Maybe it'll be easier with a Friend.

[Lara]

[Open for interaction if anyone's interested; if not, Wild Pok?mon are fine.]

The little Chikorita seated on his lap intrigued Abel more and more as he made his way out of Angler's Wharf and into Mallowfox Road, the first route of every trainer's journey in Kairuu. It was a bit tricky at first, figuring out the traction and such for his chair on the dirt path, but he was soon pushing forward steadily.

"Dis is gunna be so much fun!" the still-nameless Pok?mon chirped for about the tenth time since they had left the laboratory. Hmm, he'd have to change that soon, but to what? Abel had been thinking about it for some time, as he wasn't normally the type to simply name a Pok?mon something. It had to fit, for the most part...

His thinking time was running short, though, since the baby Pok?mon soon said something else that had been on repeat for a while, but considerably less times. Maybe two or three; he had been able to avoid giving a good answer, saying only that he still had to think about it... Not this time. "Abul," the grass type started, his manner of speaking distorting Abel's name as it always did, "Can I get a name now?"

Abel didn't answer for a few moments, trying to decide one last time if the name he had thought of would fit. Well, he'd have to see if the Chikorita liked it, at least. "Well..."

"Oh, oh!" The Pok?mon recognized that what he was saying wasn't how he normally started off his denial. "Is it a gud one? Oh, I hope it is!"

Abel had to smile a bit. "I was thinking... Espiridion." He hurried into his explanation before the young Pok?mon could immediately turn him down, though he wasn't quite looking at his starter as he spoke, so he didn't even know how the Chikorita was reacting. "It means 'little spirit', and I was thinking it would mean you've got a lot of guts, or something, and I mean, if you don't like it, we don't...I mean, what do you say?" He coughed lightly in embarrassment at showing his worry, but what he got surprised him.

The Chikorita beamed. "Es...Esp... I like it!" His chest puffed out a bit in pride, even though he couldn't pronounce his new name.

Abel's worry faded into quick relief. "I'm glad you like it. Since it's so long, though, I think you have the right idea. How about I call you Es for short?"

"Yey yey yey!" Es dancing in excitement on Abel's lap was the only response he got.

[`jαzz]

"No, I am!" "No, I am!" "No, I am!" "No, I am!"

Ughh! This relentless arguing was driving Tania crazy. She knew that beginning trainers had it a bit tough, having to deal with young and inexperienced Pok?mon when they were only rookies themselves...but she never expected this! Clapping her hands over her ears, she buried her face in her knees. Kira and Simone's bickering had been going on for hours, neither of them showing signs of giving up or backing down. Many times she'd tried to break it up, but they only snapped at her and then resumed their fight.

Tania was just about ready to just give up and walk away, when she heard unfamiliar voices; both of them male, no doubt. Slowly, she lifted her head, her dark eyes searching for the source of the noise. But all she saw was the tall grass, surrounding her and her Pok?mon on all sides. Quickly, she got to her feet, brushing off the back of her dress.

"Es...Esp... I like it!"

"I'm glad you like it. Since it's so long, though, I think you have the right idea. How about I call you Es for short?"

From the sound of it, a rookie trainer was bestowing a new name upon one of his companions. Huh, that was always fun. Glancing around, she finally caught a glimpse of a young man in a wheelchair, though she couldn't see the Pok?mon he was talking to. Darn grass...

"Hey you guys! I see a trainer! Now we can finally find out which of you is stronger. Sound good?" The Spinarak and Magnemite squealed with excitement, quickly making their way over to the young girl. Any and all comments made up to this point were promptly forgotten. Pushing her way through the foliage, Tania eventually made her way to the winding trail that cut through the grass. She positioned herself at least 20 feet in front of the boy, smirking with a confidence she didn't know she had. This would be her first ever battle with another person! How exciting.

"You there! Yeah, you! From the looks of it, I'd say you're a new trainer too! I challenge you to Pok?mon battle!" She pointed a finger in his direction, obviously calling him out. Kira and Simone cheered and hollered from behind her, itching for their very first battle as well. Now they could prove once and for all to Tania which of them was better.

[Lara]

Abel looked up in surprise as a young female voice came out of nowhere, and as he looked up from Es, he spotted another trainer jumping out of the bushes - at least, that's what it looked like to him, since he hadn't noticed her until then. Behind her were two rather loud Pok?mon, both of which seemed excited about something.

That 'something' became clear when the girl announced her battle challenge. Immediately, worry gripped Abel's insides again. A battle, already? He and Es had just agreed on a name; they hadn't battled at all yet! How was he supposed to accept the challenge-?

His internal panic attack was stopped abruptly by the Chikorita bounding off his lap on to the ground, dancing a bit on his feet. "A baddle, Abul! Yey yey yey! Can we?"

Abel looked down in surprise. "You sure, Es? I mean, you haven't battled at all yet, and you have no idea what to expect, and..."

"Pleeeeaaase, Abul?" Es stopped his dancing long enough to give Abel a pleading look, pouty face and all. He was caught, hook, line, and sucker.

