Chapter 33:

Surfing Azumarill

Location: Undella Town

"He already left?" I asked Bianca.

"Yep," she replied. "Hugh's quite a feisty one, isn't he? Anyway. You staying here for some training?"

I got out a Pokéball. "You bet. Route 14 specifically."

Bianca smiled. "Oh yeah. A thank you for helping me get through Reversal Mountain." She handed me a HM. "This is HM06, which contains Surf. It can help you get across the sea. Azumarill could make good use of it!"

"I'm sure it will!" I said. "Thanks!"

Location: Route 14

"Okay Azumarill," I said. "Shall we give it a go?" I had already taught it Surf, and I was ready to give it a test run. "Okay then. Azumarill, Surf!" Azumarill got in the water and made a wave. I then got on Azumarill and started whooshing around the river as if I was on a surfboard. "Woo hoo! I'm getting the hang on this!" I yelled.

Of course, even the water has wild Pokémon, and I encountered a Buizel.

Buizel (ブイゼル)

149

Water Type

Sea Weasel Pokémon

2'04" (0.7 m)

65 lbs (29.5 kg)

It inflates the floatation sac around its neck and pokes its head out of the water to see what is going on.

"Minccino, come out!" I shouted. Buizel darted forward covered in water. "That's Aqua Jet! So fast! Minccino, Tail Slap!" Minccino slapped Buizel in the fact five times. Buizel then hit Minccino twice with its tails. "And that's Double Hit. Okay Minccino, one more Tail Slap!" Minccino hit Buizel across the face a few more times, finishing it off.

After that, I went back on dry land. "Woo. Good test run Azumarill."

As I returned it to its Pokéball, an old woman noticed me. "My my, a rookie surfer. I hope you're not a rookie battler though!"

Rosa Vs. Socialite Marian

"Okay Vibrava, go!" I shouted.

"I choose Lopunny!" Marian replied. She sent out a brown Pokémon with long ears.

Lopunny (ミミロップ)

081

Normal Type

Rabbit Pokémon

3'11" (1.2 m)

73.4 lbs (33.3 kg)

Extremely cautious, it bounds off when it senses danger.

Buneary -Happiness- Lopunny

"Lopunny, Dizzy Punch!" Lopunny's ears started glowing. It then punched Vibrava.

"Vibrava, come back with Dragon Breath!" Vibrava shot purple energy at Lopunny. When it hit, it paralysed. "Do it again!" Vibrava hit Lopunny with another Dragon Breath. Everything seemed to be in our favour.

"Jump Kick!" Lopunny jumped forward and kicked Vibrava in the face for lots of damage. It was now clinging on.

"Oh no. One more and Vibrava is done for. Unless… Vibrava! Dig!" Vibrava went underground. This allowed it to avoid a Jump Kick. Lopunny kept going and crashed. "Now!" Vibrava came above ground and attacked Lopunny, knocking it out.

"Well, with skills like that you are certainly not a rookie!"

I continued down south. "Maybe I can get in Black City or White Forest," I thought to myself. Black City is where many strong Trainers come to get stronger and White Forest has many different Pokémon that I could potentially add to my team.

I walked up the stairs that was near the gate to the two locations. There was some dark grass next to me and on the other side, an Ace Trainer. I knew I had to battle her. So, I started walking through the dark grass.

Of course, going through this type of grass meant that the Pokémon were stronger. I also got ambushed by two.

The first opposition was a large-blue Pokémon with webbed feet and hands. It had a red jewel on its forehead.

Golduck (ゴルダック)

029

Water Type

Duck Pokémon

5'07" (1.7 m)

168.9 lbs (76.6 kg)

When its forehead shines mysteriously, Golduck can use the full extent of its power.

Psyduck -Lv 33- Golduck

The other was a round-blue Pokémon with white cloud-like wings.

Swablu (チルット)

246

Normal/Flying Type

Cotton Bird Pokémon

1'04" (0.4 m)

2.6 lbs (1.2 kg)

For some reason, it likes to land on people's heads softly and act like a hat.

