Struggling to open the door with one hand, Jaya swapped her laptop to the crook of her arm, balancing her notebooks on top. Finally, with a gust of cold air, she pried the door open. Glad to find the place empty of customers, she further entered the establishment. Thankfully, the championship match left it empty of any other customers.

"I'll have a chai latte stat," she told the cashier as she approached the counter, not looking up.

"We will now begin the final match of the World Coronation Series." The TV in the corner blared. Jaya opened the note app of her phone, ready to jot down the action as it happened. It was her job to, after all.

"What's the name?"

"Jaya,"

Handing her the receipt, the cashier glanced behind him then at her. "Aren't you going to the stadium like else?"

It was a valid question. Every person in Galar was probably there. The final match for the new Champion was today. Theoretically she should be there since she had to write an article about it.

Jaya shrugged. "I can watch it from here as well as anywhere."

Grabbing her drink, she sat down at her usual spot. Settling in, she keep an eye on the TV, entering data in her phone. Leon predictability uses his Charizard while Lance brought out his Gyarados, a good type match up. People cheered when Lance released his Pokémon, but Jaya shook her head. Shinies are overrated, she thought, opening her laptop. Trainers could spend years looking for one, and for what? Sure the stats might be better, but the only real difference was the color.

"Woah,"

Jaya looked up from her writing, watching the cashier stop in awe as Gyarados used Max Guard to deflect Charizard's Max Airstream.

"It's not that impressive," she sighed, taking a sip of her drink.

The brunette blinked at her. "You're not a fan?"

She turned to him, surprised he heard her. "Not everyone is obsessed over Pokémon fighting."

"I guess so," he went back to wiping the counter off, "but it is pretty amazing what they can do."

"I take it you battle?"

He nods, "Of course, don't you?"

Jaya raised one hand, palm up. "I can, but I don't."

"You scared?"

"No,"

Smiling in a way that made her feel he didn't believe her, he went back to watching the battle. Soon it was clear who the winner would be, Lance's proclamation only making it official.

Good. Now I can turn this in on time, Jaya thought, fingers flying over the keyboard. Once she was done, she went back over it, quickly scanning for errors before giving it a catchy title. Hitting send on the email, she sighed in relief. Deadlines are tricky things. You can either be ahead of schedule, or barely making the cut.

Packing up her things into her tote bag, Jaya stood. Stretching out her back out, she exhaled. Heading for the door, Jaya had her hand on the handle when she heard a voice behind her.

"We should have a battle sometime."

"I don't battle for sport," she shot back.

"You're that afraid?"

The challenge in his voice made her turn. "I'm not afraid." Jaya said, a bit too loudly.

Lifting the apron over his head, he moved around the counter, placing it on a chair. "Then let's have a battle."

"Right now?"

He shrugged, pointing at the empty streets outside. "Sure, no one'll be coming by for awhile."

Against her better judgment, she allowed him to lead her outside. The blacktop was void of cars, easily becoming their makeshift battlefield.

"You do have a Pokémon, don't you?"

Taking her place a few yards away, she faced him. "Of course I do," she barked, snatching her PokéBall from her bag.

Sasha faces her, confusion clear in the downturn of her moth and eyebrows.

"A Dreepy, huh? Would've pegged you for a Yamper kind of girl."

Frowning, Jaya turned to her Pokémon. "Are you up for a battle?"

Floating closer, Sasha places on arm on her forehead in concern. "I'm alright," she reassured her, "This guy just doesn't get it,"

At that, Dreepy turned to look at the guy standing opposite them. He glanced between them before launching his PokéBall straight up in the air.

"A Sylveon?" Jaya blanched. A smile tugged at her lips, laughter bubbling in the pit of her stomach. "And you question my choice?"

He smiled, throwing her off a bit. "'Selda and I have been through a lot together. I wouldn't trade her for anything."

Jaya deadpans, "Please, do not tell me you named her after a video game character."

"Her full name is Griselda," he explained, looking confused.

"Good," Jaya waved him on, "You can have the first turn."

"Ladies first,"

She rolled her eyes at his instance. "It's not the stone ages, you go first."

He flexed his right hand, "Alright, but you'll regret that later."

Doubt it, Jaya thought, not with Sasha's moveset.

"'Selda, use Misty Terrain."

"Double Team!"

Jaya hadn't battled in years, but somehow the instinct was still there. Long buried and hard to settle into, but still there. Sasha clearly retained her skill as well, quickly copying herself to make it harder for an attack to land. They'd have to be careful, but they'd beaten Fairy-types before.

"Moonblast!"

"Protect!"

Shimmering pink crystals bounced off the green sphere, joining the crystals layering the field.

Jaya glanced at her opponent. "Not bad," he smiled. "Maybe you do have some fight in your after all."

Smiling, Jaya turned back toward her Pokémon. Sasha dodges the first blast, but Sylveon was faster, sprinting behind her and firing at point blank range.

"Sasha!"

Horrified, she could only watch as her Pokémon flew through the air, landing with a loud noise in the dirt near her feet.

