ROUTE 207, 09:20
Claus, Barry, and Dawn, so far in their journey, had been confronted by wild Pokemon infrequently, and the encounters had been more or less quick and easy.
The wild Pokemon of Route 207, however, were a different matter.
"Oh, Arceus!" yelped Claus, as he jumped out of the way of a tongue of flame that whipped towards him. The Ponyta that had caused it snorted, its ears flattened against the sides of its head.
That would teach him to wander around Route 207 without his Pokemon out. A flash of his Pokeball revealed Franklin, the Nosepass landing on the ground. It rumbled as it shuffled towards the Ponyta, a comical sight due to its dogged insistence to face north.
The Ponyta stared down at the Nosepass, walking awkwardly at a right angle to its opponent, and neighed, once again flinging a short stream of flame from its mane.
Franklin, however, was much more resilient than Claus was, and the Nosepass weathered the attack with only a slight grunt. Claus relaxed slightly. Wild Pokemon tended to target Pokemon rather than humans when attacking, presumably because they were by far the bigger threats. He still kept a wary eye on the Ponyta, though.
"Rock Throw, Franklin!" Claus ordered.
Franklin raised its arms, pebbles and dirt rising from the ground around it and combining with energy to solidify into a rock-like projectile. Franklin flung the rock, which landed with a solid thud, and the Ponyta screamed before turning tail and fleeing.
"Nice, Franklin," said Claus. "That Rock Throw is pretty strong, huh?"
Franklin gurgled agreeably, and Claus grinned. Another flash of a Pokeball brought Pello as company, who looked around at his surroundings.
Claus stepped back. "Hey, you two," he began, and Pello looked towards him. Franklin didn't, but that was to be expected. Claus would just have to hope it was listening.
"We're going to challenge Roark," Claus began. "He's a gym leader, and he's pretty strong, but he's only going to be the first."
Franklin made a questioning noise, and Claus realized that he might not have fully understood the gym challenge the way Pello might have, being more acquainted with human culture.
"There are going to be eight gym leaders," Claus explained. "We're only on the first one right now, but they'll get stronger as we go, just like we will. If we beat all of them, then we can go on to the Elite Four and the Champion, who are even harder than the gym leaders. If we beat the Champion, then we get the title Exemplar, which means that we can do more cool stuff together."
To be totally honest, he didn't expect to get the title, and that was okay. Most people didn't, and there were few occupations that absolutely required an Exemplar, foremost among which was the Champion themselves. However, there were added bonuses, such as being able to participate in brutally competitive international tournaments, being allowed to explore the deepest and most dangerous parts of Sinnoh, and more. And, of course, the fame and exposure, though that was less important to him.
"Roark uses rock Pokemon, like you, Franklin. Which means that Pello will have a pretty good advantage against him." Pello chirped happily, but Claus wasn't done. "You'll both still have to practice, though. Roark isn't a gym leader for nothing." A quick tug with his affinity brought the Pokedex out of his pocket and into his hand, a maneuver that he was beginning to get more and more used to recently. A scan of Pello from before was still pulled up, and it showed the type breakdown: sixty-two percent grass, twenty-five percent ground, ten percent rock, and three percent other types.
"So, buddy," said Claus to Pello, "the dex tells me that Turtwig generally have fifteen to twenty-three percent ground type, but you're sitting at a solid twenty-five. Do you know any ground type moves? They could help out a lot in this gym battle."
Pello stared blankly at Claus.
"Umm… earth?" Claus tried. There were some moves that Pokemon knew that matched that description, like Earth Power and Earthquake, but Claus doubted Pello would be able to perform such powerful moves yet.
Pello didn't even blink.
Claus scratched his head. "Mud… ground… sand…"
At the last suggestion, Pello perked up. Stomping his foot on the ground, he concentrated for a moment, and the soil of the Route began to swirl in circles, breaking down into smaller particles as it rose around Franklin, converging on its rocky body. Franklin rumbled in surprise as the attack enveloped it.
"Hey, hey, knock it off!" said Claus, and the sand fell back to the ground. He frowned. "Don't attack teammates unless you're training with them, okay?" Pello chirped, and Claus would simply have to hope that meant agreement.
That move was probably Sand Tomb. He'd have to update that on the part of the dex where he could add his own Pokemon's specific information, so that Professor Rowan would see it.
Claus grinned. A trapping move was always useful, and the constant damage would hopefully help wear down rock types' extreme stamina.
"Pello, we're going to practice that move, okay? I have a feeling it'll come in really handy in the gym battle." He turned to Franklin, raising the Pokedex once more. "And as for you…"
OREBURGH CENTER, 12:12
"...eight feet tall, with reddish skin and features typical of bug Pokemon. If you spot a Pokemon matching this description, call the League's number, 223, immediately. Exercise caution, for this Pokemon's species and capabilities are unknown.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Barry, Claus, and Dawn looked at each other again.
