& These dreams, they steal all my time

[Janessa Rayya]

Janessa stood on the pathway, gazing up at the building that belonged to the Elite Four. It was still very far away, but she didn't really want to get any closer; she didn't feel like she deserved to step foot upon Victory Road. Not yet. And she could still see the Elite Four building from here, off in the distance...

There was a small smile upon her lips as she tried to imagine herself opening the doors to the Elite Building and walking in, prepared to challenge them, prepared to beat them, all four, one right after the other. What Pokemon would she have? Would Gan, Pyro, and Nero still be in her team by that point? She felt a thrill go through her as she imagined the awesome challenge that the Elite FOur would bring for her, some day, when she and her Pokemon had grown stronger, closer, better. How many tries would it take her to get through them all? More than one, for sure. But she would get through, eventually. And what would she do then? Who knows...

Janessa's smile grew as she came back to reality. She had been wanting to come here for a while, just to be able to gaze up at the elite four building. To give her something to hope for, to look forward to. Seeing the elite four building made her dreams seem more... more solid. More real, more achievable.

And now...

Now it was time for breakfast.

It was five thirty-six in the morning. Why did she come so early? Because she had woken up in the middle of the night with a very strong urge to come here... and so she had. And now she was hungry! It was a good thing that she had stopped to pick up some food before coming here. She found a nice spot right in the middle of the pathway and sat down. She slid her backpack off of her back and opened it. She pulled out the food she had gotten- apples, jerky, some peanut butter and honey sandwiches, a box of crackers, and a box of cereal. She arranged all the food nicely in front of her, and then grabbed three pokeballs from her belt.

It three simultaneous flashes of red, her three Pokemon appeared. Skarmory, Growlithe, Makuhita- Ganbaatar, Pyrrhus, Nero. Janessa smiled at them all, and then the four of them began to eat their breakfast.

[BellaMae]

The small team of pokemon and trainer were not the only ones up at this early hour. Another creature, unable to find sleep, had been wondering around on a short, early morning walk. It had no intentions of bothering anyone, until the smell of food caught its attention. Its stomach rumbled in response, and it suddenly couldn't resist the urge to locate and devour this source of great smells.

He located it not a moment later, a group of three pokemon and a girl. They were sitting in a circle like shape, eating together. The pokemon's stomach rumbled another time. For a moment it considered simply walking up and asking for some, but then decided that it didn't want to be a freeloader, in a sense. It would battle for its share! Even if that meant battling, then stealing some, and running the hell away.

As such, the creature approached, revealing itself to be a Larvitar, and announced itself with an earsplitting Screech.


Gender: Male
Level: 10
Ability: Guts - Attack power increases to 1.5x when affected by a status problem
Attacks: Bite, Leer, Sandstorm, Screech

[Janessa Rayya]

Nero was the first one out of the group to notice the wild Larvitar- after all, he was the one that was always on the lookout for a good battle. He saw the creature right before it announced its presence with an awful-sounding screech, which lowered all three of the Pokemon's stats. "Maku, Maku." Nero chanted, expressing a strong desire to battle the Larvitar, who was obviously looking for a fight. His chant translated into, <I can take him, I can take him.> Janessa stood up and smirked at the Larvitar as a familiar tingle began to fill her chest. It was the feeling she always got when she was participating, or even just watching, a Pokemon battle. She looked down at Nero and grinned. "Alright, buddy. Its your turn- go ahead. Start with a Focus Energy, and then get ready to use a combo attack."

Nero mirrored his trainer's wide, eager grin and turned back to face the wild Larvitar. While he didn't really appear to be doing that much, he was doing as his trainer commanded- using a Focus Energy attack, mentally preparing himself for his next move, ready to make it a good, strong one.

