Rochelle, too, was interested in the option of battling. As a result she followed some of the others down to the ballroom after giving the rest of her friends a brief wave. However, she walked somewhat slower than the other Trainer, taking in the sights of the S.S. Anne. It was a fantastic thing to see, and she wished she'd brought a camera to take some photos. The decorations, the people, the layout of the ship...
Rochelle's looking around was interrupted by a hand lightly tapping her on the shoulder. She spun around to find a well-dressed senior citizen standing there, sporting a top hat, walking cane in one hand and a thick grey mustache on his upper lip. He stood straight and tall, with not a single thing out of place about his posture. "I say, you wouldn't happen to be on your way to the ballroom, would you?" he asked, a thick accent present in his cheerful voice. "You see, if that is the case, you and I have the same goal."
The younger Trainer noticed the stylised Poké Ball worked into the man's cane. It was the same size as the ones she kept on her belt. Could it be a functional ball, built into the cane as an easy-to-access Pokémon? "Yes, I am. I'm eager to see what other people are capable of, and how I and my Pokémon measure up against them in battle," she answered.
"I see... And how many Gym Badges do you possess, young miss?" the suited man asked. When Rochelle gave her answer of just one, expecting a derisive laugh, she was surprised to hear some advice from him. "Ah! So you are eager to prove yourself, then, only just starting out on your journey as a Trainer. Perhaps I may be of some help to your intentions." He paused momentarily. "Whoops! How rude of me! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Clive M. Prescott, hailing from Blackthorn City. Despite my age, I am still a dab hand at the old battling game."
"You're from Johto too? I'm from Goldenrod; my name is Rochelle Sanders," Rochelle introduced herself in turn. "You are more or less correct in that I'm fairly new to this. I've only been a proper Trainer for just under a week now."
As Clive began to answer, the two fell in step side by side, heading for the ballroom at equal pace. "Ah. So you are in the middle of assembling a team, challenging the Gyms... maybe someday taking on the Elite Four themselves? A capital idea, Miss Sanders, capital indeed. I have to ask, though: is Samuel Oak still running around? Last I heard he had settled down as a Pokémon Professor... If true, I do hope he's gotten his act together."
Rochelle grimaced at her memory of Oak, back in Pallet Town. The old Professor was in no fit state to continue his past work of instructing new Trainers and giving them their Pokédexes. "It's true, Oak is in fact a Professor... though to be honest I doubt he will be allowed to continue for much longer. When I met him to collect my Pokédex... he wasn't all there, I think the best phrase is."
Clive chuckled at her comment. "Samuel has never really been 'all there' as you put it. I may be six years his junior, but I feel that one can only truly respect one's elders for so long. Would you agree?"
Rochelle let out a quiet "hmm" at that. Respect was something to be earned rather than forced through authority or tradition. She treated her Pokémon as equals for just that reason.
The two continued to discuss Pokémon as they neared the open ballroom doors, covering topics such as the Johto Gym Leaders to the journey ahead of Rochelle. It turned out that Clive's own attempt at the Pokémon Gym challenge, many years ago, had been met with success, though he had never tried to challenge the Elite Four back then. The Pokémon Gyms of the Johto region had been different from their current versions: old Leaders retired and passed their title on to their descendants, or new people came along and took over, redecorating to suit their preferred Pokémon types and choices.
Upon entering the ballroom, Rochelle's jaw dropped. The place was stunning, putting all she had seen previously to shame. She was glad that she had dressed up for the occasion. The golden walls, the Pokémon carvings on the ceiling... the sheer grandeur of it was spectacular.
"Well, let's not just stand here with gormless expressions, Miss Sanders. The arenas will be occupied if we don't hustle on in there," Clive commented, laughing a little at Rochelle's reaction to the layout of the room. The younger Trainer pulled herself together. She did want to battle, of course. "Right, yes, let's go," she said as she led the way towards the closest arena.
