The sun shone as the trees drew themselves around the landscape. Such a beautiful view... green covered most of the land and the water sparkled, running fast in the limpid stream that crossed the backyard. Magikarp splashed the water along with some Azurill. Squall opened his eyes, obfuscated by the strong halo the Sun cast upon him, and observed the playful pokémon through the bedroom window. Rubbing his nose, he sat down on the bed, feeling his feet cold from the freezing wooden floor and eventually got up to take a shower. After getting dressed, he headed towards the kitchen. Chewing some bread, he picked his PokéBall containing Dratini and went outside to earn some Experience Points.

There's not much wild Pokemon in the inner parts of the town, but you spot a trainer dozing in the shade of a tree. You can't blame him - it's definitely a hot day. A Skitty is laying at his side, taking a nap as well.

Other things are going on elsewhere.

Approaching the sleeping trainer, Squall sits under the tree and pats the Skitty softly on its back.

The Skitty stirs a bit, and opens its eyes. It looks at you for a sec, and then nudges its trainer. "Meowmeow!"

The trainer shifts and wakes up. He seems to be surprised to see you. "Hey, what the - who are you?" he asks. "Are you looking for something?"

- Actually yeah... some action!
That being said, Squall drew his Dratini out and challenged the trainer.

The trainer yawned a little, and got up. "I'm Dex. Let's go, Skitty," he said, now more awake.

Skitty mewed and jumped into battle position.

"Let's start with Tackle!" he commanded.

- Now we're talkin'! Go on, Dratini, Wrap that kitten!

Skitty charged forward for a Tackle, but its attack was stopped short by Wrap. Dratini now has Skitty squeezed by its long body.

Wrap: 2 HP damage per turn

"Skitty, try to get free!" Dex shouted. "Use Charm for now!"

Skitty used Charm, mewing sweetly. Dratini's Attack fell a little...


Dratini: 20/20 HP (-1 attack damage next turn)
Skitty: 13/15 HP (Wrapped)

- Gaah. Dratini, use Leer!

Dratini glared at the Skitty, which was still wrapped by its body. The Skitty flinched back.

Dratini: 20/20 HP (-1 attack)
Skitty: 12/15 (next attack will do +2 extra damage)

"Skitty! Use Sand Attack in its face, now!" Dex commanded.

Sand scattered all around the tree and Dratini got some in her eyes.
- Can you still see anything? - Squall asked.
Dratini nodded positively and winked her eyes.
- Great, use Slam!

Dratini prepared to launch a Slam attack- then stopped. She didn't know how to use a Slam attack. Thinking quickly, she used Wrap again instead. The little Skitty cried out as Dratini squeezed it harder.

Dratini: 20/20 HP (-2 accuracy)
Skitty: 9/15 HP (2 damage for Wrap, +2 damage for Skitty's lowered defense, -1 damage for Dratini's lowered attack)

Dratini doesn't learn Slam until level 21, so I had her use Wrap instead. ^-^;;

OoC: Skitty doesn't learn Charm until level 25, that didn't stop it from using it :\ OK, then:

BiC: - Good, Dratini. I forgot you couldn't use Slam yet... Leer!

Dratini nodded and blinked some excess sand out of its eyes. It twisted itself so it could look fiercely at the Skitty, eyes intense and threatening. The little cat trembled and grew limp at the sight, but only for a second. Dratini's coils did not tighten, but still held the skitty fast.

Dratini: 20/20 HP (-2 accuracy, -1 attack)
Skitty: 9/15 (No damage this turn. Damage to this Pokemon is +3.)

- Wrap it hard now!

"Skitty, use Growl!" Dex commanded. Skitty bared its teeth, growling menacingly at Dratini. Dratini loosened its grip a bit, but then wrapped the coils back around the Skitty and squeezed harder. Skitty cried out, trying to escape from the blue Pokemon.

