Obvious exits:
East <E> leads to Celadon City Morgue.
West <W> leads to Celadon City: Department Store.
North <N> leads to Celadon City: Pokemon Mansion.
South <S> leads to Celadon City: City Square.

Kiare arrives from Celadon City: City Square.
Kiare has arrived.

The sky is cloudless and brilliant blue. The northwest wind is icy, blowing snow across the landscape in swirling white gusts. In the forest, blowing snow drifts against the trunks of the trees, clinging to their windward sides. While at the coast, the sea sparkles brilliantly under the sun, the waves rolling crisply against the shore in a light froth of white.

Welcome to Celadon City. Though not quite as big as Saffron, this city certain outdoes most others - most especially little old Pewter City, from which Melissa Barlette hails. Her head up high, her gloved hands shoved into her pockets, the seventeen year old girl takes in the sights of the city. The blowing snow doesn't seem to affect her much (she's well dressed for the occasion, scarf, coat, and all), though it occasionally picks up and threatens to knock her glasses straight off her face. Despite her curious blue eyes, nothing really stands out about the brown-haired girl... nothing, except for the little mirror badge, displayed perfectly on the right side of her chest. Hrm. She must be in the tournament - but she certainly doesn't look like she's going out of her way to find a competitor. She seems more interested in the city than anything else.

Celadon City isn't really a place Kiare visits all that often, and so she's never really had a much of a chance to explore the place. So, since she's here now and there's a slight chance she might run into someone looking for a tournament battle, she's currently wandering the city. The mirrored pin badge that signifies her as a contestant in the current tournament is pinned to her jacket, glinting in the sun every now and then as the trainer makes her way along. Coiled around her neck is a young Ekans, mostly hidden under a purple scarf in an attempt to keep himself warm in this rather cold weather. And, bounding along beside the trainer is a Pikachu, squealing happily to itself. Cute.

With a little sigh, Melissa finally tears her head away from the tallest building in the distance, looking horizontally for the first time in a decent amount of time. It's a wonder she hasn't slipped or stepped in something - but then, with everything hidden under the white snow, it's unlikely that looking ahead would help her much anyway. "Hmm...mm?" The teenager comes to a gradual stop, removing her right hand from her pocket, adjusting her glasses, gripping onto the scarf, and pulling it down slightly, exposing her pink lips. She glances left. Right. Left again. Then finally - back at Kiare, the girl who caught her interest. "Ex..." Then, louder. "Excuse me, ma'am?" Picking up the pace once again, the teenager hurries over to Kiare, huffing and puffing all the while.

The Pikachu is the first of Kiare's little trio to notice someone approaching. "Pi pi pi!" <Hi hi hi!> the electric rodent chirps, smiling oh-so-sweetly up at Melissa. Kiare herself hasn't been paying all that much attention to her surrounding, just being generally daydreaming as she wanders along. But the sound made by her pokemon gets the trainer's attention, and she turns to face the girl calling out to her with a small smile. "Hi. Can I help you?" The Ekans's head emerges from beneath the scarf, and the small serpent simply gazes at the new arrival for a while.

Aie! Peppy and Aurora's puppies are headed for the database! Better save! (Saving)

Melissa obviously isn't very used to running. Though she and Kiare were certainly not very far apart, the girl looks winded, and takes a few seconds to catch her breath. Pant. "Um... um, um, yes, I just... I just, uh, I just noticed you, uh, you had a pin!" Is she stuttering because she's still out of breath... or is she shy? She pauses for a second here to glance down at the Pikachu, to whom she gives a friendlier smile than she even gives to Kiare. "Hey there," she mumbles, before glancing back at Kiare. "I... uh... you, uh, you wanna... battle? I mean, uh, if you don't want to or can't or already did... I... um..." And so she trails off into nothing, letting Kiare to finish for her.

Kiare blinks a bit. "Uh, yeah, I do have a pin..." Yes, restate the obvious. Very useful. The Pikachu seems absolutely delighted to get some attention from this new person, flicking her angular ears a few times and 'pika-pika'ing cheerfully. Her trainer, meanwhile, gives a small shrug. "I haven't battled yet. So, if you want to, we can have a match. I don't have anything else to do." The Ekans peers at Melissa a little longer, then disappears back under the scarf. Whatever was so interesting about her?

Melissa's face twists into a look of nervousness mixed with relief mixed with determination mixed with annoyance (great, she's got to stay out in the cold for longer!). Needless to say, it's a very funny look that she gives Kiare as she grabs her pokeball from her belt. It's marked with a little black star. Outstretching her right arm, she attempts to give the pokeball to the girl, and, should Kiare accept it, Melissa will go on to explain the pokemon. "His name's Kickback. Um... he's a Hitmonlee. Do you know... uh... know what a, uh, a Hitmonlee is?" Heh. Somebody sure didn't choose the right pokemon for this tournament.

