Wrenches and Toxins and Bugs

Axel sat on a stump in the middle of a small clearing, wishing he had bought a map before just running off without a plan. Cyrus was currently napping on his knee, softly snoring. Hard to believe this little guy would one day become the team-wrecking Nidoking... But that was the way of Pokemon. They started as cute little guys and then became big ol' monsters. Axel absentmindedly scratched behind Cyrus's ear as he looked around at the trees, often catching a glimpse of Pokemon flitting between shadows. Occasionally a bigger shadow would swing or buzz between trees, and once Axel thought he saw a Slakoth slowly making it's way through the brush.

"Hey... Wake up little fella." Axel whispered. Cyrus's ears perked up, and his eyes slowly opened as he began shaking off his sleepiness. "It's time we started looking for your team mates... And it's time for you to start training. Whaddya say to that?" The only response was Cyrus closing his eyes again. Axel made a tut, tut noise, and then gently shook the Pokemon, who grudgingly woke up. "All right! Let's go!" And hopefully they would find the path again along the way!

Intruders! In his forest? Bah! They would pay for this... In due time. They weren't going anywhere... The large green bug zipped behind a tree as the human turned around. Words were spoken; the Scyther didn't care to listen to then beyond their sound. Hmm. The male didn't seem distraught or scared... Or even lost. The Scyther poked it's head around the tree, and found itself angry once again. No. He would defend his territory from any intruder!

Axel scratched his head. "You know, I could have sworn I heard something... How about you, long ears?" The Nidoran responded by gnashing his teeth angrily at the nickname. "Yeah... Sounded like a big bug. Hmm. Really wishing I had a visitor's guide or something right about now... Might be a really big Dustox or a Heracross for all we know." The Trainsr shrugged. "All right... Let's be a little mote cautious. We don't need angry bugs trying to murder us."

"Holy--- Was that incredibly invigorating music?" Axel shouted. Not a moment before, a big, angry Scyther had swooped down, it's wings creating a furious buzzing noise. And for a moment, the Trainer had thought he had heard riveting music in the distance... But no matter! Scyther was a good Pokemon, and Scizor was even better! Besides, this one had shown initiative, attacking Axel and Cyrus without any real provocation. Axel liked that! "All right Cyrus-- Oh, I see our opponent is taking the first move? All right then!" the young man couldn't help but crack a smile as Cyrus nimbly sidestepped the Scyther's first attack. "Now it's our turn! Toxic Spikes, Cyrus!"

The Scyther hadn't even landed once again before Cyrus began spreading the glowing purple spikes over the little battlefield. The Nidoran began the attack by glowing purple himself, and then dispelling the little spikes all over. Axel grinned again as he watched the Scyther land square on one, and then the entire Pokemon pulsed purple once. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

The Scyther buzzed and snarled in pain as the human shouted with glee. The Pokemon could feel the poison coursing through it's veins... But this wouldn't stop him! It couldn't stop him! He had to repel these invaders! And so the Scyther crossed it's two scythe-like appendages, and softly glowed gold. This was the move Swords Dance, used to increase the intensity of attacks in the near future... And the move that would ensure his victory over this stupid human and his pet... Even if they had managed to poison him.

Axel raised an eyebrow at this tactic, taking a moment before realizing what it was. "Oh... Cyrus. Don't let him hit you." An indignant noise emanated from the Nidoran. "Yeah yeah, I'm on it. All right Cyrus, Double Kick!" Axel said with his usual enthusiasm. Cyrus dipped his head, and then, raising it once again, charged the bug. Whenever a paw went over one of the toxic spikes, he spike seemed to be reabsorbed into Cyrus's body... And then the little Pokemon jumped into the air, and landed right in the Scyther's head with both feet. The Nidoran proceeded to propel himself back towards the ground, out of reach of those scythe-arms. "Good goin' Cyrus."

No... Not now... The Scyther could feel himself slipping out of consciousness. No. No! He still had some fight left in him! And by god, he'd use every last bit of strength he had to destroy these invaders! The Scyther screeched, and then shot into the air. Quickly adjusting himself, the Scyther then rocketed down to the ground, both arms aimed directly at the pesky purple-poison-kicker. And finally! Contact! But it wasn't enough. Only a scratch, but a scratch that sent the little Pokemon careening into a nearby tree. The Scyther's momentum made it impossible to move... And, as the Pokemon sunk into the ground, he let himself succumb to the poison.

Axel stood there, mouth agape. "... Woah... You okay, Cy?" the Trainer asked, a note of concern in his voice. To his dismay, the Nidoran limped from where it had fallen upon hitting the tree, seeming more bruised than broken. The Pokemon nodded slowly, and then sat down beside Axel's foot. "Well... After all your hard work... It would be a waste to see this guy go, wouldn't it?" Axel held an empty Pokeball in his hand. Cyrus looked up, and then resumed being in pain as Axel threw the capturing device.