Chapter 8: Evolution
The next day we went to the Sprout Tower. From outside, it looked like a normal Temple. What made this place so special was a pillar in the center of the building that was constantly shaking around like the body of a Bellsprout, which is why the tower has its name.
A young Lady at the entrance welcomed us, and told us that the ground floor was for tourists. The upper floors were a challenge for trainers. Whoever manages to defeat all sages and the eldest of the temple would gain a price.
"That sounds like a challenge." Jess said and headed for the stairs, Travis and I following her. On the first floor we encountered some sages. Since they all used Bellsprout as Pokémon Jess let Travis do all the fighting, as he could easily defeat the Bellsprout with Ember attack, and I had a type-disadvantage against Grass-types. Well, at least Grass and Electric are the only types to hit me hard.
Travis easily burned through all the sages. One of the sages had a Hoothoot which Jess let me defeat, to give Travis a short break. We soon stood in front of the Eldest of the Sprout Tower.
"Ah, welcome young trainer, I see you managed to beat all the sages and got here. Are you ready for the final test?"
"Yes I am."
"Alright then let's begin. Go Bellsprout!" he threw a Pokéball and made a Bellsprout apper before him.
"Let's do this Travis, Another Bellsprout won't be much of a problem for you"
"Bellsprout use Vine Whip!" - "Travis use Ember!"
Travis was faster than the Bellsprout and his Ember hit before the Bellsprout could do anything, and it fainted instantly.
"I see, bringing Grass types won't use much against this opponent, go Hoothoot!"
"Alright, Travis come back, it's your turn Nick."
Travis went back and I took his position.
"Nick use Watergun!" - "Hoothoot use Hypnosis!"
I charged a Watergun and hit the Hoothoot, knocking it back a little.
Hoothoot then stared at me with a hypnotizing look in his face.
'No, don't look at it, you'll only fall asleep' I told myself.
I managed to avert my sight from the Hoothoot and avoided the attack.
"Very good Nick, now another Watergun!"
I charged another Watergun and hit the Hoothoot again, knocking it out this time.
The eldest recalled his defeated Pokémon and grabbed another Pokéball.
"Go Bellsprout" another Bellsprout appeared before him.
"Travis it's your turn again."
I went back and Travis now took my place.
The battle was over afte another Ember attack of Travis.
Just when the battle ended, Travis' body started to glow.
I'm feeling funny he said, when the glowing started to become stronger until his whole body was just a giant lightball. The light soon faded, and Travis looked different from before. He evolved into a Quilava. Travis looked at his new body. When he was standing on two Legs, he had almost double of my height. On his head, he now had two spiky ears, that had the same colour as his back-fur. He had some red spots on his head and on his lower back, which were on his back before. His hands and feet were now fomed like paws. His muzzle was much shorter than before.
Wow, Travis you evolved! I stared at him in awe.
"Oh you're even cuter than before Travis." Jess kneed down and hugged Travis.
"I see you're a very good trainer and you treat your Pokémon with love. Allow me to give you this little present." The eldest turned around and grabbed a small chest. "I usually reward trainers who make it up here with a TM Flash, but I think you deserve some more. Here, take these: he held several items in his hands. At first these two stones, they're called Eviolite. If you hand them to your Pokémon, it will increase their durability, but it only works as long as they're not fully evolved." He pointed at two pendants with a purple stone. "And here's your TM for Flash."
"Wow, are you sure you want to give me these?"
"I am. You have a strong bond to your Pokémon, so they're in good hands."
Jess took the pendants and the TM. "Well, thank you very much that's very kind of you." She then bid farewell and we then climbed down the stairs and left the Sprout Tower.