Bronze stared at the gleaming, polished form of the Pokemon that strode into view from behind one of the spires - It was an uncanny moment, for it appeared as if the edifice was splitting a portion of itself free to stamp its way towards them, given the metallic hide and upright silhouette of the Duraludon.

'Well. Shit.'

On the one hand, his favourite types were Dragon and Steel, so a Pokemon that embodied both at once was a blessing, so soon into his journey. On the other hand, it was a Duraludon, and his Totodile had, bluntly put, had its ass kicked by a Doduo. This would be trying, to say the least.

Warily, unwilling to take his eyes off the steadily approaching foe, Bronze spoke to his companion in a low, even voice. "If you want to do this, it will be hard. Harder than the Doduo - but I believe in you. You can wear it down."

I believe in you. Such simple words, and spoken so plainly, without passion or fervor. None of the fiery spirit or bravado that a younger trainer might exhibit, but it was precisely the unvarnished, factual manner that they were spoken in that made the Totodile believe them. Bronze, despite his shameful display, had faith in him. He thought that he, a lowly Totodile, could topple a metal titan such as a Duraludon.

If Bronze thought it was so, he would make it true.

He blurred forward, weaving through the grasses in an arc, swift as a fish, then darted forward, jaws spread wide and crusting in rime even as he clamped his teeth down upon the Duraludon in a vicious Ice Fang assault.

The growing patina of frost upon the Duraludon was taking its toll, albeit not fast enough - the great beast was slowing, in increments. The counterattack that came this time was a fist sheathed in glowing light - Breaking Swipe, if he was any judge - but the Totodile was already on the move. Such was the raw power of the Draconic assault, that even the shockwave that burst out from the point of impact was sufficient to cause the cerulean reptile pain.

This was part of the strategy, however, so when Bronze gave a curt nod and they turned to flee together, there was no dull despair in his Pokemon's eyes; Only bright, eager determination. They were doing it. A quick flicker of his fingers upon the gleaming bracer he wore served to mark the spot on his map as they ran, dodging and weaving back and forth, premptively striving to avoid any incensed Flash Cannons that might be aimed their way, but none came.

They made good their temporary escape, but they would be back.

A quiet, vehement hiss of pure exultation escaped Bronze, both of his craggy fists curling tight as he shook them in repressed delight. He wanted to leap up and cry out his encouragement and delight, to bolster his friend's spirit, but that was not part of their agreed-upon strategy. He had to wait, and watch, crouching yet where he was in the sheltering waltz of the grass.

The Totodile was doing phenomenally. If Bronze had to gauge it, he would say that his little blue friend had come away the better from that last exchange, and was looking sturdier than the rapidly weakening giant. Frost now coated a great deal of the steel titan's form, the metal not cracked, but showing signs of wear and damage - just not enough.

It turned, stomping about in a circle, wary and furious, scanning fruitlessly for any sign of its infuriatingly persistent foe, but the Totodile had vanished into the undergrowth. Several tense moments passed before Bronze judged the timing to be right, with the Duraludon's back turned to him - he rose abruptly, shouting at the top of his lungs, voice sundering the air like a peal of terrible thunder.

"Now, my friend, now!"

From his vantage point, it was like watching a shark leap out of the waves to take a chunk out of a cruiseliner, so great was the disparity of size. The Totodile rose in an arc, mouth agape, teeth gleaming with fell promise, and clamped them shut on the back of the massive foe's armoured neck.

As powerful as a Totodile's jaws were, capable of splintering bone and, upon occasion, even rock, steel was on another level entirely. The young Pokemon's inexperience was clear in its unvoiced thoughts, as it sought to gouge through the metallic armour of its foe. This was folly, for the defensive capabilities of Steel types was infamous, and it would take more than sheer bite force to pierce something as enduring as Duraludon hide. Fortunately for the Totodile, however, Bronze knew better - it was not the teeth that mattered, in this instance, but the ice.

Materials became more brittle, the colder they became. Each application of frost to the behemoth's steely carapace was another blow to its defensive abilities, but it also sapped its strength - for the chill bite of winter was a pervasive, insidious thing, stealing through gaps in armour, running frigid, enervating fingers along muscles that no amount of steel could keep it from.

It was all about perseverance, and intelligent utilisation of resources, of knowing what your partners were capable of, and guiding them accordingly.

In a voice as cool as metal left to the embrace of a freezing winter's night, the trainer spoke once more. "Water gun."