Chapter 10: Thieves from Hisui
After a long time of hiking, Gilbert, Yolanda and Sakura finally arrived in Vermillion City with Gilbert's sights on winning his 3rd gym badge. "Wow. We've been walking for so long, I forgot what a city looks like." Sakura said. "Me too. We should stop by the Pokémon Center and rest up before heading for the gym." Yolanda said. "Exactly what I was thinking. Let's go, gang." Gilbert said. "Bulba." Bulbasaur said as they headed towards the Pokémon Center.
After they arrived at the Pokémon Center, they settled down in the resting area while Nurse Joy was tending to their Pokémon. "So, Gilbert, you have any thoughts on what your plan is gonna be to this gym?" Sakura asked as she sipped on her hot cocoa. "Well, truth be told, I haven't decided yet." Gilbert said. "You haven't?" Yolanda asked. "No. I guess after coming all this way, I just haven't thought of which of my Pokémon to use yet." Gilbert said. "Don't pressure yourself on it, Gilbert. When the time comes, you'll choose the right Pokémon." Yolanda said. "Yolanda's right, Gilbert. Just give yourself time to think." Sakura said. Gilbert put all this to thought. Just then, the bell dinged at the desk. Nurse Joy walked up to them with Bulbasaur and Espeon while carrying the other PokéBalls on a tray. "Good news, everyone. Your Pokémon are in excellent condition." She said. "Thank you, Nurse Joy." Gilbert said.
Suddenly, there was a shout outside. "STOP, THIEVES!" A person shouted. Gilbert, Yolanda and Sakura ran outside and saw a small group of Pokémon running with food in their arms as they fled from the people. But what caught their eyes were the strange-looking Pokémon. "What kind of Pokémon are those?" Yolanda asked. Sakura got out her Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.
Sneasel, the Sharp Claw Pokemon. A Dark & Ice-Type. Sneasel can extend their claws to slice through thick rocks or attack opponents.
"Sneasel? But they look different than these." Sakura said. "Is there anything about this type of Sneasel anywhere in your Pokédex?" Yolanda asked. Sakura searched for any information about these particular Sneasel, but couldn't find anything. "No, I can't find anything about these Sneasel." She said. "That's because you won't find anything about this particular Sneasel in a Pokédex." A familiar voice said. The kids turned to see Arata walking up to them. "It's Arata." Gilbert said. "Long time no see, Gilbert and Yolanda." Arata said. "You 2 know him?" Sakura asked. "I met him when he was with Aubrina in Viridian City." Gilbert explained. "And I met him back in Pewter City when he was battling my dad before Gilbert got there." Yolanda said. "I see. Pleased to meet you, Arata. I'm Sakura from Ecruteak City." Sakura introduced. "Espeon." Espeon greeted. "To you too, Sakura and Espeon." Arata said. "Oh, Arata, where's Aubrina? I remember you went with her when you left Viridian City." Gilbert said. "When we reached Pewter City, Aubrina decided to go ahead and I stayed behind for my gym battle. So, we decided to split up." Arata explained. "Anyway, the Sneasel?" Sakura asked. "Well, this particular type of Sneasel was supposed to be extinct a long time ago. They're from the Hisui Region." Arata said. The kids were confused at this. "Hisui was the original name of the Sinnoh Region before it was renamed." Arata said. "But how is that even possible?" Gilbert asked. "Follow me to the historical building. It has some records there about the Hisui Region and the Pokémon that inhabited it." Arata said.
Following Arata to the historical building, the kids headed inside to the old legend section. "Here. This one should be it." Arata said as he found a book and opened it to the right page. "Here. It says that in the Hisuian days, there were Pokémon that held their own regional forms. These Pokémon included Growlithe, Arcanine, Voltorb, Electrode, Typhlosion, Qwilfish, Sneasel, Saumurott, Lilligant, Zorua, Zoroark, Braviary, Sliggoo, Goodra, Avalugg and Decidueye. And even some of the other Pokémon had additional evolved forms that haven't been seen for so long." He explained, showing the picture. "These Pokémon had existed over a thousand years ago before they slowly went into extinction." Gilbert, Yolanda and Sakura were amazed as they looked at the Hisuian Pokémon. "But how do these Hisuian Sneasel still even exist? Weren't they extinct?" Yolanda asked. "I have a theory. Some of them may have survived for so long or were probably traveled through time by either the Legendary Pokémon Dialga or the Mythical Pokémon Celebi." Arata said. Gilbert started to think. "I wonder if there's a reason those Sneasel would steal all that food." He said. "I was wondering that too. Pokémon don't normally steal food unless they have a good reason." Arata said. Everyone started to think until Gilbert snapped his fingers. "I got it. We'll quietly follow them until they lead us to their lair in order to find out." He said. "That's a good idea." Yolanda said. "Yeah. If we follow them, we can figure out what's going on." Sakura said. "Agreed. Let's see what we can do." Arata said.