As the two neared a ring, one dejected-looking Trainer was clambering down the stairs, while another stood triumphant at the opposite end. He looked to the crowds nearby and cried, "Is there no-one among you that can stand against me and my Sudowoodo?" The guy looked like he was in his early teens, probably hopped up on a string of victories judging by his confidence. Rochelle quickly pulled out her Pokédex to examine the Pokémon standing with him:
"Is there no-one at all?" the kid called out again. A smile set itself on Rochelle's face as she recalled one of the basic type advantages: 'Water beats Rock.' No-one else seemed to be interested in actually battling the guy, instead preferring to watch. So Rochelle spoke up: "I challenge you."
"Capital idea! Show this young chap how it's done!" Clive encouraged. The crowd broke up a little to let Rochelle make her way to the stairs, and she did so, her new acquaintance right behind her. Kirsten's Poké Ball in hand, Rochelle entered the ring to stand opposite the overconfident Trainer. "How do we want to do this? One on one?" she asked.
"Works for me," the guy answered before the referee began to speak. "The trainers agree to a one-on-one match! Trainers may not switch their Pokémon during battle! Send out your Pokémon!"
Rochelle's opponent looked down to the Sudowoodo, who nodded and bounded forward, briefly resembling a tree before it raised its arms in a fighting stance. Rochelle's smile turned into a small smirk as she released Kirsten from her Poké Ball. The Horsea bounced into the arena, recognising the familiar signs of a battle. The guy flinched visibly: he knew his Pokémon's disadvantages.
No sooner had the referee cried, "Let the battle begin!" than both Trainers sprang into action. "Kirsten, BubbleBeam!" she commanded at the same time as her opponent yelled, "Sudowoodo, use Low Kick!". Kirsten immediately began to fire a large spray of bubbles from her mouth; they were shot with enough force to propel them towards the Sudowoodo, who was running towards her. As the Rock-type moved into a slide with one foot extended, the bubbles began to impact and burst against its skin.
Despite the Water-type attack causing some visible damage to the opposing Pokémon, it continued its slide. Of her own accord, Kirsten bounced out of the way and let rip with a Water Gun to the Sudowoodo's face once it got up from its failed attack. Under the pressure of the water hitting it, it began to flail around wildly, quickly ending up on its back.
"Come on, Sudowoodo, get up..." the guy pleaded, biting a fingernail anxiously. When the Sudowoodo didn't move to get up, the referee declared the battle over. "Sudowoodo cannot continue! Victory to the challenger!" Applause and cheering broke out from the spectators, accompanied by Clive calling to Rochelle. "Most excellently done, Miss Sanders! Excellently done!"
After recalling their Pokémon, both Trainers stepped down from their sides of the arena. It was then that Clive gave her an interesting proposition. "Say, Miss Sanders... now that I've seen your skills for myself, would you care to face me in a battle?" Rochelle quickly agreed, and the pair returned to the stage.
"Another one-on-one match?" Clive suggested. "Make it two on two," was Rochelle's response, eager to give her other Pokémon a go. "I say, I've been holding onto a couple that my granddaughter bred. They're fairly young, as I've been raising them from Eggs which she gave me, but they shouldn't have much of a problem against your team. Let's go!" Clive raised his walking cane: sure enough, the stylised Poké Ball opened, and a purple bat-like Pokémon appeared in a burst of light. "Gligar!" It stuck a large tongue out at Rochelle as it walked around the arena, earning raised eyebrows from the Trainer.
Out came Rochelle's Pokédex a second time.
"Interesting... I think Phoenix will be suited to a battle like this," Rochelle thought aloud as the released the Spearow from his Poké Ball. The small bird hopped straight into the arena to get ready to battle.
"And your second Pokémon?" the referee asked. Rochelle answered by releasing Natalya to join Phoenix, earning a raised eyebrow of surprise from her opponent. The Murkrow and Spearow stood side by side as if they were a natural pair. Clive's second was a red insectoid Pokémon.
"Round One: Spearow versus Yanma!" the referee called out. Both Trainers called their respective Pokémon back, each standing beside their owners while the others remained in the center of the arena. When the referee told them to begin, both Pokémon leaped into the air immediately. Rochelle was a little worried about this match-up, since the Bug-type had the advantage of both size and weight.
