Chapter 39: First Pokémon Battle
Arlo and Lance stepped into the [Battle Arena], their footsteps echoing slightly against the polished floor as the energy barrier surrounding the field hummed faintly. The space was vast, a state-of-the-art facility designed to accommodate Pokémon battles while keeping spectators safe. Each trainer took their place on opposite ends of the battlefield. Link padded to Arlo's side, tail wagging with excitement, while Lance's Charmander stood poised, his fiery tail flicking with confidence.
Arlo activated his [Observe], the familiar screen in his HUD overlaying Charmander's stats:
Charmander ♂
Level: 8
Type: Fire
Species: Lizard Pokémon
Nature: Adamant
Potential: Elite
Abilities: Blaze
Moves: Dragon Tail (Egg Move), Growl, Scratch, Ember, Smokescreen
Arlo frowned slightly as he read through the information.
"Dragon Tail," he muttered under his breath. His mind immediately pieced together the implications of the move's presence in Charmander's repertoire. Dragon Tail wasn't a move Charmander could learn at this level or TM; it had to be passed down from one of its parents. And given the move's type, it meant that one of Charmander's parents was likely a Dragon-type Pokémon.
That explains why this Charmander has such a strong presence, Arlo thought, narrowing his eyes as he observed the Fire-type. Dragon Pokémon are known for their resilience and power. If that trait's been passed down, this is going to be a tough battle.
He glanced at Link, who stood ready, his blue eyes locked on Charmander. Link's determination was apparent, and Arlo knew they had trained hard for this moment. Still, facing a Pokémon with a lineage like this added an extra layer of challenge.
"Looks like we've got our work cut out for us, buddy," Arlo said, patting Link on the head. "But we've faced tough odds before. This is just another test."
From across the arena, Lance smirked. "You're not backing out, are you, Arlo?" he called, his voice tinged with good-natured teasing. "Charmander's eager to show what he can do."
Arlo chuckled, shaking off his apprehension. "Not a chance. Link's ready to take on anything you've got."
The referee stepped forward, raising a hand. "Trainers, are you both ready?"
"Ready!" Arlo and Lance shouted in unison.
The referee brought his arm down sharply. "Let the battle commence!"
Both trainers immediately sprang into action. "Charmander, use Ember!" Lance commanded.
Charmander let out a small roar, spitting a burst of glowing embers toward Link. The small flames scattered in an arc, aiming to corner and overwhelm the Rockruff.
"Dodge to the left, Link, and counter with Tackle!" Arlo called.
Link darted to the side with practiced agility, narrowly avoiding the embers, and bolted straight toward Charmander. His compact body collided with the Fire-type, sending Charmander skidding back a few feet. Charmander dug his claws into the ground, steadying himself as he glared at Link, his tail flame flaring brighter.
"Use Dragon Tail!" Lance ordered, his voice sharp.
Charmander's tail began to glow with a vivid green hue, elongating slightly as it pulsed with draconic energy. With a swift motion, Charmander spun, the tail slamming into Link with a resounding thud. The force sent Link tumbling backward, yelping as he hit the ground.
"Link!" Arlo shouted, his heart racing. He clenched his fists as he saw Link shakily get to his feet, shaking off the impact. "You okay?"
Link barked defiantly, lowering himself into a ready stance. His determined gaze told Arlo everything he needed to know.
Arlo exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Alright, let's show them what we've got. Link, Tackle again!"
Link charged, his compact frame a missile of determination. Charmander braced, but the force of the collision sent both Pokémon sprawling.
Arlo couldn't help but marvel at how far they had come. This wasn't just a battle against Lance and Charmander it was a chance for both of them to prove their growth and their bond.
Let's give it everything we've got. Arlo thought.
...
Lance, however, was quick on his feet. "Charmander, dodge and use Smokescreen!" he shouted.
Charmander leaped to the side with surprising agility, landing softly as he opened his mouth and expelled a thick, black cloud of smoke. The arena quickly filled with the dark haze, obscuring Link's vision and leaving Arlo momentarily at a loss.
"Stay calm, Link!" Arlo yelled, scanning the battlefield. The Rockruff hesitated, his ears twitching as he tried to pinpoint Charmander's movements. Arlo clenched his fists, realizing that Charmander's strategy was to disorient and tire Link.