Kiare holds out a hand to take the pokeball from Melissa, with a slightly uncertain nod to the question about knowing what a Hitmonlee is. "Um, yeah, I think I know what that is..." She just has no idea what they -do-. This is going to be interesting. After taking the bicolored sphere from the other trainer, she gestures with her free hand towards the Pikachu. "This is Chikayo. She's the pokemon you get to use." Said pokemon nodnods enthusiastically, smiling up at Melissa again. <Yep, me! I'm real good!>

Melissa's eyes widen a bit, and her head whips down to the little Pikachu. She gasps slightly, looks back at Kiare, turns back to Chikayo, looks back at Kiare, and finally rests her gaze on the electric type. "... Rea...lly?" Melissa freezes for a bit. What does she do now? Bend down and scritch the Pikachu? Go and take her place on the field? Shake Kiare's hand? And Ms. Barlette stands there, simply looking at the little electric type she loves so much (hey, she is a teenage girl, after all), almost motionless except for her breathing.

A little surprised by the other trainer's reaction, Kiare manages a nod. "Yeah. Really." What could potentially be a rather awkward silence is interrupted by a soft hiss from the region of Kiare's scarf. <Could you get started? I'm cold...> Oh, right. Shoving the hand not full of Melissa's pokeball into her pocket, the trainer digs out a slightly grubby coin. "Erm, want to call it for who goes first?" she asks, holding the metallic disc up for the other girl to see. If she gets a response, she'll then proceed to flip the coin into the air, and allow it to fall to the ground for Melissa to see the result.

"Huh?" is Melissa's witty and intellectual reply. "Oh!" follows a second or two later. "Um, uh. Heads?" Even as the coin remains in the air, Melissa's is turning her attention back and forth from her pokeball to the Pikachu and back again. She has no idea what a Pikachu can do - only what a common electric type can do. But is it enough to beat a Hitmonlee? Melissa has no idea. "Um... ah..." the teenager mumbles softly, even as the coin hits the ground. "... Good luck." The coin stops: the teenager leans over to see which side it landed on.

Melissa rolls 1 die: <6>
Kiare rolls 1 die: <3>

The coin plops down onto the snowy ground, heads side up. Once she's seen the result, Kiare gives a small smile and nods. "You're up first." Taking a few steps back to give the pokemon room to fight, she gently tosses Melissa's pokeball out into the makeshift battlefield. Chikayo lets out an enthusiastic cry of "Pika!" and hops out in front of her temporary trainer. And starts to look ever so slightly uncertain. She's not too worried about listening to someone else... It's the fact that she's now effectively fighting -against- her own trainer. Didn't think about that part before...

Fwash! The pink light reflects off of the sparkling snow on the ground as Kickback emerges from his pokeball. Even immediately after being called out, his eyes are focused, his grip tight, glaring at his opponent. Even as he notices that his own trainer is his opponent he doesn't flinch - either Melissa filled him in, or he really doesn't care who he's beating up at long as it's somebody. The Hitmonlee remains quiet - unlike his trainer. "Well... uh. Um. P-Pikachu... I mean, uh, Chichiyo, go! Use a... uh... some Thunder attack!" Descriptive, isn't she? Stretching her mind hard, Melissa tries to think back to the class she took. Wasn't she told something about Pikachu then? Didn't she at least get to take a look at their attacks? For now, "some Thunder attack" is the best she can do.

Chikayo blinks as the order is given for 'some Thunder attack'. <Um, okay...> Closing her eyes (both to concentrate and so she can't see she's against her own trainer), the Pikachu starts to charge up quite a large amount of electrical energy. Sparks crackle around her crimson cheeks as she mutters "Pi... ka..." Then, with a loud cry of "Chuuuu!" her eyes snap open and she lets loose with a large bolt of lightning towards the glaring Hitmonlee-thing. It's what Melissa asked for... a Thunder attack!

Kiare just stares at the Hitmonlee when it appears. Yes, she's seen one or two before, but she really has no idea what they can do. "Okay, uh... Can you go attack, or something?" she asks, vaguely waving a hand towards the fighting type's opponent. Oh, look, it has long legs. "Like some kind of kick? You can do that, right?" It can, but the real question is: -will- it?

Aie! Peppy and Aurora's puppies are headed for the database! Better save! (Saving)

Even after getting zapped, the fighting's type only twitches slightly, before returning to his still position. The Hitmonlee's reply is not verbal. It comes in the form of the fighting type rotating slightly to the side... and giving Kiare an odd look, almost a "Who do you think you are?" kind of glare that might make her uncomfortable... if she's overly sensitive. Hitmonlee faces are not very descriptive. The girl might not even notice that his look is actually a glare. Melissa, still struggling to think up Pikachu attacks, calls out to the electric type. "Try a... a..." She pauses for a second, taking a glance at her pokemon who confuses to reply. "Um... c'mon, Kickback! Listen... l-listen to her! Chichinono, s... stay for a second, don't attack, give... your trainer a chance!" Maybe Melissa figures that making the Pikachu attack will cause a protest similar to the one Kickback's doing.

