Marion's Training Session

During the short walk from the lab with the Professor, Marion was enjoying the company of his new partner. The Nincada seemed inquisitive and high-spirited, intrigued by every sight and sound. When it wasn't crawling along the ground, it was climbing up his back or sitting atop his head, the better to see its surroundings. Marion like the Bug-type's personality and spunk, but didn't quite know much else about it. Professor Birch had given him some info already, such as which attacks it knew, but Marion was afraid he might be a poor trainer.

When they had walked outside of the town borders, the Professor stopped to talk for a moment, and Marion worried what exactly would be involved in this "practical exam". He had never been very good at tests.

At any rate, Nincada seemed to be a bit more active that Marion, if more confident, so it wasn't a surprise that the Pokémon was more calm than his trainer as Professor Birch releases a Whismur to the field, before shouting to Marion.

"This is the practical exam, just a battle between you and me, it'll be fun, and I can heal everyone up afterwards, so do your best. Anyway, you and Nincada have the first move!"

Marion stares, a bit dumbfounded as Whismur prances around, ready to go, as he stares a bit unnerved, but at any rate he had to battle, so what would he do?

A battle? Marion knew the basics, but he didn't know if he could do it. He remembered the old credo, "The best offense is a good defense," so he decided his first orders would be:

"Harden, Nincada! Then, um... Scratch attack!"

Nincada leapt excitedly into action against its foe.

Professor Birch grins before he calls to Whismur.

"Well, it seems that this is interesting, Howl up, then Pound that Nincada!"

Whismur is a bit quicker, and as he Howls, Nincada simply Hardens up his defenses. However, Whismur is a bit more pumped, and as Nincada goes to Scratch him, he doesn't get a full hit, but the damage is evened out as Whismur's hit is weakened by the Hardened exterior of Nincada.

Both Pokémon look fresh as Professor Birch calls out new attacks, but what will you do now?

"Whismur, Astonish, then another Pound if you'd please!"

Marion had to think quick if he were going to win this battle. He considered a full out attack, but he decided to use his head and stick with a solid defense.

"Another Harden, Nincada!" he shouted, and tried to recall another of his Pokémon's moves. "Then, um, Leech Life!"

He hoped his strategy would pay off; if he could wear his opponent down, he could win the battle and hopefully come out with only a little damage.

Nincada was a bit surprised at Whismur's Astonishing speed, and he was simply too slow to block the move, however his Harden did block most of the Pound that Whismur fires in revenge. Finally, Nincada leaps on Whismur, and begins Leeching the Life from him, regaining a solid bit of health before Whismur shakes him off. Whismur seems to be quite irratated now, but at any rate, Nincada looks a bit healthier.

What will Marion do now?

Code:

OOC: Btw, I picture Nincada as being female. Just to let you know. :P

Now that Nincada's defense was high and health restored, it was the time to strike.

Marion shouted, "Good job, Nincada! Now, Scratch attack! Then another!"

Professor Birch wasn't pleased, but he seemed confident as he gave his orders.

"Alright then, Whismur Double Team, then Hyper Voice!"

Things are interesting as WHismur forms into three copies of itself, and as Nincada Scratches one, she's a bit shocked that it vanishes into thin air, as the other two snigger. A bit angry, she focuses, and the second Scratch slams into the correct Whismur, who slides back, injured. However, he quickly retaliates with a Hyper Voice, which sends Nincada flying, heavy damage being taken.

Nincada doesn't look too well, even with her defense boosts, and things don't go well, especially as a thick Smokescreen begins to whip around from Whismur's mouth. Nincada's a bit concerned as she can't see Whismur anymore, but Marion has to think of something... what can he do now?

Nincada seemed to be taking a heavy toll during the battle so far. What was worse, neither Marion nor Nincada could see Whismur in the heavy smoke. He had to step up his game if he was going to get through this battle.

"Nincada, Harden again and keep your ears open. The second you hear anything, follow the noise and Scratch attack!"

Whismur, simply Howl for right now"

Things seem strange as Whismur Howls happily, getting yet another boost, as Marion notices the Hardening shine on his bug, who charges towards the voice. Sucessful, Nincada Scratches Whismur hard, but as the normal type picks itself back up, it seems to be angry now... but looks pretty beaten.

At any rate, it seems that Nincada has the upper hand, but what will Marion do now?

Marion saw no reason not to press his advantage. Nincada's defense was sky-high, and she had discovered Whismur in the smoke.

"Let's see if we can finish this up soon, Nincada!" he shouted. "Use Scratch, twice!"

