Sandshrew

"Get ready, Elerat!" Blue barks as the Pikachu jumps off his shoulder and gets ready for battle.

"Diggydug," you shout before throwing out your Pokeball, "I choose you!"

The Pokeball hits the ground and pops open, a beam of light shooting out that shapes into the form of your Sandshrew, who strikes an overly dramatic pose by thrusting one claw forward and holding the other near his head, palm open. Blue and Elerat blink in surprise, the former looking... somewhat worried.

"Damn," Blue growls, "Where'd you catch a Sandshrew around here?! And... Diggydug? Seriously?"

"Hey," you reply, "you don't make fun of my Pokemon names and I won't make fun of yours."

"... Fine."

You lower your head for a moment so the brim of your cap can hide your brief smirk. It may be a little mean abusing type advantages like this, but after what Blue was saying before, you really want to teach him a lesson. "Go ahead, Diggydug," you say, crossing your arms under your chest.

Diggydug begins walking forward at a slow, measured pace. He's smiling at Elerat in what is probably an unexpectedly friendly manner, which serves to unnerve both the Pikachu and his Trainer. "Elerat," Blue exclaims, taking a step back, "Shock this weirdo!"

Elerat shakes out his head before firing out a Thundershock... that strikes Diggydug to no effect, not even causing the Sandshrew to break stride. Both Blue and Elerat start in surprise and your smirk grows. Seems like, not having expecting you catching one so early in your career, both your rival and his Pokemon have forgotten an important distinction with Ground-Type Pokemon.

They were not just STRONG against Electric Attacks. They were IMMUNE.

Diggydug continues his slow, confident walk towards Elerat, the Pikachu continuing to fire off electricity ineffectively as he backs off... and comes to a halt right in front of Blue, both of them having the same gritted teeth expression as the unharmed Sandshrew comes to a halt inches away from the panting Pikachu. Elerat looks over his shoulder, realizing from this range any discharge would hit his Trainer too as he slowly looks back at his opponent.

"Diggydug," you say simply, "Scratch."

Diggydug raises his hand and, in a move that looks more like an open-handed slap than bringing his claws to bare, lashes his hand across Elerat's face. The Pikachu is struck hard, the single blow sending him spinning and collapsing to the ground. "Wha--?!" Blue sputters, "A critical hit?!"

As Blue recalls Pikachu to his Pokeball, you continue to smile and kneel down to pet Diggydug as he returns to your side. "Good job," you say, "ready for the next one?"

Diggydug nods, chirping out a happy sounding, "Sandshrew!"

"Trapjaw, go!"

You stand up again, preparing for round two. You've seen more than a few Rattatas already but the look in Trapjaw's eye as he solidifies out of the light from his Pokeball gives you a moment's pause. There is an intensity there that you will have to deal with. "Play it safe, Diggydug," you order, "this one looks feisty."

"You got no idea," Blue snarls, "Time to go wild, Trapjaw! Quick Attack!"

Trapjaw charges in, moving with surprising speed even for a species known for its quickness. Diggydug is just barely able to bring up his arms to block, going into a Defensive Curl and letting the Pokemon batter at his hard shell. It doesn't seem to be hurting Diggydug that much but Trapjaw's aggression is beyond anything you've seen up to this point.

"That's it," Blue exclaims, "don't even give him a chance to breath and you'll wear him down!"

You frown in thought as you realize that he's right. While each individual attack isn't doing much harm, the damage is quickly adding up. You need to wait for just the right moment, your eyes adjusting to follow Trapjaw's movements the more time you have to study them. As you do so, you notice the Rattata pauses for the very slightest of moments when its recovering between charges and see your opening.

"Diggydug," you cry, "Sand Attack and then Scratch! Now!"

Following your command, Diggydug uncurls and rakes his claws over the ground, sending up a spray of dirt into the air... and right into Trapjaw's eyes as he's caught adjusting for his next charge. Stumbling over his own feet in surprise, Trapjaw is helpless as the Sandshrew lunges forward and, with a loud smacking noise, strikes the Rattata with his hand, sending him flying backwards against a tree before he collapses to the ground.

"A-Another critical hit?!" Blue exclaims, "No fair!"

You jump up and down, celebrating for a moment as you pick up Diggydug and give him a big hug. Though he winces from some his battle wounds, the Pokemon seems quite pleased both with his performance and your approval before you return him to his Pokeball. Blue, meanwhile, recalls Trapjaw and grumbles, "Meh. I guess luck can strike twice."

He then squirms in place, noticing the way you're looking at him and the growing smile on your face.

"So..." he asks, "Now what?"