A Sad Excuse for Cooperation

The Small Pond. A lovely little area Mim had the pleasure of being to before. Whether the title was actually its name or the locals were too lazy to give it one, the simplicity of it was...quite soothing to the small traveler.

Too bad Mim wasn't in a good enough state too enjoy it.

With a grey night sky stretching overhead, it was to be expected that a little area like this had no one in it. Except for them, of course. Mim and her...cold, questionable companion. Her first dungeon run had been an utterly ehxsausting experience. The amount of effort it had taken to get through Shaodowhue felt far too vigorous for any decent explorer to be expected to undertake. The thought of doing all that again...and again...made the reptilian almost want to puke. Despite this overwhelming stress Mim kept a bitter expression plastered over her face, partially because she still couldn't get get over the events that took place the hours prior.

It was no exaggeration to say that both pokemon were completely wrecked by the enemies back there, two in particular leaving the team with issues for the rest of the trek. The first enemy encountered had obliterated their energy, leaving them tired and even being the reason why the avian's wing was terribly injured now. The second one...Well, defeating them didn't exactly sit well with the slink. Knocking them out would've been one thing, but letting them crisp and fry in flames was another.

Sure, it may have robbed Pilot of his belongings, but it was a feral. It probably hadn't known any better. Watching two traspassers knocking out their comrade probably didn't give it a good first impression. No matter how hard Mim tried to ignore it, the image of the unlucky Paras and the uncaring words of her partner stayed in the fore front of her thoughts.

Finally, as they approached the round source of water, the rustling grass beneath their worn out feet and
ragged breathes breaking the silence, Mim couldn't hold it in anymore.

"So, are explorers always that merciless with their opponents? I could've sworn the point of being one was saving pokemon." She asked, her voice laced with a bitter and grudgeful tone one might refer to as 'salt'.

Everything hurt.

Those two words could describe exactly how Pilot felt as he and his new travel companion neared Grassveil Town. One of his wings was broken, his tiny bird legs were sore, and he was mentally exhausted. No doubt, the trip to Shadowhue Forest had taken a toll on Pilot, and he was becoming quite irritable as a result. Every little thing began to annoy him, from the acrid scent of the pond to the way that the wind was rustling his feathers. And then there was Mim. She had been silent for quite a while now, but Pilot knew what she was thinking. That distant, annoyed look on her face... She was still upset about the Paras, wasn't she?

Just as the Small Pond came into view, Pilot's suspicions were confirmed. That was his breaking point. Taking a deep breath, the bird stopped, and turned to the yellow slink, looking her in the eye. "...Why are you so worried about that fucking Paras?" He fumed, scowling at the Helioptile. "It was a feral, Mim. A brainless feral. Who the hell cares if I burnt it to a crisp? It's not like anybody's gonna miss it!" He shouted, before going into a fake crying fit. "That poor thing! It was so young!" He pouted, mocking the Helioptile's feminine voice. "Grow up..." He muttered, glaring daggers at his partner.

"...Excuse me?!" The insulting words of her partner prompted Mim to stop dead in her tracks. The bitter look in her eye became more sharp, her small hands bunched up into fists as she let Pilot's response sink in. Honestly, it had shocked her when that...'forbidden' word burst out from the bird's beak. She knew he had a fiery and impulsive personality, but Mim never would of guessed he'd actually swear. Back home, she had only ever cursed once, after overhearing her mother use it. Using it resulted in a harsh scolding, and afterwards scared her from ever using it again.

Even now when she was on her own, the foul phrase made the Helio flinch for a second. But then all too soon her violent emotions were back again. After recovering from her shock, the taller pokemon leaned forward, falling to the Tailow's height, a single claw extending out from her angry fist and directly in front of the insufferable's beak.

"Look here, feather-brain. The fact that you thought setting someone on fire was necessary to defeat them doesn't make you a hero. It makes you a coward." Mim knew she would regret her meltdown later on... yet, she couldn't help it. Although a normally calm-tempered 'mon by default, she couldn't stand normally angry personalities. Quick-tempered or hot-headed 'mon, like the enraged little bird standing before her. "Are you that insecure about your strength? You have to kill someone just so you can feel better about yourself? You're pathetic!" By now, the reptilian's voice had escalated to a shout, her sharp finger barely inches away from the other's beak.

"...So you think I'm pathetic for what now..? Knowing type advantages?" Pilot asked, looking mildly amused by the Helioptile's little speech. There was something about the entire situation that entertained the young Taillow, but in a strange, ironic way. It felt almost as if he were getting scolded by a mere hatchling. She certainly had the naivety of one... A sly grin crept up on his beak, giving him an air of self-perceived superiority. Pilot's eyes told a completely different story, however. His tired glare never faltered, showing just how irritated he truly was.

