Love in the Time of Teamwork

Chapter 7: A Step

Time for more action! Time for more rivalries! Time for more Amourshipping romance! Most importantly, though, time for Chapter 7!

Chapter 7

A Step

"Are you ready folks?" Harry called, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Down below, Brock had stepped onto the field along with Dawn, and the two were walking toward one another. Even though neither held animosity in their body language, the two former traveling partners weren't smiling. "It's time for Brock versus Dawn, and it promises a most exciting battle."

"Good luck to you, Dawn," Brock said, his voice carrying to his team's section in the stands. Serena watched intently. Like May before her, Dawn was a Coordinator as well, which made her someone to watch. The honey blonde was certain she could pick up some wonderful tips.

"You too, Brock, and no need to worry. I'm gonna win it," Dawn told him. The two reached out and shook each other's hands before returning to their respective sides of the arena.

"You all know the drill," Harry started to explain for the benefit of the crowd. "You're allowed the use of one Pokémon and a thirty-minute time limit. Let's begin!"

"Togekiss, spotlight!" Dawn cried, tossing her pokeball into the air, from which a Togekiss emerged in a dazzling display. Not recognizing the Pokémon, Serena scanned it with her Pokédex while Brock sent his Croagunk out. Serena frowned.

"Doesn't Togekiss have the advantage over Croagunk?" she asked, surprised at such a type matchup. Clemont adjusted his glasses, leaning in to examine the battlefield.

"It is a rather bizarre choice," he observed. Ash just brought them into another group hug. Serena found that he seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Pikachu hopped from his partner's shoulder to the edge of the stands. Dedenne joined him.

"Pika-Chu! Pika pika chu chu Pikachu!"

"Pikachu's right, guys. Brocko's always got a plan," Ash said with a grin. "Just watch! Go get 'er, Brock. You can tone it down, Dawn!"

"Don't try to tell me to lose, Ash!" Dawn yelled up at him. Ash threw his head back and laughed while the crowd seemed to also find it amusing. Serena's frown was carved in deeper; it was so easy for Ash to converse with his old girlfriends-no, just friends. And she wasn't jealous...definitely not...at least, she hoped she wasn't. She really didn't want to resent Ash's friends just because they were girls who likely knew him better than she did. The bell rang, signaling the start of the battle.

"Togekiss, Safeguard!" Dawn commanded. Swirls of green light surrounded her Pokémon, and Serena could swear that she saw a shield wrap itself around Togekiss, though it appeared more as a halo. Brock and Croagunk stood still, waiting for the move to finish. Dawn took the first move after that. "Now, Air Slash!"

Togekiss flew up into the air, spinning around as a blue glow surrounded it now. Then, as it came out of its spin, it threw a blue ball of energy hurtling straight for Croagunk. Serena was amazed; the simple grace that Togekiss exuded was marvelous, from its perfect execution of its spin to the timing of its attack as it came out of its spin. Brock wasn't giving a command, either. She wanted to cry out for Croagunk to move, but just before she did, Croagunk stepped just a little to the side and the Air Slash whooshed right past him, impacting with the ground in an array of wispy glitter.

"Did...did Croagunk even dodge?" Clemont asked. Bonnie wanted to get closer to watch, so she jumped on her brother, knocking his glasses askew.

"Croagunk, get up in the air with your arms," Brock finally commanded. Croagunk grunted and lumbered forward before slamming both hands on the ground, springing itself up.