AN: Hey everyone, I have the next chapter here. Since she did not get a lot of time in the last chapter, this is a Weiss focused one with her side of Hoenn. With it, she encounters one of my favorite Pokemon designs and possibly makes it her second partner. Hope you enjoy this chapter, leave a review with your comments and questions, and have a nice day.
See the most recent Save State Chapter for Cover Art details.
Chapter 14 – Heritage in Battle
Weiss walked down route 117 while looking at a map, "Okay, I cut through this route and should make it to-WARGH!" she said before tripping and falling into the dirt, "…Please tell me nobody saw that." The white heiress said before halfway getting up, "What did I trip on?"
In looking down, she saw a scaly, dark purple body with yellow hexagonal markings. At one end was a red blade-like tail. The other showed a serpent's head with a lighter purple face on the left side. The eye and the large fangs were red as well. "Seviper!" the fanged snake Pokemon hissed, opening its mouth wider, "Viper!"
Weiss dodged the plunging fang strike reaching out for her Pokeball, "Vulpix, I need your help!" she said as the snow fox Pokemon emerged, "Use Confuse Ray."
"Vul!" Vulpix said while shooting a yellow orb out of her mouth. The orb connected with the fanged snake pokemon's face, causing it to wobble in confusion.
"Now, hit it with Ice Shard," Weiss ordered while her Pokemon fired the frozen projectiles as fast as it could. They collided with Seviper's body, launching it aside and into a rock, "Yes, now's my chance." Weiss said as she took out her last Pokeball, "This time, I'm going to catch a-"
However, in the middle of her throw, she heard another voice, "Seviper!" She turned to see another fanged snake Pokemon emerged from the forest to her right, "Seviper! Seviper!" two more of the fanged snake Pokemon showed up as well. Weiss gasped as she lowered her hand, seeing another one in a tree, "Viper!" the fanged snake Pokemon launched with opened mouth and purple glowing fangs.
"Vulpix, dodge it!" Weiss called out before her Pokemon could be hit by the fangs. The snow fox Pokemon went to Weiss' side, but the fanged snake Pokemon all gathered, including the first one that now recovered, "Five against one, this is bad." She though while backing up with Vulpix, but each Seviper was focused and hissing.
"Se," the first Seviper lunged in with poisonous fangs, "Viper!"
"Vulpix, use-" Weiss said but was interrupted by another voice.
"Manectric, use Thunder Fang." The person called out as a blue canine Pokemon with yellow sparking fur on his head sides crashed into the Seviper. The fanged snake Pokemon screamed as the electric teeth bit down on its neck. Seviper then had its tail glow purple, winging it towards the electric canine. However, the attack missed as the target landed next to its owner. He was a large man with a floral dark brown shirt with lightning bolts over a yellow jumpsuit. His hair and beard were a pure white, "Well, this should even the odds a bit." He said before laughing loudly, "HAHAHAHA!"
"Who this guy?" Weiss thought before turning back to the battle, "No matter, if he is here to help, then we might be able to de-"
"Se," one the fanged snake Pokemon looked to the forest, causing the others to do the same, "Viper!" they soon rushed to the forest, vanishing with a hiss.
"…Why is everything cutting me off." Weiss thought before returning her Vulpix, then turned to the energetic man, "Thank you for your help, but who are you?"
"I'm Wattson, the Mauville City Gym Leader." He answered before petting the electric canine Pokemon, "And this is my partner, Manectric."
"Gym Leader, this guy?" Weiss thought before the image of a certain portly professor came to her mind, "Well if that guy could be a huntsman, I can't judge this person." She then sighed before speaking aloud, "My name is Weiss. If the city you mentioned is the next town over, why are you here?" She inquired.
"I got a call saying there was an outbreak of Seviper on this route." Wattson answered, "Normally, the Zangoose in the area would manage it, but they seem to have migrated." He then looked to the forest, "It's up to me to run these snakes out so people can travel safely between towns." He said before taking a few steps into the woods.
