Pokemon Black and White Chapter 19

"…Well," Kitsune said, once again standing in the gate between Castelia City and Route 4,  "here we go." His two Pokémon were in their Poké Balls, and Zorua was in Kitsune's hood, which was as tightly closed as was possible in order to keep him safe from the sandstorm. Kitsune was wearing a bandanna over his nose and mouth, as well as a pair of goggles to protect his eyes.

He stepped out the door on to Route 4. When he was on the Route earlier, he didn't realize how difficult the sandstorm made it to see. He could see quite a way in front of him when Venipede's Protect was surrounding him, but now he could barely see a few feet away. "I hate this Route." he muttered, continuing north.

He was so preoccupied with heading north, or, at least, the way his otherwise-unused Town Map said was north, that he almost bumped right into the nigh-unrecognizable Cheren. "Hey, Kitsune." he said. "You get the Insect Badge yet?"

"Yeah." Kitsune replied. "Why?"

"I've been waiting for you to get it." Cheren answered. "Now it's time to see which one of us is the stronger Trainer! Pidove!" he shouted, sending out his Pokémon.

"…I hate you, Cher." Kitsune muttered. "…Venipede, Rollout!" he called, sending his Pokémon from his Poké Ball. The Venipede rolled toward the Pidove, causing major damage when his attack hit.

"Pidove, Air Cutter!" Cheren shouted through his protective gear. The Pidove attacked, sending blades of air at the still-spinning Centipede Pokémon, though they didn't do much, at least for a super effective attack. The Venipede rolled back around for a more powerful super effective strike, smashing into the Tiny Pigeon Pokémon again and knocking it out. "Pignite, go!" Cheren said, switching Pokémon.

Kitsune decided to switch Pokémon, too. "Snivy, Wrap!" Kitsune called.

"Wrap?" Cheren asked as Snivy Wrapped his Pokémon in a pair of vines. "Why would you use such a weak attack?"

"Not usually my style, but… Well, you'll see." Kitsune replied.

"Pignite, Flame Charge!" his opponent called, and his Pokémon, surrounded by flames, charged at Snivy, slamming into her and causing heavy damage while still wrapped in her vines. "One more attack like that and she's down."

"That won't happen, because I have a plan." Kitsune asked. He reached into his Bag and pulled something out; a yellow can of Lemonade. He tossed it at Snivy, who caught it, popped it open, and downed the beverage inside. "I knew the sandstorm would hurt my Pokémon if they fought in it, so I stocked up on health-restoring drinks."

"That's your plan?" Cheren asked. "Wrap him until he falls? Pignite, Flame Charge again!"

The Pokémon slammed into Snivy again. Kitsune just chuckled, tossing her another drink. "This raging sandstorm also adds to the damage your Pokémon takes. Even when Wrap ends, he'll still be taking damage, and Snivy will be restoring her health with drinks, waiting for the best time to strike."

"Pignite, Flame Charge again!" Cheren shouted, and his Pokémon executed the attack. "Flame Charge increases my Pokémon's Speed every time it's used. She won't get the chance to strike back."

"…Oh. Forgot about that…" Kitsune said, tossing yet another drink. "…Guess it will be 'Wrap until he falls', then!"

"Forget this, then. I'll raise his Defense. Pignite, Defense Curl!" Cheren called, and his Pokémon curled himself into a tight little ball.

Kitsune took this chance to order an attack. "Snivy, Tackle!" he called, and Snivy charged at the Pignite. He took her attack, then ate his held Sitrus Berry, restoring his health.

"You're still using that move?" Cheren asked. "That's the weakest, most basic of attacks! You need to teach her something… different. Something stronger. Like Slam. Shouldn't she have learned that already?"

"I don't know, but it'll be fun teaching you about the power of the 'most basic of attacks'."

"Defense Curl again!" Cheren called, and the Pignite balled itself up again.

"Tackle!" Kitsune shouted, and Snivy charged at the Fire Pig Pokémon, who fell from her Wrap attack. "Once more should end it. Tackle!"

"Defense Curl!" Cheren shouted, but even with his greatly heightened Defense, the Pokémon fell when Snivy's Tackle hit him. "Darn it. Pansage, go!" he said, simultaneously recalling Pignite and sending out his next Pokémon.

Kitsune swapped Pokémon, as well. "Venipede, Poison Tail!" he called and the Venipede, emerging from his Poké Ball,  swung his tails at his opponent. The attack connected with his opponent, knocking it out.

"Liepard, go!" Cheren called, sending his last Pokémon into battle.

"Let's end this now!" Kitsune called. "Venipede, Bug Bite!"  The Venipede bit down on the large Pokémon multiple times until it fell. He stood on top of it, joyfully cheering, until he was returned to his Poké Ball.

"I see." Cheren said. "It's clear to me now. The reason you are so tough is not only the training you put your Pokémon through, but the trust between you and your Pokémon, as well. But… That shouldn't be a problem. I should be able to win. My Pokémon and I trust each other, as well, and outnumber yours two-to-one…" At that moment, the duo's Xtransceivers began ringing. They answered them simultaneously, and saw Professor Juniper on the screen.

"Hello there!" she called. "Cheren, Kitsune, do you have a second?"

"We just got through battling each other." Kitsune answered. "He's getting stronger. I almost lost."

"Really? That's great, Cheren!" the professor said.

"What do you need, professor?" Cheren asked.

"I called Bianca, too, but I guess she didn't hear her Xtransceiver ringing. I wonder what she's doing… Well, I suppose I'll just have to call her again later. Alright! I'll be waiting for you two inside the gate to Nimbasa City!"

The two hung up their Xtransceivers, though they thought they heard Bianca's voice for a moment. "Nimbasa City's gate is straight north from here." Cheren said.

"I know." Kitsune said, pointing at his Town Map as Cheren walked away.