"Let's face it, without that Blast Seed, we wouldn't have been able to beat that stupid Paras. Setting it on fire was clearly the only way we would've been able to get my bag back! Y'know, because fire beats grass," Pilot explained, saying the last part condescendingly slow. Somehow, he found a way to talk down to someone who was taller than he was. Despite having to look up at the yellow slink, his expression and posture still commanded complete authority.

For a moment, Pilot gazed at the hand that Mim was waving in his face. The way that Mim was getting closer to him, making threatening gestures... Did she really think that she could intimidate him? The Taillow unflinchingly stood his ground, his eyes rolling. You think you can scare me, Mim? Hah, that's funny. I took down a lizard twice your size the other day... Sure, I can't fly, but that doesn't mean I can't beat you! Pilot thought, trying to pump himself up. He knew that a fight was inevitable. It was just a matter of when one of them would push it too far...

Mim was confident her "mature" way of responding would leave the Tailow wounded and unsure of what to say. The sudden smug act and dumbed down remarks left Mim at a loss of what to do then. She became enraged at humiliated all at once. To think she still deserved to be treated like some dumb child, even after proving herself that she could fight. Like i'm just some brat throwing a tantrum...   The split second thought only added onto the child's embarrassment. Mim pulled back her finger, her fists clenching tighter than they once were.

"I kmow what type advantages mean! You don't have to tell me you...you idiot!!!" Mim shouted her hasty comeback at the Tailow. She couldn't recall the last time she had been this upset. Between Pilot's hateful glare and eye roll, his uncaring stance and sarcasm filled the yellow 'mon with much many emotions to handle. She knew she would burst at any moment unless her bird friend suddenly uttered a serious apology. (Like that was going to happen) Eventually, she did.

Mim's shaky limbs suddenly burst out from her sides and attempted to collide hard into Pilot's feather chest. "I'm not just some...DUMB KID!"

I'm really sorry for taking so long to post these. I've been having a bit of a hard time lately... That's not really an excuse, though. I'll be free all of tomorrow, so maybe we could make up for some lost time then. =]

Pilot was very clearly taken off guard by Mim's sudden outburst. He had expected the argument to continue for at least several more minutes. After all, the Helioptile had handled the situation pretty maturely in the beginning... But it seemed as if Pilot had found one of her soft spots. As soon as he had started talking down to her, she snapped like a twig. He took note of this flaw in her character, knowing that it could be useful later. Just like in his previous fight with Hidon, the Taillow figured that he could use trash talk to rile Mim up, causing her to expend precious energy... Either that, or he just really liked being annoying (probably the latter).

Still in shock from the young Helioptile's tantrum, Pilot was in no position to defend himself from her attack. Mim's limbs smashed into the bird's chest, causing him to squawk in surprise. The clumsy strike sent him stumbling back a few feet, until he finally fell over. Still unable to comprehend exactly what had gone down in a matter of seconds, Pilot sat there with his beak agape. After a few moments of concentrated thought, his expression became even more angry, and he got up off the ground. "You little buttmunch... You're gonna get it now!" He shouted, his head clouded with rage. Who did she think she was, knocking him down like that? Pilot charged at his opponent, utilizing his newly-learned Quick Attack technique to gain speed.

{{It's all good bro! I get writers block all the time :P it's awful I know!}}

Soon after the shove, startled Mim watched as her partner clumsily stumbled away from her, eventually falling back off his own two feet. The sight, alomg with his displeased bird noises made the reptilian smile with much needed satisfactory. The confident glare came back again, her pride replenishing, along with her grin. Guess that fat beak of his threw him off balance. The wanderer so rudely thought. As much as she would've loved to say it, everything around her felt so intense, her excitement was off the charts. She wouldn't be able to phrase it without stuttering, and this moment was too good for the 'mon she wouldn't dare ruin it.

Mim could only scoff at the Tailow's comeback. She was unphased by his taunting at first, until Mim noticed his sudden charge and rapid change in speed. The 'mon's eyes widened teeth clenched in fear as she knew any second now the avian would colide into her. She was scared out of her wits, knowing that if his charge was successful, it'd take a chunk of Mim's remaining energy. With absolutely zero time to think, the Helio made a split second decision of resorting to her most recently learned move. Immidiately, her ears arose into the ear and unfolded into fan like shape, it took a painfully slow second to charge them up once again, but alas she couldn't concentrate on hitting the avian directly, and so the static only shifted across her body. Mim was unsure how this would play out for her, knowing that the only way her partner wouod be harmed now was through physical contact. Mim tightened her muscles and clenched her eyes shut, bracing herself for what would come next.