"Hey," Weiss spoke up, "If it's okay with you, I would like to help." She said with Wattson turning around, "Then afterwards, I would like to challenge you to a Gym Battle."
"Oh, you must be one of those worldwide challengers." Wattson responded then grin, "Okay, if you can manage yourself here, I'll consider accepting your challenge."
"Fine, let's get this over with," Weiss said before taking the lead into the forest. "Maybe I could catch one of those Sevipers this time."
Wattson watched the white heiress leave, giving him the cold shoulder a bit, "Hm, she seems a bit spoiled." He thought, "But, she does have good intentions." The Mauville gym leader then followed the white heiress into the woods.
For a short while, Weiss and Wattson walked through the woods, "They shouldn't have slithered too far." The white heiress said aloud as she scanned the area, "If possible, I should see about catching what caught those snake's attention instead." She thought before looking over to Manectric, "I need a second Pokemon if I'm to beat his." Suddenly, the electric canine Pokemon barked, the sprinted off.
"Oh, looks like he found their scent." Wattson proclaimed.
"Then, let's get going," Weiss responded, then started running. However, she soon had to turn back to the struggling Gym Leader, "Come on!"
"I'm coming," Wattson said before deep breaths, "I don't have as much energy as you do."
Weiss sighed before running ahead, "Seriously, how is this guy a gym lea-" She thought before a cry of pain cut her off.
"ZANNNN!" the wild Pokemon cried as the white heiress gasped. She increased her haste to make it towards a clearing. Over a dozen Sevipers were seen. This nest was split into two groups, one was already matching the gaze with Manectric. The other half was facing down a lone ferret-like Pokemon, but with longer limbs resembling a feline. Its body was primarily white but parts its arms, chest, and left ear was red fur. Its body was badly bruised, breathing was heavy, and the right eye could barely remain open. All the Sevipers hissed as they surrounded his foe, "Zangoose!" the cat ferret Pokemon called before lunging at the largest of the Sevipers, its right claw aimed for a slash.
However, the fanged snake Pokemon dodged with a swipe, then landed a slash of its own with its tail. The attack launched the cat ferret Pokemon in a rock, a collision that caused it to become unable to stand up. As it looked on, the Seviper loomed over with venom dripping from fangs.
"Oh no, that Pokemon is about to-" Weiss thought as she knew the outcome, thinking of a destination, "Vulpix, use Ice Shard." She called out while throwing the Pokeball. The snow fox emerged and fired the icy projectiles at its foe. However, one of the other Sevipers had blocked the attack. While they now focused on their new target, the one still readied for the final bite, "No, I can't attack that one without the others getting in the way. Think Weiss, think!" She thought before having an idea.
"Se…Viper!" Seviper spoke as it was about to sink his fangs into the target. However, red energy encompassed the cag ferret Pokemon. The Seviper's mouth closed on nothing as its prey had been ensnared in a Pokeball, "Seviper?" In looking down, the sphere shook three times before clicking.
"Yes, it finally worked!" Weiss cheered as the largest Seviper turned to her in anger, "Okay, now all of you are focused on us." She said as Vulpix stood at the ready. However, she felt a palm on her right shoulder.
"Yikes, that was a jog." Wattson said as he had finally caught up to the white heiress, catching his breath, "I saw that you saved that Zangoose, good job." He then had a confident smile on his face, "Now, let me and my partner finish this."
"What, no way. Manectric is already dealing with his ha-" Weiss was saying before seeing the electric canine Pokemon run over, the other Sevipers all paralyzed on the ground.
"I would recall your Vulpix." Wattson spoke, "It's about to get very high voltage around here, HAHAHAHA!" he laughed as Weiss returned her Pokemon. All the remaining Sevipers lunged at Manectric just as Wattson stopped laughing. Suddenly, Weiss saw a serious gaze in his eyes, "Use Discharge!" the gym leader ordered as Manectric's body sparked for a charged bolt. Suddenly, a pulse wave of electricity emanated from his Pokemon, shocking all the Sevipers and sending them back. As they struggled to get back up, Manectric glared down with his fangs flared. All the Sevipers recoiled in fear, retreating deeper into the woods. However, the largest one glared back before following the rest in fleeing.