"Well... Alright then. I accept your challenge... um... " He paused and looked at the female trainer once again. "Hi, I'm Abel.

[/color]"

From the looks of it, the unnamed trainer had a Magnemite and a Spinarek. No fire types, luckily, but he had no idea what Es was capable of yet. Guess he'd have to find out...[/blockquote]

[`jαzz]

"Alright, now that's what I'm talking about! Tania announced, grinning triumphantly. Now she would get to officially display her skills! She was mildly disappointed however, that she didn't have a proper audience. Oh well, that would all come in time. She'd have to gradually work her way up in order to gain respect - and what better time to launch her career as a Pokémon trainer than here, against the boy who'd introduced himself as Abel?

Nodding, Tania returned his greeting. "Nice to meet ya, Abel. I'm Tania! But enough with the chit chat, let's get on with it~!" As much as she liked meeting new friends, now was not the time to be swapping life stories - she had a challenge to win!

"Alright Kira, you're up. Show those guys what you got, okay?" Tania murmured to her Spinarak, trying to be encouraging. The small spider-like creature nodded, scuttling out onto what was now the battlefield. "If that Chikorita's your only Pok?mon, then I guess we can make this a one-on-one battle, 'kay Abel?" she called out as she backed up a considerable amount of steps. She didn't know how much space her Pokémon would need; Tania certainly didn't want to be on the receiving end of Kira's poison sting.

"I'll start this off, if that's alright with you~!" the girl said, motioning to the general area before her. "Come on Kira, show them how it's done! Use string shot to reel that Chikorita in, then use poison sting!" Happy to oblige, the Spinarak lunged forward, issuing a tangle of silver webbing from her mouth. The determined Pok?mon had her sights set on Es; there would be no stopping her now.

[Lara]

Abel was surprised at how swiftly the other trainer started the battle, but then again, maybe that was just the way things were done. After all, he hadn't spent much time watching battles before, so who was he to say it wasn't normal? "A one on one battle? That's fine with me, Tania." Actually, it was more than fine. He had been worrying that Es wouldn't be able to handle two Pok?mon on his own.

He took a moment to study Tania as she sent out her Spinarek, listening closely to what she was saying to his Pok?mon in order to try and see what was coming before it actually came. "Let's do this, Es!" he called to his partner, who was waiting on the ground with a look that mixed curiosity and anxiety on his face.

"Right!" The Chikorita bounced forward, dancing lightly in place as he waited to hear what it was he had to do.

Even as Es began to move, Tania called out her first move set. "Es! Try to dodge the string!" Abel called quickly, hoping to get his partner out of the mess that was already starting up. If Es wasn't able to move fast enough, it would seriously hinder his ability to dodge the next set.

Though not accustomed to battles yet, the Chikorita was a bit too eager to show Abel that he could follow orders. He dashed to one side, then started in closer to the Spinarek before Abel could issue another command.

Abel had no choice but to run with it. "Alright, Es, try and tackle it!"

[`jαzz]

Unfortunately, the Spinarak's attack was not as successful as Tania was hoping it would be. The Chikorita had managed to sidestep the string shot attack, leaving Kira momentarily defenseless as the small creature regrouped. And apparently the boy knew an opportunity when he saw it. He was quick in commanding the Grass-type to tackle his opponent.

Kira, watch out! Tania called out, hoping the spider-like creature could react in time. The Spinarak spun around to face Es, but by this time it was too late to escape the line of fire. The tackle had hit her head-on, sending her flying backwards.

Clenching her fists together, the young girl urged the Bug-type to get to her feet. Come on! Are you just going to take that? Let's show these guys what we're really made of! Okay, Kira! Try a poison jab attack!" The spider got to her feet, shaking herself as if she were trying to rid herself of the pain. The Spinarak gave an enthusiastic nod, and proceeded to charge towards the Chikorita, poison-tipped horn aimed right at him. If Tania remembered correctly, Poison attacks were rather effective against those of the grass element. Now, if only Kira could move fast enough to land a hit...

[Lara]

Luckily, Tania didn't seem to have noticed his spontaneous attack strategy. If anything, she seemed to think that it was something that had been planned, which made him beam inside, if just for a moment. It was just his craving ego speaking, of course, but it made him feel stronger about his first battle; if anything, it made him just the tiniest bit cocky. "Great job, Es!" he called as the Spinarek was sent flying backwards, the Tackle having hit dead-on.

The young Chikorita celebrated with his trainer as the bug-type stood back up, concentrating more on his dancing feet than the fact that his opponent was ready to attack a second time. Abel didn't notice either, at least not until he heard the end bit of Tania's attack. ...Poison Jab attack!

His eyes widened, and he quickly called out to his partner. "Es, they're attacking again! Dodge it, quick!"

"Yey ye--?" The dancing died down as the Chikorita's expression mimicked his trainer's surprised look, clearly not expecting the sudden charge from the other Pok?mon. "Ah!" He attempted to dive to the side, tumbling over his own feet and kicking up a small cloud of dust that served only to freak the small Pok?mon out more.