"Joseph, Double Team, please," Clive instructed his Pokémon. The Yanma began to quickly flit around the arena, faster than Phoenix could keep up. As it flew, it began to glow, and identical Yanma began to appear in the wake of the original, all flying at the same height. There were now three Yanma buzzing around the place. Confused as to which was the original, Phoenix landed on the ground. Seeing this, Clive chuckled. "Aha. Riddle me this, Miss Sanders: how can you hit he whom you cannot place?"
The gears in Rochelle's mind began turning. Double Team created illusions, identical copies of the user. She needed some way to counteract its effects, or identify the real Yanma. A move like Foresight would be good here, but she didn't have anyone with that kind of technique. So she tried a different tack. "Phoenix, trust me on this. Use a Leer on all of them, and be ready to attack when I say," she suggested. She was guessing that the illusion Yanma would not be affected by the intimidation tactic, quickly finding the real one once it reacted.
A glint appeared in Phoenix's eyes as they narrowed, and the little bird cast his gaze upon each of the copies. Rochelle had guessed correctly: none of them reacted except one. The Yanma blinked. That was all that she needed to decide. "Now, Phoenix! Use Peck!" Phoenix took to the air with a quick burst of flapping wings, aiming for the one who had shown a weakness. The Yanma tried to move out of the way, but Phoenix was too fast, his beak connecting squarely with the red body of the Bug-type.
As the Yanma began a descent, Phoenix swooped in and caught the bigger Pokémon in his talons. A bold move, Rochelle thought, given the difference in size. Phoenix drove the bigger Pokémon into the ground with much more force than it would have used itself. He didn't let go, however, ready to deliver another powerful Peck if it tried to resist.
"A clever strategy," Clive conceded. "I must say, I did not expect such a defeat so quickly. I approve of your tutors, whomever they may be. Joseph, return." Clive recalled his Pokémon, sucking it back into its ball and slipping the ball into a pocket. It occurred to Rochelle that he cared about his Pokémon, and knew when leaving one in a battle was not the best thing to do.
"Round Two: Murkrow versus Gligar!" the referee called out again. Rochelle took a moment to call Phoenix back to her before sending out Natalya: the Spearow landed on her outstretched arm and received a scratch behind his head for his efforts. "You did good out there, little guy. Nice work," Rochelle praised.
"Row!" Phoenix chirped happily before hopping up to Rochelle's shoulder to watch the second round. Natalya took to the floor, picking at a feather before locking eyes with the unfamiliar Pokémon. The Gligar poked its tongue out between its large fangs again, giggling a mischievous giggle before it stepped up to face Natalya. The battle began with Natalya taking to the air. Since Clive's Pokémon had a preference for gliding, according to Rochelle's Pokédex, she was of the mind that it would have difficulty getting off the ground.
Her theory was quickly proven wrong, however, with Clive's initial command. "Eva, hit her with a Quick Attack." The purple Ground-type bent her short legs and sprang upwards with surprising speed and strength. The head-on attack connected, knocking Natalya down a short way before she recovered herself and stayed in the air. Now airborne herself, the Gligar commenced a wide arc of gliding.
"Natalya, go for a Wing Attack!" Rochelle told the dark-feathered bird. Natalya complied, swooping up to a greater height before taking a downward approach to her target. Rochelle waited for the attack to connect...
"Now, Eva, just like we practiced!" Clive quickly interjected. As Natalya's flight brought her closer in, the Gligar flipped over in mid-air and extended her wings out as far as they could go. Before Natalya could alter her course, she collided with Eva, who latched onto the Murkrow and wrapped her wings around the bird's head and neck. No longer capable of flight, the two became dead weight in mid-air... and came crashing down to the arena floor.
Clive and his Gligar must have had some strategy that Rochelle hadn't counted on, because the two Pokémon rolled over in mid-air as they fell. Natalya ended up between a rock and a hard place: the arena floor and the heavy Pokémon on top of her. Under the weight, Natalya struggled to get loose, but Eva was hanging on tightly. She jabbed Natalya with her stinger once, earning a loud squawk of pain from the Murkrow.