But little did they know, Attila and Hun were right close by, listening to everything they just said. "You hear that, Hun? Actual regional Sneasel from a bygone era. Imagine what Team Rocket could do with Sneasel like that." Attila said. "Exactly what I was thinking, Attila. Once those kids lead us to the Sneasel's lair, we'll be there to capture them all." Hun said. "And when we bring them to the boss, odds are we'll get a big bonus in payment." Attila said. "Indeed, we will, Attila. Indeed, we will." Hun said.
Later, as they went into the forest, the kids prepared a basket of fruit and left it on a tree stump. They hid themselves in the bushes as they waited. "Okay, gang, remember the plan. We set out that fruit basket for the Hisuian Sneasel to find. Once they have it, we'll quietly follow them until they lead us to their hideout." Gilbert whispered. "And then we can finally get some answers." Sakura whispered. Several minutes passed as they waited for the pack. Just then, the bushes on the other side rustled. They watched to see a lone Hisuian Sneasel walked out of the bushes and up to the fruit basket. It took it and took off. "It took the bait." Yolanda whispered. "Follow it. Don't lose sight of it." Gilbert whispered. They quietly followed the Sneasel through the forest. Just then, it came up to a cave. The kids watched close by as the Sneasel entered it. The kids walked up to the cave and stared at it. "This must be where those Sneasel are hiding with the food they stole." Gilbert said. "The pack might have a leader inside." Arata deduced. "Only way we're gonna find out is by entering the cave." Sakura said. Everyone nodded and entered the cave.
As they entered, they walked through the tunnel until they reached the end. "Look, there's a small opening." Gilbert said. As they looked through the opening, they see a whole bunch of Hisuian Sneasel gathered around. "Look at all those Hisuian Sneasel." Yolanda whispered. "This is almost like a dream I don't wanna wake up from." Arata whispered. Just then, one of the Sneasel saw them. "SNEASEL!" It cried, alerting the rest of its pack. The Sneasel pack became hostile and threatened to attack them. "Wait! We mean you no harm. We only want to know why you were stealing all that food." Arata said. Just then, one of the Sneasel walked up. "That Sneasel must be the beta of the pack." Yolanda guessed. "Sneasel. Snea, Snea, Sneasel." Sneasel said. "What's Sneasel saying?" Gilbert asked. "It's saying that their leader is sick." Arata said. The Sneasel moved out of the way and revealed their ill leader lying on a patch of leaves. The kids were shocked to see it and walked over to check on it. "What kind of Pokémon is it? I remember seeing it in the book." Yolanda asked. "It's a Sneasler. Sneasler is the final evolved form of Hisuian Sneasel." Arata said. "Sneasler." Gilbert, Yolanda and Sakura said simultaneously as they were in awe to see an actual living Sneasler up close. Though Sneasler looked to be in very bad shape.
Yolanda put her hand on Sneasler's head to check its temperature. "Argh! It's got a fever! A very high one at that!" She exclaimed. "We got to get Sneasler to the Pokémon Center right away and fast!" Sakura exclaimed. Arata turned to the Sneasel pack. "Sneasel, we need to take your leader to the Pokémon Center so Nurse Joy can heal it." He said. The Sneasel pack looked at each other, wondering if they should trust these humans.
Suddenly, a net came out of nowhere and captured the entire pack. The kids gasped as they saw this. Just then, Hun and Attila appeared out of the shadows, chuckling sinisterly. "Oh, not you 2 again!" Sakura exclaimed. "Who are they?" Arata asked in confusion. "They're with Team Rocket who are always stealing other people's Pokémon." Gilbert said. Arata growled at that. "How did you 2 even find this place?" Yolanda asked. "We overheard you back at the historical building and followed you here." Hun said. "Yeah. The opportunity to capture rare Hisuian Pokémon was too good to pass up." Attila said. "Now hand over that Sneasler." Hun demanded. "No! Sneasler's sick and needs help now!" Sakura exclaimed. "Do we look like we care? Just hand it over or we'll be forced to take it." Attila said. "If that's how it has to be. Machop, I choose you!" Gilbert called, tossing his PokéBall. "Machop!" Machop shouted as he came out. "Zubat, let's go!" Yolanda called, throwing her PokéBall. Zubat shrieked as she came out, sparkling. "Espeon, help out!" Sakura called. "Espeon!" Espeon barked as she leapt into the fight. "Butterfree, I choose you!" Arata called, throwing a PokéBall. "Freeee, freeee!" Butterfree cooed as he came out. "Oh, kiddies want to battle." Attila said, mockingly. "Then let's give them one." Hun said. "Skarmory, let's go!" Attila called, tossing his Pokémon. "Steelix, take them down!" Hun called, tossing her Pokémon. "Skarr!" Skarmory shrieked as he came out. "Gur-Lix!" Steelix roared as he came out.
