Rain softly hit the window to the Pokemon Center as Colin stared up at the ceiling. The light snores of Baz culd be heard from the other bed. Prinplup was sat up in the corner asleep with Budew leaning up against it. Zubat had taken up to sleeping in the closet. Colin looked at his Poketch. It was 2:46 in the morning. He twisted himself over in his bed to look at the nightstand. On his flatcap, rested a Pokeball. Croagunk's Pokeball. Croagunk hadn't been out of its Pokeball since the fight with Glaceon. It had been a day or two since the fight had gone down. Colin sighed and tried to go back to a dreamless sleep.
Colin wouldn't wake until 2 that afternoon. He propped himself up on one arm and looked around the room. Baz and his Pokemon had gone and the room felt empty, even though Croagunk's Pokeball and Luxio were still in the room. He must be training up for the gym battle, Colin thought as he sat up. Luxio looked up at Colin from the floor below. The electric type was concerned for him. Colin got dressed and picked up his flatcap. He and Luxio were about to head out when Colin stopped at the doorknob. Thinking for a second, Colin turned around and grabbed Croagunk's Pokeball as he left.
Baz was having a great time training with the nearby trainers. The route they were on was mountainous, with a river cutting the route into a V shape. Zubat was fighting (suprisingly) against an enemy trainer and her Pokemon that Baz identified as a Machop. "Zubat, go for Astonish!", Baz ordered. Zubat had gotten faster, practically a blur. This training session was for Zubat only. Zubat flicked around Machop's head for a bit then smacked the fighting type to the ground. Baz was about to tell Zubat to fall back when Zubat flew around Machop some more. What is Zubat doing now, Baz thought. Zubat had surprised him a lot today.
Zubat opened its wingspan as wide as it could and flew high into the air. Zubat's wings burst into a bright white light as it sped faster toward Machop. Machop's trainer barely had any time to react before Zubat wingslapped Machop back onto the ground. Machop fell forwards onto the ground, spiral eyed. "Machop!", the lass said as she ran forward. Zubat was back on Baz's shoulder as he started walking towards the trainer. "That was fun! Is you Machop ok?', Baz asked. "Yeah, he'll be fine. Your Zubat didn't use that move at all during the fight. Why?", said the lass picking up her Machop. "I didn't know it could do that before then.", said Baz, putting one arm behind his head.
As the lass walked away, Baz looked on his shoulder at Zubat. "I'm pretty sure that was Wing Attack, Zubat! Good job!", Baz said, congratulating the bat Pokemon. Zubat chirped with delight and flitted to Baz's other shoulder. "We'll take a break for now, ok?", asked Baz. Zubat was already scouting a place to nap. Baz chuckled to himself and let Budew and Prinplup out. Budew had gotten stronger by sparring against Prinplup. Prinplup was toughening up from all the hits Budew was dishing out, one stronger than the last.
Colin and Luxio stopped by the Pokemart and picked up some Potions. Always good to be stocked up, his mother had told him. He strolled through Eterna and looked to his belt, where Croagunk's Pokeball was. Luxio pushed itself across Colin's leg in reassurance. Colin smiled. There was fire in his eyes. Baz looked at his Poketch. It was 6:47. Sun's going down soon, he thought to himself. He was about to get up and leave when he saw a familiar flatcap over the horizon.
"Hey Colin. You want to train? Or sit?", Baz queried. Colin sat down and looked at Baz. "Or say anything? At all?", Baz continued. "I'm going to try to talk to Croagunk.", Colin said plainly. "You want me to go or?", Baz started. Colin didn't answer. He grabbed the Pokeball from his belt and threw it front of him. Out popped a familiar blue and black frog Pokemon. Croagunk was indifferent. Trainer and Pokemon looked at each other as the sun started to set. "Croagunk...", Colin said. Croagunk looked at him. Croagunk had a look of betrayal on it's face.
Croagunk got up and started to leave. "Croagunk, please. Don't.", Colin started. Croagunk looked back. "I did what I did back in the forest because I didn't want you to kill that Glaceon! How was I supposed to know you hated it?!", Colin yelled. Croagunk started running. Night had set in fast. It was pitch dark. Budew and Prinplup were near Baz. Zubat was nowhere to be seen. Luxio stayed in the group, lighting up a small patch around them. Croagunk let out a sharp cry.
"Croagunk! Luxio, come on.", Colin said sprinting forward. Luxio made a brighter circle around Colin as he ran towards the source of Croagunk's cry. The sound of rushing water was getting louder and louder. Croagunk had slipped and was now dangling off the edge over the water below. Colin caught sight of him. He was closing in. Colin had never run faster in his life. Baz and his Pokemon were now running over to check. Colin dove in to grab Croagunk. As his hand got close enough, Croagunk's hand slipped.
Colin looked at the place where the frog Pokemon had been and wept. Too late. As Colin got up to turn around to let Baz know, a purple and blue blur sped past Colin. Colin looked over the edge to see. He saw Croagunk being lifted to safety by...something. Colin squinted his eyes to get a better look. It was Baz's Zubat! Zubat dropped Croagunk into its trainer's arms. Colin held Croagunk close. Zubat flew into the sky, its shadow eclipsing the pale moonlight. This time, Zubat's entire body grew bright white. Baz got to Colin in time to see his Zubat evolve.
Zubat's form got bigger, its wingspan doubling in size. The body itself, grew and elongated. The light dissipated and a different Pokemon was there instead. Baz scanned his new Pokemon with his Pokedex. ~ Golbat, the Bat Pokémon and the evolved form of Zubat. Being nocturnal, Golbat fly at night in search of prey. ~ "Hey there, Golbat. I don't think you can sleep on my head anymore, but still nice to have you!", Baz said smiling. Golbat looked at Baz. It flew over and sat on Baz's shoulder, making Baz tilt to the side slightly. "Let's go sleep, huh? I think we could all use it.", Colin asked. "Yeah.", Baz said simply. Colin looked at his Poketch. Midnight, on the dot. Colin put Croagunk on his back. Golbat stayed on his shoulder. Luxio and Prinplup walked with them. They walked slow through the sleeping town so Budew could keep up too.