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"Galvantula, I chose you!" Steph cries, throwing her pokéball into the rink.
The smug, arrogant girl throws out her own pokéball, a soft call falling from her lips that Steph can't hear. She doesn't need to have heard when the biggest Garchomp she's ever seen comes flying out. She grits her teeth taking in the sight. Maybe she overestimated her chances of winning, but she'd be damned if she doesn't go down without a fight.
The referee blows the whistle, the flag falls down, and the other trainer's Garchomp swarms into action.
(This is your Rival)
Despite it's size, Garchomp is a speedy pokémon. Galvantula had just barely manages to out speed it before he got hit with Scary Face. Her counter of String Shot hadn't made nearly as big of a dent as she wanted either.
"Bug Buzz!" she calls.
Galvantula shoots of a dozen little green lights that collide head on with Garchomp. It lets out a roar of pain, promising future revenge. Meanwhile Galvantula uses the momentary distraction put some distance between them.
"String shot, before it gets it's barrings."
Galvantula complies, wrapping it in enough layers of sticky substance that it'll take a minute to get off. Steph just barely hears the soft call for Earth Power before Garchomp starts stomping around. Chunks of dirt shoot out from Galvantula sending him flying, he manages to land on his feet behind their opponent. Steph winces, grateful that the Bug-typing gives him a resistance most Electric-types don't have.
Garchomp's turned around, it's claws glowing with Dragon-type energy, making a perfect opening.
"Sucker Punch, Galvantula!"
(What is their name?)
"Go left," Steph says, as a pile of boulders fall down from Rock Tomb. Galvantula scurries to the edge of the field. Most of the rocks land harmlessly kicking up dust, but the one crushes Galvantula's back leg and he let's out a cry.
He starting to slow down. And a quick glance at Garchomp and it's calm trainer, their not in any danger. Determination swells in her. She will not lose.
"Alright, Bug Buzz!"
(C-______)
The rock tomb hits and Galvantula goes down. Steph waits with baited breath for a sign, a twitch. Anything that would signal he can keep going, that this isn't over. It doesn't come.
"Galvantula is unable to battle! Garchomp wins!" the ref calls, waving the flags.
Steph fishes Galvantula's pokéball out of her pocket. "You did great," she whispers once he returns.
Meanwhile the other trainer has started to walk off, Garchomp still out of it's ball. Indignation rises. Who does she think she is, being a smug bastard, kicking her ass and walking off with out even introducing herself properly? Not on Steph's watch.
She quickly thanks the traveller who agreed to judge the match and runs after her.
(Ca-_____)
"Hey, what gives?" Steph demands.
The trainer turns around, glancing disinterestedly at Steph. "We agreed one verses one for our match," she says.
"I know that!" Steph squawks. "I'm talking about how you decided your too good to even introduce yourself."
The trainer hums. "You haven't introduced yourself either," she says
She rolls her eyes. It's not like she got a chance. "Stephanie of Gotham City, most people call me Steph."
She sticks her hand out and the other girl grasps it. "Cassandra of Celestic Town, most people call me Cass."
"Right, so look I'm sorry for thinking you weren't totally kick ass," she says. Because now that she's over the heat of battle she thinks that Cass could make a good ally for road.
"I'm not," Cass says, cutting her off. "You and your pokémon were exactly as strong as I thought you'd be."
Steph takes a deep breath. Curse her optimistic streak for thinking that would work. "Fine. I better get back to the Pokémon Center before I get too derailed."
(Cas-____)
The half mile walk back to the Pokémon Center really isn't that big of a deal. Steph would have preferred to stick to her schedule, carefully planned out to ensure that she'd be able to make it the edge of the forest before it was time to set up camp. But really all it did was increase the possibility of her camping out in the woods while simultaneously ensuring that Galvantula receives the best care.
The more frustrating thing is that even after holding her own in battle is that Cass wouldn't consider raising her evaluation of Steph. She is so tired of being looked down on by stuck up trainers that think their the hottest shit since sliced bread.
"Stephanie?" Nurse Joy calls. "Your Galvantula is all better."
(Cass⏎)
Later that night as Steph brushes Galvantula's fur beside the fire she makes a decision. The next time she meets Cassandra of Celestic Town she'll win no matter what. Even if they don't meet before start of the Vertress Conference.
(Your journey has just begun)