[Azur Schild]

"......You're still insisting on a battle? Aren't you selfish?"

"Selfish or not I'll still do it! I want to get stronger, and to fight with another trainer is the best way of getting stronger faster! That's why, fight with me!"

Azur sighed then looked at Zeit. The Arcanine looked hostile for some reason... huh? What's wrong? "Zeit, is this your old trainer?" Azur asked. Zeit shook his head, but is not willing to drop his guard either. Looks like the old trainer is... a boy of this age? That means... Time to fight for real eh.

"Fine, what's the format?"

"Well then, let's do three rounds! One on one!"

"Standard format, huh. Very well. Shalin, Ettie, you two step back. I'm not going to hold back just because this one is a kid."

"That's what I expected! Come at me, Mister!"

Azur sighed. The first one that the boy sent out would be a Jolteon. In response, Azur sent out Zeit. Both Pokemons are evolved. The Jolteon acted first under its Trainer's order, executing Bite. Azur immediately ordered Zeit to use his Agility to dodge, which increases his speed to dodge on time. The speed boost make Zeit act first next, to which Azur ordered for a Flame Wheel. Using the moment, the opposing Pokemon immediately ordered to use Swift, which unable to be avoided. Zeit in turn ordered once again to use Flame Wheel. Another Swift followed as the Flame Wheel knocked the Jolteon across the field. With the momentum, even if he's hurt, Zeit use another Flame Wheel. His health is still on 'well'... but it's dangerously close to "uncomfortable zone" for Azur. Thankfully, he won the first match like that.

The second match was between Galarian Ponyta, and under his request... Gusios. Gusios was spirited, but this typing match honestly made Azur... worried. Dragons aren't well known for their strength against Fairy (yes, he know Galarian Ponyta are pure Psychic, but at the same time, it's still worrying after all!) But contrary to his belief, it was a rather short fight. With the Pokemon only knowing Growl, Tackle and Tail Whip, it was easy win in Gusios's side, as he uses Ember after rage in order to counter the Ponyta's Growl. He unfortunately takes some damage from the tackle after the trainer understood that he cannot win by lowering Gusios' defense and attack. It wasn't a close match at all compared to before, but Azur felt as if he have dodged a proverbial bullet.

The final battle was between Tristan and Jun-ho's Falinks. Tristan's level is lower, but his typing advantage gave him better chance against the other Pokemon. Tristan immediately opened the attack with his Confusion. The Falinks however were ready and defended with their Protect. Immediately, they followed up with a Focus Energy, which Tristan followed up with another Confusion. It does not manage to confused them however, but the damage is there. The Falinks tried to use Tackle following their Focus Energy, but Tristan did not dodge. He instead grabbed on the brass' horn and blast them away with a super effective Disarming Voice.

"...And thus ends the battle," Azur commented. "I'm done over here."

---

Azur won the battle against Rising Star Jun-ho!

[Ettie Carnall]

As Zeit barked to Ettie, and licked her cheek, the young girl would giggle; barking in response, as she ruffled the Arcanine's head. "Eheheh; most puppies love a good bellyrub - affection is always nice to share, and it's always nice to receive!" Ettie began in response to Azur, grinning brightly. Certainly, she knew a lot of her pack loved belly rubs! "And Zeit deserves plenty of bellyrubs and affection!" With all he's been through, Ettie wanted to make sure that Zeit knew that he was adored and treasured; especially with how much of a good boy he is! How could anyone abandon such a sweet Arcanine, after all...?

As Shalin suggested getting a water pokemon, though... Ettie would think for a second, glance down to Aurien, then proceed to pick up the little Popplio; her arms wrapped underneath his flippers, so that she was carrying him like a teddy bear. Aurien would make a somewhat surprised and bewildered bwark, but didn't protest otherwise; simply glancing to Ettie quizzically, as if he was wondering why she was picking him up like this. "I think Aurien's a water type! He's like a lil water puppy!" She'd chirp with a giggle; smiling brightly. Did she not recognize the difference between a dog and a seal or sea lion? "Maybe if he evolves, and gets big and strong, we could both swim together like that!" Glancing down to Aurien now, Ettie would smile brightly - asking "What do you think, Aurien?"

Aurien would tilt his head a little at the question; seeming to think over her words. Swimming was always fun, and he knew that he'd get bigger when he evolves - he couldn't wait to become a big and strong Primarina, like his family - so... Maybe he'd be able to swim with Ettie? With this thought in mind, the little Popplio would nod and bwark in affirmation; prompting a happy giggle and nod from Ettie in turn.

As they made to leave, Ettie would watch the Chansey that she had met shortly before - when they were watching Shalin and Levy swim - wander back towards the treeline, meeting with an older looking Blissey. A parent, or sibling, perhaps? Either way, Ettie would smile brightly and wave to them - receiving a wave from the wild Chansey in response - before they'd set off, back down the road. And with Cherry Town beginning to loom so closely, it seemed as though the wild pokemon were starting to become less common; the local fauna disinterested in wandering too close to civilization.

But, that didn't mean that there weren't encounters to be found on this final stretch; in fact, there was another trainer who was headed the other way! Azur would end up drawing this trainer's attention; the boy challenging him to a battle that - though Azur was initially disinterested - he would take the younger trainer up on...! As Azur told Ettie to back up, she would nod eagerly and comply; cheering him on with a "Kick his butt, Azur!" as she grinned widely.

And kick his butt Azur did; when Zeit was first in the match, the pack was quick to cheer him on with eager barks and short howls, as he fought against the rival trainer's Jolteon..! Ettie, too, would be whooping eagerly in support of Azur's pokemon; watching with visible excitement, as the pokemon clashed. Even for Azur not being huge on pokemon battles, he seemed to know what he was doing; and Ettie was eager to try and see what she could learn, from just watching him, as usual!

Before long though, the fight would come to an end; Tristan finishing off Jun-ho's Falinks with a Disarming Voice. As the battle ended, Ettie would bounce up to Azur; practically hopping right up onto his back, arms and legs wrapped around his torso! "Eheheh; you did it...!!" She'd cheer happily, briefly shifting her grip so that it was less awkward on Azur's end. "That was great to watch, Azur!" Duchess, in her excitement, would be eager to bark her agreement; tail wagging at a quick pace. Glancing to Zeit, Tristan, and Gusios, Ettie would also add "You guys all did great, too!"

With Azur's victory though, it meant that they were free to move onwards to Cherry Town. As they began to near the gates, Ettie would glance to Shalin; hopping down from Azur's back, so that she could bounce on over to the older woman. "Hey!" She'd chirp; digging out her phone, and mentioning "Traveling with you was really nice; and I think that it's really cool, that you have all these big pokemon! Wanna, uhm, trade numbers with me?" That's how they word it, right? Ettie never really had a personal phone before, admittedly; but she still wanted to keep in touch with Shalin, somehow!

Regardless of whether their numbers were traded or not, though... Ettie would soon return to Azur's side, as they finally were able to reach Cherry Town.

---

Closing the thread here!

[Jae]

Azur Schild - you receive 172 pen, Copper x2, Aspear Berry x1, and Sand x2

Congratulations!

Your thread is complete and now locked.

Shalin Nariya & Azur Schild & Ettie Carnall

For 7 pages, you each receive: 400 pen, 35 rare candy, 7 random Pokeballs, and one random item.