Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.
Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai
Chapter thirteen: Collecting Cringe
After Dawn had a chance to rest her Pokémon at the Pastoria City Pokémon Center, she met back up with Kenny, who said he'd have to wait until six that evening to challenge Crasher Wake for the Fen Badge. In the meantime, Kenny worked with his Pokémon that he was planning to use in the battle later that evening, with Dawn taking the opportunity to work with the Yanma, Croagunk, and Skorupi she caught in the Great Marsh.
Yanma, Skorupi, and Croagunk, who Dawn had named Minato, Scorpion (he's male), and Froppy (she's female) respectively, were made to spar with some of Dawn's more experienced Pokémon. Dawn had Coupins work with Minato and Scorpion, while Froppy sparred with Chi-Chi; Dawn reasoned that Minato and Scorpion, both bug Pokémon, would learn a thing or two from Coupins who is a more experienced bug Pokémon, while the same applied to Froppy learning from Chi-Chi except replace bug with fighting.
...
By close to the time Kenny could have his battle with Crasher Wake, he met back up with Dawn. "Well Roshi, Zarbon, and Moista Fista are as ready as they'll ever be," Kenny said, "How about you?"
"My new Pokémon aren't quite at the same level as everyone else, but they are getting there," Dawn replied, "And a few moments ago before I had met back up with you, Minato demonstrated that she had learned Ancient Power, which is the move Yanma needs to know because knowing Ancient Power lets Yanma evolve into Yanmega."
Kenny nodded in understanding before looking to his friend and asking, "Well, are you ready to come watch me cringe it up over at the Pastoria City gym?"
"So... long as you don't do any actual cringing," Dawn said dryly as she proceeded to follow Kenny over to the Pastoria City gym to battle Crasher Wake in his bid to try to earn the Fen Badge.
Kenny ultimately won against Crasher Wake, but he did take some hits in the process. Crasher Wake sent Gyarados out first, to which Kenny replied by sending out Moista Fista. Kenny figured that Gyarados's Intimidate ability would be a hindrance, so he had Moista Fista sponge it before recalling him to send Zarbon out, who took a Bite from Gyarados for his troubles. It didn't do all that much to Zarbon, though.
The named Machamp responded with Stone Edge, striking Gyarados right between the eyes and scoring a critical hit that knocked it out. Crasher Wake recalled Gyarados and sent Quagsire out, to which Kenny recalled Zarbon and sent out Roshi, figuring that the grass type Torterra would have it in the bag against the water ground type Quagsire, also Kenny had a beef with Quagsires ever since that one incident at the Great Marsh.
Roshi... almost went down to Quagsire, actually. Roshi took an Ice Beam from Quagsire that almost knocked him out, scaring Kenny a bit, but luckily Roshi was able to power through it an retaliate with a Mega Drain that not only knocked Quagsire out but also healed Roshi a fair deal. Still, Kenny didn't want to take any chances with Crasher Wake's Floatzel who he knew had Ice Fang, so he swapped Roshi out and sent Moista Fista back in.
Moista Fista rushed in and slugged Floatzel with Strength, but after that Floatzel got swol using Bulk Up. At Kenny's command, Moista Fista used Crunch on Floatzel, hitting it in the area between its right shoulder and the right side of its neck. Floatzel was able to use Ice Fang before that, but the Crunch from Moista Fista must have been a critical hit, because Floatzel ended up going down, giving Kenny the win and his fourth Sinnoh gym badge.
...
"Well of course an Ice Beam would really cripple a dual grass ground type like your Torterra," Dawn said to Kenny at the Pokémon Center as his and Crasher Wake's Pokémon were being treated, "So it's lucky Roshi didn't go down in one hit before he could attack." Dawn arched a wry eyebrow. "Hey, what's Roshi's nature?"
Looking confused, Kenny said, "Why do you ask?"
"Because a Pokémon's nature has a lot to do with how its stats grow," Dawn explained, "Natures bolster the growth of one stat and impede the growth of another, unless it's one of the neutral natures." Kenny looked like he was learning good info as the Nurse Joy came over to inform him that his Pokémon were fully rested.
Getting his Pokémon back, he checked Roshi's pokéball with his pokédex. "...Huh, that makes way too much sense for him."
