Episode 4: Catch of the Day!

The morning sun shone it on Matt's face as he groggily sat up. He could barely sleep after talking with Lucario. What did they want with him…Whatever. Just so long as Matt didn't do anything suspicious, he wouldn't be found or caught. If what Lucario said was right…then he saved Matt from Team Revenant by pushing him away. Matt got out of bed and dressed. Tyler was gone. Matt assumed he was already dressed and eating in the Pokémon Center dining room already. Matt decided to head down there, and sure enough, there was Tyler, almost done with breakfast.

"Morning, Matt," Tyler said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Grab a bagel; I'm itching to get to Floaroma Town today!"

Matt sat down across from Tyler, a bagel in hand. Matt never really has a heavy breakfast. "Why so eager to get there?"

Tyler took a sip of juice. "Rumors are all over that that town may have something to do with the Legendary Pokémon Shaymin!" Tyler's energy was enough to put a smile on Matt's face. "Listen, Matt, I'm sorry it took me so long to agree with you and Lucario last night."

"Don't stress it, man," Matt replied. "I admit, he did seem suspicious last night. But thanks." Tyler nodded.

The two left the Pokémon Center a couple hours later and started towards Route 4. Before they left the city, Tyler stopped Matt. "Wait right here for a minute." Tyler went into a nearby building, leaving Matt alone in the streets. Mere minutes later, Tyler came back out. "A gift from me to you for the start of your Pokémon journey, Matt," he said, and then handed Matt a Pokétch.

Matt stared at it. "Thanks, man…" he said, quickly putting it on. "This is pretty cool!"

"Every Sinnoh trainer should have one! It only makes sense you should, too!" Tyler said, flashing his own, slightly older model.

Matt and Tyler left the city moments later on their way to Floaroma, and then Eterna City: the sight of Matt's first Gym Battle! He couldn't wait!

Up in a tree near the Valley Windworks, Lucario strained to remember what he saw in the Revenant Headquarters that could help him. Anything at all would suffice, really. He just hoped that he could keep them off of Matt's trail for long enough until he was stronger. Then, Lucario thought, He'll be the one to take them down. He HAS to be…

Lucario's paw slipped momentarily in the tree, causing a few leaves to fall. His deep thought caused him to not notice the Team Revenant grunts below him. "There he is, get him!"
"Crap," Lucario said under his breath. The two grunts started to climb the tree, but quicker than they could see, Lucario was already in another tree. "You know, for an evil organization, you're pretty diligent." He couldn't help but smirk as the grunts realized their target's escape. Lucario started north, going quickly enough to get out of their sights but not too
far to where they couldn't find him again. He'd have to keep them on his trail.

"Matt! Slow down! Floaroma's not going anywhere!" Tyler called out to his excited cousin, who was almost running to get there.

"But as soon as we get there, we can get to Eterna!" Matt turned around, running again. He couldn't contain his excitement for his first gym battle. Out of nowhere, a gush of water crashed into Matt, knocking him over. Tyler had a chance to catch up with him.

"Bui!" Matt heard from a bush. From the bushes came an orange otter, arms crossed and a confident expression on his face.

Matt stood up. "What was that for?" He yelled at the Pokémon. The Pokémon responded by spraying him with more water.

"I think it's challenging you to a battle, Matt," Tyler said, laughing.

"Really?" Matt looked at the Pokémon, who seemed to nod. Matt pulled out his Pokédex and aimed it at the Water-Type.

"Buizel, the Sea Weasel Pokémon. It swims by rotating its two tails like a screw. When it dives, its flotation sac collapses." The Pokédex read out

"A Buizel, huh?" Matt looked at his belt, his only Pokémon being a Torchic, weak against Buizel. He had no choice, however. "Torchic! Let's Battle!"
Torchic popped out of the Pokéball. "Torchic!" It cried, facing the Buizel.

"Buizel Bui!" Buizel shouted before engulfing itself in a stream of water and shooting at Torchic.

"It used Aqua Jet!" Tyler called.

"Torchic, quick, dodge it!" Torchic leapt up, just barely missing Buizel. "Now, use Ember!" Torchic shot down a small burst of fire at Buizel. Buizel responded my shooting a gush of water at Torchic, hitting it in midair. Torchic feel to the ground.

"Torchic, are you okay?" Matt shouted at his Pokémon, a little concerned. Torchic stood up and got right back into battle position. Matt smiled. "Use Ember again!"

Torchic and Buizel each shot a small attack at each other. They collided, creating steam. From behind the clouds, Buizel shot out, using Aqua Jet again, a direct hit on Torchic!

