>>6314123>>6314225>>6314387Simultaneously, this is a good opportunity to see how Nika does in a real battle.
Tom's Sobble isn't particularly experienced either and while Nika is still young, you've been easing her into battling for a while now and after seeing her roughhouse with Blue, you feel comfortable in letting her get some practical experience.
"Okay we're not battling for money here, so take it easy." You warn Tom. "Nika, let's go."
You release her and she immediately turns to you, clearly under the impression this is going to be another training session or play like previous times, but when you nod behind her and she turns and sees Sobble, she grows serious and squares up.
You take your own warning to heart and emphasise to Nika to be gentle and careful as Tom takes the initiative and orders Water Pulse, which you counter with Protect, wincing internally at the mess, before ordering Nika to use Agility to close the speed gap, Tom following up with Bind, resulting in Nika being grabbed by Sobble's tail as Nika relaxes and her aura blazes sharply.
"Now, Bulk Up." You order as Tom yells 'Protect!' prematurely, as Nika's aura dims slightly as Sobble continues to squeeze her with its tail. You have to grin despite yourself at the misstep. "Rock Smash." You order, which Nika takes to mean grabbing Sobble by the tail and shoulder throwing it into the concrete floor, resulting in Sobble's aura dropping sharply, the barrier of the second Protect Tom orders in response shattering like glass on the impact before Tom scowls.
"Water Pulse." He orders again and before you can get the word out, Nika is blasted point blank by the blast of water Sobble unleashes in response, sending her skidding back to you, where she drops to one knee, panting and exhausted.
"Okay, I think that's enough." You say as you retrieve a couple of potions and an oran berry and patch Nika up as she pants with exertion, tossing the second potion to your brother while Nika happily nibbles on the berry as you treat the scrapes the battle has left her with. "How was that, Nika?" You ask gently.
She looks up at you and smiles, going from looking dissatisfied to more or less content. Even though she's aware that she lost that battle, it seems like she enjoyed herself and doesn't take losing her first real battle too hard.
You leave her out to eat while Sarah take's Tom's place, the Vulpix you gave her, Red, trotting away from the nest your brother and sister built for their eggs to her at her call before she squares up opposite you.
"Before you say anything, I'm not going to go using any fire moves." Sarah assures. "I'm not dumb." She adds.
"Yeah, that'd be kind of hard to explain if the shed burned down." You agree.
>Send in Ayumi, but don't use Dragon Rage.>Send in Coolie.>Send in Euphrates. 