A long grassy stretch between King Town and Nix City, this route is still quite peaceful and excellent for beginner trainers. With large areas covered in lush green grass, this area is home to Pokémon that thrive in grasslands. As you get closer to Nix City you start seeing a few more trees that occasionally are home to other types of Pokémon. These Pokémon are sometimes a bit more aggressive as the grassland Pokémon occasionally try to pester them into leaving the area.
[Black colored Pokémon can be caught with a Poké Ball, Blue colored Pokémon need to be caught with a Great Ball, and Red colored Pokémon need to be caught with an Ultra Ball.]
Of course, Laram meant "delinquent" as a term of endearment. He had been called that so many times in his life that he just sort of started using it as a nickname. Calling Froakie a delinquent was Laram's way of telling him that he was part of the team. The frog exhaled a large amount of black smoke in front of him, but Laram kept his smile. While the smoke did inhibit his vision. It didn't make it harder for him to hear the Pokemon. Plus, his light dagger shined like Rudolph's nose through the haze. Laram concentrated on that, and watched in slowly, cautiously circle him, attempting to stealthily get behind him. He acted like he didn't notice, until he heard the frog leap towards the back of his legs. Laram spread them to either side and watched the blue Pokemon pass through where his legs used to be. He was still putting too much effort into his movements, and it was causing him to always overshoot his target if he missed.
"You're learning not to just charge in blindly. That's good. But you are still committing to your approach too much. You need to leave yourself a way out if you miss."To emphasize his point, Laram booted the creature with the side of his foot."You're still not masking your presence very well. I know we haven't been working on this for a long time, but I can still hear you when you move. I can still notice how the smoke changes as you move through it. Plus, that dagger of your's lights up like a Christmas tree. Try keeping it concealed until the very last moment. That will keep your opponent from noticing you before you want them to. Try again."The Froakie nodded and bellowed out another smokescreen. This time, he moved much more carefully, doing his best to give no trace of himself. It was sloppy, but better. If Laram hadn't lived the life he had, he conceded that the blue frog probably would have gotten the better of him. But as it was, there was still a large gap in skill and experience. Laram felt Shadow lunge after his mid section, and he stepped out of the way. Bringing his hand around, Laram was prepared to swat his Pokemon again. But this time, Shadow somersaulted in mid air, and managed to hop off the extended arm. It shocked Laram just how fast the Froakie was learning."That's good. You learn really quickly. Come on, let's go to the next town."
"So that's an Aipom, that's a Sunkern, and that's a Litleo. So that's what this thing does. Apparently, it's like a giant encyclopedia that is empty until you scan the Pokemon. Great." That last part was sarcastic. While Laram considered the device useful, he didn't understand why it was empty. People obviously knew of these Pokemon. Why did the professor give him a build-your-own Pokedex? Was it some sort of lesson, or quest? Whatever the reason, Laram didn't have time for it. He would use the device as he needed it, but he didn't feel like trying to fill the thing up. Surviving seemed like a big enough problem to deal with.I wonder if I shouldn't have bought those items at the shops. We have food and shelter with the guild, but I have a feeling we won't stick around there forever. "Thinking pretty hard there huh?"
Laram turned around to the voice, snapping him out of his stupor. A teenage kid stood in front of him with his arms folded across his chest. He was wearing basic travel clothes, a sturdy jacket and jeans, and a backpack. It was pretty much the same thing Laram was wearing. The trainer couldn't help but notice pokeballs strapped to his belt around his waist.Another trainer. "Uh hi. Can I help you?"The trainer smirked and grabbed a capsule off his belt and tossed it forward. In a flash of light, a metallic form appeared and the capsule returned to the trainer's hand."Yeah. You can battle me."Laram sighed."Why?"Laram was actually getting a little annoyed with all the challenges since he became a trainer. It didn't make sense to him for every trainer to want to fight all the time. Maybe it was just a young person thing. Laram wasn't a trainer growing up, so maybe he didn't understand what they were supposed to do.
