Hey! Sorry, this chapter's a bit low on excitement and battles, but hopefully it's a decent filler as Haruhi and Tamaki travel through the Ouran Region!

EDIT (11-13-16): Edited for format, grammar, word choice

Previously...

Haruhi and Tamaki finally figured out what was so crazy about the mysterious Orange City- It's football season, baby!

The duo fought through crowds and then wound up at the Orange City Gym run by none other than the Orange City football team!

After an intense battle, Tamaki claimed his second badge!

Great goin', Tama!

Route H: The Great Growlithe Grapple

It was halfway through the morning and Tamaki had already received too many painful insults from Haruhi to count.

"Senpai, you're an idiot."

"What idiot would believe that?"

"Ah, so you're just like him, huh, Senpai?"

Remarks much worse than those came from the brutal girl's mouth. On her end of the conversation, she was peeved at the blond fool of a trainer she was wandering the region with. He sang and danced instead of keeping straight on their path to the next gym. The duo was travelling south for Tamaki's next badge. Two gyms were in South Ouran, one an island and the other at the very edge of the region. The latter was where they were headed first.

Now, the two continued wandering along slowly through the empty meadows and roads.

"Haruhi, does the PokeNav say if there's a town anywhere out here?" Tamaki asked as he and his companion walked along.

Haruhi had been fiddling with the device all morning, hoping to speed up her salvation from Tamaki's bored and strange antics.

"Yes, Senpai. There's one close by."

Silently, Haruhi thanked her mother in heaven for this improvement.

"Haruhi! Do you think it will be like one of those quaint little villages from the old-style romances?"

Haruhi fought the urge to make fun of his being.

Getting him moving again would be way too much work.

"I don't know, Tamaki-senpai. Probably not." She mumbled.

"Oh, Haruhi? You know what I learned?"

"What?"

"If you sing, the journey goes faster!"

Haruhi buried her face in her hands. If she saw him, even glimpsed him, that would be the end of Tamaki Suoh.

"Please don't, Tamaki-senpai. I have a headache."

'From your incessant yammering.' She thought.

"A headache? Oh, Haruhi, I'm sorry!"

At last, the blond began to quiet down. Sure, his cheerful humming was irksome, but it was definitely an improvement from the Sound of Music.

After about ten minutes, Tamaki began to fidget again.

"Haruhi, Haruhi, look!"

The girl followed Tamaki's urgent pointing and saw what appeared to be buildings. She got out her PokeNav to confirm what she hoped to be true.

"Senpai, we're here. This is Trespass Village."

"T-Trespass Village?" Tamaki gulped, staring at Haruhi with wide, terrified eyes.

Haruhi checked the PokeNav once more.

"Yes, senpai. It seems to have gotten its name from being a yakuza base a long time ago."

"Y-y-yakuza?" Tamaki yelped.

Haruhi fought a groan, pocketed her device, and continued walking. Though Tamaki had been annoying earlier, she discovered that his petrified state was no better.

"Haruhi, wait!"

Tamaki ran after her as they drew nearer to the town.

"Antoinette, go!"

Haruhi looked over her shoulder to see Tamaki calling Antoinette out of her pokéball.

"Tamaki-senpai, why do you need Antoinette?"

"To protect me from the yakuza, of course!"

Haruhi's features were blank as she continued into the town.

"I don't know him…" She mumbled to herself.

As they continued walking, the town revealed itself to be quite small and meek. Houses with tiny yards lined the dirt road they trod upon while in the distance, a possible grove of trees poked up from the earth.

"Hey! Who are you?"

The duo stopped as a little boy ran into the road, pointing at them.

"I'm Tamaki and this is Haruhi. We're Pokemon trainers." Tamaki explained with a smile, apparently momentarily forgetting his fear of the yakuza.

The little boy studied them.

"I don't believe you; you don't look like trainers. Even if you were, I bet you couldn't beat my Pokemon."

The child smirked at them.

"We'll see about that! Antoinette, ready to battle?"