Chichinono-- Eh, Chikayo, is perfectly happy to just sit and wait for a moment or two, and give her own trainer a chance. She needs a little time to recover from doing that powerful Thunder attack, anyway. Canting her head to one side, the Pikachu peers at Kickback. <Why don't you do anything?> Kiare, meanwhile, is feeling a bit uneasy from that look the fighting pokemon gave her. Okay, uncooperative Hitmonlee here. "Please? You'll just get beaten up by my Pikachu if you don't do -something-..."

The Hitmonlee's face/body softens considerably as he watches Kiare's facial expressions. He turns his head to watch Melissa - noticing the same sort of pleading face, though Melissa's looks more confused... and finally... the Pikachu. "Lee!" he suddenly barks, which causes Melissa to snap to attention. "W... wow," she mutters to herself. "... He almost never... talks." No matter if Kiare's changed her mind about her previous attack; the Hitmonlee immediately dashes forward, possibly catching the little Pikachu off guard if she's not lucky. At the crucial moment he applies extra weight to his back leg, sliding across the snow as he lifts one leg up... and extends with great speed. Should this one succeed, he'll immediately follow it up with a second kick from the same leg - obviously, a Double Kick. Melissa can only cringe.

Even after getting zapped, the fighting's type only twitches slightly, before returning to his still position. The Hitmonlee's reply is not verbal. It comes in the form of the fighting type rotating slightly to the side... and giving Kiare an odd look, almost a "Who do you think you are?" kind of glare that might make her uncomfortable... if she's overly sensitive. Hitmonlee faces are not very descriptive. The girl might not even notice that his look is actually a glare. Melissa, still struggling to think up Pikachu attacks, calls out to the electric type. "Try a... a..." She pauses for a second, taking a glance at her pokemon who confuses to reply. "Um... c'mon, Kickback! Listen... l-listen to her! Chichinono, s... stay for a second, don't attack, give... your trainer a chance!" Maybe Melissa figures that making the Pikachu attack will cause a protest similar to the one Kickback's doing.

Chichinono-- Eh, Chikayo, is perfectly happy to just sit and wait for a moment or two, and give her own trainer a chance. She needs a little time to recover from doing that powerful Thunder attack, anyway. Canting her head to one side, the Pikachu peers at Kickback. <Why don't you do anything?> Kiare, meanwhile, is feeling a bit uneasy from that look the fighting pokemon gave her. Okay, uncooperative Hitmonlee here. "Please? You'll just get beaten up by my Pikachu if you don't do -something-..."

The Hitmonlee's face/body softens considerably as he watches Kiare's facial expressions. He turns his head to watch Melissa - noticing the same sort of pleading face, though Melissa's looks more confused... and finally... the Pikachu. "Lee!" he suddenly barks, which causes Melissa to snap to attention. "W... wow," she mutters to herself. "... He almost never... talks." No matter if Kiare's changed her mind about her previous attack; the Hitmonlee immediately dashes forward, possibly catching the little Pikachu off guard if she's not lucky. At the crucial moment he applies extra weight to his back leg, sliding across the snow as he lifts one leg up... and extends with great speed. Should this one succeed, he'll immediately follow it up with a second kick from the same leg - obviously, a Double Kick. Melissa can only cringe.

Well, at least the Hitmonlee's moving again. "A... Atta boy, Kickback!" she cries at the fighting type, even as his Double Kick attack is unsuccessful. The teenager is torn - does she cheer or frown? A few seconds pass before the Pewter girl turns her head to the little electric type, giving her a little nod. "Um." She still hasn't recalled anything... nothing at all. "Go... um, are you... ready, Chinnychin?" Even if the Pikachu says she isn't, Ms. Barlette will point straight at her Hitmonlee and cry, "R... run at it! Tackle it!" What's that? Agility? Quick Attack? Double Team? Looks like it's up for the Pikachu to decide, if at all.

Chikayo makes a rather surprised 'eep' noise as the Hitmonlee finally decides to move, scrambling backwards in the snow and desperately trying to avoid the rapidly extending feet of the fighting type. Luckily for the Pikachu, she just manages to get out of range of the kicking attack. To Melissa's concerned question, the rodent nods, chirping out an affirmative of <Yep, I'm okay!> But the following order just causes her to blink several times. <I don't know Tackle...> she murmurs with a slight frown. Oooh, wait a minute. The frown suddenly disappears, as Chikayo says, <But I can do this!> And with that, she launches into what's best described as a half-dash, half-slide over the snowy ground towards Kickback, apparently trying to ram herself into it at high speed. It's a Quick Attack!

