Two Dragons Down

[Brooke Verity]

Garchomp and Dragonite certainly needed the care and attention of Nurse Joy in the Pokémon Centre down in the town, Brooke led the way into the pretty seaside area. The sun was shining and the birds were singing, a flock of Wingull were flying over head and in the distance you could just see a pod of Wailords and Wailmers breeching in the sea. So picturesque! The Centre wasn't far, and at this time of day in such good weather the town was bustling, people going from one place to the next with their companion Pokémon in tow. Speaking of which, Ampharos had rejoined the party and was skipping alongside Brooke.

The Centre could be seen in the distance, the red roof shining in the midday sun, ”There it is everyone, not far!” Just as she spoke a plume of smoke erupted from behind the Centre, making Brooke laugh heartily, ”Looks to me like a battle just finished!” And lo and behold as she said that two trainers emerged from behind the back of the Centre with pokeballs in hand, yep, looks like Nurse Joy would be busy today!

Brooke grinned at Seth, ”If you’re itching to battle you’ll certainly find one here!”

[Lorna McKinley]

Lorna whistled cheerfully as she walked alongside Brooke, absentmindedly petting the pokemon professor's Ampharos. The electric time cooed happily at the attention. It really was a beautiful day - seeing the flocks of wingull and the pods of giant whale pokemon reminded Lorna of why she'd chosen to stay out of the lab and in the field. As the town pulled into view there was a loud bang and a plume of smoke rose up from behind the Centre. Not five minutes later a pair of worn out but content looking trainers walked into the pokemon Centre.

"Nice," she laughed. "There's no shortage of trainers wanting to battle here - I'd love to watch you battle Seth."

Lorna stretched, loving the feel of the sun. She unclipped a pokeball from her belt and tossed it skyward. "Typhlosion come on out!"

The large fire-type emerged in a flash of white light and a deep rumbling growl as the flaming collar surged briefly in the bright sun. He looked ferocious but it quickly melted away as he shuffled over to his trainer and bowed his head, practically purring as she stroked his nose. She glanced at her friends with a shrug. "Its so nice out - I don't like keeping my best mate cooped up in that pokeball for too long. Now c'mon Brooke you and me got a pair of Dragons to heal."

[Seth Galloway]

Maple Town had far exceeded Seth's expectations in style. He behaved much like a kid at Christmastime, his eyes wide with a glowing interest in everything around him and a big grin spread across his face.

"This place is amazing!" he declared after an awe-filled silence. Up ahead, smoke billowed from behind the Pokemon Center. A battle had just ended and the trainers left the battlefield.

Suddenly Seth's childlike excitement fled from his face, and his expression became much more serious. Seth was here to battle and show the world how effective his team was, and how strong their bond was. For a minute, Seth looked much more mature than before.

When Typhlosion emerged, Quilava tried to stand a little taller. Seth pat his head. Quilava had been hesitant to evolve, and Seth had come to respect that choice. Once calmed, Quilava held the same stance Seth did, the same look of determination in his eyes.

"Alright, let's get these battles going!" he said, following the two Champions into the Center.

[Brooke Verity]

Brooke was the first to reach the door, Amphy squeaking happily as it quickly overtook its trainer to open the door for them, “Oh thank you Amphy!” Brooke grinned, petting the rubbery skin on the top of the electric types head. Brooke turned in time to see Lorna release Typhlosion, which brought a huge grin to her features; something about fire Pokémon just did it for Brooke. Dragons and fire types, but it was immature to just carry one sort of Pokémon, but she never the less loved all of her team the same. Maybe Amphy just a liiiittle bit more though, just look at her! She’s so sweet and helpful; you wouldn’t think this was the Pokémon that felled Blue’s Blastoise in her Championship match!

She drew Garchomp’s Pokéball from her belt and went over to wait at the counter as Nurse Joy finished patching up the last two trainer’s Pokémon. The pink haired woman turned and gave the group her trademark smile, ”Hello there Professor! What can I do for you and your friends today?” Brooke chuckled, she still couldn’t get over the fact people called her ‘Professor’, it didn’t quite feel right. ”Two dragons for you today, me and Lorna went for a bit of a nostalgia trip and battled it out. All in the name of teaching of course.” Brooke laughed, flashing a grin to Seth.

Nurse Joy smiled in understanding, ”If you’d like to hang around for a little bit while I’ll fix these two up then please take a look at the news screen, I think you’ll find it interesting professor.” Nurse Joy took Brooke’s Pokéball, and once she had taken Lorna’s Dragonite she would retreat to the treatment room. Brooke folded her arms over her chest, humming curiously as she turned to look at the large plasma screen mounted on the wall. It showed scenes of distressed Vibrava and Flygon in the jungle regions with a reporter describing their troubles, but no one was showing the cause. Brooke stroked her chin between thumb and forefinger, ”Hey Lorna, will you be around tomorrow? I think we’ll need to check this out.” She shook her head, ”But let’s not worry about this now, we’re here for our Pokémon and for Seth.” She grinned.

