(Filler) Episode 2: The Scrappy
Route 202, a wooded area located between Sandgem Town and Jubilife City. A peaceful expanse of forest known for its abundance of Pokemon, it is here where most young trainers start their journeys and capture their first wild Pokemon. "Espeon! Psybeam!" Wes replied as he battled a trainer's Bidoof in a grassy clearing. As ordered, the lavender cat-like Pokemon unleashed a rainbow-colored beam at the young trainer's beaver. Upon the hit, the enemy Bidoof fainted and the ex-Snaggem trainer was the victor of the battle.
"Wow. Here I thought you were just some weird-looking big person," replied the young trainer. "Guess you really are stronger than you look."
Wes couldn't help but to smile, masking the urge to drive in the lesson of how appearances being deceiving. Ridley and Rui (who were sitting on the sidelines during the match) noticed his bottled up frustration. "Looks like he's heard that more than once," Ridley whispered to the pig-tailed girl.
"Well…" Rui said as she scratched the back of her head. "Let's just say he's more use to hearing that now than he was before."
"Anyway, good battle. But the next time you see me, I'll be the strongest trainer in the region." With that said, the young kid darted into the grass to capture and train.
Standing from their spots, Ridley and Rui rejoined their comrade. "You were pretty good out there Wes," Rui congratulated.
"Not bad, man," Ridley said.
"That was only a beginning trainer," Wes said nonchalantly. "He wasn't much of a challenge." Wes continued on his way through the woods with his comrades not too far behind. There was no point in staying here. The trainers on this route were rookies from neighboring areas who just started training. This could only mean one thing: there would be no real competition here. "Ridley, where's the first gym supposed to be?" Wes asked.
"Let's see…" Grabbing a book from his back pant pocket titled "The Official Sinnoh Region Guide" (which was written by Professor Rowan), the black trainer flipped through the pages for the information Wes sought. It didn't take him long to find the answer. "It says that there's a gym in Oreburgh City."
"How close are we from there?" Rui asked.
"I think you should be asking how far it's from us," Ridley responded as he returned the book to his pocket.
"What are you talking about?" Wes asked. "Shouldn't it be in the next town?"
"You'd think that, but it's not. It's west of Jubilife City, the next stop."
"So we need to get to Jubilife before getting to Oreburgh…" Wes said with his arms folded. Suddenly, the trio were stopped in their tracks by a loud squeal. Looking around, the trio were looked around cautiously.
"What was that?" Rui asked.
"That yell was louder than that time this kid got stung by a Beedrill in the ass after my friend poured honey in his pants after he woke up at that guy's house a banana in his mouth."
Wes and Rui only starred at Ridley for a few seconds, speechless from his comment. "What the hell does that have to do with anything!?" Wes shouted.
"It's called a comparison!" Ridley defended. "Look it up!" The two's bickering was cut short by the sharp noise again. This time, it was closer than before. Rui turned around and saw a small figure approaching them. It was a small Pokemon that looked like a kitten with a high tuff of hair on its head. The front half of its body blue and its back half was black. On the tip of its long tail was a gold star with four points. Following behind the creature in hot pursuit was a bizarre bird. It had three large heads armed with long sharp beaks connected by long snake-like necks from a round, wingless body. It raced after the other Pokemon on thin, yet powerful legs tipped with four toed claws (three on the front and the fourth in the back). The two Pokemon dashed past the group, leaving a trail of smoke in their wake and stunned glances.
"That was sudden..." Rui said.
"That bird Pokemon was a Dodrio, wasn't?" Wes said. "What was it chasing?"
"I think that was a Shinx," Ridley answered. "The book said their part of the Electric-type group. But why would three-headed Tweety go after something like that."
"Who knows?" Wes said. "Either it was territory or for food."
"Let's check it out." With a nod, the three followed the direction the two Pokemon left in. They soon found themselves at the edge of a clearing and found the two Pokemon sizing each other up. "I heard that Dodrio usually eat fruit," Ridley whispered. "But apparently, they're not strictly vegetarian." Rui nodded while Wes focused on the two Pokemon.
The fight began as Dodrio attacked Shinx using Fury Attack, its heads pecking at the smaller Pokemon furiously. Shinx tried evading some of the strikes, but many of the blows still landed hits on the diminutive beast. However, Shinx continued defending itself by using Bite. The Pokemon's small jaws latched onto the slender leg of Dodrio. Squawking in pain, the flightless bird began shaking its leg violently. Unable to hold on, Shinx released its grip and was tossed a couple of feet after the last jerk. Dodrio began to approached Shinx, evil intentions on its three minds. Shinx, though injured from the last attacks, returned to its feet and glared at the foe. Dodrio's middle head lunged straight at the enemy, its beak ready to cause serious damage. Before the hit connected, Shinx tackled the enemy's head, its body covered in electricity. Dodrio staggered back from the attack, trying to shake off the current. "That Shinx just used Spark," Wes said, somewhat impressed by the small Pokemon's tenacity.
