Edited 5-6-15

Disclaimer: Don't own Pokémon besides for a few of the games.

Chapter Thirty Three

Nathan and I left the next morning, Nathan amusing himself by playing with my new pokedex by pointing it at each and every wild pokémon we came across, listening to the pokémon's entry with interest. He seemed to be getting just as much fun out of it I was, having used it already to scan his own pokémon after mine. I just shook my head and let him do as he willed, glad that he was having so much fun.

When we stopped for lunch later that day, I took back my pokedex despite Nathan's pouting. He needed to eat, after all, and I knew that if he had my pokedex he would not even touch his meal, this morning at breakfast being an example.

We let out our pokémon to join us, feeding them while we were at it.

This time around my team consisted of Growlithe, Nidorino, Noctowl, Poliwag, and two Gastlys. My goal was to not only train up my second Gastly, but work on getting Poliwag to evolve finally. It was close, no more than a few battles away no doubt, and we were both waiting for it.

Nathan's team remained the same for the most part, having switched out his Pidgeotto for his new Gastly being the only main difference. While Gastly was not exactly close to Nathan, it would listen to his orders for the most part so far, though that might have only been because Growlithe was staring it down the entire time every time Nathan gave it a command while training or during battle.

Our pokémon still thankfully got along for the most part, Nathan's Raticate being the exception when around Ekans and Noctowl unsurprisingly. Nidorino and Growlithe preferred to be left alone, each eating on either side of me and sitting in silence. The three Gastlys ate together with Noctowl up above us when not busy teasing and pulling pranks on Raticate and Ekans, both of whom were on opposite sides on one another in the small clearing all the while eyeing the three Gastlys. Nathan's Flaaffy and Croconaw ate beside Nathan, much like how Nidorino and Growlithe were with me, Flaaffy eventually curling up in Nathan's lap after eating. Poliwag sat beside Croconaw, the only other water-type around at the moment and talking rapidly about something-or-another.

When lunch ended, a good hour later, Nathan and I returned most of our pokémon. I kept Poliwag and Nidorino out along with Growlithe, Poliwag to continue training against the wild pokémon we came across as we walked, Nidorino simply because it had glared at me and refused to go back into its pokeball when I had tried to return it. In a good more I let my starter do as it wished.

We trained as we traveled, Nathan with his Gastly and I with my three present pokémon. I sent Poliwag out against most of them that I knew it could handle, sending in Nidorino or Growlithe along with it when it was against a pokémon Poliwag would have had trouble with alone given the type disadvantage. One such battle against a wild Noctowl being a prime example.

It had started off with Poliwag going up against a wild Hoothoot. Nothing too bad in the beginning, Poliwag matching it move for move, its surprisingly powerful Water Gun keeping the Hoothoot at bay and Body Slam's when the pokémon had gotten to close.

The battle had changed, though, when a wild Noctowl had swooped in and knocked Poliwag back and off its feet. The wild pokémon had landed in front of the wounded Hoothoot, giving a threatening trill at Poliwag and me.

Poliwag, none too pleased with the unexpected attack, had not backed down like the wild Noctowl wanted, but instead jumped up and began a Rain Dance. Such a move made Nathan, Growlithe, Nidorino, and I all huddle together as Nathan pulled out my newly bought umbrella for such an occasion from my backpack, Nathan returning his Gastly soon after for more room.

The rain started off light, though it quickly turned into a downpour, making it hard to see. The wild Noctowl, not one to be outdone or back down from a fight, much like my own Noctowl, continued its fight against Poliwag, the Hoothoot that my pokémon had originally been fighting joining in making it a two-on-one fight.

While the rain helped in powering up Poliwag's water moved and allowed one of its abilities, Water Absorb, to kick in and heal small amounts of damage, it still had trouble fending off two flying-types. After not even a minute of them fighting, Poliwag slowly being beaten, I ordered Nidorino to go join the battle, commanding it to cover Poliwag's back with whichever move was required as I still could not see well enough to know what was going on.

With Nidorino charging in to join up with Poliwag, I was left standing with Nathan and Growlithe feeling completely useless. There was a reason why I did not like Poliwag using this move, after all. I treated it like how I did Noctowl's Uproar, not using it unless absolutely necessary.

Not long after Nidorino joined was there a pained cry, one that I knew from past experience belonged to a Hoothoot. Not long after was there a flash of a bright, white light.

It was either Poliwag or the Hoothoot, and with my luck I would not put it past being the Hoothoot.

Another minute passed until the rain finally started reducing to a soft drizzle before completely stopping. I looked over the make-shift battle arena anxiously despite myself, wanting to know how my pokémon faired.

The first thing that caught my eye was the downed Hoothoot, lying off to the side next to a tree's base. The wild Noctowl stood before it, wings spread out as to protect the fainted pokémon as it stared down my own pokémon with a withering glare. Next came Nidorino, pawing at the wet and muddy ground as it returned the Noctowl's glare with one of its own, its poisoned tipped horn pointed at the flying-type.

Then my eyes landed on the last pokémon in the clearing, a pokémon that was clearly not a Poliwag any longer.

It was taller for starters by about a foot, reaching to my waist now. The biggest difference, though, was that it had arms. While short, they were still there. When it turned to face me, giving me a sharp salute, I grinned as I looked over my newly evolved Poliwhirl. Beside me Nathan gave a light laugh as he called out his congratulations.

Giving Poliwhirl a nod with my grin still in place to show my own pride at my pokémon's achievement, I gave it a single order.

"Water Gun."

Poliwhirl turned to face the wary Noctowl who was too busy eyeing Nidorino to see the incoming attack. The jet of water, much more powerful I noticed with glee, hit the wild pokémon head on, sending it crashing against the tree's trunk behind it. It slid down the tree until it was laying next to the Hoothoot, finally knocked out.

Nidorino threw its head back in victory as it strutted back to me, giving Growlithe a superior look, making the fire-type growl back. Poliwhirl pounded its two fists together, calling out triumphantly as it eyed its new appendages.

My grin grew wider.

A perfect way to end the day in my book.