Close Victory for Bell!

Bell glances at Chester and sees that he is eager and ready to go. But she waits, waiting to see what Pokémon Louis will choose. To her surprise he pats the Ponyta on its back, "Silver should be enough to handle you."

Well, that was it then. Not wanting to waste a moment Bell shouts out "Leech Seed" and they manage to get the jump on their opponent. Chester spits out a seed from its mouth which lands on the surprised Ponyta's head.

While both of them were surprised, Louis keeps his cool. "Silver, use Confusion! And remember, you are representing House Anistar!" The Ponyta lowers its head, aiming its small horn towards Chester. The horn starts glowing and Bell sees Chester recoil in pain.

Bell gives Chester another command, "Push through it Chester! Use Wood Hammer!" and the grass starter eagerly leaps towards Silver, smacking it forcefully in the head!

"Don't give up Silver and use Confusion again!"

Bell sees the same strange glow on the Ponyta's horn and Chester recoils in pain. This time Chester doesn't even wait for your command as it leaps at the Ponyta in what Bell can only describe as a blind fury. Using Wood Hammer again to smack with a mighty blow that sends Silver recoiling back.

"I believe in you Silver! Use Confusion again!" The Ponyta uses Confusion for a third time and while Chester is still standing he appears to be on his last leg.

But so does Silver.

Bell tries to shout out a command, but Chester isn't listening, choosing to take action on his own initiative. He charges at Silver again and hits it again with Wood Hammer and this time when the attack connects the Ponyta falls to the ground, defeated.

For a few seconds, the two of them stand there in surprise. That is until Bell runs over and embraces Chester in a big hug. "YOU DID IT! OH THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" It wasn't until the battle was over that Bell realized just how nervous she was.

The realities of being a Pokémon Trainer, especially a female Pokémon Trainer, were starting to sink in for Bell. She had literally left home less than an hour ago and she had already been challenged by somebody who wanted to marry her! Ok, that part was (probably) weird. But the point still stood.

Hugging her Chespin, Bell turns her head to look at Louis. He looks disappointed, but not angry. He pats Silver on the back, telling it "You did good." before putting it into its Pokémon Ball. Louis then looks at Bell with a calm look on his face and then starts walking towards her. Bell is unsure what he is going to do, but when he is within arms distance he extends his hand. "Good job." Surprised by his good sportsmanship, Bell grabs his hand. "But don't think this means I have given up yet." Holding onto her hand, Louis lifts it to his lips and kisses the back of her hand. "I still aim to make you mine. But until then, might I get your name my fair lady?"

To Bell's surprise she feels her face get hot and realizes that she is blushing. "Bell, my name is Bell."

"Well Bell, daughter of Pierre and heir to the Vicomte of Camphrier. I look forward to meeting you again. But until we meet again." He kisses the back of her hand again. "Au revoir" and heads south. Down Route 1 and towards Vaniville.

Well, so much for him needing directions. Still, he won't know where to find Grace. It wasn't like Grace was a hot single mother in a very small town whos only child just left the nest. Or that Louis was a charming (and honestly handsome) man who would actively be looking for her...

"Oh fuck..." That was when Bell decided that she needed to get as far away from here as fast as possible before her mom decided to marry her off. For her own good of course.

***

Ok, first roll Tactic for INIT. Bell 1d6 v Louis 1d6; 4 v 1, Bell goes first

Chester the Chespin uses Leech Seed: [4,5] success!

Silver the Galarian Ponyta uses Confusion, Louis uses Heart by appealing to the Power of Friendship:[3,5]

Chester takes 1 wound, thankfully Bell has the I Choose You Edge so Chester has 4 max wounds instead of 3.

Chester uses Wood Hammer: [5,6] Ponyta takes a wound [2/3] and Chester takes -1 Toughness. Which is healed via Leech Seed :D. Silver's Toughness is now 3.

Silver uses Confusion, Louis calls upon the honor of his house and uses Heart: [13, 2] that is a CRIT, Chester takes a Wound [2/4] and is confused.

Confusion on Page 69 [nice]

"The Pokémon is confused, and cannot understand their trainer while under confusion. The trainer may not roll their usual dice alongside their Pokémon while directing them. Every round after finishing their turn, flip a coin. On heads, the Pokémon snaps out of it."

Basically only Chester gets to roll. OUCH!

Chester uses Wood Hammer: [5] which hits thankfully! Silver takes a wound [1 left]. d100 roll to remove confusion. High he snaps out of it, Low he remains confused. [34], Chester remains confused. Silver's Toughness is now 2

Silver uses Confusion, Louis gives a motivating speech to use Heart: [4,4], Chester takes a wound [1 left]

Chester uses Wood Hammer again and is still confused: [2] is a miss, or it WOULD BE if Leech Seed hadn't been lowering Silver's Toughness! d100 [42], still confused.

and I realized I forgot to account for the +1 from Overgrow. Still, didn't effect anything, it would have just made the 2 a 3.

That was a LOT closer then I would have liked. But Bell won! +1 Pokémon XP, gain 1d6 money [5]

Louis Heart 1d8 [5] v Bell Heart 1d8 [5], tie. I'll give it to Louis, if only just.