Chapter 9:

Shaking it Up

Location: Route 3

"Shaking grass?" I asked Cheren after I asked him about the Pokémon he wasted all his Pokéballs on the other day. We were walking by a large lake. The sun shone down on it making it look like diamonds were flashing on the surface.

"That's right" he said. "Every so often, the tall grass will shake. In it will be a rare Pokémon, sometimes evolved forms that aren't commonly found in the wild. Just like the dust cloud in Wellspring Cave yesterday."

As we walked, we also saw some tall grass. This was darker than the usual stuff though.

"What's up with that?" I asked.

"Ah yes. The Pokémon in that grass are stronger than the normal grass. Also, you might come across a wild Double Battle. Make sure to have two Pokémon prepared. Shame I can't catch anything at the moment though, so I'll focus on powering up the ones I have. See you around!"

I saw the normal tall grass over the fence next to the dark grass, when I saw what Cheren was talking about; it was shaking!

"That must be it!" I said. With that, I found the gap in the fence and walked to the shaking grass. My encounter was a pink and cream coloured Pokémon with huge ears and a white fluffy tail.


Audino (タブンネ)

037

Normal Type

Hearing Pokémon

3'07" (1.1 m)

68.3 lbs (31 kg)

Its auditory sense is astounding. It has a radarlike ability to understand its surroundings through slight sounds.

Audino has no known evolutions.


"Go Drilbur!" I yelled, hoping to give it the training it needed. "Use Rapid Spin!" Drilbur span into Audino like a spinning top for little damage. Then, Audino started slapping Drilbur repeatedly with DoubleSlap. "Drilbur, use Fury Swipes!" Drilbur scratched Audino multiple times until it was at yellow health. Audino came back with another DoubleSlap, and Drilbur used Fury Swipes back. Another DoubleSlap, then Drilbur used Scratch. I felt confident now. "Go Pokéball!" I shouted as I threw it at Audino. It went inside, but after two shakes, it broke free. Audino used another DoubleSlap and Drilbur was getting weak, so I switched it in for Oshawott to take another DoubleSlap. "Let's try another!" I said, throwing another Pokéball. I watched it in anticipation as it shook back and forth, before finally sealing shut. I had caught it!


This was great! I was almost at Nacrene City with a new friend by my side.


I walked across a bridge over the lake. I couldn't see what Pokémon were in there though; I didn't have the Surf move on me or any type of Fishing Rod. But I had Oshawott, so I didn't really need one.

On the other side of the bridge was the gate to Nacrene City.

"Finally here!" I said, as I noticed a Schoolkid in the grass, blue uniform, glasses and all. "Hey, you're the one who's been taking down Team Plasma right?" he asked.

I nodded.

"Hey, you saved my little sister's Pokémon. Thank you, she and Blitzle are very close. So to thank you, I'd like to show you the Pokémon I have!"

Oh yeah, a thank you battle! That's what I'm talking about!


Hilbert Vs. School Kid Edgar

"Oshawott, you're up!" I shouted.

"Go Pidove!" Edgar replied. "Use Gust!" Pidove started firing a gust of wind at Oshawott. Oshawott stood its ground.

"Use Focus Energy!" Oshawott got itself pumped, ready to take down the small grey pest.

"Another Gust!" Pidove once again stirred up some wind, but Oshawott was fine.

"Now use Water Gun!" Oshawott shot a Critical Hit Water Gun at Pidove. That was enough to take it down in one.

"Urgh, okay then. I choose Roggenrola!" The small chunky Pokémon entered the scene. "I know that you're at a Type disadvantage, but do your best."

"You to Oshawott! Give it another Water Gun!" Instead, Oshawott took the scalchop of its stomach. Then, it charged into Roggenrola and slashed it, almost taking it down. Of course, Roggenrola has Sturdy so it didn't go down in one. "Oshawott, what was that?" I asked.

"Razor Shell!" Edgar said. "It's a physical Water Type move that may even lower Defense! Celebrate later though. Roggenrola, Rock Blast!" Roggenrola fired three rocks at Oshawott. It was barely hanging on. I decided to recall Oshawott so I could give Drilbur some Exp.

"Drilbur, come out!" I shouted as it took another Rock Blast. "Use Mud Slap!" Drilbur threw mud at Roggenrola, finishing it off.

"Thanks for a great battle!" Edgar said. "I tell you what, you show those Team Plasma meanies whose boss!"

That was the final battle I had before I reached Nacrene City.


Location: Nacrene City

Nacrene City is interesting because most of the buildings except the Pokémon Center and the Museum are all reused warehouses that have been turned into houses and a café. I tell you what, it's a great way of avoiding building expenses. It gave the city an old timey feel whilst combining modern elements as well.

"Finally here!" I said, sending out Oshawott. "I'm not sure how long the others will be, so how about tomorrow we take on the Gym?"

Oshawott jumped up and down in excitement, when suddenly, Oshawott was faintly glowing. I couldn't' believe it; Oshawott was starting to evolve! It started to metamorphosis at it glowed, getting bigger and changing shape. When the glowing died down, Oshawott was bigger and completely blue. On its legs was what looked like blue trousers with two scalchops on its knees. Its tail was big and black and it had white whiskers.


Dewott (フタチマル)

008

Water Type

Discipline Pokémon

2'07" (0.8 m)

54 lbs (24.5 kg)

Scalchop techniques differ from one Dewott to another. It never neglects maintaining its scalchops.

Oshawott -Lv 17- Dewott


"Alright Dewott!" I said, as it jumped up to hug me. "You're one step closer to achieving your dream!"

Dewott let go and started training using its scalchops.

"Berty!" Bianca said, coming through the Nacrene City gate. She noticed Dewott immediately. "Hey, is that?!"

"Yep!" I said. "Oshawott evolved!"

Bianca squealed, then sighed. "Tepig hasn't evolved yet. I'll spend tomorrow training just outside Pinwheel Forest to get it there though. Everything is clearly going well though!"


Two steps forward in terms of teammates today. I started the day with catching a new friend and ended it with evolving an old one. My journey is far from over, but I feel like the giant leaps I've taken should not be underestimated.