All the Pokémon Centers of the big cities needed to have available training grounds and proper places to hold pokémon battles. The League did not play about that. The same could be said about the Pokémon Center of Viridian, despite the circumstances at the entrance caused by the Team Rocket attack, the battlefields at the back were perfectly fine.
Standing on opposite sides of the field, Vanessa stared down at her opponent. There was little she truly knew about Andrew, but she knew that his starter was a Sandshrew that he acquired not too long ago and that he wanted to become a Ground-Type Specialist. This was enough for her to work with.
Misty was standing at the referee post, holding a whistle and a pair of flags, things common in battles held in places like this. The ginger girl was looking especially serious about this task, a stark contrast to the boy by her side and his Pikachu, both looking at the field with starry eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.
The most surprising thing for Vanessa was not them, but the extra company that they somehow managed to gather. The audience seats, although not fully taken, had enough people waiting to watch their match and that kinda freaked her out. The best thing she could do was to try and ignore them. Her hands were sweating and cold, and her heart was racing, a familiar feeling she felt before every battle, but this time it felt different. This was her first real pokémon battle since her journey officially started.
The sound of a loud whistle startled her and took her out of her stupor.
"Trainers take your position and take out your pokémon!" Misty announced in an impressively loud voice. "This will be a one-on-one battle! On this side we have Trainer Vanessa, she will be facing Trainer Andrew!"
Vanessa made a mental note about how seriously Misty was taking her referee role. Wondering briefly about how many times her friend must have witnessed or actually served as a referee for her sister's gym battles. Still, the girl knew this was not the time to think about this, she had a battle to win.
"Time to shine, buddy!" Vanessa said feeling the excitement, "Let's show them how it's done!"
"Gassstly~" Shade cried out, emerging from her shadow and floating towards the battlefield giggling loudly and mischievously, earning gasps and shivers from the crowd of unsuspecting onlookers.
"Show off!" Vanessa muttered and snorted amusement at his antics.
"Time to battle, let's have fun, Dune!" Andrew had a look burning with determination as he yelled, and tossed his pokéball high, releasing his pokémon into the field.
"Sandshreww!!" His pokémon cried out, paws held like fists and prepared to battle.
"The battle begins now!" Misty announced blowing her whistle and waving a green flag.
Vanessa quickly tried to recall what she knew about Andrew's pokémon. Sandshrew is a pure ground-type, native to more than just Kanto, but here they were found living near cave systems, where they were notorious for creating intricate labyrinths of small tunnel networks that they transverse by curling into balls and rolling through the narrow pathways. Those unassuming little pair of claws in each paw were their biggest tool, but also their biggest asset against treats. This one was young and lacked training, something she and Shade had, and that was enough. She was willing to bet on a quick victory.
"Shade, start with Hypnosis!"
Shade moved forward, his gaseous form swirling ominously as his eyes started glowing with a rich pink color associated with psychic energy as he attempted to lure his opponent to sleep.
"No way! Dune, close your eyes! Use Dig to escape!" Andrew quickly said trying to counter her strategy.
It was truly impressive the power ground types held over the terrain. Andrew's pokémon had managed to successfully avoid getting caught by Shade's move. The sheer speed he had dug through the thick ground was a testament to his species' fame and his bond with his trainer, not wasting a moment to doubt his instructions. Vanessa was impressed at how good of a duo they were showing themselves to be.
"Dune's evasion was perfectly timed! The Hypnosis missed!" Misty announced loudly as she narrated the fight to the audience.
"Keep the pressure up, use Icy Wind on that hole!" Vanessa instructed, earning gasps from the crowd and also a shocked look from her opponent.
Shade wasted no time and moved towards the entrance of the hole Dune had left, gathering a pale blue energy in his mouth before blowing the freezing air into the tunnel.
"What?!" Andrew exclaimed in surprise, before calling out to his pokémon, "You have to get out, Dune, quick!"
The ground suddenly erupted in a burst. Dune rolled towards the opposite side of where Shade was standing, but as soon as he stopped everyone could see the ice formed in his tail and feet. He was panting in pain but remained defiant, growling at his opponent with tears in his eyes.
It was common knowledge that Ice-type moves were super-effective against ground-type pokémon. She had worked on this strategy for when she had to face the Viridian Gym where the gym leader was a ground-type specialist famous for his ruthless overpowering strategies, but this was a good opportunity like any other.
