Chapter 21:

Weather War

Location: Driftveil City Pokémon Center

I would train at the Cold Storage, but wait. The Cold Storage isn't a thing anymore, with the PWT and all. Whatever. I officially had a full team of six and was planning on beating Clay the next day. Today though, that was Hugh's job. Not that I was against that.

"I know you'll do great," I said. Hugh had told me he got himself a new Water Type, but didn't tell me what. I was fine with that; wait until our next battle.

"Can't say I'm not nervous. You're lucky, having chosen Snivy as your Starter. Pignite though? It's weak to Ground Types. Okay. Good luck with your training!"

Location: Route 6

The river ran quickly down Route 6. Unova had changed a lot, but this was one of the places that had remained unchanged with Hilbert's description.

"This will be fun!" I said. "Training time!"

I ran around the grass, hoping to find something new. And I did!

Shelmet (チョボマキ)

157

Bug Type

Snail Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

17 lbs (7.7 kg)

When it and Karrablast are together, and both receive electrical stimulation, they evolve.

"Growlithe, you're up!" I shouted, sending out Growlithe. I noticed its teeth were burning a bit with a flame. "Ah ha! I know what this is! Growlithe, Fire Fang!" Growlithe pounced at Shelmet and chomped down with its fiery jaws. "Alright Growlithe! Keep it up with these Fire Type moves!"

Shelmet fired a green beam at Growlithe; it was Mega Drain. It didn't do much. So Growlithe came back with a Flame Wheel and finished Shelmet.

Well, I had a success right out the gate, but I wasn't about to stop. I needed to get stronger, and I wanted to try out Zorua to. So, I wanted to battle a Trainer. Thankfully, there was a Parasol Lady just waiting around.

"I feel a storm coming on…"

Rosa Vs. Parasol Lady Nicole

"I choose…" I shouted, sending out… "Growlithe? No, I wanted Zorua!"

"Castform, bring on the monsoon!" Nicole shouted. She sent out a round white Pokémon with two orbs on its front.

Castform (ポワルン)

163

Normal Type

Weather Pokémon

1'00" (0.3 m)

1.8 lbs (0.8 kg)

Temperature and weather affect its cellular structure, so this Pokémon changes form according to the weather.

Castform has no known evolutions.

"Dear? What's wrong?" Nicole asked.

"I… might have sent out the wrong Pokémon by mistake, even though… never mind. Growlithe, Fire Fang!" Growlithe looked at me in confusion. "Okay then, Flame Wheel! Not even that, huh? Okay, use Take Down! What is wrong with you?" I scanned Growlithe's moves with my Pokédex. "What? Wait, I know now! Growlithe, Faint Attack!" Growlithe suddenly appeared behind Castform and attacked it.

"I say, I've never seen a Growlithe use that move before! Okay Castform, let's storm this battle! Rain Dance!" Castform summoned rain clouds above us, and it started raining. As it did, Castform metamorphosised into a new form that looked like a rain drop.

"We're not scared of a little Type disadvantage! Fury Swipes!" Growlithe started slashing at Castform multiple times.

"Castform, Water Gun!" Castform spat water at Growlithe. But it wasn't Super Effective. Because Growlithe was actually Zorua!

"I forgot about the Illusion Ability," I told Nicole a bit embarrassed. "It's my first time using Zorua. And it will be its first victory to! Zorua, Faint Attack!" Zorua came up behind Castform and attacked it, knocking it out.

"The storm has died down…" Nicole said.

"Well, I'll say this," I said to Zorua. "You sure are a fascinating one. Come on, let's get you to the Pokémon Center to heal up."

Location: Driftveil Pokémon Center

At the Pokémon Center, I saw Hugh. He was just healing before taking on Clay.

"How's training?" he asked.

"Zorua may take a bit of getting use to, but not in a bad way," I responded. "Such a fascinating Pokémon."

"Indeed. Hey, I was given this." He gave me a flyer. "It's a tournament at the PWT. The day after tomorrow, they're hosting an opening ceremony. They asked me to give this to you as an invite. And yes, I'll be taking part to."

My eyes gleamed. "Us, in an opening ceremony! That gives me enough time to get the Plate Badge! Speaking of that, I might do some training in the Relic Passage now."

Hugh gave me a friendly salute. "Good luck! We'll need it!"

Location: Driftveil City

"This isn't the Relic Passage?!" I asked. "But. I thought there was a tunnel from Castelia City."

"There is," said a Worker. "But it goes to the PWT. This is the Clay Tunnel, which also connects different parts of Unova. But I'm afraid it's not open yet."

"Oh," I said. "Nevermind."

And that's today's training session done! Tomorrow, I will take on Clay for my next Gym Badge. Then, it's off to the PWT!