A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

The plan worked. Rai was now in dream land it was time to strike. Close combat wouldn’t be entirely wise because of Static, but Orm knew how to work around this. “Energy Ball, Paras” Orm said. Paras nodded as he began to gather up energy in front of him, before blasting it at Rai. This was going to smart…

Oh, she was dreaming alright. Right now, Rai was curled up in a ball on Sylvia’s old bed. It  was the single softest bed she’d ever slept on, and she felt like she could stay here forever. -Rai, get up!- The sound of her trainer’s voice made her sit straight up in bed. It was probably time for breakfast! Her mom made the best—where was she? Rai was looking right at Sylvia’s pillow… but her trainer wasn’t there. She hopped out of the bed promptly and headed toward the door. Perhaps Sylvia was already downstairs? She reached for the doorknob and… OW! She doubled over and clinched her side. What was that? It really hurt! She didn’t see anything though. No sign of a bruise, no attacker, no nothing. Just pain. -Rai!- There went her voice again. Whatever it was must be really important. Rai shook off the pain and headed downstairs. Maybe Sylvia would be there?

Oh damn it. Even getting hit by an attack hadn’t woken her up. In fact, Rai seemed to barely stir. Which Sylvia supposed could be a good things. She wasn’t waking despite her calls, but she must not have taken that much damage, either? Maybe one more call would wake her up? Nothing. Sylvia sighed. Having this battle depend on luck was extremely frustrating.

“Yes ma’am, I did.”

A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

Paras was struck hard as it flopped onto its back. It wiggled about until it finally got back onto its legs. “You can do it Paras” Orm said. “Now let’s start off with…Spore.” Paras nodded and soon let out a mass of spores from it’s mushroomy back. If Rai was hit with these, it was going to be out like a light!

Eep! “Quick, use Double Team!” Rai’s voice could be heard multiplying as she carried out the command. There was now a whole row of her, but that didn’t turn out to be all very comforting. All of them, every single one of the Raichus suddenly collapsed onto their stomach, looking rather cozy on the grass. Somewhere, the real Rai had taken the attack, and now the fakes were fading away one by one.

Aw, damnit. “Rai…” she sounded a bit childish, realizing how screwed she was. But Sylvia could really only do two things: hope that Rai would wake up from an attack or the sound of her voice, or, hope that Paras would touch her so that maybe Static would kick in.

A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

Rai was as fast as his element. The round was over in a flash as Delibird toppled over, fainted. “You did a great job pal” Orm said softly, picking up the bird and petting it with his large finger. He pulled out his Pokeball and called it back. Now it was one on one. The battle for the ages. It was Rai, one of Sylvia’s strongest Pokemon, against a Pokemon never before faced by this electric mouse. It scuttled forward, ready for the challenge…

“You can do it Paras!” he called out.

Rai landed and came to a running stop. Seing the end of Delibird’s fall made her wave her arms jovially at Sylvia, as though to show her that she’d succeeded. Sylvia smiled and congratulated Rai, buy eyed Orm’s last Pokémon. 

She remembered that Paras, which was frustrating. She’d seen it, but actually knew very little about what it could do. Alright then, “Quick Attack!”

A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

And Chikadee was down. The Chikorita, now turned Bayleff was quite something, having stood up to Delibird’s constant Ice Beams. It was very impressive and props had to be given to the Pokemon.

Delibird meanwhile tweeted away in glee. However it was exhausted. It wouldn’t take long for this Pokemon to faint, especially with Rai on the field. Aside from being an electric type, a flying type’s worst enemy, it was Rai, one of Sylvia’s strongest Pokemon. Orm knew this next part was going to be tricky.

Sure, they had the type advantage, but only from up close. As long as it was in the air, it was a hypothetical problem. Rai stood on all fours, flicking her tail in anticipation of her order: “You know what to do.”

Quick Attack. Rai bounded off without hesitation, looking as though it was the most fun thing she’d ever done. Using that speed, she launched herself off the ground, a white trail tracing her path. It was just like practice. Rai had loved knocking down frisbees with Sylvia for years. She’d had the chance to teach her younger partners, and now she got to try it on a real flying-type. 

“Good, now use ThunderPunch!”

Rai smiled cheerfully as though in greeting before raising an electrically-charged fist. She was cheeky and enthusiastic, but she was no friend to Delibird, either. After all, Rai wasn’t just aiming to hit Delibird. She wanted to knock it down like one of her plastic discs. 

A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

What was this? An evolution? My my, Orm was pretty excited about this. The bond between trainer and partner was now bigger than ever as Chikadee grew in size and the seeds on the Pokemon’s neck began to grow bigger, looking read to bloom when the time came.

“Well done!” Orm said as Bayleef took the field. But the battle was still on as the newly evolved Chikadee hurled Magical Leaf at Delibird. Delibird couldn’t dodge, as it was struck by the attack. It squawked, annoyed by this.

