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The red headed trainer walked up the ashy trail, leading away from Lavaridge. Her Poochyena, Poochy, walked along side her, happily waving his stub of a tail. June grinned and grabbed her faithful Pokemon.

June had not started her Pokemon journey very long ago, in fact, only about an hour had passed since her mother gave her Poochy. June blinked and recalled her mother, telling the red headed girl that she had a surprise. June was surprised, alright.

As June was recounting these memories, Poochy barked. This bark jolted June out of her stream of thought. She was about to scold her Pokemon when she saw why he had barked. A man in a black coat was walking towards her, waering a black top hat. The hat covered his face almost completely. June hugged Poochy tighter.

"Seviper, Poison Tail!"

The Seviper jumped into the air, swinging its tail. Soon the tip of the tail glew purple, and it was swung at Poochy.

"Poochy, d-dodge!"

Poochy wasfast and jumped away, missing the swing by an inch.

"Seviper, use Poison Sting!"

Seviper raised its head. It then swung itself and opened its jaws. A volley of purple spikes were shot out, heading mercilessly at poor Poochy.

"Poochy, dod-"

But it was too late. The spikes struck the Poochyena full charge. It had been a direct hit. Poochy lay, defeated.

June ran up to her fallen Pokemon, tears in her eyes. She held out Poochy's Pokeball, allowing him to take a rest. Then she looked up at the man.

The Seviper was back in its Pokeball, safe and sound. THe man stared down at her. "Train harder, then find me."

"What does that-" June stopped in midsentence. The man was gone.

She picked herself up, still shaking. She had to go to a Pokemon Center.

June walked out of the Center, cheerful that Poochy was healed. walking into the ashy grass, she spotted red spirals on a tan creature. It was a wild Spinda.

"We have to try and catch it." June whispered to Poochy's Pokeball.

Mike had just about enough time to take a deep breath before he noticed a rather scruffy looking boy walk past him, an odd Pokemon following behind. His Pokedex identified it as a Hitmonlee, the kicking Pokemon. "Cool!" He said louder than he wanted too. The boy whirled around, a smile on his face.

"So, you like my Pokemon?" He asked with a slight coy grin.

"Oh yeah, it looks so different from anything I've ever seen." Mike walked closer, inspecting it. He noted the muscular legs and arms, wrapped in what looked like bandages. The Pokemon's cold stare made the boy nearly giggle with excitement. "It's a fighting type right?"

"Yup, got it from the Dojo when I started my training. He's a real butt kicker." His Pokemon's eyes lit up, it's mouthless body conveying as well as it could that it was smiling.

Mike's eyes wandered, a hopeful expression on his face. "Say..." He began, biting his lower lip. "What would you feel about a battle? Like right here and now?" He stopped his hand from reaching for a Pokeball, waiting for the response.

"Excellent! I've been waiting for a battle since I beat the Dojo Gym leader!" The boy reached into his pocket, holding out a Great Ball and dashing off. Skidding to a halt a dozen or so meters away, he released a Pokemon, an Electrode. "He just evolved yesterday and I've been dying to use his new form!"

"Alright, best of luck to you..." Mike dragged the last word, forgetting to ask his name.

"Nicholas." He said simply, seemed he was ready to battle.

Unclipping a Pokeball, Mike tossed it onto the field. The following light show revealed a well rested Quilava. "Let's make up for lost time and win this battle Felsic!"

The fire Pokemon reared up, his pores erupting fire. He was ready to win this one.

"Ready set?"

"Crawdaunt, Bubblebeam." Nameless Trainer's voice was flat, and almost too quiet to hear. The Crawdaunt eyed Flash mercilessly, raising both pincers and opening them. Streams of bubbles shot out of each claw, both striking the Jolteon.

"C'mon, Flash, you can do it!" Kasiya cheered. Flash glanced back at her, panting heavily. His exhaustion was starting to show, and he was starting to doubt that he could take down the Crawdaunt, even though he had a type advantage. "Thundershock!"

"Protect!" came the almost near-instant rebuttal, and as Flash launched the electric attack, a green barrier formed around the Crawdaunt, the electricity snaking around in and dissipating harmlessly into the ground. The Jolteon had a noticeable quiver in his step, there was no way he could continue much longer.

The boy smiled. "I'm from Johto, you've got a real good taste in Pokemon." Looking at his Electrode, the boy clapped his hands once. "Alright, a fire type needs fire moves, let's start with a Rain Dance!" On command, the Pokeball looking creature spin around at great speeds, clouds forming above the battle. Soon a great rainstorm began to drench the two Pokemon and their trainers.

Mike let out a grumble, he had just gotten his hair the way he liked it. Now if I remember, Electrodes are one of the fastest Pokemon, but they're not too powerful in terms of defense. Mulling over the details, he snapped his fingers. "I'll just have to hit him hard and not let up. Felsic, start this off with a Leer 'attack'. "

Focusing his eyes, the Quilava shot an unsettling look at the ball like Pokemon. It gave of a faint green glow, which dispersed, the Pokemon's Defense stat lowering.

Nicholas narrowed his eyes, thinking into his opponents strategy. "Spark attack Thundercracker!" In an almost blinding motion, the electric Pokemon shot forth like a cannonball, running over Felsic. It smashed into him with a static charged body. As the move connected, Felsic launched a Flamethower, missing as the enemy Pokemon came around for another pass.

Mike thought back to his battle in Petalburg. The girl before Norman used a similar tactic with her Togetic. "Felsic, use Crush Claw, wait until it's close!"

Lowering his body, the Quilava watched with unbroken focus as the speedy Pokemon shot towards him. Thrusting his hand just in time, he connected with a critical hit, the force of the strike was like hitting a bump at top speed, the Electrode launching into the air and landing with a loud crack. "Yes! That's the way!" Mike cheered, pumping his fist into the air.