Son of Earth- chapter 6

The boy, Ethan, seemed to be in a hurry. His step, though a walk, was brisk, as if he had an important place to be two minutes prior. Dante matched his pace and walked towards him. He tried to put on his best tough face. If he was going to defeat this wimp in battle, he'd better do it in character.

Ethan, apparently noticing the approaching Dante, stopped with a look of exclamation on his face.  Behind him trotted the little black fire Pokemon Dante had seen earlier. Dante's anger deepened. It was bad enough to know this pathetic kid was favored over himself, but to see the visual evidence was infuriating. Dante's pace quickened and he stood face to face with Ethan.

"So," Dante said with a hint of malice in his tone, "You got a Pokemon from that lab. What a waste."

Ethan's confusion transformed into a frown, "How exactly is it a waste? I was doing some research for Professor Elm."

Dante smiled viciously, "That's a Pokemon that's too good for a wimp like you."

Ethan seethed, "A wimp? How'd you figure that one? I'm a strong trainer. Just ask Tony!" At this he motioned to the fire Pokemon at his feet. It was a short thing, and the flame on its back was even smaller. All in all, it was a pathetic specimen.

Dante shook his head, "Don't you get what I'm saying? I too have a good Pokemon, and I'll show you what I mean about you being a wimp." At this he grabbed Totodile's pokeball from him belt and took a battle stance, moving his left leg back and bending both knees.

Ethan copied his stance, "If it's a fight you want then take this! Tony, battle scene!"

Tony the fire type jumped out from behind the boy. The small fire on its back roared and grew, now matching its body size. Dante was somewhat worried he may have picked the wrong fight, but he was committed to this. You don't run from a trainer battle.

Pulling his arm back he cried, "Totodile, attack!" The stolen water type appeared in a flash. He glared at its opponent. But something strange happened. The two Pokemon stared at each other, all emotion leaving their faces and confusion and shock replacing them. The two started to pace in a circle just staring and making noise.

Ethan asked the obvious question, "What are they doing?"

Dante didn't know and wasn't going to admit it, "Ha! See, you are a wimp. You can't control your own Pokemon."

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "I don't see your Totodile attacking, even though you ordered it to."

Oh Dunsparce, he was right. "Sure I can," Dante said, feinting smugness. "Totodile, scratch!"

But Totodile didn't scratch. He just walked in his circle, making harsh noises. Ethan snickered.

Dante's expression turned from smug to outrage in less than a blink. His voice growling he said again, "Totodile, scratch. Now."

Reluctantly, the Totodile raised its claws and half-heartedly smacked Tony. It did barely anything. Tony shrugged it off, apparently laughing.

Now that outrage was pure, white insanity. "TOTIDLE! SCRATCH!"

The ferocity of Dante's order scared all other competitors and, with tears in his eyes, brought its small claws down on the fire type. The impact was greater and Tony rolled across the ground. Totodile looked back at Dante, his eye's pleading.

Ethan shouted, "Hey, stop it! Can't you see they don't want to fight.

But Dante would have none of it. "Scratch! Scratch! SCRATCH!"

Crying hard now, Totodile unleashed a barrage of claw attacks. Tony rolled from every one. After the third attack, it didn't get up. It's fur was messy, dirt covered it, and Dante thought he was see some spots of blood. How pathetic.

Ethan rushed forward and grabbed his Pokemon. He glared at Dante, "You monster! That was too harsh! You may call me a wimp, but you are evil. Your Pokemon didn't want to battle. You should have called it off."

Dante smiled maliciously, "Do you even know who I am? I'm going to be the greatest Pokemon trainer in the world."

Snarling, Ethan ran up and shoved Dante to the ground. Standing over him, he said, "That's for New Bark Town. Now leave. Get out of my sight."

Muttering, Dante jumped up and walked away, glaring backwards at his new rival. Trying to find some last words, he said, "Gladly. Your shorts are stupid." And Dante quickly realized the same thing applied to that comment.

Ethan shrugged, "I like shorts. They're comfy and easy to wear."

Well, this was getting nowhere. Dante shoved his hands in his pockets and walked away, still happy he had won. He should right this down on his… trainer… ca- Hey!

His trainer card was now missing. Dante looked around his feat and finally he found it, sitting in Ethan's hands and under his gaze.

Panicking, Dante rushed up. "Hey, give me back my Trainer card!" But it was too late. Dante realized that Ethan had seen his name. Now, if the cops ever found out Ethan had battled the Pokemon thief from New Bark, Ethan would have all the answers.

Grabbing the card out of the kid's hand, Dante ran as fast as he could. He had to put distance between himself and New Bark.

Fate was a cruel being, Dante thought. Of course his immoral actions would bring immediate and harsh punishment.