Author's Note:
Here it is, the conclusion to Taillow's little lab arc and the last in between chapter before the next contest. This is once again a Brock focused chapter, and he gets a new Pokémon. This is one of the most common requests to give to someone, but Brock is who gets it. If you're wondering why him, it was a process of elimination. One of May's rivals has this Pokémon (or fully evolved form at least) in canon. Ash has plenty of big flying types to ride on and gets a near exact copy Pokémon in canon in the Sinnoh region (who I plan on giving a bigger role too) and Serena... well you'll see soon enough. From the title, you can probably guess who. I have based this chapter off the episode Beg, Burrow and Steal but as I was writing it, it diverted more than I originally thought, hence the new title. I also realised when re-watching some other episodes (mainly the Sudowoodo Johto episode where the scientists argue over the typing) that not all scientists in the world are good. So, I've decided to put a spin on the trope, hope ya'll like it. We also get the third part of the Taillow at the lab arc. Now this arc isn't the closing point for those involved, just mainly a main point in their respective journey's. Not much else to say, just remember to vote in the poll and with that, let's begin.
Chapter Thirty-Two: Give a Trapinch, Take a Mile
Pidgeot glanced at the ranch below and quirked her eyebrow up. Many Pokémon were walking towards the battleground. A lot more than usual. Entering a steep dive, she went towards the large rock on top of a hill. Spreading her wings, they brought her to a stop and upright as her talons clutched the ground.
In front of her sat Sandslash. His back laid against the rock as she leered close to the circle surrounding the area. One eye burst open and glared at her.
"What do you want?" he growled.
"Information," she replied, "somethings going on and you're my best bet to find out what."
"I ain't done noth'n to no-one," he narrowed his eyes.
"Firstly, double negative," she rolled her eyes, "and secondly, I never said you did. But when you don't talk, you listen. So, you must've heard the commotion."
"Ah, I did," he nodded, "that new bird that our trainer caught. She's trying to kill that angry little spinning dude."
"So full of compassion," she shook her head, "what? Didn't fancy watching that yourself?"
"I've never killed anyone," he slammed his claw down in the dirt. Eyes bulging with a hint of tears in his eyes , "leave!"
Inwardly shrugging, she hopped off the ground and flapped her wings. Throwing herself forward through the air, she knew her tailwind would hit the ground type, but she could worry about that later, along with his weird reaction. A far cry from his usual angry demeanour.
Skimming close to the earth, she narrowed her eyes, a straight shot to the battleground where the large crowd gathered. Taking a deep breath, she let out the loudest squawk she could. Several of the large Pokémon turned to see her fast approach and cleared an entrance straight towards the battle. From the other side, she could see both Aerodactyl and Venusaur approaching but she knew she'd reach them first.
Closing her wings, she shot through the opening. Seeing the young bird hammering her wings into the blood mess that was Hitmontop's face.
Opening her own wings, she came to a complete stop and her body stood up right just above the ground. The tailwind continued forward and smashed into the two Pokémon, knocking in opposite directions. The fighting type was flat on his stomach as Taillow landed on the ground.
Her bloodshot eyes burning with pure anger, narrowed into in a single glare in one direction. Her wings were scuffed up and crooked at an angle, meant for intimidation, a common pose used by Fearow. Her breaths were rigid and uneven as they formed the only sound for miles. Her talons scrapped the muddy earth beneath her as her bottom beak trembled. Her eyes darted from the handstand Pokémon towards Pidgeot herself for a split second before returning.
"What's going on here?" she asked.
Stirring on the floor, Serena's pure fighting type struggled to push himself up, as he red-stained scratched arms wobbled beneath him, "this isn't over you weak, insolent little-"
"You're the weak one here," Taillow seethed, "and not weak because your gay... your weak because you can't admit it."
Without wasting a second, she hopped off the ground and rocketed into the sky. Sighing in relief, she glanced to the far side as Venusaur came running in with the dinosaur landing just behind him, "what happened here?"
"Don't know precisely, just got here," she sighed, "it was Taillow and Hitmontop. I'll go and talk to her once she's had time to fly some of that steam off."
"Thanks," the grass poison type replied, glancing towards the fighting type, he collapsed forward, "we should get him looked at."
A few vines moved out of the flower on Venusaur's back. Gently piercing the ground around Hitmontop, he lifted a chunk of the earth out like a bed. Raising it up to his flower, they held it in place. He turned to face the crowd of Pokémon surrounding them.
"Right now, just clear this place and continue with whatever you were doing," he explained, "I'll be around to speak to you later."
A grumbled built quickly among the group. Several of the Pokémon turned and started to walk away. She glanced towards the old timer behind Venusaur.
Aerodactyl took a deep breath, letting out an ear bursting roar. Everyone came to a stop as she felt the ground tremble with the echo. He stopped and a deafening silence followed. All eyes were on him, as he coughed into his fisted hand, "I'm sure you'll all be happy to cooperate. I would hate to ask instead."