"What?" Dawn asked, looking curious.
Holding up Roshi's pokéball, Kenny said, "Roshi has a naughty nature." Dawn had to snort back a laugh at how funny it was; aside from explaining why Quagsire's Ice Beam did as much as it did to Roshi as the naughty nature inhibits the growth of special defense, Dawn had to agree that Roshi the Torterra having a naughty nature made way too much sense. Curious, Kenny decided to check his other Pokémon, and saw that Zarbon also has a naughty nature. That made Dawn laugh out loud a bit, as it also made way too much sense.
Putting away the pokéballs that held his Pokémon, Kenny said, "Of course, neither of them are the 'get coal for Christmas' kind of naughty." Dawn nodded in agreement with Kenny. Given the late time, Dawn suggested crashing at the Pokémon Center for the night, but Kenny said that he wanted to try camping out on Route 212. "It's been a while since we camped," Kenny reasoned, "And also it can help build affection with our Pokémon."
The reborn trainer conceded the point to Kenny and agreed to go with him along Route 212. Dawn secretly had an itch to get going to the next gym, which ought to be the one over in Hearthome City. With Kenny leading the way, the two reborn trainers took off from Pastoria City, springs in their steps as they continued their way on their journey.
The following morning after they woke up at their camp site on Route 212, Dawn and Kenny packed their stuff up and took off, making their way through the portion west of Pastoria City before turning to go up the portion south of Hearthome City. After an hour of walking, Dawn and Kenny saw the Pokémon Mansion up ahead. "Well hot damn!" Kenny cheered, "There's the Pokémon Mansion!" He turned to face Dawn and said, "So you're sure wild Pikachu can be found there?"
"They could in the games from our previous life," Dawn replied as she led the way to the Pokémon Mansion, wondering why Kenny wanted to apparently capture a Pikachu.
...
Speaking of wanting to capture a Pikachu, Dawn and Kenny ran into Sho at the Pokémon Mansion. He seemed a bit under the weather when they encountered him, but he also looked like he was starting to get over it. "...Yeah, I got caught in the rain on the way here," Sho explained, "And due to that I caught a cold by the time I arrived here. Thankfully, that Mr. Backlot guy is a chill dude who let me recover here. He's also chill with the idea of trainers catching the wild Pokémon that show up in his Trophy Garden in the back. He just asks that you don't harass any of the Pokémon he personally cares for."
"Will you be fine, Sho?" Dawn asked.
Standing up from the chair he was sitting in, Sho replied, "I'm good enough to go out into the Trophy Garden to see if a wild Pikachu will show up like you mentioned."
Dawn looked a bit unsure, so she replied, "Alright, but don't push yourself." Sho nodded in thanks for the courtesy before proceeding to follow Dawn and Kenny out into the Trophy Garden.
Out in the Trophy Garden, Dawn, Kenny, and Sho looked around, seeing a few wild Pokémon here and there, but nothing that got the trainers' attention. Sho walked over to a bench and sat down, letting out a tired breath. "Hoo boy, you think there's a way to up the odds I'll get a wild Pikachu to come over so I can battle and catch it?"
"If you lead your party with a Pokémon that has the Static ability, it'll raise the rate you encounter wild electric Pokémon," Dawn explained, "And are you sure you're fine?"
Holding up a hand to cut off arguments, Sho replied, "I just haven't had a coffee yet today." Sho pulled out a glass bottle of iced coffee and opened it while saying, "This'll perk me right back u-"
Sho and the reborn trainers stopped when some nearby bushes rustled. The three of them took pause as they saw the bush rustle, then after a few moments, a wild Pikachu came bounding out of the bush. The dent on the flat edge of its tail made it clear it is a female Pikachu. "Well alright! It's a Pikachu right out the gate!" Sho cheered, holding his bottle of iced coffee up in a toast.
Seeing the iced coffee and knowing it was some manner of drink, the wild Pikachu bounded over to Sho, hopped onto the bench, crawled into his lap, then tried reaching for the iced coffee. Seeing this made Dawn and Kenny laugh a bit. "I think she's interested in your iced coffee, Sho," Dawn said as the female Pikachu stretched her neck to try reaching for the iced coffee. Curious, Sho lowered the iced coffee so that it was within easy reach of Pikachu.
