The First Test

Mareep could almost feel the air spark with excitement when Lexi figured out what the sheep was hinting at. It let out a happy cry and watched carefully when the Trainer held out the Pokeball.

The sheep gazed up at Lexi, a bit unsure of what it would be like living in a Pokeball, but it had grown to trust her. She was a nice girl, after all, and seemed to love her Pokemon very much. It gently hit the button with its nose and let the Pokeball pull it in.

It shook once... twice... three times... then there was a flash of light as the red glow faded from the center of the ball, signifying that the Pokemon had been caught.

Mareep joined your team!

Lexi jumped up, quickly snagging her pack on a branch of the bush, causing her to fall back to the ground with a thud. She grimaced for a moment, before laughing a little. She looked over to Aysel and Sutara, Aysel shaking her head at her trainer's clumsiness. "Hehe...well, at least we got a Mareep!" Lexi said, crawling toward her Pokemon. They led her back out of the brush, and onto the path once more. Lexi picked a couple twigs and leaves from her, caught in her clothing and hair.

"Well alright then!" Lexi said, smiling down to the pokeball in her hands, then to her partners. "A name...a name...How about..." Lexi said, finally tossing up the ball. It popped open mid-air, calling Mareep out to the field. "Amiya!" she called, thus dubbing the Mareep 'Amiya'. She smiled down at her new partner, before turning to the path ahead of them. "Alright, just a little more training, then we'll head to town, alright guys?!" Lexi announced, walking on down the path, looking for a challenge.

Further down the path was a little bird Pokemon, pecking at the ground and searching for something to eat. It chirped lightly as it scratched the path with its claws, then the approaching Trainer caught its attention. It flapped its wings a bit and focused on Lexi and her Pokemon, ready to battle if they came any closer. It seemed as though the bird had marked off the area as its own feeding grounds, and it was in no mood to share.

A wild Pidgey appeared! (Male, level 4)

Lexi looked over to the bird, smirking. "It's pretty cute, but sorry you don't quite cut it," Lexi said, looking to her partners. "Alright Amiya, let's see how you fare in battle!" Lexi said, motioning to her new Mareep. Amiya stepped forward, baa-ing out her species' name to announce her presence. "Alright then!" Lexi said, looking to Pidgey with a sparkle in her eye. "Let's begin. Let's try a tackle!" Lexi ordered.

Amiya paused for a moment. She wasn't used to taking orders, but she looked back to Lexi and nodded. She turned to face the Pidgey, quickly running toward him. She jumped at the last second, attempting to tackle the bird to the ground!

The Pidgey was good and ready for a fight. One might say that it was actually looking forward to it, judging by the spark in its eyes.

It watched Amiya carefully when she came charging toward it, and at the last second the Pidgey moved out of the way, flapping its wings a bit. It chirped loudly at the Mareep and rushed toward her to counterattack. Pidgey used Tackle!

"Reep?" Amiya said in confusion when her tackle missed. She grimaced, being knocked a bit to the side. "Ma-mareep!" she said angrily, turning to face the Pidgey once more.

"Try it again, Amiya! You can do it!" Lexi cheered. Amiya nodded, lunging at the small bird again.

The Pidgey was pleased that its attack had hit but it quickly realized something was wrong. After colliding with the Mareep in a Tackle, it felt a jolt shoot through its body. It struggled to move now, unable to jump about as it had just moments ago.

Amiya's Static paralyzed the wild Pidgey!

The bird Pokemon glared at the sheep, crying out loudly just before getting hit by a Tackle attack. It stumbled back a bit, then did its best to shake off the pain. It still felt its body tingling, each limb being slow to respond, but Pidgey wouldn't give up yet. It charged forward once again in another Tackle attack!

"Amiya, watch out!" Lexi called, sure that the Pidgey would try to retaliate. She was a little more than pleased to see the ability come into effect, proving to be useful already. Mareep wasn't slow this time, but with the Pidgey's speed cut she was able to manage a dodge. 

"Good job! Now try hitting it again with tackle!" Amiya called, knowing the low leveled Pokémon had a shallow pool of moves to choose from just yet. Still, she believed in her Pokémon's ability, and pushed on. Amiya again lunged forward, aiming for the paralyzed pidgey.

The Pidgey had a good chance of dodging, had it not been for paralysis. The bird could only brace itself as it was hit with another Tackle from Amiya. It fell back, struggling to get back to its feet this time.

It was obvious the Pidgey wouldn't last much longer, but it didn't want to just give up. It continued to use the only move it knew... Pidgey used Tackle!

Lexi giggled a bit, not for the weakened wild Pokémon, but for her own. Amiya was proving to be capable, even for a low level. Lexi debated having a training session with them afterward, to help boost their combat skills. 