Rochelle knew when she was beaten. She called Natalya back to her Poké Ball, a little disappointed in the loss, but she took comfort in the fact that it hadn't been a complete trouncing. At the referee's question of a tiebreaker match, Rochelle looked to Clive for the decision.
"No, I think that will suffice, my good man. Thank you." Content with the draw, both Trainers departed the arena to applause from the stands, and quickly met up a short distance from the arena. "That was a clever strategy you had with the Gligar. Bait the opposing flyer into taking to the air, then send them crashing down," Rochelle commented. "I've often considered developing tactics outside of the usual techniques of which Pokémon are capable."
"Hm, yes. It is quite a good tactic. Though only useful against Flying-types. If I may change the topic, though, I could not help but notice the presence of a Murkrow on your team. My grand-daughter back in Johto is a breeder, as I mentioned. Young Libby has been looking for a Dark-type to expand her collection, but found none herself. May I ask where you caught yours?"
"That would be Viridian Forest, back before I and my friends entered Pewter City," Rochelle answered.
"Hmm. Such a place is marginally difficult for her to explore. The distance is problematic," Clive mused as they began walking to the healing station set up nearby. The two fell silent for a few moments, during which time Clive appeared to be thinking something over. Eventually, he spoke up again. "I say, Miss Sanders, I have had a thought. This question may be difficult for you to answer, but would you be open to an exchange of Pokémon?"
"An exchange... you mean trading? I can guess which of my team you're after. I don't know..." Rochelle mused. That Gligar of his would be an excellent help against Lieutenant Surge, being a Ground-type and thus immune to electricity. Perhaps some of the others could help out with Clive's offer of a trade, maybe provide a little information before she chose to commit to an exchange.
Rochelle's looking around was interrupted by a hand lightly tapping her on the shoulder. She spun around to find a well-dressed senior citizen standing there, sporting a top hat, walking cane in one hand and a thick grey mustache on his upper lip. He stood straight and tall, with not a single thing out of place about his posture. "I say, you wouldn't happen to be on your way to the ballroom, would you?" he asked, a thick accent present in his cheerful voice. "You see, if that is the case, you and I have the same goal."
The younger Trainer noticed the stylised Poké Ball worked into the man's cane. It was the same size as the ones she kept on her belt. Could it be a functional ball, built into the cane as an easy-to-access Pokémon? "Yes, I am. I'm eager to see what other people are capable of, and how I and my Pokémon measure up against them in battle," she answered.
"I see... And how many Gym Badges do you possess, young miss?" the suited man asked. When Rochelle gave her answer of just one, expecting a derisive laugh, she was surprised to hear some advice from him. "Ah! So you are eager to prove yourself, then, only just starting out on your journey as a Trainer. Perhaps I may be of some help to your intentions." He paused momentarily. "Whoops! How rude of me! Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Clive M. Prescott, hailing from Blackthorn City. Despite my age, I am still a dab hand at the old battling game."
"You're from Johto too? I'm from Goldenrod; my name is Rochelle Sanders," Rochelle introduced herself in turn. "You are more or less correct in that I'm fairly new to this. I've only been a proper Trainer for just under a week now."
As Clive began to answer, the two fell in step side by side, heading for the ballroom at equal pace. "Ah. So you are in the middle of assembling a team, challenging the Gyms... maybe someday taking on the Elite Four themselves? A capital idea, Miss Sanders, capital indeed. I have to ask, though: is Samuel Oak still running around? Last I heard he had settled down as a Pokémon Professor... If true, I do hope he's gotten his act together."
Rochelle grimaced at her memory of Oak, back in Pallet Town. The old Professor was in no fit state to continue his past work of instructing new Trainers and giving them their Pokédexes. "It's true, Oak is in fact a Professor... though to be honest I doubt he will be allowed to continue for much longer. When I met him to collect my Pokédex... he wasn't all there, I think the best phrase is."
Clive chuckled at her comment. "Samuel has never really been 'all there' as you put it. I may be six years his junior, but I feel that one can only truly respect one's elders for so long. Would you agree?"
