After a lot of dropping into the sea by means of Golbat-flight, Ran eventually retreats from the water, joining Aria and Skorupi in their efforts at building a sandcastle. The end result isn't particularly pretty, but the process is still enjoyable enough.
Then, with the hot sun beating down on him and his team all the while, Ran eventually retreats back into the shadow once more, where tiredness and heat start lulling him into a late afternoon nap, as his various team members return to their previous resting spots. As for Croagunk, the only one to not have napped or basked earlier, he seems content to wander back out into the shallows and sit in the water which comes up to just under his mouth.
Ran would normally keep more of an eye out, but Croagunk isn't too far away and the appeal of a nap proves too strong, finally causing him to drift off fully.
He is woken up by somebody prodding him in the leg.
Blinking awake groggily, it takes him a moment to realize that the figure responsible for his waking up is actually Croagunk, who points apologetically towards another figure standing in front of the almost tent–like structure formed by the beach umbrella and Aria's webs. Looking in that way, Ran's eyes need a moment to adapt to the bright sunlight - although it's clearly early evening by now as the sun has lowered substantially, with the shadows lengthening accordingly - before he can make out just who is waiting for him.
Doro stands in front of him with her arms crossed, her usual sporty outfit replaced by a sleek and no less sporty black swimsuit, with some thin white lines running up the sides as the only decoration. She doesn't seem impressed by finding him napping, but Ran can't find it in himself to feel self-conscious about it.
That was a good nap.
"Oh hey Doro," He greets her casually, only having to resist the temptation to take her in more properly a little bit as he does so, "How's things?"
If she wasn't impressed earlier, now she appears openly skeptical of him, as one of her eyebrows climbs up as she processes his words.
"How's things? You look like you got pulled across a box grater. I should be asking you." She replies dubiously, which finally draws a slight blush from Ran as he rapidly recontextualizes her earlier expression.
Looking to save face, his reply at least comes out suitably blasé, "It was a close race, I had to cut some corners."
She squints at him, even as off to the left, Caesar seems to have become aware of his trainer's return to consciousness, as he comes winding out of his new sand mound. His starter offers Doro a polite nod in greeting, before he slithers under the beach umbrella, winding around Ran before lowering his head into his trainer's lap, where Ran obligingly starts to offer some scratches as he continues his conversation with Doro.
"I don't know whether to be impressed by your tenacity or worried for your sanity." Doro replies, before finally looking around for a moment, as her gaze pans across his various team members.
When she finishes her brief inspection, she speaks up once more, now more openly appreciative even as she points to Skorupi's burrow, "You have an interesting team. Although I do not recognize the one that's still lurking in the sand over there. What is it?"
"Skorupi," Ran smiles proudly, "They're native to Sinnoh too, I got him from Bugsy."
Doro's head tilts to the side in surprise as she takes that in, before posing another question, "I thought you were unsponsored, like myself?"
"I am." Ran replies briskly, instinctively on the defensive before he realizes from Doro's expression that she meant no offense.
Taking a moment to reign in his temper, his next words are more measured, "I am unsponsored, I won Skorupi off of Bugsy as an extra reward following my battle for the Hive Badge."
She considers that silently for a few long seconds, before shrugging, "That makes no sense to me, but I will spare you the trouble of telling me the full story. I actually came to the beach to swim, but then I saw your Ariados' work, so I figured I'd come to take a closer look. But now, seeing as we're both here, we could have our battle a bit earlier than planned, if you're up for it?"
He doesn't need to consider the question for more than a moment, as he swiftly offers an enthusiastic nod, "Sounds good. Let me give Golbat another coat of sunscreen and then we'll see about claiming a large enough section of the beach as our arena, alright?"
"That works for me," Doro accepts with a light smile, "You take care of your pokémon and I will see about securing us a battlefield."
More than happy to oblige, Ran pokes Golbat in the side until he stops pretending to be asleep, before giving him another coating of sunscreen. Though the effects of the first round are undeniable, as Golbat has by this point spent multiple hours in the sun without any significant sunburn, he's still clearly unhappy to have the sticky stuff smeared across his skin.
Still, soon enough, Ran is recalling his team and cleaning up his beach umbrella, with Aria wadding up her web into a single large ball. Biodegradable as it is, Ran has no qualms about throwing it into the sea before heading over towards Doro's easily recognizable figure, the dark-skinned athlete only just having finished drawing out an arena's outline in the sand.
Stepping into the unoccupied trainer box, Ran looks towards Doro, who takes the meeting of their gazes as a sign to speak up, "Singles, three-on-three?"