"The cat has balls," added Ridley. Dodrio quickly recovered from the electric-type's tackle. In retaliation, the bird used Quick Attack, slamming its body at blinding speed as it left a white trail behind. On impact, Shinx screamed in pain as it was flown back once more, bouncing off the ground a couple of times before finally stopping. Shinx tried picking itself up, but was pinned by Dodrio's clawed feet. Taking aim, all three heads pulled back, ready to end the fight.
With a Pokeball in his hand, Wes hurried forward. Noticing this, the three heads of Dodrio turned their attention to the Orre trainer before quickly getting ready to attack. "Umbreon! Use your Confuse Ray!" released from Wes' Pokeball was a black fox-like Pokemon with yellow rings on its legs and forehead and bands of said color on its ears and tail. On order, the moonlight Pokemon unleashed a dark ray from its eyes that hit Dodrio. The enemy Pokemon wasn't hurt, but heavily confused. It tried attacking, but all three heads were attacking themselves instead. "Now use Faint Attack!" Umbreon approached the Dodrio, who stopped arguing with itself and turned to its attention to the dark-type. With its front paw, Umbreon pointed to the left, as if to show the enemy something. As soon as all three heads turned to the given direction, Umbreon slammed its body into the enemy. Dodrio slid back a few feet from the enemy. "Finish it with Quick Attack!" Before the enemy could react, Umbreon finished Dodrio off with a high-speed tackle. As soon as they collided, Dodrio was flown into a nearby patch of tall grass, a low squawk upon landing signalling its defeat.
With the battle over, Wes hurried to the injured Shinx. Gently, the trainer held the creature in its arms. "Will it be okay?" Rui asked.
In less than a moment, Shinx began coughing and opened its eyes. Looking up, the Pokemon saw the faces of Wes and his Umbreon, Rui, and Ridley. "It's all good, little G," Ridley said. "You're safe."
Wes smiled. "You really are brave one," he said before turning to Ridley. "Is there something in the pack?"
"I'm on it!" Quickly Ridley hurried to the backpack not far behind where they were. Digging into one of the pockets, Ridley pulled out a small, square-shaped injection gun.
He tossed it to Wes, who caught it with his left hand. "This may sting, but bare with me," Wes said to the Shinx in a soothing voice. With the nozzle against the small Pokemon's wound, the trainer pressed the back of the container. Shinx winced in pain as the medicine was applied, sterilizing the wound as well as restoring its strength. Wes placed Shinx back on the ground as the medicine was taking effect. In momments, the Pokemon returned to its feet and gave a thankful bark.
"Looks like it's doing okay now!" Rui said.
"I don't get it," Ridley said with his arms folded. Wes turned to the dark-skinned trainer. "Why'd you want to help the little guy? I thought you were one of those 'ain't my business, I'm out' kinda Gs."
Wes turned back to the Shinx as he started to think of a reason. "I guess it's because the two of us have something in common."
Ridley glanced at both the trainer and the Pokemon. The black and blue color scheme and their golden eyes made them almost mirror images of one another. "No kiddin'," he said. "It's like I'm looking at close cousins. You related anyhow?"
"That's not what I meant!" replied Wes. "It reminds me of myself when I was younger. A loner in a large world who wouldn't back down for anyone."
"Wes..." Rui said. Wes smirked as he thought about it. This Shinx was one of the toughest Pokemon he had seen. "Shinx," Wes called. The little Pokemon turned its attention to him. "You are a pretty tough Pokemon. If you choose to join me, the two of us will become strong together." The cat-like beast cocked its head sideways. "Do you accept? It would be an honor to have you on the team." Silence blaneted the clearing. Ridley and Rui awaited the decision. After a few minutes, Shinx smiled and affectionately rubbed its body against Wes' leg. "I guess that's a yes," he said with a smirk.With Pokeball in hand, Wes tossed the red and white orb in the air. Seeing the sphere, Shinx leapt into the air, pressing the button on the front which instantly sucked it inside. The Pokeball landed on the ground, its center glowing red a couple of times before it made a locking sound. Wes picked up the ball and gave a light nod. "Thank you."
"Looks like you caught Shinx, homes," Ridley said.
"Congratulations, Wes," Rui said. "This is your first Pokemon in Sinnoh."
Wes placed Shinx's Pokeball on his belt and stretched. "Okay, now it's time to get to Jubilife."
"Right," Ridley said with a nod. Traveling northward, the trio made their way to Jubilife City, continuing on with their adventure once more.