She inwardly smirked at the threatening undertone. While not an official part of Venusaur's little peace group, he was certainly more than happy to offer assistance from time to time. Without a word, the crowd disappeared, leaving just the three of them... and the downed Hitmontop.
"Thank you for that," Venusaur smiled, "I just wish everyone was happy to help without needing to threaten them."
"If everyone was like that then your little protection squad would be out of a job," Aerodactyl chuckled, "but I meant what I said. I'd hate to ask but if needed, then I will."
"Hopefully it won't come to that," he sighed, "if only Houndoom was here. He's pretty good at commanding a crowd."
"That's an alpha for ya," she interjected. Her eyes widened, "I-I'm gonna check something out."
"Figure something out?" Venusaur asked.
"Something Taillow said," she replied, "if it checks out, I'll tell ya."
"Fine," he sighed, "and I'll take this one to the emergency room. Here's hoping Daisy hasn't gone home yet."
"I'll give Pallet the once over in case she has," Aerodactyl offered. With a run up, he took off into the sky.
"Will you be okay taking him to the emergence room by yourself?" she asked.
"Yeah, I doubt he'll put up much of a fight in this state," he replied, "I just want to get to the bottom of this... whatever it is."
She watched him set off towards the lab and turned so her tailwind or form in a different area. Kicking off the ground she rocketed off into the sky. Scanning the clear open-air, she spotted Taillow flying above the forest. With her jagged turns and swirls, it was clear she was still trying to cool off.
Doubling down her speed, she zoomed passed her, using the tailwind to knock her off balance. Glancing back, she saw the small bird readjust her pattern and soar across the gust. Soon she appeared by her side. Coming to a stop on one of the trees below them, she watched the blue-feathered bird rest on a branch opposite her. She waited several seconds before taking a deep breath, "want to tell me what that was all about?"
"Not really," she shrugged, "it's between me and him. No one else."
"Well, you can't just go around, beating on whoever you want," she narrowed her gaze, "if we could then this entire place wouldn't be safe for anyone. Now tell me what started this."
"He started it," she growled.
"How?"
"He came looking for trouble," she turned her head, "not my problem if he can't live up to all his talk."
"The best fighters are those who are able to restrain themselves," she declared, "now if you keep being difficult with your answers, I'll have no choice but to get Aerodactyl to ask instead. I'm no-one's mother."
"M-mother?!" she squealed. Her eyes bulged out of their sockets, as she spun her head to the side. A burning redness coloured her cheeks.
Narrowing her eyes, she studied the smaller bird for a moment longer. Replaying every interaction, they've had. Relaxing her stare, she sighed and rolled her neck back. Shaking her entire body, she settled back on the branch, noticing the exaggerated traits slowly fading from Taillow's body.
"I get it, ya know," she informed, noticing a side glance from the blue-feathered bird, "you put walls all up around you... because it's easier than letting feelings in, which will hurt in the end."
"How-"
"How did I know?" she asked, "because I was like you once. I evolved first in my flock and so I ate more. During training, I'd hurt my fellow members without even trying and in the end, they forced me out... of course, all of that was before I met Ash."
"How did you meet him?" she asked.
"I tried to eat his Caterpie," she let out a small chuckle, "and no. That's not some inuendo."
"Heh, I can just here Duskull popping in with giggidy," Taillow smirked.
"He's that ghost that Ash caught, right?" she asked, "I saw him when he was at the lab but didn't have chance to talk... it seems like those walls you set up weren't as effective as you might've liked. So why don't you tell me-"
"I have nothing to say about the fight," she growled, "except I'd do it again."
"Then tell me about something else," she replied, "tell me about your home."
"Never had one," she replied.
"Where was you before Ash caught you?" she asked.
"I lead my own flock... but before that, I was born into my parents flock," she replied, "then they kicked me out. I found a bunch of idiots hanging around a forest and tried to make something out of them. Fought my way to the head of those goons then found our trainer passing through."
"Why did your parents kick you out?" she asked, "I mean. Pidgeot leave Pidgey eggs all together so when we hatch, we create a new flock. Only really setting off after evolution. Maybe one or two stay behind to protect them from time to time... but this doesn't sound like the same situation."
"Taillow flocks respect strength. There is smaller than most others and the leader is the strongest of the bunch," she explained, "the leaders of different flocks pair their kids to create a stronger next generation. I didn't want that."
"I can understand," she nodded.
"It's rare for females to be heads of flocks. And I knew I couldn't defeat my father," she continued, "and... we disagreed on other things."
"Other things?" she raised an eyebrow, "does this have anything to do with what you said to Hitmontop? About him being weak and why?"
"Yeah," she snapped her head towards her, "I'm gay. Hardly suited to produce an heir for my father's flock. Not that he cared whether I wanted too or not."
"...so, when you mentioned hanging out after our race?" she asked.
"Yeah," she replied, turning to the side again, as the redness returned to her cheeks.
