On The Road

Chapter Eight

"Oh...okay. Thank you anyway."

"You're welcome, young lady."

Bina gave the man one last smile before joining her friends. She smiled sadly and shook her head, resulting in a sigh from Larance.

"Well, we've asked all around Dewford for Steven, and nothing," he muttered, stretching. "Except for the gym."

"Do you think Brawley knows where he is?" Arriete asked, letting Krypta nibble on a berry.

"It's the only place we haven't asked," Larance replied with a curt nod. "Besides, I do need to obtain my second badge."

"Alright then," Wally perked up. "Let's hurry!"

Larance clutched Cascoon tighter as the four of them approached the closed doors to the gym. 

"Hey I just thought of something."

Larance turned to see Arriete lost deep in thought before snapping her fingers.

"Maybe Steven knows something about your dad," she brought up. "He is the Champion after all."

"You're right!" Wally piped up. "We need to see him immediately!"

"Do you just really want to meet him?" Bina asked with an eyebrow raise.

Wally mumbled something incoherent while the others just laughed.

"Well, it's worth a try," Larance said with a small smile. "I need to get my badge first." He sighed before widening his smile. "Let's go."

***

"Ah, another challenger."

The four friends found themselves face to face with Brawly, who's blue eyes were shinning with excitement. He nodded at each of them, his sky blue hair bobbing with each nod.

 "So, which one am I challenging?" he asked, grinning.

"Me," Larance said, stepping forward. "My name is Larance and I challenge you to a battle."

"Well, someone has fire in their veins," Brawly chuckled. "I hope you don't mind having a 2 v 2 battle."

"No, I don't," Larance replied, nodding to Eevee.

Arriete, Bina, and Wally settled down on the sidelines, Eevee sitting next to them. Brawly tossed his pokeball up into the air before catching it and releasing his first Pokémon.

"Go, Machop!"

"Combusken!"

Larance felt Cascoon sag in his arms, and he smiled warmly at him.

"Don't worry, you'll get your chance to shine," Larance whispered.

"Battle start!" the referee announced.

"Machop! Karate Chop!" Brawly commanded.

"Dodge and use Ember!" Larance yelled.

Machop attacked, but missed as Combusken dodged and used Ember. It hit Machop, and said Pokemon winced in pain. 

"Tackle!" 

Larance opened his mouth to order Combusken to dodge the attack, but it came too late and his Pokemon was slammed against the wall. Combusken steadily stood back up and shook herself. Larance grinned at this and ordered his Pokemon to attack. Hit after hit Machop and Combusken battled until Machop finally fell.

"Machop is unable to battle!" the referee shouted. "Combusken is the winner!"

"Yes!" Arriete yelled, pumping her fist in the air, while Wally and Bina cheered.