The Journey for Strength! ((Open))

Well, there's the sun... might as well start getting ready. Izzy had woken up about an hour ago, and was just too nervous to fall asleep. After all, he had finally appealed to the Orphanage to let him leave of his own accord, and there were just too any things riding on his first couple hours. He creeped around his sleeping Elekid, doing his best not to wake him as he gathered his things. Once ready, he cooked some waffles for himself, and opened up a can of Elekid's favorite: PokeChow. He mixed in an Oran berry, since this was a special day, and waited for Elekid to come thundering down the stairs. Sure enough... Izzy stalled for as long as he could before heading out, but when the time came, the only "Goodbye!" that escaped his lips was directed towards the house. Knowing if he was to accomplish much outside of Cerulean, he'd need to catch another pokemon and get Elekid some experience, he headed to Route 24...

It's a wild Kangaskhan having a stroll around the bushes. His offspring looking around peacefully on her mother's belly pouch. Sure, the wild Pokémon here don't fight each other but it's either a wild Pokémon challenges a Trainer or Trainers come here and randomly attack any Pokémon they see. The Pokémon noticed Izzy, stared at him and stood cautiously having an idea what could possibly happen next.

Female, Level 11

A Kangaskhan?! They're so rare... Perhaps if it wasn't a mother, I'd try to capture her. Izzy knew all too well how hard it was to grow up without a parent, and so he left the Kangaskhan alone, and pleasantly suprised that he had the chance to see such a rare Pokèmon. After walking a little ways, he heard the soft bubbling of the river nearby, and started towards it. Seems like a good place to search. Worst case scenario, I'll have some decent scenery.

This time, it's a Charmander standing near the river watching the water flow. If Izzy knows how to read a Pokémon’s face, then it should tell him that this Fire-type is trying not to creep himself out from the water. It's probably trying to overcome its fear. But don't shout for joy as a guy about the same age as him, dressed as a trainer walked towards the Charmander and bent his body forward and talked to the Pokémon with a smile. It looks like these two are the Trainer-Starter type.

Lv. 10, Male

They're probably around the same strength as us... Releasing his Elekid from his Pokèball, he shouted to the Trainer, "Uh... Hey! I was wondering... would you be up for a battle with me and my Elekid?" After all, there was only one way they could get stronger...

There's not much trainers around on the side where the two Trainers with their Pokémon are. The other guy heard him and looked towards Izzy from a distance. He smiled and signaled a "wait" with his hand. His body language and face expression looked like as if he's getting the permission of his little friend. Charmander looks at Izzy and waves a hello with his paw. The two started to walk towards Izzy; a friendly battle is about to begin.

Izzy looked down at Elekid. "They may be new, but there's no telling how strong they are. Don't underestimate them, but remember that we've got experience to guide us." A sharp nod was the only reaction from Elekid; he was every bit as focused as Izzy. They walked forward until there was a decent battling distance between them, with the river on their right. Facing the trainer, Izzy waited, and watched Elekid windmill his arms as it paced around; to most people, it looked like he was simply doing something to pass the time, but Izzy knew his Pokèmon was trying to build up enough electrical power to last most of the battle.

"Very well, my friend. Let's begin," he said as his Charmander stepped in front. He took a coin out of his pocket and suddenly there was this western-like feel. "Heads or tails?"

"Erm... Elekid?" Elekid pointed to his own head, and gave Izzy a look as though HE should be making those decisions. "Heads it is," Izzy replied shakily. Why in the world am I so nervous? We've battled several times before, including a Fire-type... regardless, we have to win.

He tossed the coin and skillfully caught it on the back of his clenched fist. The coin's head is facing the foe Trainer. He showed it to Izzy as proof. "Very well, let's see what you've got," he said. His Charmander stood cautiously.

Izzy nodded, and quickly launched an attack. "Elekid, Thundershock!" While Elekid's strength was truly in close-combat, opening up with a ranged attack would show him their speed, or endurance if it connected.

Charmander swiftly sidestepped evading the attack. "Here's our own brand: Ember," Charmander unleashed small ball of flames from his mouth directed towards his foe Elekid.

Speed was not Elekid's specialty, so the attack still clipped him as he dove to the side. "Not bad. Elekid, Quick attack!" Dashing forward, Elekid turned to hit with his uninjured side.

Charmander got hit, making things fair. He was taken off his feet as his back met the ground. "Been through that a lot of times," his Trainer said. Charmander stood up with a friendly grin as if saying "nice". "Well then, Ember again."