"This is so weird," said Barry. "Again? Seriously? Didn't they say the last time was a miscommunication, or some shit?"
One of the people in the Center, who had been just about to leave, huffed loudly. "Cooperation, my ass," she said, loud enough for the whole lobby to hear her. "I'm getting lunch."
The door swung shut with a creak behind her, leaving the other, more law-abiding citizens to murmur speculatively. However, it wasn't even a moment until the emergency broadcast signal came on once again.
"Emergency broadcast. The previous communication was a false alarm, caused by miscommunication. Please disregard it and return to business as usual if you are in the following locations. Route 206. Route 207. Route 208. Oreburgh City.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
Dawn was the first to speak up, this time. "I'm pretty sure it is a prank, now," she said. "The delay between transmissions was a lot shorter this time. If it was a prank, like I said, then it's likely that they learned from their mistake the last time and corrected it more quickly."
Claus shook his head. "No," he said. "You're right, but if they had learned from the mistake, then they wouldn't have allowed the transmission to air in the first place." He shook his head, mystified. "But I still can't think of a better explanation than a prank. Otherwise, it makes literally no sense, because why else would they discount their warning not even a minute after they issued it?"
"If this is a prank, then the pranksters are idiots," declared Barry. "Why would they try the exact same thing twice? I wouldn't have expected it to work. Though, well, it did." He shrugged. "So either the League is even dumber than the pranksters, or we're missing an important piece of the puzzle."
Dawn shook her head. "The only way I can think of that happening is that the pranksters somehow hijacked the league's emergency broadcast system and delivered the alert themselves, but that seems extremely unlikely."
Claus laughed. "Not to mention a lot of effort for a joke," he added. "I'm really not buying that it's a prank."
Before either of the other two could reply to that, though, the news anchor on the television had started to offer his own input on the situation.
"The League has now dismissed two of its own emergency broadcasts as miscommunications," he began. Claus knew this guy, as did most of Sinnoh; Carl Nadon was probably the most caustic and opinionated news anchor on the planet. "Is this the League's treatment of a so-called 'emergency measure?' They're treating all of Sinnoh like fools! And with such an absurd claim, too! A red, eight-foot bug Pokemon? That doesn't even exist! Simply more proof that the League has been pulling nonsense- forgive my language- out of their asses." Nadon paused here, likely for dramatic effect, and Claus rolled his eyes. "This clip is taken from an interview with Saturn Hanover, the president of the Sinnovan branch of the Aether Foundation."
The screen shifted to a man with dark blue hair, styled meticulously into two points above his head, which somehow didn't look as stupid as it should have. He looked directly at the camera as he spoke.
"The League's insistence on tossing out false warnings and using paltry excuses for them is insulting to the general public," he said. Claus raised an eyebrow. This was the first he had heard the Aether Foundation so openly criticizing the League. "The Aether Foundation is unaware of any Pokemon that would fit the description given by the League, save for the unlikely instance of a feral, abnormally large Mega Scizor."
The screen shifted back to Carl Nadon, who continued, "There are many questions about the strange broadcasts that the League has been issuing, but for now, Sinnovans would be well-advised to take any further reports of this nature with not only a grain of salt, but perhaps the entire bag."
ROUTE 207, 13:47
"Okay," said Claus. "What do you want, Barry?"
Barry grinned. "By now, you're probably wondering why I brought you here," he said, completely unnecessarily. Dawn giggled when Claus slapped his forehead, but Barry continued, unfazed. "We should practice for Roark with some Pokemon battles against each other!"
It wasn't a terrible idea. Battle experience always helped, and Claus hoped that the work he had put into training earlier would help his team hold his own against Barry and Dawn. "I'm fine with that," he said, glancing at Dawn. "Who's going first, then?"
"You two," said Dawn. Claus and Barry looked at her, surprised, and she blushed and looked at her feet. "I mean, you two have been friends for far longer than you've known me. I feel like I'd be stealing something if I was either of your first battles. Plus, I left my revives in my locker at the Center, and I don't want to leave my teammates knocked out."
"Fair enough! We can always battle you later," agreed Barry. He looked at Claus and grinned from ear to ear. "What do you say, Claus? Let's kick off our battling careers together! Lyn, let's go!"
His enthusiasm was infectious. Claus felt the same stupid grin spreading across his own face.
"Get her, Franklin!" The Nosepass faced directly towards Claus, prompting a startled laugh from Dawn, but that wouldn't impact its battling powers.
And- oh, the stupid Apricorn ball. Well, Claus was absolutely going to capitalize on the few extra seconds. "Franklin, ready a Rock Throw!"
By the time Lyn was standing on the ground, Franklin's Rock Throw was hurtling towards her. Lyn squealed as she hopped out of the way, barely dodging the rock.
