A new horizon... (Open)

[Dante]

The sun was finally starting to break through those thick clouds, the route looking much richer in color. The Pokemon that hid in the tall grass poked their heads to take a glance at what was causing all of the noise, seeing something normal. A tall Trainer with a tamed Pokemon at his side, running around and having as much fun as possible. It was a normal sight to behold, seeing as how a lot of them popped up in all kinds of places. The rowdy, wild Pokemon always got in their way, but the connection between this Trainer and his Turtwig rose above the expectations of the wild Pokemon. Our story doesn't take place here on Route Two, though. OUR hero is just arriving on Route One.

In this specific area, the sun still shined with a brightness unmatched by any living being. The route was empty, excluding Dante and Charmander. The Pokemon walked beside the teen, taking its steps in sync with him. Charmander knew that being chosen by a Trainer was a promise for a new life of thrills and adventures, but when those thrills and adventures were going to happen, he had no idea. Neither did Dante, for that matter.

He simply walked down the road, seeing an occasional tail swiftly dash away before he could catch a glimpse of it. This was actually starting to get boring. Dante could feel the tension of battle raging inside of Charmander and, frankly, he was starting to acquire it too. This new horizon stuff starts off pretty dull. "Say, Charmander... Hey, Charmander? Where did you go!?"

The Pokemon's tail could easily be seen above the tall grass, waving like a Growlithe's, as it hunted silently. "I will find a Pokemon to fight. I'm getting bored just walking around," Charmander thought to himself as he made his way through the grass. Dante had no choice but to follow, or else he'd lose the big guy and have to explain it to the Professor. Someone as nice as that could probably get pretty angry if she felt angry enough.

[flexa]

<I can't believe it.> As he walked through the grass with tears in his eyes, a young Cubone mumbled to himself. <My trainer just. . . abandoned me! Released me to be attacked by rabid Poochyena, or worse, because I didn't 'have the right egg moves' . . whatever that means.> He was small, and the skull on his head looked moderately oversized. He held a bone in his hand tightly, fighting off crying. <Doesn't matter! If he didn't care about me, I won't care about him!> The pokemon sniffed. That's it, he thought. I feel better already.

The small Cubone did feel better. Much, much better. He was even singing a little song to keep his mind off of the tragedy of losing his trainer, when a rather large lizard with a flaming tail seemed to pop out of nowhere in the grass.

<AGH!> The Cubone hid with a fearful cry, but stood up a few seconds afterwards. <I can't be weak!> The ground type nodded, brandishing his bone. <I have to beat this ugly pokemon so I can be strong! Dumb trainer! He doesn't know what he missed!>

[Dante]

The flaming appendage shot up, the lizard Pokemon’s eyes darting across the grassy field. He heard something rustle about just two seconds ago, and now his ears were open. The flame straightening out signaled a nearby Pokemon, Dante ready to initiate an attack. Charmander caught glimpse of a bone protruding from the foliage, knowing that he was at a sort of disadvantage with this Pokemon. It could only be one, of course, since it carried a bone. Cubone, one of the Pokemon he wanted to fight since ever!

He knew that being chosen by this trainer was going to lead to a better life, one full of fighting and fun. Silence enveloped the area, itching Dante to the fullest. The teen decided to initiate an attack, hoping that the fire lizard picked up the sight of whatever was out there. ”Charmander! Use growl and follow up with a scratch!” Charmander followed orders and quickly let loose a loud roar, which would lower the Cubone’s attack.

Not only this, but it may even startle it, allowing for the scratch to work effectively. Charmander dashed forwards and reared back its claw to make a nice impact when the attack hit.

[flexa]

The growl startled the Cubone, alright, and he lowered his head in fear. The skull on his head caught the Scratch attack, harming the pokemon little, but leaving a horrible ringing in his ears. The pokemon jumped back to put distance between him and his opponent, shaking his head. Ugh. That hurt! He exhaled loudly and shook his head again, trying to clear his thoughts.

