Author's Note:
Here it is, the start of the journey to Castelia and we also get the answer to the egg occupancy. Obviously, this means we also get to see a new team member. This is another of my favourite Unovan Pokémon and one which I also have some issues with. Namely the evolution level, this seems to be a trend with a lot of gen five Pokémon, doesn't it. You might also say this Pokémon is basically a copy off Ash's Scraggy from the anime and to that, I'll say... no, it isn't. This Pokémon will actually have a role to play in the story. Consider that, shots fired. Out of every Pokémon he caught, I consider Scraggy the worst of the bunch. He had an annoying personality at first... which went no-where. A rivalry with Axew which never went anywhere... seriously, they could've had a battle in the Declore Islands arc to evolve at the same time... or have Axew evolve which encouraged him to go further. But none of that happened... Scraggy didn't even return in Journey's in a meaningful way to fix this no-where arc. You could say Palpitoad, Boldore or Unfezant didn't have personalities, which I'd agree with, but they also didn't break a promise on an arc and just kind of blended into the background. Pignite and Krookodile got some sort of arc, no matter how underwhelming. Whilst Oshawott and Snivy had some fun personalities. Don't forget to vote in the poll, with that let's begin...
Chapter thirteen: Chasing through Pinwheel Forest
Drake stretched his arms up and cracked his neck. Glancing up to the sky, he found a bunch of trees overhead as they walked across the concrete path. A few rays of light shot down, illuminating the under-forest. He glanced out to see the wildness further away from the public pathway.
"So..." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tell me again about Pinwheel forest?"
"It's the largest forest area in the state of Unova-" Iris informed. "The Village of Dragons might be bigger, but it also crosses the boarder."
"Due to important trade routes open in the states early years, this path was rendered before ships set up cargo routes to the southern western cities," Cilan explained, "as long as we stick to this path, it shouldn't take more than a few hours to pass through."
"No wonder Plasma set up in this region-" He scoffed. "Separation between people and Pokémon already had the ground work, it seems."
"Your exaggerating." Iris rolled her eyes.
"Every other forest I've been too had nature trails..." He sighed. "Dirt paths formed from years of natural passers. They worked just fine for us, and it didn't disrupt the Pokémon who lived there. This modernisation is just-"
He couldn't bring the words to describe it, shaking his head, the voices died in his mouth. Continuing to walk along, he tried to make out some of the Pokémon in the undisturbed forest. Although shadows in the trees clearly showed their presence, he couldn't make any details out.
"Maro Marowak!"
He stopped and turned to see his ground type. Holding the egg up, it began to crack. Just a hairline on the top but sounds of rumbles from within could be clearly heard. Walking over to the forest area, he swung his backpack off, he kneeled down beside and laid it out for the egg to rest on.
Waiting about five minutes. After nearly fifthteen minutes, several more hairline fractures appeared with the sounds but no sign of the actual Pokémon.
"You wanna... give 'em a hand?" he asked his ground type. "We don't have all day."
"Maro-wak." He pointed to his belt.
"Fine-" He rolled his eyes.
One by one, he took off his devices and let his team out. Xatu stood beside him with the same stoic expression as Pignite and Blitzle moved closer to watch with interest. Yamask floated just over his head while Excadrill stood back, pretending not to care. Glancing over to the others, he noticed his two travelling companions, who each brought out their own teams. All waiting with differing levels of excitement. He turned back to the egg and Marowak.
His pure ground type gently placed it in his lap and applied some light pressure with his thumbs. More cracks formed before bursting inside. Pulling back like parting a book, he pulled out two shards of shell. As he moved his hands away, a head popped up from within the egg.
Bushy white feathers looked like an afro of hair. As he turned from staring at Marowak, he noticed a single half red feather sat in front of the others. The head being about the size of Marowak's tightened fist, give, or take. The face was a pale sky blue with two wide eyes covering most of it. A small, pointed yellow beak acting as the mouth. Tilting the head to the side, he seemed to be studying him. His head feathers clearly wet from the inner eggs settings.
"It's a Rufflet!" Iris beamed, skidding down to the side of the two Pokémon.
Said Rufflet lept out of the egg, jabbing his beak into her face. She retracted backwards as the newly hatched Pokémon landed on the floor.
