"Alright Blaze! Let's start with Ember!"
Kai yelled not even give me a second to breathe as Chimchar leapt forward flames bursting from its mouth in a quick spray of orange sparks as I barely had time to react.
"Vulpix dodge left quick!"
She jumped but the Ember still clipped her side as it singed her fur a little as my heart jumped into my throat. The first attack of the battle and I was already behind.
Kai pumped a fist exited "Keep up the pressure Chimchar!"
Vulpix landed shaking her fur annoyed that she got hit like that as her eyes narrowed.
"Alright" I mutter softly to myself "He's faster so trading hits isn't an option"
Just then I remembered something I wrote in my notebook: Observe first. Act second.
The battlefield was just a patch of dirt and grass with some uneven ground as the left side had a slight dip. It wasn't much but deep enough for footing to matter. Chimchar was light on his feet with all that energy and bounce while Vulpix was more grounded.
"Vulpix circle right!"
She moved fast running a half-circle around Chimchar while he turned to keep up firing off another Ember that missed by inches.
Kai grinned like he already won this battle "You're dodging but you can't win just running away!"
He was right I needed an opening as Vulpix glanced back at me, waiting for me to give a command.
Then I saw it, Chimchars last Ember had burned a small patch of dry grass behind him still faintly smoking.
"Vulpix aim at the ground behind him and use ember!"
She didn't hesitate as a burst of fire hit the smoking spot reigniting it in a small flash. Chimchar flinched back instinctively from the small flash.
"Now use quick attack!"
Vulpix blurred forward slamming her head into Chimchars chest as He tumbled backward but caught himself with his hands.
Kai's grin didn't fade "Nice trick! But Blaze doesn't quit so easily! Scratch!"
Chimchar lunged claws out and glowing white as the hit landed clean across Vulpix's side as it knocked her back a step and she yipped in pain and stumbled back.
"Vulpix!" i said loud as my stomach twisted. She looked up slowly, steady again eyes locked on Chimchar.
Kai pumped his fist in the air "Finish it with Ember!"
Flames built in Chimchars mouth as for a second I just froze.
Then Vulpix moved before I even gave the order with an Ember of her own as the two attacks collided midair bursting into a cloud of smoke and heat that filled the space between them as i saw an opportunity.
"Now, Run through it!"
A flicker of orange darted through the smoke as Chimchar hesitated looking around...too slow. Vulpix burst out of the haze her tails trailing light as she rammed him full force into Chimchars chest again as Both of them went down in a heap of dust and smoke.
For a heartbeat no one moved as the smoke cleared.
Chimchar was down with swirls in his eyes flat on his back as Vulpix stood a few feet away legs shaky and chest heaving as I just stood there blinking "We…we won?"
Vulpix wobbled over and plopped down on her haunches letting out a small proud bark as I knelt beside her and scratched under her chin. "You're amazing" I said quietly as i pit her into her pokéball to rest.
Kai laughed as he jogged over already recalling Chimchar "That was awesome! I totally thought I had you man!"
"You almost did" I admitted smiling as my heart was still pounding and my hands we're shaking a little.
Kai beamed, that kind of grin that could power a whole city. "next time I'm winning for sure so you better be ready!"
"Deal" I said standing up slowly.
We shook hands and then he waved already walking backward toward the next part of the route.
"See you in Jubilife Aiko!"
"Don't trip over another tree!" I yelled back.
He just laughed before disappearing into the tall grass.
"That was close" I whisper to myself as i look at Vulpix her pokéball "But we did it."
Above me the sky had turned pale orange as he road stretched on ahead endless in goldenvlight. Somewhere up there Kai was already running full speed and probably tripping over something stupid.
I smiled feeling that same buzz of excitement again. The journey had really begun.
"Let's see what else Sinnoh's got for us." i said as i clench the pokéball softly as i start making my way down the path.