Let's Get Down to Business! [Benji]

[Benji Aldaine]

Benji was early he assumed, since the place was empty and quiet which was odd at this time of day. He had expected to hear the sounds of battling trainers but instead was greeted with an empty stadium. Shrugging the Mana student leaned against the wall, kicking the floor with his boot as he waited. This was his first trainer battle and he would admit that he was rather nervous, but as he did with everything he would do his absolute best. Even a defeat would give him the experience and knowledge he craved. After a few minutes the sound of shuffling feet caught his attention and he glanced up to see another student approaching him. He had blonde hair and seemed quite short making it hard to guess his exact age. He could be young or older, it was hard to tell. He looked friendly though so Benji was hoping this would be a fun battle.

The boy spoke first, calling out his two Pokemon, an Onix named Gaia and a small Goomy. Benji grinned as he pushed off from the wall and stepped forward. "This should be interesting," he grabbed two Pokeballs off of his belt and released his own Pokemon. "I'll be using my Charmander and Zorua, Duncan and Willow." The two Pokemon looked excited, pretty much matching Benji's own mood. "You're up first buddy," he said nudging Duncan foward. With another grin he bowed his head slightly. "Good luck to you as well."

Team

[Benji Aldaine]

He knew it was risky sending out his Charmander first, the fire type being at a major disadvantage. Yet either way Duncan would have to fight and he was backing his decision. He believed in his Pokemon, despite the bleak outlook on this battle, he didn't know how it would end but he wouldn't give up. The Onix sent out Stealth Rock, and he knew if he changed to Willow and then back to Duncan it would be bad...and he knew that was exactly what William wanted. Benji clenched a fist at his side as his eyes glinted with defiance. "My decision might be risky, but we'll see how this turns out!" Duncan looked a bit scared but ready for battle. He eyed the floating stones nervously for a moment before looking at his trainer for orders. Benji knew Duncan's moves wouldn't do much damage to Gaia...he had to better his chances somehow. "Duncan let's start out with a Smoke Screen." The Charmander nodded and took in a huge breath of air. When he exhaled a large dark cloud of smoke drifted over to the Onix, this would down it's accuracy and hopefully make it miss it's next move. Hopefully.

[Benji Aldaine]

Benji grinned as he noticed the obvious disappointment in William's eyes. He had definitely wanted Zoura to come out instead. Though he knew this battle would still be hard either way. The Smoke Screen had knocked down the Onix's accuracy a bit but Benji knew it only had a small chance of stopping the large creature. A moment later Gaia shot out of the cloud of smoke aiming a tackle straight at the smaller Charmander. Benji held his breath hoping it would miss and to his dismay it did indeed hit his Pokemon. Duncan was hit hard, rolling a bit on the ground before getting back to his feet wincing in pain. "Hang in there," he said gritting his teeth and looking up at the Onix. Any move Benji ordered wouldn't do much damage but he had to try anyway. "Duncan hit it with a Slash as hard as you can!" Duncan grunted and nodded, shaking the pain off and rounding on the Onix. He leaped forward at a fast speed, raising his claws and slashing at the rock Pokemon.

Action: Charmander used Slash. 1/2x effective against the resistant Onix.

[Benji Aldaine]

Duncan's slash hit head on, the Charmander hitting so hard that his claws got partly stuck in between the Onix's rock body. Luckily Gaia began slithering away and Duncan was dislodged landing back on the ground. Benji frowned slightly as the Onix was returned and replaced by a Goomy, but at least Duncan would be safe from the devastating rock/ground moves for now. He knew the new opponent was resistant to fire moves as well, so he decided to repeat a move that would do better damage.

"Okay, new opponent but don't lose focus. Use another Slash!" Duncan seemed a bit more confident as he sped forward again, this time at a smaller opponent. He raised his sharp claws and attacked.