It quickly became clear to Abel that his partner hadn't been able to fully dodge the poison-based attack. "Es!" his cry wasn't so much an overreaction, but more a worried afterthought as he watched the Chikorita quickly get back up on his feet, just to sway a tiny bit as he shook off the attack.

"I'm ohkay!" Es insisted, and for the time being, Abel would have to agree that there wasn't as much damage as he thought originally. But then again... it was a poisoned attack. Therefore, this battle needed to end, and quickly.

"Alright, Es, just shake it off. Give it your best Growl, and then Tackle it as hard as you can!"

[`jαzz]

Oh yay! Honestly, Tania hadn't expected the little Spinarak to actually land a hit. But she had, and for that her trainer was proud. That Chikorita would be feeling the full effects of that poison soon enough! Not that she reveled in the fact that her opponent was suffering - but it felt so good to be winning! The young girl pumped her fist in the air, cheering her encouragement from the sidelines.

Kira turned to looked back at her trainer, dancing happily in place. She loved nothing more than pleasing the girl. That, and the Spinarak would finally get to rub her first victory in that silly Magnemite's face! Haha! Unfortunately, both Pok?mon and trainer were celebrating their apparent success too early.

Tania looked up, but what she saw wasn't exactly a pretty sight. The Chikorita was heading straight towards Kira! That sly dog, using their distraction to his advantage! She then realized with a heavy heart that her Spinarak would not be able to move out of the way, even if she called out a warning.

The attack blindsided Kira, sending her flying into the air, flopping around like a rag doll. "Oh no!" Tania cried out. She hoped that her beloved Pok?mon wasn't hurt badly. The Spinarak tumbled to the ground, collapsing in a heap. "Kira, get up! Oh, please get up!" The spider-like creature got to her feet shakily, appearing quite dazed and confused. She lurched forward, fighting to stay conscious. Unfortunately the damage had already been done, and the small Spinarak gave up.

"Kira! Oh, no!!" Tania rushed out onto the battlefield. She knelt down by Kira, placing a ginger hand on the Pok?mon's head. She was out cold. Sniffing angrily, the girl withdrew her defeated companion. Lifting her head, her gaze fell upon the boy and his grass-type. "You bully! Look what you did to my dear Kira! ...Ugh! You m-might have won this round, but don't t-think you'll be so lucky n-next t-time..!"

Turning away, Tania buried her face in her arm, wiping the few tears that had collected on her bottom eyelashes away. And here she thought she'd finally be able to prove herself as a worthy trainer! This boy, who was clearly even more of a rookie than she, had beaten her. Shaking her head, the girl disappeared into tall grass once again, leaving Abel to celebrate his first victory.

[ event! ]
Congratulations! Abel and Es have won the battle!


Es gains one level!

[Lara]

Unfortunately, Abel didn't feel much like celebrating by the end of the battle. Whether she knew it or not, Tania's harsh words cut deep. "A...bully?" he started to say numbly, but she was already running off, having recalled her defeated Pokémon. He could see she was crying. "I-I was just...I didn't..." There was no one for him to apologize to any more. 'I'm sorry...'

The battle had been going so well for both sides. Tania had some great tactics, even if some of them had missed, and eure, Es had taken a hit, but his starter had kept on.... "Es!"

His partner had turned around to watch the expression on his trainer's face when he won the battle. The other Pokémon had been defeated; he had won! What a cause for celebration! But his dance had been stopped when he saw the crushed look on Abel's face, the vacant expression as he had fumbled for an excuse for his victory.

Was winning bad? Winning was supposed to be good... the other Pokémon in the lab had talked all the time about winning battles, boasting about how they would never lose once they had a trainer! The young Chikorita quivered, upset by this new spin of logic that his trainer had presented. "I-I'm sowwy, Abul..." he started, but wobbled a bit on his feet and collapsed to the ground.

"What?" Abel's attention fixated on his partner, brought out of his self-inflicated negativity. "Oh no, Es! No no, don't be sorry... you did good. Real good." Abel was quick to try and assure the young Pok?mon, but when he saw him wobble and fall, he wheeled over immediately. The poison! He had forgotten all about it.

Bending down and getting to the Pokémon was difficult, but Abel managed it after a strained try, and soon his Pokémon was in his lap, as he had been when they first came to the route. This time wasn't nearly as happy for either of them, though. "Don't worry, Es, everything's fine. We'll get you healed up right away..." He dug through his bag, but soon started to panic when he couldn't find an item that would get rid of the poison flowing through Es's system.

He heaved a sigh of relief when his hand finally grasped the item he was looking for. "Alright, here we go," he said reassuringly as he pulled out the Antidote and administered it to Es. While it was taking effect, Abel kept talking. "I mean it, though, Es. You were great out there. I'm sorry you got hurt."

Within a few minutes, Es was at least sitting up on Abel's lap, looking upwards at him, eyes still filled with a bit of confusion. "You mean it?"

"Of course I do." Abel managed to smile broadly, already starting to repress his feelings from the end of the battle. He couldn't have Es upset, no matter how he felt. "Now, what do you say we keep going?"

Es watched him for another moment or two, but soon let loose a grin of his own. "Ohkay!"

And then they were off.