Word Count: 200
EXP: 200

[BellaMae]

The Larvitar felt a swell of excitement rise up within' him as one of the girl's pokemon took up his challenge. He was prepared to beat it, and win some food. He watched as the two faced him, preparing for battle, before he suddenly charged forward, darting toward Nero at a quick speed. It wasn't fairly experienced in battles, but it was a sturdy and strong pokemon who was prepared to battle hard.

As he approached, he leapt toward the opposing pokemon, aiming to Bite him on the arm near the shoulder.

[Janessa Rayya]

Both Janessa and Nero were watching the Larvitar closely. Although, truth be told, the Makuhita was a bit distracted. He just couldn't help but imagine himself kicking this wild Larvitar's butt in the ensuing battle. Because of this, Janessa was the first one to see the Larvitar suddenly charge forward, and she was able to call out a command to snap Nero out of his daydream. "Nero! Spin to avoid the attack!" Janessa shouted. She was hoping that since the Larvitar seemed to be aiming for his arm, or his shoulder, or something near there, that if Nero turned away at the right time, the Larvitar would just go rushing past without successfully landing an attack.

Unfortunately, since Nero was a bit busy daydreaming, he was slow to react and to obey Janessa's command. He started turning just a little too late, and so the Larvitar's bite attack grazed his shoulder. Nero grunted as the Larvitar's teeth scratched across his shoulder- it stung a bit. However, he was able to shake it off quite easily and focus on his next attack.

"Okay, Nero. Sand attack and Arm Thrust, before it has time to put much distance between you two!" Janessa began speaking before the Larvitar even landed, and she hoped that her order hadn't come before Nero had the chance to recover. Fortunately for her, she had given the order just in time.

Nero charged foward and then suddenly slid to a stop, creating a wave of dirt and whatnot that went sailing towards the Larvitar, intending to lower the target's accuracy, and if he was lucky, temporarily blind him as well. Then Nero charged towards the Larvitar and swung his arm and fist towards the wild Pokemon as he attempted to attack with an Arm Thrust attack.

Word Count: 300
EXP: 300+200=500

[BellaMae]

Larvitar felt its attack connect, although not as solidly as he had intended. He landed somewhat clumsily on his feet, having been thrown a bit off balance by his flying leap of an attack. He turned about just in time to receive a face full of sand, which it immediately attempted to brush off of it and get out of its eyes, which were stinging. It flailed about slightly, anxious rising up in its stomach since its vision was impaired.

Just as it opened its eyes, it felt the Arm Thrust connect with its side, and send it sprawling to the ground. The pokemon pushed himself back up onto his feet, and immediately set about whipping up a Sandstorm attack. The dirt around it began to levitate, shooting about in random directions as if pushed by wind. It expanded outward, coming to envelope a good ten foot radius.

With the sand as a cover, the Larvitar went in for another Bite attack.

[Janessa Rayya]

Janessa's excited grin returned as she saw that Nero's Arm Thrust attack had connected, and did quite a bit of damage. Or, at least, it looked like it did a good amount of damage. After all, the wild Larvitar had been sent sprawling. Nero was looking very proud of himself. "Hey, Nero, don't get cocky!" She warned her Makuhita. Right after she had spoken those cautionary words, the Larvitar jumped to its feet and began stirring up some dirt... a sandstorm attack! The attack worked very quickly, doing a small amount of damage to Nero and also impairing his sight... as well as Janessa's.

Janessa scowled, as she could no longer see either of the Pokemon. "Okay, Nero! You're pretty much on your own, now, I can't see you guys anymore because of the sandstorm." She called out to her Pokemon. Nero nodded, and then called back to reassure his trainer. "Makuhita!" which translated into a confident phrase, <I got this!>

But right after Nero shouted those words of reassurance, he was struck with the Larvitar's bite attack, right on his elbow. He growled a throaty growl, and then whipped around with his other arm outstretched, intending to land yet another Arm Thrust attack on his enemy. He would prove to Janessa that he was a great battler, even when he was left to his own devices. He hoped that when this Sandstorm attack cleared up, Janessa would see a fainted Larvitar and a triumphant Makuhita. And, if he was lucky, he would be rewarded with a berry. Mmm, berries.