But Arlo wasn't about to let that happen. He smirked, his confidence returning. "Link, use Play Rough!"
As if he had been waiting for the command, Link grinned, baring his teeth in a way that would've been comical under different circumstances. His body glowed faintly pink as he charged into the smoke with wild determination.
The sound of impact echoed through the arena as Link found his mark. Charmander let out a surprised yelp as Link attacked with a flurry of moves. Bite. Scratch. A headbutt that made the crowd watching from the sidelines wince. It was a chaotic mix of energy and ferocity, Link turning the battle into a one-puppy brawl.
When the smoke began to clear, Arlo caught sight of the aftermath. Charmander was sprawled on the ground, his orange scales scuffed and his tail flame dimmer but still burning strong. Link stood a few feet away, panting but grinning, his tail wagging like he had just won a wrestling match.
"Charmander, get up!" Lance shouted. The fiery lizard groaned but pushed himself to his feet, his sharp eyes locking onto Link. The determination in his gaze hadn't wavered, and he snarled, flicking his tail as if signaling that he wasn't done yet.
"Link, you okay?" Arlo called, concern in his voice. Link barked affirmatively, though his stance was slightly wobbly. Both Pokémon were clearly battered, but their spirits burned just as fiercely as before.
The two Pokémon stared each other down, their bruised and battered forms reflecting the intensity of the fight. Their trainers could feel it too, the weight of the battle, the sheer determination radiating from their partners.
.....
The tension in the Battle Arena was palpable as Link and Charmander squared off. Both Pokémon were breathing heavily, their bodies marked by the grueling exchange of attacks.
Lance and Arlo exchanged glances across the battlefield, a mix of respect and determination passing between them.
"Let's end this, Charmander!" Lance called, pointing dramatically toward Link. "Use Dragon Tail, one more time!"
"Link, don't let up!" Arlo shouted in response. "Counter with Play Rough!"
Charmander's tail began to glow with that vivid green energy again, and he charged forward, the ground beneath him almost trembling under the force of his sprint. Link, glowing pink and baring his fangs, bolted toward the incoming attack.
The collision was explosive. Charmander's tail met Link's assault head-on in a blur of pink and green, sending shockwaves through the arena.
Both Pokémon reeled back, clearly worn out from the clash.
Arlo's heart pounded as he saw Link wobble slightly on his paws. "Link, you've got this," he murmured under his breath. "Come on, buddy."
Lance, noticing Charmander's weariness, furrowed his brow.
"Charmander, Ember!" he ordered, though his voice lacked its usual confidence.The lizard Pokémon inhaled sharply, spitting a stream of embers that flickered across the arena toward Link. The attack was slower than before, but it still posed a threat.
"Dodge and finish it with Tackle!" Arlo commanded, his voice ringing with urgency.
Link, though exhausted, managed to leap to the side, narrowly avoiding the embers. His body glowed faintly as he gathered the last of his strength. With a determined bark, he lunged forward, his small frame becoming a missile aimed directly at Charmander.
The impact sent both Pokémon tumbling. When the dust settled, Link shakily stood on all fours while Charmander lay sprawled on the ground, his tail flame dimmed but still flickering.
The referee stepped forward, raising his arm.
"Charmander is unable to battle!" the referee declared. "The winner is Rockruff and Trainer Arlo!"
The announcement echoed through the arena as Arlo felt a rush of pride and relief. "We did it, Link!" he shouted, running toward his partner.
Link barked weakly but joyfully, wagging his tail despite his visible exhaustion. Arlo scooped him up gently, mindful of the bruises and scratches that adorned his Rockruff.
"You were amazing," he said softly, petting Link's head. "I'm so proud of you."
.....
On the other side of the arena, Lance approached Charmander, crouching beside him.
"You did great, buddy," he said, his voice warm and comforting. Charmander groaned softly, looking up at his trainer with apologetic eyes. Lance smiled and scratched the Pokémon under the chin. "It's okay to lose. We'll come back stronger next time."
Carrying Charmander, Lance walked over to Arlo and Link. "That was an incredible battle," Lance said, offering his hand. "You and Link are quite the team."