[Benji Aldaine]

Duncan's slash hit as Benji had expected and he was glad to at least do some decent damage. Yet his happiness was soon diminished when William ordered a Muddy Water attack. This was bad, really bad. He crossed his fingers, hoping that the smokescreen would pull through and make the Goomy miss. A large splash of muddy water was flung out of the cloud and straight at his Charmander. Benji couldn't look and closed his eyes as he heard water hitting...something. He opened his eyes hoping to see Duncan still standing, with a water puddle next to him...but that wasn't the case. To his dismay the Muddy Water had hit directly, drenching Duncan in the dirty water and doing major damage. Duncan stumbled a bit, dripping with water, his breathing was hard as he tried to stay on his feet. Benji was hopeful that his Pokemon could hold on for one more move, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Duncan soon fell to the ground, his eyes closed tight in pain as he fainted.

Benji bit his tongue and shaking his head as he returned his fallen Charmander. He had known Duncan didn't stand a chance in this match but he had hoped he would last longer. Yet it wasn't over yet, he still had one more Pokemon, there was still a chance. "Come on Willow, let's do this." He motioned to his Zorua who had been waiting a distance away, but just as she entered a volley of floating rocks smashed into her. He had totally forgotten about the Stealth Rocks from earlier. Luckily it did minimal damage, and he was glad it hadn't hit Charmander. "Let's show them what you got Willow, use Foul Play!" The dark-type Pokemon complied, running towards the Goomy at full speed. This was going to hurt.

[Benji Aldaine]

Willow's move, as Benji expected, hit the Goomy hard. He was surprised the small Pokemon was still standing and he was impressed. He knew one more hit would most likely make it faint, they would just need to hang on until then. When William ordered a Sludge Bomb it made him nervous, especially since that move could cause poison, and that would not be good. The harmful poison shot out of the Goomy, arching in the air before coming back down towards Willow. Luckily she was able to dodge just in time and the gooey substance hit the ground with a splat. Benji grinned, totally relieved that the attack missed...this meant he still had a chance!

"Let's try to finish it off, use Feint Attack!" Willow stepped forward, walking towards the Goomy in what seemed like a harmless manner. When she was close enough though that changed. Without warning she jumped forward and attempted to finish the Goomy off.

[Benji Aldaine]

Willow's attack worked, even though the Goomy had been aware of the fake kindness. Just as Benji had thought the Goomy couldn't withstand any more and fainted. That was one down, but they still had Onix to deal with and this wouldn't be easy at all. Gaia was called out and attacked instantly, giving Willow no time to prepare herself. She was hit hard with the tackle, making her slide back a bit before regaining herself. She was okay, but he wasn't sure how many more attacks she could take. He just hoped she could hang in there and finish this. "Don't let her large size threaten you, attack with Foul Play and give it everything you got!" His Zorua glared at the Onix for a moment before speeding forward, jumping up and aiming to smash right into the giant Pokemon.

[Benji Aldaine]

Just as Benji expected, Williow's attack didn't do much as she hit the rock Pokemon with a thud. She was a bit dazed as she landed on the ground, and shook her head a few times. By the time she was back to normal, Gaia was already on the attack, sending a Iron Tail right her way...which if it hit would be devastating. She would either faint right there or be so weak and not be able to take another. "Try to dodge it!" Benji yelled out as Willow was preparing herself. The steel glinted brightly in the lights of the stadium as it came crashing down. Surprisingly the small Zoura was able to roll to the side at the last second, just missing the attack by inches. Benji had been holding his breath and let it out in a loud rush of air as he stood there relieved. That was close...too close. They might not be so lucky to miss it next time. "Let's keep going, use Feint Attack!" Willow nodded, and then slowly began to approach the Onix. She didn't make eye contact and acted as if she was going to walk right past it. Though when she was next to the large creature she spun around on her small feet and with a loud bark she lunged at Gaia.

[Benji Aldaine]

Willow hit Gaia again with another loud thud and when she landed on the ground she let out a sigh. Her head was pounding like crazy but this Onix just wouldn't give up. She closed her eyes for a moment, then regained herself, awaiting for the next attack. Again William ordered a Iron Tail and Benji grimaced. He was sure they wouldn't get lucky two times in a row, so he prepared himself for the worst. The steel-covered tail came down even faster this time from the aggravated Onix. Willow focused on it, waiting until just the right time and jumped up at an angle. Shockingly she dodged the attack yet again! The tail came smashing down loudly, breaking the earth below it. Willow lightly landed on her feet a distance away with a victorious look in her eyes. Perhaps they had a chance after all...especially if this luck kept happening.