"I like him." He smiled, taking in the rest of his appearance.
Rufflet stood at a very small height, only just going above his ankle as his body shook the egg-gunk off. The white feathers protected the neck, but his body was the same pale blue colour. Proportionally large yellow-taloned feet with three black-claws sticking out of the front and one sticking out backwards. A pair of small body wings sat on either side with small flat tail-feathers sticking out.
"Pan Pansage." "Ax-ew."
The two Pokémon moved closer, as if to introduce themselves. The grass type held his hand out in a friendly manner, but the newly hatched Pokémon just stared at it with a seemingly blank expression. Leaping up, he began pecking the grass types arm. Causing the pure grass type to slip backwards.
"Xatu... can you perform a full check-up-" he instructed. "Pignite help him dry off. Last thing we want his him catching cold from the dampness."
Both Pokémon nodded. The fire fighting type breathed out two light flames from his body, as the heat began to radiate off his round body. Moving closer, the small bird turned to face him, but he just offered a wide smile. A light bit of ESP surrounded Rufflet, and he lifted up into the air, to Xatu's eye level.
Rotating around as she examined every part of the small bird, he seemed to struggle against the restraint. A mystic healing light covered his body as she lowered him back down. Letting him onto the floor once more, he turned to the fully evolved bird, standing to meet her eyeline.
"He seems fine... certainly no physical injuries and the wish should help fight off any biological illness-" She informed through her mental link. "But I'm no nurse and I do lack any formal training. I suggest keeping an eye on him and should symptoms arise, we can teleport back to the last centre."
"Why not just do that for safety?" he asked.
"We can-" She assured him. "Should you wish too but many Pokémon hatch in far worst conditions. I don't see the urgency right now."
A small commotion drew their attention and they found Rufflet standing on the downed Axew, pecking her head. He shrugged in response.
"It seems like we should get some training in-" he announced. "Given his clear eagerness."
Marowak carefully picked up the bird, and for some reason he didn't try to peck the ground type. Pinching his lips together, he thought back before eyes widening in realisation. Just like how Togepi saw Ash first when hatching, it's likely the same thing has happened here.
"Alright... this'll be our training projects-" he informed.
Standing at the edge of the makeshift campsite, he oversaw the pairs undergoing their training. He had Marowak still assisting Blitzle with her electrical output, given he didn't want to distract the new-hatch given the imprinting. Iris was conducting a battle with her Druddigon against his Excadrill. While Cilan watched Pignite fight against both Trubbish and Axew. Double the opponents would help with his reaction and concentration. Yamask was partnered with Pansage, who was making his flight path difficult through seed bombs, bullet seeds and vine whips, working on his manuverability.
He turned to the two birds, both stood side by side. Xatu was patient as the newly-hatched Pokémon jumped around.
"Alright, we need to start by developing your fighting style-" he informed. "From the dex, I'm seeing you're a physical force. So, we'll work on building up wing strength. Not only will that help you become airborne but they're your most effective ways of attack. Xatu shall help with specifics."
The elder-bird nodded before her eyes glew bright blue. Rufflet wasted no time in charging off into a tree truck. His beak smashed into the bark.
"I said wings-" he corrected. "Throwing your head in leaves you little option. Cutting off opportunities to witness counters."
Rufflet turned to look at him a little disgruntled. Muttering something, he turned and threw himself at the tree once more.
His wings slammed into the side, falling onto his behind. Shaking his head, he wobbled back up onto his feet. Jabbing his beak into the tree trunk.
"Xatu... could you go and get Marowak please?" he asked. "Maybe a closer combat fighter will help him get it better. Take over Blitzle's training."
Giving a single nod, she teleported away. He walked over and squatted down beside the normal flying type.
"Rufflet... an opponent won's stand still like this-" He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "By throwing your head in first, you won't be able to see it coming. You need to observe then strike. Move to prevent taking the hit because you don't have the bulk to survive it."
"Ruff Rufflet."
"-if you use your wings to help throw yourself around then-"
The small bird jumped up and jabbed his beak into his face. Crying out as he fell back, lifting his arms up to knock the normal flying type back. Shaking his head, he took a couple seconds to realise that his newly hatched Pokémon was running out into the forest... maybe he should've caught him before training.
