Chapter 27:

People let me tell you about my Worst Enemy

Location: Mistralton City

"They got away," Hugh told me as we walked through Mistralton City. "Those Team Plasma tyrants actually got away, but not Scott free because I still hate them."

"Calm down," I said. "Look on the bright side; you got the Jet Badge! This brings you up to a total of six Badges! We're making faster progress than Hilbert ever did!"

"Well, that might be slowed," Hugh said. He pointed up to the fog-covered peak of Twist Mountain.

"To think we can see that from home," I said. "What's up with it?"

"There was a rockslide that's blocking the entrance to Icirrus City. I'm afraid we'll have to find another Gym to go to."

I got out the Town Map. Nacrene City was still off limits due to continued bridge repairs, so that (and Striaton) were off the table.

"Well, I'm stuck," I said. "What are we to do?"

"If I may give a suggestion…" Skyla, Mistralton City's Gym Leader, overhearing our conversation, dropped in. "How about Opelucid City?"

"How's that supposed to work?" I asked. "To get to Opelucid City, you need to…" I followed the map with my finger. "Wait… that's it! We go across the Marvelous Bridge! Eureka!"

"You don't have to do that," Skyla said. "I can take you on a quicker route that doesent involve trekking all the way back to Nimbasa City. Once you beat me, I can fly you two to Lentimas Town."

"Lentimas Town?" I asked. Hilbert didn't go there.

It's a small town located in an arid land. Then, it's through the neighbouring volcano, Reversal Mountain, and Undella Town is on the other side. It's quite a walk from there, but not as much as if you went from Nimbasa City."

That sounded fair. Plus, this meant we would be in the eastern part of Unova! It's by the beach!

"Done deal!" I said, shaking Skyla's hand. "For now, though, I'm going to do some training. Not at the Celestial Tower though; I'm scared of Ghost Types. But I'll be strong enough to beat you and get my next Badge!"

Location: Route 7

So, Route 7 had balancing beams like at the Virbank Complex. The problem was that these beams were made of wood. The good news is that they had been replaced since the days of Hilbert.

"At least I don't have to worry about dry rot," I thought to myself as I walked along the slim poles. And guess what? I kept my balance! Beat that Hilbert!

I got across the poles and bumped into a Lass waiting for me.

"I want to be just like Skyla, so I caught these Flying Types!"

Rosa Vs. Lass Flo

"Okay Servine, go!" I shouted.

"I choose Ducklett!" Flo replied. I decided not to switch out.

"Servine, give it a Leaf Tornado dose!" Servine span round and fired leaves at Ducklett. It was a direct hit.

"Ducklett, Air Slash!" Ducklett sliced the air and sent a wave towards Servine. It was a direct hit.

"Use Leaf Blade!" Servine slashed Ducklett with its tail. It was down.

"Oh man. Okay Unfezant, go!" Flo shouted. This was the female variant, as its head lacked the plumes of the male.

"Thanks, Servine. Okay Trapinch, go!" I shouted.

"Unfezant, Air Slash!" Unfezant swiped the air and fired the shock wave at Trapinch. It was a direct hit.

"Rock Slide, now!" Trapinch made rocks fall from the sky onto Unfezant.

"One more Air Slash!" Unfezant used its Flying Type move once more. This finished off Trapinch.

"No!" I yelled, recalling my fallen friend. "Okay Growlithe, go!"

"Air Slash Unfezant!" Unfezant swiped the air, but this time it missed.

"Nice one Growlithe!" I shouted. I noticed Growlithe was crying. "What's going on?" Tearfully, Growlithe pounced at Unfezant and attacked it brutally. It was down.

"Aww man, I shouldn't be like Skyla. I should be better than her! Time to catch some Rock Types!"

"What's wrong?" I asked Growlithe. Then, I thought back to what happened. "I sent you out after Trapinch fainted… you learned Retaliate! A move that doubles in power if a Pokémon fainted the last turn! Good job!"

Growlithe, now a lot happy, gave a small yelp as I stroked it under its chin.

I continued walking and came across some Twins.

"Our Pokémon are the best of friends with each other, aren't they?" one of them asked.

"Yeah, they are! Right?"

Rosa Vs. Twins Sola and Ana

"I choose Zangoose!" Sola shouted, sending out a white Pokémon with a red marking on its chest.

Zangoose (ザングース)

186

Normal Type

Cat Ferret Pokémon

4'03" (1.3 m)

88.8 lbs (40.3 kg)

It's Seviper's archrival. To threaten those it encounters, it fans out the claws on its front paws.

Zangoose has no known evolutions.

"Seviper, fight with your friend!" replied Ana. She sent out a slender-navy Pokémon with two sharp-red teeth sticking out.

Seviper (ハブネーク)

187

Poison Type

Fang Snake Pokémon

8'10" (2.7 m)

115.7 lbs (52.5 kg)

Constant polishing makes the edge of the blade on its tail extremely sharp. It's Zangoose's archrival.

Seviper has no known evolutions.

"Minccino, Azumarill!" Come out!" They did so.

"Okay Zangoose, Crush Claw!" Zangoose got its claws ready. But it didn't use it on Minccino or Azumarill; it used it on Seviper! "No! You two are friends!"

Minccino suddenly slapped Zangoose very hard, landing a Super Effective hit. "Wow! Wake-Up Slap! Nice one Minccino!"

"Seviper, Night Slash!" Seviper's tail went dark, and it used it on Zangoose. "No! Get along please!"

"Azumarill, Aqua Tail!" Azumarill's tail started glowing blue, then it hit Seviper. It did a lot to it.

"Zangoose, Revenge!" Zangoose punched Seviper in the face. That was the final blow. "No!"

"Okay Minccino, Wake-Up Slap again!" Minccino slapped Zangoose hard, knocking it out.

"Nooo! They're supposed to be besties!"

Despite being short, I decided to end it there for the day.

Well, that was short, but I got some work done. And tomorrow, Skyla will be going down!