Desert Bel and the Safari Knight - LAND HO!

Matthias stepped onto the dock, and quickly scanned his surroundings. He wasn't quite sure he should have taken the old man up on his offer of a free ride to Vermillion - it wasn't exactly en route to Pewter city, but to be fair he knew he wasn't ready to take on a Rock-type Gym. He waved to the old sailor as he started towards the main city, but quickly pulled his arm back to his side to avoid drawing any extra attention. It took him almost no time at all to get to the Pokemon Center, the city was a bit smaller than Fuschia. When he arrived, he saw a boy, who looked to be about his age, causing quite a commotion. Over what, he wasn't quite sure, but judging by the reactions of the few people around the boy, they were clearly not amused. Against his instincts, Matthias drew closer, curious as to why these people were crowding around him.

Ashbel had only been off of the boat for a couple of days at this point however the allure of his first real sized city was just too much for him to have left immediately. For the past few days he had been staying in some small family owned inn, not a bad place to crash but it lacked anything aside from the necessaries. Ashbel had woken up that morning with full intentions of leaving onto the start of his journey however. He had all the info he needed, head through Diglet cave right into Pewter city to get on the smooth road to the elite 4.
"Hey! aine, watch it there!"
The spurt of fire around Ashbel's neck jolted him out of his thought process as the small fennekin on his shoulder let out an uncontrolled burst of Ember into the sky. He leaned farther up against the rock of a Pokemon that lay beneath him, the content looking creature stationary in the middle of the road as people were forced to swerve around the trio.
"Oi, Sten! Stop moving around so much, your making me uncomfortable."
The boy said in almost a shout as he got up from his lean and turned around to face the Pokemon.
"Bah, get out of here ya big oaf we have places to be."
Ashbel brought out a Pokeball before pressing the sphere's small middle button, a ray of red absorbing the large sand Hippo into its inner embrace. As much as he loved the feel of Sten with how much the dry air around the Pokemon reminded him of home, it was more work than it was worth to move the large guy around.

Matthias chuckled to himself - the boy just had an exceptionally lazy Hippopotas that was blocking the way. He was rather grateful that both of his Pokes were fairly small and light. He noticed the boy also had a Fennekin perched on his shoulder, which was randomly blowing flames around. He got kind of worried, thinking that couldn't possibly be safe, but figured it wasn't his problem. He continued over to the Pokemon Center, hoping he could get a better idea on how to get to Pewter City. He knew Diglett Cave was an option, but his Electric and Poison secondary Bugs would have an awful time, and that's assuming he didn't get lost and managed to avoid running into any Dugtrio... The Nurse would be able to give him a clear path through the major cities, and he'd have a better idea of how to get everywhere after Pewter, too. He noticed the boy heading towards Diglett Cave, and couldn't help himself from calling out. "H-h-hey! You, with the Fennekin! Diglett Cave can be awfully unforgiving if you're not f-f-familiar with the winding passages... I'm headed to the Pokemon Center to get a map and head through the m-m-major towns to Pewter, you might want to do the same..." Terrified of the boy's reaction, he sprinted off towards the Pokemon Center to collect his map, get what little help he needed, and get his journey started for real.

Ashbel raised a finger to point back at the boy, ready to tell the kid how he would be perfectly fine without the warning. However as he watched the kid run away he had little to no idea what to do.
"What a weird kid."
He muttered to himself as he patted Aine on the head as he continued to walk towards the gates of the city. However as he continued onto the gate he came to a sudden realization that while he knew where Diglett cave leaded he had no idea what the inside was like or any clue at all as to how to get through it.
Ashen walked up to the entrance of the city, finding the nearest wall that faced the Pokemon Center. With the swift click of his Pokeball the abnormally large Hippopotas popped out, his side up against the wall. Without a second thought Ashbel laid on top of the already snoring Hippo, his back up against the wall as he leisured onto the Hippopotas like a lawn chair. The dry air emitting of of the Pokemon calming Ashbel down as he sunk into the Pokemon. Fennekin occasionally letting off a happy Yip as they settled down to wait for the boy in the Pokemon Center.