Word Count: 270
EXP: 500+270=770

[BellaMae]

Larvitar couldn't ignore the slight twinge of sore pain in his right side, leftover from the blow the pokemon had landed. Sure he'd gotten up quick, but that was because he'd forced himself to do so, uninterested in remaining a sitting duck. Now that he was up and moving though, he was very aware of the lingering pain of the Arm Thrust, even as he charged forward after the Makuhita.

He leapt, and closed his jaw in one powerful motion. He felt the other pokemon's arm between his teeth, and clenched tightly, holding on with good strength. This proved to be unwise, as Nero swung his free arm around and struck the Larvitar directly in the same side that he'd already hit. The pokemon released its hold with a cry of pain, and tumbled to the ground.

It struggled back to its feet, but was clearly worse for wear. It was running out of strategies, as every time it came near for a Bite attack the fighting type dealt serious damage. But it had no other way to attack, and as such was left wondering what to do, as well as quivering in pain.

[Janessa Rayya]

Nero's eyes and face lit up like a lightbulb as he felt his arm and fist connect once again with the wild Larvitar. With a nasty, victorious grin on his face, he took a step back and watched his opponent, waiting for him to react again- probably to charge forward with yet another Bite attack. Nero was very surprised when the wild Larvitar did nothing- he simply stood there, quivering and shaking like a leaf on a tree in a fierce autumn breeze. Nero chuckled evilly, and prepared to attack once more, and put the hurt little Pokemon out of its misery. Perhaps if the sandstorm hadn't been obstructing Janessa's view, the trainer would have taken pity on the Pokemon and ordered Nero to stop the battle. But Nero had a fighting spirit that just could not be quenched, and he wasn't about to leave this battle unfinished.

So while Janessa was anxiously waiting on the outskirts of the blinding sandstorm, wondering what was going on in there, Nero was still left to his own devices. He charged towards the Larvitar, hoping that it didn't try to dodge. He pulled his arm back- the good one, that hadn't taken a lot of damage- and then swung it forward quickly when he thought that he was close enough to land an attack. And as he executed what he assumed would be the finishing blow, he let out a loud warcry- "Makuuuuuuuuuhitaaaaa!"

Janessa jumped as she heard her Pokemon cry out, but she quickly realized that the shout hadn't been one of pain or of fear or anything like that- rather, it sounded victorious and determined. Had he one the battle, or was he just getting himself pumped again? She bit her lip and grinned just slightly. She had a good feeling in the pit of her stomach, and so she pulled out an empty pokeball from her backpack and fiddled with it as she awaited to see her Makuhita emerge from the sandstorm... or something like that.

Word Count: 345
EXP: 770+345=1115

[BellaMae]

The Larvitar was typically very tough and persistent, but it was also reasonable. It knew that charging after the other pokemon again would just get it hurt, and it wasn't interested in taking another one of those Arm Thrust attacks. It was clear to it now that it had bitten off more than it could chew, and was worried now about whether or not it would be able to win this fight. The chances seemed slim.

All he knew was that he certainly needed to recover for a moment, but the next second it became clear that the Makuhita wasn't going to allow that. It charged forward, intending to land another blow, which it easily did. The tired Larvitar couldn't evade, and was sent flying form the sandstorm, where it the ground and rolled to a stop.

[Janessa Rayya]

Nero gave a short, loud, evil little laugh as he sent the Larvitar flying backwards, clear out of the sandstorm. He pumped his arm into the air victoriously, and then began walking back towards his trainer as the sandstorm began to fade away.

Janessa had jumped back a little bit when the Larvitar came flying out of the sandstorm. That was not what she had expected. When the Larvitar landed and then didn't get back up, she slowly began walking towards it. Her Makuhita quickly joined her, and the two of them approached the fallen Larvitar, both of them feeling victorious.

