DPA: Rivals

Chapter 9: Let's Do This

Evan stretched out his arms, enjoying the sunlight that radiated throughout Pewter City. After several days of being lost in the darkness of the Viridian Forest, the warm sun felt nice against his skin.

Yes, he was here for a purpose. Pewter City housed its very own Pokémon Gym, and Evan needed one of those Gym badges. He didn't walk through the Forest for days for nothing, after all. But he did want to slow down, take his time, enjoy the sights of the city, before going directly into battle.

A fellow trainer had mentioned a museum in Pewter City. That sounded like fun. There was also a small shop that sold Pewter Crunchies, a snack food that Evan had been dying to try since he arrived in the Kanto region.

With his day all planned out, Evan began his slight, leisurely walk through the city. He was completely oblivious as Mewtwo floated high above him, looking for a place to rest. Something didn't feel right to Mewtwo, and it flew away, looking for somewhere else to find sanctuary from Team Rocket.

Eevee used Tackle, charging at Cameron's Mudkip with full force. Mudkip shouldered the damage, before following Cameron's orders and firing off a Water Gun, a blast of water shooting out of its mouth and smacking the opposing Eevee clean in the face. The Evolution Pokémon sputtered, its fur soaked.

"Initiate a Tackle!" Cameron ordered. Mudkip immediately began running towards the dripping, slightly disoriented Eevee.

"Eevee, use a Sand Attack!" April commanded. Eevee used the back of its front paw to wipe the water out of its eyes before swiping at the ground, smacking the blinding the oncoming Mudkip with thousands of particles of dust and dirt. Mudkip squealed and took a step back, wincing, unable to see. April took advantage of Mudkip's inability to see, telling Eevee to knock it back with another Tackle.

"Water Gun!" Cameron said, panicking. Mudkip blindly tried to shoot water at its opponent, but, unable to see, missed the shot. It was also unable to dodge as Eevee continued its assault with a barrage of Double Kicks, one after another, slowly whittling down Mudkip's health.

Cameron grit his teeth, unsure how to get out of this situation as this wet Normal type continued to hit Mudkip over and over...and then a solution occurred to him.

"Mudkip, use a Water Gun at the sky!"

Mudkip, realizing what Cameron was planning, tilted its head back, and began spewing water upwards. In doing so, water flying upwards and in every direction like an organic fountain, everything began to work in Mudkip's favor, as what comes up, must come down. Drops of water fell like rain, washing away the dirt and grime that had been obscuring the Mud Fish Pokémon's vision.

Now able to see, Mudkip turned to look at its opponent, shooting a Water Gun directly at Eevee, who, ready to deliver another Double Kick, was thrown off balance, knocked onto its back.

"Mudkip, use a Tackle!" Cameron shouted. Mudkip did as told, tackling the knocked over Eevee, delivering the final blow that would knock the Normal type out and grant Cameron victory.

April just stood there, staring at her fallen partner Pokémon, shocked. She shouldn't have lost. She couldn't have. She was better than that. But then she realized something, and she smiled. She knew she was an amazing trainer. Losing here meant that she could be even better.

"You did great, sweetheart, take a rest," April said after a moment, clicking the button Eevee's Pokéball. The Pokéball opened, returning Eevee to whatever goes on inside these machines. April turned to Cameron. "Congrats on the win, kid," she said, before turning around and walking away, presumably towards Viridian City.

"Wait!" Daryon yelled out. "Battle me now!"

April continued walking away, ignoring him.

"Hey, come back here, lady! I WANT TO BATTLE!"

Eventually, April was out of sight.

"Ah, forget it," Daryon mumbled. "It would've been too easy anyway."

"Yeah," Cameron replied. "Of course."

Cameron had won. Things started looking up. He had caught his first Pokémon in Weedle, had won his first Pokémon battle, and in a few days he would be battling his first Gym. For the first time since he left Pallet Town, he felt like becoming Champion was something that was possible.

"Hey, I don't know what we're just standing here for," Daryon interrupted Cameron's thoughts. "Viridian Forest is just ahead."

"Right!" Cameron agreed, adjusting his glasses. "Let's do this."