Chapter 34:
Tangela Tastic
Location: Route 13
With Undella Town behind me, I made my way down Route 13.
It was a beach route; I was down for that. I love seeing the diamonds sparkle on the ocean's surface. It's like an entrance to another world full of species yet to be discovered, and it was also a banquet for the multiple Pelipper flying above.
Pelipper (ペリッパー)
213
Water/Flying Type
Water Bird Pokémon
3'11" (1.2 m)
61.7 lbs (28 kg)
Skimming the water's surface, it dips its large bill in the sea, scoops up food and water, and carries it.
Wingull -Lv 25- Pelipper
By the sea, I saw a man fishing. I tapped on his shoulder. He looked at me a bit teary eyed.
"Oh. You want a battle? Sure."
Rosa Vs. Fisherman Leroy
"Serperior, go!" I shouted.
"I choose Vaporeon," Leroy said. He sent out a blue Pokémon with a fin-like tail.
Vaporeon (シャワーズ)
092
Water Type
Bubble Jet Pokémon
3'03" (1 m)
63.9 lbs (29 kg)
Its cell composition is similar to water molecules. As a result, it can't be seen when it melts away in water.
Eevee -Water Stone- Vaporeon
"Serperior, start with Coil!" Serperior twisted round. It was time to finish it off with a Leaf Blade.
"Aurora Beam." Vaporeon fired a colourful beam at Serperior. It was a direct hit.
"Now Leaf Blade!" Serperior swiped Vaporeon in the face. It survived because it had lots of HP.
"Aurora Beam again." Serperior shot another Ice Type move at Serperior. I had this anyway.
"Leaf Blade finale time!" Serperior used one last Leaf Blade and knocked out Vaporeon.
"Thanks anyway. Don't worry I'm fine."
I continued walking down the sandy beach. I tell you what, this is the type of sand that I don't mind. Not the kind that gets in your feet like at the Desert Resort.
According to the Town Map, the next big stop was Lacunosa Town. It's a small settlement located next to a place called the Giant Chasm. It would be the perfect stop before Opelucid City.
I reached the stairs that led onto the grassy bank on top of the cliff. I was almost there. The only thing in my way? Two Pokémon Rangers.
"I'm sorry," the male one said. "This area is strictly off limits."
"Why?" I asked. "I need to get to Lacunosa Town! Before dark preferably because of that tradition of theirs."
The female ranger shook her head. "I completely understand, but we have a situation. There is a Pokémon that are causing a bit of trouble up there. A girl has gone missing. You'll have to wait a bit."
Well, I didn't need that. "Why can't you just use your Capture Stylus? Then they will listen to you."
"We're not those kinds of Rangers!" the female one said.
Just then, Leroy came running up to me. He was still red and puffy from sobbing.
"I'm sorry," the male one said. "We still haven't found her."
"Who?" I asked.
Leroy wiped his eyes. "Oh, it's you. Sorry, my daughter Lauren is lost in there. She was playing with her friend, but suddenly she's disappeared."
"And has anyone been helping?" I asked.
The two Rangers looked at each other. "Well… okay. Sorry. We've been too busy guarding the area. We will go look."
"Me to!" I said. "I insist. I need to."
"Trust her!" Leroy said. "She's a strong Trainer! I can tell from experience."
The Rangers sighed. "Fine but be careful. My name is Daryl. This is my Sister Dianne."
I told the Fisherman to stay where he was.
At the top, it was like any normal bank.
"Why have people kept disappearing?" I asked.
"I don't-" Something long and green grabbed Dianne's leg. It then yanked her into the undergrowth.
"Dianne!" Daryl yelled. But she was yanked in. "We have to save her!" As he said this, something grabbed his legs and pulled him in. I gave chase.
Location: Hidden Grotto
We found ourselves in a Hidden Grotto.
"Wow," Dianne said. "It's not everyday you see one of these."
"Look!" I said, pointing to a Pokémon. It was blue and squiggly with red feet.
Tangela (モンジャラ)
217
Grass Type
Vine Pokémon
3'03" (1 m)
77.2 lbs (35 kg)
Many writing vines cover it, so its true identity remains unknown. The blue vines grows its whole life long.
"Wow!" I said.
"Stop!" A girl, about 10 of age, went in front of Tangela.