[Lorna McKinley]

Lorna handed off her Dragonite to Nurse Joy and stood next to Brooke, taking in the news report. She nodded with a slight frown. "Definately, we can fly on out tomorrow and check it out - I know those Flygon, I spent a few days with their colony just two weeks ago and they were very placid, not at all like that."

She turned to Seth and quickly flashed him a grin. "Yeah right now we've got someone to prep for his gym battle. Now let's see if we can't find you a battle partner."

The Johto vetern rubbed her hands together with a mischevious expression. She hadn't had this much fun interacting with people in a long time, Brooke being the obvious exception. Beside her Typhlosion draped a paw over his face and shook his head.

[zember]

Steve walked in the door last, still admiring the way that the Wingull weaved in and out of the invisible air currents, riding them like a boat. He turned and he and Growlithe walked through the door and saw Brooke look over at the television mounted on the Pokémon Centre's wall. "And here we see a group of Vibrava and Flygon in the Northern Wilds in a quite a state. Noone knows quite what has distressed them so but the Police are asking anyone with information to come forward."

"I'm in" Steve proclaimed as he looked between both the Dragon Masters. "That is.. If that's okay?" He hastily added, he didn't want to get on the wrong side of Lorna after seeing what she did to both Brooke's Garchomp and the surrounding area a mere while ago.

It was strange being amoungst so many people, he'd gotten used to the company of just his Growlithe being in the forest and now he was practically surrounded by people. His Growlithe was more cuddly than people he decided over some deliberation.

[Seth Galloway]

(if you had anything else in mind just say so, I just wasn't sure if I should be the one to introduce a battle person or not lol)

Seth looked also at the screen and saw the distressed Pokemon, concern spreading over his face.

As the two Champions and Steve talked, Seth felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned and found himself facing a punkish trainer just around his age, with long dark hair and and bright green eyes making up his face.

"I heard you were looking for a bit of competition. I'll take you on," the punk said smugly.

Seth's face lit up, but retained its serious expression. "You heard right! When and where?"

"Out back, right now," the punk grinned. "Don't keep me waiting, kiddo."

The punk turned and left and Seth turned back to the group. "Looks like I got myself a battle."

[Lorna McKinley]

Lorna perked up slightly when she heard voices behind her and turned in time to see Seth accepting another trainer's challenge. She grinned and slung an arm the youth's shoulders.

"Excellent!" she crowed, "Come on let's get going, I haven't watched a good match in absolute ages!"

Typhlosian seemed to share his trainer's excitement as he bobbed his head with a gleeful growl, his flaming collar surging in intensity for a brief moment. Lorna relinquished her hold on Seth and walked over to her pokemon as he gave her the Typhlosion equivelent of a high five. "Hey don't get too excited now its not our battle...we'll have to challenge Brookey again some other time."

Shoving her hands in her pockets she started following Seth out to the back field with the punkish trainer leading.

[Brooke Verity]

(Just so you guys are aware Seth and I have agreed I’ll be NPCing the trainer, I’m laying down his Pokémon first so you know what they are and I’m not being sneaky xD)

"I'm in ... That is.. If that's okay?" Steve declared and Brooke chuckled, ”It’d be good to have a Ranger along, so please do come with. It’d be safer for us to travel as a group anyway, especially if the dragons are really agitated.”

“Definately, we can fly on out tomorrow and check it out - I know those Flygon, I spent a few days with their colony just two weeks ago and they were very placid, not at all like that." Brooke nodded at Lorna’s words as she brushed a stray lock behind her ear and grinned at Seth’s enthusiasm which only broadened when the punkish trainer challenged him to a battle. ”See? Told you you’d find someone to battle here.” She laughed, then followed the pair as they headed outside.

The punkish trainer had four Pokémon with him; a Murkrow (Night Shade, Psychic, Wing Attack and Shadow Ball), Arbok (Poison Sting, Mud Bomb, Dig, Sludge Bomb and Bite), Darumaka (Headbutt, Fire Fang, Fire Punch, Solar Beam and Grass Knot) and a Heracross (Brick Break, Hidden Power: water, Shadow Claw, Rock Slide and Close Combat). He have a confident smirk to Seth as they went outside and onto the battlefield out the back of the centre, which was in rather good shape considering what they saw before.

“Alright, let’s get on with it.” The trainer smirked as he took one side of the field, “Yo doc, can you ref?” He called over to Brooke who nodded with a chuckle, Amphy and Brooke standing at the side in the middle of the field.

”Okay guys, let’s make this a three on three battle. Good luck! Let’s begin!”

As soon as the battle was declared on, the trainer flung out an ultra ball; inside revealing a sneaky looking Arbok that hissed at Seth.