Kiare isn't really sure who she should be cheering for in this match. The Hitmonlee, probably, since the kicking pokemon -is- fighting for her... But she doesn't like seeing her own pokemon being beaten up. Oh, what a confusing tournament this is. "Erm," is the incredibly useful comment made by the trainer, as she tries to work out what to tell Kickback to do. "Try kicking again," she eventually calls out, hoping the fighting type will listen, and adding on a "Please?" Looks like it's up to the Hitmonlee to decide exactly which attack to use again, if at all.

The Hitmonlee's long, loping legs allow him to escape quite easily from the path of the Pikachu, no matter how fast she's going. As usual, he makes no verbal noise, even as he dives off to the side - not even so much as a "Hit!" of a hmmph. Quiet one, this 'Lee is - but perhaps that's not a particularly bad trait. Upon hearing "his" trainer's command, he narrows his eyes at the electric type. His stance... the look on his face... Melissa can -tell- he just wants to rebel. Fortunately, he doesn't (or maybe he was planning a kicking attack, anyway?); kicking off of the ground, the Hitmonlee thrusts himself into the air, flying at the Pikachu with surprising speed. Hi Jump Kick attack!

Melissa just sort of blinks at the scene. Wow. Perhaps she should use this guy more often - he knows what he's doing more than his trainer herself does. "Gosh," mumbles said trainer, lifting up one hand to adjust the glasses on her face nervously. "It... it's okay, Chacka!" she cries, taking one step forward, seemingly finding trouble finding a spot that isn't slippery in the snow. Truth is, it's not; that looked like one heck of a kick. "Go on! Try another one of your... your... electric attacks!" They're all the same to Melissa.

The Pikachu, being smaller and having much shorter legs than the Hitmonlee, isn't quite able to get out of the way this time. Especially since the fighting type is now flying through the air. Chikayo is sent tumbling head-over-heels through the snow by the impact, and ends up being more white than yellow by the time she staggers back onto all four paws. As she shakes the white powdery substance off of herself, the rodent doesn't seem to notice how mangled her name's becoming via Melissa. But she's definitely listening when the order comes for an electric attack. "Chacka" ponders what to use for a few moments, then starts to charge up electricity. No sparks appear this time, the attack instead taking the form of several large, shimmering waves which spread out from the Pikachu's body. Thunder Wave!

Well, if the Hitmonlee knows what he's doing, Kiare is just going to let him keep on doing just that. It's not like she's going to be all that much of a help anyway. "You're doing great!" she calls, trying to encourage Kickback. "Just keep on attacking like that." She's still using a somewhat pleading tone of voice, and though the 'please' isn't added this time, it's definitely there as a silent addition.

But no - looks like the Hitmonlee isn't quite so willing to move this time. The Thunder Wave has to travel a distance, but it does hit the fighting type - it just has no effect on Kickback. Clenching his fists, the pokemon remains entirely motionless, even after the attack is finished. He does not look at Kiare, nor does he set his sights on Chikayo or Melissa. He only stands there, eyes partially closed, completely silent. Is he disobeying orders... or could this be a Meditate attack? It's entirely unclear.

Aie! Peppy and Aurora's puppies are headed for the database! Better save! (Saving)

Whatever the Hitmonlee actually is doing, Melissa interprets it as a deliberate disobeying of Kiare's orders. "Kickback!" barks the girl in a surprisingly loud voice, putting her gloved hands on her hips. "D... don't act like that!" Glancing at the Pikachu, then at her Hitmonlee, then at her Pikachu, the girl frowns. "T... teach him some manners, Chimomo! Use another one of those thunder things, and... and hit him as hard as you can!" Wow. Looks like she wants to teach her own pokemon a lesson. This is strange, all right.

Chikayo blinks up at 'her' trainer. Then looks at Kickback. Then back at Melissa. <Erm, okay,> she finally says, with a flick of her ears and tail that is some sort of Pikachu shrug. Taking a few cautious steps closer to the motionless Hitmonlee (just in case it suddenly decides to kick her again), the electric pokemon starts building up another attack. Though Melissa said to hit 'as hard as you can', Chi doesn't actually go for her strongest Thunder attack. The miniature bolt of lightning that arcs towards the fighting type is in fact a Thunderbolt. But, hey, the girl might not be able to tell the difference.

Kiare peers at the unmoving Kickback, trying to work out if it's actually doing anything or just disobeying. Hard to tell. After Melissa yells at the Hitmonlee, she opts for the 'not doing anything' category, and calls out herself. "Come on, kick or something! Anything! Please!" Maybe it would help if she wasn't so vague, but she really doesn't have any idea of what else the Hitmonlee can do. It's like the Grande tournament, only much, much worse, because the pokemon isn't trained to listen to whoever happens to be giving uncertain commands.

