Tobias' Training Session

Tobias gathered his supplies hurriedly, and stuffs it in his bag. He runs out the door, Swablu nearly falling off, and looks around. He see's the Professor walking off towards Route 101, but doesn't hurry, instead taking the time while walking to use his PokéDex. He pointed it at his Swablu and pressed the button.

"Swablu, the Cotton Bird Pokémon. Swablu loves cleanliness and is quick to wipe of any unclean surface with its cotton-like wings," it read off in a mechanical voice. Tobias looked at the screen, discovering that his Swablu was female. "Hmmm..." he murmered, " I think I'll name you Cotton. I'm sure you can understand why." Cotton chirped, pleased to be bonding with her new trainer.

He arrived at Route 101 with Birch, and he awaited further instruction.

Professor Birch grins as he looks at the two of you, before he calls out.

"Well Tobias, the first and only test is a battle between you and me, you have the honor, and I wish you the best of luck. Now Whismur, I need your help!"

Tobias and Cotton stare dumbfounded at the Whismur that was looking at them strangely, but as the Pokémon stares, Cotton grins at Tobias, what will the two of you do now?

Tobias' eyes widened as he heard Birch explain that he was going to battle Tobias. Sure, Tobias' parents had taught him plenty about battling, but he had always expected to be able to train and get used to his Pokémon first, he had barely named Cotton! He definitely didn't know what kind of attacks she had. He decided to check the Dex, and, looking down to the screen that still read Cotton's stats, and then discovered that she knew Peck, Growl, and Astonish.

Now what could he do with that.... After thinking for a second, he told Cotton, "Now, Cotton, this is our first battle, so do your best. It doesn't matter if you lose, you're at the disadvantage, but we just might win if you try hard enough, so use Astonish twice."

"Whismur, start off with your own Astonish, then Pound!"

As Professor Birch gives his orders, Cotton and Whismur charge each other, but it seems that the small bit of time that it took Cotton to get airborne hurts, as while both are surprised, WHismur recovers faster, Pounding Cotton hard before taking another light hit from an Astonish. Neither looks too injured, even as Birch calls for more commands.

"Now Whismur, Howl, then another Pound!"

what will Tobias do?

Tobias was vaguely surprised by move choice, but nonetheless, he was prepared
"Cotton," he called, "he's gonna howl, but don't be scared. Growl right back. Dodge the Pound and then come right back with a Peck.

As it was, Cotton's Growl simply served as a way to keep it from hearing the chilling Howl, but as Whismur grins, and charges, Cotton gets some altitude, forcing Whismur to jump up to get him. Unfortunately for the normal type, Cotton had waited for this, and slams into him with a Peck, dealing solid damage and sending Whismur into the ground painfully. Cotton chirps in the air as Whismur slowly picks itself up, and the normal type is not pleased. WHat will the two of you do now?

"See Cotton, I told you we had a chance," Tobias said, smiling. Cotton chirped with pleasure, and then gave an interrogatory "Blu?" as if asking what to do next.
Thinking for a second, Tobias replied, "Growl again, and if it looks like it's gonna attack you, use Astonish as a dodge and attack. Otherwise, just Peck it.

"Whismur, time for Double Team, then show it your secret weapon, Hyper Voice!"

Whismur grins, and as Cotton Growls, it simply doesn't care, and as he finishes, Whismur suddenly was a trio, as three of the pink mammals appear ready to crush Cotton. Regardless, Cotton is calm, and as he notices the markings of the attack, he dives in, and astonishes one Whismur....

and was wrong, as two Whismur blast him with energy and loud noises. The Swablu had now taken heavy damage, and as it was slow to get up, the two Whismur grin as Birch calls out again.

"Whismur, Smokescreen, and Pound if it actually finds you!"

As dark smoke begins to billow from the Whismur, things don't look good. What can Tobias do now?

Tobias winced as Cotton got hit, and quickly began to think of a new strategy. Unable to see anything, he hoped Cotton would hear him and stay calm.

"Cotton," he called, "Fly around in the smoke looking for Whismur, if you find it, use two Pecks. We still have a good chance!"

Cotton simply dives down into the smoke, and much to Whismur's surprise, the two collide, and the normal type is flung out by a Peck. Either way, Cotton whirls around again and the Pound and Peck collide, and fight for a bit before Whismur wins out, shoving Cotton away painfully. It doesn't seem that everything is right, but Cotton wasn't giving up. What could they do now, as Whismur seems to not be tiring as fast?

Tobias moaned, but didn't falter. Now was a time for action.
"Cotton, don't give up! Peck him with all your strength, then use Skull Bash.

Professor Birch was a bit surprised, but as he chuckles, things don't seem to go well.

"Well, that's a new one, but we'll always be ready- now Whismur, finish things up, Hyper Voice, then one last Pound!"

Things are kind of in slow motion as yet another Hyper Voice slams into Cotton, but he wasn't going to quit, and as the move ends, he finishes his own Peck for a solid blow, before an aura surrounds his body as he wheels around for a Skull Bash. Whismur leaps up with a Pound, and as the two move collide, they fight for a while before a large explosion is heard, and both Pokémon fly back. Things go quiet, but as Whismur barely gets up, Cotton stays down. Professor Birch sighs as Tobias rushes to his Pokémon

"Well that was the best fight I've had in a few weeks Tobias, I'm impressed- but let me heal your Swablu really quick. As Professor Birch begins applying some potions to Swablu, this gives Tobias some time to himself... what should he do now?

Tobias leans against a tree as Cotton is healed, somewhat disappointed at losing, but also enjoying the professor's praise. He figured Cotton had done well for being such a young Pokémon, and was somewhat surprised at his own abilities as well. He sighed, surprised at his own heart rate. He hadn't been this excited in... as long as he could remember.