"You want your Pokemon to evolve right? Trainer battles help with that."To be fair, he had just learned about evolution. Laram scratched his head and looked at his team. Cocking his eyebrow at them, he silently asked what he should do. They nodded their agreement, and he sighed again."Alright, fine."Laram scanned the Pokemon and read through the information. It was called Magnemite, and it was a steel and electric type. Whatever that meant. Laram looked that the Pokemon to see what he could glean from it. It was metallic, which made sense that it was called a steel type. It floated, and magnets protruded from its' sides. So magnetism wasn't out of the question. Laram considered his team, and decided that Thorn was the best option for such an opponent. The trainer called him forward, and stared off against his first trainer battle. As far as he was concerned, it wasn't any different than fending off wild Pokemon. "Let's go Thorn. Flash."
Thorn's tail shined with a brilliant light, that actually didn't do much since it was so bright out. However, the glare from the metal body of the trainer's Magnemite forced Laram to shield his eyes. The other trainer used this to his advantage and went on the offensive."First you use a grass type against a steel type; then you use flash in the middle of the day? What kind of garbage trainer are you? Magnemite, use mirror shot. Let's show this guy how bad he is." The trainer's words rang out with arrogance in his throat. Laram wasn't sure which was worse, the fact that he had messed up so badly, or that some teenage punk was showing him up. Either way, he paid for it. Magnemite's eye glowed red and a beam of green energy shot forth from it towards Thorn. Before Laram could react, the beam struck the Pansage in his side, sending the green monkey reeling backwards."Don't let up. Use metal sound."The metal Pokemon's body glowed bright blue as silver colored distortions began to emit from its' body. As they reached Thorn, the Pokemon covered his ears in pain. Laram soon found out why. The sound was like metal on a chalkboard, only a thousand times worse, and a thousand times louder. Laram too, clutched his ears in pain, as a second of his senses was cut off. The battle was turning out to be a one sided slaughter. With both trainer and Pokemon reeling from the onslaught, Laram mumbled out"Seed bomb."desperately trying to regain some control over the situation. However, the trainer could barely hear what he was saying, and Thorn definitely could not. With what Laram assumed was another order from his opponent, a silver beam of energy struck his dazed Pansage. The blow was enough to knock the monkey unconscious.
Laram stumbled over to the limp body of his partner and gingerly picked him up. Cradling his teammate in his arms, Laram desperately mouthed his apologies. The teenager was right. He was a terrible trainer. With a tear streaming down his face, Laram grasped Thorn's pokeball and placed him inside it. He didn't want to, but the Pokemon looked pretty beat up. Laram stood once his hearing and sight came back to him and glared at the teenager, who still wore his cocky expression."Well. Pick your next Pokemon. I'm still ready to fight over here." Laram gritted his teeth as he went through his options. He knew Magnemite was an electric type, and so was Thor. If the thing used electricity, it probably had a resistance to it. Shadow was considered a water type, which didn't feel like a good match up against electricity either. His best choice had to be Jack. But he was scared of those sound attacks with Jack's big ears. He didn't see any other choice."Jack. I'm counting on you."The bunny nodded in agreement and hopped in front of his trainer."That's a better choice. But not by much. I was trained by the gym leader, Harvey you know. I'm not some novice you can just beat easy. If you don't have a ground type, or a fire type, you're gonna have a bad time."
Ground type. Some of Jack's attacks were called that in the Pokedex. Maybe if I used those...Laram had to try. His Pokemon were counting on him."Jack, mud shot."Jack formed his ears into an O above his head, and a golden, brown ball formed between them. He grabbed the ball with one ear and threw it towards his opponent. As he did, the glob split into four identical projectiles and launched forward with incredible speed. Laram hadn't really seen Magnemite do more than hover and attack. He was wondering if the Pokemon was very mobile or not. Launching an omni-directional attack would help the trainer figure that out. However, he was paying attention from the previous bout, and he learned something. Don't just attack and wait to see what happens. Keep on the move."Jack, use dig next."As the earthen projectiles hurtled towards their mark, the jack rabbit used his ears to burrow his way underground. Laram was confident that his opponent couldn't reach him there. After all, Magnemite was floating, he probably wasn't good in confined spaces. Laram watched as the projectiles hit their mark, and did more damage than Laram thought they should have. The impact wasn't too terribly hard, but the Magnemite acted like it had just touched acid. It reeled back, and what was once a very steady hover, became an erratic flight pattern. Maybe there was something to this type advantage stuff after all.
