Chapter 3: First Strike, Last Stand

The rocky battlefield was silent. 

The scent of dust and anticipation hung in the air, the faint hum of the LED countdown echoing above. 

I squared my shoulders, locking eyes with the trainer across from me. 

He stood there, confident, fingers twitching over his Pokéball like he had done this a thousand times. 

I hadn't.

This was my first.

"Let's see what you've got, newbie," he muttered before flinging his Pokéball forward. 

In a burst of white light, his Rattata materialized, the purple rodent landing on the rocky terrain with a low, determined growl. 

Its eyes glinted with sharpness, like it knew exactly what it was here for.

"Let's go, Growlithe," I said quietly, My heart pounded as the fire-type stand beside me, fur bristling, its breath hot and steady in the cool air. 

We didn't exchange words—there was no need. 

We knew what had to be done.

The LED above blinked from 3... 2... 1.

"Growlithe, Bite!"

Without hesitation, Growlithe lunged, its fangs bared and aimed right at Rattata's small, agile body. 

"Quick Attack, Rattata! Now!" the opposing trainer shouted.

Rattata was a blur. It darted across the battlefield, zigzagging with blinding speed. 

Growlithe snapped at the air, its jaws closing on nothing as Rattata dodged, too fast, too slick. 

Growlithe skidded in the dirt, momentum carrying it forward, leaving it exposed.

"Focus, Growlithe!" I barked, feeling my pulse hammering in my throat.

The other trainer smirked. He had the upper hand and knew it. "Tail Whip, Rattata."

Rattata spun around, its tail whipping up a cloud of dust. 

Growlithe hesitated—just for a fraction of a second—but that moment was enough. 

The dust stung my eyes, but more importantly, it rattled Growlithe. It glanced back, cautious, as if expecting an attack from behind.

"Quick Attack! Again!" the trainer yelled, and Rattata was already moving.

Before Growlithe could brace itself, Rattata slammed into its side, knocking it off balance. 

A sharp yelp tore from Growlithe's throat, its paws stumbling in the loose dirt. Panic swelled inside me. 

This was my first battle, and already we were on the ropes.

"Growlithe, we've got this!" I clenched my fists. "Use Roar! Intimidate it!"

Growlithe's eyes flashed, its lips curling back in a vicious snarl before it released a bone-rattling Roar. 

The sound bounced off the rocky walls, the ground almost vibrating beneath us. 

Rattata froze, its bravado evaporating as it shivered under the pressure of Growlithe's intimidation.

But the other trainer wasn't backing down. "Tackle! Now, Rattata, give it everything!"

Rattata, though shaken, lowered its head and charged again. 

The hesitation in its step was clear, the fear still gripping it, but it forced itself forward. 

I gritted my teeth, my mind racing. 

"Bite! Catch it now, Growlithe!" I shouted.

Growlithe darted sideways, moving in a blur of fur and fangs. 

This time, there was no escape for Rattata. 

Growlithe's teeth sank into Rattata's shoulder with a sickening crunch, pinning the small rodent to the ground. 

Rattata screeched, its body thrashing, but Growlithe held firm, claws digging into the rocky dirt.

"Finish it!" I commanded, my voice louder than I intended.

The opposing trainer's eyes narrowed, his jaw set. "Rattata, Quick Attack—don't quit!"

Rattata wriggled free with a desperate burst of speed, but it was slowing. 

I could see it—the way its movements lagged, how its breathing had become heavy, labored. 

Growlithe's Intimidate was working, and the wear was showing on Rattata. 

One more hit.

"End it with Bite, one more time!" I ordered, my voice raw with tension.

Growlithe sprang forward, faster than I'd ever seen it move. 

Its jaws clamped down, this time on Rattata's back, and the force drove the rodent into the ground. 

A cloud of dust exploded around them, the impact shaking the stones beneath our feet.

The LED screen above flashed WINNER in bold, triumphant letters. 