"I-I'm flatter Taillow b-but-"
"Not your thing," she cut her off, "I get it. No harm done."
"It's not that I'm not gay, but I'm just not interested in those sorts of relationships in general," she explained, "it wouldn't change if you were a guy."
"Oh well," she mused, "fine... I guess. Mind never speaking of this again."
"If that'll make you comfortable," she nodded, "but you need to answer this for me. I think I've worked out what happened, I just need your confirmation."
"What do you think happened?" she asked.
"I think that Hitmontop came looking for trouble. I think that he reminded you of your father and the language that was used," she explained, "and I think that unlike your father, you knew you could beat him. When the battle started, your wall broke down. Everything you tried to keep out, flooded in and fuelled your anger. That's why the battle became so extreme."
She didn't even flinch. Her narrowed eyes locked into Pidgeot's. Closing her own, she turned to the side and spread her wings. One nagging thought remained in her head. Letting out a small breath, she glanced back to the smaller bird.
"Listen," she paused, "I'm not saying you was right to fight so hard but... I understand. And if you need to talk to someone... well you know where I am."
Jumping off the branch, she flapped her wings and took off away from the forest. Circling around, she scanned the treelines as the ground skimmed underneath her. Flickering from left to right, she mused over the last nagging thought in her head.
Taillow's been here for a few hours, and hasn't tried to hide her orientation... so why did Hitmontop wait to confront her?
Soon the sparkling feathers from within the dark treeline caught her attention. Turning towards the source, she shot down and spread her wings. The wind blew past her as she came to a stop on another tree branch. Perched opposite her was Noctowl.
"You still like to make an entrance, I see," he hopped closer, "too what do I owe this visit?"
"I was in the area," she replied, "had a little incident earlier and just trying to work it out."
"Oh, interesting," he mused, "was it the fight between our trainer's newest bird and Serena's fighting type?"
"What do you know about it?" she asked.
"I hear things," he replied, darting his eyes behind her. Following his gaze, she saw a direct view of the training grounds behind her, "and I saw the crowd."
"So, you didn't have anything to do with that little skirmish?" she asked.
"How could you think of such a thing?" he asked, "aren't we on the same team?"
"In one sense," she shrugged, hopping off the branch and landing directly at the tree's base. The golden-feathered owl followed suit, "but these punch marks are fresh... and just the size of Hitmontop's fists and feet... and he needed to hear about Taillow from somewhere."
"Alright, I'll play this little hypothetical," he replied.
"One thing I can't work out is why," she replied, "I mean. You've never showed the same ideology as Hitmontop."
"So, by process of elimination, I must have some grudge against Taillow herself," he shrugged, "provided your correct."
She narrowed her eyes slightly and leaned closer to the pseudo-psychic type, "at least she had the guts to ask."
"And people say I'm the narcissist," he rolled his eyes, "is this little exercise done?"
"For now," she narrowed her eyes, "but you better not keep setting up these fights between differing groups."
Turning around, she took off and quickly ascended above the field. While she's certain the golden-feathered bird had some motive within setting off this fight, she couldn't be completely sure why... if it was just about his crush on her, he could've set it off long before now.
Shaking her head. She refocused on the large building at the head of the ranch. Presumably, where Venusaur was currently residing.
He stretched out under the warm summer sun. The grainy sand under his four padded feet felt relaxing. Glancing around he saw his fellow burrowers munching down on the rocky spirals sticking out of the ground. A soft wind blew the sand past, but otherwise it was a pretty clear day.
Sighing, he walked a little away from his litter. It's not that he hates eating rocks, if it came to that over starving, of course he'd eat with them... but overall, his palate is more refined than his brethren. Closing his eyes, his mind filled with images of a flaming bruschetta starter or a tray of deep fried shellder-scallops... maybe an old-style family cottage stew-
Taking in a deep breath, the scent of such a meal fuelled his senses. His eyes bulged open as his mouth watered. The grumble of his stomach echoed throughout his body as his legs started the journey towards the source. Images of what would accompany the hearty-home-cooked meal blinded his vision.
Soon he came to a stop as he looked around a human settlement. A female with blonde hair and a Meditite stood off on some sort of battlefield against a male human and a Kirlia. They appeared to be locked in some sort of combat battle. He never took much interest in the sport. Shaking his head, he continued to scan around to see several other Pokémon in some sort of training, with several filling the skies. He could reconsign some from passing trainers but not all.
He came to a stop when he saw another male human with spiky brown hair over a big black pot. A trail of stream flowing out of the top. Taking a deep whiff of the scent, he knew it was the source of the stew. Walking over, his tongue flapped around in his mouth, like splashing in a pool of crystal water.
"Hello," a large rocky quadruped Pokémon greeted. He was lying next to the chef but had his eyes opened and staring at him, "and you are?"
"Hungry," he replied.
"Nice to meet you hungry," the beast greeted, "my Rhyhorn. This is my human, Brock."
