"So you're sure you don't want to heal Nidoran right now?" asked Oliver, now short one Antidote and walking side-by-side with Moira once again.
"Nah, I think I'll wait until we get tae town and use the Pokémon Center," Moira replied.
Oliver shrugged. "Suit yourself."
The sun was out in full force now. The two were about half an hour away from Searrow. Their plan was to drop their injured Pokémon at the Pokémon Center, get lunch, and then meet up with Professor Pine.
Suddenly a Spearow flew overhead. Oliver was about ready to send Joltik out to try to catch it but it flew away before Oliver could give any commands.
"Oh, I'm sorry, ye missed it."
Oliver only appeared downtrodden for a second. "Don't worry, Spearow are everywhere in Central Allanza. That won't be the last one we see."
The two kept walking. Not a minute had passed before another Spearow flew overhead. Moira was about to comment on it when a small tan Pokémon, completely unfamiliar to Moira, darted past them, chasing after the birds.
Oliver's eyes widened. "Forget about Spearow; I think I found my first real catch. Come on!" He darted into the tall grass after them and Moira, surprised, followed suit.
They came to a clearing where the two Spearow were hovering above. Every so often one of them would divebomb the hapless Pokémon that was chasing them and fly out of reach quickly. That Pokémon would try to strike it out of the air when it got close but it just wasn't fast enough.
The hapless little guy was a canine quadruped, with sharp claws on its paws. It had two very large ears and a small snout tipped with a large black nose, with two fangs visible. Its tail was long and bushy, the tip of the tail dark brown in comparison to the tan fur on the rest of it. There was also a few tufts of a much lighter tan around its neck. Its big eyes had red pupils that were angrily glaring at the two birds.
Moira felt a bit of pity for the… um… "Oliver? I never seen that one before."
"Oh, that? That's native to Allanza. You got that Pokédex app on your phone, look it up!"
She did so, scrolling through the Allanza Pokédex before finding what she was looking for.
TRYOTE
Persistent Pokémon
Normal/Ground
When it sets its sights on prey, it will stubbornly chase after it even if other food sources are available. Bird Pokémon have taken note of this and delight in tormenting hungry Tryote.
Oliver adjusted his glasses. "I feel kinda guilty saying this, but those Spearow have worn it down enough that a Pokéball should work right off the bat." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Pokéball. "Just need to aim it carefully… make sure it doesn't accidentally hit a Spearow… and…!"
He tossed it finally, and it hit its mark, drawing the Tryote inside of it. The Spearow were startled and flew off, as the Pokéball shook.
"C'mon…" Oliver pleaded to no one in particular as he crossed his fingers.
The ball shook twice more before it snapped shut with a satisfying click .
Oliver blinked. "That was… that was the first Pokémon I actually caught! O-on my first try, too!" Once he regained his composure, Oliver walked over and took the ball. "Shame I couldn't catch one of those Spearow, but I'm sure I'll find another one."
He and Moira went back on the main road. "Hey Moira, if it's all right with you, I'm gonna walk with him for a bit. I wanna try to get him used to me while we're out on the road."
Moira nodded. "Aye, no skin off my back."
Oliver took out his Pokéball and brought out Tryote. Its first instinct on being let out was to search around frantically for the birds that had tormented it. Seeing that they were long gone, it looked a little downtrodden.
"Hey, Tryote? Don't let that get you down," Oliver said. "You'll get 'em one day."
It looked up at its new trainer, eyeing him with skepticism. Moira inched away from it, hesitantly.
Oliver knelt down near his new team member. "My name's Oliver. Welcome to the team, Tryote." He reached out a hand to pet him, but the Ground-type tried to bite him. Oliver quickly withdrew his hand. "No," he said sternly. "Bad boy. Ralts, can you use Hypnosis, calm him down?"
From her perch in the backpack, Ralts used a weakened version of Hypnosis, which didn't put Tryote to sleep, but it DID make it somewhat drowsy when the psychic waves made contact.
Satisfied it wouldn't bite his hand off, Oliver attempted to pet his new catch a second time. This time, he succeeded. Though it was sleepy, Tryote's tail bounced on the ground in contentment. Oliver noted that the fur was hind of coarse and sandy. "We'll have to give you a bath once we get to town." He smiled, then recalled him back into the Pokeball.
