Bang!
Arbok hadn't even finished gathering power when Combusken slammed into it out of nowhere, shoving the big snake back several meters.
Its thick body skidded along the ground, gouging a long, muddy trench.
"Ar-bok!"
That hit flipped Arbok's switch.
It opened wide; a dense black gleam crawled over its fangs.
Foul stench and malice rolled out. Arbok coiled and launched forward, jaws snapping for Combusken!
If it didn't avenge this, it wasn't worthy of being a snake!
"Back up and use Sand Attack!"
At Grey's call, Combusken let the flames drop and hopped back several steps—
so fast Arbok couldn't even gain on it.
In a few moments Arbok was forced to stop, panting.
"Com~?" (That's it?)
Combusken lifted a claw, pulled its eyelid down, and made a face at Arbok.
Low damage, max disrespect.
Could Arbok swallow that?
It lifted itself and shot forward again, tearing the ground even deeper than before.
Combusken just stood there and watched it come, even curling a claw to beckon, teasing.
"Ar-bok!"
Arbok bounced and dove, jaws aimed straight at Combusken!
"Com!"
Perfect.
Combusken planted both hands—and just as Arbok's bite came down—
Shff!
Its claws ripped up from the dirt, flinging a sheet of grit!
The sand burst straight into Arbok's open mouth. Before it could react, its throat was packed full.
"Ar… bok—!"
Arbok hacked and choked, tears leaking from the corners of its eyes.
It never imagined this Combusken would fight this dirty.
The Trainer had called "Sand Attack" at the very start, then waited to fire it off only when Arbok dove!
No fighting spirit at all!
Arbok wanted to protest—this was a proper battle; who pulls cheap tricks like that?!
"Combusken, Flame Charge again!"
Grey's voice dropped.
This time, Combusken didn't warm up in place.
It ran as flames bloomed over its body.
In three seconds flat, it hit a speed that made your eyes pop.
Arbok could only watch its own wounds multiply. Soon it couldn't even track the streak of fire—
it just got turned into a sandbag and pounded.
In less than half a minute, everything except its head was scorched black.
Almost no unburnt scales left.
"Com." (So that's all you were.)
Combusken sighed.
Out of sheer pettiness, it even slipped off the Power Bracer and dropped it on the ground.
Thud—
The bracer hit hard and kicked up dust.
Arbok: ???
What kind of monster had it just fought?
Wearing a thing like that and it still moved that fast?!
"You make your Pokémon wear that all the time?" Green turned to Grey, slim finger pointing at the Power Bracer.
Anyone who didn't know better would think he was abusing his team.
"No. There's only one. Whoever wants it gets it for the day."
Grey reached into his pack, pulled out an Oran Berry, and offered it to Arbok. "Here, call it a little payoff for taking the match."
Arbok glanced at the berry, then at Combusken.
At Combusken's nod, it scooped up the Oran Berry and bolted.
"Not going to catch it?"
Seeing Grey make no move, Green had to ask.
"No spark. I'll pass."
Grey shook his head, then shot Green a look. "How many Pokémon do you carry?"
"Three. Besides my little Ditto, I've got Jiggly and Nido~"
Green planted her hands on her hips and waggled the Poké Balls in her hand.
"Two more? Where are they? I don't see them."
Grey gave her a once-over.
Aside from some… proportions that didn't match her age, there wasn't anywhere to hide balls…
"Pervert. Where are you looking?"
Her face flushed to the ears. Green crossed her arms tight and took a half-step back. "Now I see why you dragged me along…"
"Shh."
Grey put a finger to his lips, tugged Green behind him, and slipped into a roadside thicket.
"What is it?"
She dropped her voice and angled her head to peek.
Rustle, rustle—
The grass shook.
A pink, star-shaped Pokémon with tiny wings on its back crept out, tiptoeing.
It looked all around; when it was sure no one was chasing, it plopped down.
[Pokémon: Clefairy]
[Level: 15]
Not strong, as Clefairy go.
If this were Mt. Moon, Grey wouldn't spare it a glance.
But here's the problem—
This was Route 4.
Less than two kilometers from Cerulean City.
From Mt. Moon to here, even on a clear path, that little body would need a long while.
At least ten-plus hours, minimum.
"A Clefairy, huh."
Green blinked.
She knew where Clefairy lived.
But when she'd gone to Mt. Moon last time, she hadn't found any.
"Mio~"
A tiny Riolu popped from the grass and sat shoulder to shoulder with Clefairy.
Grey: ???
Riolu?!
Was Kanto having a Riolu boom?
Another one??
Wait—
No way it came from Cameran Palace, right?
Everyone knows Mt. Moon links Pewter City to the west and Cerulean City to the east.
But to the north there's a small town: Rota, with its castle.
It's smaller than the two cities, but the neighborhood's a big deal—
the Tree of Beginning is right there, home to the three Regi "toilet pillars" of Ice, Rock, and Steel—and even Mew.
"Mio?"
The little Riolu chirped, then looked straight toward Grey and Green.
Hearing that "Mio" from the pint-sized Riolu—
Grey's brain stalled for a beat.
Did Riolu… cry like that?
Rustle, rustle—
As Grey was griping in his head, the grass shivered again.
The "Riolu" grabbed Clefairy's hand and ran straight toward Grey.
"Mio~"
It squinted, chirped a few times, set Clefairy into Green's arms—
—then hopped onto Grey's shoulder.
Click—
A Poké Ball at Grey's waist opened.
"Rio?"
His own Riolu padded out, stared at the impostor on Grey's shoulder, and fell into thought.
"Boss, you sure those Clefairy and Riolu went this way?"
"Why would I lie? Who wants thankless jobs like this? We pull this off, we split from Team Rocket and start fresh in Unova!"
//Check out my P@tre0n for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810