"I-incredible!" Weiss commented, "He took out all those Pokemon with one attack." She thought will looking at the confident gaze of Wattson, "So, this is a gym leader." Suddenly, the white heiress remembered what happened moments before he arrived, "Oh right, the Zangoose." Weiss said before she walked over and picked up the Pokeball, "It wasn't purely by intention, but I caught my second Pokemon." She then turned back to Wattson, "In your town, do they have one of those Pokemon Centers?"
"Of course, all towns do." Wattson responded, "Come on, that should cause the Sevipers to think twice about nesting at that route." He said before turning around, causing Weiss to follow. However, in the shadows of the trees, that Seviper glared on with eyes of hate.
After arriving in Mauville and making it to the Pokemon center, it was only a short wait before Nurse Joy handed Weiss back two pokeballs, "Here you are, both are back to full power." She said before handing the white heiress a piece of paper as well, "I also took the liberty of recording what moves and the ability your Zangoose has under his belt."
"Thank you, I didn't think you could do that?" Weiss expressed while taking the items.
"Of course," Nurse Joy said before bowing, "We hope to see you again."
Weiss bowed back before walking out of the Pokemon center. Upon turning left, she walked down the white brick road towards a large building. In front, Wattson stood in anticipation, "So, you still wish to challenge me?"
"Yes," Weiss spoke in confidence taking out one of her pokeballs, "I intend to beat you with my newest Pokemon."
"Oh, you mean that Zangoose." Wattson inferred, "Have you even let him out since his capture?"
"I'm about to do so right now." Weiss said before reeling back, "Go, Zangoose!" She tossed out the back causing the cat ferret to emerge.
"Zan?" Zangoose spoke as he examined the area, then looked at his body. Upon discovering that his wounds were healed, he noticed Weiss approaching.
"If you can understand me, I'm Weiss Schnee, your new Trainer." Weiss introduced herself, "Now then, I need your help to defeat this gym." She said before looking at the paper, "Let see, it looks you know the moves: Slash, Revenge, Pursuit, Furry Cut-" Suddenly, Weiss saw one of the claws go straight for her. Barely having enough time, she jumped back to dodge, "Hey! I didn't order you to use the moves on me!"
"Zangoose!" the cat ferret Pokemon angrily spoke, scanning the area, "Zangoose!" he said before turning around and sprinting on all fours.
"Hey, get back here!" Weiss shouted as she ran after him.
Wattson watched on in confusion, "Does this mean you want to take a raincheck on the battle?" He called out but was met with no answer, causing him to sigh before running after them.
After a short chase, Weiss found Zangoose stopped at the same point she caught him. As the cat ferret Pokemon looked around, his fangs flared at the emptiness of the area. Weiss caught her breath before speaking up, "What is your problem, I saved you form that Seviper!" She shouted, "If it wasn't for me, you would be dead right here." She then began to scowl, "You're indebted to me!"
"Zan!" Zangoose shouted back, lunging at her with his claws.
However, the white heiress dodged the slash, "I'm your trainer, that means you listen to me now!" Weiss responded, continuing to dodge Zangoose attacks, "Why are going after those Seviper, it is a foolish task that will get you killed." She said while continuing to dodge.
"Zangoose!" the cat ferret Pokemon shouted while it went for another slash but missed again.
"Stop acting like a spoiled kid and listen to me, I know what's best for you!" Weiss shouted back, "Now, do what I say or else I'll-" The white heiress said before realizing it.
As Zangoose was about to slash again, confident this hit would land, he stopped upon seeing the white heiress was standing still, "Zan?" He looked on in confusion as Weiss had a look of horror on her face.