Matthias walked out of the PC, clutching his map tightly between his hands. He hadn't seen the other boy yet, maybe he had ignored him and gone into the cave anyway... as he started towards the northern gate, he saw the boy relaxing on top of his snoozing Hippopotas. He froze, for a second, unsure of what to do. It took him a moment to realize that the boy was probably waiting on him, and considering his outburst a few moments ago, he wasn't surprised. Matthias sighed, realizing that he really had no choice but to go talk to him. He carefully folded his map as he approached the boy, who seemed completely content to lounge there and wait for Matthias to come to him. Once he'd gotten within arm's reach of the boy, he bowed his head slightly, staring more towards the ground than the other boy's face. "S-s-sorry about that, I'm not much used to talking to people, and since you looked like you were a fairly new Trainer t-t-too, I figured it would be best to avoid D-d-diglett Cave." He raised his head, and locked eyes with the redheaded boy. "I'm Matthias Knight, it's nice to m-m-meet you." He blushed a bit, rather upset at his stutter, but there wasn't much he could do about it - he was so NERVOUS. It had been years since he'd interacted with anyone other than his parents or Pokemon. He shook his head a bit, then stuck his hand out towards the boy. "If you're also headed to P-p-pewter City, it would be safer for us to travel together, r-r-right?"

Ashbel ran a hand through his hair, the fire on top of his head parting like a sea as it was sleeked back ever so slightly. He came to a lousy stand as his legs stood before his body straightened out. Ashbel let out a chuckle as he stared the boy down the smile on his face fading into a crooked grin.
"I was pretty surprised when you shouted at me and then ran away like that. Figured you were in a hurry, so I took a seat. And I didn't figure chasing you would be too much fun."
The boy turned his head to the side and let out a cough, the moist sea air catching on his lungs with every word.
"But yea to answer your question I am a fairly new trainer myself, not that I couldn't take somebody like you on."
Ashbel gave the boy a cocky smile as he teased with him. Ashbel tossed a Pokeball into the air before flashily snatching it from its airborne state. He pressed the button returning the stirring Hippopotas into the ball before returning the sphere onto his belt with a twirl.
"I'm sure it would be benificial to both of us if we traveled together to Pewter."
He agreed with the boy, looking down at the map that the boy had. Not getting lost in a cave would be a godsend so having this slightly odd kid around for awhile felt like a worth while trade off.
"The names Ashbel by the way. And this is Aine."
He pointed up to the Fennekin on his shoulder who was no prancing in spot looking around almost scarred.
"Stop freaking out."
He muttered before placing the Fennekin onto the ground with a plop.
"And this big guy is Sten"
He pointed down to the Pokeball on his belt before flashing the boy another smile. For a moment he went to outstretch a hand in greeting but decided against it in the end. He gave a nod and began to head towards the exit of the town.

Matthias closed his outstretched hand slowly into a fist, and clenched his jaw. Unfortunately, Ashbel was right, he *could* beat Matthias relatively easily - both of his pokemon had type advantage against BOTH of Matthias's. Still, he wasn't normally the type to let that sort of thing go - but he'd already gotten himself into this, there was no turning back now. He sighed, dropped his hand back to his side, and started following his new... partner? He may have bitten off more than he could chew, once again.
"S-s-so, we should probably train our pokemon around here before we head..."quickly unfolding his map, he glanced over the nearby cities. "North, we're g-g-going to Saffron first." The Nurse had mentioned something called the Underground Path, which would take them past Saffron and straight to Cerulean's southern gates, but... he was hoping Ashbel would ditch him before then. "The pokemon around here aren't t-t-too strong, so we should b-b-be alright..." he trailed off, scanning the area outside the city for some kind of movement, figuring the boy - no, Ashbel - would want to battle first.