He had really enjoyed that, he realized, and was eager to do it again. He walked over to where the professor was to check on Cotton.

(oh yeah, forgot, Level Up for Cotton)

As Tobias rushes over to Cotton, he sees that his starter was refreshed and new. However, even before they could relax, they see Whismur fly far away as it was Tackled hard by a dark shape. The Poochyena grins at the collapsed normal type, as Tobias hears Birch mutter something about forgetting to heal under his breath. Regardless, things aren't looking good, as this Poochyena seems to be looking for a fight... just what will Tobias do now?

Tobias started as a Poochyana came out of nowhere, tackled Birch's Whismur, effectively KOing it, and menacingly growled at Tobias, Cotton, and the professor. He was stunned and slightly afraid when he thought that the Poochyana KOed the Whismur he and Cotton had tried so hard to defeat in a single hit, but then he heard Birch mutter something forgetting to heal it, at which point he rolled his eyes, and Cotton gave a annoyed chirp. Tobias didn't really care, though, because he and Cotton both welcomed the practice.

"Cotton, take to the skies and deal a double peck," he told the excited Pokémon, while pulling out his PokéDex, pointed it at the dog 'mon, and pressed the button.

Tobias really was more focused on the PokéDex, but as he scans over the list, his eyes grow wide at one move, and before he can warn Cotton at all, or the PokéDex can even announce it, Cotton feels its effect as it screams in pain... the Ice Fang slamming into Cotton's wing as he Pecks Poochyena in exchange. Tobias continues looking up the Pokémon, finding out that it was Level 5, and was Male before the two collide again, this time with a Tackle slamming into Cotton's Peck. At any rate, this battle was going on, but Poochyena was grinning, and Cotton was hurting from that simple Ice Fang. What will he do now?

Tobias nearly yelled in shock when he saw Ice Fang, and was just about to warn Cotton when he looked up to see her wing getting bitten by the Poochyana.

"Crap," he muttered under his breath. He empathized with Cotton, but they weren't going to lose their first wild Pokémon match. That just wasn't going to happen.

"Cotton," he called out, "don't give up yet. We still have him." Tobias thought for a second, and then found something that might work.

"Get some air, Cotton, and then dive bomb the dog. While you're falling, try and see what he's gonna do, Astonish if he tries to bite, Peck otherwise. Astonish after that." Tobias hoped this would work.

Poochyena was smart, and as he watches Cotton fly up again, he simply Howls for later, even as the bird divebombs him, and Pecks him painfully. He yelps, but quickly recovers, and Tackles forward, really removing the stun chance from the Astonish, and the resulting collision knocks Cotton back some. However, both are ready to battle, even if Cotton looks more beaten. However, Poochyena Howls yet again, and prepares to charge. What will Tobias do now?

Tobias winced once again, but this time he knew what the foe was doing and was able to analyze it.
"Cotton, fly up to dodge the tackle, then deal two more Pecks.

Funny thing was, that wasn't a Tackle Poochyena was preparing, it was another Ice Fang, and as such, Cotton was shocked when the dog Pokémon got into the air and bites down hard on her wing, and this time some ice forms on the wing, keeping Cotton on the ground, even as he Pecks Poochyena once, then twice. The funny thing was, that the two seemed about equal in health, as while Poochyena's attacks were more powerful, Cotton had landed more attacks At any rate both were tiring and that ice wasn't doing any favors. What will Tobias do now?

Tobias cursed under his breath, disappointed in his lack of foresight. And now Cotton was grounded.
"Sorry, Cotton, I should've seen that, but you're doing great. You're on the ground now, so use Agility to dodge any Ice Fangs and get in at least one Peck, more if possible."


(((this is operating on the assumption that any 'mon can use agility, correct me if I'm wrong)))

Poochyena was a bit tired, and plainly he was going to be lazy as he charges at Cotton with a Tackle, the two slamming into each other painfully, the ice begins to chip off. But Cotton was resourceful, and when Poochyena tries again, he uses the ice to cushion the blow, and smash the remainder of the ice before Pecking Poochyena hard.

Something hits your foot as Professor Birch calls out to Tobias-

"Tobias, throw that PokéBall at Poochyena before it recovers- hurry!"

Tobias doesn't have much time, but he has to make a quick choice... just what would he do now?

Tobias grinned when he saw Cotton using her brains, and smiled again when he saw her stun Poochyana. Tobias wondered what he would going to do next, maybe just KO it?
"Cotton," he called, "get close an-" He was cut off by Birch, who yelled "Tobias, throw that PokéBall at Poochyena before it recovers- hurry!"
Tobias, suprised and somewhat confused, reached down quickly and fumbled for the ball, before grabbing it and tossing it towards the stunned dog 'mon.
I hope this works, he thought, and crossed his fingers.

Everything goes in slow motion, but before Poochyena can do anything else, the ball slams into it and it vanishes into red light. A few seconds later, the orb stops shaking and fortunately it appears that you've caught the annoying mutt, as Cotton chirps exhaustedly and your PokéDex drones.

Congratulations, you've caught a Level 5, Male Poochyena with the attacks Tackle, Howl and Ice Fang!

Meanwhile, Birch walks up to you and replies.

"Well I'm impressed, I'm glad you've caught that Pokémon and it's yours now- here's 2000 PokéDollars and 5 PokéBalls that all starting trainers get, and Oldale town isn't that far away if you need to heal. And with that I wish you the best of luck"

Advance to Oldale Town if you wish 2000 PokéDollars + 5 PokéBalls obtained.