Nearly a month passed where training was exactly what the boy did. Taven still came to the gym frequently to learn but also found himself training with his pokemon in his free time down in the sewers, encouraged by Burgh's praise. Oftentimes he and his partners would look for wild pokemon that were willing to battle with them. However, after about the third week of doing so, Taven found the wild pokemon to be increasingly more on edge and skittish. While anyone could glean that the pokemon were likely afraid of some danger, Taven was able to learn more from them. It would seem something had moved into the sewers, and it lashed out at anything that got too close as it prowled around. Some pokemon even bore the wounds to prove this newcomer's aggression, Minor ones, but present nonetheless.
Concerned by this and unsure what to do, Taven did his best to advise the pokemon to stay safe and decided to talk to Burgh about the situation. The gym leader was surprised to hear the news and relayed that the humans of Castelia city had similarly been talking of some vicious sewer creature. Burgh had been hoping Taven's knowledge of the sewers and the pokemon therein would be able to quickly disprove such stories, though he took some solace in the fact Taven had not encountered this creature for himself.
Of course, as concerning as a dangerous pokemon in the area was, both of them also knew it was likely this "sewer creature" was likely either scared or in pain itself. For safety, both their own and the creature's, they decided to investigate together. By the accounts of humans and pokemon alike, and the fact that Taven had never encountered it, the two were able to guess the creature was, at current, sticking to the older tunnels on the north side of the city and set out.
After some time, they came across a few pokemon scurrying in the opposite direction, and even without Taven stopping one or two to confirm, they knew they were getting close. Barely sooner had they realized this that they heard an unfamiliar scuffling and hissing type noise around the next corner. Carefully, with Drench and Burgh's Leavanny by their sides, they made their way around the turn and found… a relatively small, light brown and black striped reptilian pokemon.
"Well, that's not what I expected," Burgh said with a slight tense chuckle, "Hard to believe a little Sandile caused all of the ruckus we've heard.."
"I mean, it does look like it could be what's been hurting the pokemon down here," Taven commented, "But that can't be what's got everyone so spooked, can it?"
At that moment the Sandile seemed to notice the group, fixing its dark eyes on them and letting out an open-jawed hiss. The four observers flinched at this, in spite of themselves, even as they noticed the creature itself take a step away from them. Shaking himself, Burgh nodded at this.
"Well, that just about explains it, the little one has Intimidate" He commented.
Taven looked at the gym leader quizzically but decided now wasn't quite the time and turned back towards the Sandile. His eyes scanned the pokemon, its posture, now very still, the earlier hiss being clear to him as the "don't come any closer" warnings of a pokemon in fight-or-flight mode. So, instead of approaching he slowly lowered himself to his knees where he stood and called out gently to the pokemon.
"Hey, hey, it's alright," he spoke softly as he did his best to appear non threatening, "we're not here to hurt you."
The Sandile snapped its jaws in response, another small hiss escaping its throat. Anyone could tell this was another warning, including Burgh who tensed slightly, but stayed still when Taven gave a slight gesture. Unlike the Gym leader, Taven could tell the pokemon had wavered slightly this time.
"No one here is going to hurt you," he said calmly, locking eyes with the Sandile, "I promise."
They sat there for a time, doing nothing more than looking at each other. Burgh, for a brief moment, could swear there was a slight tingle to the air akin to static. Suddenly, Sandile seemed to heave a sigh and seemed to go from tense to simply weary. Just like that the feeling in the air vanished as soon as it had come. Taven turned to Burgh with a slight smile.
"She's lost," the boy said, standing up, "and scared. I don't think she meant to cause trouble."
"No, I would imagine not," Burgh said, smiling gently, impressed by his young friend once again, "People and pokemon, both of us can do some irrational things when we're scared, confused, or even just lost."
Taven, who had slowly made his way over to and was now reassuringly stroking the Sandile, nodded slightly and looked back.
"I want to help," Taven said quietly, "I mean… that's what's best for everyone, isn't it? She winds up safe, and she won't hurt or scare anybody else."
"I was just about to suggest that myself," Burgh said with a chuckle, "Because I think I know where her home might be."
With that, once they found the nearest sewer exit, Burgh led the way through the streets towards the line of buildings against the large wall that lined the northernmost edge of Castelia City, through one of the travel Gates built into it, and out onto the arid Route 4. The Sandile, who until now had stuck close to Taven's side and seemed still hesitant at every step, suddenly looked elated, practically leaping into the warm sands of the route and burying herself slightly.
"There we go, all's well that ends well," Burgh said with a satisfied smile, then, seeing the almost mystified look on Taven's face added, "I take it you haven't been out here much, hm?"
"It's so.. different from the city," Taven commented, shielding his eyes slightly from the sun.
