Chapter 25:Nathan Catches Hoppip
In a nearby wooded area Brett and Betty were walking weakly with their shoulders down.
"How will we ever get back into the good graces of the boss?" Brett asked.
"We can't even beat a kid or capture a Pokemon."
Suddenly the small purple Pokemon popped out of the brush and leapt onto Brett. Betty jumped back and threw out her Zubat.
"Zubat Poison Fang attack!"
As soon as Zubat's teeth connected with the purple Pokemon it passed out. Brett got up and dusted himself off. Betty began pulling Brett forward when she suddenly stopped in her tracks. She turned around and looked at the Pokemon.
"Brett… I have an idea."
As they discussed a new plan, on the other side of the woods Phillip, Nathan and Kathy continued their way north on Route 37. Kathy continued acting odd. It was as if she was intentionally trying to delay their arrival to Ecruteak City. She took breaks often and would go off the path. Phillip approached her as they sat down for the seventh time.
"Are you okay?"
"Of course. I'm good. I'm wonderful. I'm ready for adventure." Kathy was speaking quickly.
"You sure? You seem nervous."
Nathan approached them.
"What's wrong with you? Are you having girl problems or something? We're stopping every five minutes."
Phillip's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. Kathy's face turned red and her eyes narrowed. She smacked him in the back of the head as hard as she could. His face slammed into the ground. Phillip covered his mouth trying to hold back his laughter. Nathan popped up rubbing his head.
"OWWWW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR!?"
"DON'T EVER ASK A WOMAN THAT QUESTION!" She screamed at him.
Phillip approached them and took his usual position of mediator between Kathy and Nathan. Once everyone calmed down they were approached by a man and a woman wearing turbans and glasses. The man had a beard that looked strange to Phillip. He didn't trust them. He felt like there was something familiar and off about them, but he didn't want to be rude. A purple Pokemon popped up on the woman's shoulder. Nathan pulled out his Pokedex.
"What the heck is that Pokemon!?"
"Sableye. Materials from gems it has eaten float to the surface of its body and can form an infinite number of patterns among individuals. It dwells in the darkness of caves. It uses its sharp claws to dig up gems to nourish itself."
"It's kind of creepy looking." Kathy said.
"Because the gemstones this Sableye has eaten have formed on it's eyes it has the ability to see the future." Betty responded.
Phillip started rubbing his chin as he began analyze the odd trio. Betty continued.
"As its trainers we are able to communicate with Sableye and tell the fortunes of those who approach us."
Phillip spoke up.
"That doesn't sound right. I have never heard of a Sableye being able to see the future."
The man stepped forward and began stroking his beard.
"I see you are an unbeliever who lacks vision. That is okay. Many have doubted our abilities and learned the hard way."
Phillip turned around and called out to Nathan and Kathy over his shoulder.
"This is a scam. Let's go."
Kathy continued staring at the Pokemon. She felt as though she'd seen it before. Betty focused her attention on Nathan.
"Surely you my dear boy would like to know what the future holds for you. I will give you a free reading."
Nathan turned around and called to Kathy and Phillip.
"Come on guys! What could it hurt!?"
The woman shouted.
"Come Sableye! Visualize!"
Phillip turned around and raised his eyebrow. He had spent years studying techniques, moves, strategy and training. He had never heard of a move called Visualize.
The man and woman both did a peculiar looking dance around Sableye. The woman called out.
"Oh, my dear boy. I see you and your Cyndaquil winning many victories."
Nathan jumped back with excitement.
"See Phillip! They are fortune tellers! How would they know I have a Cyndaquil."
Kathy leaned in, suddenly very curious.
"Do you see anything in my future?"
The man and woman did their dance again. Phillip looked closer, trying to figure out how they knew about Cyndaquil. The man's beard shifted a little bit as he moved around. Phillip called out.
"Brett and Betty!?"
The man and woman froze. The two slowly turned to look at them. Brett's beard shifted enough to alert them. Kathy and Nathan threw out Exeggcute and Cyndaquil.
"Now!" Brett shouted.
Spinarak descended on Cyndaquil. Before they could escape Kathy and Nathan shouted.
"Bullet Seed Exeggcute!"
"Ember Attack Cyndaquil!"