"Maro?"
"Urg, Rufflet's run off." He shook his head, wiping a slight trail of blood from his face. "We need to get him before he hurts himself."
He clicked his fingers. "Drake?" Xatu's mental voice echoed in his head.
"We need to catch Rufflet." He instructed. "Keep the others safe and keep this link open. We'll be back."
Taking off into the forest, he saw the ground type running by his side. He shook his head, refocusing on the forest to try and find the newly-hatch.
Rufflet landed on the floor and glanced left and right before letting out a humph of breath. Clutching his taloned feet into the ground, he took a deep breath before continuing on. His eyes looked around to try and find some sort of opponent. Closing his eyes, his face cringed in one go.
The sounds of fighting he heard from within the egg echoed in his head. A loud, monstrous roar echoed as the squawks of his parents tried to fight.
Feeling a sting in his eyes, he shook his head. He has to fight... to be strong... he can't let those monsters win... he can't let himself be weak.
An ear bursting screech stopped him in his tracks. Squinting his eyes shut, he covered his ears with his wings. As the sound stopped, he turned to see-
Crawling over towards him was a bug Pokémon with a big hump on the upper portion of the body. The head was a purple-red colour with black markings that consisted of rings on the shoulders, a band around each pointy stick, and an upside-down 'Y' on the neck. A prominent ridge leading down to a pointed tip splits the top half of its head, and its lower mouth was black. It had round, heavy-lidded eyes that bulge away from the head slightly. Their dark green abdomen was like a separate part and had four stubby black legs underneath. He shook his body and moved to face off against the opponent.
The pointy sticks glew bright purple and aimed towards him. Thin, purple stingers shot out across the makeshift battle ground.
Bringing his wings up to cover his face. Feeling them stiffen up, it took the stingers which felt little more than a tickle.
Flexing them backward, he took off in a run. Thrusting his beak out in front, it glew white and extended. His eyes locked onto the bug.
Entering his own run, his opponent curled up into a ball. Before he could even consider changing direction, he took the blow and squeezed his eyes shut. Flying through the air, he crashed down onto the floor. Skidding into a cloud of dust.
Groaning in pain, he pushed himself up to see the bug squirting a purple from his mouth. Forming a toxic puddle between them.
Shaking his body he turned to see the bug wondering off. Feeling anger boil through his feathers, he stomped his feet on the ground.
"Hey!" He cried.
Charging forward, he began flapping his wings and leapt. He barely got off the ground before landing but continued to build up momentum. Flapping as hard as he could, he jumped up at the edge of the toxic liquid. Eyes shut as he continued to flap harder.
Squinting through the strain, he saw a series of purple stingers. Seconds later they struck and threw him back.
With a heavy thud, he splashed down into the sludge-puddle. His breathing became heavy as he felt his energy drain.
Pushing himself up, he slipped slightly, splashing the sludge around. He winced as he struggled to get out of the toxic trap.
Looking up from his wet feathers, he saw the bug type rolling towards him. Squeezing his eyes shut, he took the blow head on. Flying backwards, the wind rushed through his feathers as he spun around. Forcing his eyes open, he saw the ground incoming quickly.
Flapping his wings as hard as he could. He tried to, if not stop the crash, at least minimise his hit. Thudding hard onto the ground, he bounced over it.
Gritting through the pain, he stuck both wings out to try and glide himself down. For a breath moment, feeling the rushing wind, felt amazing for the young bird. His eyes scanned the ground and he saw a shrub bush. Throwing his little weight down, he brought his wings in and used it for a softer landing.
Despite the scratching of branches, he couldn't deny a feeling of relief. Lying down flat under the shrub-plant. His eyes grew heavy as the adrenaline fell.
"So where should we let it go?" A voice asked.
"We just need to find some others of its species-" another replied, "they must be close by."
As his tried to keep himself up, he noticed some weird people dressed in some sort of armor... the image of his mother... a bird of shining armor... formed in his head as he a fantasy of getting to meet them filled his head. As the tiredness overtook his body from the sludge draining his energy.