"I-I mean, I'm Trapinch..." he stuttered, unable to move his eyes off the black pot, "but I'm also hungry."
"Well, that's easily sorted," Rhyhorn replied, "Brock always makes plenty for everyone. We've got a few bottomless pits, so we don't need to worry about waste. I'm sure they'll be happy to share some food with you."
"Huh, what's up Rhyhorn?" the human asked, turning towards the large Pokémon. His face seemed to stop as he looked down at him. His head cocked to one side with a single eyebrow raising up. A quizzical smile complemented his focused gaze. Like he was picking up fresh vegetables to decorate a lean-tender slab of meat, "hello? You're a... Trapinch, right."
He slowly nodded. His eyes flickering between the human and his black pot.
"It looks like someone's hungry," he smiled, turning towards his grey-blue backpack which rested against his chair, "if I remember correctly your... ground type." His eyes flickered across him briefly. "Maybe bug type qualities but not an actual bug type. Along with your evolution being dragon type."
He gave a simple nod towards the words the human said. His eyes darting back to the stew pot. A drop of drool escaped the corner of his jaw.
"Well, we have some ground type food, and bug type food for the current group members," he mused, pulling some sort of metal can out, "but nothing for dragon types. Which shouldn't be too big an issue, but I could sprinkle over some gravel like I do for Aron. I believe your species also eats rocks."
He blinked up at the human. Raising one of his front legs, he pointed towards the black pot.
"Y-you want some stew?" he asked.
He nodded. Pointing towards the bowl once more.
"It hardly filled with the nutrients a growing Pokémon needs," he replied, putting the can away, "but I suppose one meal wouldn't hurt."
Swiftly nodding his head up and down, the human reached down and picked him. Being placed on his lap, he was able to lean over the pot as the human used the giant stick to swirl the good-smelling liquid. He smiled at the sight, licking his zigzagged mouth.
"Rhyhorn, it won't be too much longer before we're dishing up," he informed, "could you see if Vigoroth and Lombre have finished setting up the table and bowls? And let the others know we're ready."
"Of course," the beast replied, standing up beside them.
He watched the beast walk over to two other Pokémon, a large white furry one and a smaller green one, which he couldn't recall meeting before. Who were laying out several white bowls and filling them with brown pallet food... he's heard of the human manufactured food but it's hardly a gourmet meal or hearty family classic. A palate like his needs refinement, only the most delectable substances should pass his lips.
Several of the Pokémon who were training approached the bowls and settled down. Soon a sea of creatures filled the ground. As he turned back to the stew, he saw the two other humans he saw battling, along with two more approaching, each with a bowl in hand.
"Hey Brock, who's the friend you've got?" the blonde female asked.
"This is Trapinch," the human he sat on, replied. Using the metal stick to fill up her bowl with stew, "he'll be joining us for lunch."
"Trapinch huh," the black-haired boy added, pulling out some sort of red square and pointing it at him:
Trapinch, The Ant Pit Pokémon. Trapinch is a patient hunter. It digs an inescapable pit in a desert and waits for its prey to come tumbling down. This Pokémon can go a whole week without access to any water. Their jaws are strong enough to break through any material
"Trapinch are really cool," the smallest human beamed, "but they are meant to live deep within the desert. We're only just on the outskirts, so what's it doing here."
"I think he's lost or something and just smelt the food," Brock replied, continuing to fill the humans bowls, "either way, it's not like we're rashening food."
He watched the rest of the humans receive their own helpings of stew and make their way over to the flip up table within the sea of the Pokémon. Being placed on the ground, he watched the chef fill up two bowl with soup before carrying them over to the others. He placed one down on the floor as he took the final seat. Without missing a beat, he rushed over to the bowl by Brock's feet and snorlaxed down the delicious meal.
It hardly took him two minutes to finish it and he rolled onto his back. Using one of his stubby little legs to rub his belly. As he relaxed in place, his eyes glanced around at the other Pokémon.
While some were silently eating whilst some secluded from the others, like the large black canine, most were engaged in their own conversations. From his current position, he could just about make out the one between the two duel psychic types.
"You were fine starting off," the female Kirlia explained, waving her hand around as she held one of the food pallets, "but after the first couple of attacks, your form was totally off."
"You sound like your brother," Meditite replied as her partner flicked the pellet into her mouth.
Swallowing hard, the fairy psychic type about chocked on her food, coughing frantically, she thumped her chest to help it go down. Taking a deep breath, she shook her head, "don't even joke about that. My brother is just... annoying. He wouldn't know hard work if it punched him in the face."
"Funny. What you talked about with form, that's exactly what Ralts spoke about when showing how to dance," Meditite giggled, taking a mouthful of her own meal, "maybe you two are more alike than you'd like to admit."
"Watch it," Kirlia playfully waved her hand in the fighting types face. The two stared at each other before bursting out laughing.
A loud yawn formed in his belly, and he turned towards the large rock ground beast, who stood up over him. He closed his eyes and let the warm bubbling of stew send fuzzy tingles throughout his entire body... he could get use to this.