The Sneasel pack watched as the battle was about to begin. "Steelix, use Flash Cannon!" Hun ordered. "Skarmory, Swift!" Attila ordered. Steelix fired Flash Cannon from his mouth and Skarmory fired Swift from his beak. "Butterfree, Protect!" Arata called. Butterfree flew in front of the others and summoned a green protective orb, shielding everyone from the attacks. Hun and Attila growled at that. "Machop, use Karate Chop on Skarmory!" Gilbert called. "Ma…Chop!" Machop shouted as his right arm glowed white and struck Skarmory hard. "Steelix, strike back at Machop with Iron Tail!" Hun ordered. Steelix charged towards Machop as his tail glowed white and became coated in metal. "Zubat, help Machop! Round!" Yolanda called. As Steelix got closer to Machop, Zubat flew up and released a red high-pitched soundwave from her mouth, disorienting Steelix and throwing him off. "Espeon, Zen Headbutt!" Sakura called. "Skarmory, Double Edge!" Attila ordered. Espeon's forehead glowed blue as she started running. And Skarmory's entire body glowed yellow as he flew towards Espeon. They appeared like they were about to collide. "Now, Espeon, Detect!" Sakura called. Espeon's eyes glowed bright blue and swiftly moved around Skarmory's Double Edge before striking Skarmory hard with Zen Headbutt, much to Skarmory and Attila's shock.
The beta Sneasel watched in awe as the kids battle Team Rocket. Steelix and Skarmory were slowly getting tired as they were being pushed back. "All together now, gang! Machop, Dynamic Punch!" Gilbert called. "Zubat, Poison Sting!" Yolanda called. "Espeon, Psybeam!" Sakura called. "Butterfree, Silver Wind!" Arata called. Zubat, Espeon and Butterfree fired their attacks together. Machop leapt up, combined his Dynamic Punch together with the other attacks and struck Steelix and Skarmory hard. Hun and Attila screamed hard as their Pokémon were knocked into them and sent them flying out of the cave and into the air. "Oh, this is why I hate kids!" Attila exclaimed. "I'm starting to see why those other members of Team Rocket always seem to fail miserably!" Hun exclaimed. "And we're blasting off again!" They shouted as they disappeared into the air.
Afterwards, the kids freed the Sneasel pack from Team Rocket's net. The Sneasel pack cheered, feeling grateful for the kids for saving them and protecting their leader. As the kids went over to help Sneasler, Gilbert suddenly felt something inside of him. He looked at his hand and noticed that it started glowing forest green, feeling a surge of power. Yolanda, Sakura and Arata noticed this and were surprised. "What's happening to your hand?" Yolanda asked. "I don't know." Gilbert said. Suddenly, he felt an instinct as he walked up to Sneasler and placed his glowing hand on its head. Just then, Sneasler's body was coated with a green aura. The kids and the Sneasel pack watched in awe. When the glow finally died down, Sneasler woke up and was feeling all better. "Sneas…ler." Sneasler stretched out in relief. The Sneasel pack was happy to see that their leader was alright. "Gilbert, how were you able to do that?" Sakura asked. "I have no idea. But I did feel this amazing power inside of me." Gilbert said as he stared at his hand. "Well, whatever you did, you healed Sneasler." Arata said. "Well, now that everyone's all better, we still need to figure out what to do with the pack." Sakura said. "Well, there's this sanctuary back in town that takes care of Pokémon." Yolanda said.
Later, as the kids returned to Vermilion City with Sneasler and the Sneasel pack, Gilbert explained everything that happened. The people understood everything and agreed to help and take care of the pack at the Sanctuary. Later, Sneasler and the Sneasel pack were settled into the sanctuary. "Thank you for solving our city's food problem, kids. Now we'll be able to take care of the entire pack under our wing and be ready in case any of them get sick again." The owner explained. "Well, guys, I think that's our cue to head back to the Pokémon Center and get ready for my next gym challenge." Gilbert said.
But as they exited the sanctuary, before they could leave any further, the beta Sneasel ran out and caught up to them. "It's that beta Sneasel." Yolanda said. "What're you doing out here?" Gilbert asked. "Sneas, Sneas, Sneasel." Sneasel said. "Sneasel's saying that he wants to go along with you." Arata translated. Gilbert was shocked to hear that. "Do you really wanna come with me, Sneasel?" He asked. "Snea, Sneasel." Sneasel said with a nod. "Alright then. It's a deal." Gilbert said, taking out a PokéBall and tossing it into the air. Sneasel leapt up, tapped the PokéBall and sucked himself right in. As the PokéBall landed, it shook for a bit before it dinged, sealing the capture. Gilbert picked up the PokéBall and stared at it in amazement. "This is amazing. I just caught a Hisuian Sneasel!" He cheered, holding up the PokéBall. "Congratulations, Gilbert." Yolanda said. "That's quite an amazing capture." Sakura said. "Yeah. And an extremely rare one at that." Arata said. "Thanks, guys. I'm really happy to have Sneasel on my team now. And I have a feeling that Sneasel will be great in my coming gym battles." Gilbert said.
Major Events:
Gilbert, Yolanda and Sakura arrive in Vermillion City
Gilbert meets up with Arata again
Yolanda reveals that she met Arata before and Sakura meets him for the first time
Gilbert, Yolanda and Sakura encounter Team Rocket again while Arata meets them for the first time
Arata is revealed to own a Butterfree
Gilbert catches a Hisuian Sneasel