As the Growlithe barked happily, Haruhi noticed its ribbon.

"Tamaki-senpai, wait. Antoinette's ribbon is pretty dirty and singed. While she battles, I'll fix it."

'Though she really shouldn't be battling with it on when she can breathe fire…'

Tamaki smiled and untied Antoinette's pink ribbon.

"Good idea, Haruhi! We don't want it to get Antoinette into any trouble."

The trainer turned to the boy.

"Ready to battle?"

The child nodded, a smug expression still on his face.

"Alright, go! Shuppet!"

Squealing, Tamaki backed away.

"Tamaki-senpai, you're not supposed to run away from your opponent, or his Pokemon." Haruhi reminded him as she wiped off the ribbon.

Slowly, Tamaki nodded.

"R-right. Antoinette, go!"

The Growlithe jumped into the middle of the road, eying the floating ghost Pokemon.

"Shuppet, use shadow ball!"

"Antoinette, fire spin!"

Both Pokemon were thrown back by the attacks, neither giving in.

"Shuppet, use shadow ball again!"

"Dodge, Antoinette! Then use flamethrower!"

Antoinette quickly leapt out of the way and breathed fire at her opponent. The Shuppet flew back, staggering through the air moments later.

"Alright! We're almost there, Antoinette! Hit him with another fire spin!"

"Oh no you don't! Shuppet, quick, use confuse ray!"

A beam of light quickly shot around Antoinette, who stopped her preparations for a fire spin to look around, confused.

"Antoinette! No! Listen, try using fire spin! You can do it!" Encouraged Tamaki.

Instead, Antoinette walked a few steps over and curled up in a ball, sleeping.

"What? No, Antoinette! Pay attention!"

The boy smirked.

"Does this mean you give up, or…?"

Tamaki's expression was serious as he eyed Antoinette.

"Antoinette, snap out of it!"

"Shuppet, use-"

"The hell's going on over here...!"

A loud, drawling voice caught the trio's attention.

Down the road, behind the boy, two men clad in dark blue police uniforms appeared with snarls and glares.

"Illegal battles this early?"

"This isn't illegal, sir-" Protested Tamaki.

" 'S that kid a certified Pokemon trainer?" Asked the same, long haired officer.

"Well…"

Tamaki's eyes landed upon the boy, who was frozen, staring at the officers.

"Well, kid? Are ya or aren't 'cha?" The first officer goaded.

Quickly, the little boy shook his head.

"See? He ain't one! This is an illegal battle!"

"Illegal by whose standards?" Mumbled Haruhi as she watched.

"Mine!" Declared the officer, staring right at Haruhi who flinched in surprise that he heard her remark. "I'm Officer Kenichi, this is my partner Shigeo!" He announced, pointing at the second officer. "We work in Trespass Village to preserve the peace! One of our laws here is that no one who is not an official Pokemon trainer, certified by a trainer's school or lab, may not battle!"

Tamaki's gaze fell to the boy, who had since returned his Shuppet.

"You knew about this law yet you challenged me to a battle?"

The boy's face grew red.

"I didn't challenge him! He challenged me!"

"Even if Tamaki challenged you, you still accepted despite knowing the law." Remarked Haruhi.

"That's right!" Declared Officer Kenichi. "Since these two are visitors to our village, I'll show 'em a little mercy and let 'em go. Whaddaya think, Shigeo?"

The other man nodded.

"Yeah. Sounds good. Just don't do it again." He darkly warned, earning nods from the travelers.

"Alright, kid, so which house is yours, huh? Your mom's gonna have a real time with ya."

With that, the two officers dragged the protesting boy away, disappearing.

"I'm pretty sure that was illegal." Haruhi said as Tamaki sighed.

"Well, that was a little dramatic."

The girl with him glared.

'Everything about you is dramatic, Senpai.' She thought.

"Oh, well. I'm glad justice was administered, though they were very unique officers." Tamaki pointed out.

Haruhi agreed. She personally thought they looked and acted like punks or criminals more than those they punished did.