Mareep turned her head, attempting to dodge again but still getting pinged by the little bird. She cried out just a bit, before getting a serious look on her face. "You can do it, Amiya! I believe in you! Tackle!" Lexi called. She knew Amiya was probably getting a bit tired, but it looked like the Pidgey was worse off. Amiya nodded, the pink imitation carnation pinned to her wool seeming to reflect sunlight off its surface just a bit. She charged at the bird, aiming to tackle it down and hopefully out.

As much as the Pidgey didn't want to believe it, it knew that this would finish the battle. It closed its eyes and braced itself just as the sheep Pokemon hit it with another Tackle, sending the bird stumbling back again, only this time it was unconscious.

Wild Pidgey fainted! Amiya gained 4 exp!

"Alright!" Lexi shouted, jumping up a bit, fist raised to the air. "You did it, Amiya!" she congratulated, the little sheep Pokémon. Amiya ran back to Lexi, baaing happily as Aysel and Sutara seemed to approve of the win. Lexi walked to the fainted bird, picking it up and placing it under a bush where it was less likely to be disturbed as it recovered.

"So then, shall we go train your skills a bit?" Lexi asked, looking to her trio of cute Pokémon. They nodded in unison, letting out a cry that fused together and became rather indistinguishable. "Alright then, let's go!" Lexi said as she pushed them on. 

A short while later, they came to a clearing that Lexi thought looked just right. "Perfect," she said, turning back to her partners. "Alright then, let's get down to business. Amiya, since you're at the lowest level, we'll train you first!" Lexi announced. Aysel and Sutara backed off behind their trainer,  as she thought of how to go about the training.

Training Session: Amiya

Lexi's face hardened, as her eyes scanned back and forth across the scenery before landing on a large tree. It seemed to have a hefty trunk, and she was sure it would be fine for some light training. "Alright Amiya, I want you to go tackle that tree!" Lexi ordered, pointing to the large oak.

Amiya thought perhaps her trainer had lost it for a moment, simply staring at her dumbfounded. She didnt understand the point of this exercise, but would do it anyway. She was part of a team now, and as such needed to trust her trainer's judgement.

Amiya rushed at the tree quickly, lunging once close. She hit it, butting it with her head. She stumbled back a bit, dizzied by the action for a moment before shaking it off.

"Alright good, but try it again! If you use your shoulder it might not hurt so much!" Lexi suggested. She hoped she was right anyway, as Amiya charged to the tree once more. She lunged, hitting the thick trunk with a loud THUD. A couple leaves fell, apparently feeling the force...or maybe that was just a breeze. Either way, it made Amiya and Lexi proud. 

"Awesome! Now, let's work on your speed," Lexi said, drawing a line in the dirt with her shoe. I want you to run as fast as you can from that rock to this line," Lexi ordered. Once she understood what to do, Amiya complied. She went to the line, before running at a gallop to the boulder, and back again. "Again!" Lexi ordered, knowing Amiya had held back. The sheepish Pokémon nodded, this time sprinting along the small path. Her little hooves hit the rock, using her own momentum to then push of, and spring her in the direction back to the line. Lexi smiled, "Good job, Amiya!" 

Lexi looked around, finding some pea stones. They were small enough so they wouldn't really hurt. "Alright, agility test! I'll toss these at you, and you dodge them!" Lexi stated, waiting for Amiya's acknowledgement. Once it was received in the form of a nod, Lexi began tossing the stones. It was only one or two at first, rather slowly and easy for Mareep to dodge. However, Lexi slowly picked up the pace, throwing them faster and at a higher rate. Amiya struggled to keep up, but the trainer was careful not to push the Pokémon too hard. She quickly ran out of stones, smiling and brushing her hands of the dirt. "Alright, Amiya! I think that's good enough for now, how do you feel?" Lexi asked, ending her training session with the little sheep.

End Training Session

Lexi looked down to her Mareep, smiling confidently. She was happy with the amount of work she had put into training, and it showed of in the sheep's crackling coat. "You look a lot stronger now, Amiya!" Lexi complimented. "Better be careful, Sutara. She might give you a run for your money now," she said with a laugh, looking to the powder blue elephant who trumpeted in disagreement.

"Ma-ma-reep!" Amiya baad. Her wooly coat sparked and crackled with electrical energy. Amiya assumed it must be from the training, thinking that perhaps she'd learned an electrical move. 

"That'll come in handy!" Lexi said, then turned to Sutara. "Alright Sutara, you're next. How about it? Time to train!" She announced once more, motioning for Amiya to stand over with Aysel. Amiya walked over to the small bear Pokémon. Raising her head proudly, displaying her sparking new coat and the carnation hair clip. Aysel naturally wanted to one up the Mareep, puffing out her chest and standing tall to how off her red bow.