Brett, Betty and Sableye were being burned. They began to run away as they were being pelted by large seeds. As they took off to the east they jumped over a large tree branch. Betty's leg got caught on the branch and she stumbled into some tall grass.
Instantly several pink and blue heads popped out of the tall grass. They all had large mouse like ears and the pink ones had small horns in the center of their heads. Nathan turned his Pokedex towards them.
"Nidoran, It scans its surroundings by raising its ears out of the grass. Its toxic horn is for protection."
Kathy yelled.
"There's blue ones too!"
"Nidoran, While this Pokémon does not prefer to fight, even one drop of the venom it secretes from its barbs can be fatal."
Phillip was prepared to throw out Tyrogue and Delta. Three female Nidoran popped out of the tall grass and two male Nidoran popped out of the grass. Brett and Betty tried to slowly crawl away. The Nidoran chased them further north into the woods.
The trio laughed at Team Rocket. After a couple of minutes when all seemed calm they continued north towards Ecruteak. After walking further north they came across the Nidoran. Team Rocket was nowhere to be seen. The Nidoran were surrounding a pink Pokemon with ears and a leaf sticking out of its head. Nathan turned his Pokedex to the Pokemon.
"Hoppip, Outside of cold regions, Hoppip can be found practically everywhere. This is because the wind carries this species all over the world."
Kathy spoke up.
"Hoppip must have just blown here."
"That's not good, Nidoran are pretty territorial."
Nathan ran to help the Hoppip. Cyndaquil was already following close by. He threw out Totodile to help.
"Get away from her!" Nathan shouted.
All five Nidoran turned their attention towards Nathan. The Nidoran talked to each other as they surrounded Cyndaquil and Totodile. Kathy and Phillip ran towards them. As the Nidoran were plotting a synchronized attack Nathan shouted.
"Ember attack Cyndaquil."
Cyndaquil blew a line of fire between him and two of the Nidoran preventing them from getting close to him.
"Quick Totodile! Ice Fang attack!"
Totodile flew at one of the male Nidoran piercing him with his jaw. As one of the female Nidoran attacked Totodile from behind Hoppip threw its body at it with a Tackle attack. Hoppip, Cyndaquil and Totodile all collided with one of the Nidoran. As the bodies were laid out a rope net fell from an acorn tree.
The net pulled all the Nidoran, Cyndaquil, Totodile and Hoppip together. As the net was tightening Zubat blasted all of them with a Supersonic wave and Spinarak was raining Poison Stings on all of them. Kathy's Oddish fired a Razor Leaf attack that cut the rope net. All the Pokemon fell out. Brett and Betty were standing on top of the rope. Once the Pokemon fell out Brett and Betty began losing their balance. Instantly they were hit with a Confusion attack from Exeggcute. As they were falling due to the Confusion attack, Delta fired a Twister attack that sent Team Rocket flying into the air again.
"TEAM ROCKET IS BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
The Nidoran jumped to one side. Cyndaquil, Totodile and Hoppip stood up opposite them. Oddish and Exeggcute joined them. Dratini jumped in front of all of the Pokemon and glared at the Nidoran. Fire began to burn in his mouth. The largest Nidoran led his family in running away in the opposite direction back south on Route 37.
Once the Nidoran were out of sight Nathan ran to Totodile and Cyndaquil to check on them. Once they were okay he turned towards Hoppip.
"Are you okay?"
Hoppip responded and nodded. She looked to Cyndaquil and Totodile. They were talking. Hoppip bounced towards Nathan. She nudged his backpack.
"Do you want to come with me Hoppip?"
Hoppip nodded her head. Nathan stepped back and grabbed an empty Pokeball. He threw it at Hoppip and Hoppip jumped into it. The Pokeball rolled around for a few seconds. The light blinked indicating that Hoppip stayed inside. Nathan caught a Hoppip!
Everyone recalled their Pokemon to give them rest. Nathan held Hoppip's Pokeball in his left hand and stared at it with a smile on his face. Phillip walked up to him and slapped him on the back.
"Good job buddy! You're doing alright."
Nathan rubbed his back where Phillip slapped him. The three trainers laughed together and continued on their way towards Ecruteak City.
To be continued…