The night had left Baz light headed from no sleep and excitement. He had finally caught a Pokemon. His new Zubat was sleeping on his faithful companion, Piplup's head. Colin was sleeping peacefully with his Shinx laying on his chest. Colin's Croagunk was behind Colin, bunkered down on its pile of cloth. Baz sat up and looked at the incoming sun through a hole in the tent. He strectched, waking up Piplup and, unfortunately, Zubat. Zubat rose, screeched, and zoomed around the tent, giving Colin and his Pokemon a very rousing wakeup call. Colin woke and, in his stupor, tried to spring up to stand at attention. Of course, the tent was there to stop and send him back to the ground and reality. "WHOZITWHATAREITWHA", said Colin spastically. Baz tried to calm down Colin, but Zubat did that for him, by flying into Colin.
The two creatures collapsed to the ground as Baz withdrew Zubat back into its Pokeball. Colin sat up and glared at Baz. "Baz, what the hell just happened?", Colin started. "I woke up, then did Piplup, then did Zubat, then you.", said Baz plainly. Colin looked at Baz as he felt around the tent floor for his flat cap. Surprisingly, he had found it resting on Croagunk's head and as Croagunk slept, the cap rose and fell from the frog Pokemon's breathing. "Anyway, what time is it?", asked Colin as he sneakily swiped his cap back from Croagunk. Baz looked at his Poketch (he had slept in his regular clothes) and stated, "About 8, 8:30." Colin perked up and said, "Great. Once we get ready, we can start towards Oreburgh again." Baz tried to resonate Colin's level of excitement, yet couldn't. "Yeah.", was all Baz could manage as he pulled himself together for the day.
The sun was just now over the horizon as the two reached another early riser. The trainer noticed them and waved them over to talk. He couldn't have been much older than Colin. He wore a red jacket unzipped to reveal a blue shirt for a team of somekind with a Walrein as their mascot. His black pants were not quite shorts, but not quite pants either. He sported glasses with green rims and straight, black hair. He spoke with a confident, proving voice. "Name's Gordon. And you two are?" Colin straightened up and said, "I- um, I'm Colin and this is Boz-er, Baz." Gordon looked like he had remebered a funny joke from earlier. "So, where are you two headed?" Baz decided to take up the ambassador role and said, "We're on our way to see Roark about a Gym Battle." Gordon looked surprised and said, "Funny. I just came from Oreburgh. Stuff to take care of in Jubilife. But I don't have to back for a while. I could show you two to Oreburgh." Before Baz could react, Colin added, "Yeah! -er cool, sure"
Gordon smirked and said, "Sweet. Let's get going." The three got to talking soon after getting on the way to Oreburgh. Gordon pointed over to a cave opening. "Over there you see, is where you'll need to enter if Oreburgh's where you're heading to." Colin thanked Gordon extensively while Baz just sai the normal thanks and later and went on his way. Baz and Colin got to talking as they approached the cave mouth. "You know what i've been thinking about?", asked Colin. "Well, i'm no mind reader, but I'll give it my best shot.", replied Baz. Baz closed his eyes tightly and rubbed his temples and said, "You...want to sleep." Colin, with an eye roll, replied, "Yes, but not right now." Before the Great Bazini could try again, Colin said, "We've been traveling this entire time and we've never had a proper battle." Baz perked up and replied, "Now that you mention it, I've been wondering when you'd challenge me." Colin smirked and dramatically said, "Alright then. Baz, I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!"
The two had decided on a 1v1 battle with swappable Pokemon. First up, Piplup and Shinx. The Pokemon prepared to fight as Baz said, "The battle between the Amazing Baz and some guy named Colin is about to begin. 1V1, Swappable blah, blah. You know the drill. LET'S FIGHT!" "Shinx, open with Tackle!" "Piplup, use Pound!" The two Pokemon charged at each other with Shinx taking the advantage by barely dodging Piplup's attack. Piplup recoiled as Colin ordered Shinx to use Leer on Piplup. Shinx gave a look of pure hatred towards Piplup. The bird Pokemon felt a cold streak upon its back. "Piplup, use Peck!" Piplup shook itself out of its stupor and raced towards Shinx with awe inspiring speed. Shinx and Colin barely had time to react as Peck sent Shinx back a few feet. Ok, flying type stuff doesn't work on Shinx, noted Colin. "Alright Shinx, go for Spark!" Shinx ran towards Piplup and delivered a bright yellow shock of electricity at Piplup. Piplup was sent flying back and almost knocked over Baz, who was managed to stop Piplup. The group as in shock at Shinx's power and Piplup's knocked out form. Shinx looked like it was at the edge of tears, knowing it had hurt its friend and sped off into Oreburgh Gate.
"Shinx! Come back!", shouted Colin as he raced after Shinx. Baz was behind Colin, with a now sleeping Piplup on his shoulder. They entered the cave that, while form the outside looked somewhat bright, was near pitch black after being entered. Baz and Colin ran for what seemed like miles when the two had come across a man in the cave, by running into him. The man's mining helmet should've had it's light on, but for whatever reason, it was off. The man wore gray pants with a yellow stripe across the legs, a black tank top, and a gray jacket tied around his waist. His red hair was straight, yet frayed at the end. And his mahogany eyes were concerned when he said, "Woah, Woah! Where's the fire?" "Colin looked around before focusing on the shadow he thought was the man and said, "Sir, my Shinx ran into this cave and we need help finding it. Can you help?" The man took a more serious look and said, "Of course. I'm Roark, by the way. And you are?" Colin retorted, "I'm Colin and this is Baz."