"But Bunnelby is a normal type. How does it know that? Whatever. It's not over yet. Magnemite, use magnet bomb on where that Bunnelby went underground."The Magnemite shook itself a couple more times and its' magnets flashed blue. A ball of blue energy formed in front of its' eye and launched towards the hole that Jack had left. As the hole touched dirt, it exploded, causing the dust to flare up and cover the area. Pulling his shemagh over his mouth and nose, Laram grinned to himself. Cover was good. With the Magnemite still not touching the ground, Laram didn't think that Jack could get at him from below. But he had an idea. What if Jack came from above?Jack, surface and use bounce. Then follow it up with double kick.Laram couldn't see, but he could hear Jack come from underground and leap high into the air. So high, in fact, that he cleared the dirt cloud, and Laram caught a glimpse of him at the apex of his jump. The Bunnelby somersaulted and aimed for the Magnemite feet first. As he started to dive, Laram's opponent noticed too.
"Magnemite, dodge it. Then use thunder shock." The Magnemite flew in a direction to try to avoid his attacker, but the Bunnelby used one of his ears as a makeshift parachute, and corrected his course. It slowed his descent, but made sure he hit his target. The Bunnelby's feet slammed into his opponent from above and forced the metal ball to the ground hard. Laram gave his next command, feeling that the end was near."Jack, finish it off with earthquake."The little bottle of sand Laram had given the Bunnelby as a necklace glowed, and the Pokemon punched the ground twice with his big ears. As he did, Laram felt the ground shift underneath him, and large shock waves crackled towards the Magnemite. The trainer called out once more for his Pokemon to dodge, but once again, it couldn't. The white energy trails rolled over the Pokemon and its' eye rolled back before closing. It was unconscious. Laram sighed, and nodded towards Jack. They did it. The trainer growled and returned Magnemite to his capsule."Grr. Fine. We'll call it a win for me, since it took two of your Pokemon to take out mine."That made Laram pause."Wait. What about your next Pokemon? You have more pokeballs on your belt.""I don't have any more. I just wear the extras to make myself look cool. Whatever, bye."Laram was dumbfounded, so much so, that he didn't notice the pair of eyes watching him from the tree above. Before he noticed, a figure fluttered from the leaves and swooped down and spit fire on his Bunnelby."What the..."
As Jack danced backwards trying to shake off the embers from his haunches, Laram spied the assailant flying through the air. It was gray with black and orange wings, and it had a red head. Laram could tell that the bird was around two feet tall, and its' wing span was about the same length as its' body. Laram gripped his Pokedex and scanned the creature as quickly as he could. It was coming around for another pass at Jack."Thor, use electroball. Shadow, use water pulse."The scan revealed that it was called Fletchinder, and that it was a fire type, and a flying type. Laram guessed fire was weak to water. But he didn't expect what happened when he called out his orders. Shadow's and Thor's attacks collided in mid air, and Laram was afraid that they would cancel each other out. But instead, both balls merged together, creating an electrified ball of water. Surprised, the Fletchinder couldn't react, and the attack hit it dead on; knocking it to the ground."Jack, use mud shot. Zeus, use air slash."
A ball of glowing mud formed between the Bunnelby's ears and he hucked it at the grounded Fletchinder. At the same time, Laram's Rufflet dived out of the air and flapped his wings, creating razor blade shaped beams of energy that shot off toward their target as well. The Fletchinder was a bird, so Laram guessed that it wasn't very agile when grounded. However, the bird flapped its' wings and rolled into the air, dodging both attacks. It was impressive. Then, it cloaked itself in fire, and jolted upward, aiming to hit Zeus from below."Zeus, dodge it."Too late. The bird was quicker than it looked. Its' attack hit Zeus square in his stomach and he tumbled towards the ground. Laram darted forward and barely caught the eaglet before he smashed into the ground. Laram had never seen the Rufflet knocked out in one hit before, and it scared him. He watched the bird circle overhead, and wondered why it attacked. But he didn't have time to think too hard. The bird started diving towards them again."Thor, barrier. Jack, mud shot again. Shadow, water pulse."The bird cloaked itself in flames again, and Laram could swear it was flying faster than before. But Thor was able to get his energy wall up, and the flaming bird collided with it. As it did, Jack and Shadow bolted around and flanked it, hitting it with their respective attacks on its' wings. It was grounded again, and Laram wasn't taking any chances.
