After much discussion between my friends and I of the plans to arrive in the next city - Greenrise City and overtake the others to secure our spot to battle the first gym leader of the Yashin region, we all quickly close the book for the night and open a new page the next morning.
Soon, the morning sun has risen and with it, comes the call for the spirit of renewed energy to adventure. Everyone of us are all set to head into a huge forest to cut across to the next city, this is just the chance we need to train and maybe make a new friend along the way.
At the exit gate which leads out from Dawnlight Town, awaits Professor Juniper and her colleague checking in on the trainers who are leaving for the next city. They wish us the best of luck and wishes us a safe journey to the next city as well as reminding us if there is any problems, let the team know. Professor Juniper also smiles and waves us off as she says to herself, "I wonder how will the kids fare this time?" "I will just have to wait and see for myself, delightful!"
Huge acres of grassy plains can be seen, and many pokemon can be seen grazing around. It truly is a relaxing scenary to just watch but we should probably keep our eyes on the prize for now. As expected to find, we encounter some wild pokemon and I am about to call Starly to do battle but Rickson volunteers to battle instead as he sends out Turtwig, wanting to get in on it first. I gladly tell him to knock himself out as he battles with his partner against several Zizagoons. The battles don't stop there as we continue traversing the tall grass till we reach the entrance of the forest route with my friends clearing the way. From outside, we can see that the lighting inside is slightly dim as the tall trees are blocking most of the sunlight from entering but we decide to cautiously proceed together to avoid any risk of separation. We will call out one pokemon each apart from our partners that are already out to act as triple buddy system; I choose Emolga, Rickson goes with Fletchling and Lisa has Misdreavus. "Alright, so we all got ourselves an extra buddy, don't worry Kumi, I will lend you one of my pokemon for this occasion." I toss another pokeball, revealing Riolu who startles when he sees Kumi looking at him. "Riolu slowly retreats but I inform him that I am entrusting you to watch out for Kumi and Rowlet during our journey through the forest, "Come on, Riolu, I am counting on you; you are just the pokemon for the job." Despite his flustered behaviour towards girls which I did not want to point out to save face, Riolu understands and promises to not break my trust in him, agreeing to accompany Kumi and Rowlet.
With our formation set up, we can safely proceed into the forest while we leaves some marks on the trees as we go. It is best we choose to stick to one direction so I have already located which way North is before leading them further in. But, the silent atmosphere for a forest is starting to get me worried; it feels as if we have eyes gazing at us from multiple directions. "Let's pick up the pace a little, the sooner we leave the forest, the better." Everyone nods in agreement and hasten our march a little faster. But the mood eases up a little when we spotted some of the forest pokemon like Caterpie, Pachirisu and some Stanlers around. After walking a little further, we come across a tiny stream with a clear surface which we could see our reflections so clearly. Just so happens, some Woopers and Tympoles suddenly shoot water at us and laugh at us like little pranksters which we just wash it off with a laugh.
After bidding a quick farewell, we continue walking and find a huge tree in the center of an open area. Each one of us can really appreciate such a unique sight; especially it is a part of the forest where sunlight enters, illuminating the area. There is also a huge pile of fruit inside the tree bark which Rickson is going to check it out but we immediately stop him from leaping out of the bushes. "Why did you stop me? Guys, chillax.. I was just going to invest...", Rickson explains until we ask him from saying further as we point to one side of the area that a group of pokemon are returning with some fruits and berries, adding them to the already humongous pile.
It appears that they have been collecting food but they seem too worry than happy, it is as if they are pressured to collect that much food. Then, a huge gust of wind blows seemingly from one direction and a meancing loud roar fills the area with a fierce tone. All the forest pokemon quickly get on their knees, trembling with fear as we see some clear rustling from the bushes as a giant figure walls out into the opening. That creature has a bird like face, leaves on its hands and brown in color which appears to be how it is able to create gusts of winds from. "Woah guys, that is a Shiftry. He seems to be the boss around these parts.", Rickson tells the group and I add that, "He is taking advantage of all of those pokemon to gather all that food, what tyranny!"
Shiftry scans the pile and finds some unripe berries and grow into a fit of rage as it just lunges at one of the pokemon and utter some mad words.This further terrifies the group as Shiftry pushes the pokemon away with its strong blows. "That's awful...", Kumi expresses her feelings towards bullying and the rest of us are feeling the same. Being unable to stand the thought of watching pokemon being worked and terrorised to the bone, I spring into action and tell Shiftry to stop bullying the forest pokemon. Instead it shrugs off my puny warning and laughs it off. The others come to join me and we are prepared to make Shiftry see the errors of his way whether it is through reasoning or even a battle. I am confident we can take him on with our pokemon combined but we are all in for a battle of "dynamic" proportions.
"Oshawott, let's teach this bully a lesson!" "Alright, Fletchling, you too!" "Misdreavus, help do away with this menace." "Errr... Rowlet, we gotta help those pokemon!", each of us choose our battle partners to free those forest pokemon in a battle. However, the forest pokemon seem to be even more afraid as they slowly retreat to the nearby trees as if something big is about to happen. Then, Shiftry lets out a roar before a crimson red shine appears around its body as the skies turns reddish-pink with a huge storm above in just seconds. These changes just tell me what is about to happen, Shiftry is about to...