“It’s alright Delibird” Orm replied. “Now then, Ice Beam again please” he called out. Oh, Delibird was more than happy to deliver that.

Evolution or no, Sylvia knew the two really couldn’t afford to take that hit. It was kind of a long shot, but she called a counter-attack anyway. “Magical Leaf again!”

Chikadee got the point. They were in no way trying to hit that Delibird. Leaves slammed into ice, but they were shoved right out of the way; practically useless. Sylvia grimaced as Chikadee turned her head to the side as though to defend herself. The ice froze around her neck this time. The proud Bayleef shivered and growled, cursing that Delibird’s name in the only way she could speak before finally slumping onto the ground, fainted.

Aw, baby… Without really thinking about it, Sylvia stepped toward her newly-evolved Pokémon and brushed off some of the ice. Chikadee awakened and groaned, looking absolutely distressed. “I’m sorry, Chikadee. You were excellent. I messed up.” But she wasn’t going to beat herself up about it right now. Sylvia returned her to her Pokéball and turned to her oldest partner. “Ready to go?”

Oh yes she was. Rai sprang to the front and gave Delibird a smile of her own, completely superfluous sparks emitting from her cheeks. She was absolutely giddy at the chance to battle for Chikadee. Sylvia, however, took a deep breath. Mister Orm had seen about everything they’d had to offer.It was truly going to reveal what she’d learned.

A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

Now was his chance! While the Light Screen was still in effect, it was taking a while before the attack was launched. “Delibird, go and use Ice Beam!” Orm commanded. The red and white bird quickly twittered away, acknowledging its command.

It took in a deep breath before firing a cold blast of air at the Pokemon before it could even launch Ancient Power. This was going to hurt, Light Screen or no Light Screen.

Oh, mother of fuck. She knew it. That was stupid. It was in fact very stupid. If it weren’t for the fact that it was an even stupider idea, Sylvia could have literally bonked herself on the head for it. But no, it was over before she knew it.

As predicted, this attack was much worse on Chikadee. Slowly, the ice began to build up until she simple couldn’t focus on her leaf anymore, and an half-formed Ancient Power clunked to the ground. She looked down, and tried her hardest to move, but it was pointless—she was frozen to her knees, denied even the right to slump over from the pain. Chikadee could hear Sylvia and Rai call to her in concern, but the only response it won them was a contemptuous growl at her opponent. Oh no. Oh no no. This was not the plan. She was winning this battle.

Sylvia blinked. Is she okay? The answer came to Sylvia in a white glow that made her eyes widen and her Raichu jump in excitement. Before her eyes, Chikorita began to grow, her icy prison shattering at her feet. Her evolution was solidified with a burst of light and a battle cry, a pretty pissed-sounding “Baaayleef!” ringing in their ears.

Joy was not nearly as easy for Sylvia to hide as frustration was. She waved her hands in the air a bit before yelling “you did it, you did it, you did it!” at her. After all this time, all they’d really needed was a good battle. “We’ll fight back with Magical Leaf!” 

Chikadee stumbled back a bit and grinned at that stupid bird. Magical Leaf was sure to hit. That thing was hers.

A Welcome for the Higher-Up

hoppipairballoon:

Oof! Ancient Power. That was a good move. Delibird was struck by the powerful rock attack as it hoisted itself up. “Let’s do another Ice Beam Delibird!” Orm ordered. Even if Delibird had the type advantage, Orm knew to keep on his toes. Strength wasn’t always something to be sought out in battles, he knew that personally. While most trainers would consider his lineup garbage, it was the bond he had with them that mattered most. And he wouldn’t give up on that bond, no matter what.

She couldn’t help it. The younger grass-type snickered silently, having caught the two off-guard. Her head turned in her amusement, and it took Sylvia calling her name to snap her back into attention just a little too late.

Even with the help of Light Screen, Chikadee simply wasn’t prepared. She squinted and shivered in her place, making Sylvia more than a bit concerned. She was going to have to work on that pride later. “Pull it together, and let’s do it again!”

Chikadee nodded, and started the process over again. Chikorita gave her leaf that signature spin, but only now did Sylvia wonder if she’d be making it in time. 

rocket-jessie:

blastofftogreatness:

rocket-jessie:

blastofftogreatness started following you

Oh, hello there! I’m Jessie! It’s nice to see a fellow Rocket around here!

“Miss Jessie, hello! My name is Sylvia. It’s nice to meet you, too!”

Nice to meet you too, Sylvia. No need to call me “Miss” Jessie- I can’t be that much older than you.

“Oh. You’re right, I’m sorry. Force of habit, I guess.”

rocket-jessie:

blastofftogreatness started following you

Oh, hello there! I’m Jessie! It’s nice to see a fellow Rocket around here!

“Miss Jessie, hello! My name is Sylvia. It’s nice to meet you, too!”