I stood there, frozen, staring as Growlithe released its grip and stepped back, panting but victorious. Rattata lay still, defeated.

We won. My first battle—my first victory.

I blinked, my heart pounding in my ears. The adrenaline, the rush, the uncertainty—it was all still there, coursing through me. 

My hands trembled slightly, and I realized I was still clutching Growlithe's Pokéball like a lifeline. 

I swallowed hard, trying to regain control of my breath.

"We did it," I whispered, my voice shaky, as Growlithe padded over to me. Its tail wagged slowly, exhaustion clear in its eyes, but there was a spark there—a sense of pride. 

I reached down, patting its head. "Good job, buddy."

Growlithe nuzzled my hand, its fur warm, despite the dirt smudging its coat. 

I glanced at its side, noticing a small scrape from where Rattata's Quick Attack had hit, but it wasn't serious. 

Just a bit of rest, and we'd be ready to go again.

The other trainer called Rattata back with a quiet curse under his breath, refusing to meet my eyes as he stormed off the field. 

I could still feel the tension in the air, the lingering energy of the battle as I turned and headed toward the exit.

As we walked through the door into the receptionist area, the noise of the battlefield faded, replaced by the hum of trainers chatting. 

I looked down at Growlithe and couldn't help but grin.

---

The hum of the fluorescent lights above the battleground's reception area buzzed in my ears as I sat slouched in the chair, my Growlithe curled beside me, resting his head on his paws.

His breath came in slow, steady puffs—each exhale stirring the dirt on the floor near his nose. 

I pulled out a small bottle of potion from my bag and gently applied it to the small cuts and bruises lining his orange fur.

"You're gonna be alright, buddy," I murmured, rubbing the healing spray into his scruff. 

The cool liquid shimmered on his coat before vanishing, and Growlithe let out a low, satisfied rumble, his eyes fluttering shut.

The clock on the wall ticked away—11 AM. 

Time wasn't on my side. I glanced at the samurai sitting a few chairs down. 

He sat with a rigid posture, his arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes staring straight ahead, not giving me an inch of attention.

"We should do one versus two," I said, breaking the silence, my voice firm. "It'll be over faster."

He smirked, barely shifting. "You sure are confident," he muttered, not even glancing my way.

I leaned forward, elbows resting on my knees. "I've got two more battles to fight after this. Let's just get it over with."

He didn't say a word, just gave me a side glance. His silence was getting old fast.

"Go fix the match," I pressed, trying to ignore the knot of impatience tightening in my gut.

He finally shifted, turning his head to face me. "We'll have our match. But it's one Pokémon at a time—two matches."

I clenched my fists, biting back a retort. Fine. If that's how he wanted to play it. 

I nodded, and without another word, he stood, the tap of his sandals echoing across the floor as he walked off to set things up.

Growlithe stirred beside me, yawning wide before settling back down. I let my hand rest on his warm fur, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest. 

He'd be ready.

Samurai returned after a while, sitting next to me, his presence silent but heavy, like a shadow looming over the space between us. 

The tension buzzed in the air, thick and electric. We stood, my heart pounding against my ribs as we walked toward the arena, Growlithe padding quietly at my side.

The doors to the rocky battleground slid open with a metallic hiss, revealing the jagged terrain inside. 

The LED screen above flickered as the lights overhead bathed the battlefield in a harsh, unforgiving glow. 

My eyes darted to the opposite end, where Samurai stood, his eyes dark and unreadable, his Pokéball in hand.

"Ready, brother?" Samurai's voice carried across the space, calm but laced with challenge.

I nodded, jaw set. "Always."

He threw his Pokéball, and in a burst of white light, Caterpie appeared, its small, green body quivering slightly as it faced down the much larger Growlithe beside me.

The LED screen blinked, the timer flashing down to zero.

"Begin!" echoed through the room, a deep chime signaling the start.

"Growlithe, Roar!" I barked, my voice cutting through the tension. 