<Fine, ugly pokemon. Take this!>
The Cubone pulled back a arm, and it began crackling with arcs of electricity. The pokemon released a Thunder Punch at the Charmander in front of him, lunging forward with the fist. <Dumb trainer,> The Cubone mumbled. <I have all the right moves.>

[Dante]

So, it was a Cubone that Charmander had spotted. Not too bad as an opponent, really. All attacks would do normal damage to each Pokemon, giving Dante more of an advantage thanks to growl. What Dante and Charmander didn't know was that this Cubone belonged to another Trainer and that it had a few new moves waiting for the two. That's when a Thunder Punch was initiated, leaving both Trainer and Pokemon dumbfounded. "W-wait! You're just a Cubone! How-," he was cut off, the punch cracking straight across his face.

A regular punch wouldn't have sent him back so far, but thanks to that thunder backing it up, it packed a bit more power. A mark was left on Charmander's face, the lizard cringing as he rubbed it. "Charmander! Hang in there, buddy!" Dante kneeled down next to Charmander, ringing his face close to his ear. "I've got a plan. I'm going to order you to go for a left strike with scratch, okay? Instead, I want you to go to the right instead. If you pull it off, don't let down and go for another Scratch, got it?"

Charmander acknowledged its Trainer with a nod, lifting itself up to carry out the plan. "Go for a left strike, Charmander!" Charmander, as stealthy as possible, ran up to the right side instead, waiting for the perfect chance to strike at it's back. Afterwards, it would follow up with another strike.

[flexa]

"Go for a left strike, Charmander!"
The Cubone dodged to the right at Dante's words, expecting to dodge Charmander's attack. The pokemon was startled, however, as Charmander went right instead. The Cubone, rather than trying to dodge, raised a fist to meet the Charmander with another Thunder Punch.

His arm crackled yellow with electricity and he moved the fist through the air, attempting to cut the opponent pokemon off before he could be hit.

[Dante]

The Cubone was a fast one, alright. Dante would have to actually be smart with this fight. This Cubone, though... it had to have been either bred or taught these moves with a TM. Not a good first battle, but not boring either. That's when Dante's mind began to think up possibilities on how to actually counter this Pokemon's Thunder Punch. There wasn't any possible way other than to... Yes, that's it!

"Charmander! Lean down and forward! Continue with the plan!" The battle was just getting started! Since the Cubone already had its momentum going forward, it would possibly miss the entire body of Charmander! The lizard would duck under the punch, using its own momentum as its strength. When it came to fighting, serious actions were going to be put in place. Charmander bent down and leaned forward, just as his Trainer said, and used the same claw it was going to use as its weapon.

[flexa]

The Cubone fell forward, his quick punch's momentum pulling him off balance as he missed. <Agh!> The ground pokemon took the Scratch attack, and rolled over once, twice!

He came back to his feet dizzily, then shook his helmeted head and glared at the Charmander. <You! Ugly Pokemon!> The Cubone, though he was in pain, was smiling, a chuckle heard in his words. He pointed his bone at the fire lizard. <You will lose!>

He could feel a second wind coming on, confidence brimming. The pokemon raced forward on short legs, he was very agile for his size. The Cubone jumped as he came close to Dante's Pokemon, brandishing clawed feet at the fire type for a Double Kick attack.

One kick, aimed toward the Charmander's torso. A smile on his face, the Lonely Pokemon brought up the other foot. Kick two, aimed for the scaly orange head. <I bet you didn't expect this!> The Cubone really had some of his usual enthusiasm back.

[Dante]

Once again, that stare of complete awe struck Dante and Charmander as they saw this small, lonely Pokemon use the fighting move Double Kick. Now, Dante knew at the beginning that this Cubone was fishy, but never did he think that it was breed! That brought some light to a new subject that dawned in the half hollow skull of the Trainer. "This Cubone has a Trainer, no doubt about that! The only problem is... where its Trainer is." Going back to the fight, something terrible happened.