Drake ran along with his pure ground type beside him. His eyes skimmed over the forest, seeing several Pokémon like some of the Pan-monkey's in the trees.
A bunch of caterpillar-like Pokémon with a broad, bitten leaf enfolding their head like a hood. Their large, spherical head was an orange-yellow colour with two small, close-together knobs on the foreheads. Their eyes were black and circular, and the mouth were a downward-pointing, crescent-shape orange snout with two sharp tiny teeth on either end. The underside between the snout and its neck were white. Their green body has three-segments with a pair of stubby, spherical orange legs on each one. Thick white strings shot out of their mouths, using them to pull themselves up into the trees.
Continuing down his path, he noticed some cloud-like Pokémon and even some sort of grass type plant Pokémon. It didn't take them long to come across a pool of toxic sludge with tread marks buried across the ground. He took a moment to examine the scene.
"Clearly a battle took place here," he muttered, scanning the sludge, "look, there's feathers. Rufflet must've been one of the combatants."
"Maro-" He picked up his bone and tossed it towards a tree. It struck the trunk and bounced up. Hitting one of the branches, it deflected back down into his hands. A bug fell down, landing on its back, wiggling around as he walked over to them. "Wak Marowak."
Some grumbles came from the bug before his ground type flipped him over. Scurrying off into some shrubs, he didn't give the Pokémon much thought.
"So?" he asked the bone keeper Pokémon.
"Marowak-" He pointed into the sky with his bone. "Wak-Maro."
Nodding in understanding, they turned and ran off in that direction. Rushing through the thick forest for a couple minutes, some human voices soon drew their attention. Coming out into an open area, he found two Plasma members dressed in their chainmail.
They turned to face him, and he noticed a Pokémon in there hand. It had a metal body in the shape of a knights visor, with a coiling spiral of the shell further back. The shell had protrusions on the underside. A pink inner body poked out with a long, puckered mouth, and green markings below their eyes.
"Just when you think your day can't get worst-" He sighed.
"We remember you from Accumula town!" One of the grunts yelled.
"We need to teach this kid a lesson!" the other added.
Dropping the small Pokémon onto the floor. His eyes narrowed, as the shelled Pokémon shivered in place, withdrawing into the armor.
"You shouldn't have done that-" he growled. "Marowak... get 'em!"
His ground type took off in a run, throwing his bone forward it struck one of their heads. Bouncing off, it hit the other and deflected back towards his partner, as both of the grunts fell onto their behinds. Grabbing his bone, he spun it in hand and slammed the end into the ground. A pillar of earth shot up around them. Creating a prison for the knights as he walked around to find the small bug.
"Hello-" He knelt down and picked up the shivering Pokémon. It wasn't one that he had seen in the forest. The hardness of his shell felt out of place too, it felt like something used to protect from outside elements. He wouldn't be surprised to find its part steel type. "This... isn't your home, is it?"
Slowly, it opened up to stare at him. The upper part of the shell barely moved but the pink body whipped back and forth.
"Those thugs... did they take you?" he asked, to which a swift nod responded. "And I'm guessing they thought... you're a bug, let's go to a forest."
"Maro Marowak?"
The bug type muttered something, barely audible. His bone keeper Pokémon jumped up and pulled a fresh Pokéball off his belt. Tapping it on the bug, it sucked inside and dinged easily. Kneeling down, he picked up the device before using his Pokédex:
Shelmet, The Snail Pokémon. When attacked, it tightly shuts the lid of its shell. This reaction fails to protect it from Karrablast, however, because they can still get into the shell. The hard shell helps this Pokémon live in areas such as bogs and swamps
Type: Bug
Ability: Shell armor
Hidden Ability: overcoat (Note: this is currently locked)
Gender: Male
Nature: Timid (Note: This could change if/when this Pokémon evolves)
Move(s): absorb, protect, acid, curse, mega drain, struggle bug, yawn, acid armor, spikes, bug bite
His Pokédex switched screens to a list of his current on hand team of: Marowak, Xatu, Pignite, Blitzle, Excadrill, Yamask and Shelmet, although the only one not a simple shilluette was the small bug. "Please select which Pokémon you wish to send back." The robotic voice instructed.