Arlo shook Lance's hand firmly, a grin spreading across his face. "Thanks. You and Charmander put up one heck of a fight too. Honestly, I thought we were done for when he used Dragon Tail."
Lance chuckled. "Yeah, Charmander's been working hard on that one. But I've got to admit, Link's Play Rough is terrifying. I've never seen a Pokémon turn a move into a full-on beatdown like that."
Link barked in agreement "Bow! Wow! Bow!", wagging his tail proudly.
Charmander, now resting in Lance's arms, turned to Link with a fiery glint in his eye.
"Char..." he muttered, raising a claw as if to say, Next time, it's my win.
Arlo and Lance laughed at the interaction. "Looks like these two are already rivals,"
Lance said."Good,"
Arlo replied. "Rivals push each other to be better. Isn't that right, Link?" The Rockruff barked enthusiastically, his energy seemingly renewed despite the battle.
Arlo sighed, shaking his head with a smirk. "You're unbelievable."
As the trainers left the arena, their Pokémon in tow, Arlo couldn't help but reflect on the battle. It wasn't just about winning—it was about growth, both for Link and himself. He glanced down at his partner, who was now dozing off in his arms, and smiled.
"Today was a good day," Arlo thought. "But this is just the beginning."
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A couple of days after the battle with Lance, Arlo and Link dove headfirst into the club's trainer challenges. The first was a tough encounter against a Mankey, a Fighting-type Pokémon known for its raw aggression and unpredictable moves.
The battle began with Mankey darting around Link, its speed catching both Arlo and his Rockruff off guard.
"Stay focused, Link!" Arlo called out, trying to gauge the Mankey's movement pattern. Mankey lunged forward with a Karate Chop, its paw glowing faintly as it aimed for Link's flank.
"Dodge and counter with Tackle!" Arlo commanded.
Link leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the attack, then sprang forward. The two collided, but Mankey's Fighting-type prowess made the blow feel more like a nudge. Mankey retaliated with a Low Kick, sweeping Link off his feet.
Arlo winced as Link hit the ground with a yelp.
"Get up, buddy! You've got this!" Link struggled but stood, his legs trembling with determination. His growl came low and steady, his eyes locked on Mankey.
"Use Play Rough!" Arlo shouted. Pink energy surrounded Link as he lunged at Mankey, catching the wild Pokémon off guard. Link scratched and tackled relentlessly, overwhelming Mankey in a flurry of attacks. Finally, Mankey collapsed, too exhausted to continue. Arlo exhaled deeply, pride swelling in his chest.
The next day brought a match against a Skiddo, a Grass-type Pokémon. Though Link had the type advantage, the Skiddo was deceptively resilient. Its defensive stance absorbed several of Link's Tackles without much damage.
"Let's try Play Rough again!" Arlo called, watching as Link's eyes glinted with confidence.
Link launched himself at the Skiddo, channeling the pink aura of his move. The sight of the small Rockruff pummeling the goat-like Pokémon made Arlo pause. "Man, this feels like throwing a wolf at a sacrificial goat," he muttered under his breath, cringing as Link delivered the final blow with a ferocious headbutt.
Skiddo let out a defeated bleat before collapsing. The opposing trainer returned the Pokémon to its ball, giving Arlo a half-smile.
"Your Rockruff's a monster," they said.
Arlo laughed nervously. "Yeah... he's something alright."
The final challenge came in the form of a Ducklett, a Water/Flying-type Pokémon. Arlo immediately knew this would be a tough fight.
"Water types," he muttered. "Great."
Arlo use his [Observe] to see Ducklett's moves and the most annoying of part it have [Rain Dance] move which the power of Water-type moves increases by 50% which make this battle harder.
The match started with Ducklett activating Rain Dance. Dark clouds gathered overhead, and rain poured down, strengthening Ducklett's Water-type moves.
Link barked uneasily, glancing up at the rain."Don't let it throw you off!" Arlo said. "We've trained for this. Start with Sand Attack!"
Link kicked up a flurry of sand, which mixed poorly with the rain and barely reached Ducklett. Arlo cursed under his breath. "Plan B! Dodge and counter!"
Ducklett's Water Gun blasted toward Link, faster and more powerful than expected. The Rockruff barely dodged, his paws slipping on the wet ground.
"Use Play Rough!" Arlo shouted.
