NOCT3 Round 1: VS Benny Calvin

Outside Medanda Town; 2nd of Monweek, 14 PC

"The swamp better have something cool in it," Irwin the Feraligatr grumbled. "I like water as much as the next guy, but mud and bugs and Grass-types everywhere? No, thank you."

His trainer, Lyra, patted his arm affectionately. "That's why you learned Ice Fang, remember? We're gonna be fine as long as we have each other's backs."

Irwin grinned, showing off all his teeth. "Hey, check out that kid next to the tree over there. Do we know him?"

Sure enough, a tall young man in an orange shirt was waving at her a short distance off.

"No idea, let's see what he has to say," said Lyra.

Once she and Irwin got close enough, the young man pulled out a well-worn piece of paper and handed it to her.

"'I'm Benny Calvin. I can't talk, so I use sign language and writing to communicate,'" she read. "'I love reading and going on adventures.' Me too! That's why I came to Pannep in the first place! Are you looking for rare Pokémon in the swamp?"

Benny shrugged, pointed at her, then bumped his fists together and held up two peace signs.

Irwin grinned. "If you want a Double Battle with us, kid, you'll get one! Ready, Lyra?"

"Always," she replied. "Brianna, let's throw down!"

Her Victreebel hummed cheerfully as she landed, flexing her vine.

Benny tossed two Poké Balls into the air; a Rampardos and a red-and-yellow fox Pokémon holding a flaming branch landed in front of him. "Hi, strangers! I'm Pyro!" said the fox cheerfully. "I'm a Delphox. My friend here is Rampy."

Irwin took one look at his opponents and laughed uproariously. "A Rock type and a Fire type? Suicune must be smiling on me! This'll be the easiest victory ever!"

"One-sided battles are no fun," said Pyro. He twirled his stick a few times; Irwin suddenly stumbled backward, reeling from a Psychic attack.

Thank Lugia for Irwin's big mouth, she thought. "Brianna, Leaf Tornado on Rampy! Irwin, Surf!"

"Hang ten, Brianna!" Irwin shouted. He raised his arms and a rapidly-growing tidal wave appeared just behind him. Then he grabbed Brianna by the vine (which would've gotten anyone else an Acid to the face), jumped up, and rode the wave as it crashed down on Rampy and Pyro. "That was awesome! You OK, Bri?"

Brianna coughed up a glob of water and glared at him. She began stirring up the grass around them with her leaves, and if any loose blades "accidentally" cut Irwin on their way to Rampy, well, Lyra was in no position to judge for it.

Amazingly, Rampy was still standing after her team's attacks. "Quit playing dirty!" he roared. His skull glowed white, and he ran straight into Brianna with Zen Headbutt.

"Brianna! Come on, shake it off!" Lyra urged her.