Pilot plowed through his target with ease. While Mim was more than twice as heavy as he was, the tiny Taillow had knocked down much, much larger opponents in combat before. The two met with a satisfying crash, and after driving a few feet, he hurdled over the Helioptile to try and get in position for his next attack. However, his landing was far from graceful. Pilot's extended contact with Mim's body sent electricity coursing through his body, locking his muscles. Rather than falling to the ground on his feet, the avian Pokemon fell on his face, getting his beak full of dirt. For several moments, he could not move.

Ah, crud, Pilot thought to himself, knowing that Mim would essentially be getting a free hit on him. I'm at a serious disadvantage here... My wing's broken, AND she's an electric type... It's not over yet, though! I can still win this! The songbird's self-motivation gave him the willpower to overcome his temporary paralysis and roll out of the way, but was he quick enough to avoid Mim's next attack?

The forceful collison was quite effective, and surprising considering the move came from a 'mon as small as Pilot. Mim was knocked off her feet and back first onto the grass. The electricity once charged up in her long 'generators' dispersed along the wet ground. The slink could only groan when pain throbbed across her entire body. As exhausting as this all was, Mim continued to pull herself back up, the thought of admitting defeat now only making the little tyke angrier.

Her small arms buckled beneath her weight, but they still perused in bringing her upwards. Mim desperately searched the clearing for her opponent, her eyes finally finding the Tailow's round figure, which was now laying motionlessly out over the earth. Her actions quickened with the excitement of getting to strike again, getting back up in her clawed feet in a matter of seconds. Her static had actually pulled through! This was her chance! Mim's sore legs reared back over the grass rather slowly, but sprang iut into a sprint with a much more faster rhythm, sending the lizard forward at a brisk speed.

Though her running wasn't as fast as the flying type's, she was still abe to quickly close in on him. Halfway before collison, Mim leapt off her feet and quickly changed rotation, practically twirling in the air until her thick tail was in front of her. This attack was met to meet the avian with a hard whack yet-it seemed she wasn't fast enough to meet him, for the Tailow managed to narrowly dodge the pound attack.

With the position she was already in, it was easy for Mim to safely roll back on her feet. She was breathing a lot heavier now, frowning with frustration and glaring daggers back at the Explorer. Mim said nothing. Rather, the agressive posture spoke for her. Take this, feather-brain! She thought, pushing herself back into a tall, wobbly stance. Her fan-like ears once again took action, gathering up static until a faint yellow glow eminated from them. It took seconds but finally the generators acted, and sent thin bolts across the sky and towards the avian.

Pilot continued to roll away, wide-eyed at how close Mim's tail came to smashing into him. Crud, not good! The panicked bird thought to himself, continuing to roll away. Almost instinctually, he sprang up and spread his wings, planning on perching himself on a tree, or somewhere the Helioptile wouldn't be able to reach him. However, just as he started to flutter his wings, he felt an unbearable pain, preventing him from getting off the ground. Pilot squawked in anguish, clutching his broken appendage. Knowing that there was no escape at this point, the Taillow turned around, bracing himself for the worst.

To his surprise, Mim was no longer pursuing him. Rather, she was in a strange elevated stance that looked somewhat familiar... She's charging up! The avian quickly realized, and saw an opportunity. For the second time in the battle, he used Quick Attack to charge headfirst at the Helioptile, hoping to tackle her to the ground before she could get the attack off. Unfortunately, he had not acted fast enough, and was shocked a several feet before impact. Still, the bird's body did not stop moving, tumbling towards Mim at a rapid pace.

The sharp, furious glare on the electric type's face gradually turned wide eyed when she realized the Tailow was making a move. Thankfully, her charge struck out just in time before Pilot reached her. But even that couldn't stop the momentum behind his attack, and before she knew it Mim was knocked hard off her balance. Again.

This time however, the reptilian had been better prepared, and she was quickly able to regain her footing. But as her vision blurred and the energy to fight faded, the tyke's dislike for her partner slowly grew worse. And so did her soreness. "...What...kind of idiot would just dive into an incoming attack?" The bitter question arose as Mim dizzly tried to fix her posture, hoping the bird was still concious to answer-or at least hear it.

For what seemed like an eternity, Pilot could not control the movements of his body. His limbs twitched sporadically, and they felt extremely sore from being electrocuted. As much as the tenacious swallow wanted to continue to fight, it seemed hopeless. How could he win the fight in this condition? It was simply impossible. Mim had a type advantage over him, and since he couldn't fly, there was no way to overcome that. Every time he came close to the Helioptile, he'd get shocked. He knew no ranged attacks, either...

"...What kind of idiot would just dive into an incoming attack?"

