Journey for t w o

[Flameywolf]

a'seress... a ' s e r e s s ... a'seress

It was a quiet walk as the professor's lab drifted farther away and melded into the horizon. The sun was slowly setting, nestled just above the curve of the landscape. The foliage, ground and sky were painted with golden, red shades. The pokemorph striding down the trail, with her fluffy white tail swishing behind her, had her head tilted to the side as she heard sleepy chirps and chitters, the sounds of pokemon getting ready to go to bed.

Eventually, her gaze drifted down to the pokemon walking silently beside her feet. On all fours, the shiny pikachu's pelt sparkled in the sun's dying rays, her ears just barely pulled back towards her skull and her eyes lowered to her paws. A frown graced A'seress's lips as she surveyed the electric pokemon. She was debating on how she could coax Meika out of her shell; she just didn't want to startle her out of her fur. She sighed.

The sound drew the pokemon's eyes from observing her paws, lifted until they looked up at the pokemon trainer. A'seress had turned away by now, her eyes sadly drifting along the side of the road and watching the trees pass as they kept walking. After a moment, Meika turned her gaze back forward, until her ears twitched.

A few seconds later, the Acranine pokemorph realized that her pikachu's pawsteps weren't following her. She stopped and twisted around to see the pikachu with one paw lifted, her tail absolutely still, her head turned towards the wilderness of Route One, her ears twitching and perked up straight. "Meika?" she asked quietly.

Meika didn't look to her trainer, but to her surprise, she heard a voice say, ~Did you hear a noise?~ A'seress stared at her, dumbfounded. That voice had to have come from Meika- it was soft and quiet, but strong.

The Pokemorph blinked rapidly, cleared her throat and answered, "Uh, no, I don't think so."

[/color] She hadn't been around pokemon up close for so long that she forgot she could speak Poketongue! It was a hitch that came along with being a Pokemorph, but A'seress rarely used it, and instead mulled the wild pokemon chit-chat as just noises, like other pokemon trainers do. Now she was watching Meika carefully, as she watched the wilderness. Not even thinking much about the noise, the girl was studying her pokemon. But Pikachu's narrowed eyes were peeking into the wilderness. "Come on, Meika. It was probably just a pokemon getting ready to sleep."

The Pikachu blinked and shook herself, bounding once towards A'seress before taking her silent walk beside her again. They started walking once more. But the sound still bothered the electric mouse, and her ears turned back to keep an ear out.[/size][/blockquote]

[Birdybot]

~Did you hear a noise?~

A small Pokémon cocked his head to one side as he heard a voice call out to... him? Or... the trainer, one of those strange Pokémon-people. The Pokémon clicked his beak nervously, hopping forward on his branch. ~Did you hear a noise? Did you hear a noise?~[/color] he cawed, mimicing Meika perfectly, just sounding a little more... bird-ish.

More sounds. The head turned slowly from mouse to human, listening carefully. What was she saying? He could pick up a few words, and opened his beak again. A soft coo emerged from it, before he coughed, clearing his throat. ~Come, Pokémon, ready to sleep! Come, Pokémon, ready to sleep!~[/color] he echoed A'seress' voice, sounding as though he himself were another version of the Arcanine 'morph. This could be confusing for trainers, and he loved to play pranks like this on them. So hilarious. He sighed. He could never have fun on his own. He swooped down to the path in front of A'seress, grinning.

~Heya! Chatot's ma name, mimicin's ma game!~[/color] he said with a heavy accent, grinning as much as it is possible to do with a beak while extending a wing. He looked A'seress in the eye. ~So, ya wanna do sommat? What'd ya like doin' round these parts?~[/color] he asked.[/size]

[Flameywolf]

a'seress... a ' s e r e s s ... a'seress

Not long after they picked up the pace again, the pokemorph did indeed hear a noise. It sounded like Meika, so she turned around and opened her mouth to ask her what she'd said, when she saw the pikachu with widened eyes and shock still. She frowned. It hadn't been her?

But then she heard her own voice, sorta, saying what she'd said not long ago. ~Come, pokemon, ready to sleep!~ She turned back around to see a pokemon land right in front of her. It was a chatot. Meika padded up to her side, slowly, and A'seress blinked at the pokemon. Was he the one that had mimicked them?

"We're new around here,"

[/color] she responded carefully, her tone slightly hushed. She paused, surveying the pokemon for a moment. "Any ideas, Meika?" A'seress asked her pikachu.