She eagerly went to the iced coffee and lapped up some through the mouth of the bottle. After taking a few laps, Pikachu backed up, then hopped off of Sho's lap and landed on the ground before running around in circles really fast before running headfirst into a large potted plant, stumbling backwards and falling over knocked out. Acting quickly, Sho took a pokéball out and threw it at the wild Pikachu, successful capturing her.
"Well alright, I finally caught a Pikachu," Sho cheered, then with a mildly unsure look added, "But I think I'll revoke her coffee privileges."
"Indeed," Kenny replied, "Now I just need to find a Pikachu for myself."
...
Sho went back into the Pokémon Mansion to rest, so Dawn and Kenny continued the hunt for Kenny's Pikachu on their own. As the two reborn trainers wandered, they stopped short when a wild Porygon came floating over quickly to them, moved to hide behind the trainers. "Dude, it's a wild Porygon," Kenny whispered to Dawn, "I thought that they couldn't be shown."
"This is real life for us now, and that incident was actually Ash's Pikachu's fault," Dawn whispered back. Looking to the Porygon, Dawn said a bit louder, "Although I wonder why Porygon here came on over to us so quickly, because something obviously has it scar-" Dawn stopped short when she and Kenny both heard some rustling in the bushes ahead. Looking forward, Dawn and Kenny assumed the worst, called out Germany and Cell respectively as they got ready for whatever may come their way.
To their surprise, it was a Jigglypuff that came wandering out of the bushes.
"...A Jigglypuff?" Dawn said, then turned to look at the Porygon cowering behind her and asked, "You're actually frightened of this-"
"JIGGLYPUFF!" the Jigglypuff cried out angrily while spotting and pointing at the Porygon. To the surprise of Dawn and especially Kenny, the wild Jigglypuff sounded like a distinguished dark skinned gentleman from the Detroit projects. Porygon gave a panicked cry as it continued to hide behind the reborn trainers.
As Dawn looked at the Jigglypuff in utter bafflement, Kenny stepped forward and declared, "This Jigglypuff shall be mine." Pointing forward, Kenny said, "Cell, use False Swipe on Jigglypuff!" Cell rushed in and used False Swipe on Jigglypuff, hitting it hard with a restrained attack that brought the Jigglypuff to the edge. The Jigglypuff used Covet, which not only didn't do much as Cell is part steel type, but Cell wasn't holding anything.
As Jigglypuff stumbled backwards out of exhaustion, Kenny took a pokéball out and threw it at the Jigglypuff. It went into the pokéball, which then fell to the ground and shook for a bit before making a ping sound, indicating capture. "Woot! I caught a Jigglypuff!" Kenny cheered as he went over to grab the pokéball that held his new Jigglypuff. He scanned the pokéball holding Jigglypuff with his pokédex to check its info out. "Cool, it's another dude joining the posse!" Looking at the pokéball, Kenny said, "I shall name him Wigglytuff."
"You're... naming your Jigglypuff..." Dawn said, having a little trouble comprehending Kenny's thought process at the moment, "...Wigglytuff."
"It's a name that represents his destiny," Kenny explained as he sent the pokéball holding Moista Fista to storage so he could put Wigglytuff the Jigglypuff in his party. Looking down at the Porygon that was now looking up at Dawn, Kenny said, "And I think this one here wants to go with you, my dude." To Dawn's surprise, the wild Porygon was nuzzling up to Dawn and making it clear it wanted to go with her.
Taking the chance, Dawn took out a pokéball and used it on the wild Porygon. It went into the pokéball which fell to the ground. The pokéball shook for a little bit before making a ping sound, indicating capture. Picking up the pokéball that held her new Pokémon, Dawn scanned it with her pokédex; genderless, had the quirky nature, and its ability was Trace. "That eventually becomes Adaptability when it reaches its final evolution of Porygon-Z," Dawn commented. Looking at the pokéball that held her new Porygon, Dawn said, "I'm naming you Rapparatta."
...
Dawn and Kenny, with Germany and Cell walking with them, were making their way back to the Pokémon Mansion in order to check up on Sho. "Do you have a Moon Stone you could spare me, Dawn?" Kenny asked, "Because I know that it's what is used to evolve Jigglypuff into Wigglytuff, and NOT a baseball bat."
