Pokémon - The Final Journey in Fenyuu

Chapter 38: Evolution



Matt and Lizzie managed to find themselves seven gyms within the first month while traveling in Fenyuu. Because of the one-on-one rule, they had to choose carefully with which Pokémon they wanted to do battle. Matt felt very confident with Onix, Charmeleon, and of course, Squirtle. Lizzie chose to fight with mostly Vulpix and Cyndaquil. She felt rather uncomfortable with using her Articuno right away, and decided that she would save it for the later, harder battles.

Out of the eight gym matches, Lizzie managed to win three badges, while Matt only managed to win two. Lizzie was only three more badges away from the six, while Matt still needed four.

After fighting a few more battles on the way to the next Pokémon center, both Matt and Lizzie decided to eat at an outdoor restaurant, on the cool, cloudy afternoon.

Matt was reading his introduction manual while waiting for his order to appear. "I see...we've just past the Bronze Quadrant of the league. We're now in the Silver Quadrant where the battles will become that much harder." He put the booklet away. "And here I was thinking that it would take me the next two and three years getting through this league while we're already past the first quarter of it in only a month."

Lizzie sat with her arms underneath the table. "Are you still upset that I have one more badge than you do?"

"What?" Matt shook his head. "When was I upset? I was just a little surprised that I had trouble with the one gym that you seemed to find so easy."

"Meh." Lizzie shrugged. "That one was pure luck. She used grass Pokémon, and my Cyndaquil seemed ready for battle, so I used that."

Matt began to immediately eat as soon as his plate of pasta arrived. "And there are so many trainers here, too. Every ten minutes, there's another trainer that wants to fight. Sooner or later, we're going to have to turn down requests for battles."

"You're better at winning against other trainers than I am. I've fought about twenty of them so far this week, and haven't even won half the time. I wish we didn't have to hand over money everytime we lost; I'm starting to run low."

"It's not the greatest rule at times, but that's life. But, since I've beaten a lot of the rich trainers here, I've gotten a percentage of their money, and that seems to be a lot," Matt snickered at that thought. "We can eat at the more expensive restaurants later on."

Lizzie giggled. "Well, as long as one of us keeps winning. Do we move out as soon as our Pokémon have been healed?"

Matt shook his head, as he swallowed with his mouth full of food. "Not just yet. We should go around the fields and see if we can pick up anymore wild Pokémon. I haven't had much of a chance to go on any raids lately, and my collection is only at around twenty or twenty-five. I'd like to get it up to at least fifty."

"That's a good idea. Are you considering changing your strategy? Like, using different Pokémon for battling?"

"Hmm...I've never thought about that. But I probably should." There was a few moment of silence before Matt decided to bring up another topic. "Hey, you ever notice how bland these badges look?"

Lizzie nodded immediately. "They all look the same. They look nothing like the Red and Blue Crystal badges. They're just...polygons. And they're all the same colour, too, with just different pictures carved into it."

"I think the quadrant has to do with the different badges. The bronze ones are all bronze, so the silver ones must be silver, et cetera." Matt picked up his glass and drank its contents.

Lizzie took a bite of her salad as her attention was drawn to her right. There were two trainers doing battle. "This must be the Pokémon league that doesn't sleep."

"What do you mean?"

"Everywhere we go, there are always trainers that want to do battle. I always wake up during the night three or four times because some trainers shoot their mouths off, and the battles are always noisy. I hate it."

"Better get used to it. This is considered the hardest league around." Matt pushed his empty plate away from him. "That was good."

Lizzie also finished shortly after. Matt took care of the bill, as the three decided to take a path into a forest.

"Okay. There are some Pokémon that can be found around here. I'm going to take this path, and you can take another path. When would you like to meet back?" Matt asked.

"How about an hour? Pokémon don't always appear, and we'll never know what we'll find out here."

"Well, some Pokémon only come out at night, apparently. That could be why you've heard some trainers when you were trying to sleep. They were looking for Pokémon, and managed to find other trainers to fight with."

"Well, let's meet back soon, we have a lot of catching to do."

* * *

Matt and Lizzie found themselves very successful during their hunt for Pokémon. Matt managed to capture an Ekans, a female Nidoran, a Venonat, a Meowth, and a new Pokémon that can also be found only in Fenyuu and Johto, a Marill. Lizzie managed to capture only the league exclusive Pokémon. She found a Hoothoot, a Wooper, a Pineco, and a Snubbull. They all seem to be good additions to her collection.

They were close nearby the Pokémon Center, as Lizzie pointed towards it. "Well, here's the Pokémon Center. You want to go in?" Lizzie asks.

Matt shook his head. "I'd rather go take the first challenge in the Silver Quadrant first. Do you want to come with me?"

