1. Chapter 4 - Rival Rage
Faint splattering sounds came from around me, hissing as lightning struck the sky. I could
feel the wind tugging at the trees, and small droplets of water left trails as they rolled
down my cold cheeks. A large boom echoed into the far away mountains, and couldn't
help but feel the rumble of the clap, and the beautiful harmonies the rain made. I loved
the thrill of a thunderstorm, especially if I was outside in it. Charmander danced through
the rain, his feet splashing through the puddles, and spraying more water into the heavy
air. "Char-char!" He squealed, as the cold water shocked through his system."I didn't
know Fire Pokemon enjoyed the rain!" I laughed, pulling my hooded top out of my bag,
and pulling it on. Charmander stopped by my side, and as my eyes re-appeared from the
dark blue inside the hoodie, he shrugged up at me, and smiled. I quickly checked the map
while we were stopped. "We aren't far from Viridian Forest, the quicker we get there, the
quicker we can get out of the rain" I explained, and Charmander chirped in agreement.
"Hey, you!"
A shout came from behind me, and I looked back over my shoulder. A figure was jogging
towards me, and began to slow as he came nearer. "Hey," He said.
Confusion flowed through me, and I slowly replied, "Er, hey." He took off his dark red
baseball cap, and his face became clearer. His dusty brown hair blew in the strong wind,
and instantly darkened, as the rain began to wet through. He ran his pale hands through
his hair, and pulled his cap on, pulling it up higher so I could still see him. "What's up?" I
asked.
"I saw your Charmander from a distance, and thought a battle would be awesome. I've
battled a few Pokemon, but no Fire types yet, but they should be no problem" He
explained, smiling cheekily as he spoke.
"What do you think Charmander, shall we have a battle?" I said, crouching down next to
him, and stroking his forehead.
"Charrrrrr!" He growled happily.
"Hey, what's your name by the way?" The boy asked, unclipping his pokeball from his
belt.
"Daniel, how about you?" I asked.
"Alex," he replied "I only have one Pokemon, is that ok?"
"Yeah, I only have Charmander, so that's fine."
"Ok, Poochyena, let's prove how strong we really are!"
The bright light from the Pokeball lit up the darkening Route 2, and a menacing growl
came from the light as it faded. My eyes met small, curved rusty circles, which contrasted
against a matt bristly fur. He growled again, showing two small fangs, that pointed
upwards towards the darkening, swirling thunderclouds. "Poochyena, the Bite Pokemon.
It chases its prey until the victim becomes exhausted. However, it turns tail if the prey
strikes back."
"Yenaaaa!" It growled, waiting for a command from its trainer.
"We can do this Charmander," I whispered to my Pokemon, as I smiled up at Alex.

2. "Poochyena, Headbutt!" Alex roared. His Poochyena growled, and pounced towards
Charmander, his stone grey paws gliding across the wet, slippy grass. Poochyena leapt
quickly into the air, fangs exposed in a malicious smile. His head began to lower towards
Charmander as he came closer. "Charmander, roll out of the way and use Ember!" I
shouted. Charmander quickly ducked, and dived beneath Poochyena, rolling underneath
him. As Charmander quickly got to his feet, he turned, spitting a flood of flames, which
swallowed Poochyena. "Poochyena!" Alex roared in anger. As the flames dwindled,
Poochyena's shape became clearer, the orange around him clearing. Poochyena struggled
to his feet, and growled softly at Alex. "Poochyena, come on! You aren't as weak and as
worthless as this stupid Charmander, come on, get up!" He roared. My eyes turned to
bullets as they shot across at him, and anger hammered through me. "What!?" I screamed
at him, and Charmander glared at me. "What did you say?!" I screamed again.
"You heard me, you're Charmander is worthless, you love it too much. Pokemon are for
battling" He replied bitterly, looking down at his Poochyena and shook his head. I swore
at him, and said "You're wrong. Pokemon aren't war machines, they're a species that live
alongside us. Besides, love helps to train, which is why your Poochyena is struggling."
Alex recalled his limping Poochyena, and looked at his Pokeball, and then at me. "We
will see you again, and when we do, we will beat you."
"It's not about beating someone. Pokemon are there to be loved. We live alongisde them,
and they live alongisde us. Pokemon are friends to us, and battle for us. They don't have
to, they have their own choice" I replied, as Charmander stood by my stood.
"You speak like you've lived for decades, and know everything about Pokemon. You
know nothing, Pokemon are there for us to use to battle, nothing else" He said quickly.
"My grandfather is Blaine, the Pokemon Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island. For decades he
has been that Gym Leader, and has had his own Pokemon that he battles with for years.
He loves his Pokemon, and they love him, and they are one of the strongest teams in
Kanto. Doesn't that say something?" I explained."I don't care about your family, and your
life story. I will become the greatest trainer in Kanto, and then across the World. I'll see
you again somewhere" He shouted, before clipping his pokeball back onto his belt,
putting his bag back over his shoulder, and walking off, as the rain became heavier. "I
hope I don't see you again to be quite honest!" I roared after him.
I looked down at Charmander, wiping the cold raindrops from my face. "Can you believe
the stuff he was saying?" I said, looking down at Charmander. He stood by my side, and
shook his head. Charmander had been by my side by a number of weeks, and we had
created a close relationship, as good friends. "Don't worry Charmander, I don't see you as
some-sort of fighting machine. We're friends Charmander, and we'll gain more friends
along this journey" I smiled.
"Char-char!" He smiled. I picked up my rucksack, and slung it over my shoulder. The
thunder rumbled overhead, and lightning flashed in a broken line across the grey swirling
clouds, and Charmander jumped in shock. "Don't worry little guy, it's only a storm. Come
on, the forest isn't far away now," I smiled, as we began to walk side-by-side, towards the
miles of dark willow that lay ahead of us