Torchic stood up rather weakly. Matt was worried about him.

"Is Torchic ok to battle?" Tyler asked, noting Matt's worry.

"Torchic!" The Fire-Type shouted, determined to defeat his foe. Matt smiled. But how could he beat Buizel, who looks like he's barely taken any damage.

"You know, you're pretty strong, Buizel," Matt said to his opponent.

"Bui Bui!" The Pokémon crossed his arms with a smug grin, and then turned away, walking away from the battle.

Matt and Tyler both stared at the Buizel. "Hey, where're you going, we're having a battle!"

"Bui Buizel!" He called back, still walking. Right then, Matt had an idea. He pulled out an empty Pokéball from his bag.

"You're going to catch him?" Tyler asked with a small smile on his face.

"He's pretty strong," Matt said. "And I need another Pokémon." Matt threw the Pokéball at the Buizel. But before the ball collided with him, the Buizel smacked the ball back at Matt with its tails. Matt caught the ball, stunned. He ran after the Buizel, who continued to walk. "What's up, Buizel?" The Buizel continued to walk, ignoring Matt.

"I guess he doesn't want to be caught," Tyler noted, as Buizel jumped into the river away from Matt, casually swimming. "He seems to have an attitude to him, though, are you sure you want to catch him?"

"I've got to," Matt said, a determined expression forming on his face.

Matt waited in the bushes near the river, waiting for Buizel to come by. Tyler sat next to him, a bit annoyed. "Relax, Tyler," Matt said, noticing his cousin's anxiety. "He'll come out shortly."

Sure enough, the Water-Type walked by only a moment later. He didn't notice the eager trainer. Matt threw a Pokéball, which hit the Buizel and sucked him in! "Yes!" Matt cried, jumping out of the bush and staring at the shaking ball.

After only a few shakes, the Buizel popped out, yelling at Matt. "Torchic! Let's Battle!" Matt threw out his starter. He had healed Torchic prior to hiding from Buizel, so he was ready to fight. "Use Ember, Torchic," Matt cried. The Fire-Type complied, firing a quick burst of fire before Buizel could react. Buizel got knocked back, but recuperated quickly.

Suddenly, Buizel grabbed his right arm with his paw in pain. "Bui…"

Tyler shouted, "He's got a burn, Matt!" Matt nodded, using this as a chance to get ahead. He ordered Torchic to scratch the Buizel, who shot a stream of water at Torchic. Torchic went straight through the water, the burn hurting his attack greatly.

Buizel looked Matt in the eye, a small sense of defeat present. Yet Matt could swear he saw a small smile break the Water-Type's stern expression. The trainer threw a Pokéball at Buizel, sucking him inside. The Pokéball shook once, twice, three times…and then stopped.

Matt picked up the Pokéball. "Alright!" He shouted, "I caught a Buizel!" He studied the Pokéball with a smile. He now had a second Pokémon!

Tyler clapped a few times from the side. "Great job, Matt," he said.

Matt let out Buizel. "Bui?" It asked, looking up at Matt, its new trainer.

The trainer kneeled down. "I know we're going to grow strong together, I can just tell it."

The Pokémon looked at Matt, studying him.

Tyler walked up behind Matt. "You know, giving a Pokémon a nickname can make the bond stronger between you two. Why don't you give Buizel and Torchic ones?"

Matt let Torchic out of its Pokéball and looked at the two orange Pokémon intently. A nickname had to describe them right. "Torchic…how do you like the name Flint?" The Fire-Type squealed with glee. "Ha! I knew you'd like it!" Flint nodded, enjoying its new name. He then turned his attention to Buizel, whose arms were crossed. "What to name you…?" Matt thought about the battle they had earlier, something to give away Buizel's personality. "How about Aquato?"

Buizel shook its head. "Bui Bui!"

Matt looked stunned. "What's wrong with it…?"

Tyler laughed. "Matt, look at Buizel's back."

"Huh…?" Matt looked at the other side of Buizel, a single yellow oval on its back. "Wait, don't Buizels have two?"

Tyler chuckled again. "Male Buizels do. This one's a girl, though!" Buizel nodded.

"Then you'll need a good girl's name!" Matt though hard. "How about Raina?" She smiled at the name.

"Buizel Bui!" Raina shouted.

"So you like your new name, huh?" Matt smiled, already feeling closer to his team. "Flint and Raina, return!" He looked at his two Pokéballs happily. "Let's go, guys. Let's have a great adventure.

Now that Matt obtained a new partner, he could become even stronger! What adventures await Matt and his team? Find out next time on Pokémon Dimensions!