"I-I…I was just talking down to you." Weiss spoke as her eyes trembled, grabbing her head with both hands, "Like how my father talked down to me." She then gritted her teeth before falling to her knees, "What is wrong with me?"
"Zangoose?" the cat ferret Pokemon said as he lowered his claws, noticing tears fall down the white heiress face.
"…I'm sorry," Weiss spoke both lowering her hands. After using the right to wipe her tears, she took out Zangoose's Pokeball with her left. The cat ferret Pokemon slightly readied his claws, but then saw the white heiress threw the ball deep into the woods, "I'm setting you free. Go and do what you want…I'm not your trainer anymore, nor do I think I ever was."
"Zan…" Zangoose looked on at the white heiress, but then had his ears stand up, "Zangoose!"
"What are you say-" Weiss responded while slightly lifting her head, then seeing a Seviper slither out from the woods, "That one, it's the same one from before," Weiss said as her mind flashed back to moments ago, the largest Seviper that batted around Zangoose. The White heiress then looked to Zangoose, who also seemed to remember this Seviper.
"Zan!" fueled with rage, Zangoose lunged with his claws at the ready. However, Seviper slammed him back into the ground with its tail. As Zangoose gasped in pain, the fanged snake pokemon's body coiled around him.
"Oh no," Weiss looked on as Zangoose struggled, causing her to reach for her other Pokeball, "Vulpix, I need your-"
"Se," Seviper looked out to Weiss, thrusting its body to launch Zangoose towards her. The cat ferret Pokemon slammed into the white heiress, causing her to drop the ball before sending out her Pokemon. Weiss pushed herself halfway up, but soon found Seviper looking down on her, "Viper," the fanged snake Pokemon said as those same fanged glowed purple, "Seviper!" it lunged down as Weiss looked on, knowing this was her end.
However, the fangs did not sink into the white heiress' neck. Rather, they dug into the right shoulder of the cat ferret Pokemon, "Zan," Zangoose spoke before smirking, then slashed the fanged snake Pokemon in the throat.
The attack launched Seviper away, inflicting massive damage. However, it looked back to see Zangoose slightly wobbling, his eyes closed, knowing the poison was taking effect, "Se." Seviper hissed.
"Zan." Zangoose spoke before grinning, opening his eyes with a purple tint, "ZANGOOSE!" he let out a battle cry while radiating a powerful aura.
"What?" Weiss said before remembering the paper Nurse Joy gave her. In taking it out, she read Zangoose's ability, "Toxic Boost. When poison, the attack power increases." She read before looking over at Zangoose who as ready to charge into battle. However, Weiss noticed he was not as focused as before, "You may stronger, but that poison is still taking effect."
"Zan!" Zangoose shouted back as he flared his fangs at Seviper, ready to charge in.
"If you keep attacking the way you were before, it will only lead to the same outcome." Weiss responded as she stood up, "Look, just hear me out." She spoke in a determined voice, "I'll do the calling out, you do the actions. Are you okay with that?"
"…Zan," Zangoose said with a slightly reluctant nod, then focused on Seviper.
"Right then," Weiss said with a nod then pointed at the fanged snake Pokemon, "Zangoose, use Pursuit." The cat ferret Pokemon rushed Seviper, his body glowing in a black aura. As he charged, the fanged snake Pokemon's tail glowed purple, "Dodge to the right."
"Zan," Zangoose responded before doing so. He evaded the tail and crashed into the left side of the fanged snake Pokemon's head.
"Now, use Slash!" Weiss said with Zangoose striking the right side of Seviper with his claws.
"Se," the fanged snake Pokemon recoiled back from the attack, glaring at the cat ferret Pokemon. Its teeth glowed purple as the jaw unhinged, "Viper!"
"Zangoose, jump back," Weiss called out with Zangoose doing so, evading the poison fang. However, a second bite was coming directly afterward. Zangoose was about to attack, but was interrupted, "Wait until it gets close enough." Weiss called out, causing Zangoose to grit his teeth in patience. Seviper lunged towards Zangoose, its fangs a couple of feet from his neck. "Now," Weiss called out, "Use Revenge!"