Growlithe's maw opened wide, and a howl erupted from deep within him, shaking the air around us. 

The sound bounced off the stone walls, the force so intense I could feel it in my bones.

But Caterpie, fragile as it seemed, held its ground. Its Shield Dust kicked in, absorbing the impact of Growlithe's roar before it could rattle the bug's tiny form. 

Samurai didn't waste a second.

"Caterpie, String Shot!" he ordered, his voice sharp.

A thick web of string shot through the air, gleaming in the bright light. It raced toward Growlithe, aiming to trap him before he could make a move.

"Growlithe, dodge and Bite! Go for the rocks!" I shouted.

Growlithe's muscles tensed, and with a burst of speed, he leapt aside, landing atop a boulder.

The String Shot missed, splattering against the stone in a sticky mess. Without missing a beat, Growlithe pushed off the rock, teeth bared as he lunged for Caterpie.

"Tackle, now!" Samurai countered.

Caterpie barreled forward, a surprising burst of speed for such a tiny Pokémon. The impact collided with Growlithe midair, sending them both skidding across the dirt. 

Growlithe shook it off, his teeth sinking into Caterpie's soft side as the bug flailed.

"Bite harder!" I commanded, my voice harsher than I meant. But I wasn't about to lose to a Caterpie.

Growlithe's jaws tightened, and Caterpie squealed, its tiny body writhing in desperation.

"String Shot into the ground! Use the rocks!" Samurai's voice rang out, desperate but sharp.

Caterpie obeyed, shooting another burst of string, this time anchoring itself to the jagged rocks. 

The string snapped taut, yanking Caterpie free from Growlithe's grip. 

It gained distance, but I could see it—Caterpie was struggling. The bite had done its damage.

"Roar, one more time!" I yelled.

Growlithe climbed higher on the rocky terrain, and let out another powerful bellow. The sound waves rippled through the air, causing Caterpie to stumble.

"Tackle!" Samurai called out, but I could see the doubt in his eyes.

Caterpie charged, but its steps were shaky, its resolve crumbling under the weight of Growlithe's roar. The bug-type faltered, its tiny body trembling.

"End it! Bite!" I roared.

Growlithe lunged with deadly precision, his fangs closing around Caterpie. The bug let out a weak cry before going limp in his jaws. 

Growlithe tossed it aside, standing over the fallen Pokémon as the LED screen flashed my name in bright, victorious letters.

Samurai grimaced, recalling his Caterpie. Without a word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows to retrieve his next Pokémon.

---

The LED screen above us flickered to life with the words, "BATTLE BEGIN!" flashing in bold, red letters.

Growlithe stood ready at my side, his fiery mane bristling, tail twitching with restless energy. "Growlithe, start with Roar!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the still air.

Without hesitation, Growlithe leaped up onto a higher rock, his paws gripping the surface as he pulled in a deep breath. 

His chest expanded, muscles tightening, before he unleashed a thunderous roar. 

The sound tore through the arena, reverberating off the rock walls and shaking the ground beneath my feet. 

The shockwave rolled toward Pinsir, a sound so fierce it seemed to make the earth itself quiver.

Pinsir's mandibles clacked, his eyes widening for just a moment. But Samurai didn't even blink. "Swords Dance, now!" His command was calm, precise—like he'd expected the attack all along.

Pinsir didn't flinch. 

His claws gleamed as he slashed the air, moving in a deadly rhythm. 

Swords Dance wasn't just an attack—it was an art, a sharpening of his lethal edges. 

I could see the power coursing through him as he grew stronger with every movement, his mandibles snapping with anticipation.

"Don't let him get momentum! Bite!" My voice cracked with urgency.

Growlithe sprang from the ledge, his teeth gleaming under the lights as he darted between boulders, his form a blur of red and orange. 

He was fast, faster than anyone gave him credit for. His fangs snapped as he aimed for Pinsir's side, hoping to catch him off guard.

