Pokémon XYZ: Life, Death, Order, and Chaos (book 2 of the HBoD series)

Chapter 4: Familiar Faces

Ash looked at the Machokes arriving alongside the cement trucks, here to repair the damage caused by Clara and her battle. "How about we take this to the Pokemon Center. They should have a battlefield there."

I nodded. "Probably a good idea. I think the Machokes are glaring at us."

Shauna jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "There's a Center down Vernal Avenue. We should go there."

"Sounds like a plan," Ash grinned and set off at a run. "Last one there has to start last."

"He's such a kid," I thought.

I climbed on Arcanine and reached out a hand to Shauna. "You coming?"

She sighed. "Oh what the heck."

She smiled and grasped my hand and I pulled her aboard. "Just so you know, we'll likely be back later than projected."

"That's fine with me," I said. "Now hold on Froakie. You too Shauna."

Arcanine took off with a burst of speed and we zoomed past Ash by the time he was halfway down the avenue. We skidded to a stop outside the Pokemon Center and had to wait another 30 seconds for Ash to catch up.

He didn't seem to be out of breath. "Wow, now your Arcanine really does remind me of Gary's."

"Pika pika," Pikachu agreed.

We went around the back way and ended up at the battlefield. I took one end and Ash took the other. Shauna went to sit on a bench with Arcanine laying his head in her lap. She looked startled for a second before petting him.

I tickled Froakie's chin. "Let's have a great first battle together, alright?"

"Froak," he responded with enthusiasm and jumped onto the battlefield. 

Ash grinned and swung out a pokeball, his Froakie appearing with a flash of light. 

"Alright Froakie," Ash said, pumping a fist into the air. "Let's give them a good battle!"

"Froakie!"

Ash nodded at me. "You won the race. You go first."

"With Pleasure," I said. "Froakie, use Bubble!"

Froakie formed a bubble in his hands and shot it at the other Froakie.

"Dodge it," Ash said and his Froakie jumped into the air. "Hit him with a Pound!"

His Froakie landed near mine and pounded him in the side, sending him tumbling through the dirt.

"Don't give up," I shouted. "Quick Attack!"

My Froakie leaped to his feet and sped towards Ash's. He rammed into him, sending him flying backwards.

"Use Quick Attack as well," Ash yelled. "Then follow-up with Pound!"

His Froakie burst forwards, slamming into mine and pounding him into the ground.

"Froak," Froakie cried out in pain.

"You got this," I encouraged. "Use Bubble!"

His eyes sharpened and he fired a bubble. It hit Ash's Froakie in the face and he was knocked backwards.

"Let's finish this," I shouted. "Quick Attack!"

Froakie sped forwards as Ash shouted, "Quick Attack!"

His Froakie leaped to his feet and I yelled, "Move to the right and use Pound!"

Froakie dodged Ash's and pounded him on the back, his own momentum added with the Pound sending him crashing through the dirt. Ash's Froakie lay there, fainted.