Chapter 3: Let's Rock

"AAAAAAHHH!" the Devon worker yelped. He was running from someone when he tripped, allowing him to get caught by a Poochyena with a red headband.

"You… you can't take those… those parts," he stuttered, "They're Devon property…"

"Shut up, Devon idiot," a man in a red outfit with a black M on the chest said. He stepped on the Devon worker's hand, kneeling down to meet his captive. He snatched up the briefcase the Devon worker was holding. "Team Magma thanks you for the parts."

"Not on MY watch!" a voice said. Jake ran into the scene, followed by Eren, Cami, Shenzi, Harrison, and Merp.

"Great. A witness," the Magma Grunt scoffed, "Poochyena, get them." His Poochyena jumped in front of Eren, who said, "Oh, a puppy. What are you gonna do? Growl? Tail Whip?"

"Poochyena, Howl!" the Magma Grunt ordered. His Poochyena let out a strong roar, raising its attack.

"Eren, Quick Attack!" Jake yelled. Eren quickly slapped the Poochyena with his tail, sending it stumbling back.

"Now, Tackle!" the Magma Grunt ordered. The Poochyena slammed into Eren, who flew into a tree.

"EREN!" Jake cried.

"I'm… I'm fine…" Eren said."

"Alright, Cami, let's-" Jake started.

"MEEEEERP!" Merp cried.

"What?"

"MEEEEERP! MERP!" Merp ordered.

"Do… do you want to battle?" Jake asked.

"Merp," Merp nodded.

"Merp, you're underleveled, I don't think-" Jake reasoned.

"MERP!" Merp yelled, jumping in front of the Poochyena.

"Just Tackle," the Magma Grunt ordered, weirded out by Merp's Merpiness. The Poochyena obeyed, slamming its body into Merp with all of his might. Merp flew back, unable to stand.

"MERP!" Jake cried. He ran up to Merp, scooping him up in his arms.

"My trainer," Merp said, "It was an honor to serve you, but I am now nearing my demise. However, I leave you a parting gift." Merp spat out a barb, which hit the Poochyena, poisoning it.

"Merp," Jake sniffled, wiping away a tear, "Thank you."

"You are welcome, my trainer," Merp said, slipping away, "But never forget the name of… Merp…"

Merp fainted.

"What just happened!?" Eren yelled.

"Merp's death shall not be in vain!" Jake said, standing, "Cami! Tackle!" Cami lightly tapped the Poochyena with her paw, sending it to the ground.

"Okay, just get away from me man!" the Magma Grunt cried, "Take the stupid parts!" He threw the briefcase into Jake's arms. "I'm out of here!" As he ran off, he spoke into an earpiece, "Grunt 52 to Magma Admin. Retrieval of the Devon parts has proven unsuccessful. Resort to Plan B."

"Magma?" Shenzi asked.

"Thank you, THANK YOU!" The Devon Worker cried, furiously shaking Jake's hand, "I don't know how to repay you. Oh, I know!" He reached into his coat and pulled out a strange device. "The EXP Share! It's a Devon product. You clip it to each of your Pokéballs, then every member of your team gets EXP from battles, even if they didn't participate!"

"Oh, wow!" Jake marveled, "Wait, why do you have that if you're not a trainer?"

"I try to sell it to trainers who pass by," the worker said, "You can have it for free, though!"

"OK, I'm always cool with free stuff," Jake said, taking the EXP Share.

EXP Share obtained!

After grinding in the forest, Jake walked out with his team, entering Rustboro City.

"FINALLY!" Jake said, "Guys, it's gym time. It's a Rock-type gym, so I'm going to use everyone of you and every one of your moves. And by everyone I mean just Eren, and by every move I mean just Mega Drain."

"Oh, hey Jake," said a voice. Jake turned around to see May standing there.

"Oh, hey, May," Jake said nervously, "So, ah, I see your Torchic's better."

"Oh, Chica's fine," May said, "She was barely bruised by your lizard-thing."

"Calm down, Eren," Jake said, restraining an obscenity-shouting Eren, "You do remember that he sent her THROUGH A WINDOW?"

"Whatever," May said, waving him off, "I'm going to Dewford for my next badge. I just beat Roxanne, you know. What took you so long to get here, anyway?"

"Well, I did have to help someone and stop a robbery," Jake said.

"As if," May taunted, "Well, see you at the League when I become Hoenn Champion." And with that, she left.

"That's it, we're fighting Roxanne RIGHT NOW," Jake steamed.

"Hold on," Cami said, "Are you sure? Maybe we should grind a bit more-"

"TOO MAD TO GRIND!" Jake roared, "TOO MAD TO FORM COMPLETE SENTENCES, TOO!"

"Let's go, then," Harrison said, so he could have at least one line in this entire story.

Walking into Rustboro's gym, a girl with a grey dress and a white undershirt with red bows in her hair stood at the end of the battlefield.

"Hello, challenger," she said, "My name is Roxanne, the Rustboro Gym Leader. Are you ready? You should know that even though I'm only the first, defeating me in battle is no easy-"

"JUST FIGHT ME ALREADY!" Jake interrupted.

"Fine," Roxanne said, "Go, Geodude!"

"Eren, let's go!" Jake yelled. Eren jumped into the battlefield, while Roxanne opened a Pokéball to reveal a rocky Pokémon with two arms.

"Eren, Mega Drain!" Jake ordered. Eren slammed his palms onto the ground, causing vines to wrap around Geodude, draining all of its HP.

"Okay," Roxanne said, bewildered, "But are you prepared for my ace? Go, Nosepass!" A stone Pokémon with a red nose entered the battle. "Alright, Nosepass, use-" She was cut off by Eren draining all of Nosepass's HP, as he did with Geodude. "Can't even let me get an attack in? Fine. Here's your stupid badge and your TM for Rock Tomb."

"YES!" Jake yelled.

Stone Badge obtained!

After leaving the gym, Jake didn't take two steps until the plot reared its head.