Finally, Mim's statement broke the forlorn silence. Just as this happened, Pilot began to regain control over his body. He didn't try to get up, or attempt to refute (although it took every ounce of his willpower to shut up). Rather, he remained on the ground in an unconscious pose, attempting to fool his opponent into thinking that he had been knocked out. Maybe... If I can surprise her, I'll have a chance to land a few hits! Pilot thought, feeling slightly more hopeful. What had he been thinking? The fight wasn't over! It wouldn't be over until he decided that it was! With newfound energy, Pilot began to formulate a plan.

It was a longshot, but if he managed to get a jump on the Helioptile, maybe he could finish her off in a few moves! Pilot took in a deep breath (although not obvious enough to make him look conscious), concentrating on his heartbeat. The Taillow was using his Focus Energy technique. When the bird felt that he was sufficiently focused, he sprang up as fast as he could, and dove at Mim yet again, attempting to take her off guard with a surprise Peck attack.

The lack of an answer was kind of confusing at first. Surely the Tailow would've made some smug remark back? Mim's small hands clutched at each of her elbows as she waited intently, her glare fixed on her fallen comrade for a few silent seconds-until the thought finally sank in. Unless....Did I actually win? Is it over? With the leftover haste she could muster, Mim quickly limped over to her opponent, stopping when she was just in a reachable range. After an eternity of quiet staring, Mim's ragged and shallow breathes broke out into a weak, shaky laugh. I...I did it! But...is he gonna be okay? As great as victory felt, it also came with slight pity as well. Not that the Tailow had not deserved it-but...

With a heavy sigh, Mim leaned over Pilot's sprawled out body,  eyeing him from top to bottom. Her tension had finally toned down, and she was able to finally catch her breathe. She was incredibly vulnerable right then and there yet it hadn't even crossed her mind, not until the smaller 'mon sprung to life before her, nearly scaring the daylight out of the poor reptilian. With such fast movements in so little time, Mim was unable to comprehend any of it until she felt the painful jab of something sharp on her body.

She was stunned and much too exhausted to shout. Only groaning with frustration afterwards. At this point, the Helio was on the brink of giving up. But she still wanted nothing more than to win this fight. But that was slowly seeming more and more impossible...

After the peck attack jabbed at her body, pain coursed through her body,  but she didn't retreat back. Instead, MI'm shot her tiny claws hands forwards and tried grasping at whatever part of the Tailow she could reach, one hand even  going for the base of his beak. This could hardly even be considered a move-a last resoet more like it. "Give....up..already! I'm...I'm going...to win!" She shouted at her partner, hoping her grip on him was successful so she'd try and pushing  him onto the ground again.

Pilot's plan had gone perfectly; he had taken Mim by complete surprise. Now that the he was in close quarters, where his physical attacks would prove useful, it would be easy to take his opponent out... Or so he thought. As soon as the Helioptile responded to his unexpected assault, the two began a petty exchange of punches, grabs, and slaps that looked more like a sparring match between two newborns than a full-blown fight. The once-partners were no longer using moves, and it became clear that neither of them were going to make a decisive move, at least not in their current states. Rather, it became a game of who would collapse first.

Pilot, panting heavily from exhaustion, began to feel dizzy. His footing became tangled while attempting to wrestle Mim to the ground, and the Helioptile finally managed to take him down. The Taillow's body hit the grassy terrain, he made one last cry in distress, as he had landed on his bad wing. After this, the bird's breathing slowed, and his body made no movements. He was completely unconscious, and had finally been defeated.

The tiresome fight dragged on for what felt like an eternity to the young wanderer. She was beginning to feel a bit hazy, despite the painful slaps and punches the two continued to exchange. Finally, the reptilian could feel the strength weakening on Pilot's side as he fell. She took advantage of this and proceeded to grasp at the feathers on his other wing, thinking that if he tried getting up again, she could stop him before other moves could be made.
The sudden, shrill cry that came from his beak caused Mim's head to throb painfully, and she somewhat considered backing off. Before she could do anything about it, it ceased-silencing as soon as it erupted. Mim forced her hooded eyes to widen so she could get a better look at Pilot's state.The first thing that crossed her mind was his previous trick, and she immidiately strengthened the grip she had on his wing. "I'm not falling for that again..." She mumbled tired, glaring daggers at her opponent as she waited for his attack.

But nothing came.

Everything was so blurry and Mim was too tired to comprehend the fact that she had just won. She just silently released the hold on her partner and stood up, stumbling less than a meter away before collapsing again. Fainting now was probably not a good idea, bit the grass beneath her was so cool and soft, Mim couldn't help it. And finally, with one last sigh the tyke succumbed to her exhaustion.

And fainted.