"Thunderbolt, water pulse, mud shot. Finish it off." Completely surrounded, the Fletchinder took all attacks head on, and finally stopped attacking. It was injured, but Laram could tell that it was still conscious. It was one tough bird. Holding Zeus in his arms, he gingerly approached the Pokemon and examined it. When he did, he noticed that one of its' legs was caught in some sort of tag, and it was causing it discomfort. Laram sighed. It was obviously agitated when it attacked, and the tag was probably why. Grabbing his knife, he very carefully cut it off. When he did, the bird's eyes fluttered in relief, and the bird stood up. This time, it didn't look aggressive, and Laram sighed. After looking at it, he could tell that the bird was female. She eyed him curiously, and nudged Zeus' body in Laram's arms. She looked apologetic, and gazed into the trainer's eyes. Laram smiled at her and sat back on the ground. He took off his pack, but it tipped, and the egg rolled out of it. Scrambling, he reached out for it, but as it did, it hopped out of reach. The action took him by surprise, since it had been still until that point. It hopped again, and Laram tried all the harder to reach the egg. The Fletchinder, waddled over and placed her wings around the egg, halting its' movement. As she did, waves of heat emanated from her, and Laram could tell she was warming the egg, calming it. An idea came to the trainer."I want to apologize for what just happened. What do you say, I take you to the Pokemon center and get you healed up? You can watch over the egg until then.The Fletchinder nodded her head and embraced the egg. Laram reached into his pack and retrieved the great ball from within. She was strong, she deserved a better Pokeball. He tapped her on her wing, and she and the egg disappeared into the capsule. It shook the customary amount of times, and Laram retrieved it."That's enough excitement for today. Let's get back to town and get everyone healed up."
"Wait. I need to heal Wingu."Laram sighed and nodded his agreement. He removed his pack from his shoulders and set it on the ground in front of him. The courier pulled a potion from his pack and began spraying his Wingull with it. Laram had scanned the Pokemon while they were walking. It was advantageous for him to fill up the Pokedex as much as he could. The electronic encyclopedia was an incredible resource, and Laram called upon it all the time. As the medicine was being administered, Laram began reorganizing his pack."You know, Wingu wouldn't be hurt if you hadn't attacked us out of the blue. Even if you wanted a trainer battle, we wouldn't have reacted so fiercely." "I told you, I needed to know how tough you are. We could be attacked on the road."Laram sighed again and put his pack back in its' position."You already knew I was a ranger. I'm assuming you know what we do for a living. So logic kind of dictates that we are at least competent trainers. Besides, battling isn't always the answer to being attacked. There are other ways other than conflict. For example, Shadow here can turn invisible."
Laram gestured towards his Froakie, who turned invisible on command."But whatever. What's your name?" The courier sprayed the last bit of his potion on his Pokemon and stood up with it in his arms."I'm Michael. This is Wingu...an...and I hired you to protect me. I'm in charge here, and you're going to listen to me."Michaels voice cracked a little as he tried to say his last statement with more force. The ranger raised an eyebrow, and placed his hand on his face."Listen. We're kind of stuck with each other for the time being. So how about we try to get along. I'm sorry fore hurting Wingu, and hitting you. Can you forgive me?"Laram was conflicted. The kid annoyed him, but it wasn't like he was some entitled brat throwing a tantrum. He just seemed like a nervous person. He held out his hand, trying to make amends."I promise I'll get you to Blume Town in one piece so you can finish your job. I'm Laram.""I guess."The two shook hands and Michael released Wingu back into the sky."Great. Let's get moving on. We have a lot of ground to cover."