There was no time to react, for the lizard Pokemon was just now coming up from the attack it had pulled. Both feet crashed against Charmander's head, sending it flying back, replaying what the bone Pokemon had just been through. The fire type rolled back until the momentum was lost, flopping down on its belly. Charmander grunted, slowly collecting his lost marbles and his sight. "Who are you calling ugly!? You're the one hiding your face!" Even after getting put down like a bad Poochyena, Charmander still felt the need to taunt the bone carrying Pokemon.

Of course, Dante didn't understand a word he said, but somehow, in the farthest reaches of his mind, he knew it had to do something with the opponent. "Alright, Charmander! We've preheated long enough! Lets lower it's attack so we can go in for the kill! Keep distance and use Growl!" The Growl that came out may not have been much of Growl compared to the first one, but it was something, at least. What came out was more of a very loud mumble version of "Grrr", but still...

[flexa]

((If you use a non-damaging attack such as growl in a turn, feel free to use an actual, damaging attack in the same turn! :3))




A devilish smile alighted on the Cubone's countenance as his attack connected successfully. This is what he was born to do! Battle, and be great at it! The Ground type twirled his bone expertly in triumph and brandished it at his opponent.

A shocked look came to his eyes as the Charmander insulted his bone helmet. The Pokemon regained composure immediately, puffing out his small chest. <Hiding my face? Not because I'm ugly, oh no.>

This pokemon seemed to have a bit of pride as well. <Maybe I'm just so beautiful, Lizard, that I hide my face out of fear for others' safety?> He laughed heartily, though it was mostly an act. He didn't hide his face out of ugliness or vanity.

He just, did! There was no reason or agenda, but this ugly lizard seemed to irritate him so very much that he had to act a bit. The Cubone twirled his bone in a hand again, and laughed as the Charmander let out a weak growl.

Sure, his attack was lowered, but it definitely wasn't intimidating. The Cubone chuckled again, turning his back to the Charmander for a moment and wagging his tail in a taunting Tail Whip.

The Cubone turned quickly, wary of being attacked, and charged at Dante's Charmander, pulling his free fist back in a Thunder Punch. His small arm crackled audibly, and sparks were quite noticably arcing along his arm.

[Dante]

That Thunder Punch surely did throw Charmander back a good distance. In fact, it sent Charmander straight into his own Trainer! The reptile flew back and rammed Dante in the chest, knocking him over. A loud Bla-THUMP! could be heard when the teen landed on his back. "Urgh... This isn't going too well, in my opinion." Charmander had the same thoughts. This Pokemon had hidden strength everywhere, but still, there had to be a weakness. Everything had a weakness that could be exploited.

Alas, no matter how hard Dante attempted it, no such possibility of weakness was seen. "Crap. Charmander, I think we're screwed. What about you?" No answer... only a flicker. The flame on Charmander's tail swayed and danced on the skin as if it were covered in gasoline. A set of sharp pearly whites shone in the gleam of this flame, though faintly. No, it couldn't be... Charmander couldn't have...

It happened the same way with his Growlithe that one day. A persistent Spearow attacked the dog Pokemon so much that it learned a new move. If this applied to Charmander, then there was only one move he could've learned. Smoke poured out of the lizard's mouth, though it was much more like a smog than anything else. It was unusually thick, which also meant the same thing as before; A new move.

Dante slid his Pokemon to the side and jolted up in one quick motion, eyes on the prize. "That gleaming skull is mine! Charmander, let's do this!... Just not too hard, please?" A finger shot out and was directed towards Cubone, which was followed by, "Charmander! Use Smokescreen and cover Cubone!" The thick, black blanket shot out and attempted to engulf the poor Rock type.

"Go for a Ember, now!" If Cubone were still stuck in the smog, then he would be blinded and this attack would hit straight on. If it didn't, Charmander wouldn't have enough energy for more than a desperate Scratch attack before fainting. Fingers were crossed...

[Birdybot]

Cubone frowned, confused as to what was going on with Charmander. Well, either way, he was still far from loosing. He had only taken one hit, after all. Charmander had taken... three hits, was it? Still, not that much... Charmander would probably be able to take a couple more hits, Cubone... well, it depended how powerful Charmander's next few hits were. Probably one or two, as well.