Nodding a few times in the affirmative, Dawn said, "Yeah, I have a few. Just let me-"
Dawn was cut off when another wild Pikachu, this one male because the end of his tail had no dent, came walking out in their path. "Pi, Pi-Pikachu," the wild Pikachu began, sounding like he had a smooth and sexy Latino accent, "Pi Pika-Pikachu, Pi-Pi-Pi Pikachu." He then gave a smooth and relaxed confident expression as he wiggled his eyebrows, as if trying to entice Dawn and Kenny into... something.
Spotting the Pikachu, Kenny went wide eyed with surprise as he said, "Coming here must have been destiny, because it's where I caught two members of my cringe posse!" Pointing at the Pikachu, Kenny said, "Cell, use False Swipe on Pikachu!" Cell rushed forward and swiped at the Pikachu with a restrained attack, pushing Pikachu to the edge but triggering Pikachu's Static ability, resulting in Cell getting paralyzed.
Pikachu then retaliated with Disarming Voice, surprising Dawn as that's an egg move for Pikachu, and painfully surprising Cell because, despite how it wasn't very effective, it still hit Cell right on the abdomen, making him cover his abdomen with his metal pincer claws as quickly as his paralysis would let him. As Cell fell over onto the ground, Kenny took the chance to throw a pokéball at the weakened Pikachu.
The pokéball took Pikachu inside, then fell to the ground where it shook for a bit before making a ping sound, indicating capture. "Swee-hee-hee-hee-heet!" Kenny cheered, "I caught the Latino Pikachu!" After checking Pikachu's data with his pokédex, Kenny said, "Well alright, it's another dude joining the cringe posse, but I could tell that much by looking at his tail."
"Let me guess," Dawn said dryly, able to predict where this was leading, "You're nam-"
"I shall name him Juan," Kenny declared, "Now I need to find someone who can make Juan his luchador outfit, and he'll be complete." With Dawn wondering what things will end up like if Kenny causes the Pika-Libre outfit to appear early, she and Kenny made their way back into the Pokémon Mansion, content with their new catches.
While treating their Pokémon inside, they were met up by Sho. "So what were you guys up to in the Trophy Garden?" Sho asked.
Gesturing to where Rapparatta was eating with her other Pokémon, Dawn said, "I found and caught a Porygon."
"And these two new dudes will be chilling with me moving forward," Kenny said as he gestured to where his new Pokémon sat. Gesturing to Juan and then Wigglytuff in that order, Kenny said, "Their names are Juan and Wigglytuff."
Looking at what's clearly a Jigglypuff, Sho with a confused expression said while pointing at it, "That's clearly a Jigglypuff."
Kenny sighed a bit in exasperation. "I know he's a Jigglypuff. I named him Wigglytuff."
Seeing that Sho was having trouble comprehending the enigma that is Kenny, Dawn gently shook her head. "You can forget about trying to figure out how he thinks, Sho."
Shrugging, Kenny said in a casual manner, "Sometimes even I can't figure that out." The group decided on resting at the Pokémon Mansion for the rest of the day, with Dawn and Kenny taking the opportunity to rest and work with their new Pokémon. During that process, Sho ended up fully recovering thanks to some Secret Medicine that he was given; Mr. Backlot, worried that Dawn and Kenny might eventually catch Sho's cold that he had, gave them one small pouch each as well.
Either way, Dawn was actually looking rather forward to evolving her newest catch, and she had both an Upgrade and a Dubious Disk among the items gifted to her. But that would have to wait until she and Kenny got to a place with a trading machine. Which meant the Pokémon Center over in Hearthome City.
The next day, after traveling for a bit, Dawn and Kenny reached Hearthome City. Right away Kenny made a beeline for the gym, but saw that it was still closed. Kenny was a bit disappointed, but Dawn remembered from the anime in their previous life that the gym would still be closed, meaning that they would have to handle a few other notes of business first. Either way, that meant more prep for the two reborn trainers.
While resting for a bit before heading on out, Dawn with Kenny's help was able to evolve Rapparatta all the way into Porygon-Z, using up the Upgrade and Dubious Disk items in the process. With nothing else keeping them in Hearthome City since the gym leader still hasn't come back yet, Dawn and Kenny took off for Celestic Town, meaning that they were going to have to pass through Solaceon Town again.
