Route 11: Train my Baby one more time.

Togepi was still a bit shy to go in its ball, so I let it stay out for the day. However, I told it to behave itself as we were going into Union Cave.

Union Cave was very dark, though not so much that I couldn't see entirely. Regardless, there were definitely times where I seemed to trip. Togepi was resting in my bag, so I tried to not use my bag as a falling pillow, or I'd squish it.

It was at this point where I came across a Hiker named Daniel who challenged me.

His Pokémon was a giant Onix.

Onix

062

Rock/Ground Type

Rock Snake Pokémon

28'10" (8.8 m)

463 lbs (210 kg)

It rapidly bores through the ground at 50 mph by squirming and twisting its massive, rugged body.

I had very little to counter against Onix. I sent out Geodude, who was the best bet. Geoudude used Tackle, which didn't do much. Onix used Bind, which squeezed Geodude. That didn't do much either. This would be a long battle.

After about an hour of battling, Geodude hit Onix with a Tackle, giving me the victory.

"Thanks for the battle. What other Pokémon do you have?"

I sent out Cyndaquil, Hoothoot and Mareep. I then went for my bag to show him Togepi. My heart sank when I realised how much lighter the bag felt. I opened the bag. It was gone.

I started to panic. Togepi had only been born the day before, and it was only just learning about this world. I hatched it and I would train it. Daniel offered to help after a Pokémon Centre visit, which I thanked him for.

I kept looking around, shouting Togepi's name, battling Pokémon as I went, helping them gain experience. However, I was still worried. I get worried about all the guys (or girl, in Hoothoot's case), but Togepi was a special case. It was just a baby.

I eventually found Togepi outside a bunch of small tunnels. I gave a shout, and it waved back. That was a bad idea. Out from one of the small tunnels came a yellow Pokémon that ganged up on Togepi.

Sandshrew

048

Ground Type

Mouse Pokémon

2'00" (0.6 m)

26.5 lbs (12 kg)

If it fell from a great height, this Pokémon could save itself by rolling into a ball and bouncing.

I told Sandshrew to leave it alone as it was an infant, but it was clear how territorial this Sandshrew was.

Sandshrew attacked Togepi with Scratch, but Togepi came back. It sent out multiple hearts at Sandshrew. It was using Charm! This lowered Sandshrew's Attack, but I still recalled Togepi. It didn't know any attacking moves, so I saw Cyndaquil as a better idea.

Cyndaquil used Ember on Sandshrew, which did quite a bit of damage. Sandshrew used Scratch again, though Cyndaquil finished it off.

I told Togepi to come back to me and I hugged it, worried that it might have been hurt had I not arrived at that moment. Cyndaquil cheered to, but then started to glow. I watched in awe as Cyndaquil was replaced with a slightly longer Pokémon.

Quilava

005

Fire Type

Volcano Pokemon

2'11" (0.9 m)

41.9 lbs (19 kg)

Be careful if it turns its back during battle. It means that it will attack with the fire on its back.

Evolved from Cyndaquil at Lv 14.

I congratulated Quilava but then looked over to Sandshrew. Daniel arrived at that moment with Onix. Seeing Sandshrew, he gave it an Oran Berry which got it back up. Sandshrew apologized and I apologized back.

Sandshrew then went over to its tunnel and I looked in to see multiple baby Sandshrew, all snuggled up. It was obvious that Sandshrew was protecting its young like I was protecting, not my young necessarily, but my friend.

Speaking of which, Togepi had had enough for today. Instead of going back in my bag however, Togepi thought it was time to go in its Pokeball. I got it out and put it in. It had been a wild first day for it.

I soon reached the end of the Tunnel. Azelea Town was just a couple of steps from there. All's well that ends well, and I learned what it was like to be a Dad.