"Alright, Antoinette, let's get going." Tamaki looked around. "Antoinette?"

Haruhi scanned the area as well.

Antoinette was gone.

"You don't think those two were working for Team Zuka, do you, Haruhi?" Babbled an anxious Tamaki as he frantically sped down the street.

Haruhi, with shorter legs, huffed and puffed as she struggled to keep up.

"I don't think so, Tamaki-senpai. They seemed pretty manly to me."

"Are you sure? Team Zuka does have pretty good costumes after all!"

Tears filled Tamaki's eyes as he inspected bushes, yards, and alleys for his beloved Antoinette. Haruhi clutched the pink ribbon she had cleaned during the battle, searching high and low for the Growlithe.

"I'm sure, Senpai. I think Antoinette just wandered off in her confusion. Sooner or later she'll snap out of it."

Tamaki whimpered.

"Antoinette has always been weak to confusion. She stays that way forever…"

"Has she ever wandered off before?" Haruhi asked as she peeked beneath a bench.

Tamaki shook his head.

"No... She always knows who I am too…"

Haruhi bit her lip as she scanned the road.

Nothing.

"Let's try this side, Senpai. See? This sign says there's a park over here. I'm sure Antoinette was tired and would have liked a nice place to nap, don't you think?"

Tamaki eagerly nodded and the two hurried off.

"How long have you had Antoinette for, Senpai?" Haruhi asked as she sifted through bushes in the park.

Trespass Village was small, but its park was spacious and lush. There were, unfortunately for the duo, plenty of shaded, hidden places for Antoinette to hide.

"Ever since I came to this region. When I arrived at Suoh Mansion Two, I was given Antoinette as a gift from my father. He told me that Antoinette's twin was with my mother. Antoinette… She was so small and weak then…"

Tamaki smiled as he reminisced.

As Haruhi looked under a few hedges, she recalled how she had thought Antoinette was close to evolving. Now, she was sure that with a fire stone, Antoinette would cease being a Growlithe and be able to evolve into an Arcanine.

"She's strong. I'm sure she's alright, Senpai." The logical girl reassured.

Tamaki nodded.

"Yes."

"Growlithe!"

"What?"

Snapping towards the sound, the duo saw a bush rustling. Moments later, a Growlithe emerged.

"Antoinette!"

Tears in his eyes, Tamaki dashed toward the Pokemon, scooping it up in his arms.

"Oh, Antoinette! I missed you! Why were you hiding from us?"

Haruhi sighed and smiled, relieved.

"I'm glad you found her, Senpai." She said as she approached the joyful trainer.

Her expression faltered as she watched the Growlithe lick Tamaki's tears away.

"Haha! That tickles, Antoinette!"

"Tamaki-senpai, is it just me or does Antoinette look a bit more ragged than usual?"

Tamaki continued laughing as he cuddled the Pokemon.

"Maybe, but she was lost for a while, Haruhi. And now she is found!"

Haruhi huffed, continuing to inspect the Pokemon in Tamaki's arms.

"Anyways, Haruhi. Let's find out if there are any other towns within a day's walk from here. We should restock on food, too, since we're running a bit low…"

Haruhi nodded.

Fortunately, when it came to a dearth of things, Tamaki had a keen eye.

"Should we restock and then check if there are any other towns?"

Tamaki thought about this and then shook his head.

"No, it'd be best to check if there are any other towns nearby. Hopefully ones that haven't been overrun by the yakuza…" He added nervously.

Groaning, Haruhi started off without him.

"You know, Haruhi, the more I think about it, the more those police officers seemed like yakuza!"

Sighing, Haruhi continued strolling down the street, looking for locals.

"I mean, they had piercings, mean attitudes, and were pretty young for officers, don't you think?"

"That doesn't mean they're with the yakuza, Senpai."

"They could be!"

"Whatever you say, Senpai."

Haruhi noticed a woman leaving a store and headed her way.

"And, Haruhi! We've barely seen anyone! They're cowered in their houses out of fear!"