Shinx really was just winging it at this point. A rather shady looking Onix had shown it the way out, but Shinx wasn't really sure that Onix had meant to help. Shinx had come across a group of Geodude. Well, maybe they can help, thought Shinx. Shinx ran up to the several Geodude and said, "Hello! Can you help me? I think i'm lost." The Geodude looked at Shinx, then each other, and laughed. "Sure, kid, Sure Just follow us.", said one of the Geodude as the rock Pokemon surrounded Shinx. Shinx cried out as the Geodude surrounded him. "SHIIIINX!" The piecring cry came from the back of the cave as Baz said, "Over there! Come on!" Shinx fought ack valiantly as Colin, Baz, and Roark arrived on the scene. "I got this. Go, Cranidos!", yelled Roark as he pulled and threw a Pokeball in front of him. Out of the Pokeball came a gray lizard like Pokemon with a big blue dome atop its head. Baz used his Pokedex to identify the Pokemon.
~ Cranidos, the Head Butt Pokemon. Cranidos lived in the deep woods about one-hundred million years ago, and its cranium is as hard as steel. ~
"I'm guessing it can use-", Baz began. "Cranidos, use Headbutt!", said Roark. Cranidos charged the Geodude, but was stopped by three more Geodude that had appeared out of nowhere. Shinx was getting pushed around by the Geodude. Shinx was getting ready. Shinx believed it was ready. Colin seemed to realize what was about to happen as Cranidos gave into the Geodude and was thrown backwards. Colin jumped as something touched his leg. Croagunk had gotten out of its Pokeball. Strange. Croagunk ran forward and began helping Cranidos in its efforts. Suddenly, a piercing sound broke the fighting. "That was a Roar!", exclaimed Roark! Shinx ran toward Colin, but backed up upon seeing Baz, who was still holding Piplup, who somehow was still sleeping through all this. Baz saw why Shinx was backing off, so he decided to wake up Piplup. Piplup woke up slowly and was sat on the ground for Shinx to see everything was alright. "See Shinx? Piplup's fine. You just got a lucky shot in.", said Colin. Shinx walked up slowly and upon seeing Piplup was indeed fine and that it really had just got a lucky shot in, Shinx Roared. Scaring Piplup, who was half asleep, and everyone else, because after Shinx had Roared, Shinx exploded into a great flash of white light.
Colin watched on in awe, Baz blocked his eyes from the light, Roark was happy for Colin and Shinx, and Croagunk use its specialty: standing there indifferently. Shinx's outline grew in size and build, gaining a longer tail. When the light died out, in place of Shinx, was a bigger Pokemon. Like Shinx, but not quite. The Pokemon was bigger than Sinx, with tufts of black hair covering it, a longer tail and a more intimidating personality. Colin was the providing the Pokedex this time and it read :
~ Luxio, the Spark Pokémon. By touching friends with its front paws, Luxio is able to communicate through the sparks it emits. ~
"Wow. So Shinx evolved!", said Colin. "Excatly. So Luxio should be even more powerful than was as a Shinx.", said Roark matter-of-factly. Later, the group was walking towards the exit of the cave when Roark asked, "So. I'm guessing you're on your way to go take on the Gym Challenge." Colin replied, "Yeah. How'd you know." "Just seemed like you two were Trainers. That, and the Gym's the only reason people visit Oreburgh anymore.", Roark said, seemingly downtrodden. "Well, what do you do in Oreburgh, Roark?", Baz asked. "I manage the mines in Oreburgh, i'm a part-time archaeologist, and i'm the Gym Leader in Oreburgh." "YOU'RE THE GYM LEADER?!", said Baz and Colin at the same time. Roark's mahogany eyes glinted as he spoke. "Yep, and i'm not going to hold back when you challenge me." When can we challenge you!?", said Baz, with fire in his eyes. "Well, considering it's about 10 p.m., I think tonight's out of the question.", began Roark. "How about, tomorrow at noon?" "Which one of us?", asked Colin. Roark smirked, "Whichever one of you gets there first." Roark walked off after saying this. The two and their Pokemon walked for a bit. Croagunk piggybacking as usual, Zubat had taken a liking to perching itself on Baz's shoulder, and Luxio walked next to Colin. The two spoke of indifferent things, but inside the two spoke to themselves of wonderings from today. Baz's went something a bit like: "Why did Shinx run in the cave instead of back to the grass?" or "I'm sleepy" or "Where's the Pokemon Center?" and "Why was Colin getting nervous talking to Gordon earlier?" Colin's was about strategizing on how he would wake up early and get the Gym before Baz ever thought of getting up. But those were unimportant and all their conversations drifted off as the Pokemon Center came into sight.
-AUTHOR'S NOTE-
Hello! Happy Holidays! I actually planned for this to come out on Christmas Day, but family stuff, so it's coming three or so days before 2016. Sorry there's such a gap inbetween chapters like this, but sometimes it just gets out of hand a bit. Anyway, hope you enjoyed and tell me what you think! Best Wishes!
-S