Lexi simply laughed at the sight, then turned back to Sutara, who had walked in front of her. "Alright then, let's begin..."

Training Session: Sutara

Lexi thought of how to train her little elephant, Sutara. Looking around, her eyes landed on the boulder from earlier. "I got it!" She said, snapping her fingers. She looked back to Sutara, pointing to the rock with her index finger. "I want you to try moving that boulder! You're strong, so I bet if you try hard enough you cam do it!"

Sutara looked from her trainer's finger to the boulder. Her face grew determined, and she nodded. "Phaaan!" she trumpeted, before charging at the large rock. Her little legs raced, creating the sound of a mini stampede that might be in the distance. She hit the rock, flattening her trunk against it as she attempted to lift, or at least shift the boulder. Her feet dug into the earth, sliding a bit before the boulder finally nudged. It was only a few centimeters, but she still moved it. 

She paused, stepping back from the rock and panting. She looked to the slight skid mark the rock had made when moved through the earth. "Phaan!" she trumpeted triumphantly, proud of herself for accomplishing such a feat.

"Good job, Sutara! Now, I want you to freeze that rock with your Ice Shard!" Lexi commanded. Sutara stepped back with a nod, opening her mouth and lifting her trunk. In front of her mouth, and between her two little tusks a blue orb began to form, suddenly flash freezing chunks of ice and sending them hurling at the rock. She continued the assault until it was successfully coated in a layer of ice.

"Good," Lexi said, pointing at it again. "Now that it's weakened...try smashing it with bulldoze!" The trainer ordered. The shiny phanpy reared up, trumpeting before charging at the boulder. She lowered her head in preparation, throwing all her weight into it. A loud crack sound, followed by the sound of rubble settling to the earth could be heard. Lexi flinched at first, but upon looking up she noticed that the rock had been successfully shattered! "Great job, Sutara! Alright guys, I think that's enough for today..."

End Training Session

Lexi joined up with her Pokémon, all of them at her side. She hadn't had a chance to train Aysel yet, but she could get to that later. For now, dusk was quickly settling in and Lexi needed to get to town to seek shelter. "Let's head out then!" she said, pointing north. The four walked on to Violet City to seek refuge for the night at the Pokémon Center.

Lexi led her small troupe to Violet City, right past the entrance to the Ruins of Alph. She marched through the town as dusk settled in, the moon now visible in the sky. Past the Gym, making a right at the trainer school and right to the classic red-roofed building that was essential for any trainer's journey.

Marching up to the back counter, Lexi returned her three companions to their pokeballs. She set them on the counter, looking to the pink haired woman behind the counter. "Excuse me, Nurse Joy, would you mind healing my Pokémon and allowing us to stay here for the night?" Lexi asked, sliding the red orbs across the smooth desk tops.

The well-known nurse glanced up from her computer and smiled warmly in a way that a loving mother would. "Of course! You're free to stay until you and your Pokemon are well enough to go." she said in a tone that was as sweet as honey.

Nurse Joy then took the Pokeballs and carefully placed them into a machine behind the counter. She hit a few buttons, waited a minute or two, and then a pleasant little jingle rang out from the machine, telling all that the Pokemon's strength had been fully restored. The nurse took the Pokeballs and handed them back over the counter.

"Here you are," She smiled bright. "If there's anything else you need, just let me know. I'd be very happy to help." She then bowed her head respectfully, like a servant ready to serve.

"Thank you, Nurse Joy!" Lexi said, giving a respectful bow back to the nurse. "I think we'll be fine after a good rest. Tomorrow we're gonna take on the Gym Leader!" She announced, gathering up the red and white spheres containing her team.

She went off into the side rooms, finding an unoccupied bed. Because it was small, Lexi only brought Aysel out of her ball. She had the small teddy bear Pokémon sleep next to her, comforting her through the night as her stuffed version once had. By day break, she felt rested an raring to go. She packed her things and got washed up. After a quick breakfast at the center, she thanked Joy again and headed out toward the gym, Aysel by her side.

She approached the large building, looking up to it a bit intimidated currently. She'd been in Bugsy's Gym countless times, but never as a challenger. This would be her first, as she took a breath to calm her nerves and entered the building. "Falkner? I've come to challenge you for a badge!" Lexi announced boldly, though inside she was shaking.

Several moments passed by in silence after Lexi declared her challenge to the gym leader. With it so quiet, one would wonder if the gym was empty at the time, but finally, after what seemed like ages to any anxious challenger, a voice was heard from above.

