Onward!

Chapter 2

A light brown dirt circle stood next to a waterfall, which was a symbol of the village. On one side, a Dewott placed himself in a battle stance, and his scalchops in each hand. On the other, a Buizel had his arms out on both sides, and his tails peaking out from behind. In the center, a Samurott had his blade raised high up.

The Chief glanced over at both sides, and locked his eyes on his sword. "Ready?" He asked, but didn't need an answer, "Begin!" The sword went down, and they charged at each other.

Dax attacked first with two Razor Shells in an X-shape. Cain blocked with his arms, but the attack still pushed through. He went back a few feet, but still stood tall. Jumping off the ground, he threw himself in an Aqua Jet, and headed straight for the Dewott.

He launched a water gun at the incoming geyser, but he couldn't stop it. Dax tried to block at the last minute, but Cain's head smacked right against his chest. With his head still connecting, the Dewott threw his arms down, and squeezed the Buizel in place.

The Dewott opened his mouth wide, and a white light began to shine. Panicking, Cain headbutted his mouth shut, and used that instant to lightly jab Dax's side. He placed his glowing fist on his side a few times, but each one kept getting stronger and stronger. Until finally, he weakened the grip enough to Aqua Jet to a safe distance.

To an outsider, it might've seemed weird, but they all knew that Cain used constant Power Up Punches while Dax recovered from the Ice Beam that launched in his mouth. Now more prepared than last time, he charged at him with another Power Up Punch.

Cain's fist collided with a scalchop, and Dax had a faster reaction this time around. Cain glared while Dax smiled, and they jumped away from one another. It was clear to the Buizel what had happened now, because it was too easy to use that many Power Up Punches. While Dax was recovering from his frozen mouth, he used Swords Dance until he was better. Now he was just as strong, but also faster.

Dax charged once again with two Razor Shells, but it wasn't blocked by Cain's hands, but his tails. They were surrounded by a veil of water, and seemed to be just as strong as the Razor Shells. With an open arm, he raised his fist, and landed straight in the gut.

The Dewott coughed and stepped back a bit, which he used to place his scalchops away. Now, with a devious smile, a fog seemed to surround him, right before he charged. He used Revenge to land an uppercut on Cain, but he didn't notice the Aqua Tail covered Double Hit that slapped him before he was sent flying.

The two friends were both sent flying ways away, but not enough to throw them out of the circle. They slowly got up and breathed heavily. "That's pretty good, for a prevolve." Dax mocked. Cain smiled back at him, "You're pretty good yourself."

Once again, their playful faces melted away, and they both showed that they meant business. Dax drew his scalchops out again, and covered himself in a Revenge. Cain surrounded both of his tails with water, readied his Power Up Punch on both paws, and leaped forward in an Aqua Jet. The Dewott got in an Aqua Jet, and headed towards his opponent as well.

Two bolts of water clashed in mid air, and the force pushed them upwards. While in the air, they exchanged blow for blow, using all their body parts to block and attack. Now so high up in the air, they mustered all of their energy into one last attack.

Cain focused all of his energy, and placed all of his Aqua Jet on his Power Up Punch. Dax covered his fist as well, but over his Revenge instead. With all their might, they slugged each other in the face, before falling down to the ground.

As they plummeted down to the ground, they began to lose their sight, and give into their drowsiness. And just as before they hit the ground, two Swanna swooped in, and caught the sleeping Pokemon.

"Nicely done you two, now can you please go put them to rest?" The Chief asked the two Swanna, who nodded and walked into the large hut. "What do you think, Dalit?" He muttered, just before the Greninja from before reappeared behind him. "They truly are remarkable kids. I hope that on their journey, they'll be able to find the strength to actually pass through the gate." Samurott nodded, "Indeed."

The world reappeared before his eyes. Cain tried to get off the fresh bed of grass he was laying on, but couldn't find the strength to move. He couldn't even twitch his tails after that battle. That was when he remembered, the battle against Dax. Did I win, or lose? He asked himself.

"Oh, you're awake." Marie smiled as she waltzed into the room. Cain looked at her and smiled. "Hey there, miss Marie." He tried to look around, "Where am I?" She giggled, "You're in the Chief's personal infirmary. That fight really took a toll on you." She pointed at his body, and he realized that he was covered in bandages.

Even though he was in pain, all he could do was laugh. "I guess Dax got the best of after all." His face became pale, "How is he?" Marie gave him a supporting smile, "He's alright, he woke up three days ago, and is with his father right now." "Three days! How long was I out!?" Cain threw himself up, but regret it almost instantly when his body flinched on its own.

Marie glared at him, and pushed his body back down. "You were out for a week. You should be lucky that you're awake right now with those wounds. Now stop your worrying and get some rest!" Cain gulped just by looking at her glare, "Ye- Yes ma'am." She smiled again, "Good, now that's better. I'll go tell the doctor that you're awake, now get some rest." She walked out of the room with tears in her eyes. "I'm so glad that you're okay." She whispered to herself.

Dax walked into his father's room, and found it strange that he was the only other one in there. Usually, he would have some guards, or at least Dalit with him, but instead, he was alone. "Hey, dad, what is this about?" He asked, trying not to overexert himself.

"Dax, my boy, I want you to accompany Cain on his journey to The Grand Summit." Dax went wide-eyed, "Bu-but why? I thought I had to continue my training to become chief." 

"Exactly, that is why you must go with your friend." Dax sat in silence for a moment, "I still don't really understand, but I will go if that is what you wish." He knelt down in front of his father, but the Chief looked annoyed. "It is not my wish, it is the village's." The Dewott looked up, "What do you mean by that?"

The Chief walked over to the shelf, and grabbed a box. "A long time ago, this was given to us by Arceus itself. It has helped us forge this land into what it is, so now we can return it with honor." He placed the wooden box in front of his son, who looked at it curiously.

With the curiosity getting the better of him, he opened the box to reveal a blinding light bluish glow. It was a blue rectangle glowing with energy. "Is this the-" "Splash Plate, yes. Like I said, our ancestors received this from Arceus, and it told us to return it to The Grand Summit when we no longer need it, and when..." The Chief paused, and looked worried. "And when what?" Dax questioned, breaking away from its great trance.

"And when it might be used for evil."