"Oh, look at that! Dune managed to escape but now unscathed! How will Andrew respond?!" Misty once again, announced.
"Let's spice this up, buddy, use Mist!" Vanessa instructed with a calculative look, locked into the battle.
"Gasssly~~~" Shade giggled playfully, while his whole body started to glow with a faint pale blue energy and soon a cold mist was summoned into the field, making it hard for everyone to see, except Shade, of course.
"Once again, Shade surprises everyone! How will Andrew and Dune deal with this?!" Misty excitedly announced, but her eyes widened in surprise just like most people in the audience.
"How?!" Andrew once again exclaimed in surprise and mild annoyance, "Rollout, keep moving! Don't stop!"
Nodoby could truly see what was happening on the field, but they could still hear. Dune was rolling at a very high speed, but the sounds came from everywhere, and it was hard to pinpoint his location.
"Impressive," Vanessa muttered to herself, it was an interesting way to counter her strategy. She wanted to see what her opponent wanted to do, but she should still be alert and watch over her friend, "Keep high, buddy!"
"Poison Sting!" Andrew suddenly commanded. "Make it rain, Dune!"
Vanessa was startled, suddenly there were quick short-lived flashes of purple energy coming from the ground and crossing Shade's mist in an interesting pattern. This made her smile. This was an ingenious way for Andrew and his partner to display their determination against all odds in this fight.
"It's not enough though," The girl quietly commented to herself, "Icy Wind again, full power! Wave Mode!"
It happened too quickly, almost a moment after the words left her, the cold air reached her in a gust. Vanessa had to cover her eyes and protect herself with her arms, she could still hear a loud grunt coming from what was not her partner. The mist had been dissipated in the aftermath of the move, and now everyone could see.
"No, Dune!" Andrew cried out in surprise.
"On another turn of events, Dune is stuck in the ice!" Misty announced like a true referee, earning a loud reaction from the audience.
Dune was in pain, his feet had been frozen and the Sandshrew was trying to carve out the ice with his claws.
"Time to finish this," Vanessa finally said, exchanging a knowing look with Shade. "Hex! Just enough!"
"Gastly!!!" Shade cried out in a serious tone, as his eyes glowed with a eerie purple energy.
Sandshrew suddenly stiffed as he was hit by an invisible thing and suddenly a purple smoke was emerging from inside him. He was definitely in pain, but true to this battle, from start to finish, the little dark yellow pokémon remained defiant, until he suddenly slumped into the ground. Unconscious.
"Dune is unable to battle! Vanessa and Shade are the winners!" Misty finally announced and blew her whistle a final time. The audience cheered. And Ash jumped in excitement.
Andrew reached for his pokéball and recalled his pokémon, saying softly, as he started to walk towards the center of the field "You did an amazing job there, you can rest now. I will make sure to buy you sweet berries later."
Vanessa quickly made her way to meet with her opponent and shake hands. Shade playfully floated in circles around her, laughing and smiling in genuine joy.
"It was a great battle there," The girl offered as they shook hands.
"We lost though," The boy awkwardly replied a bit reluctant to accept the compliment. "You and Shade are on a different level, we did not even manage to land a hit. You don't have to be kind or anything."
"I am not saying this lightly, I mean it," Vanessa pressed in a more serious tone. "You only just started training with Dune, while Shade and I have gone a long way already, and yet you still managed to counter some of our strategies in clever ways that I did not imagine before."
"Gass! Gass! Gass!" Shade energetically said encouragingly nudging the boy.
"See? Even he agrees!" The girl pointed out the obvious in amusement, "This battle was fun, right?"
The blond boy was still reluctant to accept her words, but at her question, he nodded his head and smiled, "It was really fun. Dune was excited about it too and I just know he will be nagging me to train as soon as he wakes up and is released by Nurse Joy. Thank you."
"Vanessa!" Ash called out running towards them and barely avoiding a collision, out of breath he said. "It was so so cool! Shade was amazing out there! And you- your Sandshrew looked so strong and brave! Dune looked like a badass!"
"Language!" Misty suddenly said glaring at the boy, appearing like a ghost. Before addressing the others, "That was an amazing battle you two had. Congratulations. Ah, I didn't know Gastly could use those Ice-type moves by the way. The audience was so shocked."
"I know right?!" Andrew exclaimed in righteous surprise. "I watched all of Lady Agatha's public battles and her Gengar never uses Ice-type moves, like... ever! You caught me off guard with that one!"