He quickly closed the device and slotted it into his pocket. The Pokéball shrunk with a red light covering the centre. Clipping it onto his belt, he stood up.
"You promised we'd help him find his way home-" He sighed, pinching his nose. "Didn't you."
"Maro-" He nodded, proudly.
"Soft touch-" His ground type swung his bone and struck his chin. He grunted in pain leaning on the pillar. "Little shit."
The bone keeper Pokémon chuckled in response before sliding next to the pillar. Using his bone, he broke a hole and let the grunts stumble out.
"Why you little-"
"You've got from the count of five to get out of here otherwise Marowak will trap you again and we'll leave instead," he explained, "five, four..."
"If you think you can scare us-"
"One." He looked to the ground type. "Do it."
As the pure ground type spun the bone in his hand, both grunts took off running in the opposite direction. Chuckling at their cowardice, he steadied himself on the still hurting leg. His eyes looked around before a couple feathers on the ground drew his attention. They were quite fairly parted but showed a clear path in one direction. Marowak wasted no time in running over to the shrub in the path, picking up the recently hatched Rufflet in his arms, cradling him.
"Xatu-" He mentally called out. In a bright flash, he found himself and the Pokémon back on the makeshift campsite, right next to the psychic flying type. "Can you take care of Rufflet? He got into more trouble than he could handle. I'll be over in a moment."
Giving a nod in response, he turned as she began the process of healing up the young hatchling. Walking over, he found Blitzle trying to shoot down his ghost type with a bolt of electricity. While she got close, it didn't quite work for her although more disappointing was the power behind her attacks.
"Blitzle!" He called out, bringing the training to a halt. "You're going back to the lab. Find Jolteon to work on agility fighting. There's also an Ampharos there, she should be able to give pointers on voltage control. That will lead to the move charge beam but that's a future goal."
Seeing her nod in understanding, he pulled out her Pokéball and recalled her. Following with his dex, it still asked the previous question, but he hit her now full-image. Her device teleported out of his hand, and he slipped the dex back into his pocket. Turning around, he found the two humans.
"And where have you been?" Iris asked.
"Pinwheel forest-" He stunted his laughter. "Maybe you should be a little more specific."
"I think Iris means," Cilian interjected. "How many times are you just going to run off and leave us? There was the incident with that poacher... then when we first met Cheren and the Wellspring cave... then the fight with Yamask in the Nacrene museum... and now here."
"I dunno how many times I'll run off-" He shrugged. "Whenever something urgent or just interesting happens I suppose. I don't like babysitting."
"We're your friends-" Iris' voice began to raise.
"Acquaintances." He corrected.
"-can you at least tell us why you ran off today?" Cilan asked.
"Because Rufflet did-" He gestured over to the group of Pokémon. As they followed the direction, he pulled out his Pokéball and released the new bug type. "I or rather Marowak also made a new friend so if you'll excuse me."
Walking over to the small group of Pokémon, he noticed the bone keeper Pokémon cradling the recently hatched like a baby. Rufflet shimmered with a mostly transparent mystic light. While Xatu stood silently over them.
"How is he?" he asked.
"Tired... poisoned..." Xatu's mental voice echoed. "Give it a few minutes and he should be fine. I've given a full wish and a peacha Berry."
"Good... we need to talk-" He paused and picked up the shy bug. "This is Shelmet. Do you mind doing the... mind meeting."
"Certainly-" Her eyes glew blue and he found himself facing the newly caught bug with the rest of the world little more than a black background.
"Shelmet... Marowak made you a promise-" he informed. "It's why you let yourself get caught. So, what was it?"
"He said you'd help me get home." A meke voice whimpered.
"To your actual home?" he asked. "Or your trainer?"
"How did you know-"
"Those clowns that took you are members of Plasma. There whole thing is splitting people and Pokémon, or so they say." He frowned. "And if they could take you from them then your trainer was weak."
"Oh..."
"We can't just leave you here..." He sighed. "You'd be dead within a week."
"Would I?"
"According to the dex, you absorb nutrients from the local environment," he explained, "those idiots just thought bug means forest. Even with enough leaves to feed on, the lack of substance would be your downfall. A Pokéball stabilises your condition and we've got Pokémon food to replace said nutrients so it's not a big deal. So that means you've got a decision to make."