"Now then," Oliver said, pocketing the ball once again, "Shall we be on our way?"
Searrow was still relatively suburban, but bigger and more developed than Shorevul. The University of Searrow Central Allanza, or USCA, was the centerpoint of the city. The residential area was built around the large open campus. There was a bit more variety in the shape of the houses than in Shorevul but they generally had an off-white color with roofs being varying degrees of blue-green.
"First stop, the Pokémon Center. Then we'll meet up with Professor Pine. Her lab is across the street from USCA's campus," Oliver said.
"Ye think ye can convince Pine to endorse us?" Moira asked.
"I hope so. I imagine you'll have an easier time, though."
The two of them walked right to the red-roofed building that any trainer learned to recognize on sight. As they entered and deposited the Pokémon that had been either injured or exhausted, they happened to notice a familiar face.
"Hey, Oliver! Fancy seeing you here!" Scarlet called, Cassandra following close behind. "And… Mary?"
"Moira."
"Moira. My apologies. What brings you here?"
"Well, we're going to visit Professor Pine and ask her to endorse us for the Gym Challenge," Oliver explained. "I figured we should ask her in person, since we only live a couple hours away."
Scarlet raised an eyebrow. "Two days before the opening ceremonies? Cutting it a little close, aren't we?"
Oliver raised a hand defensively. "I know, I know, I already got an earful from Moira."
Moira grinned sheepishly. "May've gone overboard," she said, scratching the back of her head.
"Eh, I had it coming," Oliver shrugged. "I still like you."
"In any case," Scarlet said, steering them back on topic, "Once your Pokémon recover, I'll meet you at the lab. I'll tell the Professor to expect you." With that, she turned and left the Center.
Once the two had grabbed lunch and made sure to get food for their respective Pokémon (while Oliver checked his Pokédex app on his phone to see what moves a Tryote should know), they retrieved their team from the Pokémon Center and shortly arrived at the laboratory of Professor Pine. The lab was a plain rectangular building that didn't really stick out that much. Oliver knocked on the door.
"Come on in!" an adult woman's voice said from within.
They opened the door and walked in. Inside they saw a few terrariums and aquariums containing small Pokémon. Moira recognized a few of the Pokémon inside, like that tank containing a Goldeen, and the terrarium containing a Metapod covered in silk. She was interested to see a soil-filled terrarium containing a Unovan Stunfisk. There as even an egg in an incubator.
Then there was one in a sandy desert terrarium, however, that she had never seen before. It was snakelike, with the end of the tail having a long spearhead that appeared to be made of black stone, like coal or something. The body of the snake was an alternating pattern of red and dark yellow, and its lower jaw seemed to be covered in that same coal-like substance and its eyes were big and yellow.
FLINTAIL
Ignition Pokémon
Fire
When threatened, this Pokémon rattles its tail, which is made of a substance similar to flint. The friction generates sparks, which usually succeed in scaring off predators, especially at night. However, they have been known to start fires when the sparks hit dry brush.
At the back end of the lab was an assortment of computer equipment around a desk. Scarlet was standing near it, Cassandra by her side, peering over and looking at a screen. Sitting behind the desk was a woman in her early-to-mid 40s, with light pale blonde hair loosely hanging over her shoulders, with the occasional green highlights streaking through it. She was wearing glasses over her hazel eyes and she had on a white labcoat that more closely resembled a dress, a dark green tie visible under it.
"Long time no see, Professor!'
The woman, Professor Pine, looked up and smiled. "Oliver. It's been too long. And this is your new friend from Galar?"
"That I am, ma'am. Moira Taylor's the name," Moira greeted .
"So, what can I do for you two?"
Oliver explained how they wanted to take part in the Gym Challenge, and that as a respected scholar on the subject of Pokémon and their habitats, she would be able to endorse the two of them.
"I know it's kind of short-notice, and we probably should've done this weeks ago, but-"
"Sure, I'll endorse you."
Oliver and Moira were taken aback at how easily she agreed. Even Scarlet was a little surprised.
"R-Really, Professor?" Scarlet asked, also a little surprised.