"Are you Laruen?" I asked.
"No! I won't allow it!"
"Allow what?" I asked. "Is this where you've been?"
"Just leave!" Lauren said. "Why can't you do it? Why are you in here?"
From above us, a large-blue Pokémon dropped down. It had long red-tipped arms.
Tangrowth (モジャンボ)
218
Grass Type
Vine Pokémon
6'07" (2 m)
283.5 lbs (128.6 kg)
Even if one of its arms is eaten, it's fine. The Pokémon regenerates quickly and will go right back to normal.
Tangela -Lv up after Ancient Power is learned- Tangrowth
"Tangrowth!" the girl said. "I told you not to bring guests in!"
Tangrowth giggled.
"Listen," I said. "Your father is worried about you."
"But I'm worried about Tangela!" she said. "In truth, we're leaving next week to move to the Johto region. Tangela is my best friend, and I didn't want to leave it!" She hugged Tangela.
"You don't have to," I said. "How about you catch Tangela?"
She sniffed. "Really?"
I handed her Minccino's Pokéball, as well as five Great Balls. "Try it."
Lauren gulped. "Okay then."
"Okay Minccino, go!" Lauren shouted. "Use… Slam!" Minccino slammed down on Tangela.
"That's the first time Minccino has used that move!" I said. "Nice one!"
Tangela came back and slapped its vine across Minccino's face. "That's Knock Off!" Darryl said.
"Okay. Minccino, Tail Slap!" Minccino slapped Tangela five times. Then, Tangela covered Minccino in orange powder. Minccino was paralyzed.
"That's Stun Spore!" I shouted. "Okay. Try a Great Ball!"
"Got it!" Lauren said. "Go!" She threw a Great Ball at Tangela and…
It stayed inside!
"I got it!" she said.
"Now that that's sorted, it's time to head back to your dad!" I said.
Lauren was up for it. But as we turned to leave, a now angry Tangrowth was blocking the way.
"Hey, you can let us through," Dianna said.
"I don't think Tangrowth is too happy that we caught it's friend…"
Tangrowth launched four beams of energy out to each of us. It started sapping away our energy.
"It's… Giga Drain!" Dianna moaned.
"What are we going to do?" I said, or at least tried to.
I saw Lauren faint first. "Stop…" she said before getting knocked out.
As Tangrowth angrily sapped our vitality, something jumped out. It sliced both of Tangrowth's arms off, stopping the move.
"What happened?" I asked.
Coming towards us was a sight to behold. It was grey and grand.
"Co…Cobalion?!" I shouted.
"Are you well, Rosa Wright of Aspertia City?"
"Y-yes," I said. "How do you?"
"Now's not the time," it said. "We need to return this girl to her parents and get you to Lacunosa Town."
Location: Route 13
"Daddy!" Lauren said, running up to Leroy.
"Lauren!" Leroy replied. "Where have you been?"
"Catching a friend!" she said. "Go Tangela!" She sent out her new Pokémon. "Tangrowth… didn't seem to mind."
We all laughed. "I got to get going," I said. "It's nightfall in one hour."
"Before you go," Leroy said. "A thank you. I fished them up." He handed me some Heart Scales. "This can come in handy."
I thanked him and got on Cobalion. "Okay. To Lacunosa Town!"
Cobalion (コバルオン)
225
Steel/Fighting Type
Iron Will Pokémon
6'11" (2.1 m)
551.2 lbs (210 kg)
It has a body and heart of steel. It worked with its allies to punish people when they hurt Pokémon.
Legendary Pokémon
Location: Lacunosa Town
Cobalion dropped me off at the Pokémon Center.
"Thanks," I said.
"It's alright," Cobalion replied. "Now. First of all, thank you for your help with Team Plasma. That goes for your friend Hugh as well. I brought you over here to talk about the Giant Chasm. I believe it might have something to do with their schemes."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yes. I will be happy to help you. Terrakion and Virizion know this to. There is no reason to hurry at the moment though. Just keep up the good work." With that, it leapt off into the sunset.
"Hey!" Hugh said, opening the Pokémon Center doors. "Was wondering where you got to! How did you get here so late?"
"Oh," I said. "I took things slowly!" I walked into the Pokémon Center.
Cobalion is now on my side. If Hilbert said what he said, then it could be a real ally.