Link charged, pink energy enveloping him as he struck Ducklett with a barrage of bites and scratches. Ducklett squawked, flapping its wings frantically to escape. It retaliated with a Wing Attack, knocking Link back.
The battle raged on, both Pokémon exhausted but unwilling to yield. Finally, as Ducklett prepared another Water Gun, Arlo saw his chance. "Link, one last Tackle! Give it everything!"
Link's body glowed faintly pink as he surged forward, his sheer determination fueling the attack. The impact sent Ducklett sprawling, and it didn't get back up.
The referee announced, "Ducklett is unable to battle, Rockruff wins!"
Arlo rushed to Link, scooping the tired but triumphant Pokémon into his arms. "You're amazing, buddy. We did it!"
Link barked weakly, his tail wagging. Despite the rain and the exhaustion, they had triumphed together.
.....
With each battle, Link gained valuable experience, his movements sharper, his instincts more refined. His victories against the Mankey, Skiddo, and Ducklett had been hard-fought, each teaching Arlo and Link a critical lesson about teamwork and strategy.
Alongside the rigorous battles, Arlo ensured Link's diet remained a cornerstone of his growth. The combination of high-quality Rock-type Pokéblocks, carefully selected berries, and supplements like protein and carbos had paid off immensely
As Arlo opened Link status window with his BrainLink, he couldn't help but smile.
[Link] Rockruff ♂
Level: 10
Type: Rock
Height: 0.6 m
Weight: 9.6 kg
Moves: Tackle, Leer, Sand Attack, Play Rough (egg move), Double Team(new)
"You're becoming a beast, buddy," Arlo said, ruffling Link's fur. The Rockruff barked excitedly, his tail wagging in anticipation of their next adventure.
Arlo couldn't help but notice that Link's frame was now slightly taller and bulkier than a standard Rockruff's, a testament to their intense training and careful nutrition. His diet and the physical demands of weighted vest drills had clearly pushed Link to grow stronger than ever.
"Alright, let's celebrate," Arlo said with a grin. "You've earned it."
He rummaged through the kitchen unit of his Quantum Cube, pulling out a small tub of Link's favorite vanilla ice cream. Arlo scooped a generous portion into Link's bowl, adding a sprinkle of crushed Kee berries for a special touch. The Rockruff's ears perked up, and he darted toward the treat with a joyful bark.
"Take it easy," Arlo chuckled, watching as Link licked the ice cream enthusiastically. "I'm starting to think you might love dessert more than training."
While Link enjoyed his reward, Arlo made a mental note to add more complex drills to their routine to take advantage of Link's newfound agility. The addition of [Double Team] to Link's arsenal opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for evasion and misdirection during battles.
"We'll have to work on that tomorrow," Arlo mused. "But for now, it's all about relaxing."
.....
Later that evening, Arlo decided to splurge on a feast for both of them. He ordered a premium steak delivery for himself and a gourmet Pokémon meal for Link, complete with a side of Moo Moo Milk. When the food arrived, Link's tail wagged so fast it blurred, his excitement infectious. Even though it cost him 100 credits and the additional cost of the High Quality Rock type pokeblocks which cost 800 credits which left of him [2110 credits] but it was okay since they did a pretty good job their Pokémon battles
"You deserve the good stuff," Arlo said as he set Link's meal down. "You've been working harder than ever."
As they ate, Arlo found himself reflecting on how far they'd come. Just a month ago, he was a nervous trainee Pioneer, unsure of his path. Now, with Link by his side, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination.
"You're not just a Pokémon, you know," Arlo said softly, watching as Link polished off his meal. "You're my partner. My family."
Link barked in agreement, hopping onto Arlo's lap with a happy yip. Arlo laughed, feeling a warmth in his chest that he hadn't known he was missing.
"Alright, no getting soft," Arlo said, standing up and stretching. "We've got more battles ahead. But for now... let's just enjoy this win."
Link yawned contentedly, curling up in his cushioned bed. Arlo glanced at the status screen one more time before shutting it off. Seeing Level 10 and the moveset was proof of their progress, but it was just the beginning.
Arlo flicking off the lights and heading to bed. With Link snoozing peacefully nearby, he felt more ready than ever to face whatever challenges lay ahead.