Chapter 14:

Science is Golden

Location: Castelia City

"Badge number three obtained for both of us!" said Hugh. "We're getting stronger and stronger!"

"Yep!" I said, looking around at the high-rise buildings. It was time to say goodbye to Castelia City for a bit ass we were to leave for Nimbasa City.

Now you might ask "why not take on Nacrene City?" Well, as it turns out, Skyarrow Bridge is under refurbishment, so I couldn't. Instead, it was onto Elesa!

"Might want to be careful," I said. "Route 4 is a big desert. It could get mighty sandy."

"No it won't," Hugh said. "The construction project they were working on? It's finished. There are people living there now. But we can take a detour to the Desert Resort."

That was actually the plan. With three Badges to my name, I knew I needed more Pokémon if I was going to get anywhere. Plus, the Desert Resort meant Ground Types, which are strong against Elesa's Electric Types, even if she uses Emolga.

"Well," I said. "Let's hit the road! To Route 4!"

Location: Route 4

Hugh was right; the construction had finished for the most part. There were still some structures which were half built, but progress was quickly getting done. There were many flats that stood tall above us, though obviously not as big as the ones at Castelia. There were some small parks. It amazed me to think that even a desert could house this many, well, houses.

"I might do some training before I head off," Hugh said. "I want to catch a Pokémon to. Maybe a Scraggy or a Trubbish or something."

Understanding, I continued down the road.

Now, I only made it so far when I came across a wall of blocks. Except, they were not blocks. They were Pokémon.

Crustle (イワパレス)

116

Bug/Rock Type

Stone Home Pokémon

4'07" (1.4 m)

440.9 lbs (200 kg)

When its boulder is broken in battles of territory, it feels unsure and begins to weaken.

Dwebble -Lv 34- Crustle

"How am I going to get past this?" I asked.

"Allow me," came a voice from behind me. I was in shock to see the Scientist from the Castelia Sewers come up to me, typing into a machine. "These Crustle are no problem aside from a mild inconvenience." He typed into a machine that made a funny noise. Not a painful or irritating one, just funny. Whatever it was, it made the group of Crustle scuttle away.

"That was amazing. Wait. Who are you?" I asked. "My name is Rosa. Rosa Wright, and I'm on a journey to find H- I mean to beat Unova's Gyms."

"Young Lady, my apologies. I haven't introduced myself. My name is Colress. I am looking into bringing out the fullest potential in Pokémon, using human methods of course. Team Plasma think that people and Pokémon should be separate for them to reach their fullest potential. However, I disagree! I'm looking into other ways for Pokémon to show their true might. I agree with Ghetsis that Pokémon have some limitations under humans though, but if I can find a work around, Pokémon will be even more wonderous."

I had zero idea what he was talking about. Potential? What did he mean? We train with Pokémon to help them reach their fullest potential. I believed it would have taken longer for Snivy to evolve into Servine without my support.

"If you want to see potential," I said. "Then how about a battle? Humans and Pokémon can indeed work together! It'll be ideal for your research!"

Colress got out a Pokéball. "So be it. I will study our battle if that is alright with you?"

Rosa Vs. Scientist Colress

"Okay Servine, go!" I shouted.

"Magnemite, come out!" Colress replied.

"Servine. Your Grass Type moves might not do much, but we can show Colress strength. Use Leech Seed!" Servine fired a seed at Magnemite. It latched onto it.

"Magnemite, Magnet Bomb!" Magnemite fired a white orb at Servine. Magnet Bomb is a never miss move, so even if Leaf Tornado lowered Accuracy, Colress had a backup. Thankfully, the Leech Seed was draining some health away from Magnemite to.

"Leaf Tornado!" I shouted, as Servine span around and shot leaves at Magnemite. It did about a quarter damage.

"Sonic Boom!" Magnemite fired a wave of sound at Servine for 20 points of damage.

"Another Leaf Tornado!" Servine continued its leafy barrage. It was whittling down the poor robot's HP, but we were at the very least getting somewhere.

"Magnet Bomb!" Magnemite fired another white orb at Servine. It's important to know that Magnet Bomb is a Physical move, and Magnemite is more of a Sp. Attacker, so it didn't do a whole lot.

"Leaf Tornado!" Thankfully, this Leaf Tornado was a Critical Hit and knocked out Magnemite.

"Interesting. A Grass Type taking down a Steel Type. Well, let's see how you deal with my other Pokémon. Go Klink!" Colress sent out the revolving gears.

Klink (ギアル)

130

Steel Type

Gear Pokémon

1'00" (0.3 m)

46.3 lbs (21 kg)

Two bodies compromise a fixed pair. They spin around each other to generate energy.

"Thanks Servine," I said, recalling it. "Growlithe, come out!" This time, I had the advantage. "Flame Wheel!" Growlithe rolled into Klink for massive damage. It almost knocked it out.

"Thundershock Klink!" Klink fired a small bolt of electricity at Growlithe. When it hit, Growlithe was paralyzed. This also meant it went last. "Another Thundershock!" Klink fired another bolt at Growlithe, who couldn't move the next turn.

"Enough," I said. I recalled Growlithe. "This is a huge risk. Azumarill, I choose you!" I shouted. Azumarill came out and took another Thundershock. Thankfully, it didn't paralyze. "Bubble Beam!" Azumarill fired bubbles at Klink, knocking it out.

"Yes, this will be helpful for my research."

"Well?" I asked. "Did that prove anything? Not that I'm denying your studies. It's very interesting."

Colress nodded. "You are a fine battler, and your Pokémon have good times ahead if they are in your care. Just like Gym Leaders and the Elite Four, you bring out your Pokémon's power through kindness. You should feel good. Keep up the training. It's frustrating how we can't simply talk to Pokémon to bring out their full power. Well Rosa, I hope we meet again sometime."

With that, Colress walked off, leaving me more confused than before.

Hugh came back at that moment, his hair sandy. "That's enough desert for me today. We can go to the Desert Resort tomorrow." From the corner of his eye, he saw Colress walking away. "Is that?"

"Yep," I said. "His name is Colress, and he apparently wants to bring out potential in Pokémon in a different way to what Team Plasma's original goals were."

"Anyone can do better than them," Hugh said. "Well, let's find somewhere to stay. We got an even sandier day tomorrow, at Desert Resort!"

I have no idea what is up with that Colress bloke, but I will find out as time goes. I know this won't be the last time I see him. But tomorrow, I will catch a new Pokémon!