A Pikachu came bounding from the forest fringing the boundaries of the city, taking a leisurely stroll through the city before stopping and sitting up on it's haunches, flicking it's ear as it surveyed the duo curiously. A Buizel appeared from the water, glancing at the trainers. People seldom hovered near the deck. The Sea Weasel grinned mischievously as it squirted a thin jet of water at the two, before turning its attention to the Pikachu, spraying the Electric Mouse. The Pikachu, thankfully, brushed it off in the name of playfulness and sparing the Buizel a painful electrical jolt, bounding up to the deck to peer down at the pokemon in the water, already good friends.


Level 15 Level 13

Ashbel grinned as the Pikachu jolted past him.
"You may be right." He agreed. "Some training would not be a bad idea."
Ashbel reached down to his belt once more, wrapping his hand around the sleek surface of Sten's Pokeball. With a quick thrust of his hand he removed the ball from its resting place and released its contents onto the field.
"Sorry to disturb you so soon." Ashbel apologized to the Hippopotas his eyes still on the Pikachu.
With smile still unfading he turned towards Matthias.
"Go ahead and take on that Buizel, I've got the shock rat under control."
As Ashbel prepared for the battle Sten began to expunge dust and sand from his back in large quantities, quickly filling the air with small debris and particles. Ashbel squinted his eyes used to the quickly changing feel of the desert as his Hippopotas' Sand Stream ability began to come into effect. Before too long the lovely breeze from the bay would soon become the instrument for his sandstorm. Ashbel wrapped his scarf around his mouth so that he could speak unimpeded by the sand.
"Sten lets make this quick, get in there with a bite attack!"
Sten came to a lazy stand as he shook the excess sand off of his back. The large Hippo like pokemon let out what seemed to be a huge yawn before leaving his mouth ajar. With an almost waddle like charge the Pokemon began his advance at the Pikachu ready to trap the small Pokemon in between his excessively large Tusks.

Matthias nodded, eyeing the Buizel with interest. Ashbel would be in trouble if he actually had to fight it, since both of his Pokes were weak to Water - not that Joltik had any Electric moves to take advantage of Buizel's weakness... Shaking his head, he released Joltik from his Pokeball. The tiny Bug was so small he was practically invisible, but that was just another thing they could take advantage of. "Joltik, Thunder Wave!" Matthias's stutter was gone - battle was the one time he wasn't nervous, oddly enough. Pointing at the Buizel, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as an electric charge generated in the air. The tiny Bug-type released a small burst of bluish electricity in the Buizel's direction, his Compound Eyes trained on his opponent. Thunder Wave wasn't a damaging move - but it meant Joltik would be able to more easily dart around his larger foe if it connected. Or so Matthias hoped.

Buizel jumped out of the water when he saw how it was to be. It faced the Hippotas, unafraid in the face of the foe the Pikachu trembled at. So the Pikachu ended up in front of Matthias, looking around for his opponent, failing to notice the miniscule bug. Only when it felt light waves of electricity was it able to locate the Joltik, brushing aside the Thunder Wave as he could not be paralyzed by electric moves. It leaped forward with a Quick Attack to slam into the Joltik, able to pinpoint it's location by the light electric waves emitted by all Electric Pokemon.

The Buizel, agile and lanky, neatly jumped out of the way of the attack, careful not to fall into the water, and taking a breath, released a forceful jet of water to blast his opponent, the ground type with a Water Gun.

