The air was crisp and clean the morning after the gym battle. Baz was asleep in his section of the tent. Colin was packing up and Croagunk was already on his back, half asleep. Luxio was in the tent, also asleep. Colin took Croagunk off his back and sat the frog Pokemon in front of him. "That was amazing, yesterday. It's like you knew what I wanted to do. It was insane." Croagunk almost like it was smiling? Well, as good a smile as a Croagunk could muster. Colin smiled back, as a yell came from the tent, "Colin! Where'd you go, dude?" "I'm outside, Baz! Just packing up!", Colin replied. " Baz shook himself awake and his Pokemon followed suit. Baz's Piplup sat bolt upright and Zubat, on the ceiling, woke itself peacefully. Baz shook Luxio awake, who yawned upon waking up. Colin was already dressed, flatcap and all, And looked at his Poketch. 9:37. They had plenty of time to look around the newly entered route. Baz got dressed and proceeded outside the tent, Piplup beside him, Zubat on his head, asleep once more. Luxio bounded after the blond boy and hug-tackled Colin. Colin recovered in time to greet Baz and crew. "Should we get moving or start the plans for our mansion?", Baz said sarcastically. "Hey, you were the one asleep for an hour, lazybones.", retorted Colin. "You've been up for an hour? Doing what?", asked Baz. "Training Croagunk, and- Well, that's about it." Baz looked ahead at the route's exit. "Hey, I can see the cave entrance from here. If we hurry, we'll get to Floaroma before noon.", Baz said matter-of-factly. "How do you even know what time it is?", asked Colin. "Shut up.", said Baz, as he walked to the tent to pack it up. Colin snickered. Colin then returned Luxio to its Pokeball, stood up, and returned Croagunk to his back.
Later, Baz and Colin were en route to the cave entrance. "According to the map I scooped up at the Pokemon Center", Baz began, "Floaroma Town is "A town of flower lovers, Floaroma Town is always perfumed with the sweet scent of flowers. Sounds fun." "Sure does.", Colin said sarcastically. Baz decided not to question it and jogged forward to the Cave entrance. Before he reached it, a Pokemon attacked Baz. It was a small thing, green in color, with two vines twirling in a double helix on top of its head. "What could that be?" ~Budew, the Bud Pokémon. It lives alongside clear ponds. It scatters pollen that induces harsh sneezing and runny noses.~ "So, you're a Budew, huh?", Baz asked, looking at Budew. Budew seemed to understand what Baz said and jumped in the air in excitement. "Alright then. Go, Zubat!" Zubat flew from Colin's shoulder and zipped around anxiously. The battle was on. "Zubat, start with Leech Life!" Zubat fired a spray of greenish needles at Budew, who dodged the gracefully. Budew retaliated with a yellow burst from its vines. "Stun Spore!" The words flew from Colin's mouth far too late as Piplup, Zubat, and Luxio were caught and immediately fell to the ground, writhing in silent agony. "No!", the two screamed as they watched as their Pokemon were covered with the yellow dust and sent into shock. Baz ran forward, scopped up Zubat, and helped Colin carry Luxio. Budew took the opportunity to run as fast as its little legs could carry towards Piplup and drag it away using its vines. Croagunk hopped from Colin's back and took chase after the Pokenapper. The two decided to head to the Pokemon Center to heal their Pokemon, Colin unaware that Croagunk was M.I.A.
Croagunk entered the tree clusters that were on opposite sides of the cave entrance. Budew wasn't hard to follow, as there was a Piplup shaped trench in the ground from the penguin Pokemon getting dragged for so long. Croagunk hid as best as it could as it trailed the Budew and it's Pokehostage. Budew was paranoid at this point. It knew something was following it, but what? Could it be that Ursaring it owed some food to? Or maybe the Beedrill clan it had angered last week. Or what if the Ariados found it again?! Budew put the thought out of its mind as it dragged Piplup back to its home. Croagunk slid past the bushes and reappeared in front of a small opening in a grassy knoll. The frog Pokemon assumed it was Budew's lair, so it lied in wait, ready to ambush Budew and take its friend. Piplup did not remember the last few minutes, it had passed out from shock. But it did remember that it was currently in the clutches of a Budew. What it wanted from Piplup, or what it planned to do with Piplup, that was unsure. Either way, Piplup decided it was better to find out. The bird Pokemon "passed out" once more as Budew neared its home. Baz and Colin ran as fast as they could back to the site of the attack. Luxio bounded past of them as it caught the scent of Budew, a smell that made the crew shudder. Luxio raced forward at a pace that would put Jolteons to shame. Baz and Colin could barely keep up. "Luxio! You think you could, oof, slow the pace a little bit?", yelled Colin from the behind the "lightning fast" Luxio. Luxio understodd and slowed its pace to a jog. "Thanks, Luxio.", Colin and Baz both said, too tired for either to question it. Budew approached it's home at a reluctant pace, feeling eyes upon it. Budew got to its home and, before Croagunk could act, Budew and Piplup were pulled into the grass Pokemon's home by unseen forces. Croagunk decided it was best to seek out Colin and the others, but before it could leave, Colin, Baz, and Luxio had found them and Colin seemed to understand what had happened. The alcove could comfortably fit four people, or in this case, two 14 year olds, a Croagunk, and a Luxio. Croagunk saw the shadowy forces entangeling Budew and Piplup. Colin took one step forward and froze. "Oh, no.", he said in a hushed whisper.
