Aisha bit down on her knuckle as she watched Hopkins fall to the ground.<span style="color: #ff0080">"H-Hopkins, come back!"</span>She called out, as the defeated Pokemon returned to his Pokeball. This fight wasnt going as she had hoped. Eleyna had gone from someone who couldnt even control her Pokemon to a formidable adversary! Aisha was part proud part jealous on the girl's progression.<br/><br/>Biting her lower lip, Aisha watched the Scyther chitter happily over its previous victory. Aisha could only play one card next, as Pan was a no-go against a bug type...<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff0080">"Okay Charlie, I choose you!"</span>She proclaimed proudly, pointing towards the battlefield. As a fire type, he was the perfect match against Scyther! The little Charmander never appeared on the field though. To the onlookers amusement, he just clung to Aisha's leg, refusing to enter the field. As amusing as it looked to the uninitiated, Aisha was well aware of why the little Pokemon was so afraid to fight the Scyther. The large, diagonal scar across his chest being a constant reminder.<br/><br/>Aisha knelt down next to the trembling Pokemon and lovingly ran her hand across his head.<span style="color: #ff0080">"Ah, sorry... I had forgotten about... Well, that."</span>She cooed.<span style="color: #ff0080">"I only thought of you as a Pokemon type, and not my friend."</span>She added, smiling weakly.<span style="color: #ff0080">"If you dont... you know, want to fight. I'm not going to force you. I guess Pan could do... Well, maybe he'll win, right?"</span>She said with a forced smile.<span style="color: #ff0080">"You just sit back here and watch."</span><br/><br/>Charlie wasnt dumb. An experienced bug type against a grass type? That battle was decided well before the fight even took place. He knew he was the best chance Aisha had in this already losing fight. But the way the sun glared off those Scyther's blades just made him tremble in fear.<br/><br/>And it wasnt just the fact that this was a losing battle, the onlookers were laughing at her just as well. A Pokemon that didnt listen? What kind of newbie was she? And now she was going to field a grass type against a bug type, which every trainer worth something would tell was a horrible idea.<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff0080">"It'll be fine..."</span>She said, forcing a weak smile as she fumbled for Pan's Pokeball. Oh well, at least Eleyna hadn't gotten a flawless victory.<span style="color: #ff0080">"Pan, I choose y-"</span>Her sentence was cut short as the little Charmander walked into the field.<span style="color: #ff0080">"Oh, Charlie, you dont..."</span>The little Charmander adamantly continued forwards, until he stood in the center of the field. His little fists balled up as he had to look up at the considerably larger Scyther, gulping audibly.<br/><br/>The little Charmander didn't just have the type advantage either, the crowd was cheering him on just as well! Maybe they recognized his bravery, or maybe the crowd just had a disliking to Scythers. Either way, it did steel Charlie's will a little.<br/><br/>As the battle commenced, Charlie quickly jumped backwards, increasing the distance between the two.<span style="color: #ff0080">"Good! Keep out of his range! Use an Ember to scare him off!"</span>Aisha commanded. The Scyther was quick, but Charlie had the advantage of having ranged attacks! Times like this Aisha did wish they were a bit more potent... A flamethrower attack could've blanketed the area in fire!<br/><br/>The Scyther was quick and brave, dodging through the ember attacks with minimal damage, quickly striking at Charlie. Charlie froze as the gleaming blades came flying in his direction, the memories of that day in the forest bubbling back up.<span style="color: #ff0080">"Charlie! Dodge! DODGE!"</span>The little Charmander had the other advantage of being a small target, allowing him to deftly dodge underneath the terrifying blades, through the Scyther's legs. Charlie did not come through unscathed, as the blades managed to graze his arm, still managing a rather nasty looking wound even with the minimal contact.<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff0080">"Now! Ember!"</span>Aisha called out excitedly, as Charlie unleashed a point blank ember attack on the Scyther. The attack hit full force, sending the Scyther scrambling and screeching as the fire attack washed over the green carapace, quite literally cooking the Pokemon inside his armor.<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff0080">"Keep it up, you've almost got him!"</span>Aisha called out excitedly. The Scyther was panicking now, refusing to listen to Eleyna as he tried to get away from the fire. Charlie kept peppering the larger Pokemon with fire attacks, until finally the Scyther collapsed onto the ground, a smoldering, twitching pile.<br/><br/>Aisha could barely believe it, Charlie had won! And how! The little Charmander looked just as stunned, panting heavily and bleeding from his arm, but victorious nonetheless! Turning towards his trainer, he smirked broadly as he raised his tiny arms into the air like the victor he was, before a bright light enveloped him. His silhouette changed and twisted in the bright light, growing bigger and bigger, until finally the light subsided.<br/><br/>Charmander evolved into Charmeleon!<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff0080">"Aaaah! Charlie! You did it!"</span>Aisha squealed, running onto the field and hugging the Charmeleon head first into her chest.<span style="color: #ff0080">"I'm so proud of you! You look so cool!"</span>She cooed happily, the Charmeleon flailing his arms around as he desperately tried to pull his head free for some fresh air.<br/><br/>Smirking, Aisha turned towards Eleyna. Maybe now she stood a chance against Growlithe?<span style="color: #ff0080">"Ready for our final battle?"</span>She called out.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>