"A decision?" Shelmet asked.
"Marowak promised to take you home... which I'll help him with-" He clarified. "So, your choice. Either I send you back to the lab and you just wait out the time until we can fulfil that promise... or I help you, train you... make it so grunts like those can't repeat this stunt with you... it won't be easy, it'll be tough and tiring... you'll think I'm bastard to start then you'll get to know me and realise that's putting it lightly."
"You're not selling yourself and this training-" Shelmet uttered.
"I don't want you under any illusions... this isn't going to be some sort of summer camp." He continued. Kneeling down to stare the bug directly in the eyes with a slight flicker of his brows. "It's going to be tough, challenging and brutal... and I only want a yes, if you think you can handle it."
"What do you get out of it?" he asked.
"I'm a trainer, I get the experience of training you," he replied, "I might end up facing one of your species or evolved form later on. So, knowing how you fight is valuable... and I'd also expect you to partake in battles until you leave. So, there's that too... I'm not doing this from the goodness of my heart."
"I-" The bug type paused, squeezing his eyes shut. Shaking on the spot, the image of a younger boy then himself on the ground as he moved away, looking around he saw the two grunts from earlier, laughing as they walked away. The scene faded as Shelmet opened his eyes again. "Yes... I'll do it."
"Good... Xatu please end this link-" The real world shimmered back into sight as he turned to see Marowak with the now awake bird stood on his bone. The two of them seemed to be in some sort of conversation. He glanced down to the bug by his feet. "It's time for your first battle... stand by."
Shelmet's eyes almost burst out of the slim pink head, but he just walked over to the duo. Standing over them, he waited until he had all three's attention.
"Rufflet... no more beating around the bush-" He instructed. "You're so desperate for action so you've got it. We'll battle and when you lose, you might start listening to reason. And if your too scared to, then you can take off right now and this time we won't follow you."
"Maro-" his ground type frowned.
"Of course, I'm a son of a bitch-" He shrugged. "You've met my father."
The normal flying type chirped out his own response, jumping down from the bone. With narrowed eyes, he flapped his wings in what should've been an intimidating style. His beak trembled, as his talons scrapped into the dirt, almost bolting out from his starting position.
"Shelmet... your up-" The bug glanced up with an inquisitive look, but he just frowned. "Did I stutter? Get in."
His newest capture crawled forward, standing in front of him and Rufflet... the newly hatched Pokémon cried out in anger.
"You call it, Marowak!" He instructed.
"Maro-" He raised both arms, stand in the middle and just to the side of the two combatants. He thrusted them down, "-wak."
Rufflet wasted no time in taking off in a quick run. His beak glew white and extended outwards as he covered the makeshift field.
"Protect into acid armor-" he instructed.
Shelmet shut the armor body and a green forcefield formed around him. Crashing into it full force, the normal flying type rebounded off, landing on his behind, shaking his body as he stood back up. While a mystic light surrounded his newest capture, the protect shield faded away once more.
"Acid." He called.
Opening his shell, the pink head poked out. A thin purple liquid shot out like some sort of water gun.
The newly hatched Pokémon took off straight for the poison move. Using his wings to block the attack, they shimmered into a silver metal colour.
"Steel wing... interesting-" He mused. The bird continued forward and crashed into his bug type. "Acid armor into mega drain."
Slamming his shell shut, he managed to trap one of the wings in the body armor. Balls of green energy flew out of the bird and into his new capture.
Crying out, Rufflet lifted his wing and began thrashing it around. It took a few bashes on the floor before Shelmet came flying off, skidding over the floor.
The newly hatched Pokémon took off with beak glowing once more. While the snail Pokémon wobbled to get back up right.
"Struggle bug!" He shouted.
Vibrating on the spot, dark green energy radiated off his body. Several tentacle-like pulses of energy shot out over the makeshift field.
Striking Rufflet, they tried to blow the bird backwards, but he continued forward. Slowing down but gritting his beak through the force.
"Okay... I've seen enough-" He sighed. "Shelmet finish this with yawn."
A large bubble blew out of his bug types mouth. The newly hatched bird crashed into it and the duo went rolling into the dirt.