"Not right now, I'm really tired." Lizzie yawned, which somewhat puzzled Matt, since it seemed rather forced, or entirely fake I haven't slept well lately, and I can almost feel dark markings appear under my eyes. Do you know who you're going to use to battle?"

"Zenigame's looking very impressive lately. His overall defense is looking really good, and I think he's learned some new attacks, too," Matt replied, constantly replaying the potentially false yawn in his head.

"But what if the leader has a grass Pokémon, or an electric Pokémon?"

"Onix for electric, Charmeleon for grass. It's simple."

"How about the new Pokémon you've captured?"

"I'll reconfigure my line-up afterwards. Now, are there anymore questions?"

"Not right now. I'll leave you to your match." Lizzie approached to the Pokémon center, as Matt approached the other route towards the gym. The sun was setting, and Matt only had about an hour or so left to get his match in before continuing with the league.

Matt did not regret coming to this league. His winning record had been improving: losing only six matches while fighting around thirty trainers in the past two weeks. Matt decided to change his strategy a bit, and let Squirtle fight most of the matches. He needed at least one really strong Pokémon to help him during difficult and long matches.

Matt pushed through the large doors in the first gym in the Silver Quadrant. "The Cyanide Gym...interesting name." He walked through and witnessed a large, metal door with a wooden sign attached to it.

"'Welcome to the first Pokémon Gym in the Silver Quadrant. In this quadrant, battles are tougher, longer, and have an extra addition. These gyms have puzzles, riddles and mazes which must be solved before the gym leader will appear.'," Matt groaned slightly, remembering the difficulty of the maze.

He continued to read: "'There are six jewels in this room. Three are on the ground, and three are placed in a deep pool. A water Pokémon is required to take this maze. If you do not have a water Pokémon, you may either go into the wild and capture one, or skip this gym. There is no time limit to the search; take as long as you need. Good luck,' signed the gym leader."

Matt took out his Pokéball which contained his Squirtle inside. "This is a perfect test before the match. You have to dive deep into water to find jewels! This will test both how you can take the underwater pressure, and your vision."

Matt opened the steel door and walked inside the room. It was like an indoor swimming pool, except significantly larger in size. Matt looked around; it was almost as if it was some type of crystal-walled cavern. The door slammed shut behind him. However, Matt checked it, and it was unlocked.

Matt threw the Pokéball into the water. "Zenigame, come on out!" As the Pokéball struck the water, Squirtle appeared, with the Pokéball landing back in Matt's hand. "Zenigame, there are three jewels hidden in that pool. We need six of them to face the gym leader, and three of them are there. Can you help out?"

Squirtle nodded and quickly dove deep into the water, beginning his search.

Matt looked around in the large room before beginning his search. He was unsure of where to start. "I can't seem to see any of them. But this is a large room, so I should walk around first." He started to walk around the large, continuously looking into the water to see if his Pokémon was having any success. He had to blink and shake his head from time to time. The marble-tiled floors, and the crystal walls created large reflections which disturbed Matt's eyes upon searching for the jewels.

He stopped and looked at his watch. "It's already been five minutes. If I don't find all of them in twenty minutes, then I'll try again tomorrow."

Matt continued to walk around, when he saw something glimmering in the corner of his eye. He turned his attention towards it, and approached the item. "Is this one of them?" He picked it up and examined its design. "Yeah, I think this is one of them. Okay, I just need to find the other two."

Soon, Squirtle appeared with two gems in its mouth, as Matt went to greet him. "Good! That leaves us with three more to find."

Matt started his search again, keeping a close eye out on more of the jewels. He placed his hand on his chin. "I don't think I can find anymore...Oh, I'll just come back tomorrow."

Matt pulled out the Pokéball and drew Squirtle back inside. "We tried, old friend. Now, let's go and get some dinner and go to bed."

As he stepped through the doorway, an alarm went off as the door automatically shut; locking Matt inside the room.

"Hey! What's the big idea?!"

"Thief!" a voice yelled out.

"What?" Matt turned around and saw a short, bald man dressed in dark clothing. "Thief? I didn't steal anything!"

He pointed directly at me. "Those jewels I have placed in the gym, you were planning on taking them, weren't you?"

"You mean it's against the rules to take these items from the gym?"

"Against the rules? It's downright illegal, young man. Now give me those; I'm placing you under arrest."

"You can't do that! I didn't even know that we couldn't remove these from the gym. Your notice didn't say anything! This is unfair!"

"I didn't invent the rules, boy, now come with me." The man approached Matt, and tried to take his arm, but Matt pulled away.

"No," he replied harshly.

"Young man, you're really trying my patience. Either you come with me or--"

"Or what? There's only security at a Pokémon Center. I apologize for taking those jewels, but I was obviously unaware. There was nothing written anywhere about taking items from a gym being illegal. Now, I suggest you let me go...Black Rocket!"