Not doing something is right - Kickback is almost entirely motionless... right up until that pivotal moment. Just as the Pikachu unleashes her Thunderbolt attack, the Hitmonlee bursts into action. Using a series of dexterious dodges, the fighting type jumps this way, then that way, then this way, all the while avoiding any electrical attacks sent toward him. "Hitmon!" he shouts at last, the second thing he's said through the entire battle. The Hitmonlee leaps off of the ground when he gets close enough to the Pikachu... but this is no Hi Jump Kick. No - turning his entire body parallel, he extends both of his legs at lightning speed, halfway drilling into the poor rodent. A feared Mega Kick attack!

For as furious and fast paced as this battle is, the pokemon don't seem to be hitting each other much. "Gosh," Melissa mumbles as her pokemon's attack misses yet again. Not that Kiare's is doing much better. Is it the snow blinding them? Is it the slippy ground? Are they simply nervous about attacking pokemon controlled by their own trainers? Whatever the case, the teenage girl simply shakes his head. Be patient. Be like... Wesley. "Do... do that thing you did before, Pikachu!" Descriptive! "Where you... you... ran at him!" Quite descriptive indeed!

Chikayo doesn't wait to find out whether this a Hi Jump Kick or not. As fast as she can react, the Pikachu is ducking and trying to dive underneath the temporarily airborne Hitmonlee. And just about managing to avoid the thing's legs. Melissa's first call certainly isn't descriptive. That thing she did before. ...Which one? The Pikachu looks incredibly confused, until she gets some sort of clarification in the form of the word 'ran'. Oh, -that- thing! Now she actually has some vague idea what the girl wants her to do, the electric rodent takes a few steps backwards, before speeding back towards Kickback in a repeat of her previous Quick Attack.

Kiare is by now wondering if everyone in the tournament is having the same problems, or if it's just her and Melissa. While she's seen battles full of missing and dodging before, it's never been quite like this. "Kick...back?" Yes, that's the Hitmonlee's name. Or was she telling him to attack again? "Try another attack? Anything you think is good." So, once again the fighting type is pretty much left to his own devices there.

The Hitmonlee's annoyance is still not evidence on his face, no matter how much it's burning up his inside. The Pikachu is too fast for him, yet he's too fast for the Pikachu! And this is once again established by the Hitmonlee's speedy dodge to the side, effectively removing him from the Pikachu's path. Upon hearing the trainer's command, he doesn't nod or otherwise express his agreement. He only rushes after the Pikachu, hoping to catch her off balance from her Quick Attack. At the right moment, he leaps high into the air, flips once or twice, and attempts to come crashing down on the rodent. A Rolling Kick attack!

And another unsuccessful attack. Melissa is starting to get a little annoyed, wishing that one of the pokemon would actually land something for once. Her voice still comes out determined and strong as she yells out to the yellow pokemon, "Don't give up, Chin!" She's shortened it considerably, hasn't she? "Use... use..." And Melissa gets an idea. "Your tail!" The girl points at the Pikachu's tail, as though the pokemon couldn't see it for herself. "Try a Tail Whip attack! Distract him or s-something!"

And, for what must seem like the umpteenth time, Chikayo is sucessful in dodging the flying Hitmonlee kicks. Now if only she could hit things as well as she's been evading. And, hey, Melissa actually gave a specific attack name that time! The rodent of the electric persuasion seems rather happy about not having to decipher such things as 'what you did before', and is almost immediately bounding off towards Kickback. Once she gets close, she whips her body around so that her zig-zaggy tail will slap against whatever part of the Hitmonlee happens to be within range. Yep, that's definitely a Tail Whip.

Finally, something happens that doesn't involve an attack missing! But it -does- involve Kiare's temporary pokemon getting hit by a Pikachu's tail, so the trainer isn't going to jump for joy or anything. "Come on... you're not going to let her do that to you, are you?" she cries, trying to urge Kickback on. "Go attack again!"

Aie! Peppy and Aurora's puppies are headed for the database! Better save! (Saving)

As it quite obvious by now, the Hitmonlee doesn't show an incredible amount of emotion. He does in this case, however - his eyes widening, his arms going limp, he appears completely flabbergasted (well, as flabbergasted as a Hitmonlee can get) as the Pikachu Tail Whips him. It takes him a bit to recover... it's not that it hurts, it's just sort of annoying. Now. If the Pikachu is close (perhaps to whip him again?), no problem. If she's moved away, little changes - no matter what, the Hitmonlee will approach her quickly, if necessary, and proceed to aim a kick right at her face. If successful, he'll retract the same foot and try to land another kick in the same spot. You guessed it. Double Kick attack!