Ashbel's cocky grin quickly changed to displeasure as he saw the plans of the wild Pokemon begin to unfold. With a new found snarl on his face Ashbel took a step forward to give his command, his entire body getting into the heat of the battle.
"Sten, dont let that thing hit you! Feint into a Substitute instead!" He shouted.
Sten did just as Ashbel ordered. With a bone rattling clamp the Hippo shut his mouth and took a step back, a sand image of himself standing where he was just moments ago. Not but a moment after the decoy was created did the blast of water hit the substitute.
"He's going to need some help with this one Aine." The boy snarled.
Before Ashbel could even finish his sentence the Fennekin was cheerfully scaling down the boys body like a goat on a mountain. Without hesitation of the overpowering water type aine took her place next to the larger than life Hippopotas.
"Aine give him an Attract to keep him distracted!" The boy ordered.
With the sandstorm now full force Ashbel had to squint his eyes to watch as his plan began to unfold on the battle field. His Fennekin, Aine hopping onto Sten's back before shooting the Buizel a wink.

Matthuas winced - even combined, Ashbel's Poke's would have a tough time here. Joltik was hit by the unexpected Quick Attack, which refocused Matthias on the problem at hand. "Joltik, retaliate with Cross Poison!" The little bug made an affirmative sound, and dashed forward to attack. A purple X appeaered near Pikachu's torso, as Joltik used his tiny appendages for the fairly powerful move. Matthias was hesitant to use Skorupi just yet, knowing the little guy would fall prey to Static if he used a move that made contact with Pikachu... but Buizel didn't have a defense like that. "Go, Skorupi! Use Bite on Buizel!" His other Poke came to the battlefield in a flash, and swiped his pincers menacingly before darting forward, fangs at the ready to chomp down on the unsuspecting Water-Type.

(D: 4 vs 2...)

The Buizel seemed surprised to find the sand image there instead, and moved closer to give it a daub with it's paw before shrinking back. Finding no response, it lashed out at it with it's tail and marveled at the sturdiness of it when he only managed to hurt his forked tail. It suddenly caught sight of the Fennekin just in time to catch the wink, and was immediately infatuated by the pretty, lithe, cream furred pokemon. It would hesitate to fight her, but did not have trouble fighting other pokemon as it used a second Water Gun on the Substitute. Immediately if was caught off guard by an interloper, one who attacked from the side. Buizel tried to lash out with a forepaw to dislodge the Scorpion hanging painfully from his side, raging. A love rival? He would not have his Fennekin! Flicking him off with a swift twist and turn, it broke into an Aqua Jet to rocket towards the Skorupi in a manner similar to a torpedo.

The Pikachu stumbled back as it stared at the 'X' on it's chest. Hoping the Joltik hadn't climbed on to him; it didn't want ticks and mites on it, and in any case, it would then turn difficult to locate the source of electricity, it began Growling to appease the Joltik and lower it's attack.

"Wonderful work Aine. It would be such a shame to break the poor things heart so soon. Why not give that rat a bit more love, hm? Why not warm him up with an Ember?"
Aine let out a squeal of excitement as she turned from the Buizel to give her attention instead to the panicking Pikachu. With an energetic hop Aine dismounted from her vantage point on top of Sten and instead pranced over towards the side of the yellow Pokemon. Aine allowed her mouth to narrowly droop open before exhaling a torrent of red and orange particles, each one burning hot as they floated through the sandstorm towards the unknowing Pikachu. Ashbel smirked as he watched the chaotic battlefield unravel, sure that such an easy victory was in the bag. However he couldn't help but be somewhat angry at how Matthias had interrupted his battle, even if it was against the Buizel he was sure that his team could have pulled through.
"Oi Sten!" Ashbel shouted to get the now drowsing Pokemon's attention. "Dont just stand there, hit that Buizel with a bite while he's distracted!"
With yet another yawn of momentary defiance Sten came to a leisurely stand. He locked his eyes onto the Water type before once again starting up his stampede towards the Pokemon, mouth hanging open viciously.