The Ground type looked around, unable to make much out in the smoke. He squinted, eyes stinging and throat becoming dry. Urgh... he hated Fire types. That stupid ugly lizard! The burrowing Pokémon saw nothing until it was too late. A flash of light as the fire streaked past, hitting him full on in the stomach. He fell heavily to the ground, skull working against him as it rattled against his head. He groaned as he stood up. Thankfully, he was a Ground type, so Fire type moves like that had little effect on him. Unfortunately, he was still in the Smokescreen and so wasn't likely to be able to land attacks or dodge until the smoke cleared away- and that could take ages! He kept looking all about him, trying to see where the next attack would come from. All that could be heard outside the smoke was his uneven pants, and the occasional rasping cough.

[Dante]

Dante pumped his fist into the air and grinned. There was no way that the Cubone would survive the next onslaught of attacks he had in store for it. The excited Trainer came up beside the lizard and whispered to it. He didn't want the Ground-type to be aware of the next attack. "Alright. Try to hit it with another Ember, but go to another side and use it there." The plan was bound to work out, even if Charmander was sort of confused as to why he was to attack at a different location.

The reptile obediantly swirved around and grabbed his tail, squinting as he tried to picture the Cubone. Either way, the attack would most likely hit... unless the enemy was incredibly tactical.

[Birdybot]

Yes, that indeed was a problem; just as Cubone couldn't see, he couldn't be seen, either. The Ground type continued with his nervous turning and looking, not that it would really be noticed. However, it did come in handy; the Ember attack merely singed his back, rather than actually causing a large amount of pain or anything. He barely felt it. However, he was still weak from earlier. The smoke was beginning to clear, so Charmander would have a better chance of landing an attack. One Scratch would do it, or two Embers.

Cubone knew this, but he wouldn't go down while being helpless. Now that the Smokescreen was clearing, he could easily make out Charmander's form. What attack to use... not Bone Club, because although it was super effective, it only had 85% accuracy. No, he'd use a move with 100% accuracy; Headbutt. Cubone rushed at the dark outline which was Charmander, skulled head lowered for his Headbutt. It was pretty accurate, but this would also give Charmander a chance to deliver a blow with better power and accuracy.

[Dante]

There was no way to tell if the attack hit Cubone or not. The only thing both the Trainer and Pokemon cared about was the clearing SmokeScreen. For Dante, it was still difficult to make out any figure in the smog, but he had Charmander's eyesight. There had to be something he could do before the Cubone saw Charmander, or his Trainer. In this place... Airore... He felt uneasy.

His mind wasn't working as strategically as it should and... It was just the feeling that this place gave off. The vibe that he could feel. A dash was seen through the smoke. It startled the teenaged Trainer, but more so, it startled Charmander even more. Panicking, Dante decided to use that image as an advantage. He needed to know how fast the Pokemon was moving, but couldn't get a clear image of the charging Cubone... Or, that's what he assumed it was.

The Cubone is running and we can't stop it... well... The thing about long-shots was... Well, they were a long-shot. "Charmander... dodge Cubone and try to envelope yourself in a SmokeScreen!" Funny thing, that command. Charmander didn't know that Cubone was charging him, so when that command came, so did the speeding Cubone. The reptile dodged, but it came with a price. The skull had hit the entire tail and caused a pretty high amount of damage.

Less than full, but still extremely high. Charmander sat there, on the cold ground, holding his tail. He couldn't believe that this Cubone was beating him! He was so pissed that he couldn't move and... An idea. There were two ways it can work; One was, when the Cubone was distracted hitting the Pokeball away, Charmander could go in and finish the deed, or, when the Pokeball sucked the Pokemon in, Charmander would have time to get ready for when it comes out. Then he would use an attack. It was one of those long-shots, but wasting a Pokeball was the least of his worries right now.

"Pokeball! GO!" The Pokeball was thrown at the Ground-type, the vibe around Dante becoming tense.