When Colin was a child back in Petalburg City, he would play near the forests on the walking path near the Pokemon Center. Norman had assigned one of his proteges, Wally, to watch him. Wally and his Ralts had gotten distracted by what looked like a shiny Surskit (it wasn't, surprisingly) and Colin edged himself closer and closer to the forest's edge, where it got dark. He was playing with a Zigzagoon and it ran into the nearby wood. Colin stumble/ran after it, but was stopped, by a tiny green Pokemon. The Pokemon was rare for Hoenn, a Spinarak, or to Colin, "Skitty!" He ran after the miniscule Pokemon, but was stopped by what stood in front of him now, in the alcove. Baz looked over to his friend, who was frozen solid, like he had been Ice Beamed by a Glalie. "a-Ariados...", said Colin, in a hushed terror. Baz pulled out his Pokedex. ~ Ariados, the Long Leg Pokemon. It attaches silk to its prey and sets it free. Later, it tracks the silk to the prey and its friends. ~ Baz looked over to his friend, who was clearly shaken by the Pokemon in front of him. "Colin look at them, they're clearly harmless.", Baz said matter-of-factly. Colin sharply turned his head to them. "Well, they do LOOK harmless, but are they really?", Colin thought to himself. Baz thought Colin was about to have a mental breakdown. But he stood strong, adjusted his flatcap, and began to attack. "Luxio!,", Colin began. Oh, no., Baz thought. "Use Spark and aim for the web!" Luxio jumped and hit the support strand of the web, sending its in habitants to the ground: Budew, Piplup, and four young Spinarak. Baz slapped himself in the face. Croagunk followed his motion. Colin looked as though he would start crying. Then it hit Baz. Budew wasn't trying to kidnap Piplup, it was trying to get protection from the Ariados whose nest it had unwittingly been using as a home. Baz was overcome, as was Piplup. "Piplup, use Peck on Budew!" Piplup follwed almost instantly and used on Budew, sending flying towards Baz, who caught the bud Pokemon and fell back. "Croagunk, follow up with Poison Sting!" Croagunk nodded, then fired the Poison Sting,barely fazing the Ariados. Baz knew the Ariados had done nothing wrong, but felt the need to protect Budew. "Piplup, keep using Peck!", Baz shouted. Piplup kept up, but the Ariados were just as capable. Colin could feel the rush of battle pushing adrenaline through his veins. "Luxio, use Bite! Croagunk, Mud-Slap!" The three kept their assualt up, until the Ariados unleashed a devastaing attack. A Fury Cutter followed by two Pin Missiles. Luxio took the brunt of the Fury Cutter, but Piplup took almost all of the Pin Missiles. Piplup couldn't go on. This was it, Baz thought. "Piplup can't take much more, Baz. Get her out of there.!", Colin shouted. Baz was about to give the call when Piplup stood up. Piplup stood up and took yet another Pin Missile.