"You did a good job, Nero." Janessa praised, and then she grinned as Nero puffed up his chest proudly. "I definitely think that you, along with the rest of the team, are finally ready for the first gym battle." And she sincerely meant what she said. Her Pokemon were all ready to go... the only question was, was their trainer ready?

Janessa enlarged the empty pokeball that she had in her hand, and then gently tossed it at the Larvitar as she and her Makuhita came to a halt a few feet away from it. 'Hopefully its actually fainted, and not just playing dead!' She thought.

Word Count: 215
EXP: 1115=215=1330
Levels: 2

[BellaMae]

The Larvitar was truly unconscious, not playing tricks. So when the two approached, it made no move to get away, and simply lay there, dazed. As the pokeball struck it, sucking it inside, it put up no fight against the pull, and a moment later was caught.

[Janessa Rayya]

Janessa's face lit up with a huge, happy smile as the Larvitar was absorbed into the pokeball, and was caught without even as much as a wiggle of resistance. She stepped forward, stooped down and picked up the pokeball, and then looked at it, thinking of the Larvitar that was inside. "I'll call you... Haldor. Welcome to the team." She said softly, before attaching the now-occupied pokeball to her belt. Then she and her Makuhita returned to the picnic. She decided not to release the Larvitar just yet- she could introduce him later. For now, it was time to eat breakfast, and then pack up and go home to resume their training and challenge the gym leader of Stomcloud City.

[Minnie Dark]

Minnie sighed, weaving her way down from her perch at the doors of the Elite Four building. Now that she knew what direction she was going to have to go, she realized that she would have to make her way down through the cities in the direction opposite of what it was intended. Oh well.

She had three Pokemon with her, Dusk, Revenge, and Seb, all three male, all three just at, or below, level fifty. She rolled the Absol's Pokeball in one hand, and then tossed it allowing the male out.

Revenge landed as though preparing for battle, and remained in this stance until he heard Minnie giggling at him. He glared at her, his red eyes clearly challening her. When the girl stopped laughing, she tossed the Sableye and Duskull's Pokeballs as well.

The gem Pokemon climbed onto her head, perching there and watching the other two from that vantage point. Revenge started to pick his way away from his trainer, reaching the bottom of the rocky path faster than Minnie could, with Dusk right behind him.

The pair stood still for a few seconds, and then Revenge jerked his head to one side, nodding towards what seemed to be a girl eating breakfast. A soft 'aaabb' crooned from his muzzle, almost like he was trying to call Regret to him from the Storage System.

Leaving Dusk, Seb, and Minnie in the dust, Revenge approached the group, his body pulled up regally, and his red eyes slightly narrowed. What was a human doing out here with her Pokemon at this time anyway, unless she was ready to challenge the Elite Four.

Minnie, meanwhile, had finally reached the bottom of the path and returned Dusk, shaking her head. She scanned around, unable to pinpoint Revenge. She sighed, following the path, deciding that she would eventually find the still-wild acting Absol.

[Janessa Rayya]

Janessa and her three Pokemon all turned, almsot simultaneously, as they heard the approach of what they assumed to be a wild Pokemon. "Ooh, an Absol..." Janessa crooned softly, rising to her feet. She had seen Absol before- after all, she had one on her team- but the sight of one still amazed her. But then, she began to be slightly worried. Didn't the appearance of a wild Absol mean that disaster was about to strike? ...Or something along those lines? Janessa, along with the three of her Pokemon that were out of their pokeballs, all stared at the Absol, although they were thinking different things. Janessa was obviously worried about the whole natural disaster thing, Gan was trying to figure out if the Absol was a threat or not, Pyro was... not thinking much at all, just staring, and Nero was hoping for another battle, like the one he had just barely won a few minutes ago.

Finally, Janessa spoke. "Um, hello..." She greeted, sounding pretty unsure of herself.