...
Making their way up to Route 210, Dawn and Kenny talked about how they were going to handle the Hearthome City gym battle when they could finally have their tries at Fantina. "Fantina's known to spam sleep-inducing moves from the anime," Dawn said to Kenny, "So we ought to be ready for that if she is the same here."
Kenny nodded in agreement. "Using items on Pokémon isn't as convenient here as it was in the games, so maybe have our Pokémon hold items that could help?"
"The only ones coming to mind for me are the Chesto and Lum berries," Dawn remarked, "So we'll need to get some fresh ones before we're able to have our battles against Fantina for the Relic Badge." Kenny nodded in agreement with Dawn, and proceeded to follow her further up Route 210. However, the two reborn trainers saw a group of Psyduck blocking the path a bit up ahead.
"Hey, it's the Psyduck that prevents progress through Route 210," Kenny whispered, "Don't they need the Secret Medicine to heal and get out of the way? We still have some, so..."
Dawn nodded in agreement. "...Yes, but the anime had the group clear some Muk bothering a lake where the Psyduck live, or something like that. I'm not sure if we have to do that or use the Secret Medicine."
Kenny, with an amused smirk on his face, said as he walked forward, "I shall be an ambassador." Dawn watched in worry as Kenny got closer to the Psyduck, but then Kenny called out to them with an offer to help them. Dawn watched as Kenny offered to use his Secret Medicine on the Psyduck, saying it'll help clear their headaches. To Dawn's surprise, the Secret Medicine worked on one of the Psyduck, but only one because Kenny ran out of Secret Medicine.
"Yeah, I wasn't given much," Kenny said. Dawn came forward and, with the rest of her Secret Medicine, healed all of the remaining Psyduck. Once all of the Psyduck had been healed, they all took off.
Seeing the Psyduck go off into the distance, Dawn muttered, "...Huh. So this was a game thing."
"Oh yeah," Kenny remarked, "I got a knack for-"
"Oh, it's you two kids," a familiar female voice called out, making Dawn and Kenny turn to see Cynthia come walking over. Looking around, Cynthia said, "I was told that there were a group of Psyduck blocking the road here and they repelled all attempts to get rid of them, so I was asked to look into making them disperse by force."
Gesturing to himself and Dawn, Kenny said, "Oh, that was me and Dawn who got rid of the Psyduck. As it turned out, they were simply suffering from bad headaches, so we used some Secret Medicine that we had to cure them. Although to be honest I only cured one as I only had enough for that, so a lot of the credit goes to Dawn."
Cynthia smiled in amusement. "Ah, so a peaceful resolution. That's just as lovely, if not more so, than forcing the matter." Looking to the reborn trainers, Cynthia asked, "Which one of you was it who discovered that the Psyduck were simply needing to be healed?"
Holding up a hand, Kenny said, "Yo."
"Then can I trust you to deliver something to someone in Celestic Town for me?" Cynthia asked, "I'd go myself, but I have urgent business to handle." Kenny agreed, and Cynthia handed him an Old Charm. She also gave him a handwritten note with the address to take the Old Charm to. "Now you said you only healed one of the Psyduck, right?" Cynthia asked.
Kenny nodded in confirmation. "Yeah, I only had enough for one. Dawn healed the other three or so Psyduck, as she had more Secret Medicine."
Turning to face Dawn, Cynthia flashed a small smile as she said, "Then since you did a lot of the work to help resolve issues here, you ought to be rewarded in some way. Luckily, I have something that I was asked by the Pokémon Day Care in Solaceon Town to see off to a good trainer." To Dawn's surprise, Cynthia handed her a Pokémon egg. "The people running the Pokémon Day Care said it was found with a male Noctowl and a female Togetic," Cynthia remarked, "Not quite sure how they got a hold of this egg, though."
"Oh, I saw something about that on an after school special," Kenny said, "When two-"
"-Trainers thank the Sinnoh champ for her time before helping her by running an errand for her," Dawn said, quickly cutting Kenny off. Kenny was a bit bemused, but he relented and, after he and Dawn both nodded in thanks to Cynthia, they then took off for Celestic Town.
