“Oh, there you are.” Navy beams at her, standing up. He hasn’t liked sitting down for very long ever since the accident with his parents. It was like a switch flipped inside of him. He’s always wanting to do something, read some new bit of information, go somewhere. Only movies get him to sit still.[break][break]
“Y’know, I get stranger danger. Really, I do. I get that I might look like a creepy guy in the dark, but you really didn’t have to run off into the woods last night, you know.” While the words, devoid of context or tone, might sound like the scolding of a big brother, his clear amusement sweeps away the possibility of him harboring some deeper offense.[break][break]
“Well…either way, I hope you rested up. Couldn’t find anything on you, and I doubt you have any new info you haven’t already given. We’ll have to go down to the local courthouse and we’ll get you sorted out.” He looks at her now like he’s sharing some profound secret. “…but that’s pretty boring, huh? You liked the sound of calling your friends your team last night. I think someone needs to tell you a bit more about Pokemon.”[break][break]
Nearby is a building that hasn’t been used in some time, Petalburg’s gym. Pulling what little political capital he has, Navy managed to wrangle access to the building, including its perfectly functional battle pitch. A proper venue for a trainer’s first battle.[break][break]
“The term ‘Pokemon Battling’ mean anything to you? Jog your memory at all?” He makes conversation while guiding her to the gym through daylight and civilization.

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+ Kara Li

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

They arrive at the gym in short order. Walking through what was once a reception area, they head to the green. Navy stands there, pondering how best to approach this. If she’s truly so new, finding where to begin sounds like a near herculean task.[break][break]
“Well, alright. Pokemon are used for all sorts of stuff, right? People ride around on them.” To accentuate his point, he lets Ironsides, his Skarmory, out of his pokeball. Looking around, seeing he’s on a pitch, he thinks he’s about to be forced into another battle before seeing the girl and realizing it’s just time for a lecture. Ironsides takes to the air, doing a lap or two around the gym, and lands once more at Navy’s side before being recalled.[break][break]
“We work with them. They’re a part of our every day lives. Some people, called trainers, use them to battle one another. Thanks to technology and failsafes, it’s mostly safe – unless you get involved in the conflicts between the League and the Rocket. Regardless, Pokemon are also great for self-defense. You help them, and they’ll help you.”[break][break]
Navy lets Kizashi, the newest addition to his own team, out of his pokeball. The little Totodile shrieks, takes one look at Kara, and immediately falls in love with her. Seeing a flower on the ground nearby, the Totodile picks it, puts it in his mouth, and swaggers up to her.[break][break]
“Heeeey, knock it off. Anyway…if you’re going to be wandering through the most dangerous forest in Hoenn at night, you should probably learn some self-defense.”

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+ Kara Li

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Alright, so, first thing’s first.” Navy gets into position on the opposite end of the pitch, still close enough where she can hear, but marking his side of the field. There’s no wind in here, but a nifty little generator the detective has found helps him create the same effect. A dramatic gust punctuates his words.[break][break]
“There are different types of Pokemon! Kizashi here’s a water type. Ironsides, the bird you saw, was steel and flying. Some Pokemon have advantages over other types. Word to the wise, those advantages can still be overcome. There’s nineteen types, or thereabouts. Water Pokemon are weak to grass and electricity. With that in mind, who do you think you should bring out?”[break][break]
He asks the question and Kizashi chides him. Even if this is a lesson meant to educate, it still doesn’t feel right to just spell out his weaknesses for her. Turning back to face Kara, Kizashi stands at attention. The little Totodile will fight tooth and nail to look good in front of a girl.

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+ Kara Li

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Well, usually, you’d tell it to use a certain move. Since neither one of us knows what Green’s moveset is, I say you just let him act free. That way, we can figure out how well trained Green is.” He wonders just how well trained they’re going to be. He’ll be able to deduce certain things based on how Green reacts.[break][break]
Still, he’s not gonna make it easy for her. Pointing a dramatic gloved finger at Green, Navy gives an order. Kizashi stands at attention as the words are spoken.[break][break]
“Yo, Kizashi. Give Green your ice fang.” Kizashi spurts water into his maw as he charges forward, the water freezing in his maw. He tries to sink his teeth deep into Green. Considering his size, it’s just a playful bite. His sheer force is powerful indeed, eschewing any secondary effects for raw power.

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+ Kara Li

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

“Hmm…” Navy paces along his side of the pitch, staying out of the way. These two babies are already going at it like they mean business. Kizashi and Green both put everything they have into this match. His little Totodile turns just in time to see the brave bird slam into him, knocking him back into Navy’s arms. Technically, he’s not supposed to catch the little guy. What League officials don’t know won’t hurt him.[break][break]
Sitting Kizashi down, he trots back into position. Growling, water starts to form in his maw.[break][break]
“That move you just used is called Brave Bird. Ironsides knows it, too. It’s probably one of the strongest flying-type moves out there. Green is Grass and Flying, by the way.” He snubs the dreams of the Pokemon’s type being Archer. This isn’t a certain popular battle royale franchise.[break][break]
“Here, watch this. She won’t get hurt much. Kizashi, use water gun!” And so Kizashi obeys, shooting a spurt of high-pressure water out across to the Rowlett.

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+ Kara Li

[attr="class","pokeclass"]

Kizashi sees the blade coming for him. Roaring, even as he realizes that this battle is one he is meant to lose, he charges forward. His teeth meet the blade. They clash. Again, again, again. The snout of the creature clashes with the blades. He wobbles back.[break][break]
Huffing, looking at Green. She’s got this. She’s going to win. Yet he refuses to go down without one last attack. Rushing her, he opens his jaws once more and gives her a hefty crunch.[break][break]
“That’s called leaf blade.” Navy says with a clinical eye. Having many of the same Pokemon across his teams makes this easier. “Green’s well-trained. Young, but she knows some good moves.” It’s genuine praise, some people can’t even manage to get a baby Pokemon to obey them. Here she is, coming in hot with powerful moves.[break][break]
Kizashi faints at some point during the explanation. Recalling the baby back to his ball, he pulls out another pokeball.[break][break]
“This time, I won’t tell you what I’m gonna throw out. Pick one of your other friends. I’ll give you a run-down of some moves they might know before we start so it’s fair.”[break][break]
Time to take the training wheels off.

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+ Kara Li

[attr="class","pokeclass"]