Rochelle let out a quiet "hmm" at that. Respect was something to be earned rather than forced through authority or tradition. She treated her Pokémon as equals for just that reason.
The two continued to discuss Pokémon as they neared the open ballroom doors, covering topics such as the Johto Gym Leaders to the journey ahead of Rochelle. It turned out that Clive's own attempt at the Pokémon Gym challenge, many years ago, had been met with success, though he had never tried to challenge the Elite Four back then. The Pokémon Gyms of the Johto region had been different from their current versions: old Leaders retired and passed their title on to their descendants, or new people came along and took over, redecorating to suit their preferred Pokémon types and choices.
Upon entering the ballroom, Rochelle's jaw dropped. The place was stunning, putting all she had seen previously to shame. She was glad that she had dressed up for the occasion. The golden walls, the Pokémon carvings on the ceiling... the sheer grandeur of it was spectacular.
"Well, let's not just stand here with gormless expressions, Miss Sanders. The arenas will be occupied if we don't hustle on in there," Clive commented, laughing a little at Rochelle's reaction to the layout of the room. The younger Trainer pulled herself together. She did want to battle, of course. "Right, yes, let's go," she said as she led the way towards the closest arena.
As the two neared a ring, one dejected-looking Trainer was clambering down the stairs, while another stood triumphant at the opposite end. He looked to the crowds nearby and cried, "Is there no-one among you that can stand against me and my Sudowoodo?" The guy looked like he was in his early teens, probably hopped up on a string of victories judging by his confidence. Rochelle quickly pulled out her Pokédex to examine the Pokémon standing with him:

Code:
Sudowoodo. Imitation Pokémon.
Height: 3'11". / 1.2 m. Weight: 83.8 lbs. / 38.0 kg.
[color=#3399FF]Type: Rock[/color]
Description: To avoid being attacked, it does nothing but mimic a tree. It hates water and flees from rain.
"Is there no-one at all?" the kid called out again. A smile set itself on Rochelle's face as she recalled one of the basic type advantages: 'Water beats Rock.' No-one else seemed to be interested in actually battling the guy, instead preferring to watch. So Rochelle spoke up: "I challenge you."
"Capital idea! Show this young chap how it's done!" Clive encouraged. The crowd broke up a little to let Rochelle make her way to the stairs, and she did so, her new acquaintance right behind her. Kirsten's Poké Ball in hand, Rochelle entered the ring to stand opposite the overconfident Trainer. "How do we want to do this? One on one?" she asked.
"Works for me," the guy answered before the referee began to speak. "The trainers agree to a one-on-one match! Trainers may not switch their Pokémon during battle! Send out your Pokémon!"
Rochelle's opponent looked down to the Sudowoodo, who nodded and bounded forward, briefly resembling a tree before it raised its arms in a fighting stance. Rochelle's smile turned into a small smirk as she released Kirsten from her Poké Ball. The Horsea bounced into the arena, recognising the familiar signs of a battle. The guy flinched visibly: he knew his Pokémon's disadvantages.
No sooner had the referee cried, "Let the battle begin!" than both Trainers sprang into action. "Kirsten, BubbleBeam!" she commanded at the same time as her opponent yelled, "Sudowoodo, use Low Kick!". Kirsten immediately began to fire a large spray of bubbles from her mouth; they were shot with enough force to propel them towards the Sudowoodo, who was running towards her. As the Rock-type moved into a slide with one foot extended, the bubbles began to impact and burst against its skin.
Despite the Water-type attack causing some visible damage to the opposing Pokémon, it continued its slide. Of her own accord, Kirsten bounced out of the way and let rip with a Water Gun to the Sudowoodo's face once it got up from its failed attack. Under the pressure of the water hitting it, it began to flail around wildly, quickly ending up on its back.
"Come on, Sudowoodo, get up..." the guy pleaded, biting a fingernail anxiously. When the Sudowoodo didn't move to get up, the referee declared the battle over. "Sudowoodo cannot continue! Victory to the challenger!" Applause and cheering broke out from the spectators, accompanied by Clive calling to Rochelle. "Most excellently done, Miss Sanders! Excellently done!"