She lifted her head up to look at her, then turned to the chatot. She twitched her tail before saying hesitantly, ~Um...~[/color] Her eyes turned up to the chatot. ~A ba...battle maybe?~ The trainer looked down at her, then turned to the wild pokemon. A battle? She wouldn't argue, but she wasn't sure if the chatot would...[/size][/blockquote]

[Birdybot]

Chatot looked pensive as he heard Meika's request. She wanted a battle, did she? A fight between two Pokémon until one fainted... it had been some time since Chatot had battled, so he might be out of practice... he flexed his wings gently, testing his muscles. They seemed as strong as ever, if a litle flabbier. He closed his eyes, picturing the scene. If he won, he would grow stronger and play even better pranks. However, if he lost, A'seress would most likely capture him. Not too bad a fate, he supposed; a kind trainer, food, and lots of new people to prank, but winning would be better.

Finally opening his eyes, Chatot nodded. ~A ba...battle maybe?~[/color] he copied, still creepily alike Meika, ~Nothin' ta worry, abou', mate. We fight, then, eh? Bring it on, luv!~[/color] he spoke in the very unlike, British, voice. ~You c'n hav ta first move, 'kay?~[/color] he offered, watching Meika intently.[/size]

[Flameywolf]

a'seress... a ' s e r e s s ... a'seress

~A ba...battle maybe?~ This pokemon was scarily good at imitating people. Meika shifted, still a little unsure, and A'seress reached down to gently run her hand along her fur, comfortingly. The pikachu wanted to battle- or else she wouldn't have offered it- but she was nervous about her skill. That was at least obvious. The pokemorph stepped back and out of the two pokemons' way, watching as her companion slowly stepped up until she was across from the bird pokemon.

The pikachu knew this was her idea, but as her opponent flexed his wings, she realized this probably wasn't a good idea. She didn't want to let her new trainer down, and this chatot looked like he knew what he was doing. She glanced back behind her to see A'seress watching both of them with gentle eyes, and decided then that she would have to trust the pokemorph in directing her in the battle.

A'seress nodded to the chatot, accepting their place as the first to make a move. She decided to go with a straight forward attack, just to see how Meika delivered simple directions, and to see the chatot's reaction. "Meika, thundershock."

[/color] The pikachu's eyes darted around the chatot for a second before electric sparks appeared at her cheeks, then loosed a thundershock at the chatot- not directly at him, but off a little to the left. She didn't move on the ground, but remained where she was.[/size][/blockquote]

[Birdybot]

Chatot's judging eyes followed the Thundershock as it snaked it's way into the ground. What was the Pikachu's tactic there? The Thundershock was clearly going to hit right to the left of Chatot! The bird's gaze followed the jolt of electricity, remaining planted in the ground, until the current had gone, leaving only a slight tingly feeling in Chatot's feet. The Flying type blinked slowly, raising his wings gently before pushing them down hard while at the same time leaping into the air. Chatot grinned, twittering and clicking his beak. Ha! This would be too easy.

With his mind all the while slightly aware for any tricks Meika might be playing on him, Chatot paused in mid-air, metronome like tail swaying rhythmically to and fro, thinking about what move he should use next. Perhaps this was all a trap? Meika might be just tricking him into a sense of security... no. He was being paranoid. A Pikachu and her trainer, fresh from the lab, were very likely to miss on their first ever shot. After all, how often had he lost when he was young? Thinking all was safe, Chatot swooped towards Meika in a Peck attack, beak glowly lightly with power.

[Flameywolf]

a'seress... a ' s e r e s s ... a'seress

Meika wasn't aim-deprived. She knew where the Chatot was standing and, if she had tried, she couldn't aimed directly for him. The electric pokemon watched as her attack bypassed him completely, and saw that he only watched it as it passed. She flicked her ears back and glanced behind her to her trainer. At first, she had a slightly confused expression on her features, wondering why she hadn't attacked him directly- but now a slight smile curved the corners of her lips as she caught on to her pokemon's reasoning. The pikachu smiled a little and turned her head back as Chatot lifted himself off of his perch.

Meika may be a shy and very hesitant creature, but her mind was quick. Brute strength wasn't her prowess (that was the other pikachu in the lab's strength), and she never relied on her strength. She watched as her opponent decided on her attack and crouched down, listening for an order from her trainer.

A'seress was quick to catch onto Meika's reasoning behind her obvious miss. The Chatot didn't even flinch from the thundershock, instead of trying to dodge he was clearly able to dictate how close the attack was from him and allowed it to harmlessly pass his physique. The pokemorph watched as Chatot swooped down at her pokemon, beak glowing, and waited until he was pretty close before saying, "Jump at him and thundershock, Meika!"

[/color]

Meika instantly obeyed, already crouched to the ground, which gave her a quicker reaction time. She pushed off of the ground straight towards Chatot- likely she'd get hit by the peck, but it would be worth it- and shot a direct thundershock at the bird pokemon. Hopefully, she did more damage than he would to her...[/size][/blockquote]

[Crazed Lapras]

Chatot clamped his beak down triumphantly on Meika, and he realied his mistake a second too late. No longer grounded, the pikachu's lightning based attack suddenly became significantly stronger. He felt the electricity rip through his body, causing damage and forcing him to release his captured foe in order to escape. ~Nice shot love.~ He said, landing a safe distance from Meika and considering his options.