The glowing pokemon begin to grow in size at a rapid rate until he becomes as big as mountain. Everyone now knows why the pokemon are all terrified at the sight that Shiftry can dynamax. "This may look bad guys, but we can still fight.", I rally the group to not falter as we brace ourselves to weather through this coming storm. Rickson starts the attack with having his Fletchlinh using Peck, I follow with Oshawott's Water Pulse, Lisa goes with Misdreavus's Night Shade and Rowlet goes in with Razor Leaf. All of our attacks land on the now dyanamaxed Shiftry but it barely did any damage. The large pokemon brushes off the puny attacks and begins his turn as he swings his hands and a large flow of wind gathers and I immediately warn everyone to brace themselves as Shiftry unleashes a Max Airstream at us which hits the group with the strongest gust of howling winds which causes us to one by one get swept away by the storm as we scream for a miracle saveas we begin to black out.
No one knows how much time has passed as I could barely get myself up from that dyanamax attack. I open my eyes to see that we a have landed into a different part of the forest. My partner Oshawott and Emolga appear to have been knocked out by the attack as I quickly attend to them. "Oshawott, Emolga, you two get up! Come on, I am here, please!" The otter and the squirrel slowly open their eyes and let out a tear before grabbing my arm tightly. "I am glad to see you alright but I have not seen the other guys or Riolu anywhere." "My friends, please be safe, I am coming to get you."
Meanwhile, Rickson and Lisa are regaining composure and reassess the situation with their pokemon; Turtwig, Fletchling, Piplup and Misdreavus. They too pray that William and Kumi are safe and we will be able to reunite safely. "Come one Lisa, we gotta hurry and search for the others!", Rickson points in a direction to head to while Lisa advises Rickson to direct Fletchling to survey the area for our missing companions. Rickson immediately says that he too come to that idea; silently dismissing the fact that nearly slipped his mind. "Fletchling, soar and scan the area.", their plan is set to action as they too begin moving.
As for Kumi, it is about the same time that she too get up and realises that she has been separated from the other and panics not knowing what to do. She then sees Rowlet lying face first to the ground, worried that he has fainted. "Rowlet, no. Please say something...", She carries Rowlet gently and only to find him taking a nap. "Oh Rowlet, at least I am glad that you are unharmed." But she is not the only one around, as there are some other pokemon around that suddenly jump and attack her. Three Ariados are angry with Kumi for entering their territory and decide to eliminate her as trespassers. "Wait, please... I didn't mean to trespass..." Before she could say another word, they begin firing string shots at her and get her in a bind. She struggles to break free but she loses her balance and trips, vulnerable to another attack. "Please Rowlet help.", but Rowlet still remains asleep which Kumi sighs at a disheartened situation. Ariados then begin shooting Poison Stings which are about to hit her until a wave like blast deflects the projectiles in time.
The Emanation pokemon, Riolu returns to Kumi just in time to defend her. "Riolu! You saved me, thank you!" Riolu nods as he slices through the web with his Metal Claw and turns to the attackers who are still mad with another intruder that needs eliminating. Ariados prepares to leap and use Constrict on them but Riolu quickly intercepts them by giving a Low Kick, tipping them off balance and fall before they can use the move. He follows up with another Vacuum Wave but the Ariados recover and leaps to use Bite. Instead of dodging, Riolu takes the attack directly and Kumi wonders why as the other two also bite onto Riolu. Kumi worries until Riolu cries slightly in pain as he is already channelling his next move, he absorbs the damage to prepare him for this. He then turns to offence with a powerup Counter which returns the power of those attacks; doubling in strength, resulting in a burst of repelling force, sending the Ariados flying away.
With the threat dealt, Kumi's group is saved as Kumi thanks Riolu a lot for protecting them but Riolu has taken some injury from the Ariados and has a minor bleed wound. "Riolu, you need to be treated, let me help you." As Kumi approaches Riolu, the Emanation Pokemon flusters in the sight of a girl and swiftly backs off, but may have trigger an injury which cause him to make a little howl in pain. "Please Riolu, I want to return the favor of using rescuing us. I also do not want William to worry about your injury, you also feel the same, don't you?" Riolu nods as Kumi points out the truth and chooses to resist running away from girls for Kumi to treat him as she rubs some ointment before bandaging his wounds. The treatment seems to have reduce Riolu's pain and he bows to Kumi as hearfelt thanks. "All done. Right now, we need to meet up with the others as soon as possible.", Kumi explains as Riolu continues to act as her shield that is until Rowlet decides to wake up anytime soon.
Each of us travel through the jungle and carefully search for one another as well as on a lookout for that Shiftry who had some insane strength to dynamax like that. I just hope we can make it out of here but we cannot just leave a pokemon loose in the woods. Though it would be wiser for us to just call the authorities or higher ups about this but I have a feeling that Shiftry was just confused with the power he got and him using it. If only we can beat him, we can bring him to his senses.