"Sounds good, do you want to put a wager on it, or keep it unofficial?" Ran asks in response, even though as the challenged party it is technically entirely his prerogative to set a wager.
"Of course," Doro replies indignantly, "You may have the type-advantage, my rival, but this is a battle, there must be stakes!"
"Alright, let's do the three badge average then." Ran accepts, receiving a decisive nod from Doro in response.
They stare each other down for a few seconds before, at a signal that isn't spoken or shown so much as it is mutually felt, they both send out their first choices.
On Doro's side of the field, a Hitmontop appears. On Ran's, Skorupi comes out of his Luxury Ball.
The fight doesn't begin immediately, as both pokémon acquaint themselves with the situation and their respective trainers consider the opposition.
It's an intriguing match-up, as Hitmontop has the physical advantages in size, weight and probably overall power, whilst Skorupi has a major type advantage. Unfortunately, that advantage is purely defensive, which Ran expects Doro's Hitmontop to be capable of working around. It's also, unlike Skorupi, an evolved pokémon. So the odds probably aren't in their favor.
But then he was expecting as much, as Skorupi simply isn't at the same level as the rest of his team just yet, nor does Ran expect him to be. But it'll be a good test and actually getting into a battle every now and then will hopefully help to keep Skorupi motivated in training.
"Hone Claws, Skorupi." Ran announces, breaking the silence and starting the fight in a single go.
"Fake Out, Quick." Doro counters, her Hitmontop immediately darting forwards and closing the distance with incredible speed.
Before Skorupi can finish executing his move, Hitmontop is close, seemingly falling forwards in a full-body charge. Instinctively, Skorupi's tail lashes out defensively, but before it can connect, Hitmontop rolls forwards into a headstand, rotating on its pointy head and landing a spinning kick just behind Skorupi's tail claws with a resounding crack.
Ran's pokémon hisses in pain, faltering for a moment as Hitmontop lands the first blow of the fight. Ran is sympathetic, but when Doro gives another order, he wastes no time in countering with his own.
"Rapid Spin, Quick! Build up speed!" Doro commands, her Hitmontop obediently continuing to spin away like a top as kick after kick gets slammed into Skorupi's smaller form.
"Poison Fang, Skorupi! Let it kick into your stingers!" Ran counters, accepting that Skorupi has no means of truly forcing Hitmontop off of him and instead choosing to aim for a revenge hit.
Hitmontop builds up speed for a few moments more, Skorupi continuing to cower under the withering hail of kicks rained down upon him by Hitmontop's Rapid Spin. Then, however, he manages to turn sharply on the spot, repositioning just enough to point his stingers directly at Hitmontop's incoming kick. With the sheer momentum Hitmontop has built up, there's no chance of it avoiding the Poison Fang.
The impact is significant, as Hitmontop's previous hits were placed just so to allow it to retain its speed after every hit. With Skorupi suddenly catching the next hit full on, two things happen in short succession.
The first is Skorupi's stingers, whilst glowing with menacingly purple poison-type energy, digging deeply into Hitmontop's leg. The second is Skorupi getting sent flying along with Hitmontop's leg for a few moments, before Skorupi frees his stingers and he is sent skidding backwards over the sand, a small gap of some five feet opening up between both pokémon.
Skorupi is clearly worse for wear from having taken multiple hard hits, as he is somewhat slow to move now. His tail still waves threateningly behind him however, claws snapping together in a threat display that lacks its usual crispness. Hitmontop is a lot better off, hopping back to stand on both feet briefly, dancing in place for a moment even as it does noticeably favor a leg, showing that Skorupi's attack did at least manage to hurt it.
With Toxic Spikes mostly useless due to Hitmontop being capable of the field-clearing Rapid Spin and Hitmontop far too fast for Skorupi to have any real chance of managing a Venoshock, Ran's next order is an unhappy one.
"Get ready to land another Poison Fang, Skorupi." He orders tersely, begrudgingly accepting that the initiative lies with Doro and Hitmontop.
"Quick Attack." Doro instructs, proving Ran's choice not to even try for Venoshock to be correct.
Immediately, Hitmontop is upon Skorupi once more, a series of rapid punches and kicks forcing Skorupi on the defensive once more. The poison-bug-type is clearly weakening, but he doesn't yield just yet. Instead, rather than his stingers, his tail claws glow with ominous purple before darting forwards, snapping harshly into Hitmontop's body and landing another wicked Poison Fang.
It's a good hit and it's the last one Ran expects from Skorupi, as Hitmontop's assault only intensifies, rapidly pushing the smaller pokémon towards unconsciousness. Before that can happen however, Ran recalls Skorupi.