After recalling their Pokémon, both Trainers stepped down from their sides of the arena. It was then that Clive gave her an interesting proposition. "Say, Miss Sanders... now that I've seen your skills for myself, would you care to face me in a battle?" Rochelle quickly agreed, and the pair returned to the stage.
"Another one-on-one match?" Clive suggested. "Make it two on two," was Rochelle's response, eager to give her other Pokémon a go. "I say, I've been holding onto a couple that my granddaughter bred. They're fairly young, as I've been raising them from Eggs which she gave me, but they shouldn't have much of a problem against your team. Let's go!" Clive raised his walking cane: sure enough, the stylised Poké Ball opened, and a purple bat-like Pokémon appeared in a burst of light. "Gligar!" It stuck a large tongue out at Rochelle as it walked around the arena, earning raised eyebrows from the Trainer.
Out came Rochelle's Pokédex a second time.

Code:
Gligar. FlyScorpion Pokémon.
Height: 3'07" / 1.1 m. Weight: 149.2 lbs. / 64.8 kg.
[color=#3399FF]Type: Ground/Flying[/color]
Description: It glides instead of flapping its membranous wings. It startles foes by clamping on their faces, then jabs with its poison stinger.
[color=oran]Gligar evolves into Gliscor though use of a Razor Fang.[/color]
"Interesting... I think Phoenix will be suited to a battle like this," Rochelle thought aloud as the released the Spearow from his Poké Ball. The small bird hopped straight into the arena to get ready to battle.
"And your second Pokémon?" the referee asked. Rochelle answered by releasing Natalya to join Phoenix, earning a raised eyebrow of surprise from her opponent. The Murkrow and Spearow stood side by side as if they were a natural pair. Clive's second was a red insectoid Pokémon.

Code:
Yanma. Clear Wing Pokémon.
Height: 3'11" / 1.2 m. Weight: 83.8 lbs. / 38.0 kg.
[color=#3399FF]Type: Bug/Flying[/color]
Description: Its eyes can see 360 degrees without moving its head. It won't miss prey, even those behind it.
"Round One: Spearow versus Yanma!" the referee called out. Both Trainers called their respective Pokémon back, each standing beside their owners while the others remained in the center of the arena. When the referee told them to begin, both Pokémon leaped into the air immediately. Rochelle was a little worried about this match-up, since the Bug-type had the advantage of both size and weight.
"Joseph, Double Team, please," Clive instructed his Pokémon. The Yanma began to quickly flit around the arena, faster than Phoenix could keep up. As it flew, it began to glow, and identical Yanma began to appear in the wake of the original, all flying at the same height. There were now three Yanma buzzing around the place. Confused as to which was the original, Phoenix landed on the ground. Seeing this, Clive chuckled. "Aha. Riddle me this, Miss Sanders: how can you hit he whom you cannot place?"
The gears in Rochelle's mind began turning. Double Team created illusions, identical copies of the user. She needed some way to counteract its effects, or identify the real Yanma. A move like Foresight would be good here, but she didn't have anyone with that kind of technique. So she tried a different tack. "Phoenix, trust me on this. Use a Leer on all of them, and be ready to attack when I say," she suggested. She was guessing that the illusion Yanma would not be affected by the intimidation tactic, quickly finding the real one once it reacted.
A glint appeared in Phoenix's eyes as they narrowed, and the little bird cast his gaze upon each of the copies. Rochelle had guessed correctly: none of them reacted except one. The Yanma blinked. That was all that she needed to decide. "Now, Phoenix! Use Peck!" Phoenix took to the air with a quick burst of flapping wings, aiming for the one who had shown a weakness. The Yanma tried to move out of the way, but Phoenix was too fast, his beak connecting squarely with the red body of the Bug-type.
As the Yanma began a descent, Phoenix swooped in and caught the bigger Pokémon in his talons. A bold move, Rochelle thought, given the difference in size. Phoenix drove the bigger Pokémon into the ground with much more force than it would have used itself. He didn't let go, however, ready to deliver another powerful Peck if it tried to resist.