Melissa can only guess how much those two kicks hurt "her" poor pokemon, but she makes sure the yellow pokemon has had at least a couple seconds to recover before she calls out her next attack. "A... um, a... are you alright, sweetie?" she asks, actually quite softly. No matter what the reply, however, the Pewter girl will point directly at the Hitmonlee, give a small nod, and give out her order. "Another Thunder attack, Chirry! Hit him with all you've got!" Notice how she's stuttering a little less when she's shouting.

Oof. Poor Chikayo is kicked in the face not once, but twice, and is sent sprawling backwards onto the ground. <Owwie...> the rodent whimpers, slowly rolling over and pushing herself back into a standing position. Aww. <I'm... okay...> she squeaks in response to Melissa's concerned question, giving a small nod. The order for another Thunder surprises the Pikachu somewhat, though. She's sure being asked to do some poweful stuff today. Nether the less, she does what 'her' trainer asks, sparks building up around her body as she charges the electrical current, before sending a large blast of lightning Kickback's way.

Kiare winces a little when her Pikachu is hit by the Double Kick. That looked extremely painful. It's very hard to tell a Hitmonlee to beat up Chikayo as it is, without having to watch it as well. The trainer sounds much more reluctant this time, as she calls out to Kickback. "Er, could you do another one? Like... the one where you jumped?" Oh, yes. Very helpful description.

The Hitmonlee is intelligent enough to retreat after his successful Double Kick attack, and as a result the Thunder attack misses him by quite a bit, though it does leave a melting hole in the snow. Perhaps he's getting excited, or perhaps he's impressed with Kiare's training skills, but whatever the case, the Hitmonlee's eyes are amused. He's having fun. He nods his body in reply to the girl, immediately bursting into acting. Boing! He leaps into the air, almost floating a few feet with his leg outstretched as he Hi Jump Kicks the Pikachu!

Melissa visibly winces as the Pikachu gets kicked. She flinches so intensely, in fact, that her glasses almost fall off. She swipes at them with her right hand, shoving them back up her nose. Looks like she doesn't care to bother with that right now. "Come on, Pikachu!" she cheers, her voice cheerful and bright despite the serious, only disappointed look on her face. It's a sharp contrast. "Run at him again, if you can!"

Maybe she's getting tired now, for Chikayo is nowehere near fast enough to avoid the Hi Jump Kick this time around. It takes her a lot longer to get up after that kick, and she's panting quite heavily now. Poor little rodent. But, she still nods to Melissa's call, determined to keep on going for as long as she can. After pausing for a few seconds to try and catch her breath, the electric type makes a mad dash for the Hitmonlee, desperately trying to Quick Attack the much larger pokemon.

Kiare really isn't enjoying watching Chikayo get beaten around like this. This tournament must be heard on almost all the trainers who entered it, though. At least the Hitmonlee seems to be having some fun now. "Okay, um, can you do something like that again?" she asks, while trying not to actually look in the direction of the battling pokemon. Hopefully that'll just get this over with.

Hard? Hard only on the losers... quite ironically. Whatever the case, the Hitmonlee really doesn't care whose side he's fighting for anymore. His adrenaline pumping, his victory becoming more and more clear in his mind, Kickback doesn't look like he's willing to stop. "Hitmonleeee!" he cries, his loudest battle chant yet. Again, he rushes towards his opponent, his eyes locking on the Pikachu's. He does not jump quite so early this time, however; instead, he runs until he's considerably close to the poor little mouse, leaping only a foot or so off the ground - totally vertically. In the process, however, he brings his diamond-hard foot along up, attempting to kick the Pikachu right in the chin in the process. This Jump Kick, if successful, if bound to hurt.

Melissa sighs visibly as her pokemon's attack fails. She didn't know how much more of this little Chikayo could take - but she's obviously still got some kick left in her, if she's able to avoid the fighting type's powerful attack. "C'mon, girl..." Melissa mutters, pointing once again at the Hitmonlee. "Do another... um... one of those electric attack things again! And hurry, while he's, uh, he's, uh, he's off guard!"

Somewhat exhausted as she is, Chikayo still has some fight left in her. As the Hitmonlee comes running towards her again, she makes a desperate leap sideways, managing to dodge the Jump Kick. Though she does end up landing face-first in the snow. ...Another electric attack? <I think I can do that... yeah...> the rodent mumbles, wobbling slightly as she gets up again. A few small sparks dance around her red cheek patches, then the Pikachu unleashes a small bolt of electrical energy towards Kickback, in the form of a Thundershock.

