While some wake up considering what adventures and discoveries await them, for some, today was a day for relaxation and peace. With the sun rising high above, the wind pleasantly cool and crisp and few people around save for the errant Bug Catcher and Fisher, it was the perfect place to relax and wind down. Aside from the occasional Buizel playing in the water, or the flocks of Starly or even Swellow migrating across the skies, there wasn’t too much chaos and action taking place. At times, tranquility was far more fulfilling than endless action; as some ancient masters and philosophers contend, ceaseless movement without thought could be considered a form of spiritual sloth.

 

To some, such as the young man resting under a tree, such philosophy was best left in theory, rather than discussion.

 

Messy blond hair draped around his neck and shoulders. While fairly young in appearance, he appeared a bit neater in clothing than many his age, dressed in a dark blue button down shirt and ebony pants. Stretching a bit underneath the shady tree, blue eyes briefly glanced from the book in his lap to the three creatures around him, all training in their own way to battle the Grass-type expert Gardenia a few towns over. Closest to the gleaming lake was a sleek Dragonair, eyes closed and a soft blue aura cloaking her serpentine body. While she appeared almost asleep, the Dragon-type was still aware of her surroundings, being at one with nature and truly savoring the peace. He didn't know if it was true that Dragonair could control the weather, but from the delightful breeze surrounding them, it was becoming much more believable to him. Yet for all of her calm and warmth, she could use that same weather, particular wind, in battle for devastating effect.

 

The two Pokémon further down the field, on the other hand, were more than energetic enough for the entire group, sparring heatedly in anticipation for an upcoming Gym Battle. A grunt of exertion tore itself from the yellow-furred Electivire as one of its meaty palms took the full impact of its opponent's blow, pushing her back a few inches due to the damp grass not providing the best traction. The momentary skidding served his smaller foe—a Combusken—well as she continued on the offensive, delivering a flame-covered roundhouse kick that caught the Electric-type in the arm along with several rapid-fire punches and kicks.

 

Gritting his teeth, the striped creature endured the Double Kicks, thick fur and muscle providing good defense against the fighting bird's relentless offense, which alone brought many past foes to their knees. Though it was clear the Fire-type was faster and more agile, it would soon become equally apparent that Electivire was possessed of superior stamina and raw power on his side. The aggressive chicken found this out to her cost as she attempted another Blaze Kick, only for the much taller Electric-type to catch her leg midkick and wickedly grin as he rose to his full height. His great strength serving him well, the Fire-type got out one indignant cry before she was tossed like a hammer into the cold water, much to the Electivire's amusement and the annoyance of a nearly Lotad. It looked as if it were going to shoot a freezing Water Gun at the burly brute for getting it wet, but decided against it for fear it’d be taking a mid-morning dip as well.

 

A small cloud of steam rose from where the Fire-type was thrown, followed by a burst of flame shooting upward and the Combusken bursting from the water to shatter the lake's calm. She used her Acrobatics attack to flip ever higher into the air, drawing back one fist to maximum power. At her peak, she came crashing down with a thunderous Rock Smash right on the Electivire’s jaw, truly deserving of its name thanks to the Acrobatics's added velocity. Such a blow would have rang any Pokémon's bell; her opponent was no exception. The electric motor Pokémon ruefully rubbed his cheek and met her fierce smile with an approving grin, a thick striped arm crackling with electricity.

 

A light smile graced the young man’s lips as the pair continued fighting, not using Fire or Electric-type attacks in favor of pure hand-to-hand. Some would find his team choice a little odd. Yes, on paper dragon and fire Pokémon could more easily withstand Grass-type techniques, and Fire-type attacks could put the hurting easily. But the Electivire’s moves would seem much weaker against those Pokémon Gardenia favored.

 

If one asked him why, he’d simply answer, “What’s life without risk?”