxas shouted with encouragement, [color=gold]”Use Spark!”[/color] Unlike the first time around, the paralysis kept Rattata from moving right away and thus he was given a solid hit by the electrified tackle that was Spark. But Roxas’ opponent didn’t look like he was giving up any time soon. In fact, if anything it almost looked like he was glad his Rattata had been afflicted with a status ailment.

“Hyper Fang!” Joey called out. This time his Rattata was able to move in for the attack, but it was still slowed somewhat by the paralysis allowing Scamp the chance to dodge out of the way of the biting attack that was coming his way. And good thing, too. Unbeknownst to Roxas, Rattata’s Guts ability made its attacks even stronger while it was afflicted with status effects.

[color=gold]”He’s up close now, so use Bite!”[/color] Roxas called, reasoning that a Bite would be easier to land from such close range versus a tackle-style attack like Spark. It paid off, Scamp managing to land another solid hit on Rattata and even managing to make it flinch.

“C’mon Rattata, we’ve still got a shot at this!” Joey said, not fazed by the battle turning in his opponent’s favor, “It’s all or nothing now, use Hyper Fang!”

[color=gold]”Meet ‘em head on with Spark, Scamp!”[/color] Roxas called, then watched as the two Pokemon barreled into each other. Both managed to land their attacks, but while the Hyper Fang was indeed quite a strong hit, the damage Rattata had already taken by this point allowed Scamp to edge him out and emerge victorious. [color=gold]”Yeah! You did it, Scamp!”[/color] The pup bounded back up to his trainer and licked his face in celebration.

“Return, Rattata.” said Joey, recalling the Pokemon back to its Poke Ball. “Shoot! Lost again! Ah well, them’s the breaks I guess." Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bit of money that he pushed into Roxas’ hand.

[color=gold]”Huh? You don’t have to give me this.”[/color] Roxas said with a confused look.

“Nah, it’s the rule.” Joey said with a shrug, “Battles wouldn’t be very exciting if there wasn’t anything on the line after all. Don’t worry about it, I’ll earn that back in a heartbeat - just you wait.” he said before beginning to walk away in order to get his Rattata healed again.

[center][hider=For Roxas][b]Currency:[/b] 120 Zenny[/hider][/center]

[color=gold]”C’mon Scamp, you should probably get healed up too.”[/color] Roxas told Scamp. They went ahead and followed Joey to the Pokemon Center where everyone was healed up. Joey then said his goodbyes and went off to no doubt train his Rattata some more.

After that it was Roxas’ turn to decide what to do next, [color=gold]”Let’s head back and let you meet all others.”[/color] He suggested, beckoning for Scamp to follow him in the direction of the docks where he remembered the Virgin Victory was currently parked. The Yamper happily followed after him, proud that he won their first official battle as Trainer and Pokemon.