"Pound it in return!"

Things are a bit slow, but either way, the two Pokémon trade off moves, however, Nincada still looks somewhat better off than Whismur, but both aren't doing well at all. But as Birch grins, a bit of malice in his eye, he finally orders.


"Whismur, finish it off with another Hyper Voice!"

Whismur prepares to fire, and you don't have much time. What will Marion do now?

"Hurry, Scratch Whismur before it can attack!" Marion called to his Pokémon. The whole battle hinged on this one chance, and Marion could hardly breath. A big grin was plastered across his face. Pokémon battles weren't just about protection from the outside world. They were exciting!

Things were exciting, even as Nincada charges in with what would be a game ending Scratch. However, Whismur had one final trick in its sleeve, and it simply leaps back a few inches, causing Nincada to miss and overextend, slamming into the ground in front of Whismur, who's finally done charging his attack. Nincada's defenses don't help her in such close range, and she's sent flying backwards, easily unconscious from the blow, as Birch sighs at the same time as Whismur does.

Regardless, as Professor Birch was quickly healing Nincada, you simply thought in elation on just adrenaline on the excitement of the battle, and you really aren't prepared as Whismur is sent flying by something... just what exactly is going on?

Marion hardly even had a moment to congratulate his new Pokémon when suddenly the Professor's Whismur was blown backwards. 'What was that?!' thought Marion, as he rushed over protectively to his Nincada. He thought he heard a rustling sound nearby, so Marion decided to take precautions against whatever he would have to face next.

"Nincada, Harden! Keep your eye out for anything!"

Everyone turns and looks to see that Whismur was clearly unconcious, but was being bounced like a basketball...

by a very cheery, if apparently sadistic Ralts who stares at you and Nincada eagerly. It quickly tosses Whismur away as it gets into a battle stance.

what will you do now?

'Uh, oh,' thought Marion. This was certainly unexpected, especially right after a battle.

He had to think quickly if he wanted his Nincada to come out of this second battle okay.

"Use Scratch on your opponent, Nincada!" he ordered. "Then drain some life with Leech Life!"

Nincada took a battle stance and faced her newest foe.

Ralts grins as Nincada charges her, as suddenly blue balls of fire surround her, and she flings the Will O' Wisp at Nincada, who squeals in pain from the fire. At any rate, she was close enough to where Nincada could latch on with a Leech Life, dealing a conciderable blow to the Psychic, and heals most of the damage. Regardless neither Pokémon looks too happy as Ralts Growls angrily at Nincada, this first round of combat over. What will Marion do, expecially as Ralts begins to glow again...

The deviant Psychic-type was certainly tough, but Marion had faith in his Nincada. The Bug-type was determined to prove herself.

"Alright, Nincada," he said, "Harden against that Ralts's attack, then go in close for a Scratch attack!"

Things are not quite well as Ralts quickly picks Nincada up with Confusion, and slams the bug into the ground for a strong hit. Fortunately Nincada's Harden does spare her some damage, and as she Scratches the psychic type angrily, she's a bit startled by the angry Growl she recieves in return.

What will Marion do now?

"Nincada," Marion shouted hurriedly, "regain some health with a Leech Life, then strike again with Scratch!"

He hoped his Pokémon could overcome her tough opponent.

Ralts is less than pleased as Nincada latches onto her head again, and even less happy when she begins to Leech Life her again. Regardless, Ralts decides to get some revenge, and those familiar Will-o-Wisps appear, and slam right into Nincada's back, creating more burns, and the bug squeals as she lets go, only to get Tackled by the angry Psychic. Nincada recovers quickly, and Scratches in retaliation, sending Ralts back, and neither one looks particuarly well as the round ends. but Ralts starts off by preparing another angry Growl... what will you do now?

Nincada was breathing heavily now, and was beginning to show signs of fatigued. Marion considered cutting his losses and running, but the pair had worked so hard up until now, so there was no point in his mind to press on.

"Boost your defenses again with Harden while your opponent Growls, then go in for another Scratch!"

Nincada seems to pay little attention to its opponent's Growling, as she quickly Hardens yet again for later. However, Nincada quickly charges in, and Scratches Ralts painfully, sending the little Psychic sprawling as it tries to launch a Confusion, but the energy flies wildly away as it slams into a tree somewhere, as Ralts is breathing heavily. However, Nincada doesn't look much better in the long run. What will Marion do now?

"Good job, Nincada," Marion cheered, "now keep up the barrage! Give that psychic-type a double Scratch-attack!"