A Journey of Two, a Pokemon Story

In the Pokemon center, Violet waited as Chansey was checked over by Nurse Joy. While in the waiting room, she noticed Luna who nodded at her before going on with her work. Relaxing into her seat, Violet let out Dratini and Pineco. "Tomorrow we'll be battling the Cerulean Gym, are you ready?"

Dratini puffed up his chest, demonstrating his bravado and confidence. Pineco was more sedate, before stating her confidence to take down her opponent. And if all else failed, Self Destruct would certainly work.

"You do make a good backup," Violet said with a smile. In truth, almost no Pokemon out there could stand up to a Self Destruct at their current level. A while timed Protect could do it, but the shy girl had excellent eyes for battle. Maybe another defensive wall could do it? Onix perhaps.

The Bagworm Pokemon hummed in agreement, having already decided that she would be best as the second Pokemon out if she was used at all. Chansey was tough, and Violet didn't think Misty would have someone who countered her.

The Mirage Pokemon rubbed against Violet's hand, somewhat jealous that he wasn't getting all the attention these days. Chirping quietly, he conveyed a sense of confidence that was softer than his usual more gregarious self. If he needed to fight at range, he had Twister and Thunder Wave. Up close? Thunder Wave and Wrap. He had options, and he could damn well use them.

Violet gently pet Dratini with one hand, motioning for Pineco to come closer with the other. Now with each hand occupied by one Pokemon, she whispered to Dratini. "As long as Misty doesn't have Ice moves, I think you could win on your own."

In the next hour before Chansey joined them, the three continued their conversation, with Violet commenting on how it seemed like they were growing quickly. Dratini had grown a full inch since their journey began and Pineco's body felt far tougher now. Their conversation only stopped when Nurse Joy and her Blissey came in, along with Chansey.

The Egg Pokemon looked happy, preening as she rushed over to where Violet was sitting. "I'm pleased to provide Chansey with a clean bill of health," Nurse Joy explained before any questions could be asked. "It's good to see that Luna's description of you is accurate."

Violet didn't say anything to that at first, she didn't have anything to add to it even if it was surprising. Why would Luna talk about her? Maybe the time she rescued her Growlithe from Team Rocket? Or the time they saved the two Chanseys? Okay, maybe there were a few good reasons for it.

Nurse Joy's warm smile didn't abate for a second at the lack of a response. "Let me know if you need anything else." Violet shifted slightly, a tad nervous about remaining quiet. "And if you wish to know more about training a Chansey, feel free to visit any Pokecenter." She gestured towards Blissey who waved at Violet. "As you can tell, their lineage is quite common in them."

"I might do that," Violet said non-committedly. It could be useful to get a better understanding of how Chansey could heal other Pokemon, and it wasn't like learning was a bad thing.

"As I said, any member of the Joy family would be happy to discuss the matter," the nurse said, never once dropping the smile. "Good luck on your battle."

Violet nodded at the well wishes, to which Nurse Joy stepped away from her to go back to her duties. "Tomorrow we face Misty," the shy girl directed at Chansey. "Are you ready?"

Chansey puffed up her chest and replied with confidence. She'd beaten one Water Pokemon, she could do so again.

The next day, Violet nervously played with the hair under her hat. Standing at one end of the Gym's battlefield, she felt like she was standing in a coliseum with crowds of people judging her every move. If she looked up at the stands, it wasn't inaccurate, with a few dozen people either waiting their turn for a battle or simply deciding to watch amateur Pokemon battles.

She licked her lips as Misty finished a battle in another pool. Returning her Gyrados to rest, the red-haired gym leader turned towards Violet, locking eyes with the challenger.

She broke eye contact first, taking a deep breath to calm herself. Time seemed to accelerate as the rules of the battle were shared. It was a 1 badge fight, therefore no items or potions were allowed. Two Pokemon each, with the challenger getting a single switch during the fight. Violet felt her hand drift to her belt, holding a Pokeball for comfort as more rules were announced. There was a finite time limit that was too long to matter for this level, no outside interference, etc, etc.

The moment the rules ended, Misty threw out her first Pokemon, unveiling a Psyduck that Violet immediately locked eyes with. It was time for battle.

Violet has challenged Misty to a Gym Battle!



Violet's Perceptive Trait Kicks in!

Psyduck will switch between Confusion, Water Gun, and Fury Swipes throughout the fight, using an irregular pattern to ensure predicting what they will do is nearly impossible. If Psyduck is in danger of fainting, Misty will have him use Tail Whip and try to stall as much as possible. Against Chansey, Psyduck will fight hyper-aggressively and use Fury Swipes repeatedly.

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Alright, I'm going to be calling the vote here. And it looks like it's a tie once more. Normally I'd roll a d2 to decide what plan wins, but in this case I'm just going to break the tie in favor of the plan I like best, which in this case is Come Closer. As such, that's the one that wins.

The opening seconds of the battle were more hectic than expected. Realizing Psyduck was faster, Violet ordered Dratini to dive into the pool to dodge, only for Misty to order her Pokemon to dive in as well. Yelling out "Thunder Wave!" Violet could see a surge of water when Psyduck's Confusion landed as well as a wave of electricity coat the pool's surface.

Both Pokemon leaped back onto the platforms a moment later, Dratini to hear what Violet called out and Psyduck in a doomed effort to dodge the Thunder Wave. Glancing at her first companion, Violet pursed her lips. He had taken light damage, which was acceptable. While it would be good to win it all with just him, as long as he took down Psyduck, she would win.

"Let's see how Dratini handles this!" Misty called out, causing Psyduck to psyche themselves up in preparation for an attack. "Psyduck, use Fury Swipes!"

Misty's Pokemon charged in, the electricity paralyzing its body making itself known, but by no means crippling it. And in response, Violet smiled, that was exactly what she wanted. "Wrap," the shy girl said quietly as Dratini smoothly waited for Psyduck to step within grabbing range of it before coiling itself around the Water Pokemon's legs and arms.

Then he began to squeeze, constantly working to gain a better position in the bind whilst Psyduck tried to escape. Misty cycled through moves quickly, trying to find something that could allow her Pokemon a chance to escape. Confusion was useless, with Dratini quickly shutting that down by rolling himself and his opponent over, dragging Psyduck into a face-down position. Fury Swipes was similarly useless, with Dratini clamping the Water Pokemon's arms to its chest. It was only a desperate use of Water Gun that did anything, as Misty had the face-down Psyduck use the move which launched both Pokemon into the air where for a brief moment Dratini and Violet were caught off guard. Yet, despite the effort, the Mirage Pokemon was able to adjust his hold, and the two slammed into the platforms below.

And only Dratini stood up, preening as his opponent fainted. Misty returned Psyduck to their Pokeball, frowning at Violet with an expression that conveyed a mixture of respect and frustration. "That was a good strategy, but I'm not going to let that work twice."

Misty tossed out Staryu, the Pokemon that would be her ace in the fight. Letting out a quick cry of "Staryu!" The water Pokemon spun rapidly in the air, bobbing and weaving in an impressive display that was meant to be intimidating.

Dratini responded with a spin of his own, chirping that spinning was pretty fun. And it looked cool! Both trainers giggled at that before the battle resumed once more.


Violet's Perceptive Trait Kicks in!

Staryu will stand off and remain at range. Using mostly Confuse Ray it will dart between the water and platforms using them for cover. If Chansey is used, it will use Rapid Spin repeatedly to gain speed, whilst interspersing it with Confuse Ray, Water Gun, and Harden.

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