53 A friendly battle
Shirona Cynthia: I have a dream…
Ever since I was a kid, I had a dream of becoming someone people respected.
Someone whose name alone is enough to solve issues….one of the most famous and influential people in the world…
I was not interested in politics or spending hours reading books like a researcher so my option was to become a Pokemon trainer.
The day I received my starter at age 10, I knew that I had begun my journey towards my dreams.
I fought…fought…fought and reached a level where I can proudly look down on other trainers.
I can guarantee said that I am the strongest trainer of this generation who even gym leaders can't stand up to.
The only challenge left is the Elite four.
Even if I have reached this stage, I seem to have forgotten the excitement I felt when I began my journey…
The view at the top felt lonely…..I started to feel empty.
One day when I came to have some relaxation time in the Kanto region, I witnessed a scene that started to reignite my flames…
A trainer fighting with all his might against a Pokemon that is way above his league.
His Pokemon fell…but stood up again….his bright smile when won against the impossible…
Aoki was his name. Although he was weak, I could not help but feel him equal to me.
The excitement in me returned to see a trainer that has the potential to stand against me and even beat me.
I wanted to fight him.
Although meeting him, was a coincidence, I don't regret it.
Looking at him closely, he was very handsome and one of the few people that made the heartbeat of a girl like me with zero experience in relationships faster.
There was something about him that made me feel safe even though we were meeting for the first time.
After spending an entire day with him, I realized that I might have developed a crush on him.
At first, I was dejected to know that he had a girlfriend but seems like I had nothing to worry about as his girlfriend had no problem with me being around him.
Before meeting him, I would have never had thoughts like this but seems like some things have changed after meeting him.
Finally, it was time for the thing I was waiting for since that day…a Pokemon battle against him.
I am not going to use my ace as it would take away all the fun, I will be using another Pokemon…another Pokemon who can feel my emotions and respond to them just like my starter.
*************
"Let's make this one-on-one, " said Cynthia with a wide grin.
"Sure...When did you start your journey again Cynthia," asked Aoki
"I had my starter since I was ten but, I start collecting badges from this year as I want to challenge the elite four.."
"Oh? Seems like I will be fighting against an experienced trainer. Where does this Pokemon rank in your team?"
"I believe he ranks the 4th out of the 6 Pokemon I currently have "
"Even if I started my journey this year, don't hold back or you might lose "
"HAha~ don't worry, I will not hold back "
Misty decided to act as a referee and start the match.
"Come out Nidorino"
~nido~
"Take your stance Lucario !!"
~Grrr~
A tall bipedal Pokemon in the shade of blue and black appeared in front of Cynthia.
Nidorino's eyes shined with excitement seeing a master-rank Pokemon to fight.
'Seems like she has assembled her champion team If this is her fourth-strongest, ' thought Aoki.
The Lucario attracted a lot of attention so trainers and other people present there started watching the battle with excitement while some even started recording.
Although Nidorino was not very rare in Kanto the size and deep color of the Nidorino attracted some attention too.
Cynthia was surprised to see Aoki using Nidorino as she considered that Pokemon weak based on her observation from the fight against Gyarados.
'Seems like he is underestimating me..it's been a while since someone did that. '
"Lucario dash use Swords dance "
White swords formed from normal type energy revolved around Lucario boosting his already high attack.
"Nidorino use focus energy and create some distance"
Lucario dashed and reached in front of Nidorino with fighting-type energy condensed in his fists. He could sense how excited Cynthia was to fight the trainer so he will be giving his best.
Due to calm mind training, the speed at which Nidorino can focus had become astounding so focus energy was set up in a second.
"Nidorino follow my commands and move your legs. "
With Aoki's commands, Nidorino was effortlessly dodging every attack or attacking back at the blind spots.
'Both the trainer and the Pokemon are in perfect sync' Cynthia thought as it shocked her a bit.
Nidorino was careful not to take direct hits as Lucario in addition to being one rank ahead had a monstrous attack and special attack stats.
He had absolute trust in Aoki so he knew no matter what the opponent used, Aoki will have a solution for that.
Nidoino opened his mouth and fired an ice beam at Lucario who was taken off guard by the speed of the attack but he and his trainer were not normal people.
Cynthia instantly issued a command to protect followed by Aura sphere.
A translucent screen formed in front of Lucario protecting him from the ice beam and at the same time an orb made of aura and fighting-type energy formed in the hands of Lucario which shot towards Nidorino with a speed as if instantly teleported near him.
Nidorino could not dodge in time and roll back while creating a coat of poison-type energy to lessen the damage.
As Lucario formed another aura sphere, Aoki gave his next command.
"Nidorino use disable on Aura sphere "
The aura sphere Lucario was preparing was dissipated in addition to him getting restricted from using that move for a certain duration.
'Impressive'
"Lucario get close and use power-up punch"
"Nidorino poison thrash"
It was a combination of thrash and poison jab. As Nidorino was using a poison coat, Lucario was guaranteed to get poisoned.
Aoki could not let the power-up punch get a good hit as it would further increase their Power of Lucario.
Lucario dashed towards Nidorino and started punching him with an astounding speed.
Nidorino fought back with poison thrash, double kick, etc.
The only reason Nidrorino was able to fight against Lucario in close combat was that Lucario was fighting only based on his instincts.
Fighting Pokemons are born with an instinct that develops into a fighting style when they grow but Lucario didn't have a proper fighting style yet.
