#073 Tentacruel
Tentacruel, the jellyfish Pokémon. The evolved form of Tentacool. Tentacruel's tentacles can be freely elongated and shortened, and can absorb water to stretch to some length. The tentacles are normally kept short, but on hunts, they are extended to ensnare and immobilize prey. It weakens the prey by dosing it with a harsh toxin. Its red orbs glow when it grows excited or agitated, and it may alert others to danger by stridently flashing them. Tentacruel can be found throughout the ocean – Nurse Evergreen.
After the excitement of rescuing the Tentacool and a well-deserved lunch, every member of Nurse Isabelle's team was free to do their own thing, to enjoy their rare free time on the beach. Ivysaur was asleep on the blanket in the shade, snoring with every other breath. Wartortle was swimming again, apparently planning on getting as much exercise as she could before they'd leave for the mountains, early tomorrow morning. Pidgeotto was catching the rubber balls shaped like Jigglypuff that Isabelle threw at him, training his reaction speed. Out of all of her Pokémon, Pidgeotto was most interested in battling. Not wanting to make the same mistake she'd made with Wartortle, Isabelle was giving a little bit into his wishes outside of his duties in the team. She should have taken Wartortle to those salons and breeding contests and all, but she hadn't noticed sooner. It was a bit too late now, regretfully.
Pidgeotto flew beautifully; the strong sea wind only excited him further and he soared as he never had before. Not for the first time, Isabelle noticed how large her bird was for its kind. It may be within the ranges of the species and due to the exercise it got, but it was remarkable regardless. Pidgeotto had no problem catching the balls Isabelle threw for him, no matter how weird they flew or how low they went.
Suddenly, they heard terrified cries from the ocean. Isabelle turned her head just in time to see Wartortle go under despite her thrashing around. From under the trees, Ivysaur came running as Pidgeotto circled over where Wartortle disappeared. Despite Izzy's current annoyance with Wartortle's behaviour, she did love her turtle. By the time Ivysaur caught up, the bird was hovering over the water, taunting the attacker to come up to the shore, which it did. The massive shell of a Tentacruel broke the surf with, clutched in his tentacles, Wartortle, who was twitching violently. Assuming the turtle had been poisoned, Izzy ordered Ivysaur to attack with his razor leaf. Tentacruel had too many tentacles to keep them all busy, so a diversion would not work.
In a manner Isabelle had not before from her Pokémon, her remaining two Pokémon worked together like they'd been fighting together for years, without the need for any further commands. Pidgeotto managed to grab one of the tentacles and proved his immense physical power by lifting the jellyfish in the air. The ordered razor leaf cut Wartortle free, injuring the Tentacruel so that his tentacles retreated. A well-timed vine whip caught the turtle as she fell, swiftly pulling her back to land.
As Isabelle cradled her unconscious turtle in her arms, she watched Ivysaur charge up a solar beam, strengthened by the sunny weather. Within no time, he managed to blast off Tentacruel far from the shore, causing the violent water type to retreat under the waves. Wartortle trembled against her chest and working the opening of the antidote into a spasming turtle's jaw proved difficult. More was spilled than was ingested, but with every bit Wartortle drank, the tremors lessened.
When Izzy decided she was finally stable, she called Wartortle back to her her Pokéball. Gratefully, she wrapped her arms around her exhausted Pidgeotto and Ivysaur.
"You guys were great. I'm so proud of you, and I'm sure Wartortle is, too!" Her praise was accented by the blinding light that came from inside her hug. Covering her eyes and leaning back, Isabelle couldn't really tell who was evolving. When the light was finally gone, the nurse blinked a couple times. The first one she saw was Ivysaur, looking both stunned and pleased for his friend, who had evolved into a gorgeous, massive Pidgeot.
"Sweet lord, you're big now, Pidgeot!" Isabelle exclaimed, getting up from the sand. The bird was as tall as she was now, and 3 times as broad. "I look forward to riding you."