Oomph! "Lee!" cries the fighting pokemon as the electricity runs through his body. He's getting more tired and more weak as the battle rages on, and he's not quite as able to absorb it as well as he could have earlier. Now he's starting to get down right angry, and, clenching his fists, he does exactly as Kiare wants. Setting his sights on his victim, he begins a mad sprint towards the Pikachu, leaps into the air, turns himself almost totally horizontally, and attempts to kick the little rat with not only one foot but both in his most powerful attack. Mega Kick.

Never has the term "hanging by a thread" been expemplified quite so well. As the Pikachu avoids getting smashed right in the face, Melissa is downright impressed - not only with her pokemon, but with both of them. "You're... putting up a great fight!" she calls. But who is she yelling to? Chikayo? Kickback? Maybe even Kiare? Whatever the case, Melissa realizes that her little electric pokemon can't stay on the offensive forever - but Kickback doesn't look very hurt. Not yet, at least. And so that's why Melissa throws the matter into the Pikachu's hands. "Just move, Chimichimi!" she shouts. "Hit him, don't... hit him, do whatever! He's getting tired!" That could be virtually any of the Pikachu's attacks, so looks like it's up to the pokemon hrself to interpret it.

Aie! Peppy and Aurora's puppies are headed for the database! Better save! (Saving)

Still the little rat hangs on. Another frantic leap out of the way, and another attack is dodged. Sound familiar? Melissa's words of encouragement, whoever they're really directed to, cause Chikayo to manage a tiny smile. And now she's being told to do 'whatever'. Okay... Once more drawing upon what's left of her stamina, the Pikachu decides to go for another Quick Attack, taking a step or two backwards before running headlong in Kickback's direction.

Wow, both of these pokemon really are doing incredibly well. Even if the attacks are all starting to miss again. Will this battle ever come to an end? "Just keep going," is Kiare's suggestion to 'her' Hitmonlee, with a shrug and vague motion of hand in the general direction of the fighting type's opponent. Please let this end already.

Despite the fact that he's been zapped and whapped, the Hitmonlee looks like he could go on fighting - but then, Hitmonlee expressions aren't exactly the easiest to read. The Pikachu's Quick Attack misses, and the fighting type takes advantage. Running after the electric type, hoping to catch her off guard, the Hitmonlee yet again leaps into the air. He does a series of flips in cannonball position, looking more like he's doing gymnastics than battling. His true intentions become all too clear soon. Using this momentum, he stops his roll, and immediately attempts to bring his foot crashing down on the electric rodent while she's still moving. You got it - it's a rolling kick.

The only thing keeping Melissa from yawning from the length of this battle is the excitement. No matter how flashy it appears, her pokemon's attack proves ineffective - but his guard isn't let down long enough for a sufficient attack. "Pikachu!" Looks like Melissa's given up on trying to get the yellow one's name straight. "Try that Tail Whip again! ... Or... Or can you do Agility like... like, uh, CrystalFire?" Who? "Do something! Just... go! Hurry! Now!" Her stress is quite obviously showing - and she's got the -easy- part of the battle!

The fancy somersaults performed by Kickback give the Pikachu enough time to get out of the way of whatever attack the Hitmonlee was preparing to use. And now Melissa wants her to use Tail Whi-- no, wait, Agility. Chikayo's going to get confused again at this rate. Opting for the latter of the cammands, the electric rodent starts running again. This time, though, she simply zig-zags around the makeshift battlefield, not aiming for Kickback at all. Instead, she's just trying to make herself a little harder for him to hit. Admittedly, due to her being so tired, the Agility is somewhat half-hearted; the Pikachu's not moving quite so fast as she could have earlier on.

This battle is starting to become a bit ridiculous. Attacks are supposed to hit every once in a while! At least Chikayo's having some success, despite her obvious exhaustion. That Pikachu sure is tougher than she looks. Kiare gives up on even telling the Hitmonlee to kick, since it seems to have gotten the idea by now, and just shrugs again. "You know what to do, I guess."

Yeah, Chikayo's having great success running away. This says something about the species. However, the Hitmonlee uses his head; instead of wasting precious energy and time chasing the Pikachu, he simply slows down, half closes his eyes... and concentrates. This, without a doubt, is his attempt at a Meditate, unlike his uncertain stillness earlier. While the Pikachu is tiring herself by running, he's building up strength - quite an interesting move. "He was... born to battle," mumbles his trainer.

Melissa has never quite seen her Hitmonlee do a Meditate, so she simply thinks the pokemon is resting - still quite a clever plan, build up enough energy to deliver that final blow. Still, he's more susceptible that he's been all night, and Melissa's going to jump on it. "Chikamo!" Close. "I... I know you're tired, sweetie, but hang in there! He's... look, he's, um... he's getting tired!" Point. Pray that the poor little sweetie doesn't collapse from exhaustion. The Agility attack has put some distance between her and the Hitmonlee, of course. So... "... Try a Thunder-type attack!"