"Gasss!" Shade snorted in disdain at his comment.
"Oh, sensitive topic," Vanessa warned the boy, looking over her partner, "He is hellbent on defeating my auntie's Gengar one day, ah, and his nickname is Shadow by the way. Although we are related, I am not my grandaunt and Shade is not her Gengar. We are doing this our little way."
"You are are her grand-niece then..." Misty commented with a knowing look.
"He had a nickname?!" Andrew asked and looked like was going to pass out. "How come I don't know that?"
"It's for family use only, he dislikes and strangers call him like that..." Vanessa explained though she looked a little embarrassed. "He is kind of a loner guy."
"Gass!" Shade said in annoyance.
"So... is it my turn now?" Ash asked with an expectant gaze. "Pikachu and I are so ready for this!"
Vanessa pondered over the offer and once again silently communicated with her Gastly through knowing looks, before both of them shook their heads (in Shade's case, his whole body) in denial.
"Wait, what?! Why not?" Ash asked in indignation.
"We both agree that you two could use some time before we have a face-off," The girl argued, trying to sound as reasonable as possible without sounding condescending. "You met with Pikachu yesterday, Ash.. you don't even know how many moves he knows."
"That's not fair!" The boy argued back, visibly upset. "You saw what we could do, you saw when we fought Team Rocket!"
"Pikachu!" His partner said nodding vehemently in support of his trainer.
Vanessa was about to go back on her decision, unwilling to hurt their feelings, despite her better judgment. However, someone finally spoke up.
"She is right, Ash," Misty said looking reluctant, but also understanding of the situation. "You don't know what Pikachu can do yet, she is right. You watched their battle too. You saw how she was in sync with Shade here and you also did what Dune and Andrew pulled off there."
Ash was about to argue more, but before he could speak another word someone interrupted him.
"When we reach Cerulean!" Vanessa stated with a firm and resolute tone.
"What?" The boy asked, confused.
"I am saying we can have our proper battle when we reach Cerulean City after we face the gym, that is my offer," Vanessa said and quickly elaborated on her explanation. "By then you will have bonded more with your starter and any other pokémon that joins your team. It will be a proper and fair battle."
Ash stared back at her eyes in silence, Pikachu was also looking at her with a thoughtful look. He was incredibly expressive by the way.
"Sounds cool to me though," Andrew suddenly interjected letting out a whistle and scratching his head. "Our battle was fun, I am not gonna lie, but she kinda wiped the floor with us. I will prepare for our rematch and Dune will definitely land a hit this time!"
Ash looked at the other boy for a moment then back to Vanessa. They could practically hear the gears on his mind, as he reached a decision. It was probably the quietest he had been since they met him. Finally, he let out a long sigh and... smiled.
"Promise?"
Vanessa felt like a boulder had been lifted off her shoulders, "I promise."
"You can't go easy on us, right, Pikachu?!" He added firmly.
"Pika-Pika!"
"I will give my best, same with my team," She replied with a determined tone. "You have my word as a Pokémon Trainer."
"Gasss~" Shade commented while giggling at them.
Misty rolled her eyes, but couldn't hide her smile, "You two are so dramatic."
"What are you guys doing after this?" Andrew asked, looking genuinely curious. "I will have Dune checked up and fixed by Nurse Joy and it will probably take a while. I-I was wondering if you guys would want to hang out?"
"We are leaving," Ash replied looking mildly apologetic, but not that much.
"Already?" The blond boy asked visibly dejected.
"It's only me and him, don't worry," Misty said petting the boy on the back in a reassuring manner. "Vanessa will stay for a little longer."
"Wait, you guys aren't traveling together?" Andrew asked, visibly confused. "I thought you guys were like... a group."
"We are friends!" Vanessa firmly replied to that, feeling a little weird to say that out loud.
"And rivals!" Ash added without losing a beat, not without pointing to the black-haired girl, "She said it would be better if we traveled on our own, but she also promised to meet up now and then and also to call."
"I will make sure he stays alive until we meet again," Misty added with a wink as she shot a look at the other girl.
"I see..." Andrew said trying to avoid further tension, looking at Vanessa he couldn't help but ask, "What is your next step though?"
The girl blinked at the question and replied with an unreadable look, "To find another team member."
"Ah! I understand..." Misty said looking at her sympathetically.
"Understand what?" Ash asked with a frown.
"You need a minimum of two pokémon on your party to challenge your first gym according to league regulations," The ginger explained, not unkindly. "You should know that by the way, didn't you read the regulations?"