"Keep it up, Franklin!" said Claus. "Don't let her get off the ground!"
Barry, who had been curiously silent so far, grinned. "No need! Persim!"
Claus blinked. Persim? What the hell-
Lyn chirped and actually charged at Franklin on her short, stubby legs. When she neared Franklin, she extended her wing, which glowed with a silvery sheen as she slapped Franklin with it.
Franklin gurgled in surprise, stumbling back and losing its grip on the Rock Throw attack. Franklin was hardy enough that it shrugged off the attack, but its momentum was gone.
"Tackle while she's close!" said Claus, and Franklin did just that, ramming Lyn with its rocky body. Lyn squawked in pain, flaring her wings as she stumbled back.
"Persim!" repeated Barry, but this time Claus knew what Persim meant.
"Harden!" he shouted, and Franklin glowed with the same silver sheen as Lyn's wing, taking the strike without flinching this time.
"Take off before it tackles you!" said Barry. Looks like he hadn't gotten around to a code word for that yet.
Claus smirked. "Perfect! Franklin, Rock Throw!" he commanded, and watched as Barry winced.
"No, no, Persim," he tried frantically, but it was too late. The Rock Throw struck true, and Lyn crashed down, knocked out.
"All right," said Barry, resigned. "Roy, finish the job!"
His Chimchar landed on the ground, screeching, and Barry was already prepared with a command. "Persim!"
What on earth? Persim again? Had Roy somehow learned Steel Wing too?
The answer felt obvious after a moment, though. Each command meant something different for each team member. But that moment of hesitation was enough for Roy, who had lunged forward and slammed his closed fist, cloaked in dark red fighting energy, into Franklin.
"Franklin," began Claus, "counter with-"
A burst of flame knocked out the already weakened Nosepass, and Barry grinned. The flame hadn't come from Roy.
"Arceus damn it," groaned Claus. "I forgot trainers are allowed to participate."
"So did I, until just now," admitted Barry, pale smoke streaming from his index and middle fingers. "Too bad your steel won't help here, eh?"
Claus hid a smile.
"It's a shame," he said cheerfully as he released Pello. The Turtwig faced down Roy with a nervous hiss.
Claus wasted no time with his orders. "Pello, Sand Tomb!"
Barry's eyes widened. "Shit! Dodge, Roy!"
The Chimchar blinked, confused at the lack of any visible attack. After all, Pello was standing several feet away from him. He screamed when sand at his feet began kicking up and swirling about, and tried to escape. But it was too late.
Claus grinned. "Again!" Pello hissed once more, and the sand picked up in speed, more swirling up to join it.
Barry extended his arm once more, but Claus was expecting it this time. Just as the fire emerged from Barry's fingertips, Claus concentrated on the metal of Barry's Pokedex, still in his jacket pocket, and gave it a hard shove.
The force sent Claus stumbling backwards as well as Barry, but it did its job. The shot went wide, scorching a small patch of grass near Pello. Poor Roy was still screeching from within the vortex of sand, firing repeated Embers that Pello didn't even have to dodge, and a flurry of Razor Leaves finished him off.
There was silence for a moment, and then Barry laughed. "Damn! That was a good battle!" He grinned at Claus as he reached out for a handshake. "Don't think I won't crush you next time, though! I'll prepare for that nasty Sand Tomb."
Claus smiled at Barry, feeling warm. It was probably Barry being close. Fire affinity. "Whatever you say, man. Just don't bring metal to the fight next time."
A moment passed.
"Well," said Dawn, a smile in her voice. Claus flinched and dropped Barry's hand like it had burned him. "You two should revive your teammates, and then we should get back to the Center."
"Yeah," said Claus, and he flinched again at how his voice cracked. "Let's get going." He glared at Dawn, whose shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter. "I'm looking forward to crushing Dawn."
NOTES
Horses are scary. Fire breathing horses? Even more scary.
The Exemplar title being the reward for beating the champion here exists because it's like, kind of ridiculous that anyone can become champion just by beating the current one. So, instead, that's not the case. It's more of something you get clout for and you can put on your resume (and something that lets you TRY to be the next champion if you want). Even having all eight badges is enough clout for all but the biggest of things, though.
Another broadcast? pog.
Another another broadcast? pog x2.
Carl Nadon may or may not be inspired by an irl news anchor, or more than one irl news anchors...
oh hi, Saturn. nothing to see here
Barry doing code words is so on brand lmao. And yes, he actually went and rented a TM for Steel Wing, on Claus's suggestion.
Trainers are allowed to participate in battles! Now, Pokemon are much more sturdy than humans, so they can't be targeted by Pokemon attacks. However, this isn't broken, because Pokemon are, as a rule, way stronger than humans are, even the most well trained of affinities. And yes Barry used a finger gun to shoot Ember
Claus is definitely going to be using Sand Tomb a lot, be prepared for that.
s-shipping?