"Keep going Willow, attack with Pursuit!" The Zorua huffed in acknowledgement and after puffing out her fur rushed forward. This time she aimed for Gaia's body, hoping to find a weak spot.

[Benji Aldaine]

Benji sighed as Willow indeed hit Gaia but still wasn't doing much damage. It was like hitting rock with your fists hoping to make it crumble when instead you should be using a hammer. There wasn't much he could do though, he'd just have to keep chipping away. For the third time William ordered a Iron Tail which surprised Benji. With the other student's luck he thought he would use something different, but it was his decision after all. This time Willow was used to it, and ready to dodge, yet she also looked ready to get hit if she wasn't fast enough. Again the tail came down hard, and yet again Willow rolled backwards and out of the way. Benji let his mouth hang open at his luck...he was sure it would have hit that time. "Let's keep chipping away at it, use Foul Play!" Willow didn't take another moment pause and lunged forward yet again, aiming at the middle of Gaia's body.

[Benji Aldaine]

Yet again Willow slammed into Gaia, and yet again she bounce off without doing much damage. At this rate Benji was sure his Zorua would run out of steam before finishing off the Onix. Benji was hoping William would order another Iron Tail since those had seemed to always miss, but unfortunately he used a tackle. Willow was tired, and although she tried to dodge the incoming attack it was futile. The large Pokemon smashed into the smaller, tossing her into the air. She barely landed on her feet, wincing but still standing. One or two more hits and she would most likely be out cold. Benji wasn't the type to give up though, that just wasn't the type of person he was, and he knew Willow was the same. "I know you're tired, but don't give up. Use another Foul Play." Willow sighed with obvious exhaustion but did what she was told. She ran as far as her short legs could take her and lunged at Gaia again.

[Benji Aldaine]

This time when Willow hit Benji noticed that Gaia seemed to finally be getting worn down a bit. That could be said for Willow as well, as she landed back on the ground with labored breaths. Both Pokemon were getting tired, this fight was going on much longer than he expected. A few more hits to the Onix could faint it, but he wasn't sure if Willow would make it that long. William was smart, sending Gaia out to do another tackle. This time the Onix was slower, not having as much energy as before. Willow looked up at the large creature, too tired to even try to dodge. The next second she was hit hard by the tackle and stumbled before falling to the ground. Benji was sure she would faint but a few moments later she struggled slowly back to her feet, her legs wobbling and her eyes half-lidded. She was barely standing and one more hit would definitely finish this for her. 

He hated seeing his Pokemon in pain but he knew this battle had to end, either in his victory or defeat. "Use all you got, another Foul Play!" Willow sighed, trying to regain her composure but it was no use, she was too tired to even stand straight. Though she gather the final amount of strength she had left and sped towards her foe, at a slower speed but still packing as much power as she could behind it.

Action: Zorua used Foul Play against Onix

[Benji Aldaine]

Willow was tired, but she still hit the Onix with all her might. It was as if she used the exact last of the energy in her tiny body and it counted. She smashed into Gaia, and to Benji's surprise the giant beast finally succumbed to the onslaught. In a loud crash the Onix fell to the ground and fainted. Willow stood for another moment before collapsing herself. She was still conscious, but so utterly exhausted that she couldn't even stand anymore. Benji quickly clicked her Pokeball, returning the Zorua for a well deserved rest. He glanced up at his opponent. "Trusting your gut isn't always bad, luck just wasn't on your side this time." Benji was still quite surprised that he had won. After Duncan was defeated he hadn't expected Willow to be able to take out two Pokemon on her own...but she did. He could only imagine how much stronger she would become in the future.

He noticed the wave student approaching him with a friendly face, the boy stretching out his hand and stating his name. "It was a close battle, you were quite the opponent," Benji shook the boy's hand with respect. "I'm Benji, it was great to meet you Will. How about a rematch sometime?" He smiled and scratched the back of his head. He hadn't made any friends yet, so it would be nice to at least make one.