"Hm, that's the truth. Nobody quite knows why it's like this, considering the sea isn't all that far off, but it's been like this for as long as anyone I know can remember," Burgh said, half solemnly, then smiled, "But I think even this place has an artistic beauty, don't you?"
Taven looked out over the landscape, mostly barren sand and rock outcroppings, though there was a large flat structure on what looked like struts that ran across the expanse from east to west about midway through. Even with that, There wasn't much to look at, but at the same time, he couldn't quite deny Burgh's statement. He'd never seen a place quite so open before, the closest being when looking out over the sea from the docks in Castelia City, and even then there were ships of various sizes moving to and fro, and the waves bobbing and churning. Here there was nothing like that, at most some sand being kicked up by the wind. There was, undeniably, a sort of serenity to it. He nodded at Burgh, who chuckled slightly.
"Glad to know you agree. I think it's important to try and find beauty in things some people turn their noses up at," the Gym Leader mused openly, "Whether that's pokemon, places, or even other people."
"Makes helping out a lot easier, thinking like that." Taven responded, watching happily as his two partners wandered over to the Sandile. Burgh, for his part, smiled slightly looking at Taven himself.
"It sure does," he let out a small chuckle, then straightened, turning back towards the city, "Well, I suppose I'd best spread word that the 'sewer creature' has been handled. Feel free to stay out here a while, but don't stray too far from the gate, some nasty sandstorms can whip up out here."
Taven nodded and waved Burgh off, then moved over to rejoin his partners and their new friend. The four spent some time together, taking in the sights, exploring the nearby area, and simply relaxing in the sun. The peaceful mood was interrupted when, while resting and dozing by a large boulder, a crack suddenly formed in the stone and a sharp noise rang out from on top of it. There stood a bipedal reptilian pokemon with a round, yellowish head and large eyes. It glared at the group as it lept off the rock and turned to face them, cornering them against the stone with the sun at its back.
"Whoa! H-hey there," Taven said gently, swallowing his surprise and trying to look non threatening, "Is something wrong?"
The pokemon, in response, simply let out an agitated noise and pulled up what seemed to be a sack around it's lower body, but on second look seemed to be a part of the pokemon itself, some kind of loose skin. It narrowed its eyes at the group, scanning them over, seemingly waiting for something, and its eyes met those of Drench, who had been approaching carefully. The newcomer suddenly reared its upper body back before lurching forward again, attempting to deliver a headbutt. Luckily, Drench was able to block with his scalchop at the last second, though the impact stil sent the Oshawott backwards.
"Hey, hey! What the heck? Calm down!" Taven called out, only to be met with a snarl as the new pokemon locked its eyes on him, and approached the trainer.
Lumi moved to get in between the new pokemon and the trainer, but a simple glare stopped the nervous Liwick in her tracks. Once it was close enough, the new pokemon again reared itself back, narrowed its eyes and…
Chomp!
Taven and the new pokemon both froze and blinked in surprise. It seemed the Sandile, still somewhat irritated from being lost in the sewers and also wanting to protect her new friends, had gotten behind the aggressive pokemon and bitten down on its lagging tail. They sat there in silence for a second, nobody making a move. Taven could tell by how stretchy and thick the skin on the new pokemon's lower body was that the bite couldn't have hurt it, and he was trying to quickly think of how to take advantage of its confusion before it retaliated.
However, no such plan was needed. The new pokemon, once the situation suddenly set in, let out a piercing scream of what was clearly panic and started running in circles around the boulder in a frenzied attempt to get away. The Sandile, for her part, merely held her jaw shut, lazily gliding through the sand behind her "opponent". Taven and his pokemon stared dumbfoundedly as the events unfolded before them. The spectacle came to an end when, after a few laps around the boulder the new pokemon tripped over its own loose skin and tumbled into the sand, tears streaming from its eyes.
Taven blinked and after a second moved over to the two.
"Heh, well, thanks," he said, regarding the Sandile, "But I think you can let go now."
The Sandile, for her part, glanced at him and took a second before obliging, opening its jaws again and taking a step away. Taven nodded at her gently, then turned towards the new pokemon. In turn, the newcomer made a sudden fearful attempt to back away before clumsily falling back over and simply staying there.
"Hey, hey, take it easy," Taven said softly and moved away a little himself, careful not to meet the bipedal pokemon's eyes, just in case, "I just want to know what's going on, why did you attack us?"
The previously aggressive pokemon looked back and forth between Taven, his partners, and the close by Sandile for a moment. Suddenly tears welled more in its eyes and it let out a series of fast chirping, clicking noises. Taven had a little trouble keeping up as the pokemon blubbered but he was still able to piece things together.