"ZANGOOSE!" the cat ferret Pokemon's right arm glowed light blue before striking Seviper in the upper jaw. The attack launching Seviper high into the air then landed face-first on a rock. The fangs snapped from the force of the crash, causing Seviper to have a look of panic on its face. Upon looking back at its opponent, Zangoose and Weiss glared back. In response, the fangless snake slithered back into the woods.
After a few seconds, Weiss let out a sigh, "We did it." She said before walking over, picking up Vulpix's Pokeball, "Well, I'm back to just one again." The white heiress then turned back to Zangoose, who had walked over to a bush. Upon examining it, Weiss noticed Pecha Berries growing in it, which Zangoose bit off one to cure his poison, "I guess this the goodbye." She said before walking away. However, upon turning around she bumped into someone.
"Well, that would be a shame." Wattson said with a smile, "You two do make a good team."
"You followed me?" Weiss responded.
"You did run away in the middle of a gym challenge." Wattson replied, "I didn't realize until then, but you have not been traveling for very long. Have you?" He said with Weiss remaining silent but broke eye contact. The gym leader then sighed, "Not all Pokemon are accepting of their trainer after capture. Like between humans, it takes time for a bond to form." He said with Weiss remember her time in the Emerald Forest or Remnant. The moment she realized Ruby was her partner, wishing for anyone else, but now knew the type of person she was. Weiss looked back at Wattson, who turned to his Manectric coming over. A familiar Pokeball was in the electric canine Pokemon's mouth, "Don't let things end due to pride or regret." He said while taking the ball, cleaning it off on her shirt, then handing it Weiss.
Weiss accepted the Pokeball, then looked back to Zangoose, who was still near the bush. She walked over, causing the cat ferret Pokemon to turn towards her, "Hey," Weiss spoke, "It looks like the Sevipers have been all run out by now. And I don't know if you're going to catch up to the rest of the Zangoose you lived with." She then held out the Pokeball, "If you want, I could really use your help on my journey."
"…" Zangoose looked at the Pokeball in silence, knowing one slash could destroy it and free him from this trainer. However, he closed his eyes a as small smile formed, "Zan." He said with a nod, causing Weiss to smile back. Weiss then reangled the ball, causing her to return Zangoose into it. She turned it around in her palm, smiling as her second Pokemon partner.
"Now then, I believe I still owe you a Gym Battle," Wattson said as he walked over with his Manectric.
"Actually, I will rescind my challenge." Weiss said as she looked at her Pokeball, "I think I need to travel a bit more with my Pokemon before taking on another trainer." She said before putting the Pokeball away, "Besides, I had already made a plan with my friends to challenge another Gym first."
Wattson smirked, "I think that is a wise decision." He said before extended his right hand, "Good luck with your journey, Weiss Schnee." The gym leader said as Weiss shook his hand. After they let go, he watched her walking back towards the town, "She is a nice girl, even if she is also a bit of an Ice Queen." He thought before chuckling, "HAHAHAHA!" Wattson laughed out loud, causing Weiss to look back to him in confusion.
AN: There you go, Weiss catches a Zangoose. A powerful second capture compared to the others, but this context was also quite different as well. If she tried battling one head on, she would have lost at this point with Vulpix. Like I said earlier, Zangoose is one of my favorite Pokemon designs and was suggested for a few characters here. I decided on Weiss getting him since the eternal grudge with Seviper somewhat plays with the Schnee family pride Weiss has. Plus, both have that eye scar and matching color scheme, (Before it is asked, I am NOT picking teams based on the color the character is associated with. While both of Weiss' Pokemon are white now, that is just a coincidence). I also liked Wattson showing up and helping Weiss grow as trainer, even if he did not battle her. Next chapter, we should bounce back to Blake on her way to Dewford for a real gym battle. That is all for now, thanks for reading, and hope to see you in the next chapter.