Squishing Some Bugs

I enter the Fauna City Gym. My excitement and confidence overpowering all other emotions. I walk in, my steps full of powerful determination. Rage was wrapped around my neck like a snake. Growly was in his pokeball. As I walk in, I see a field, lots of moss and trees, and there was Josh sitting down. I approach the field and stop at one end. I look up at Josh and smirk.
I am Ragnarok. I have come to challenge you Joshua.
My voice rang out across the field. Rage crawls down to my side as I stare straight at him.

Joshua smiled. Another challenger to the Gym. There were a lot of new challengers to the Gyms nowadays. These new challengers were also strong, far stronger than many of those challengers that had been at the Gym a long time ago. The rules that were assigned to Gym Leaders were that all challenges had to be accepted. Therefore, Joshua had no choice but to accept these challenges.

"Very well...", Joshua said, in a voice that was quiet yet still somehow managed to travel to the 4 corners of the Gym.

I grin at the acceptance of my challenge. Rage bounced up and down devilishly at hearing this. I took out Growly's pokeball and held it for a moment.
Any special rules I should know about. I ask questioningly.
I tossed Growly pokeball up into the air with a simple flick of my wrist. Growly came out of his pokeball and stood there in front of me. He barked excitedly as he prepared for battle.

"Yes there are. Leaving the battlefield spells instant disqualification for that Pokemon. The battle will also be a 2v2 one.", Joshua explained, in a tone of voice that showed his boredom. Explaining rules was always boring, but it happened every once in a while, given that he was the first Gym Leader.

"Whenever you are ready, you may begin...", Joshua said, as he sent out his Ledyba.

I give a shrug before turning my attention back to the battle. His first pokemon was Ledyba. I brought out my pokedex and it gave me the info on Ledyba. A bug/flying type would be weak against my fire. I raised my hand and gave a snap. Growly went into motion and ran to the right.
Ember Growly NOW! I gave the command to use Ember.
Growly spewed out his Ember attack at Ledyba. As he did so, he jumped up, continuing to shoot it out as he landed on the other side of Ledyba.

Joshua was slightly amused by the fact that the kid would think that his Growlithe would be able to land an attack on Ledyba despite it being unable to fly. Jumping would not mean that the attack would land, because no matter how high that Growlithe could jump, Ledyba could reach even higher by flying.

Joshua commanded Ledyba to fly higher up in order to avoid the Fire attack. In addition to that, Joshua also commanded Ledyba to aim and fire its Supersonic at the Growlithe as it landed, to confuse it and disorientate its landing.

Growly back away slightly. His body tenses up in preparation for what is too come next. I smile slightly as I bring my hand forward to begin the next move. Growly barks impatiently.
Growly use Ember in the area around you.
Growly nodded and spewed out his Ember around. The air around him began to heat up and rise. The Supersonic failed as it reached him. This happened because the rising hot air caused the sound waves to distort.

Joshua watched as the Growlithe's Ember caused the air around it to heat up and expand. This caused a momentous convectional current where the hot air would rise and cooler air would fall to fill up the spot. This movement of the air caused a disruption in Supersonic's attack, disrupting and distorting the sound waves from Supersonic.

Joshua was impressed by the boy's use of Ember in a defensive way. However, Joshua was not perturbed in one bit by the defensive maneuvre that the boy had used. As the attacks died out, Joshua commanded Ledyba to use its Silver Wind attack to attack the Growlithe from a distance, where it would be safer from the Growlithe's Ember attack.

The silver wind came down upon Growly. Growly hugged the ground as best he could and growled his discomfort. The wind blasted at him and Growly bared his teeth in an attempt to keep himself from being blown.

I smirked with pleasure at the opportunity to really test my battling skills. I thought of what I could best do. I noticed how far back Ledyba was and figured he wanted to stay out of range of my Ember. I decided to turn this against Ledyba and bait him.

Growly run forward and as you get close prepare Leer. I commanded.
Growly stood up against the dieing winds. He ran forward, and as he did so his eyes began to glow red and Leer progected itself toward Ledyba.

Ledyba shivered under the bright red glare of the Growlithe's Leer. Joshua, too, noticed the effects of the Leer. Knowing full well what Leer would do, Joshua commanded Ledyba to keep its distance from Growlithe to stop itself from getting hit by any physical attacks. Joshua also commanded Ledyba to use its Silver Wind attack to hit the Growlithe from a distance where the Growlithe would not be able to counterattack from.

I was starting to become annoyed at his little tactic. He was steadily keeping out of range from Growly. I looked over and saw a tree with a long branch that could be really useful. I look back at Ledyba to seem it form Silver Wind. I command Growly to dodge to the right and run to the tree where I have him climb it with great speed and run across the branch. Growly does as I say and leaps from the branch, his muscled legs allowing him to get farther distance. With a flick of my wrist I call out for Growly to use Ember on Ledyba.