If he stayed on the ground, her attacks wouldn't be quite as strong. However, being a flying type his moves would also be more limited, restricted by lack of air space. If he took to the skies he would have a better advantage, but that thundershock had hurt. He would just have to play big and take the risks then. Chatot sent a quick Growl at Meika before flying up into the air once more, this time trying to swoop in from the left and land another Peck attack.

[Flameywolf]

a'seress... a ' s e r e s s ... a'seress

Meika winced as she was hit by the peck attack, for the first time. It hurt, yes, but it was only brief- the thundershock she had shot at him hit true, and he relinquished his hold on her and quickly flew out of range. The pikachu dropped to the ground, bounding backwards a little on light paws, and watched Chatot while shaking herself off. She was somewhat proud of that maneuver, even if she had gotten hit- it was worth it. ~Thank you.~ She was grateful that the chatot wasn't angry with her (he was a good sport) and watched as he growled at her before swooping in for another peck.

A'seress quickly considered Meika's options. He wasn't headed for her straight-on, and it would take up too much time for her to turn to the left to get better aim. Not to mention that her attack was lowered now, and wouldn't do as much damage as it had before- wait! That's it! "Tail whip!" Meika jumped up from the ground as Chatot neared her, and twisted just slightly so her tail could reach him. That was much simpler and less time-consuming than turning around to face him. "Now quick, thundershock."

[/color] Instantly sparks flew from her cheeks and yet another electric attack was sent his way. Hopefully, his lowered defense would make up for her lowered attack. And...hopefully she could at least somewhat hit him when her back was facing him, and not her eyes...[/size][/blockquote]

[flexa]

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The Chatot frowned. This battle wasn't as easy as it should have been! The opponent was using some pretty creative tactics, meaning that he would have to get creative as well. The flying Pokemon gave up on his current onslaught, catching the Tail Whip, but not the Thundershock as he folded his wings in, and let himself fall to the ground.

His landing was awkward, part foot, part wing, but mostly a face full of dirt, followed by a roll and a return to his small taloned feet. Quickly, the Pokemon turned, as if the whole rolling thing had been intentional. "See, Duckie. The more tactical you get, the more I will, as well!"

Internally, the avian was worried. This Pikachu was much better than he had thought. No matter! The bird put another smile on his beak, flitting back into the air. He flew up high, twirling, twisting, and flying in loops, a nice distraction from the intensity of their close-range battle.

Suddenly, though, the Chatot turned to face in the general direction of Meika, flapping lazily. He closed his wings, moving abruptly like a feathered bullet towards the electric Pokemon. He let out a strong caw, his version of a Growl, and opened with a barrage of Pecks as he came close.

[Flameywolf]

a'seress... a ' s e r e s s ... a'seress

Meika wasn't surprised that he'd dodged her attack, and when he gave up his tactic, she landed, shook out her pelt, and jumped back a few paces, watching him warily. She watched all of his aerobatics carefully, his showing off giving her trainer a couple of moments to think. The pikachu knew they were running out of different ways to attack the chatot, seeing as how she only had two attacks, and as the bird pokemon suddenly bulleted towards her she shifted backwards, flicking her ears back and waited for A'seress's word.

The pokemorph knew that the wild pokemon was stepping up his game. But what else could they pull on the experienced chatot? Meika only had a limited attack arsenal, and couldn't complicate things with wings like their opponent could. Her mind flipped through all of the things she'd seen her mom do on their travels- could they duplicate any of those now? Then she thought of one, at the last second, as Chatot got closer...- "Let him hit you!"

[/color] she called out.

Meika was startled, but lightened up on her paws and allowed the chatot to hit her with two pecks, which send her skidding backwards quite a ways. She barely stopped herself from slamming into her trainer's legs, and as dirt flew from under her paws she heard her trainer say, "Now launch back at him and slam him with a thundershock."[/color] It would be a stretch, because now she was weaker (and dang, did his beak hurt!) but the mouse pokemon sprinted towards the bird and flung herself into the air, right back towards his pecks again, and let out a strong current of electricity towards him, another thundershock.[/size][/blockquote]

[Birdybot]

Chatot's face shone with glee as he saw that his attack had it. Meika seemed to have taken a good hit, which meant all them growls had payed off. ~Hey, darlin'! Ya been 'it, mate! Chatot beat yeh up! Sommat 'urt ya, luv? That's meh! Ma beak'll do da talkin'~[/color] he called bellow as he flew up into the air again. He blew a raspberry and was so busy rubbing it in that Meika' Thundershock hit right on target. He cawed in pain, but kept in the air.

He eyed the Pikachu. ~Alright, luv, ya jus' made me naughti list!~[/color] he said angrily, beak glowing white as he swooped speedily at Meika in another Peck.[/size]