"I see you enjoyed it," the beast added, "Brock is quite the cook. Stew is a classic, but he's got far better recipes under his pot."
His tongue flapped around in his ever-moisture-filled mouth. While his eyes closed, images of different foods, from starters to deserts filled his mind. A low grumble formed at the pit of his stomach. Just the thoughts were creating room right next to the stew.
"I still say we should go and explore the desert some," the young boy's voice spoke up, "we've already seen a Trapinch. Just image what other Pokémon we're missing out on meeting."
"We'll be meeting Pokémon regardless of which direction we go," one of the females replied, "besides, we need to get to Fallarbor in time for the contest."
"Settle down, you too," the chef added, "now Max. May is right. We need to stay on schedule but after the contest, we'll be visiting meteor falls for you. Not to mention, after Larvaridge we'll have to pass back by the desert on our loop around. So, we could still explore it then."
A gentle rumble followed as he laid on his back. The images of differing meals filled his mind. His eyes flickered open as he looked up... the humans walking off away from him. His mouth went dry as the images of the food disappeared with each step they took.
Popping his eyes out of his head, he rocked back and forth. It took a few attempts but soon ended up back on all fours. He couldn't let this chef go away.
Brock scratched his chin as his lips pinched together. His eyes stealthily glanced to the side, where he saw the small ground type, who joined them for lunch, walking a little bit behind... but he could make out if he was following them or he just happened to have a nest in this direction.
As they were leaving, he did check on the ant pit Pokémon, but he appeared to be falling asleep, so he didn't want to disturb him.
"So, May, how are you feeling about the Fallarbor contest?" Serena asked.
"Good," she nodded, "but still a little nervous. Maybe I should enter with Beautifly, Combusken or Poochyena. They all have some experience."
"Your newer Pokémon will never get experience with that mindset," she sighed, "besides, you know how Combusken has been acting up. Rewarding that behaviour will just lead to more issues in the long run. And Mawile and Minun have been working hard for this."
The brown-haired girl let out a loud sigh, as he glanced in her direction. Her head leaned back as she presumably looked at the sky passing by overhead. Her arms wrapped around her stomach with a slight slouch in her spin.
"I'm just nervous," she explained, "what if Harley shows up... or Drew... or-"
"Then you'll compete against them," Serena replied, "and even if you don't win. A lot can be learnt from just competing."
As the girls voice's fade, he glanced to the side once more. From what he knew of the species, they were hunters and liked to remain hidden, usually underground. This one is certainly not what he expected but for now he couldn't stop to find out what he wanted. They've got plenty of ground to cover and time to pass... they'll discover soon if they are being followed or it's just his imagination.
Looking ahead, he frowned at the sight. A sea of sand was off on the distance, but he saw a field of holes on the physical earth. With a couple white-tall tents spread out and some tables. Although only two people were at the sight. As they got closer, he was able to get a better look at the first one, a women in her twenties with medium length, dark blue hair and dressed in an orange mountain-ranger suit. She frowned as she walked over to them.
"Sorry but you can't be here, children," she declared, "this area has been sealed off for important research. It's restricted."
"Sorry, we didn't know," Ash apologised.
"Hold on a minute," Max spoke up, holding his Pokenav in hand, "there's nothing on the map about part of this road being restricted."
"I guess your device is just outdated," May shrugged."
"It is not!" he cried out, "I make sure to update it each morning in case something changed overnight! And as of us finishing lunch, this path was completely clear for travel and even updating it now, there's nothing about any sort of expedition."
"Well, my name is Elisa and I'm a safety ranger," she declared, "and I say your trespassing. This is a Trapinch labyrinth and it's dangerous."
"A lot of places are dangerous," Max crossed his arms over his chest and stamped his foot down, "and first you said this was a science expedition. So, which is it, sealed off for safety by the ranger's guide or a scientific field experiment? And if it was official, then surely they'd have more than two people on duty."
Before he could interrupt with his own two pence about the situation, he felt a tugging on his trouser leg. Looking down, he found the orange ant pit Pokémon biting the bottom of his trousers and slightly yanking. Smiling down at him, he kneeled down and picked the pure ground type up. Cradling him, he stood back up and looked into his eyes.
"Hey bud, have you been following us all this time?" he asked, scratching him under the chin. He cooed at the show of affection.
"You've got a Trapinch!" Elisa exclaimed.
Looking up, he was able to make out a blur as the other person made their way over. He was a guy, around the same age as the safety ranger with light brown hair. His lab coat was open over some casual attire. He frowned as no-scientist would risk such cross contamination regardless of their hypothesis.
"Now-"
Unable to say another word, the man snatched the ground type out of his arms. Pulling some sort of band out of his pocket he struggled to get it around the orange Pokémon's body. Tightening around him, Trapinch wiggled around and cried out. Soon the scientist dropped him on the ground.