Piplup retaliated in the best way possible. The ends of Piplup's flippers grew a bright shade of silver and, launching itself, slams into two of the Ariados with full force. "Baz that was Metal Claw!", Colin yelled in suprised excitement. Before Baz could react, Piplup ran back over to the two. Before it could return to its trainer, Piplup exploded in a flash of bright light. Colin and Baz had to squint to see what was happening. "Colin...I think...Piplup's...", Baz began. "Evolving!", Colin said, childlike wonder on his face. When the light died, and the two could see once more, Piplup was no more. Instead a taller, burlier, pointier penguin Pokemon stood in its place." Colin took out his Pokedex. ~ Prinplup, the Penguin Pokemon. The second evolutionary stage of Piplup. Its wings deliver wicked blows that snap even the thickest of trees. Each one believes that it is the most important Prinplup. ~ "Prinplup. I like the sound of that don't you?", Baz asked his newly evolved friend. Prinplup jumped and delivered a hearty "PRINNNN!" "I'll take that as a yes.", said Baz, lughing as he hugged his partner Pokemon. Before anyone could take notice, the third Ariados charged forward to deliver a Double-Edge that would've surely broken Baz and Prinplup. But something stopped the Ariados. Budew had woken up and stopped the Ariados dead in its tracks, which gave enough time for Croagunk to use Mud-Slap so the group could make their escape. Later, the group headed back up the road to Jubilife to heal.
When they came back, they saw the very same Budew, now sporting a tiny scar on its cheek. "Hey, buddy. You should get moving. Your family could be looking for you.", Baz said. And nearly immediately regretted saying it. Budew sat down (as best it could) and cried. Baz's smile drained off his face as he realized: That Budew was looking for a home. It didn't have one. He then smiled once more and said, "Hey. You know, if you need a home, you're free to come with me if you like. Budew immediately brightened up at the idea, as did Colin, Baz, and their Pokemon. Baz pulled out a Pokeball, fresh from the PokeMart. Budew jumped in the air and...missed. Croagunk snickered from behind Colin's back. As Colin scolded him, Baz lowered the Pokeball for Budew. This time Budew hit it perfectly. And as with Zubat, the bright red light, one, two, three shakes. Budew was Baz's. Baz held Budew's Pokeball in hand as Prinplup gave him another hug and Zubat who had been in Baz's hair this entire time (somehow) sleeping gave a snore and continued sleeping. "I completely forgot. Zubat's been on your head this entire time.", Colin said. Baz replied, "Yeah I know. I kinda got used to it." "After you were flustered about it yesterday?", Colin said sassily, eyebrow raised. "Shut up." Baz replied, laughing. Colin looked at his Poketch: 4:55. "Baz, if we hurry, we can make it to Floaroma Town. Or at least through the pass.", Colin said, pulling out his Town map. Baz agreed and they were off once more. The cave was not nearly as intimidating as it seemed. Really, it was a mere turn onto the next route. Either way, Croagunk's Rock Smash made it easier. The group got to a nice field of flowers just before the town when Baz asked" Do you want to continue onto Floaroma or just camp out here?" "How close are we?", asked Colin. "About...," Baz began, "five-ish minutes to Floaroma." Colin shrugged and said, "I think we'll live long enough to get to Floaroma."
Colin and Baz were talking as they entered town. "Colin, why did you freeze up at the site of those Ariados earlier?", Baz queried. Colin sighed and replied, "Ever since I was a kid, I've hated Pokemon that resembled an Ariados. You know, eight legs, too many eyes, all that." Baz looked dumbfounded. "But you were brave! You stood up to them! You were able to control your fear!" Colin replied, "People tend to do a lot of crazy shit when their under pressure like that." Baz wanted to continue the argument, but yawned instead. He saw the Pokemon Center faster than could've looked at his Map to check. He grabbed Colin by the wrist and dragged him to the Center, got the room, and prepared for bed before Colin could say, "Could you stop dragging me by the wrist?" Colin checked the clock in their room: 8:39. Croagunk's curtain pile was set up in the corner and Luxio next to Colin, already asleep from the hectic day. Colin soon joined his Pokemon in sleep. Baz, on the other hand, was awake. Zubat had taken a liking to the closet and was hanging upsidedown, asleep. Prinplup now had to sleep next to Croagunk, which Croagunk was, surprisingly, ok with. Budew was now in Piplup's place. Baz thought back on his day. What if Budew hadn't stepped in to save Baz and Prinplup from the Ariados? What if Budew's plan had failed? What is Budew could get off Baz's foot, that'd be great. Baz disregared all of these thoughts. What Ifs, his mother had said, were about as useful as putting a Pokeball in a refridgerator: if they aren't helping, they shouldn't be around. It never made much sense until now. Nothing in Baz's life made sense. At least not until Colin came along. Oh well, he thought more to sleep on. And he drifted off to a dreamless sleep in the city of flowers.