[Seth Galloway]

Seth positioned himself into his signature stance- legs spread slightly, arms at his sides and his eyes completely focused on the field.

The field and rules were set, with Brooke being the ref. Seth knew he had a few different people to impress, but he pushed his thoughts aside. The opponent's Arbok emerged with an intimidating hiss, but Seth did not waver.

He reached his hand around him, pulling out a black Luxury Ball. Seth tossed it and yelled "Go Quagsire!"

The blue Pokemon emerged with a much less intimidating cry, its simple expression almost a joke in such a serious battle. Seth grinned.

"Let's start things off with a nice Yawn attack," Seth said, and Quagsire opened its mouth and let out a rather large yawn, aiming directly for the opponent's snake Pokemon.

[Ignus Draco]

(Hey, finally caught up with everyone. I hope this is okay. Ignus doesn't really like fighting as much as the next guy...

"Hmmm..." Ignus watched as the battle began as he poked his head out, his one strand of fire-red hair drooping over his right eye, him brushing it away. "Quagsire against Arbok,eh? I can definitely see the battle used to his advantage...eh." Ignus then took a Pokeball from the sash wrapped over his shoulder underneath his coat, and in a bright flash of light brought out a Gallade, the bladed Pokemon noticing the battle and began walking in that direction, but then got tugged back behind the corner by Ignus, the Explorer with an annoyed look on his face.

"No, Garet, no!" he said, playfully chopping the Gallade's head, "We have to just watch, not interfere. You understand?" The Gallade grunted slightly, and Ignus sighed. "All right, I'll let you fight whoever wins, okay? For now, ju-just watch." The two then went back to watching the battle in full swing.

[Brooke Verity]

(Wohoo! Glad to have you with us Ignus!)

Brooke watched as Arbok and Quagsire sized each other up, this was going to be interesting! Quagsire immediately had the home field advantage, with Arbok being weak to ground type attacks – not to mention the goofy by adorable blue Pokémon was resistant to poison! She rested her hands on her hips, this oughtta be fun…

The punk trainer scoffed at the choice in Pokémon, but wouldn’t allow the fact that Quagsire had the advantage seem to sway him. “Use Dig!” He ordered with a flourish and the snake complied, throwing itself into the air before diving straight into the earth as if it were water, disappearing out of sight. It travelled like a rocket beneath the layer of dirt and reappeared right before Quagsire – but with its speed it had gone horribly wrong. That yawn? Straight into the open, hissing mouth of Arbok. The snake recoiled and found itself yawn loudly, it shook its head vigorously. “No! No! Arbok you better stay awake! Use Bite! Come on!” The trainer begged, but the Yawn had had its effect and the snake fell to the floor and began to snore.

Brooke raised a hand in the opposer’s direction, “Arbok is unable to battle! One win to Seth!” The punk growled and withdrew the snoozing Arbok and drew another pokeball, this time a normal red and white ball. “I choose you Murkrow!” He howled, unleashing the black crow onto the field as it cawed confidently.

[Seth Galloway]

Arbok fell asleep just as Seth had hoped, and the second Pokemon to be called was Murkrow.

"Quagsire, return!" the blue Pokemon made a funny face as Seth returned it to its Pokeball. He then pulled out a Great Ball.

"I choose you, Luxio!"

The rattling cry of Luxio filled the room as it landed in front of Murkrow in a graceful leap.

"Thunderbolt!"

Luxio began to glow along the edges of its pelt, and a huge beam of lightning flew out towards Murkrow.

[Lorna McKinley]

Lorna let out a joyfull whoop as Brooke decalred Seth the winner of the first match-up. The punkish trainer scowled and then sent out his Murkrow to which Seth wisely responded with his Luxio. By now the battle had drawn in a few spectators and Lorna was straining to see. She sighed and looked up at Typhlosion. "Wanna give me a hand here buddy?"

The fire-type nodded as he lowered himself to the ground and allowed Lorna to climb onto his back. He straighted up, standing on his hind legs again with Lorna's arms wrapped around his neck. He quelled his fiery collar as much as possible to avoid burning his trainer. "Alright! C'mon Seth you've got this!"

((Hey if I had a Typhlosion that's what I'd do lol))

[Ignus Draco]

(I actually agree, I would too. Anyways...)

Ignus sighed, seeing as the fight was drawing more attention than usual. Nodding to Garet, the Gallade nodded silently and grabbed his trainer, then jumped onto one of the nearby rooftops, setting Ignus down gently.

"Thank you, Garet, we will watch from here without interruption. And hopefully not draw any attention..." He then stared at the two trainers in the middle of the crowd, Seth on the left with Luxio, and the punk trainer on the right with a Murkrow, at which he replied with a smirk.

"Foolish punk...apparently, you're not much of a seasoned veteran like the other one is...this battle might be over quicker than I thought if the boy keeps this win streak up..."