Focusing on What's Important - Open

[melodiouspun]

Zuzu had listened to what had been told to her, and she parked her Duel Runner next to the beach.

Getting off it, she released Popplio from her Pokeball and stepped out onto the beach. "Popplio, I know we haven't really connected."

"Ork?" asked Popplio as she stooped down to kneel next to her.

"But you saved me when I was in trouble. And I wanted to ask if you wanted to battle with me, train with me. I want to learn how to grow strong with you, as both friends and feel what you're feeling. You want to get strong too, right? Just like Lana, and Mallow, and all of our friends at school right?"

"Ork ork!" Exclaimed Popplio, clapping her hands.

"Okay! Let's try learning some of our basics then. Rotom?"

From her bag, her Rotom erupted. "The Ultimate Maid appears! What's your bidding?"

"Rotom, can you display Popplio's moveset for me currently?" asked Zuzu. "So I can commit it to memory."

Rotom nodded and displayed it. "Popplio's move set currently is Bubble Beam, Water Gun and Aqua Jet. IT can also create bubbles."

"I remember Lana making bubbles. Let's start with making bubbles. Okay Popplio, make a bunch of bubbles in different sizes." said Zuzu.

Raising her head, Popplio started creating bubbles that started to float into the air. "And when you're done, let's try Aqua Jet to pop those bubbles!"

Comments

[melodiouspun]

Zuzu's mind raced as the pair charged into one another. We've come so close, that Aerial Ace is going to beat us...!

'Pikachu, Iron Tail!

Wait, could we even... it's impossible, but yet...! I have to take a chance!

"POPPLIO! IRON TAIL!"

"POOOOOOPLIO!" Swinging around in a full arc, Popplio swung it's tail at the apex of it's charge as it glowed a brilliant bright light and it slammed down towards Hawlucha--! Seconds before it would break against the next attack.

[revolutionhawk]

Strong winds kick up the sand as stray energy from the colliding Pokemon attacks add to the mess with a burst of smoke. As soon as Shay can see his bird again while they're sent skidding back from the recoil-

"Flying Press!"

And with that, Hawlucha pushes off from the sand with all of their might and looms in the air above, feathers alight with power. And then the bird dives, an all or nothing attack!

[melodiouspun]

"We're not going to lose! Counter with Aqua Jet!" Exclaimed Zuzu as Popplio stood up to face Hawlucha.

Staring up at the diving Pokemon, she coiled her muscles and shot up at the opponent, zooming up, and up, but with a cry, she swerved at the last second as Zuzu gave a second order.

"IRON TAIL!"

With a cry, Popplio whipped her tail around at maximum force, slamming her glowing tail which had been charged with the force of the Aqua Jet right into Hawlucha, to send him spinning headfirst into the dirt!

[revolutionhawk]

Headfirst is right. Seconds pass as Hawlucha doesn't twitch a single feather in any sort of attempt to escape from the simultaneously compromising and embarrassing predicament. Shay's Rotom floats over to be extra sure.

"... Hawlucha is unable to battle! Victory goes to Popplio!"

With that confirmed, Shay nods without argument and pulls out Hawlucha's pokeball, recalling his bird back into it.

[melodiouspun]

"I... can't believe I won..." said Zuzu, almost in a daze. As if everything fell into place as Popplio came up to her and leaped into her arms, her smile brightened up as she exclaimed, "We won Popplio, our first battle!"

Popplio orked happily as the pair spun around, laughing in the salt and spray of the waves. "Thank you Popplio, I understand now! I love Pokemon!"

[revolutionhawk]

Shay steps up to them and it's a cute sight honestly. He snorts with a rare bit of amusement and even outright smiles a little (a slightly less yet still rare thing) at Zuzu.

"You've got some talent. Both of you."

[melodiouspun]

"Thank you Shay. This was... I think this was the hurdle that I needed to get through. Popplio and I." said Zuzu, looking up at him as she hugged Popplio to her.

"I don't know what our goal is right now. But we will find it. Together. With everyone."