*Exit*
____________________________________
Pickup Ability Counter: 4/10
Pokémon
Name: Zeus Species: Rufflet Gender: Male Nature: Brave Egg Move: None TM Moves: HM Moves: Rock Smash
Name: Shadow Species: Froakie Gender: Male Nature: Ninja Egg Move: Camouflage TM Moves: Special Moves: Water Pledge HM Moves: Cut
Name: Baldur Species: Diggersby Gender: Male Nature: Viking Egg Move: Rollout TM Moves: HM Moves: Surf Held Item: Soft Sand
Name: Thorn Species: Pansage Gender: Male Nature: Feisty Egg Move: Role Play TM Moves: HM Moves: Flash
Name: Thor Species: Elekid Gender: Male Nature: Protective Egg Move: Barrier TM Moves: HM Moves: Rock Smash
Name: Firnen Species: Charmander Gender: Male Nature: Feisty Egg Move: Air Cutter TM Moves: Special Moves: Fire Pledge HM Moves: Strength
Pack
Pokéball Pocket
- Ultra Ball
Items Pocket
- Water Gem - Escape Rope - Tiny Mushroom (3) - Balm Mushroom - Leaf Stone - Black Glasses - Light Metal (5) - Cell Battery (1) - Magnet -Techmech Coupon 20% Junk - Bottle Cap (2) Healing Items - Potions (1x3) - Full Heal (1x3)
It had been two days since he had left King Town now, and Regal was slowly but surely getting into a routine for his day. He would wake up at dawn and set everything up for breakfast, then get his team out for morning training before eating and packing up camp. His team wasn't too enthusiastic about the early wake up calls but they went along with their trainers wishes just the same. They gave it their all every morning, and he knew in time that the experience would eventually make them all into stronger fighters.
To make up for the early starts, Regal had been putting more effort into making tasty meals for his team. Since there were some lovely berries scattered along the path to Nix City, Regal had boiled some down with a bit of the honey Magnolia had been gathering to create a sweet berry sauce to eat over some wheat cakes. It took him one or two burnt cakes to get the heating right, but eventually the trainer got into the routine and a great breakfast was enjoyed by all. Bellies now full, the gang got their camp packed away and set off once more towards Nix City.
"According to the map on the Pokégear, we're getting pretty close to Nix City. We might actually be able to reach it in the evening if we hur- Oh?"
About ten feet ahead of the trainer was a sight that was very familiar to him, but also very out of place in a place like this. A Nurse Joy of all people was there in the middle of the path, eyes narrowed as she observed her surroundings. Whatever it was the nurse was looking for, it was Regal that she spotted first, and she waved him over with a smile as though it meeting random trainers was just another day for her, which it was.
"Good morning! You're up rather early, trainer. On your way to Nix City?"
"I am, as a matter of fact. I'm surprised to see you here though, Nurse Joy. You looked liked you were searching for something."
"Yes, well..."
A sad look coming across her face, the nurse took out a Pokéball and showed it to the trainer who, not recognizing it, scanned it with his Pokédex. It was a rock type Pokémon known as Rockruff, and it apparently lived in open grassy areas such as this. According to Nurse Joy, it had been abandoned at her Pokémon Center in Nix City and she was here to return it to the wild. It was a sadly common occurrence, she explained, given the way Rockruff grow.
"Rockruff are very loyal and friendly Pokémon, so they're very popular among trainers who are just starting out. However, while they might be friendly, they're not the easiest to raise. So a lot of trainers end up getting frustrated and abandoning them, like this poor guy."
Appalled, Regal voiced his concern for the betrayed Rockruff, and Nurse Joy agreed that its return to the wild would likely be a difficult one. After talking it over, the nurse asked if Regal would like to take in the abandoned pooch instead, to which he quickly accepted. Pleased with his answer, she handed him the Pokéball, but not before adding a condition to the adoption: He would need to battle her with said Rockruff to see if he could handle training it. Glad to rise to the challenge, Regal sent it out to battle Nurse Joy's Chansey, eager to see what it could do.
Regal was quickly beginning to understand why Rockruff was considered a difficult Pokémon to train. Before he could even call out a command, the abandoned rock type used Howl on its own, sending other nearby Pokémon skittering away as it pumped itself up for combat. Whether it was trying to intimidate its opponent or just impatient to battle, the unprompted command unsettled him. Hopefully that would be the only surprise this battle. With its outburst out of the way, Regal and Nurse Joy began calling out their commands.