"Excuse me, ma'am, could you tell us if there are any towns nearby?"

The woman nodded as Tamaki clutched Antoinette for safety. The Pokemon stared at him.

"Yes, there are a few villages and towns scattered along the way, but the biggest city is Tropic on the south-eastern peninsula. That's where the Cosmic Gym is."

"Cosmic Gym?" Asked Tamaki.

"Yes. That's a League gym, but the name changes quite often… Anyways, it's supposed to be a Normal type gym but... Well, that changes too."

"Thank you, ma'am. How far away is the nearest town?"

The woman put a finger to her chin.

"Hm, I think the nearest to the east is Usaland, which contains the Safari Zone. That's the biggest. The next town over barely has anything in it, so it's not worth stopping in. I don't think there's even an inn or anything…"

Haruhi nodded.

"Thank you. Are there any inns nearby?"

After getting the information from the woman, Haruhi and Tamaki thanked her and left.

"Alright, so there's a hotel near the park?"

Haruhi nodded.

"Yep. It's a small place, but we'll only be there for the night. It'll be nice to stay in a real bed for once."

Tamaki nodded.

"I can wash Antoinette, too!"

Haruhi hesitantly agreed, still scrutinizing the Growlithe trotting alongside Tamaki loyally.

It didn't dance about, yelp, or jump on its owner. When Tamaki held it, the Pokemon gave him a few reassuring licks, but its eyes were blank.

"Tamaki-senpai, I really don't think that Growlithe is Antoinette."

Tamaki looked down at his Growlithe.

"Why would you say that, Haruhi? Look how happy she is. If she wasn't mine, wouldn't she leave?"

"Mm, I don't know, Senpai. Maybe it senses that you miss Antoinette and wants to comfort you. Either way, I think we should check with the police to see if they've found another Growlithe."

Tamaki picked Growlithe up, still reluctant.

"I know this Growlithe looks a bit different but... I know!"

Tamaki's face brightened.

"Try putting her ribbon back on her! She loves that ribbon!"

Haruhi nodded and began tying the ribbon onto Antoinette.

After it was in a bow, the Pokemon nibbled on the edge and whimpered.

Gasping, Tamaki gawked at the orange Pokemon he held.

"Haruhiiiii!"

Tears flooding down his cheeks, he turned to his companion.

"This Growlithe isn't mine!"

Haruhi sighed.

"I know, Senpai. C'mon, let's find the police."

Taking Tamaki by the wrist, she dragged him down the street and followed the signs for the police department.

Fortunately, the police department was next to the park and near the hotel they would be staying at. Upon entering, they recognized Officers Shigeo and Kenichi at the front desk.

Tamaki gasped and pointed at an orange Pokemon sitting on the counter.

"Antoinette!"

"What?" Officer Kenichi glared at Tamaki, whether he meant to or not.

Tamaki squeaked.

"I-I believe that Growlithe is mine!"

The two officers stared at the Growlithe sitting beside them.

"This Growlithe belongs to the department. She regularly patrols the town for danger."

Haruhi walked up to inspect the Pokemon.

Its fur was glossy and fluffy, its eyes shining.

"If it was patrolling, wouldn't its fur get dirty?" She asked. Officer Shigeo, nearest to the Pokemon, tucked a lock of hair behind his pierced ears and leaned down to stare at the Pokemon's fur.

"I guess, but Kenichi just bathed her."

"Ah, no, I forgot." Admitted the spiky haired officer.

Shigeo's face deadpanned and he turned to face the Growlithe Tamaki held.

"Spike, is that you?"

The Growlithe obediently barked.

"See, it is your Pokemon!"

"You named a girl police Growlithe 'Spike?'" Asked Haruhi.

"Got a problem with that?" Growled Kenichi, leaning over the desk to glare at Haruhi.

"Ah…no…"

"I wanted to name her Fluffy, but Shigeo wanted a more intimidating name!"

"Hey, don't look at me! I would have named her Prison!"

"Prison?"

