Ash's Little Sister

The Grass Gym

About a mile into the walk to Turffield, I drag my feet on the ground.

"How much farther?" I look to the side to see Riolu lounging on Mudbray's back, chin resting on her head. I scowl.

"You are so lazy." Riolu shrugs, unbothered. Mudbray however trots along happily. She gets about ten feet ahead of me, stops and looks back, then waits for me to catch up. I wipe the sweat from my brow.

"Can you evolve so you can carry me?" Mudbray tilts her head.

"Bray?" I sigh.

"Of course. Evolution doesn't work like that." I hear a rustle in the tall grass next to me. I stop.

"What's that?" I watch the grass, and moments later, a Vulpix leaps out.

"Pix!" Fire swirls around it. I smile.

"Looks like you want to battle!" I think.

"Fire Types are weak to Ground Types. Mudbray, you're up!" Riolu hops off her back.

"Olu!" Mudbray places herself in front of me." Vulpix makes the first move. It takes a deep breath, exhaling a torrent of flames. I shout.

"Iron Defense!" Mudbray forges a steel shield, huddling down behind it. When the attack stops, the shield vanishes. Vulpix's eyes flash. I wait for an attack, but nothing happens. I shrug.

"Must be a failed attack." I clench my fists.

"Mud Slap!" Mudbray kicks up a wave of mud, hitting Vulpix directly in the face. It tries futilely to shake the mud off. I press the advantage.

"Use Earthquake!" Mudbray slams into the ground with all her weight. Vulpix jumps at the perfect time, landing just as the ground stops shaking. It unleashes another Flamethrower. I grin.

"Nice try. Use Iron Defense!" Mudbray crouches low to the ground, gathering its power to forge the shield. Nothing happens. My jaw drops as Mudbray goes up in flames.

"No! Why didn't that work?" I try to recall earlier. It hits me with the force of a punch to the face. I recall Vulpix's eyes flashing. I growl.

"That Vulpix used Disable!" The flames eventually relent, and Mudbray collapses to the ground. I can smell her singed fur in the air.

"Mudbray! Are you alright?" Mudbray forces herself back to her feet, breathing labored.

"Mud... bray.." I shake my head.

"Come back! You've taken too much damage." Mudbray shakes her head.

"Mudbray!" My eyes widen.

"You want to keep going?" Mudbray dips her head in a nod. I smile.

"Your wish is my command." I study the Vulpix, looking over the mud caked on its face. I grin as a lightbulb flickers to life in my head.

"Use Mud Slap over and over!" Mudbray stomps on the ground repeatedly, kicking up mud that flies at Vulpix. Soon, you can't see even a patch of its red fur under all the brown dirt. It strains to wipe its eyes, completely blinded.

"Wait for the perfect timing, then use Earthquake!" The Vulpix hears my command and immediately leaps upwards. I watch as it reaches the height of it's jump.

"Now Mudbray!" Mudbray jumps just as the Vulpix lands. Mudbray slams down to the ground, setting it shaking. Rocks penetrate through the ground, forming a path from Mudbray to the Vulpix. Vulpix immediately falls limp. I cheer.

"We did it!" I throw a curveball at the Vulpix and smile as the Pokéball clicks, indicating that I've successfully caught it. I turn to Mudbray just in time to watch her collapse. My eyes widen.