CHAPTER - 34 { A Quick Battle }

It's been a few days since Kota has once again returned to Johto region. This time however, he spent most of his time in the wild catching various native pokemon.

He was able to catch quite a lot of pokemon. Mareep, Donphan, Bellossom, Houndour, etc.

As for his team, Charizard, Suicune, Aerodactyl, and Larvitar were without much changes.

But Sentret and Croconaw were different. After numerous battles and constant training, Sentret finally evolved into Furret.

Before she was a round ball of fur, now her body was slim and long giving her more agile movements.

Unfortunately there wasn't much increase in her strength after the evolution. Croconaw on the other hand, didn't evolve, instead learned to control his attacks better.

He might not have been physically gifted like his brothers and sisters but his water attacks were almost double their power.

Kota could now be in a better situation and not need to worry about losing any gym battles. As for the tournament, nothing was simple.

Many new trainers have stepped in and are participating in the leagues and tournaments.

"Larvitar!"

In Charizard's arms, Larvitar called out to Kota while pointing towards a really tall mountain. There seems to be a bridge in between to cross the path.

"You want to go there?"

Kota asked. Larvitar grinned and nodded his head. As a newborn baby, Larvitar was very excited and wanted to experience everything. Many times Kota had difficulties handling him.

Newborns were energetic, unlike him.

"Very well."

Kota smiled. The way to the mountain, one had to cross the bridge. Before that there was also a dense forest.

"Larvitar! Larvitar!"

Larvitar looked up at Charizard and asked to let him walk the way. Kota nodded to Charizard, the latter dropped Larvitar down.

The dry ground gave the rough sensation to Larvitar's feet, it was hard and didn't stick to his skin like the wet ground.

Charizard closely followed behind Larvitar and kept an eye on him. After all, Larvitar's responsibilities were handed to him by Kota.

"Enjoy the view."

Larvitar heard Kota speak. Even though they were not talking in the same language, there was the understanding that had formed.

Larvitar looked around him, the tall trees covered the sky in his eyes. Every then and now small pokemon appeared.

Big ones didn't dare near due to Charizard's presence. And Kota wouldn't let them escape if they did show up.

"Larvitar, you see. Right now it is very important for you to learn. The forest, it's scary."

Kota stopped, then turned to face Larvitar. He looked at Larvitar, then pointed towards the dark woods where many eyes sparkled in light.

Some red, some white. Some curious, some hungry. Some friendly, some dangerous.

"Larvitar…"

Larvitar stopped and glared back at the shining eyes. He waved his hand towards the eyes and gestured them to come to him and battle.

"I, I didn't mean that. It's probably no use to teach you since you are too young. You will understand it as you grow up."

Kota sighed and continued on the way to the bridge. Larvitar shook his head in disappointment, he expected the pokemon whose those eyes belonged to, would be brave.

Larvitar failed to notice that behind him, Charizard was staring at the dark woods with his red eyes as if telling that showing up would mean death.

Kota, Larvitar and Charizard arrived before the wood bridge, which was somewhere between Azalea Town and Goldenrod City.

Last time Kota chose a different path so he didn't come through this way.

* * *

The wood bridge stretched out to be about a hundred meters, it was old and looked to break down at any moment.

On one side of the bridge, there was an open area. Kota saw a woman standing there leaning on a tree with her arms crossed over her chest.

She wore pink colored long pants, a purple sleeveless jacket and a cotton hat on her head. On her back was a small bag.

She opened her closed eyes, glanced to her side and spotted Kota, Larvitar and Charizard.

Her eyes brightened and her low mood changed. She smiled and approached them.

"Hi! Is that your Charizard?"

She asked Kota.

"Yes. And are you the one here, infamous for challenging trainers?"

In response, the woman gave a faint smile then stared straight into Kota's eyes.

"What do you think?"

"My guess is, you should be the one. I don't see no one else here."

"Then let's battle! Your Charizard verse my Skarmory."

Kota sighed. Looks like a pokemon battle was unavoidable. He signaled to Charizard, for him to step forward and accept the challenge.

"Larvitar!"

Larvitar likely guessed the woman's intention, he raised his fists in the air and encouraged Charizard.

"Chaa…"

Charizard lazily walked and stood in the open area, waiting for the opponent's pokemon to be called out.

"Skarmory, come!"

With the woman's call, a shadow flew up from below the bridge. Its body was silver, and had red plated wings.

Skarmory, a steel/flying type pokemon. It is known as the 'Armor Bird Pokemon'. It has very high defense and also strong attacks.

"Skarmory, start with Swift!"

The woman said. Skarmory flew up in the sky then opened its mouth, bright stars shot aimed at Charizard.

The Swift attack was blocked by Charizard easily with just the wave of his hand. Only small cuts were left behind, which healed immediately.

"Tch. Skarmory, Steel Wing!"

Skarmory dived down with its wings glowing in silver light. It quickly gained speed, and charged at Charizard.

"Grab him."

Kota ordered. Charizard roared and extended his arms towards the incoming Skarmory. It was too late for Skarmory to change direction.

Bam!

Charizard grabbed Skarmory by its wings and slammed on the ground. Unable to move, Skarmory could only struggle and resist.

"Skarmory, Fury Attack!"

Skarmory turned its head and was about to use Fury Attack when Charizard stomped its head on the ground.

Boom!

After two more powerful stomps, Skarmory didn't struggle anymore because it had been knocked out by Charizard.

"Chaa…"

Charizard let go of it, and stepped back. The woman rushed and checked Skarmory, there was no serious injury.

"I lost. So quickly. He didn't even use a move."

She muttered under her breath, in shock. It was the first time she faced someone this strong. She looked at Kota, wanting to learn from him.

"Please, teach me how to train my pokemon."

She bowed to him, and requested sincerely. Kota had no words to speak in his mind. He lost count of people asking for his advice.

Kota thought for a moment, then looked at Skarmory who was still knocked out on the ground while the woman next to it bowed her head to him.

"I suggest you train its power instead of speed and defense. Make it use its attack continuously until the requirements have been fulfilled."

"I am truly grateful! My name is Miki."

Miki introduced herself as she only now recalled her Skarmory back to its pokeball.

"Nice to meet you, Miki. I am Kota."

Kota shook her hand. They talked for a while, then Kota decided that he should move on his path to the mountain.

Together with Larvitar and Charizard, he continued to travel in the forest. Miki waved her hand and said goodbye to them.

* * *

On the mountain top.

Larvitar watched the sky, currently filled with red, yellow and orange colors as the sun was setting down the mountain range.

He tried to grab the clouds, it was just that the clouds were too far for him to grab.

"Larvitar!"

He admired the sun. It brought light to the land and warmth to them. Larvitar couldn't imagine a world without the sun.

Larvitar sat down and patiently watched the sun setting. Kota and Charizard both took seats on his sides.

The three of them enjoyed the colorful world.