Right about now, all Chikayo can really manage in the way of electric type attacks is a Thundershock. Several weak sparks appear around the rodent as she builds up the necessary voltage. It taks a little longer to fully charge up the attack this time, but once she's ready the little rodent releases a minature lightning bolt, which arcs through the air above the battlefield and heads towards the resting Hitmonlee.

Kiare has no idea what the Hitmonlee is doing now. Standing there, resting, maybe even trying to some sort of Focus Energy type thing. Whatever it is, it's definitely prolonging this already rather long battle. "Hey, watch out!" the trainer cries as the Thundershock is released, but it doesn't seem to help. Hey, maybe she even distracted Kickback. Who knows? "Can you just try another kick attack?" And maybe even bring an end to this?

Oof! One pokemon can only take so much electricity, and the wear and tear is starting to show on Kickback. Indeed - he's got more stamina left than his opponent, but it's balanced out by the fact that he's all shocked and in a lot of pain. Hitmonlees can't stand pain. They're blobs with eyes and legs, virtually no defense. But they can get aggressive, all right, as Kickback's about to prove. Starting off the ground, eyes bulging with anger, the Hitmonlee is prepared to finish this battle once and for all. At that critical moment, up into the air he goes. Putting all of his strength into this one kick, the Hitmonlee aims right for the Pikachu's chest. It's a Jump Kick attack.

Melissa is a wreck right now, and she hardly knows it. Her glasses are crooked. Her usually straight hair is frizzled. Her entire body seems tensed, excited, nervous, anxious, scared all at once. And who wouldn't be? This is the longest, hardest, most nerve wracking battle she's ever participated in... heck, that she's ever seen. The Hitmonlee's attack misses, causing a little squeak from the girl. She can't speak for a couple seconds... before, at last: "Go!" Her voice sounds strained, but it comes out strongly enough. "Attack! Offguard! Go! Go girl!" Attack with what? How? Thunder? Melissa doesn't say. Let's hope the poor little Pikachu's tired mind can translate an effective attack.

Again the poor tired Pikachu manages to leap out of the way of the kicking feet of the Hitmonlee. It takes several long moments for the rodent to work out what Melissa wants, since 'go' isn't really all that descriptive. Though she doesn't have an awful lot of electricity left by now, Chikayo isn't quite recovered enough to try another Quick Attack yet. So, a thunder attack it is. Thunderbolt, to be exact. Calling upon what must be by now the last of her reserves of electrical energy, the Pikachu charges up and unleashes the rather large voltage towards Kickback. Zap!

He didn't see it coming. The electricity hits Kickback right in the back of the head, right as he comes to a stop after landing on the ground from his jump attack. It's too much - though the last of the Pikachu's energy was not much from the long and exhaustive battle, it was enough. Without even a cry of protest, the Hitmonlee's eyes squeeze shut as the Thunderbolt ruptures through his body... and, without a sound, he goes crashing to the ground. Melissa only stares ahead, almost blankly.

Aie! Peppy and Aurora's puppies are headed for the database! Better save! (Saving)

Kiare also stares as Kickback goes down. That was certainly unexpected. Remembering to grab the pokeball that Melissa gave her, the trainer recalls the fallen fighting type with a bit of a grin. "That was a great battle." It doesn't matter that much that she lost -- after all, Chikayo was amazing! Said Pikachu stands there in the snow, exhausted and victorious. She manages a weak "Pika..." as the Hitmonlee finally disappears... then she promptly collapses. After rummaging in a jacket pocket, Kiare produces the Pikachu's own pokeball, and soon the rodent is also gone from the battlefield. Heading over towards Melissa, the girl holds out Kickback's pokeball for the other to take. "Congratulations."

When Melissa looks up to accept her pokeball back, she's almost dazed. Not quite excited, but not quite disappointed. Just sort of... confused. She's silent for a couple moments, before she reaches out to accept her pokeball back. "Wow," she mumbles at last, bringing up her gloved hand to adjust her glasses. "Your Pikachu was... is... incredible." Melissa doesn't seem to say this to make Kiare feel better, or to take attention away from her victory (seems like she hardly even realizes she won); she speaks genuinely, and it is the honest truth. "Simply..." she mutters, shaking her head. "Incredible, I can't... gosh, you really would have won if this, um, if this was a... a normal battle."

"Thanks." After making sure Chikayo's pokeball is safely back in her pocket, Kiare nods. "Yeah, she was amazing. You handled her really well, too." Well, better than Kiare handled the Hitmonlee, at least. "Anyway... I think I'd better get her to a Pokemon Center now. That Hitmonlee of yours was very tough." Raising a hand is a slight wave, and managing to hold back a yawn (it -is- getting late), the trainer turns and starts to head back the way she came, in the general direction of the PokeCenter.