Apparently, the herd-style group this pokemon came from had bullied and all but kicked it out for being a runt. It had been trying to become stronger, to either prove them wrong or make it on its own, by acting like others of kinds and attacking anything that came close. But this particular pokemon claimed to be both weak and terrified of being hurt, and as such, tried to get by on surprise and intimidation.
Taven thought that, from what he had seen, this pokemon clearly was fairly capable, not to mention physically powerful. Perhaps the issue wasn't one of strength but of confidence, and it would be easier to find that confidence with a proper home. Taven felt that feeling again of wanting to help, and glanced at his partners. The Litwick and Oshawott looked back and both nodded. Taven smiled gently and looked back towards the new pokemon, a female, he finally had the time to deduce.
"Here's an idea," he said gently, with a reassuring smile, "me and my friends here are working on getting stronger too. How about we work together? After all, life's easier if you have backup."
The pokemon looked at him, its tears slowing to a stop as a small smile spread across its face and ir nodded. Taven smiled, then suddenly blinked as the Sandile brushed its face against him.
"Hm? You want to come too, huh?" He questioned, "I kinda thought you'd want to stay here since we got you home and all."
The answer was a short, barely audible noise. Taven chuckled from what he could understand.
"Friends, huh? Well, I guess you're always home when you're with friends. Alright!"
He smiled and fished out two pokeballs, holding them out. He couldn't help but feel a bit of excitement as, almost simultaneously, the two pokemon each touched a sphere each and vanished. He held his breath in spite of himself as the balls did the customary shake before clicking. He paused and tapped his chin a moment before letting his two new partners back out. He looked first at the Sandile, rolling sounds in his head and trying to be more creative.
"Well… Koko," he said finally, liking how the name felt as he said it, then looking at the other pokemon, "and… Morda. Are those names okay with you too?"
The Sandile, Koko, gave a simple nod and posed proudly. The other pokemon, on the other hand, tilted her head and thought for a second, seeming to mull over the name, and the process of names, over in her head before giving an affirmative click and a smile.
"Great!" Taven smiled at both, then stood up, "well, come on, we've got to introduce you to Burgh!"
"Well, that certainly sounds exciting," Burgh chuckled with a smile once Taven had relayed the encounter from Route 4, "Have to admit, I'm not all that surprised you made such good friends with our Sandile pal. And with her and your Scraggy friend, you almost have a full team of six, that's pretty impressive, all things considered."
"What makes six a 'full' team?" Taven questioned, his excitement almost immediately giving way to curiosity.
"Well, it's the… official size, I suppose," Burgh answered as he tapped his chin thoughtfully, "gym battles and the Pokemon League only allow somebody to have six pokemon at most with them. And most people find it difficult to train that many, let alone more, and a few other reasons but those are the main ones, I think. The point is, having six pokemon with you is often the mark of a full trainer, so to speak."
Taven considered this for a moment before seeming to accept it. After that, the two talked for some time, about nothing in particular, as Taven's new pokemon became acquainted with Burgh's team. It was about sunset when Taven decided it was time to go home to the sewers, hoping to acclimatize Koko the Sandile to them to avoid her becoming agitated again. As he waved his young friend off, Burgh chuckled proudly at Taven's progress and chuckled to himself.
"Four, already! And all of them 'rescues', as it were. He's certainly a unique person. Why, most trainers his age, most trainers in general, are given their first pokemon these days. He hasn't been given a single one and he already has four."
Burgh suddenly blinked at the thought. Taven hadn't been given a pokemon. Burgh himself hadn't given Taven a pokemon, let alone his first. The young trainer had been managing fine, granted, more than fine even. But that wasn't the point, not in this case. Many trainers received their first pokemon from their parents, or the local Gym Leader often gave pokemon to those who didn't. Burgh, as both a Gym Leader and the closest to a guardian Taven had, felt almost ashamed that he hadn't thought to give the young trainer a pokemon.
Well, he would just have to make up for it. Though there came the question of what it should be. The obvious answer would be to grant one of the bug- pokemon he had been working with, but Burgh felt it wouldn't be right. Firstly because there was the chance Taven, with his insight into pokemon themselves and his mindset might find the idea of simply being given a pokemon strange. And secondly because Burgh wanted it to be something special, to make up for not giving the boy his first and because Taven himself was special.
The gym leader tapped his chin and hummed, pondering to no avail. After a few moments he sat down at his easel and brought his tools out. He often thought better when he was painting. Though when he was about to set brush to canvas he found himself stuck in that regard as well, as no image came to him and every stroke he made seemed forced.
He let loose a groan as he slumped in his seat, he'd given himself artist's block thinking too hard on these things. He would have to plan a trip to his house out in Nacrene City to clear his head, once again. Perhaps Lenora's museum would-
Burgh blinked. The museum, Now there was an idea. It would take some time but it was perfect. He quickly snatched his XCommunicator and made a call. It was time to ask a favor.