Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 63: Train Back to Hearthome, Rival Rematch

"Trains are a curse upon mankind; a veritable plague, a tenacious sickness, a festering wound that seeks to tear humanity asunder. They run late, they're always delayed, and they're so uncomfortable and unaccommodating. The only train I've ever liked was the Tohjo Magnet Train system. Always on time, always polite and punctual, and very comfortable seating. The Eastern Sinnoh Rail, however? Ugh. It's criminal how they run the thing. We were stuck in Veilstone again, not even two weeks after the last time this happened. The first train at noon was delayed several times, until it was delayed all the way until past midnight. You can imagine how displeased we were. Stuck and unable to travel far from the rail station, we did the only thing we could think of—battle."

"Staravia! Steel Wing!" called Sam, determined to show Jeremy's Staravia who's was the stronger one.

The two had decided to bring their Pokémon out for a friendly rival rematch. It had been a while since both Pokémon had battled for supremacy—Niya mentioned it had something to do with their instincts and them both being male.

Jeremy saw no issue with it—so long as the fight didn't get out of hand.

Now the two had been locked in fierce combat outside of the Veilstone Train Station.

It was past midnight, and they had over an hour before the train was supposedly ready to depart—which is something that the ticket takers had been saying all day since noon.

Sam didn't hold out hope.

He did, however, hold out hope for his Staravia to take the win in this battle.

The moon hung high in the sky, shining its pale light down on the four friends and their Pokémon as they watched the two Bird Pokémon battle it out.

"Dodge, Staravia, then loop around get in close, the strike with Aerial Ace!" retaliated Jeremy.

Sam's Staravia was not fast enough to land the Steel Wing, while Jeremy's Staravia had managed get in close like Jeremy had asked.

But Sam wasn't ready to just let his Staravia take the hit.

"Steel Wing again! Harden your wings and defend yourself!" cried Sam.

Staravia was able to react quickly enough. Turning itself ever so slightly in flight, Jeremy's Pokémon Aerial Ace bounced off the steel-hard wings.

Staravia was then able to follow off with a proper Steel Wing, slamming its hardened wings into Jeremy's Staravia's body.

At close range it was harder for Jeremy's Pokémon to dodge so quickly.

"This really is some battle," noted Niya, "They've been at it for almost an hour and it looks evenly matched. No single Pokémon has the type advantage, and their moves are the same—save for Sam's Steel Wing."

"Pika!" agreed Pikachu.

Alyssandra watched silently but nodded quietly in agreement with Niya's observations.

"Staravia, Double Team!" called Jeremy.

"A diversionary tactic," explained Sam's grandfather, "Not a bad one either. Fill your Pokémon's vision with a bunch of duplicates—quantity not quality is just as confusing. Then escape and regroup far from your Staravia. If I had to venture a guess—d"

"—He's planning on striking my bind spot while Staravia is distracted by the duplicates," finished Sam, whispering to his grandfather under his breath, "Way ahead of you on that."

"That's what I'd expect from my blood!" laughed Aurelio, "Don't need a drop of my advice—smart as a whip you always were!"

Sam didn't respond to his grandfather, but merely scanned the skies for Staravia's coming attack.