"Very well then!" the gym leader said as he came into view, sliding down a rope that seemed to lead up to a higher level of the building. The blue-haired boy stood on one end of the battlefield and crossed his arms. "So, you're the latest challenger? Alright, we'll get started right now, if you're ready."

He made a gesture for the girl to take her place on the opposite side of the field, behind a white line that had been painted out for safety's sake. "We'll have a two-on-two battle. You will be allowed to switch between your Pokemon as you please. Any questions?"

Lexi glanced up when she heard the voice. She hadn't expected him to come from the sky, but seeing as he was a flying type specialist it seemed appropriate. Lexi shook her head, looking to her place in the arena. She ran over to the little box, taking her place there with Aysel by her side.

Facing into the ring, she pulled a pokeball from her waist and expanded it to the size of a fist. "I'm ready." She announced, tossing the ball up into the air. It burst open, a swell of light hiding for a moment the Pokémon taking shape before them. The light faded, ball closing and flinging itself back to Lexi. "I'll start off with Amiya!" 

"Maa-aa-reep!" Amiya announced, tilting her head back a bit as she let out a cry. The wooly sheep Pokémon might prove to be a problem with its electric moves, since flying types were weak to them.

It seemed the challenger was ready to give Falkner a real challenge, so to speak. He never did enjoy seeing Electric types on the battlefield, but he wouldn't let it get him down.

He removed a Pokeball from his belt and hurled it into the air as it burst open. "My choice is... Pidgey!"

The little bird spread its wings and slowly flew down to the ground. It fixed its eyes on the Mareep and cawed loudly.

"How about we start things off with a Sand Attack!" Falkner ordered.

The Pidgey flapped its wings once and then began kicking up sand towards Amiya. Pidgey used Sand Attack!

(Pidgey, male. Level 9)

Lexi watched as Falkner made his choice, the small bird forming before her. Alright, we got this... she told herself, heart racing from adrenaline. There was no hesitation, Falkner immediately ordered attack. Lexi gasped, though she should have known better. It had to start some time, an it was in his best interest to be the one to start.

"Amiya, close your eyes!" Lexi called out, hoping it would at least prevent most accuracy loss. The sheep was coated in a large amount of dust. When the cloud of it cleared, she shook and released some of it from her coat. 

"Maa!" She baad, it was clear that some of the sand had made its way into her eyes. Fortunately for Lexi, it didn't seem to be too much. Amiya prepared, awaiting Lexi's command.

"Alright Amiya, try your thundershock!" Lexi ordered. She might have normally waited a couple turns to try out the new move, but if the Pidgey kept it up they wouldn't be able to hit him aside from luck! Amiya nodded, wooly coat sparking. She let out a cry, discharging an electrical spark directed at the bird!

Pidgey was quick to move, attempting to dodge the Thundershock, but Amiya seemed to know where it would jump it. The electricity zapped the bird Pokemon, landing a super effective hit!

Pidgey stumbled back, feeling that hit already. It slowly got back up, trying to shake off the hit as best it could, but it had received massive damage.

"Hang in there, Pidgey!" Falkner called out. "Use Gust!"

The bird spread its wings and began flapping them rapidly, stirring up a windstorm around the Mareep. Hopefully this would get some damage in, if only a little. Falkner didn't want to see his Pidgey go down so soon, but if it was to be defeated now, it would be sure to go out fighting.

Lexi's body could be seen, a small twitch escaping as her muscles all flexed. She resisted the excitement in her body when the attack hit, for she knew the battle wasn't over. Surely enough, Pidgey got right back up. It was definitely stronger than the one they took out back en route.

She watched as it kicked up a wind storm, raising her arms to block the dirt rushing around. It was even making her hair begin to pull lose. Amiya was struck, unable to dodge the attack. Fortunately, she was a bit stronger than Pidgey, so didn't take too much damage. She shook off the debri from her coat, looking to the bird again. 

"Alright, Amiya! Let's try one more thundershock!" Lexi called out. Pidgey looked like that last one drained a lot from him, so she was trying to end this as quickly as possible. Amiya nodded, sparking and crackling once more before discharging her electrical power at the foe!

Falkner knew that Pidgey couldn't handle another Thundershock now. He quickly called out, though a bit frantic, he struggled to maintain his composure in the process. "Up, Pidgey! To the sky!"

The bird flapped its wings and shot upward, just narrowly avoiding Amiya's attack. Falkner didn't like having Pidgey fight battles from the sky, as the bird had to spend a lot of its energy flapping its little wings to stay airborne. It couldn't stay up there for long.

"Okay, go down for another Gust attack!" he commanded.

Pidgey complied by landing and then flapping its wings once more, repeating its last attack. Hopefully this move wouldn't tucker the bird out too much.