"I withdraw Skorupi from the match," He announces to Doro, before turning his attention briefly to the Luxury Ball he's holding, "You did great, Skorupi. We'll keep working and you'll be winning matches like this in no time."
Ran dares a look towards Hitmontop, hoping to see any evidence of poisoning whatsoever, but apart from nursing the places where it took direct hits from Skorupi's Poison Fang, there's no evidence of any injuries to be seen. He hesitates for a moment, considering whether Aria has a real shot at knocking Hitmontop unconscious with her Fell Stinger, without needing to take unnecessary damage in exchange.
It isn't a risk he's willing to take, especially when he's got the perfect counter to Doro's team available.
"It's time to get to work, Golbat." Ran announces, as he releases his team's only flight-capable member from his green Friend Ball.
Golbat appears with a sharp cry, announcing his presence confidently. Doro is clearly less enthusiastic, her expression grim as she snaps out an order, "Quick, Fake Out and don't let it go."
"Quick Guard!" Ran snaps back instinctively, grinning in delight when, despite Hitmontop's immense speed, its attempt at another feigned charge into a spinning kick is evaded by Golbat, who beats his wings powerfully as he shoots backwards before ascending.
"Those are impressive reflexes." Doro compliments, though whether she means Golbat for his speed of execution or Ran for his swift command he isn't quite sure.
No matter, he merely nods even as he prepares to give another command. Before he can however, Doro speaks once more, bringing up a ball of her own.
"I withdraw Quick. She is injured and under these circumstances has no real options against a flying-type capable of keeping her at a distance." She declares, swiftly putting her words into action as Quick the Hitmontop is recalled, only to be replaced by Doro's Hitmonchan.
Her smile is confident, as she announces her next fighter's name, "Precise, however, is more than capable of contesting your Golbat."
"We'll see about that." Ran grins back enthusiastically, blood pumping as the flow of the battle increasingly gets to him.
"Indeed you shall," Doro declares, before without hesitation snapping out a command to her Hitmonchan, "Vacuum Wave, Precise! Contest the air!"
Obediently, Precise the Hitmonchan rapidly starts to whirl its fist in a tight circle, fighting-type energy manifesting to form a tight funnel within the circumference of the formed circle within moments. Before Ran has even been able to get a good look at the attack, it's already shooting out from Hitmonchan and towards Golbat.
"Quick Guard!" Ran manages urgently, "Follow up with Screech!"
"Again!" Doro counters instantaneously, clearly showing that her plan to counter Golbat's ranged superiority is simply to give Ran's pokémon not a moment's rest to actually use that advantage.
Golbat obediently jukes out of the way of the first Vacuum Wave, before his maw gapes open to Screech. Before he can, however, Hitmonchan's next salvo is already flying towards him. Ran hesitates for just a moment, but he doubts whether Golbat can abort Screech and pull off a Quick Guard fast enough to avoid the incoming attack. Instead, he merely clamps down on the instinct to shout new instructions, watching as Golbat gets hit by the attack.
It's a decently powerful attack and it hits Golbat full in his gut, clearly knocking at least some air out of him. But the enormous advantage Golbat's dual-typing gives him against fighting-type attacks is undeniable, as he mostly seems to shrug it off, the Screech he releases in return clearly discomforting Hitmonchan.
"Vacuum Wave, and don't let up, Precise!" Doro instructs her pokémon with confidence, clearly intent on annoying them into closing the gap.
Ran isn't willing to do so just yet however, instead deciding to try a ranged duel for now.
"Answer with an Air Cutter! Your hits hurt a lot more than theirs do!" He orders, even as it means forcing Golbat to take another Vacuum Wave.
Golbat obliges without hesitation, easily powering through the second Vacuum Wave of Hitmonchan that hits it, to fire off an Air Cutter in return. Unfortunately, Vacuum Wave has a reputation for being a very fast move and it proves why on this occasion. Before Air Cutter can cross half the distance between them, the next Vacuum Wave is already flying forwards to meet it, the two moves largely cancelling each other out, with just a small remnant of Air Cutter carrying past the point of collision before petering out before it can reach Hitmonchan.
"Again!" Ran snaps out, confident in eventually overcoming their opponent thanks to the type-advantage between the two clashing moves.
Doro does not respond, seemingly content to continue the clash of ranged attacks as well. At first, Ran grins in delight when the next clash of Vacuum Wave and Air Cutter sees Golbat's attack triumph more easily, the Air Cutter carrying on towards Hitmonchan with actual power behind it.
But before it can connect, the next Vacuum Wave is already flying to meet it, destroying Golbat's Air Cutter with little trouble.