"A clever strategy," Clive conceded. "I must say, I did not expect such a defeat so quickly. I approve of your tutors, whomever they may be. Joseph, return." Clive recalled his Pokémon, sucking it back into its ball and slipping the ball into a pocket. It occurred to Rochelle that he cared about his Pokémon, and knew when leaving one in a battle was not the best thing to do.
"Round Two: Murkrow versus Gligar!" the referee called out again. Rochelle took a moment to call Phoenix back to her before sending out Natalya: the Spearow landed on her outstretched arm and received a scratch behind his head for his efforts. "You did good out there, little guy. Nice work," Rochelle praised.
"Row!" Phoenix chirped happily before hopping up to Rochelle's shoulder to watch the second round. Natalya took to the floor, picking at a feather before locking eyes with the unfamiliar Pokémon. The Gligar poked its tongue out between its large fangs again, giggling a mischievous giggle before it stepped up to face Natalya. The battle began with Natalya taking to the air. Since Clive's Pokémon had a preference for gliding, according to Rochelle's Pokédex, she was of the mind that it would have difficulty getting off the ground.
Her theory was quickly proven wrong, however, with Clive's initial command. "Eva, hit her with a Quick Attack." The purple Ground-type bent her short legs and sprang upwards with surprising speed and strength. The head-on attack connected, knocking Natalya down a short way before she recovered herself and stayed in the air. Now airborne herself, the Gligar commenced a wide arc of gliding.
"Natalya, go for a Wing Attack!" Rochelle told the dark-feathered bird. Natalya complied, swooping up to a greater height before taking a downward approach to her target. Rochelle waited for the attack to connect...
"Now, Eva, just like we practiced!" Clive quickly interjected. As Natalya's flight brought her closer in, the Gligar flipped over in mid-air and extended her wings out as far as they could go. Before Natalya could alter her course, she collided with Eva, who latched onto the Murkrow and wrapped her wings around the bird's head and neck. No longer capable of flight, the two became dead weight in mid-air... and came crashing down to the arena floor.
Clive and his Gligar must have had some strategy that Rochelle hadn't counted on, because the two Pokémon rolled over in mid-air as they fell. Natalya ended up between a rock and a hard place: the arena floor and the heavy Pokémon on top of her. Under the weight, Natalya struggled to get loose, but Eva was hanging on tightly. She jabbed Natalya with her stinger once, earning a loud squawk of pain from the Murkrow.
Rochelle knew when she was beaten. She called Natalya back to her Poké Ball, a little disappointed in the loss, but she took comfort in the fact that it hadn't been a complete trouncing. At the referee's question of a tiebreaker match, Rochelle looked to Clive for the decision.
"No, I think that will suffice, my good man. Thank you." Content with the draw, both Trainers departed the arena to applause from the stands, and quickly met up a short distance from the arena. "That was a clever strategy you had with the Gligar. Bait the opposing flyer into taking to the air, then send them crashing down," Rochelle commented. "I've often considered developing tactics outside of the usual techniques of which Pokémon are capable."
"Hm, yes. It is quite a good tactic. Though only useful against Flying-types. If I may change the topic, though, I could not help but notice the presence of a Murkrow on your team. My grand-daughter back in Johto is a breeder, as I mentioned. Young Libby has been looking for a Dark-type to expand her collection, but found none herself. May I ask where you caught yours?"
"That would be Viridian Forest, back before I and my friends entered Pewter City," Rochelle answered.
"Hmm. Such a place is marginally difficult for her to explore. The distance is problematic," Clive mused as they began walking to the healing station set up nearby. The two fell silent for a few moments, during which time Clive appeared to be thinking something over. Eventually, he spoke up again. "I say, Miss Sanders, I have had a thought. This question may be difficult for you to answer, but would you be open to an exchange of Pokémon?"
"An exchange... you mean trading? I can guess which of my team you're after. I don't know..." Rochelle mused. That Gligar of his would be an excellent help against Lieutenant Surge, being a Ground-type and thus immune to electricity. Perhaps some of the others could help out with Clive's offer of a trade, maybe provide a little information before she chose to commit to an exchange.