Chapter 15:
It's a Trapinch!
Location: Desert Resort
I don't like sand. It's course, rough and gets everywhere. Well tough luck because I was at Desert Resort, where there was, quite frankly, a lot of sand. Despite the urbanisation that had took place on Route 4, the Desert Resort was strictly off limits to any construction work due the ruins there; the Relic Castle. Anyone however was free to come and check out the Relic Castle and refurbishments could always take place.
"Wonder what Pokémon we'll find?" Hugh asked, as he spotted some Sandile bathing.
"Well," I said. "According to the Journal-"
"Forget the Journal," Hugh said. "Look, I know you want to find Hilbert. But at the moment you're treating it like a vacation brochure, one that's two years out of date at that. Why not be in for a surprise?"
Reluctantly, I agrred. So, I went into the sand and came across a Maractus.
Maractus (マラカッチ)
119
Grass Type
Cactus Pokémon
3'03" (1 m)
61.7 lbs (28 kg)
When it moves rhythmically, it makes a sound similar to maracas, making the surprised Pokémon flee.
Maractus has no known evolutions.
I didn't want to catch it because Servine was serving as my Grass Type, but I could still take it down. "Growlithe, Flame Wheel!" I shouted. Growlithe came out and rolled into Maractus covered in fire. It was left with only a small bit of HP left. Maractus then fired green needles at Growlithe for little damage, though it hit multiple times. "That's Pin Missile! Growlithe, Flame Wheel again!" That was Maractus' fiery finish.
"Nice one!" I said, stroking Growlithe's fur after it had done such a great job.
"It's interesting to think that Pokémon can even live at arid areas like this," Hugh said. "Well, I'm going to catch something new. I'll meet you back at Route 4 later."
I walked around the sand, hoping to find something new. I knew a Ground Type would go well against Elesa's Electric Types, if she was still the Gym Leader of course.
Just then, something jumped out of the sand. It was orange, had a huge jaw and sharp teeth. It was a Trapinch!
Trapinch (ナックラー)
121
Ground Type
Ant Pit Pokémon
2'04" (0.7 m)
33.1 lbs (15 kg)
It makes an inescapable conical pit and lies in wait at the bottom for prey to come tumbling down.
"Go Azumarill!" I shouted. "Use Bubble Beam!" Azumarill fired a jet of bubbles at Trapinch. It took it down to red health. Trapinch made the ground shake a bit, making Azurill slightly lose its balance. "That's Bulldoze! Okay, this will do. Go Pokéball!" I threw it at Trapinch. I watched the Pokéball as it rocked from one side to the other…
And stayed shut!
"I caught a Trapinch!" I yelled. I gave it a Super Potion and healed it up. "Now, let's get you some training. I think you need it."
Thankfully, Desert Resort is a popular training ground, so there were plenty of people to choose to battle with. I ended up choosing a Ranger, so I walked in front of him.
"Careful! Don't get buried!" he said.
Rosa Vs. PKMN Ranger Jaden
"Okay Darumaka, I choose you!" shouted Jaden. A Fire Type was the perfect call for Trapinch's first battle under my ownership.
Darumaka (ダルマッカ)
102
Fire Type
Zen Charm Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
82.7 lbs (37.5 kg)
When it sleeps, it pulls its limbs into its body and its internal fire goes down to 1'000֯F (538֯ C).
"Darumaka, Fire Punch!" Darumaka's fist combusted, and it jumped towards Trapinch. However, the punch missed. It was Hustle, an Ability that lowers Accuracy but increases power. If Fire Punch hit, Trapinch would get quite hurt.
"Use Bulldoze!" I shouted. Trapinch made a small quake. Darumaka was hit for Super Effective damage.
"Another Fire Punch!" Darumaka lit its hand on fire, then successfully punched Trapinch. Trapinch flew back, but recovered when it landed back on the ground.
"Now Sand Tomb!" Trapinch made a whirlpool of sand appear below Darumaka, knocking it out.
"Well, I think you're cautious. Good luck!"
"Good one Trapinch!" I said. "I have a feeling you will make a big impact on this journey!"
With Trapinch tested though, I put the EXP. Share on it and decided to give my other Pokémon some exercise.
I didn't want to keep going back to Route 4 to heal or use too many Potions. Thankfully, there was a Nurse at the Desert Resort. I knew what to do; beat her and she can heal my Pokémon as many times as I like.
"Beat me to heal you!" she said.
Rosa Vs. Nurse Mariah
"Azumarill, go!" I shouted as my Water Type was sent out.
"Go Cleffa!" replied Mariah, sending out a small-pink Pokémon in the shape of a star.