A few more attacks are exchanged, but for every Air Cutter Golbat manages, Hitmonchan manages to respond with two of its own, the tide gradually shifting against them until, around the fifth volley, a Vacuum Wave makes it through uncontested to slam into Golbat's gut. More incensed than hurt, the large Bat Pokémon fires back a strong Air Cutter, but it again gets cancelled out by Hitmonchan's greater volume of fire.
It's a near stalemate and they could play the long game, where Ran gambles on Hitmonchan tiring out before Golbat does. But they've got the major type advantage and this is still supposed to be a fun battle, rather than a slog, so he doesn't. Instead, he gives out a new order.
"Quick Guard! Get around and close in! Poison Fang!" He rattles off, watching eagerly as Golbat smoothly rolls over the next incoming Vacuum Wave with a few strong wingbeats, before tucking into a divebomb, headed directly for the opposing pokémon.
"Hold, Precise!" Doro responds smoothly, her Hitmonchan obediently breaking off its next Vacuum Wave and instead setting its feet and raising its fists in a clear defensive guard.
Golbat closes the distance between them in seconds, though everything about Doro and her Hitmonchan screams that the other shoe is about to drop. Yet, though some instinct screams at Ran to back out of the Poison Fang and use an Air Cutter at close range instead, he ignores it.
"Thunder Punch!" Doro barks at the last second, not even leaving enough time for Hitmonchan to wind up a proper hook. Instead, one of its fists immediately sparks with electricity before jabbing out towards Golbat's rapidly approaching form.
"Do–" Is as far as Ran gets, before impact.
Golbat's superb instincts allow him to at the very least deviate his course slightly, ensuring that Hitmonchan's hit doesn't hit him directly in the head, instead connecting harshly just to the side of Golbat's gaping maw. It's still a hard hit, as electricity arcs across Golbat's form, drawing a pained cry from Ran's team member, but it isn't enough to stop the Poison Fang from landing in return, as Golbat bites down harshly.
Both pokémon spasm uncontrollably for a moment, as Golbat is hit by the lingering effects of electricity whilst Hitmonchan reacts with a sharp flinch to the harsh impact of the Poison Fang. The result is that they flinch away from each other, almost thrown apart by their respective uncontrolled bodily reactions.
"Away!" Ran shouts immediately, desperately wanting Golbat out of range of Precise the Hitmonchan's super-effective strikes.
"Ice Punch!" Doro commands at the same time, clearly trying to decide the match on the spot.
Fortunately, Golbat proves faster by a hair, frantically beating his wings to retreat backwards, escaping Hitmonchan's vengeful Ice Punch by inches.
"Supersonic! Then up and away!" Ran orders, heart pounding in his chest as he processes the close call.
Golbat obeys instantly, the close range Supersonic screaming out at Precise, who ignores Doro's order for a Vacuum Wave as they attempt to follow through on their first missed Ice Punch by sprinting after Golbat with a second swing. It's clearly an ingrained one-two-combination, but in these circumstances, with Golbat kiting out of range, it's the wrong call, as the attack once again falls short, leaving Hitmonchan no chance to escape as Golbat's counterattack impacts.
The Supersonic clearly rings Precise's bell, as they blink rapidly in discomfort and shake their head rapidly. It's enough for Golbat to fully get away, as with a handful of harsh wingbeats, he gains height and comfortably gets out of Precise's striking range.
"Now, let's try this again! Air Cutter!" Ran commands with confidence, delighting in the pinched expression that appears on Doro's face.
"Vacuum Wave! You can outfire them!" She encourages her fighting-type.
Which is true, but Ran is quite confident that Precise won't manage anything close to the rate of fire he did earlier, especially if one of the Vacuum Waves backfires, rather than launching properly.
Still, the first Air Cutter is contested, weakened by the first Vacuum Wave that hits it and dissipated by the second. For a moment, Precise shows no signs of its confusion, seemingly powering through it.
Then, however, its eyes noticeably cross for a moment, the next Vacuum Wave, rather than launching properly, dissolving into nothing. It's enough for Golbat's second Air Cutter to hit with full power, slamming into Precise's torso with a vengeance.
Combined with the confusion brought on by Golbat's earlier Supersonic, it's enough to knock Precise over, causing them to fall onto their back. Immediately, Golbat pounces, firing off another Air Cutter before closing the distance once more, clearly loading up another Poison Fang before Ran even has to give the order.
"Break through, Precise!" Doro encourages her pokémon, but it's too little too late, as by the time the Hitmonchan's eyes draw into sharper focus and it sits up, the second Air Cutter is already connecting.