"Yes. If they never get the chance to face true competition, then they won't grow as trainers. However…"
Oliver and Moira were both on the edge of their seat, listening.
"...Before I do so, I want to see you two in action. I want to be sure you two are skilled enough trainers that you won't stall right at the beginning."
"Yeah, I guess that sounds fair." "Sounds good to me!"
Pine got up from her chair. "Let's change venues for a bit, the exit onto Route 2 should do fine."
Route 2 was a bit more dense with greenery than Route 1 was, with more trees and grass on the sides of the road and Searrow Forest just to the north. There was a pretty open spot by the side of the road, where the grass was not too tall and the Pokémon had plenty of space to run around in.
"Ye know," Moira commented as she began walking to her side of the field, "This is the first time we actually fought."
"Yeah, it kind of is, isn't it?" Oliver replied, with a thoughtful tone of voice. "Surprised we haven't had one yet."
"All right you two," Scarlet said. "I want the two of you to give it your all."
Professor Pine stood off to the side, curious to see the potential of these two.
"All right…" Scarlet began.
Oliver adjusted his glasses again, Moira planted her feet on the ground.
"...Begin!"
Oliver threw out a Pokeball. "Go, Tryote!"
Moira tossed one of her own. "Go, Nidoran!"
Scarlet watched with interest as the two Pokémon materialized on the battlefield. So right out of the gate, Oliver has a type advantage. However, the only Ground-type move a Tryote would know is Mud-Slap. Let's see how this goes…
"Alright, Nidoran! Use Poison Sting!"
"Hit it with a Mud-Slap before it can land!"
The Tryote's reaction time barely won out and it swept a heap of moist dirt at Nidoran which got in its eyes along with dealing damage to it. This caused the Poison Sting to miss by a couple inches.
"Shake it off, Nidoran! Go for a Horn Attack!" Moira shouted.
"Keep your distance and pelt it with another Mud-Slap!" Oliver commanded his own Pokémon.
This went on for a bit with Tryote running circles around the increasingly dirty and disoriented Nidoran, flinging mud at it until Nidoran couldn't tell his right from his left.
"Great work! Now, come back!" He withdrew Tryote into a Pokeball.
Moira was confused, but Scarlet nodded. He didn't want to run the risk of his Pokémon getting poisoned on contact, she thought. It's a safe bet that he'll switch over to Ralts now.
"Go, Ralts!" Just as Scarlet predicted, Ralts jumped out of Oliver's backpack to the spot Tryote had been standing last. "Now use Confusion!"
Confusion handily finished off Nidoran. Not only was it supereffective, but the Mud-Slaps from Tryote had whittled it down significantly. Moira withdrew the unconscious Poison-type. "Go, Wooloo!" she shouted as she sent her second Pokemon. The round fluffy sheep landed in the arena.
So, I definitely don't have anything with a Fighting-type move. That's a bit of a pickle, Oliver thought. And Wooloo will definitely be able to take and dish out more punishment than Ralts can. I hope this works… "Ralts, use Hypnosis!"
"Not if I can help it! Wooloo, use Headbutt!"
Ralts generated those rings of energy but Wooloo managed to evade them in time as she rolled around to Ralts's side and uncurled in time to deliver a headbutt head-on. The impact caused Ralts to stagger.
"Now go for another one!"
Wooloo reared its head. Oliver shouted for Ralts to dodge, but her flinching from Headbutt slowed her reaction time, and the second clean hit knocked her out cold.
Oliver reluctantly withdrew her into a Pokéball, the score an even 1-1.
Okay, Wooloo's wool will negate most of the attacks Tryote has. Joltik can't take a hit, but he should be able to outspeed her. "Your turn, Joltik!"
The spider jumped down and took Ralts's place.
"Use Electroweb!"
Wooloo immediately took a hit from a hunk of electrified webbing that spread out on impact and encircled her, shocking her.
"You can take the hit, lass! Use Payback!"
Fueled by the pain inflicted on her by Electroweb, Wooloo began to rush forward, but Joltik was easily able to jump out of the way.
"Nice dodge!" Oliver shouted. "Use String Shot to keep her down, then use another Electroweb!"