"What're you doing?!" Ash asked.
"Hi, I'm Hal," he smiled, "and I'm a researcher who specialises in Trapinch. I'm currently looking for the Flygon oasis within Hoenn's desert."
"Flygon oasis?" Serena asked.
"It's a tropical oasis located within the desert, the home to all Trapinch and the spot in which they evolve," he explained, "the natural wonder land is one of the seven wonderous sights of Hoenn... if only we could find it."
"So, it's one of the seven sights of Hoenn's must see," May clarified, "but no-one's seen it? Ya know, Max, I'm starting to think your right about this."
"Of course," he smugly proclaimed, "I know where all the research program's which are being run are. Or at least, the officially recognized ones."
"It doesn't matter what you think!" Hal stamped his foot down. Looking down to the ground, he saw Trapinch attempting to bite the band off. Although he couldn't quite reach to tear it off with his powerful jaw. Sitting down on the ground he picked up the ant pit Pokémon, "no! What're you doing!"
"I'm helping Trapinch," he replied, as he tried to wiggle the band off his body, "you can't just go around and force any Pokémon you want into your little experiment! This clearly isn't what Trapinch wants, and you can't force him to help you!"
"All research projects need to register what Pokémon they're using," Max added, "and they all need to be working with their own admission. Not even Professor Oak is above the rules and guidelines provided by the association."
"You don't understand-"
"I don't need to know why you're doing it," Brock declared, as he reached into his pocket. Pulling out a small pocketknife, he cut the band and it fell off the orange Pokémon's body, "all I need to know is that you're not following proper regulations, and this isn't a legally operated research camp."
"It's not even a smart plan," Max added, "I mean. If you're forcing the wild Pokémon into joining your project. Why would they lead you to their home, which would be a safe haven from you? It's really not a smart plan."
"You insolent-"
"Don't talk to my brother that way!" May stepped in, as he stood back up.
"Listen," Brock stepped forward, ensuring Trapinch was behind his own body, "whatever you want with this oasis, you've gone about it the wrong way. It's meant to be the place where Trapinch evolve but those bands would break off when they evolve. And as already pointed out, no intelligent Pokémon would lead you to their home if you're forcing them into helping out with your own goals. People and Pokémon are meant to work together."
Glancing back, he saw the ground type scurry underground. He frowned but understood the need to escape. While he made a mental note not to trip on the small hole now right behind his leg. His eyes widened when the hole expanded. He looked forward and pushed Max out of the way, being the closest as the hole expanded. He stumbled backwards and fell down into the sink pit.
He landed on his back and grunted in pain. Looking around, a small beam of sunlight escaped through the hole he just fell through. Looking around, he found himself in some sort of underground cavern. He also discovered Trapinch in front of him with the band next to him, seemingly destroyed.
"How are you?" he asked.
A low growl came from the pure ground type. He certainly seemed in good health. Using the wall to support himself, he stood up and found himself having to crouch slightly. Looking around, he realised that there was a fifty-fifty chance of picking the right exit.
"Hey Trapinch, do you know how to get out of here?" he asked. The ant pit Pokémon seemed to frown as his head rocked side to side. Letting out a sigh, he reached towards his belt, "of course... Hal mentioned there being a place called Flygon's oasis. Does a place like that exist?"
The pure ground type smiled. Nodding his head in an excited manner.
"That's good, at least," he sighed, pulling off a Pokéball. In a flash of light, his pure water type materialised right in front of him. She glanced side to side, standing next to Trapinch, before focusing up at him expectantly, "now listen Mudkip, I need your help."
"Kip," she nodded.
"Right, so we're stuck in this labyrinth but according to Trapinch there's an oasis at the exit," he explained, "think you can lead us to the water?"
Crouching low to the ground, the fin on top of her head wiggled back and forth. She closed her eyes and her body tensed up. Keeping his own eyes locked on to the smaller starter, his breath stuck in his throat. It seemed to take a while but soon she stopped and looked up at him with a smile on her face.
"Mud," she pointed down one of the directions. Giving a small nod, they set off down the corridor.
As the travelled down the dark corridor, he pulled out a small pocket torch and turned it on. Having it hit the backs of the two small Pokémon, who were walking ahead. He pushed it forward to the ground just in front of them. He watched the two Pokémon as they travelled across the ground.
The two Pokémon seemed to be in a conversation with his pure water clearly leading the talk. Although he was more intrigued by Trapinch's reaction. His feet shuffled as his eyes refused to look at her. A small layer of sweat formed on his large head as his speech seemed to develop a slight stutter. It was actually kind of adorable, like when his brother Forrest came home with his first crush back before his journey began.
A slight sound drew his attention from the two Pokémon, who seemed to react to the same thing. Looking ahead a small light formed within the darkness. The air was filled with the scent of fresh water. The two Pokémon looked up at him and he nodded, running off towards the exit.