The super-effective attack impacts heavily, Precise's arms going slack and flying up over their head, as they get knocked backwards from the seated position they'd just managed to get back into. It isn't quite enough to knock them out on the spot, but it is clearly enough for Doro to decide that she's seen enough.
"I withdraw Precise from the match. He won't be able to take another of those hits without going unconscious and I see no reason to put him through that. Unfortunately, I will also have to forfeit the match." Doro announces even as she brings out Precise's pokéball and recalls him, to Ran's surprise and Golbat's pride, as his own pokémon lets out a proud cry.
"Strong, my Hitmonlee, does not have an answer to your Golbat yet," Doro clarifies apologetically, "He is powerful and absolutely capable, but he has no response to Golbat's mobility and ranged attacks yet. It is a shortcoming I had underestimated, as I thought Precise would be able to handle any flying-types. I see now that we have a lot of work left before facing Falkner. Fortunately, we've got plenty of time yet. Thank you for the match, Ran, the deserved victory is yours."
"Alright, good job Golbat, I'll recall you for a bit!" Ran nods to acknowledge her briefly, before first addressing his pokémon. Only once Golbat has been recalled, does he fully turn his attention to Doro.
Ran offers a smile, "Good match, Doro. I forgot to account for the elemental punches. That really could have gone either way. You've got a great team! I probably should have expected that you'd have a Hitmontop, after already seeing your Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee, but I have to admit that it was still a surprise."
"There is a small story, actually," Doro replies whilst she clips Precise his pokéball back onto her belt, putting her at a total of four once more, "How I came to own all three of the Tyrogue-line evolutions, I mean. If you wish to hear it, I could tell you as we walk to the pokémon center."
"Sounds good," Ran agrees with an easy smile, before walking up to Doro's side, as the pokécenter lies in the distance beyond her, "Do tell."
Doro starts to walk alongside him, easily beginning her tale as she does so, "I'm from Goldenrod City. Originally, I tried out for a sponsorship at the Gym, but I fell short and missed out on a starter. Looking back on it, that was the right decision, for I lacked focus and knowledge, at the time. However, it did make me lose my way for a while. Until, a few months later, I was hanging around in- that doesn't really matter. What matters is that I should have been in school, but instead I ended up stumbling into a wild pokémon battle."
Ran, listening along with interest, can't help but ask a worried question, "Without a pokémon of your own?"
"Indeed," Doro nods gravely, "It was a dangerous situation I should have immediately retreated from. But I was young and foolish. Fortunately, I wasn't the only one to interfere. The fight was between a Persian and some Rattata, over some scraps of berries the Rattata had managed to scrounge together. The Persian, though it was clearly well-fed and not in any urgent need, was bullying them off of it and being quite aggressive about it, seriously injuring one of the Rattata in just the few seconds of the fight I witnessed before interfering."
Doro looks away self-consciously for a moment, before continuing, "Things might have ended very poorly, but with the mindset I was in, that did not cross my mind at the time. I simply ran in whilst screaming for the Persian to lay off of the little things. Moments after my arrival, just as the Persian turned to face me with a menacing snarl, three Tyrogues came rushing out to attack it."
Doro smiles wistfully, as she clearly pictures the moment in her mind's eye, "They attacked without hesitation, but their coordination was lacking, as they got in each other's way as often as they helped each other. Which meant that, once the element of surprise was lost, the fight turned against them. I shouted out a warning when, whom I now know to be Precise and Strong, were about to stumble into each other. They listened and avoided the collision. From there, it seemed logical to keep giving them orders and they honored me greatly by following my instructions. Together, though it was not easy, they won the fight, forcing the Persian to retreat."
A hand caresses the pokéballs on her belt, as she finishes up the story, "The Rattata shared some of their scraps with my newfound friends and I said my goodbye to all of them. When I turned to leave, the three of them came running after me. I won't bore you with the details, but one thing led to another and they convinced me, after which I convinced my father, into accepting all three of them as my pokémon."
Doro looks up to meet Ran's gaze, as they wander between the buildings, getting closer and closer to the pokécenter, "Their presence gave me a renewed purpose and the discipline typical of fighting-types did the rest. Now, here we are."
"That's quite the story," Ran acknowledges with a smile, "I'm glad to know it's got a happy ending."
"So am I," Doro agrees with a small smile of her own, "What about your own story?"
Ran offers a chuckle, before delving into his own tale, which lasts through handing in their teams at the pokécenter and up to the pair of them having dinner together. By the end of the evening, he confidently calls Doro not just a rival, but a friend.
Author's Note: Next chapter, we're headed to the Cianwood City Gym! Hurray!
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