Joshua calmly gazed at the tactic his opponent had decided to use. Gaining higher ground against a flying type Pokemon was a fairly viable strategy for fighting against them. Regardless Joshua kept his calm composure as the winds were still rustling around wildly from the previous Silver Wind attack. Joshua took notice of the fire building up in Growly's mouth,noting that it was about to fire off another Ember attack.

"Ledyba...Mach Punch."

Ledyba responded to Joshua's command as it's fists began glowing a brownish color and it charged forward with a burst of speed. Sure he was endangering Ledyba by charging for a direct close-range blow,but Mach Punch was quite fast and he figured in the process he'd also knock Growlithe down from it's perch. Joshua knew Growlithe was a Fire Type pokemon,and he wanted to dispose of that threat...or at least weaken it for his main pokemon.

I watched Joshua and saw what he planned. He was going a little suicidal if you asked me, but apparently he really had faith in Ledyba's speed. I smirked with satisfaction as I raised my hand. I knew the perfect thing to do.
Growly switch up and use Fire Fang. Grab ahold of him and don't let go.
Growly barked at my command, a few flames escaping his mouth. He opened wide as he neared Ledyba and when close enough used Fire Fang on Ledyba's glowing hand.

Joshua smirked curiously as Growlithe had changed from Ember to Fire Fang,as it was sailing towards Ledyba throughout the air...Joshua's mind lit up like a bulb as his plan had pulled off. Since Growlithe was no longer firing a projectile Ledyba could try to confuse it at close range. Joshua watched intently as he called out to his Ledyba to switch it's techniques. Ledyba really only needed to close the distance between them to pull this off.

"Ledyba! Switch up and fire a Super Sonic at the last minute at point-blank range,and try to dodge it as good as you can."

Ledyba nodded in response as it fired out a close-range supersonic,and fluttering it's wings rapidly trying to fly itself out of the Fire Fang's range. Ledyba however ended up wincing in pain as it had got bitten on one of it's forelegs.

I grimaced as I realized Joshua's plan. His super sonic hit Growly and I knew that Growly was confused. It was a good plan in my opinion, but I knew that I could turn this disadvantage into an advantage. Growly began to struggle as it was confused. It's grip loosened and I knew I had to act quick.
Growly I don't know if you can understand me, but use Ember.
I gave the command. I was acting more on a whim and luck. Growly let his grip loose. Confusion crossed his face and he became scared, the opposite of what he usually was. Flames appeared in his mouth and he began to spin around. He fired off ember and let the flames circle around, this caused the distance of the Ember to increase. He was planning to attack everything in sight. I could feel the Embers floating down and some landed on me, but Rage put them out before they could do anything.

Joshua's eyes gazed intentively as he cautiously watched his Ledyba wincing in pain from the fiery bite on it's leg it struggled a little but felt the weight lifted when Growly released it's grip on it's leg due to confusion. Joshua thought he had the upper hand momentarily till he took noticed of flames building up in Growly's mouth again as it had attacked with ember as it plummeted downwards. Joshua panicked a little...as he called out for a Silver Wind attack to propel itself away from the flames

"Ledyba...try to blow the flames away from yourself with Silver Wind! Hang in there I know your hurting but use this to evade!"

Ledyba flapped it's wings rapidly as it created a silvery gust of wind and powders towards Growly...the Silver Wind blew hard as Ledyba used the draft from the wind to uplift itself and attempt to fly out of the way of the Embers...as it winced in pain from it's burn.

I smirked as I watched Ledyba use Silver Wind to dodge. Ledyba was badly hurt and it was only a matter of time before it was finished. Growly landed on the ground and was rampaging about. This wasn't good, but I had to keep my cool. It was only a matter of time before the confusion wore off anyways. Growly ran about upon the ground. He fired off Ember at everything and everybody in site. Rage was able to protect me from the Ember, but I knew that I had to do something before it was too late. Suddenly Growly charged forward toward the same tree and prepared to use Fire Fang upon it.

Joshua eye'd his Pokemon cautiously as the exhausted Ledyba was flapping it's wings and firing off it's Silver Wind,to evade. Ledyba was certainly hurt badly and nearly down for the count as Leer and Fire Fang took it's toll. Joshua was getting a bit tense when he eye'd his Pokemon carefully,Ledyba began glowing a faint color that matched the silvery sheen of it's Silver Wind. It became more vigorous and confident as it's movements grew somewhat quicker.

"Once more Ledyba! You've still got some fight left in you,charge after it with a Mach Punch! Dish out some damage before your out!"


Ledyba nodded in response,wincing in pain slightly from it's burn. It was hurt but had a little bit of fight left in it as,it's fists began glowing a darker and more powerful seeming Mach Punch than before as it shot forward towards Growly like a bullet getting shot from a gun,Ledyba has gotten lucky,the previous Silver Wind jacked up all it's stats somewhat. It had grown slighty faster and it's physical attacks became slightly stronger.

