DPA: Rivals

Chapter 34: An Upcurrent Battle

Cameron returned Kakuna to its Pokéball, the Cocoon Pokémon having been knocked out by Misty's Psyduck. Not that phased, he sent out Pidgey.

"Your final Pokémon is a Pidgey?" Misty taunted. "This is definitely going to be a rough battle for you."

"I do not think so," Cameron said, not having any of Misty's attitude. "Pidgey, let's do the Current Maneuver!"

Pidgey flapped its wings, aiming a strong Gust not against the already poisoned, and therefore weakened, Psyduck, but at the water surrounding it, creating a whirlpool of sorts. Psyduck attempted to swim out of the whirlpool, but the pallets that had been floating nearby were sucked in, knocking into Psyduck as it swirled around and around, eventually being knocked out when one of these pallets smacked it in the head.

Misty laughed, returning Psyduck. "Well played, but your Pidgey won't stand a chance against Starmie." She sent out her ace Pokémon, ready to battle.

Before Cameron could give an order, Pidgey found itself glowing, surrounding itself in its own light as its body shifted, changed, grew, until Pidgey had evolved into its next stage, Pidgeotto.

Everyone on the sidelines applauded. Cameron wasn't surprised, he figured that it was only a matter of time until Pidgey would evolve. Whether or not it was in this battle with Misty or afterwards was irrelevant, as Pidgeotto wouldn't be the one to win this Gym battle. Kakuna would. Cameron's memory flashed back to earlier in the battle.

"Kakuna, let's get Contagious!" Cameron ordered. Kakuna fired off a Poison Sting, which missed Psyduck. So Kakuna shot off another. And another. And another. Poisonous barbs were now scattered around the battlefield, some having sunk to the bottom, others floating on the surface, each barb loaded with toxins that would likely cause any Pokémon pricked by them to become poisoned.

"Your aim needs work," Misty jokes, as Psyduck slashed at Kakuna with several Fury Swipes. Kakuna shot another Poison Sting as Psyduck was doing this, thus poisoning Psyduck in the process.

"I don't get it," Daryon said to himself from the sidelines. "Cameron and Kakuna have trained so much, Kakuna should have perfect aim. Why would Kakuna miss like that?"

"Pidgeotto, let's continue being Contagious," Cameron said. Pidgeotto nodded. While Starmie had jumped into the water, ready to attack, Pidgeotto stayed far above the water, nowhere near its aquatic opponent.

With a mighty flap of its wings, Pidgeotto created another Gust, trapping Starmie in a whirlpool not unlike with Psyduck. Starmie, swifter and more adjusted to being underwater, was able to dodge the wooden pallets or, when necessary, break them apart. That was okay. The makeshift whirlpool also brought something else zipping towards Starmie, something harder to dodge: Kakuna's poisonous barbs, which had been drifting along in the water the whole time.

Misty's face went from a cocky expression to one of genuine shock as Starmie found itself being barraged by Kakuna's earlier Poison Stings, each one sending a little more venom coursing through its system.

"I don't understand," Misty said, mouth agape as the poison quickly began to take effect.

"What was it you said?" Cameron adjusted his glasses. "Oh yeah, I played the long game, kid."

Starmie now too weak to move, Pidgeotto bolted down from the sky with one swift and definite Quick Attack, knocking the opposing Starmie out and sending it floating to the bottom.

Unsure how to react, Misty simply stared at the water, not even looking at her hands as she grabbed a Cascade Badge, tossing it gently over the battlefield with a shaky underhand throw.

Cameron caught the badge, shoving it unceremoniously into his pocket. He returned Pidgeotto to its Pokéball, and walked out of the Cerulean Gym without saying a word.