"Sasha," Collapsing to her knees, Jaya gently lay a hand on her Dreepy. She resisted the urge to shake her, waiting until Sasha opened her eyes naturally.

"Is she okay?"

Looking up, Jaya nodded mutely. She swore she wouldn't let this happen again. Even as Sasha floated near her shoulder, all Jaya could see was Venasaur's vines raking Sasha's body over and over again. Her partner falling to the ground, unconscious. Scars still lined her body from that battle.

"I guess that's that," he sighed, rubbing a hand through his dark hair.

Sasha took one look at Jaya and floated forward. Growling, she faced Griselda again.

Jaya stood, lips slightly parted. "What are you doing, Sasha? You're injured!"

Ignoring her plea, Sasha sprang into action. Electricity crackled, sending the taste of iron as it launched itself towards Sylveon. Not expecting the attack, Griselda couldn't dodge. Crying out, she could only endure the move until it was over.

"I don't think she's that injured."

Jaya whirled on him. "She's not your responsibility, so how would you know?"

Frowning, he looked at her. "Pokémon are hurt all the time in battle. Griselda has been injured more times than I can count."

"So that makes it okay?" Pokémon aren't playthings. They're living, breathing creatures that deserve better than being used for people's entertainment.

"Of course it doesn't," he continued, putting a hand up to pause his Pokémon'a retaliation. "But some Pokémon enjoy battling. Are you going to stop Sasha from living how she wants to for the rest of her life?"

Jaya meet her Pokémon's gaze. She really did seem to have fun back then, when we battled all the time. Have I really been that insensitive to her this whole time?

"Dree, Dreepy,"

Turning around, Sasha flew back to her. Rubbing her head gently against Jaya's neck, she waited.

Instinctively, her arms went to cup her Pokémon closer. "I'm sorry," Jaya whispered, "if you want to battle, I won't hold you back."

"Dreep," Sasha crooned.

"I was just so scared last time you battled. You got so hurt." Jaya went on, ignoring the man standing opposite her. "It took two weeks for your injuries to heal completely. And by then I had found a job to pay for the medical bills."

Nodding her head, Sasha eased back to lol ya her trainer. "Dreepy. Deep,"

Smiling, Jaya straightened. "Alright, let's do this."

"Quick Attack!"

"'Selda, use Dazzling Gleam!"

This time, Griselda was ready. Launching herself into the air with her ribbons, she let loose a bright light that halts Sasha in her tracks. Rubbing her eyes, Sasha tries to rid herself of the blinding effect, but Griselda hits her with another Moonblast, weakening her. Sasha floats close to the concrete.

Gritting her teeth, Jaya takes a step toward her, but restrains herself. "Use Disable,"

Shaking herself, Sasha quickly executes the move, then moving out of the way when Griselda tries to attack again.

"That was smart, getting rid of our best move," Sylveon's trajner states approvingly. "But not as smart as this. Griselda, Dazzling Gleam!"

A pink light fluttered around the field before going out, ending the terrain advantage.

Good, but Sasha can't get hit again. "Dodge it!"

Sasha flies around the field, narrowly dodging at times. Griselda's time between attacks becomes longer.

"Sasha," Jaya calls, "Thunder Wave! Quick, while she's tired."

Dreepy halts her flight, head tilted to Jaya. After a moment, she nods. Turning to look at Griselda, who's visibly panting, she shoots straight toward her, electrical sparks emitting from her think skin.

"Dodge it!"

Sylveon moves to run, but Sasha beats her, focusing her single strike. Yellow sparks stick to Griselda's fur as she lies on the ground.

Jaya stares for a full minute, even after her opponent congratulates her. Returning his Pokémon, he steps toward her. "Good battling,"

"T—thanks," Jaya whispers, cuddling Sasha close in amazement. "You did it, Sasha."

Looking more content than she'd ever seen her, Sasha curled up in her arms and promptly fell asleep.

"You both did well,"

Brushing her black hair out of her eyes, Jaya held up one hand to block the sunlight, glad she didn't have to be outside to appear tan like all the other girls did. "Thank you,"

"I think you earned a free drink," he smiled. "If you want one."

Just then her stomach growled loudly, causing her to blush. "Actually, I could use some food."

"Okay, let's go." He started walking down the street.

"Go?" she echoed.

"To this restaurant nearby. My treat,"

Jaya stared at him, "But I don't even know your name."

He turned back to her, "Oh, I'm Noah,"

"Jaya," she replied, "And it better be good food."

Smiling, Noah lead the way. "It is,"

AN: There you go folks, the first one-shot in two years that I was felt decent enough to post on here. Although I couldn't enter a contest I started, I had an idea for an Indian girl who didn't like Pokémon getting hurt in battle, and enjoyed writing in her spare time. And this is what happened. Hope you liked it. And since I haven't posted a longer story in awhile, I'll post a question here.

Pokémon Question of the Day: Who is your favorite underrated Pokémon? Dreepy is one I felt was overrated but has grown on me. I think it's evolution is more commonly used now, so Dreepy is my answer. What's yours?

-CoordinatorIza out! ^_^