Joltik jumped up and released more web- not electrified this time- that quickly wrapped around Wooloo and stuck to her. Wooloo attempted to break free, but Joltik was already quick on the draw with his second Electroweb.
"This doesn't look good… Wooloo, come back!" Moira called, withdrawing Wooloo. "Go, Sobble!"
Scarlet's eyes narrowed. Even if Sobble is her ace, she's at a serious disadvantage.
Moira didn't seem to care. "Now, Sobble, use Water Pulse!"
"Electroweb again! Man, we need to get you some new electric-type attacks soon…"
Joltik began to weave another web of electricity and fired it off just as a ring of water shot from Wooloo's mouth and washed over Joltik. The webs made it through and shocked Sobble. Joltik didn't seem overly hurt.
"Try going for a Bug Bite now!"
Unfortunately for Oliver, while Joltik was still able to fight, the water current had disoriented it and Joltik began to stumble, unable to get his bearings.
"Now's yer chance, wee lad! Use Sucker Punch!"
Joltik didn't react in time and Sobble's fist landed a direct hit, launching it all the way back to Oliver. Oliver swore under his breath and recalled Joltik, sending out his last Pokemon, Tryote.
He's my last Pokémon, and he's a Ground-type! Water Pulse will eat him alive, and even if it doesn't, the Confusion effect will render him helpless!
Still, he couldn't let himself show any weakness. "Tryote, use Bite!"
Moira grinned. "Use Water Pulse!"
Another ring of water shot from Sobble, and Tryote darted right towards Sobble, not caring about the Water-type attack barreling towards him. The attack connected, but the current didn't knock him around and confuse him. That's right, Tryote has the Own Tempo ability, Scarlet realized. It won't lose focus no matter what. It did some serious damage but seeing as this was the first damage Tryote took this entire fight, it wasn't down yet.
His fangs hit their mark, landing a direct hit on Sobble, who shrieked in pain. Tryote leapt back off and the unfortunate water lizard was still recoiling from the pain.
"Quickly, lad, use Sucker Punch!"
"Finish him off with another Bite!"
Sucker Punch would've finished Tryote right there, but Bite had caused Sobble to flinch pretty badly, and Tryote landed his second bite without issue, finally doing enough damage to Sobble to render him unconscious.
Moira sadly withdrew Sobble, sending out Wooloo again.
Both Wooloo and Tryote were somewhat worse for wear, but Wooloo was slowed down by spider webs, giving Tryote the speed advantage.
"Use Mud-Slap!"
Tryote launched more dirt at Wooloo, covering her face.
"Hit 'em back with Payback!"
Wooloo began to rear back and prepare to strike, but the String Shot from earlier slowed her movements enough that Oliver was able to give one last move command. "Tryote, use Bite!" Tryote leapt forward and sank his teeth into Wooloo's fluffy exterior. The wool absorbed most of the damage, but the impact did enough damage to finish what all those Electrowebs had started. Wooloo let out a weak baa and stumbled around before collapsing.
"Moira is out of usable Pokémon!" Scarlet shouted. "Oliver wins!"
Oliver ran up and began furiously petting Tryote. "You did an awesome job, buddy! I'm so proud of you!" Tryote's tail flapped against the ground, relishing the attention.
Moira was sulking somewhat. Not only did she lose, but Nidoran didn't even get to do anything. She'd have to do some serious training with him if they stood any chance at beating the Gym Challenge.
Pine clapped. "That was a good show, both of you. Now, why don't we head back to the Pokémon Center and we can talk at my lab some more." The four of them made their way back to town.
Scarlet couldn't help but smile. You two are gonna go places.
And here we have the first of my original Pokémon! Don't expect that many though. As of this writing I only managed to come up with 32, not including regional variants. I wanted to illustrate them, but I'm not nearly good enough. Maybe one day.
Tryote was mainly inspired by Wile E. Coyote, but I also got some inspiration from my cat Roosevelt, who was repeatedly tormented by hummingbirds a couple summers back before he finally snapped and killed one of them.
I'm also starting to regret including Cassandra because she hasn't really done anything.
Also, I very stupidly had to take it down and reupload it because the document got horribly mauled at some point and I didn't notice. Sorry for the inconvenience!