I started to become excited from the battle. My eyes shined with a psychotic pleasure. I watched Ledyba's movements, and felt the end coming soon. Growly growled, flames spilling from his mouth. His movements started to become more controlled and normal. I knew that the confusion had worn off. I grinned and raised my hand.
Growly bounce off the tree and use Fire Fang to on Ledyba. Lets finish this NOWW!
Growly responded to my command expertly. He leaped onto the tree of the trunk and used that to bounce off and launch toward Ledyba. He opened his mouth wide. The flames covered his entire mouth and I then snapped my fingers. This signaled for Growly to attack and hold nothing back.
Growly if Ledyba even thinks of dodging then continue the attack and don't give in.

Joshua smirked confidently behind his usually calm,quiet and composed face. This boy sure was a gutsy battler,with an offensive and rough around the edges fighting style,and he was doing quite well for someone his age. But Joshua was more experienced in Pokemon battling than this kid. Yes Ledyba had the type disadvantage but Joshua had the skill to overcome it. With a calm voice confident in his abilities he ordered Ledyba to strike the final blow before it was knocked out.

"Ledyba,thrust forward with speed and strike at it with Mach Punch! Full Power!"

Joshua knew well enough that Ledyba was hurt but if he could take out Growlithe this fight would become much easier. As the lady bug pokemon charged at Growlithe,which was charging up flames in it's mouth it thrusted it's fists forward,intending for a head-on collision with Growlithe. The two pokemon soon collided with a blast of air and flames around the area,and the loud boom resulting from the impact.

I nodded in satisfaction with the outcome of the battle. I could tell that Ledyba wasn't one to take damage well. Considering how hurt it already was from my fire attacks, it should be down. Growly on the other hand would be close but not out. These were my assumptions, and I was pretty sure about them. As the attacks collided, I stood there watching intently with Rage now on my shoulders. The explosion sent out a shockwave and the wind and fire combined together. The vegetation began to catch afire and I this caused me to laugh with pleasure. Smoke billowed around and I waited for it to clear.
Its time to see the winner of this round.
I first saw Growly. He was barely standing, one knee on the ground. His tongue hung out and his eyes were droopy. He was huffing and puffing from exhaustion. This battle had taken quite a toll on him.

Joshua stared widely as the dust had settled on his side of the battlefield,his eyes were alarmed as some of the vegetation caught fire but singed out fairly quickly.That was a relief for sure he didn't want his gym getting destroyed afterall. The dust had cleared and settled on his side of the arena finally...Ledyba was on the ground and knocked unconscious, he was done. Joshua pulled out two Poke Balls on one he pressed a button and returned Ledyba to rest,the other he had thrown out and smirked.

"Ledyba,you did very well, good job....But now. It's your call! Scyther! Start off with a Quick Attack!"

The Poke Ball bounced along the floor as a large mantis looking Pokemon with large wings and bladed arms appeared,it appeared quite ferocious and agile at that. Joshua was confident in Scyther's abilities as it was much more conditioned than his Ledyba was especially in the areas of speed. Hearing Joshua's call the Scyther had dashed forwards towards Growlithe's position zig-zaging as it dashed swiftly,it's movements almost ninja-like for a Pokemon.

I grin with excitement from the battle and the fact I was so close to that badge. I watched him recall Ledyba. I began to wonder what was his next pokemon. I looked over at Growly. He panting had slowed and he had started to breath normal again. I could tell he was still tired and because of that last Mach Punch he wouldn't be able to go another hit, especially against Scyther.
Growly lets make this not beat around the bush. We will help out Rage the best we can. Use Fire Fang just when he gets close to you.
Growly barked at the command, flames already starting to form in his mouth. His hind legs began to tense up and he semi-sat on them to prepare himself. As Scyther neared, his eyes began to shine with a burning passion. Right when Scyther was ready to attack, Growly launched off his hind legs and bit down on Scyther's body. He let loose all his power in the Fire Fang as he bit harder and intended not to let go.

Joshua's eyes widened as he gazed at his challenger. That was the problem with fire type Pokemon they had bundles of energy and vigor. Joshua smirked as he had hatched a plan in his mind. He figured he could power up to take out that Dratini of his if he built up momentum with Fury Cutter! Joshua smirked but resumed his calm expression,he was very confident in Scyther's speed and power.

"Scyther! Attack him with Fury Cutter! Hack him to pieces!"

Scyther dashed forward,closing the distance between the two with much speed,it knew well enough it would need to proceed cautiously around the fire type,but that it was also worn out as well. Scyther's arm scythes began glowing a green color as it began hacking and slashing towards it's opponent.

I grinned and laughed out loud. Tears were brought forward as my love for battle took a hold.
You want to keep going. Lets fight fight fight. Go Growly.
Growly barked and braced himself. His body began to tense up, and I realized a plan that I could do. It was quite brilliant if you asked me, and would hopefully bring Scyther close to its end.
Growly at the last moment jump back and fire Ember.
Flames formed in his mouth in response to my command. As Scyther neared, Growly took up its stance. Right before Scyther's blades reached him he jumped back. He let loose the Ember upon Scyther. The momentum of it pushed him back farther and more out of reach of him. I grinned to myself and my eyes shone with great lust for battle.