Walking a little further, my group and I can see a tiny flying creature and it is Rickson's Fletchling. "Hey Fletchling, we are over here. Please lead us to the others, alright?", the Tiny Robin pokemon nods and flies in a circle to signal us to keep up. "Oshawott, Emolga, let's keep going." My pokemon and I proceed to meet up with the others.
Soon enough, we are now with Rickson and Lisa, we are glad to see each other safe. Now we just have to locate Kumi so Rickson is planning to send Fletchling out for another search but I tell the group that I could sense Riolu's aura, I have only known him for awhile back but I have already accepted him as a family, and our bond has already been formed. It is a very faint feeling but it appears to coming from the right side of the forest over. Trusting my instincts, my friends believe me and follow me into the trail to the forest over.
Kumi, Riolu and Rowlet who is still asleep, continue looking for us while the surrounding winds start to pick up. Riolu remains steadfast to guiding Kumi to the others and Kumi is relieved to have a brave pokemon around. But as they continue, the winds begin transitioning into a howling tempest that even Riolu cannot dismiss its presence. A loud roar then fill the area with terror as the trio encounter the same tyrant pokemon from before - Shiftry. "Oh no, Shiftry found us, Riolu we have to get away.", Kumi quickly grabs Riolu's paws and quickly they ran while Shiftry begin whipping up razor winds and sending them at Kumi and Riolu. They manage avoid the incoming attacks but the Shiftry is slowly catching up. "This can't be it. Guys, where are you?", Kumi shouts, hoping that the others heard her but she misses the window to dodge and the wind blast knocks her off balance and she trips while Riolu blocks another attack from Shiftry.
Things are looking grim, Shiftry plans to subdue these trespassers and Riolu gets into a defending stance, ready to protect Kumi. "Riolu, don't. You could get hurt bad." Riolu knows that he has a duty to protect his master's friends and he will remain undeterred even in the face of death.
But, he need not risk his life any further, for we have arrive in time to deal with Shiftry's meddlesome tyranny, once again our pokemon are ready to battle Shiftry. The tyrant begin to channel his energy and attain power that allow him to become larger and much stronger in his dynamax form. He lets out a roar before starting to attack us, we quickly take action before he gets the upper hand. "Oshawott, Water Pulse, and Emolga, use Discharge!" "Fletchling, use Drill Peck! Turtwig, Razor Leaf go!" "As for us, Misdreavus, Shadow Ball and Piplup fire Bubbles." Our paired attacks score some good damage on Shiftry but he remains standing as he channels a Max Overgrowth move on Piplup which one shot the Tiny Penguin pokemon. Lisa returns Piplup and the storm above begin to become more enraged. We need to keep up the attacks until we can bring Shiftry down. But, the next one he will strike with that Max Overgrowth move is my Oshawott, I better prepare him on the defensive as I signal the otter to be on guard. "Riolu, take over Piplup's place, launch Vacumm Wave." While our pokemon are battling Shiftry, Kumi's Rowlet wakes up with all the noise and she instructs him to get close to Shiftry for a status move.
The dynamaxed Shiftry all charged up sends another Max Overgrowth move towards Oshawott but I forgot to factor in the grassy terrain effects on powering up grass types and being in defence stance won't be enough to survive the hit and he could get seriously hurt. "Oshawott, get away from that, quick!" Oshawott already knows that it is too late to back away but Emolga and Riolu quickly back up Oshawott as the huge evergreen forest barrage strikes all three of them, inflicting heavy damage on them. They can barely stand up from that attack and we can barely fight at decent power with our pokemon slowly demoralized by the difference in power. Shiftry laughs as he knows that victory is at hand but not realising that Rowlet has already got close enough as he makes a lonh yawn next to Shiftry's ears. And before he can react, the enormous pokemon begins feeling drowsy and it is time to end the fight, as we once again launch all of our combined attacks at Shiftry, it create a huge impact blast that knocks him to the ground, fainting as he falls asleep. Then, the dynamax effect begins to fade as Shiftry returns to normal size, asleep.
We all celebrated a quick victory and owe it all to Kumi and Rowlet with that effective play. "Oh, it's no big dea-al... I mean Rowlet and I just want to help in whatever w-way we can." All of us then help the forest pokemon to get their food and berries back now that Shiftry will no longer be any trouble again. Shiftry wakes up, surrounded by all of us and our pokemon, thinking that he is about to meet his maker. But, I say that Shiftry should never abuse the power to hurt others and expect to be reformed after this. "We hope you learn your lesson, Shiftry, and I think you should come with us, and so that you can make up for past mistakes. Don't you think so, guys?" My friends and I agree to give Shiftry a chance; so I leave it to Kumi as she offers him to join in her team. "I think Kumi would be better at taking care of Shiftry."
The once tyranical pokemon has given some thought and nods to the idea as he touches the pokeball on Kumi and hands as he gets beamed into the capsule and it is successfully captured. Now, I am sure Kumi and the others will be glad that another has joined our bandwagon. Now, we are burning daylight so we continue our course through the forest to the next city and be the first ones there.