Matthias shielded his eyes with his hand - that sandstorm was getting intense. Joltik and Skorupi were both taking damage from it slowly, but it would gradually wear on them pretty badly... Joltik's Attack was lowered due to Growl, but there wasn't much he could really do about that. Seeing the incoming Ember, though, gave him an idea. "Joltik, Skorupi, switch targets! Joltik, use Thunder Wave on Buizel!" As he said that, Skorupi took the Aqua Jet attack head on, unable to move fast enough to dodge. Cursing under his breath, he watched Skorupi scramble to its feet, preparing to attack. "Skorupi, get back and line up Pin Missile to travel through the Ember attack at Pikachu!" Jumping away from Buizel and out of Joltik's line of fire, Skorupi lowered his body closer to the ground, a calculated expression on his face. His Ability, Sniper, typically only boosted critical hit damage - but Skorupi took it so seriously that he was, occasionally, capable of some impressive shots with his single Ranged attack. Joltik's Compund Eyes allowed it to see easily through the shifting sands, and he released a pulse of electrical energy at Buizel again, hoping to set the big hippo-Pokemon up for an easy Bite. PEW! PEW! PEW! Matthias heard the sound of Skorupi's Pin Missile going off, and saw a trio of brightly shining needles zip through the battlefield. They passed right through Ashbel's Fennekin's - no, Aine's Ember attack, speeding up the small bursts of fire and giving them a bit more power, heading straight for Pikachu. Matthias grinned - now THAT was a cool combination attack!

The Pikachu got a look similar to the Skorupi, keenly concentrated, and batted the flames aside with a vicious blow of its tail, with apparent effort, towards the Joltik, now that it was away and it could sense its light electricity. If the Mite hopped away, the attack would drop and harmlessly fizzle into the water. However, the Pikachu's tail was badly singed and now an ineffective ground. Pikachu's electricity would now be uncontrolled and erratic, striking perhaps anybody, even it's own watery ally, Buizel, or in rare cases, itself. Blissfully unaware, shaking its ears to get rid of the sand, it bounded forward and released an unusually large Thundershock which flew towards Skorupi. Puzzled, it sat back on it's haunches. Now only had the attack been uncommonly big, it had been aiming at the Fennekin, not Skorupi. Brushing aside the matter, it suddenly caught sight of the lumbering Hippopotas with gaping maw, heading his way. Cowering, quivering, waiting the collision and impact, the apparent unavoidable strike, it was surprised when the Hippo pokemon waddled past.

The Buizel had jumped into the water for a quick rehydration and jumped back out, refreshed and quirky. It agilely bounded away from the Joltik, the tiny electrical bug which spelled defeat, almost into the Hippopotas' attack. Nearly caught up in the Bite, as soon as the ground type's lip touched the Weasel, it shuddered and impulsively, instinctively performed an incomplete Aqua Jet, shrouding itself in water which would possibly invariably hurt the Hippopotas upon contact but did not shoot off into any direction, merely hovered in it's protective veil of water.

Aine happily jumped around watching as her flames began to spread to the opponent. It wasn't until Ashbel's Fennekin noticed the giant thundershock did her smirk begin to fade away.
"Ah, Aine-!"Ashbel started.
However the trainers efforts were in vain as he watched the almost instantaneous flash of lightning strike off of the Pikachu and jolt square into Aine's side. Ashbel began to take off into a sprint towards the battle ground to help his injured friend up before reminding himself of where he was. The boy regained his composure.
"Aine! You cant let a single hit take you down!" He shouted towards the Fennekin.
As soon as Ashbel began to call out her name Aine came to a clamoring stand, obviously weak from the thunderbolt.
"Show him another ember attack. Common Aine, get back on your feet!" Ashbel commanded.
Aine quickly fired off yet another blast of fire fueled particles. Smoothly flowing towards their yellow mark. The Fennekin violently shook her head to and fro to get out of her daze, her smile returning as she began to quickly hop around. Not only was this Aine's way of blowing off her excess energy, but it was the best way the Pokemon had to be ready to dodge any upcoming attacks.
Sten was no where near ready for the seemingly professional dodge from Buizel. Lucky for him the aqua jet was not set up to be an attack but rather an escape. The large hippo like Pokemon began to thrash his head around wildly to get the splattered water off of his overly dry skin. While the attack was not the most painful it definitely left the Pokemon in a state of disarray, like blowing into a cats face.
"Sten, kick up some Sand!"
The hippopotas stopped ravenously swaying his body around and looked up at the Buizel, his eyes squinting as he tried to get the water out of them. Without another seconds notice the large Hippo like Pokemon once again let sand exhaust from his back, but this time instead of steadily floating through the air it shot towards the hovering Buizel like a cannon.