Haruhi stared at the officers.

"Yeah, 'cuz if she catches you, that's where you're goin'!"

"I don't think you have the right intentions in your job…"

Shigeo turned, his hair dramatically swishing.

"Hmph! Just because you stole our Growlithe doesn't mean you can judge us!"

"Hey, we didn't steal your Growlithe! We found it and it came with us! In fact, you guys stole our Growlithe!"

"We're the police, we can't steal." Noted Kenichi, arms crossed.

"Here, let's go settle this with a Pokemon battle or something…" Said Haruhi, heading toward the door, sick of the officers' idiocy.

"Just give us our Growlithe." Snapped Kenichi, hopping over the counter to swipe Spike out of Tamaki's arms and place Antoinette in them.

"Antoinette!"

"Yeah, yeah, just get out of here." Shigeo added.

"Thank you so much for-"

"Leave!" Barked Kenichi, effectively pushing the duo out the doors. "And stay ou-"

"Hahahahaha! Look what we have here, ladies!"

"The hell is that?" Demanded Kenichi, looking around.

"Uh-oh… I know that voice…" Lamented Haruhi.

Tamaki paled.

"Officer! It's Team Zuka! Arrest them!"

Kenichi raised an eyebrow.

"Team Zuka? Isn't that a gang made up of-"

"Thanks for the Pokemon, bye!" Called Chizuru from their hot air balloon.

Kenichi's attention snapped to his arms.

"The hell! They stole Spike!"

"And Antoinette's gone too!"

"For once, I'm here." Noticed Haruhi, peeking out of the doorway she had taken refuge in.

"Get back here! That's police property!"

"What's going on out here, Kenichi?"

"They stole our Growlithe!"

"What?"

The four watched as Team Zuka floated away.

"Is anyone going to stop them?" Asked Haruhi.

"Right! Go, Politoed! Use bubblebeam to knock that balloon out of the sky!"

"Go! Pichu!"

"Go, Skitty!"

The adorable Pokemon popped out of their pokéballs.

Haruhi looked at them and then their trainers.

"You're actually really nice guys, aren't you?"

"Of course we are!"

"Sh-shut up!"

"Pichu, use thunder!"

"Skitty, use hyper beam!"

"Wait, what?"

Haruhi quickly dodged back into the doorway as Team Zuka's screams filled the air, their balloon hit by attacks which caused it to explode.

The two Growlithes jumped out of the burning basket and were caught by their trainers.

"Antoinette!"

"Spike!"

Tamaki and Shigeo happily held their Pokemon, the smell of burning plastic being ignored.

"Aw! Lady Benibara, my hair is ruined!" Screeched Chizuru, holding a limp, scorched tendril of what used to be light brown hair.

"I'll never live this down!" Cried Hinako, her hair puffed into an afro.

"We didn't even rescue those innocent Growlithes from their evil male captors! We have failed!" The trio cried as they flew further off into the distance, lamenting over their looks and failed plans as usual.

Next time...

Our heroes leave Trespass Village and wind up in Usaland! There they run into a familiar face or two, as well as the usual drama that occurs around them.

That's all for now! Sorry for the filler and the wait!

The officers are based off the two nameless Class D students Renge recruited in OHSHC chapter three or so to be bad guys. I liked them a lot and finally got to use them! Too bad they weren't seen again in the series…

Anyways, with Antoinette back in Tamaki's possession, the gang continues toward the Cosmic Gym, where Tamaki's next badge awaits!

And no, I don't know why neither the police nor Spike decided not to pursue Team Zuka or rescue them from a burning balloon. No clue.

Thanks for reading and see you next time!

:::Pokédex Entries:::

Pichu: The Tiny Mouse Pokemon. It is still inept at retaining electricity. When it is startled, it discharges power accidentally. It gets better at holding power as it grows older (Emerald).

Skitty: The Kitten Pokemon. A Skitty's adorably cute behavior makes it highly popular. In battle, it makes its tail puff out. It threatens foes with a sharp growl (Emerald).