Cleffa (ピィ)
088
Normal Type
Star Shape Pokémon
1'00" (0.3 m)
6.6 lbs (3 kg)
According to local rumors, Cleffa are often seen in places where shooting stars have fallen.
Baby Pokémon
Azumarill's tail was starting to glow. "Hey… I know what that is! Azumarill, Aqua Tail!" Azumarill whacked Cleffa with its tail as water came off it. It was even stronger thanks to a boost from Azumarill's Huge Power Ability. "Alright! Go you Azumarill!"
"Cleffa, Magical Leaf!" Cleffa fired glowing leaves at Azumarill. It was Super Effective.
"One more Aqua Tail!" Azumarill attacked Cleffa once more. It fainted.
"Okay, let's get you healed!" said Mariah. "And remember, you can come back as many times as you wish!"
I wanted to take on some more Trainers, and I needed to walk through the sand to get there. Of course, this meant more encounters. One of these was a yellow Pokémon with sharp claws.
Sandshrew (サンド)
113
Ground Type
Mouse Pokémon
2'00" (0.6 m)
26.5 lbs (12 kg)
It digs deep burrows to live in. When in danger, it rolls up its body to withstand attacks.
"I choose Servine!" I shouted. Upon entering, Servine fired a beam at Sandshrew for lots of damage. "Mega Drain! Good job on learning that Servine!" Sandshrew ran up to Servine and swiped it for Super Effective damage; it was Fury Cutter. "Let's get some of that health back. Mega Drain again!" Servine drained the last of Sandshrew's health away.
My Pokémon were getting stronger, and I was happy about that. I didn't want to spend too much longer at the Desert Resort, because the sandstorm around me was starting to hurt a bit.
"Just one more Trainer," I thought to myself. I decided a Psychic would be the one to finish things. There was one waiting, so I walked in front of him.
"Yes. If I keep this up, I'll be moving boulders in no time!"
Rosa Vs. Psychic Tommy
"Okay Azumarill, go!" I yelled.
"I choose Woobat!" shouted Tommy.
Woobat (コロモリ)
066
Psychic/Flying Type
Bat Pokémon
1'04" (0.4 m)
4.6 lbs (2.1 kg)
The heart-shaped mark left on a body after a Woobat has been attached to it is said to bring good fortune.
"Okay Woobat, Air Cutter!" Woobat fired streaks of sharp air at Azumarill. It was a Critical Hit in the process.
"Use Aqua Tail!" I shouted as Azumarill whacked Woobat with its glowing tail.
"Another Air Cutter!" Woobat used another Flying Type move, though this one wasn't a Critical Hit.
"Bubble Beam!" Azumarill fired a jet of bubbles at Woobat. It was knocked out.
"Okay then, go Yamask!" Tommy shouted.
Yamask (デスマス)
124
Ghost Type
Spirit Pokémon
1'08" (0.5 m)
3.3 lbs (1.5 kg)
These Pokémon arose from the spirits of people interred in graves. Each retains memories of its former life.
I switched out to Trapinch. I wanted to give it another go.
"Yamask, Night Shade!" Yamask fired black energy at Trapinch, dealing exactly 22 points of damage to it.
"Use Bulldoze!" I shouted at Trapinch made the ground shake that somehow hit Yamask despite the fact that it was floating. I mean it didn't have Levitate or anything. No. It had something far more annoying; Mummy. This changed Trapinch's Ability from Hyper Cutter (which prevents the lowering of the Attack stat) to Mummy. It's like a virus, and it was annoying. At least Yamask wasn't immune to the Sandstorm; it was taking damage from it.
"Yamask, Night Shade!" Yamask used another Night Shade. Trapinch could take about one more. It needed to get two Bulldozes in.
"Bulldoze again!" I shouted at Trapinch attacked Yamask with another Ground Type move. My strategy was working; Bulldoze had decreased Yamask's Speed by a considerable amount! "Now we can go first! Trapinch, Bulldoze!" Trapinch made the ground shake a bit one more time. Yamask was done for.
"Well, looks like I will need more training to move boulders."
With that, I was done for the day.
Location: Route 4
"Hey Hugh," I said as we met back on Route 4 like we promised. "How did your training go?"
"Very well," Hugh said. "Pignite has gotten stronger. What about you?"
I sent out Trapinch. "Behold, the latest member of my team! Trapinch!"
"Nice one!" Hugh said. "Keep training that thing up and Team Plasma won't stand a chance."
I have gotten a lot stronger today. A new Pokémon, new moves and tomorrow, I will be in the shining Nimbasa City. Will Elesa stand a chance? Well, I'll have to find out.