"Serperior, Growlithe! I choose you!" I shouted. Serperior would be fine against Golduck, but I was a bit worried about Growlithe. "Okay Serperior! Leaf Blade!" Serperior's tail started glowing, and it swiped Golduck. It almost took it out. Golduck's tail then started glowing, and it hit Growlithe with a strong Aqua Tail. Growlithe managed to get up though. "Growlithe, Flamethrower!" Growlithe shot fire at Swablu. It took away half its HP. Swablu then used Take Down on Serperior, but it didn't do much. "Okay Serperior, one more Leaf Blade! Growlithe, Flamethrower!" Both Pokémon used their respective moves, and the opposition went down.

With those two taken care of, I walked up to the Ace Trainer.

"You managed to get through the tall grass? Get you!"

Rosa Vs. Ace Trainer Junko

"Okay Azumarill, go!" I shouted.

"Come out Basculin!" said Junko. The Basculin she used was the red-striped one.

Basculin (バスラオ)

104

Water Type

Hostile Pokémon

3'03" (1 m)

39.7 lbs (18 kg)

Red- and blue-striped Basculin are very violent and always fighting. They are also remarkably tasty.

Basculin has no known evolutions.

"Azumarill, start with Night Slash!" Azumarill's hand went black, and it slashed Basculin across the face.

"Basculin, Double Edge!" Basculin charged into Azumarill at full pelt, which also shed Zoroark's Illusion.

"That was the strongest Double Edge I've ever seen!" I said.

"You can thank Basculin's Ability, Reckless for that!" Junko said. "It powers up moves that do recoil damage. Now Basculin, Aqua Jet!" Basculin darted forward and into Zoroark, knocking it out.

"You did good," I said. "Okay Serperior, go!" I replied. This one at least had the advantage. "Leaf Blade!" Serperior swiped at Basculin; it fainted.

"Hey, you took out one at least. Okay Lilligant, go!" Junko sent out the sentient flower.

Lilligant (ドレヂィア)

085

Grass Type

Flowering Pokémon

3'07" (1.1 m)

35.9 lbs (16.3 kg)

The fragrance of the garland on its head has a relaxing effect, but taking care of it is difficult.

Petilil -Sun Stone- Lilligant

"You did good Serperior," I told it. "Growlithe, go!" With my Fire Type, I had the advantage.

"Lilligant, Quiver Dance!" Lilligant started shaking on the spot. This raised its Sp. Attack, Sp. Defense and Speed.

"Fire Fang Growlithe!" Growlithe bit down on Lilligant with flaming jaws. It took away about a half of Lilligant's health.

"Now Energy Ball!" Lilligant created a green ball in front of Growlithe and fired it. Growlithe was hit. Despite being a Fire Type, it did a lot thanks to the Quiver Dance boost.

"Another Fire Fang!" Growlithe bit into Lilligant one more time, this time dealing with it.

"Time for my final Pokémon. I choose Gligar!" Junko sent out a pink Pokémon with blue wings, a stinger and sharp pincers.

Gligar (グライガー)

221

Ground/Flying Type

FlyScorpion Pokémon

3'07" (1.1 m)

142.9 lbs (64.8 kg)

It clamps on its chosen prey then jabs the stinger on its tail into the prey while it's stunned with surprise.

I recalled Growlithe for Azumarill. "We can do this!" I said.

"Okay Gligar, Screech!" Gligar made an ear-piercing noise that lowered the Defense of Azumarill greatly.

"Come back with Aqua Tail!" Azumarill fired back with its strong Water Type move. It almost dealt with Gligar in one blow.

"Use Acrobatics!" Gligar jumped all over the place before kicking Azumarill. It was a one hit knockout.

"Azumarill!" I yelled. "Okay then, Speed is what we need. Serperior, go!" I shouted, as my Grass Type came out. "Use Leaf Blade!" Serperior swiped Gligar, fainting it.

"Well, if you can make it through that grass and me, then you're going places!"

I thanked her and made my way to the Gate.

Location: Black City/White Forest Gates

Well, it seemed I wasn't going to either today. Why? Because there were some dancing men in the way. Would they move? Well, this was their excuse.

"Today, we're dancing for no reason! Someday, we'll disappear for no reason!"

I decided to leave them to it.

A lot of battling was done today, and I couldn't be happier! With this, I think I have the training I need to beat Drayden!