“Get away from it!” Mason yelled, but his words fell on deaf ears—literally.

  Espurr’s claws dug deep into Poochyena’s flesh, leaving thick scratches along its sides. Swagger’s attack boost did a great job. The dark-type slumped to the ground, all signs of life vanishing from its body.

  “Poochyena!” Mason cried out once more, now with a hurting voice, as if his very own Pokémon had just been injured. Or even died—so overdramatic.

  He must’ve forgotten what this Pokémon really was: merely a part time companion that he’d never see again. Why care so much about it?

  Mason rushed to ‘his’ Pokémon, when the referee’s voice rang out, “Poochyena is defeated!”

  Rika’s eyes darted to Espurr, who turned to face her with an innocent blink of its oversized eyes.

  “What?” she asked, confused by its behavior. “Focus on the battle.” She pointed at Mason, who was supposed to send out his next Pokémon—instead kneeling by the bloody creature’s side.

  Mason’s body looked defeated, eyes close to tears. His hands trembled as Poochyena’s Pokéball slipped from his grip to the ground.

  Rika rolled her eyes. The clumsiness of a Spinda.

  “I’m sorry Poochyena! It’s my fault! You did well!” Mason stroked the Pokémon’s fur, as if that would help. It probably didn’t even hear him talking anymore and he’d do it a favor by calling it back into its Pokéball as quickly as possible. There, it wouldn’t suffer anymore. Neither from its wounds, nor from the shame of losing to a psychic-type. Pathetic.

  When Mason had finally recalled it, and decided on a new Pokéball, Rika could only hope it wouldn’t be Gulpin again.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “Doof!” the new Pokémon exclaimed, trying its best to look intimidating. Rika noticed a smear of blue around its mouth, which only made it look even more ridiculous.

  “Espurr!” Bedhead raised its paw, waving happily at the newcomer.

  “Bidoof!” it answered, waddling closer to greet its friend. But it stopped abruptly when Rika’s cold, serious voice cut through the air.

  “Use Leer!”

  Espurr’s shoulders tensed as it glanced over its shoulder, meeting Rika’s stern gaze. “Purr...?” The thought of attacking its best and only friend seemed absurd to it.

  Rika raised an eyebrow. “Are you not going to obey?” There was a certain thread in her voice.

  “Purr! Espurr!” It waved its paws nervously, trying to placate her.

  “Good. Then go.”

  Espurr swallowed hard, clearly reluctant to follow the command.

  “Bidoof, I know you don’t want to fight Espurr, but we have to!” Mason pleaded with his partner, who crossed its arms defiantly. Bidoof seemed to feel the same as Espurr. “Please...!” Mason whined once more, about to go on his knees.

  This is exactly what happens when trainers can’t control their Pokémon, Rika thought, shaking her head.

  She would never allow Bedhead to get through with such disrespectfulness. That just wasn’t right!

  “I guess Bidoofs are just as stupid as I thought,” Rika spat. “They can only eat and sleep, and they stink. Muk, they stink!”

  Bidoof winced, pausing its conversation with Mason, and glaring at her. Rika decided to push further.

  “I fear those news will leave Miss Maron devastated—her son confessing his loss to her,” she taunted.

  At that, Bidoof’s ears perked up.

  “And all that because his dumb, fat Bidoof wouldn’t listen to him. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

  Bidoof kept glaring at her. It probably saw through this obvious provocation, but Rika knew she was right. And Bidoof knew it too.

  “N-no, it’s fine, really Bidoof,” Mason interfered.

  What?! No, it’s not!

  “You don’t have to fight your friend if you don’t want to,” Mason got quieter. “I understand.”

  “Who cares about friendship in a battle!?” Rika asked “That’s just life!”

  He gave her a pouting look.

  “Do you think this is fun for me either?!” She asked.

  Well, it actually kind of is... BUT I’d rather have us both advance of course!

  Mason didn’t dare to speak up. The referee gave them this insisting look again, pushing them to continue their battle.

  “Whatever... if you don’t want to make the first move, then I will.” Rika’s voice became authoritative. “Bedhead, use Leer.”