Ash visibly blushed and glared at her, "She has two pokémon! Her Magikarp!"
"Kaika is far too young and untrained, she won't be ready for the challenge in time," Vanessa interjected, not wanting things to escalate. "By all means, I can challenge the first gym, but I don't want to put this amount of pressure on Shade."
"Gastly!Gastly!" Her starter argued loudly.
"I know you can do it and that you are powerful, we talked about this..." She said admonishing her partner, and then looked at her other friends. "I want to find a third team member and that... could take a while."
"Do you have one in mind?" Misty asked, noticing the concern in her friend's voice. "The Pewter Gym specializes in Rock types. Grass and water types would be the best option. Water types are the best of course!"
"There are lots of Grass types in the forest!" Andrew exclaimed, trying to be helpful.
"The forest? Perfect!" Ash exclaimed in excitement, "Since I have to have more pokémon on my team, I am gonna catch one there! I am so excited!!!"
"Pikapika!" His pattern cheered in support.
Something about his words made Misty's eyes darken, but she did not comment. She did look constipated though. However, Vanessa knew better than to ask.
"I guess this is it then," The boy said looking at Vanessa, "I won't say goodbye."
"How about a 'see you later'?" She offered with a small smile. "I will take some time to reach Pewter, but we will meet in Cerulean, ok?"
"Deal!" He replied laughing.
"You have to take good care of Pikachu, don't forget!"
"Right right... you starting to sound like my mom!" Ash replied.
"Pika!!!" Pikachu rolled his eyes.
Vanessa was happy to see them off, but suddenly she was tackled and she almost fell. Before she could react, she was held tightly by Misty in a hug that felt like a Kingler's grip.
"Take care, ok?" The girl said in a low voice, almost a whisper in her ear. "I will take care of that idiot so don't worry too much."
"Thank you..." Vanessa replied in a similar tone, "Take care of yourself too, ok?"
Misty released her from her grip and nodded in agreement, she then gestured to Ash, "Come on, we should get going. You will set up camp, just so you know!"
"I didn't ask you to!" Ash said, following after her, but not before waving at the ones he was leaving behind, "See you all later!"
"Are they gonna be fine on their own?" Andrew asked with an amused and fairly concerned tone.
"Gass..." Shade also said looking at their friends' retreating forms.
"I am sure they will be ok..." The girl replied trying to sound firm, but deep inside, she was anything but, her instincts were telling her otherwise for some reason.
"I-I I have something to say!" The blond boy stuttered, looking uncertain and nervous, but upon looking at the pokéball he held in his hand, he calmed himself. "I want to travel with the two of you!"
Vanessa looked caught off guard by that and she must have let it show because the boy pleaded his case almost immediately.
"First, won't be rivals, I am not taking on the League challenge this season, like I said before," Andrew said, tackling the obstacle he judged the most important one after hearing the reason why she refused Ash, "Also... I truly believe Dune and I could learn a lot from watching you and Shade. I- I also swear it's not because you are related to Lady Agatha! I promise! I don't even need an autograph! Plus... it could be fun... right?!"
"Gastly! Gass! Gasss!!!" Shade excitedly nudged his trainer.
Vanessa looked between the frantic Gastly and the expectant boy, pondering what to go and the best way forward. Shade was definitely up for this, which did not come as a surprise to her in all honesty. He liked both Andrew and Dune and he was surprisingly a great judge of character. Still, part of her felt guilty. She had said no to Ash and Misty, what if they saw this the wrong way? Plus, she kinda just met this boy, so why should she accept his company? He made some good arguments though...
Finally, she let out a long and painful sigh, hesitating a bit before finally making a decision.
"Fine!" She replied, before she lost the courage, "Let's meet up tomorrow here by mid-day at the Pokémon Center, alright? Dune needs some rest and... you should probably prepare yourself for the travel. All the necessary stuff for you and your team. Talk to your parents... that will all take a while."
"Oh, that's on me for being impulsive," The boy awkwardly replied in embarrassment, but before he finally moved to go heal up his pokémon, he said, "You don't have to worry too much if this doesn't work I can always come back home or go my own way."
"That's not what I-!" She tried to explain, but he ran off first, "... what I meant."
"Gasss~" Shade giggled.
Vanessa clicked her tongue in annoyance, "Who's side are you on anyway?"
"Gasssstly!"
"You're the worst!!"