"What?!"

"Do you really think I'm that stupid? I know a trap when I see one. You're Black Rocket, aren't you? You're not even the real gym leader!"

"Damn you, child. Damn you and your pathetic wits. Yes, we are the infamous Black Rocket. We are tired of your running around, trying to find us and shutting us down."

"That has nothing to do with me. That job belongs to another friend of mine."

"Regardless, you've persuaded him in that direction. And the only way to stop the escalating growth is to take the tree out by the roots."

"Whatever you're planning on doing with me, it won't matter; I'm not the one behind it," Matt quickly held a Pokéball behind his back.

"Very well, since you refuse to come quietly, I must take you down by force!" He pulled out a Pokéball.

While doing that, Matt released the one he was held in his hand. "Hydro Pump!"

Squirtle appeared from the Pokéball, and buried itself in its shell, releasing several large streams of water. The Black Rocket member was taken by surprise, as the force from the attack sent him off his feet, crashing into the pool, creating a large splash. Squirtle reappeared outside of its shell, and landed on its feet.

"Cursed punk! That was a sneak attack!" he muttered upon surfacing himself.

"That's right! You're not the only one who can pull an attack from no where! Zenigame, get ready!"

"Squirtle!"

The Black Rocket member grunted, climbing out of the pool. "You'll pay for this!" He tossed out a Greatball; a tall, blue, yet confused and rather bizarre-looking creature appeared.

"What is that?" Matt pulled out his Pokédex, learning that it was a Wobuffet that was just sent out into battle.

"That's right, you ignorant punk! You can't withstand the strength of a Wobuffet. Regardless of what attack you try, it'll just knock it right back at you!"

"And if I don't?" Matt smirked. "Okay, Zenigame--"

"Counter-attack, Wobuffet!"

"Zenigame, defend!" Matt commanded.

Squirtle retreated to his shell, and Wobuffet stood completely still, with nothing happening.

Soon, the Wobuffet let its guard down, and this is when Matt chose to strike. "Skull bash!"

Squirtle instantly reappeared out of his shell and leaped off the ground, picking up speed. With its head, it struck the Wobuffet cleanly, causing it to land roughtly on the marble terrain below it. Squirtle once again landed on his feet, awaiting his next command.

"Why you sneaky...return!" With that the Wobuffet was pulled back in its Pokéball. "Don't think you've won, punk!" He threw a smokebomb, filling the entire arena with smoke.

Matt began coughing. "That was it?!" He began coughing some more, waiting for the smoke to clear. "Zenigame! Hey, where are you?" He started coughing again. "Great. Because we're indoors, it'll take longer to clear!"

Matt fell to his knees, coughing even harder than previously. Because the metal door was shut, the smoke was not clearing. Tears poured out of Matt's eyes, due to irritation from the smoke. He quickly crawled towards the door, using his hands to find the handle. With a quick twist, he turned it, and quickly threw the door open. A blast of fresh air entered, as at last the smoke was beginning to clear. He continued to cough, and with his hands touched lightly his neck, as it was sore from the consistent, heavy coughing.

As Matt looked further ahead, he managed to see a silhouette of something quite large. He wiped the tears away from his eyes, and looked closer. "Zenigame? No, that can't be it. Oh God, don't tell me he let out another one before leaving?!"

He slowly pulled himself to his feet and walked slowly forward. "I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm setting myself up."

As he had gotten close enough, more of the smoke had cleared. He looked straight into the Pokémon's face. It was Squirtle's...or was it? Matt looked closer. It seemed like it, except now, it had large, white flaps on both sides of its head. He examined it even more. The tail managed to grow longer, and curlier, and the Pokémon itself was much bigger than before.

"Hey, don't tell me."

"Wartortle..." it commented, and looked at its body.

"Zeni? I...is that really you?"

Wartortle looked Matt straight in the eyes and nodded. He then continued to look around, observing its new form.

"You...you did it! You evolved! You really evolved!" Matt moved in close and hugged his new Pokémon. "This is so great! My first Pokémon also becomes the first one to evolve! Congratulations!"

Something caught the corner of Matt's eye which was resting by his Pokémon's feet. "What's this?" He extended his arm and picked it up. "Hey, is this...a badge?" He pulled out the other ones he earned. "I suppose that this Black Rocket member was a gym leader all along here." He placed the badge in the small leather bag which always resided in his pocket.

"But something bothers me. That Wobuffet went down in one hit and you evolved from that? That didn't seem like much of a battle to evolve from, but that's not your fault. I guess that Skull Bash required a lot of energy."

Matt stood up. "Geez, I'm talking too much. Come on, return," Matt called Wartortle back in its Pokéball. "This is great; I can't wait to show Lizzie."



TO BE CONTINUED.