Stepping out of the cave, he put the torch away and stared in amazement at the scene. Luscious green leaves decorated the thick trunked palm trees around the fresh running crystal clear lake. A waterfall rumbled at the far end of the canon. The floor was filled with golden warm sand and looking towards the sky he saw two cliffs over filling the top of this little paradise, with the hot Hoenn sun shining down through the gap.
"So... this is your home Trapinch?" he asked, "the Flygon oasis."
"Trap," he nodded.
A slight rumble echoed in his ear and soon a shadow shot up out of the tree line. It flew in front of the sun and quickly approached, a sort of singing whistle on the wind, making it difficult to make out until it landed right in front of them.
The Pokémon had a sort of insectoid body, whilst stood on two legs. A primarily light green colour covered the body, and they had a large pair of rhombus-shaped wings spread out, casting a shadow on them. A red trim surrounded the outline. The feet were toeless while they had two skinny arms, each with three-claws on each hand. Their tail had several dark green stripes and three small green rhombus shapes with red trims at the end, just like the large wing, swaying back and forth behind. Looking towards the head, he saw the head had large eyes and a pair of green antennae that pointed back. The eyes have red covers, with a sort of goggles appearance. It extended up and let out a loud echoing cry. The eyes were locked down on him.
Reaching to his belt, he snatched a Pokéball off and held it out. In a flash of light, his newly evolved normal type appeared in front of them.
The long tail swung around, and he raised his arms. Grabbing the metal covered appendaged, Vigoroth was knocked backwards, tightening his grip as his feet grinded against the ground. He looked back towards them with a glint in his eyes and wide smile on his face.
Throwing the appendage back, he charged forward. The dragon ground type blew the large wings open and flapped as it took off.
Fighting against the current, he ran on all four limbs. Leaping forward, he tackled the insectoid and latched on as the front.
Climbing around he ended up on the mystic Pokémon's back as it took off into the open air. Smashing his claws around, the flight appeared rugged.
Flygon wobbled back and form as the spread-out wings shimmered with a metal coating. They circled around in all directions, clearly trying to throw his pure normal type off... but to no-avail. They continue to fly around as grunts from both Pokémon echoed outward.
"Please, stop this," a strangely familiar voice echoed in his head. Turning to the side, he found the Solrock from before floating towards them, "this is a place of peace. A safe haven for the young Trapinch to grow up. Not a place for battling."
"Vigoroth!" he shouted, coning his hands around his mouth, "stand down!"
Leaping off the dragon ground types back, he landed on a nearby tree. His claws scratched into the side as he used it to slow down near the ground. He jumped off and landed right in front of him as with a frown on his face as he looked down slightly. Coming in from behind, the mystic Pokémon landed behind him, but Solrock floated between them.
"Please Flygon, let us talk this out like civilized beings," Solrock's mental voice echoed, "I'm more than happy to act as a middle ground for discussion."
"Fine, as our guest I'll agree," a female voice replied, with him guessing Solrock set up some sort of mental connection between them all, "but I'll discuss it with a Pokémon. They're far more trustworthy than humans."
Not needing extra information, he pulled out two Pokéballs and recalled both his water type and the normal type. Attaching them back to his belt, he took out a third device and held it out. In a flash of light, his steel rock type materialised next to Trapinch. He turned to look at him expectantly.
"Hey Aron, think you could talk this through with Flygon?" he asked, "as an ex-leader to a... leader?"
"Guardian," Flygon corrected, landing, and lowering her head to his iron armor Pokémon.
He gave a small nod and Brock smiled, leaning down, he whispered about the events which lead up to their arrival. With a stoic expression, his steel rock type turned around and relaided the story, "-Mudkip picked up the water current and that's how we made our way here."
"This land is protected. No humans are allowed to step foot in here," she commanded, "for the safety of those under my care?"
"Under your care?" Brock asked, "so you're not the mother of the Trapinch?"
"Of course not," she growled, "Vibrava and Flygon hatch litters of Trapinch all throughout this desert. This place is where they leave them to hatch and spend the first stage of their evolution cycle. I'm tasked with protecting them from generation to generation."
"A very noble role indeed," Aron interjected, "I too once protected a squad of my own kind. Now I try to do the same for my squad here."
"So, you gave up a position of responsibility to become the pet of a human?" Flygon growled, "hardly the same."
"I am no pet. My human treats me with the same respect he shows everyone," Aron replied, "his example is one I wish to adopt myself."
"H-he is also a really good cook," Trapinch stuttered.
"Food? That is why you betray your brethren?" Flygon asked.
"I erm, well-"
"He didn't betray anyone. He was hungry so I offered him food," Brock stepped forward, "he didn't offer to bring me here. Nor did I ask. Some scientists we encountered wanted to find this place and in the commotion of getting away from them caused us to fall into the labyrinth."
"I understand your anger in the trespassing," Aron drew their attention, "but please understand, it's unintentional. Just allow us passage and nothing else needs to come from this."