"ViceGrip!" Samurai barked.

Pinsir's claws shot out, moving with a speed that seemed impossible for something his size. 

His pincers closed around Growlithe's neck mid-lunge. The impact sent a shiver down my spine. 

But Growlithe wasn't done yet. 

With a snarl, he twisted in the air, sinking his teeth into Pinsir's arm, his growl vibrating through the rocky battlefield.

The ground beneath them cracked as they wrestled, claws against fangs, neither giving an inch. 

Growlithe was smaller, but he had heart—and that meant something. 

But I could see Pinsir's strength, feel it in the way the air itself seemed to thrum around him. If this continued, Growlithe wouldn't last.

"Intimidate, now!" I yelled, desperation creeping into my voice.

Growlithe's eyes flared with defiance, a raw, untamed energy that radiated from him in waves. 

The aura hit Pinsir like a physical blow, causing his grip to falter for just a second. 

That was all Growlithe needed. 

He twisted free, landing in a roll before springing back to his feet, panting but still in the fight.

"Shake it off, Pinsir! Toxic!" Samurai's voice was hard, unyielding.

Pinsir reared back, his mandibles parting as a sickly, purple liquid dripped from his mouth. 

With a hiss, he spat the corrosive sludge toward Growlithe. 

I watched in horror as the venomous liquid arced through the air, sizzling as it hit the rocks.

"Jump!" I shouted, my throat tightening.

Growlithe launched himself into the air, his form a streak of red against the backdrop of the battlefield. 

He landed on a boulder, narrowly avoiding the sludge, but the fumes were everywhere, creeping along the ground like a poisonous fog.

"Body Slam!" Samurai's voice cracked like a whip.

Pinsir barreled forward, his massive legs pounding the ground as he charged. 

The bug-type was a tank, unstoppable and fast. 

His body glowed as he hurled himself toward Growlithe, intent on crushing him beneath his weight.

"Flash Fire!" I roared, my heart hammering in my chest.

Flames engulfed Growlithe, his body becoming a living inferno just as Pinsir's body slammed into him. 

But instead of flattening my Pokémon, the fire erupted, sending both of them flying in opposite directions. 

Pinsir's carapace smoked from the heat, and Growlithe struggled to stand, his body heaving with exhaustion. 

But he stood. 

"Take Down!" Samurai's command cut through the haze.

Pinsir lowered his head, legs coiled for a final, brutal strike. He charged, the ground trembling beneath his feet, a freight train of muscle and fury.

"Justified!" I screamed, my voice hoarse.

Growlithe's eyes burned with an intensity I hadn't seen before, his body glowing as Pinsir bore down on him. 

Time seemed to slow as Pinsir closed the gap, his massive frame blocking out everything else. 

At the last second, Growlithe sidestepped, using the terrain to his advantage. Pinsir crashed into a boulder, shattering it into pieces.

"Bite!" I shouted, desperation in my tone.

Growlithe lunged, teeth flashing, but Samurai was ready.

"ViceGrip!" 

The two Pokémon collided, a flurry of teeth and claws, locked in a brutal struggle. 

Pinsir's claws closed around Growlithe's midsection, squeezing tight. 

But Growlithe's fangs dug deep into Pinsir's arm, growling, refusing to let go.

For a heartbeat, everything stood still.

And then they collapsed.

The screen above flickered, the timer frozen. 

I could hear my own breath, ragged and uneven, as I stared at the two unmoving figures on the ground. 

Samurai looked up, his mouth twitching beneath his helmet. Neither of us moved, both waiting for the outcome we already feared.

The LED flashed again, one word in red: DRAW.

I stared at the screen, disbelieving, my hands clenching into fists. 

Both of us recalled our Pokémon.

As I walked toward the receptionist area, I caught Samurai's gaze. 

Beneath his calm, I could see a flicker of respect. 

Maybe I didn't win, but I hadn't lost either. And that felt like something.