Both Pokémon lay on the floor, Shelmet wiggled back to an upright position. He took out a Pokéball and tossed it to the sleeping bird. Hitting the normal flying type, a red light engulfed Rufflet sucked him inside. Landing on the floor, it wobbled back and forth. After a few shakes, it stopped and dinged. He walked over and picked up the device, using his dex to scan the new capture:
Rufflet, the Eaglet Pokémon. With its sharp claws, this Pokémon pierces its prey, and then it pecks at them. Although it also consumes berries, it's a carnivore at heart. It becomes the national bird of the states upon evolution, known as a symbol for bravery
Type: Normal / Flying
Ability: Sheer Force
Hidden Ability: Hustle (Note: this is currently unlocked)
Gender: Male
Nature: Rash (Note: This could change if/when this Pokémon evolves)
Move(s): peck, leer, steel wing, wing attack
His Pokédex switched screens to a list of his current on hand team of: Marowak, Xatu, Pignite, Excadrill, Yamask, Shelmet and Rufflet although the only one not a simple shilluette was the small hatchling. "Please select which Pokémon you wish to send back." The robotic voice instructed.
His eyes scanned over them before switching the Pokéball with one on his belt. Recalling his psychic flying type, he saw her image light up and he quickly selected it. Feeling the device disappear within his finger tips, he glanced around to see the other people and Pokémon around him.
"We're wasting day light-" He uttered, putting the device away. One by one he began recalling his team.
"That makes six." Cilan commented. "You've caught enough Pokémon for a full team since you got to Unova."
"Why send Blitzle back though?" Iris asked.
"I haven't quite mastered shooting electricity out of my fingertips yet-" He clarified. "So best let her learn from those with the experience."
"But-" Cilan paused. "I thought you'd be most productive with the team members here. Like you can observe and personally motivate them."
"Wait what?!" He gasped. "And here I thought no Unovan could surprise me at this point... you actually do think?"
"We're being serious, Drake." Iris rolled her eyes.
"So am I-" He turned back to the eldest member of their group. "Did it hurt? What was that unique experience like?"
"Drake-" Cilan sighed, pinching his nose, and shaking his head. "Why not send Marowak back instead?"
Feeling his eye twitch and an anger boil from the pit of his stomach, he caught a glance off the ground type before taking a deep breath and closing his eyes to calm himself. Tightening his fists, he used all his will to stop them trembling before opening his eyes and marching up to the older boy.
"Don't ever question me-" His whisper was husked, on the verge of breaking. "Or suggestion Marowak goes to the lab. It won't end well for you."
The new atmosphere radiating off the two human companions caused him to calm slightly. Turning on a heel, he began walking further into the forest, this time along the walkway. Sound of footsteps told him both humans were still following him as he ran through possible training for the new captures.
She materialised on the cold metal floor. Looking around, she noticed a bunch of strange machinery in the new room. As she trotted around, the overwhelming feeling began to make her feel dizzy. Marowak mentioned something about a lab where Drake's other Pokémon stay when not with him.
"Hi!"
Letting out an undignified snort, she jumped and turned to see a human female with long brown hair flowing down below her shoulders. Stood behind her was a slightly humanoid Pokémon with a large moustache. It had a long, thin snout, narrow eyes, ear-like spikes extending from the top of the head, and an additional spike protruding from each cheek. Covering the golden yellow, skeletal body was brown armor-like sections over the chest, shoulders, forearms, and knees. Each foot had three toes on both feet, with a white claw on each. Two of the toes face forward, while one faced backwards. Each hand held a silver spoon.
"Oh, I'm sorry-" the girl frowned. "I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Leaf and this is Alakazam."
"How do you do?" The golden Pokémon bowed.
"How do I do what?" she asked.
"I'm guessing your new here?" Leaf asked, to which her head nodded a little swifter than she would've liked. Her heart still racing from the previous scare. "I bet your confused and scared but don't worry. The other Pokémon are outside and will help you feel welcome... Alakazam, will you?"
Giving a small nod, he raised his spoons and eyes flashed blue. Everything went bright and she squeezed her eyes shut. Her legs wobbled as she stumbled backwards, kneeling over. Opening her eyes, she found herself back outside on some sort of patio. The shade of the large house covered her. Turning back to walk backwards, the sight of a large predator bird perched on the top, caused a lump in her throat. Swallowing hard, the birds eyes locked with hers.