Dratini: 20/20 HP (-2 accuracy, -2 attack)
Skitty: 5/15 (Damage to Skitty is +2)

Dratini was already fatigued from holding the Skitty and had to release it. Swaying her head, some sand came out of her eyes, allowing a better sight of the opponent. Annoyed by Skitty's Growl, she covered her ears, loosing offensive power.
- Don't just stand there... Wrap! - Squall commanded.

Dratini nodded, but some of the sand was still lodged in her eyes as she flew at the Skitty. She just missed the Skitty; her light blue flesh brushing against pink fur. Skitty's trainer took advantage of it, crying, "Skitty, Tackle!" Skitty slammed into the Dratini, dealing a bit of damage.

Dratini: 16/20 HP (-2 accuracy, -2 attack)
Skitty: 5/15 (Damage to Skitty is +2)

Dratini rushed against the floor but was able to land properly, without damaging herself. Getting up again, she brushed some more sand out of her eyes and jumped out to Wrap the Skitty.

Unfortunately, sand was still whirling around Dratini, which made it harder to locate Skitty properly. Instead, its tail slammed against the Skitty, but the cat Pokemon leaped out of the way before it was fully wrapped.

Dex grinned and shouted, "Now use Double Slap!"

Skitty whirled over and began slapping Dratini with its puffy tail. It hit a few times, but Dratini hurried to get out of the way before it could do more.

Doubleslap: 2 HP damage, 85 Accuracy (hit 3 times)

Dratini: 10/20 HP (-2 accuracy)
Skitty: 3/15 HP (-2 for half-Wrap)

OoC: Ok... now I'm confused o_O Skitty only learns DoubleSlap at level 15 and I can't use Slam with my Dratini?

BiC: - Ugh.., we're almost over, Dratini. Leer the Skitty one more time and prepare for the finishing move!

(( Er...XD; Doubleslap really isn't that strong, though... and Slam deals a heck a lot of damage. Even so, ya, you're right. XD;; ))

The sand had cleared by now. Skitty emerged from the smoke to see into the glaring eyes of Dratini's Leer attack. It stumbled back on itself, scared.

Dratini: 12/20 HP (+2 HP; apologies for my mistake XD)
Skitty: 3/15 (Defense lowered, next attack will do +2 extra)

With the foe's life almost at 0 and Defense reduced, Squall saw his chance:

- Go, Dratini. Wrap!

Dex watched helplessly. "Dodge, Skitty!" he shouted as Dratini lunged at the small pink Pokemon. But Skitty was too tired; it stumbled, crying out as Dratini wrapped herself around it. The Skitty finally crumpled inside Dratini's coils, exhausted.

You gained $50!
Dratini has earned 50 experience points and has leveled up to level 6! 10/35 points to the next level.

Dex gently held his Skitty. "You did well, Skitty. You deserve a rest." With that, he recalled Skitty into its Pokeball. He turned to Squall. "Well, you certainly are something else. Congratulations, that was a brilliant battle."

- Thanks, you didn't do bad yourself. Now go take care of that Skitty of yours, there's a PokéCenter not too far from here. I wish you luck, Drex, but I have to get going.

Dratini crooned happily and wound itself up your arm. You noticed, however, that it had several bruises from its battle, and its breathing was still very fast. It was fine while it was resting on your arm, yes, but it certainly didn't have the energy for another battle. Maybe you should follow your own advice and go get it healed?

In the surrounding town center, you looked around at the shops about you. First and foremost was the Pokemon center, unmistakeable with its red roof. Then there was the official Pokemon Trainer's mart just beside it, with its equally prominent blue roof. Then, down the lane, there were other shops-- a bookstore, a grocery store, a hair salon... everything the citizens of firelight town needed. With your newly earned money, why not take some liberties? Who knows, you might find something good.

Squall decided to go heal Dratini first, so he stepped into the PokéCenter. A very kind nurse took care of her for a little while and then returned the Dratini safe and healthy. Squall then left the red-roofed building to go find some items in the PokéMart...