The dragon ground type raised high, leering down on them. The eyes darting between
"Very well," Flygon replied, "I'll allow Solrock to lift you to the surface and send you off. Despite being a human, the words of Solrock and Aron have proven enough to allow my mercy on this matter... and Trapinch can go with you."
"I don't wish to part him from his home," Brock stepped forward.
"You misunderstand," Flygon raised up once more, "I couldn't care less if he goes with you or off on his own. He broke our rules. His interactions with your kind lead to a human stepping foot on our ground. Now he has lost the privilege given from birth to all of his species. Today was far from his only incident he caused whilst residing here but it's the final one. Should I not take appropriate, then others will follow his example and this home shall fall into ruin."
He felt a weird tingly feeling as a light blue outline surrounded his body. Seeing the ESP radiate off him, he glanced around to see both Aron and Trapinch in a similar state. Turning towards the rock psychic type, he saw their eyes glowing with the same energy. Slowly, they were raised off the ground. It didn't take them long to pass through the crack. A sandy wind blew past, making it difficult to make out anything in any direction as he covered his face with an arm.
"It was a pleasure seeing you again," Solrock's voice echoed in his head, "now if you travel in this direction. You should come out at the northern exit to the desert. I saw the scientist site when I was exploring this land but never went near. I sensed something... off putting, within their thoughts."
"Unfortunately, not all people have the best intentions when it comes to Pokémon," he sighed, "but don't worry. I won't tell them about this place."
"Your kindness knows no bounds," Solrock replied, "but I do suggest you use a Pokémon able to transverse this sandstorm. It'll help you in the long run."
"I will, thank you," he nodded, taking out two Pokéballs. One of them recalled his iron armor Pokémon whilst the other released his Rhyhorn. He wouldn't want too many Pokémon to keep track off whilst they have a sandstorm to transverse, "hey bud. Think you could carry us back to the others?"
The rock ground type gave a small nod and crouched low. He turned towards the pure ground type, who looked up with shimmering wet eyes. While no words were spoken between the two, he could see all the thoughts running through his head. Offering a small smile, he squatted down and picked him up, lifting him onto the back of his spikes Pokémon. Standing back up, he turned towards the rock psychic type.
"Will you be joining us or not?" he asked.
"My apologises, whilst it appears my visit to the Flygon oasis has been cut short, I have other plans," it replied, "there is an ancient Baltoy family, living within some ruins somewhere within this desert. I believe meeting them shall reveal some ancient wisdom long since forgotten from this world."
"Well thank you for your help with Flygon," he replied, "guess we've both got a knack for helping each other out."
"The pleasure was all mine," Solrock replied, "and I wish for us to meet again, at some point. You're truly a remarkable human, Brock Harrison."
"Thank you, again, Solrock," he smiled, "and... I'd like the chance to meet you again... just hopefully under more happy circumstances."
Climbing onto the rock ground types back. They slowly started trekking through the raging sandstorm. As they did, he looked down at the pure ground type, who was staring off to the side. Rivers of tears streaming down his face. With a deep breath, he reached out and placed a hand on top of his head.
"I-I'm sorry Trapinch, for what happened," he replied, "if I could change Flygon's mind I would."
"Pinch Trapinch," he turned towards him, eyes widening. He vigorously shook his head before silently turning back to stare off into the distance.
"I can't promise to replace the friends you had here," he continued. Pausing he saw the ant pit Pokémon flinch at a particular word. Putting together all he learnt from today, it's likely that list wasn't as long as you might expect, "but... if you'd like... you could come with us."
"Trap?" he seemed to ask, tilting his head to the side as he looked up.
"We're kind of like a family ourselves and we're always happy to welcome new members," he smiled. Reaching out to scratch him under the chin.
"Rhy Rhyhorn," the spikes Pokémon added as they trotted along.
"And it seems Rhyhorn likes that idea too," he smiled, "so what do you say? I'd hate to leave you all alone out here."
Staring at the ground, he tried to read his expression. His lower jaw hung open and eyes widened, threatening to pop right out of their sockets. The pupils shot from side to side, as if looking for some answer to appear, before he gave one however, a low growl echoed from his stomach.
"Hehehe," he chuckled lightly, "and don't worry. We've got plenty of food, so you won't be going hungry with us."
He lowered his head and looked down at the sand. Sighing, he reached into his belt and pulled out two more Pokéballs. One was empty, which he left in front of the pure ground type. While the second one released the pure electric type into his embrace. Should the ant pit Pokémon choose to join, Electrike is the one member of his team he doesn't want to send back to his family. Soon it'll be time to help his rehabilitation and one on one time will be needed.
Cradling his injured Pokémon, he watched the small orange friend stare at the device. It seemed to take a while, but he soon leaned forward and tapped his head against the Pokéball. Disappearing in a red light, the device dinged with a successful capture, as he felt Aron's Pokéball teleport off his belt.
Smiling at the device, he picked it up. Looking ahead, he found the sandstorm settling as the scientist camp site came into view. His friends along with it.
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