By the time they reached Celestic Town, Dawn and Kenny saw that it was getting very late, so they made their way to the Pokémon Center to rest for the night. In the room that they were provided, Dawn got the bottom bunk while Kenny took the top bunk. "Dude, you better not fart in your sleep," Dawn said firmly, "Because I remember how you can clear a room by doing that."
"My gas is way tamer ever since I woke up here, my dude," Kenny replied, "No need to worry." Kenny looked to where the egg Dawn got from Cynthia sat nestled on a pillow on a table in the room. "So when do you think the egg will hatch?"
"Given that we had to walk a realistic distance from where I got the egg from Cynthia to here," Dawn said, "I think we'll see the egg hatch soon. Anyway, good night, my good dude." Kenny nodded in response then laid properly on his bunk. Dawn, laying properly on hers, stared at where the egg sat, hoping it'll hatch soon.
...
Dawn was awoken at around five-fifteen in the morning by something poking her gently on the nose while making gentle cooing noises. Dawn slowly stirred, and opened one eye part way. When she did, she saw that a Togepi was what was poking her on the nose. Seeing the Togepi, Dawn sat up in bed, then looked to where the egg was sitting; was being past tense here because the egg was now gone. Putting two and two together, Dawn pointed at where the egg sat, getting Togepi's attention.
"Did..." Dawn began, "...Did you hatch from that egg?" The Togepi cooed happily as it hopped up and down, which Dawn took for a yes. Togepi then leapt up into Dawn's arms, where she held it a hug. "...Well now," Dawn said, "...This'll be an interesting thing to discuss at breakfast."
...
"Ah, so it hatched while we were asleep," Kenny said as he watched Dawn look over her new Togepi. Dawn scanned its pokéball with her pokédex, and saw it was male, had a bashful nature, and the Serene Grace ability. He also hatched knowing Extrasensory. Dawn also saw that the Togepi was listed as being a fairy type Pokémon; the Disarming Voice attack Juan has is also fairy, meaning that stuff from gen six is available apparently.
Looking over her Togepi's info, Dawn said, "Well Cynthia mentioned that the egg was found with a Noctowl dad and Togetic mom. That would explain Extrasensory." Turning to look at her Togepi, Dawn gave him a warm smile before she ruffled the top of his head, making him coo happily in the process.
Looking at his friend's Togepi, Kenny asked, "So what are you going to name him? It won't be something cutesy like Precious or Sweet-pea or-"
"I'm naming him Nobunaga," Dawn replied.
Kenny stopped short, a bit of a mildly confused look of surprise on his face. "...Didn't he play a big role in the Sengoku period?"
"A big main role, yes," Dawn replied. Seeing the look on Kenny's face, Dawn said, "What? Is there something wrong with me naming my Togepi Nobunaga?"
"Well at least it's not disgustingly cutesy," Kenny said, "But it seems a bit... odd to name your Togepi after a leading figure from one of the most violent periods of Japanese history."
"I knew someone who raised a Togekiss that they named Gypsy Danger," Dawn said dryly.
Kenny shrugged and went back to drawing something on a sketch pad. Seeing Kenny look to Juan every so often, Dawn guessed that Kenny was trying to draw Juan wearing the Pika-Libre outfit in the hopes of showing it to someone so could make the outfit for him to put on Juan. Dawn wasn't going to stop Kenny, preferring to let him have his fun. As for Dawn herself, she was happy to have Nobunaga in her rotation now.
END, CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Author's notes;
This chapter focused mainly on Dawn and Kenny getting some new Pokémon. Kenny especially so, as I had Juan and Wigglytuff in mind for his character for quite some time. I also made the issue with the Psyduck on Route 210 more in line with how it is in the video games, allowing Dawn and Kenny to clear that business without hassle. Anyway, the next chapter will focus on the events of the episodes where the Lustrous Orb shows up, although bits from the episode with Lila the stylist will show up first.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Cyrus (male Staraptor), Coupins (male Mothim), Germany (male Gabite), Rapparatta (Porygon-Z), Nobunaga (male Togepi)
Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Zarbon (male Machamp), Shallot (male Glaceon), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Wigglytuff (male Jigglypuff), Juan (male Pikachu)
Ash's Pokémon: Pikachu (male), Turtwig (male), Monferno (male), Staravia (male), Buizel (male), Buneary (female)