"Chansey! Use Egg Bomb!"
"Dodge it, then get in close with a Tackle attack!"
Responding promptly to Regal's commands, Rockruff swiftly dodged the incoming Egg Bomb and rushed in to attack. Rather than using Tackle, however, it opened it jaws wide to use Fire Fang instead. The fire attack caught both parties by surprise, and Nurse Joy's Chansey was even burned by the attack. The victory was short lived though, as she quickly had her Pokémon use Refresh to heal its burn before punishing its attacker with Double Slap. At Regal's command, Rockruff retreated before it could take any further damage, though the Scary Face it was glaring at its opponent was once again unprompted.
It's not like he's outright disregarding my commands, but these unprompted attacks are throwing me off balance. That being said... the moves its been using have been pretty effective. I wonder...
It's original Howl attack had been an effective opening move, pumping the rock type up while unnerving its opponent. And if he had known about its Fire Fang attack from the beginning, Regal very well might have commanded his Rockruff to use it instead of Tackle. Even the Scary Face during its retreat had served its purpose of slowing down Nurse Joy's Chansey while it safely returned to him. It wasn't just throwing out random moves to be difficult, that was for sure. The timing seemed too precise for that. Like it had been practiced.
"Your previous trainer must have trained you really well, huh? Your moves are awesome."
Cocking an ear, Regal's Rockruff almost looked sheepish as it nodded back at the trainer. It all made sense now. Nurse Joy told him that Rockruff were loyal Pokémon, so looking back it shouldn't have been such a surprise. It was just following the teachings that its previous trainer had drilled into it. It had probably practiced those moves over and over until they became second nature to it, yet its master had abandoned it just the same. Regal couldn't believe just how unfair it was.
"I know it must be hard to go against your training, but I need you to listen to me if we're gonna win this thing. I know I can't replace your previous trainer, but I'd love to work with you just the same if you're willing to give me a chance. "
Barking in agreement, the rock type turned its focus back on its opponent, who was winding up for another Egg Bomb. He knew that the Chansey and her trainer would make it tougher for his Rockruff to get into close range after the damage it dealt last time, but Regal already had a plan in mind for that. As they launched their attack, he called out his commands.
"Use Double Team! Get in close again for another Fire Fang!"
Quick to react this time, the puppy Pokémon seemed to multiply in number as it rushed towards its target, the Chansey's Egg Bomb passing harmlessly through one of the after images. In close range once more, Regal's Rockruff managed to burn its opponent yet again with another powerful Fire Fang. When Nurse Joy called out to her Pokémon to use Refresh this time, however, Regal was ready.
"Use Rock Climb, then Stone Edge!"
Slamming its front paws onto the ground, the rock summoned a pillar of stone directly underneath its opponent, sending it up high into the air. Off balance and trying not to fall, Nurse Joy's Chansey was completely unprepared to dodge the Rockruff's follow up attack, and ended up taking the full brunt of its Stone Edge. As the pillar descended back down into the earth, the swirls in the egg Pokémon's eyes made it clear to both parties that the battle was over. Congratulating the two on a job well done, Nurse Joy scratched Regal's Rockruff affectionately behind the ears and expressed her relief that it had found such a capable trainer to take it in.
'I'm really impressed, Regal. Your patience and understanding were exactly what this little guy needed. Your team is lucky to have such a kind trainer raising them."
"You flatter me. If I'm being honest, I still have a long ways to go. As far as I'm concerned, the lucky one is me."
Overjoyed with the Pokémon's new owner, Nurse Joy took out another Pokéball and released her Arcanine out onto the field. She offered to take Regal the rest of the way to Nix City with her as thanks for adopting Rockruff, and he gratefully accepted. The fire type let out a howl of its own, and then three of them were off at top speed. At the rate they were going, they would be in the city within the hour, effectively cutting Rega's three day trip down to just two. The Rockruff, which he had decided to dub Terra, wasn't exactly what Regal was expecting to add to his roster before facing the gym leader, but he was confident that it would be a great addition to his team. Harvey wouldn't know what hit him.
[Exit] [Egg Post Count: 23/65] [Honey Gather Count: 4/5]