Matthias's excitement over the improvised combination attack disappeared the moment Pikachu deflected it, and his eyes widened when he saw the projectiles flash towards Joltik. He opened his mouth to warn Joltik, but immediately his mouth was filled with sand, bringing on a coughing fit. He could only watch in horror as the attack blind-sided his tiny friend, and a sigh of relief came out of him when Joltik stood uneasily. Spitting out the last few grains of sand, Matthias made sure to partially cover his mouth before giving instructions. "Joltik, Screech at Buizel! Skorupi, follow up with another volley from Pin Missile!" A short, piercing cry came from Joltik, and he could barely see the path the move was taking as it distorted the sandstorm. Skorupi dug his feet in and began snapping his tail forward, releasing a barrage of needles at Buizel. PEW! PEW! PEW! PEW! The small, glowing needles shot through the sandstorm, making a beeline towards his target.

The Buizel, confronted by two attackers, decided to take on it's main rival, the Skorupi. It would fight for the Fennekin - still infatuated as it was - and prove he was worthy. It bounded forward to agilely twist around the needle, a couple still striking it's rapidly drying skin, with the sandstorm beating down on its side, it released a Water Gun at the Skorupi.

The Pikachu was furthur singed by the fire, squealing in pain as the fur on it's flank burned up, leaving a dark mark there. It clenched it's teeth and hissed through them, flicking it's tail as it began to burn. Ears twitching, it released a bigger Thundershock, actually squeezing it's cheeks with effort, and it time the electricity obeyed, shooting towards the Fennekin.

Ashbel grimaced at the power of the thunderbolt. He began to watch in awe as the mouse charged up its bolt and fired it straight towards his Pokemon. Yet he hesitated, his words refused to escape. He wanted to shout at his Fennekin to move, or at least tell her to watch out, but the best he could do was shield his eyes as the flash of electricity threatened to blind him. As soon as the noise had subsided he moved his hands from his face and looked at the point of impact. Sand from the still raging storm had been turned to still smoldering glass where the Pikachu had struck. Luckily for both him and Aine the Fennekin had been just quick enough to feign the bolt of electricity. Ashbel let out an audible sigh of relief as he pointed towards the Pikachu.
"Good going Aine. Don't let him get off any more of those quick Bolts, try and get in there for a Scratch!" Telling his Pokemon to get in harms way was never Ashbel's style, but after seeing how deadly the Pikachu's ranged firepower was the boy only hoped that it was less deadly up close where it could shock itself as well. The Fennekin didn't waste any time to admire its handiwork in dodging the shock, instead it used its opportunity of movement to jolt towards the Pikachu, as it grew near it raised its front right claw in preparation, her sharp nails sticking out and ready for the swipe. Despite having grown up around it, even Aine couldn't help starting to get worn out from the constant buffering of the sandstorm and rage of the battle.
As Ashbel turned his attention back towards Sten he felt his blood boil as the Buizel completely ignored his large oaf like Pokemon. With a groan he pointed his finger away from the Pikachu and towards the Buizel in preparation for his command.
"Sten, don't let that small thing ignore you! Get in there and show him who's boss with a Bite attack!" Sten rose to a stand, he had seemingly been daydreaming amidst the battle field however the command of his trainer had shaken him from whatever magical things his mind had been pursuing. With a bellow of sand whaffing out of the Pokemons nostrils as he took a massive breath he began his charge once more towards the Slippery Weasel.