Nidorino was trained by Aoki in martial arts so he hands his own fighting style that used all of his body.
Due to Nidorino fighting almost all the time with Aoki he too had developed his instincts making him similar to a fighting Pokemon.
"Abandoned Power up punch, use Close combat"
Hearing this the speed behind the punches increased soo much that each punch became a blur that rained over the body of Nidorino.
Nidorino cried out in pain but didn't give in to the pain and fired a sludge bomb pushing Lucario back.
Lucario cried in pain as he got poisoned due to all the poison that was being released by Nidorino.
"Nidorino snap out and use water pulse "
Nidorino applied force and his legs and dashed backward fire shooting rings of water toward Lucario.
Lucario didn't let the water hit him and punched the water destroying the attack but that is what Aoki aimed for.
"Nidorino use thunderbolt "
Yellow lightning sparked around the horn of Nidorino and hit Lucario who didn't dodge at the right time.
Lucario took massive damage due to the thunderbolt that hit him over the water that was spilled over his body from punching the water pulse.
"Lucario stand up and use shadow ball barrage "
Black orbs of ghost-type energy formed in the hands of Lucario that were aimed at Nidorino, the speed of formation of the shadow ball was not slower than the aura sphere.
"Nidorino dodges and uses a frozen poison beam. "
Nidorino and Lucatio ran all over the battlefield showering ranged attacks at each other.
Although Lucario took damage but not so much due to his rank Nidorino took a lot of damage.
Aoki tried as much as he could to lessen the damage but still, Lucario was too fast.
'How is this Nidorino still holding on! " exclaimed Cynthia in her mind.
Even after taking so much damage from a Pokemon way stronger than it, Nidorino refused to give up and kept bringing up more power. She had never seen a trainer so skilled as Aoki who could make this Pokemon stand up against Lucario for so long.
Boom!
Lucario cried out in pain as the combination of water pulse and thunderbolt hit him dealing damage.
Lucario was constantly taking damage due to poison, it that was not enough Lucario's speed was getting slower due to the paralysis effect of lightning attacks.
Cynthia had a wide smile even though her master rank Lucarion could lose any moment.
'This…this is the excitement I wanted…the fear of losing…the fear of making a mistake…the ability of the opponent to make me sweat and have my full concentration in battle…I am so loving this…''
"Let's finish the match, Aoki! "
"Lucario bone rush!!"
A white bone-like structure formed in his hands and he swung at Nidorino like a sword.
"Nidorino horn attack"
The horn of Nidrorino glowed with normal type energy that clashed with the bone creating sparks.
The battle was so intense that everyone who was watching didn't even blink in fear of missing any scene.
"Nidorino poison misslile "
The spikes on the back of Nidorino shot out like missiles and hit Lucario who could not dodge as he was very close.
These were toxic spikes that were tuned to a degree that would now launch them similar to missiles.
"Nidorino let's end this, use horn attack "
'This is bad, Lucario will lose if this hits, I have to take a gamble on this move as it is not complete yet .'
Nidorino kicked the ground and became a spear that was ready to tear apart Lucario who was on his knees due to the pain but just as Nidorino was a few centimeters away from him.
Cynthia commanded " Lucario psychic".
Aoki's eyes widened hearing her but it was too late to act.
The horn of Nidorino touched Lucario while at the same time psychic energy that burst out from Lucario hit Nidorino.
BOOM!!
A shockwave was created from the attack which made both the Pokemons crash at the two ends of the battlefield.
Both the Pokemons cried out in pain and tried to stand up but both of them fell at the same time.
"Both Pokemons are unable to battle, the match is a draw " announced Misty.
'Damn this woman is insane. I will be glad if someone strong and beautiful like her is around Aoki' Misty thought with a slight blush.
She quickly controller her smile not to look weird but Aoki had already seen the face she was making and somewhat guess her thoughts.
Before Aoki and Cynthia could say anything, the noise of claps and cheers entered their ears.
They were so focused on the battle that they didn't even notice the huge audience that was watching their match.
The audience didn't care if either of the Pokemon won or made a draw, what made them so excited was the battle itself which was very thrilling.
Every second of the battle felt important as the advantage kept shifting between the two Pokemon.
At one moment it felt as if Lucario had an advantage but the next second Nidorino reserved the situation.
People started to see Nidorino in a new light too after this battle.
Aoki and Cynthia towards their pokemon after spraying some portions.
"Good job. It's okay that you tied today but you have to win when it matters" said Aoki
"Thanks for the battle, it was very fun, " said Cynthia as she shook his hand.
'I knew it…he is someone who can change my life…'' she thought. She had not regretted not being the winner as she gained something more important.
She knew that her Lucario was stronger than Nidorino but Aoki's commanding capabilities were above her.
"Same for me, it was very enjoyable. " said Aoki
Although Aoki was a bit disappointed, it served as a crucial experience for him as his Pokemon.
Aoki looked at the sky that was slightly dark and said " who wants some barbeque? "
"Me!!! " x 2
*****
After a long day of fun, they sat down on the boat to get back to Vermillion City.
"Hey, Cynthia let's exchange numbers," said Misty. She had a lot of fun with Cynthia and her response seemed like that too.
"Sure, I wanted to ask you two that too," Cynthia said cheerfully.
Misty raised her eyebrows seeing Cynthia's smile as she knew what it meant.