Knowing that most Electric-types have the Static ability, foe Pokémon Trainer Lasso would not fight with physical attacks.

A point blank shot was impossible to dodge, but Elekid did his best, managing to limit the damage to one arm. This can't continue if we're going to win... if they won't trigger Static, we'll have to try to paralyze them another way. "Elekid, use Thunderpunch!" Elekid pulled his fist back, charging it with electricity and preparing to swing at Charmander.

According to Izzy, his Elekid's strength is in close-combat. Looks like it's true as Charmander got a blow on his face. Though he wasn't paralyzed. Charmander's ability Blaze kicked in as his skin got even redder and the temperature around him became hot. Lasso felt the heat. "I can feel Blaze. Well then time for our secret weapon. Blaze plus Flamethrower is equals to F-T-W."

A powerful Fire-type attack mixed with Blaze that slightly powers up Fire-type moves is an excellent decision. Especially when Charmander is just three hits away from fainting. Though Charmander is supposed to learn Flamethrower at Level 37, the reason why he was able to use such a move is because of TMs. But the good news is that he's too young and weak for such a strong move so there's a possibility that the fire may not be that fierce and strong than a fully evolved Charizard's.

Izzy noticed the brightness of Charmander's skin, and knew they'd have to finish it quick, because who knows what other moves he had, and Elekid was already within two or three shots from fainting. "Elekid, try to use Quick Attack to dodge!" Hopefully that Flamethrower missed, because Elekid wouldn't be able to get back in range otherwise...

(Actually, we mods don't have a battle system. One mod had a system and everybody used it. I used it and made some modifications. So, Elekid actually is now 2.7 hits to fainting. If you wanna learn MY system, I'll PM you about it but then it might confuse you. And I might not be able to PM it right away, I'll do it someday but not today.)

The two are very close to each other. The flames hit Elekid but thanks to Quick Attack, the winds were able to wash it away but still did a considerable damage on him. Charmander was rammed but his adrenaline kept him from getting taken off his feet again. The battle is turning into a race against time mixed with a powerful attack showdown.

"Ah, this is good. Ember," Lasso ordered. Charmander cannot use another Flamethrower again thanks to his Level. His Embers were not as strong as the previous ones. The battle is currently on Izzy and Elekid's favor. But one simple mistake can lead to their doom.

((Gotcha, that'd be helpful to have, just whenever you're not busy with stuff.))

Izzy saw the weaker Ember, and knew he had to act now, while they had a slight advantage. The flames hit Elekid's crossed arms, leaving blackened marks on his yellow skin (fur? Idk). Good thing Elekid had learned Brick Break from that TM he got for Christmas a couple years ago. "Now, use Brick Break!" Elekid's arm began to glow with silvery light as he swung at Charmander.

Charmander got hit on his skull. It's even a critical hit. The foe has fainted. "Wow. Your secret weapon is better than ours. Very well, friend. You won. Good luck on your journey," he said with a huge smile as he withdrew Charmander to his Pokeball and went back to Cerulean to heal.

Hm. He seems like a loner too... an excellent battle nonetheless. "Good job, Elekid. Let's catch our breath here before we head back to Cerulean. Unless you want to head back now...?" Elekid shook his head and went to the bank to clean himself off, enjoying the scenery as much as Izzy. Smiling, Izzy kept a lookout for other pokemon; they could cause a problem in Elekid's weakened state. ((OOC: Can I get a quick estimate on his health, in case something jumps us before we get back?))

(Good decision since a ninja was going to jump behind Elekid and slit his throat. o3o Nah. It's precisely 2.7. He would go down in two normal hits followed up by a weak hit or one super-effective and critical hit. My suggestion, heal up. You ain't Chuck Norris. lawl.)

It seems peaceful.

((Thanks, and Lulz))

After a bit, Izzy called to Elekid, and they made their way back to Cerulean to heal. Elekid tried to hide it, but he was not ready for anything else; he was cradling one arm, and still breathing heavy, even after the short rest.

Inside the Pokémon Center is a shitload of people with fainted Pokémon waiting to get healed. It took a boring twenty minutes until Izzy's Elekid was healed and ready for another fight.

Holy balls. How many people have been challenging the gym today? Or is there someone else we should watch out for? He didn't particularly want to bother with it, but he had to know if going back out to Route 24 was safe... He walked up to the kid with the Charmander that he had battled earlier. "Hey, what's this all about? Everyone decide to challenge the gym today?"