Spreading the large wings, the predator jumped off. Turning on a heel, she bolt off down the grassy hill. Glancing back, she saw the bird gliding down.
She turned back but her hooves got caught of something. Rolling down onto her stomach, she squeezed her eyes as she awaited her end.
A gust of wind rushed overhead, and she felt the shadow of the bird covering her. Tears leaked out of her eyes as she awaited being eaten.
"Hello-" Her eyes burst opened at the surprisingly calm, female voice. She turned to see the bird standing over her. "Do you need some help?"
"I erm-" She uttered, pushing herself up to her feet. "Hi."
"Hi yourself-" She nodded. "I'm Pidgeot and this is the Oak lab. Our trainers leave us here when on the road. I'm Pidgeot-"
"Blitzle."
"Nice to meet you, Blitzle-" She smiled. "Normally, Venusaur would do the whole meet & greet but he's busy right now."
"Busy?" she asked.
A conveniently timed explosion drew her attention. She turned to see two orange-fiery-dragon-like Pokémon stood in a burnt circle of the grass with what could only be described as a dinosaur hovering over both of them. Some sort of walking flower also stood between them.
"Those Charizard have a rivalry going back years and it usually ends up with collateral being caused." Pidgeot sighed. "They're always causing trouble... sorry, I know this is a lot to take in. May I ask who your trainer is?"
"Dr-Drake-"
"Ah... my trainer is Ash, his brother-" She smiled. "So, this lab has it all. A training area, grassy meadows, wide open fields, a couple lakes. Where do you want to start?"
"Erm- I'm-" she uttered, "I need to work on-"
Xatu teleported in between herself and the larger bird, "I can escort Blitzle from here."
"Fine by me-" Pidgeot jumped off the ground and shot off up into the sky.
Blitzle stood and watched the stoic bird whose eyes glew with bright blue energy. She wanted to say something, but the words were lost to her. She had seen the mystic bird since the day she got caught but she was always given a slight shiver. Maybe it's the stoic stare or her lack of movement.
A flash blinded her, and she squeezed her eyes shut. Stumbling backwards, she steadied herself and shook her head.
Opening her eyes, she found herself in front of a tall, yellow, bipedal Pokémon with a white belly. The ears were conical-shaped with black stripes and a red orb on the forehead. The head sat on a long neck, which had several black rings around near the base. Two stubby arms resembling flippers on each side of the roundish stomach with a single white nail on each foot. She caught sight of a long, black-striped tail with a red orb at the tip, wobbling behind.
"Hello?" A female voice came from the Pokémon. "Who might you be?"
"Blitzle-" she uttered, standing still.
"Nice to meet you, Blitzle-" She smiled. "I'm Ampharos... what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Erm... m-my trainer-" She stuttered, glancing around she found the mystic bird no-where to be seen. "He said you c-could help... with my electrical control."
"I may certainly be able to help-" She smiled. "Tell me, how do you generate your voltage?"
"I-" She looked down to the floor. "I'm not sure. I mean, I feel charged after a run... if that helps."
"It certainly does-" Ampharos nodded. "You see, electric types need to generate heat within the body and that heat transforms into our element. Myself soaks in sunlight to generate my power but others, like yourself, do it through kinetic movement."
"So, what does that mean?" she asked.
"Before we can see what we're working with, I need to charge you up," she explained, "training without a warm up could cause serious injury. So, head off for a run, maybe do a lap or two of the ranch. While I'll go to find Jolteon, he's also a Pokémon who makes the kinetic energy into electricity."
"O-okay-" she nodded.
Turning around, she started to trot along. It didn't take her long to build up her speed, entering a full gallop over the grassy field.
Closing her eyes, she felt the cool wind through her fur. The memories of running alongside her herd filled her eye. A small smile formed on her lips.
Thanks for reading... Please Favourite, Follow and Review. Also, feel free to ask any questions through PM, I will answer them all, although don't expect too big of spoilers. Don't forget to vote in the polls. I really appreciate the support. Thank you and see ya next time...