"Careful," Clara whispered beside me, keeping her maid posture. "There might be traps."
I didn't answer but narrowed my eyes.
"Totodile, [Water Gun]"
"Dile!" Totodile gathering up water in its mouth, started to shoot an attack straight at the Ferrothorn who looked on with glowing pink eyes.
*Wooosh!*
The water midway through, suddenly spikes down. As if an invisible force stopped it from going forward. Seeing this I get a confused look as I stare and the Pokemon wondering.
'Does this thing know a psychic type move?' But my question was quickly answered as a force hit Clara and I.
"Its [Gravity]." I murmur.
Totodile who was next to Beedrill and Gliscor who didn't feel much resistance, hit the floor growling in annoyance.
"Gliscor protect Totodile. Beedrill use [Brick Break]!"
In a loud hum, Beedrill propelled forward in near blinding speed, the winds hitting my face. Shortly after it smacks Ferrothorn into the ceiling even more, making it dig deeper as it grunts in pain.
*Crack*
Unsurprisingly with its defensive specialty it was hanging in there. It glowed green which signified a small heal.
As my thoughts paused, rocks on the side walls of the mines started to move. Each one started to head to Beedrill.
"[Protect] NOW!"
*Boom!*
Just before impact, a sphere barrier blocks all the incoming [Stealth Rocks]. It acted more of a trap than a move to damage newly sent out Pokemon.
Something to note down later.
With the dust settling the Ferrothorn with some damage on its head, was now on the ground locked its eyes against Beedrill. It definitely has some spirit to battle to the end, as it gathered up a shiny silver energy to its mouth.
Soon after launching.
"[Brick Break] Again!"
*SKRRRR-CHHHH*
The beam was now heading straight towards me.
'Oh fuck.' My eyes widen. Moving my legs I duck down as a sudden noise hits my ear. Looking up, Gengar was now in front of me tanking the hit with a serious expression. Its earlier happy look from the car drive gone.
"You've got great instincts master Silver." Clara's voice hits my ears as she starts to massage my shoulders. "Look back up."
Beedrill who was looking back with a Ferrothorn on the ground, it blasted back to my side in a hurry. Seeing this I sigh in relief patting him with my hands shaking a little.
Could that of killed me if I didn't have Gengar?
If it was another trainer maybe.
"It's alright, thank you for taking Ferrothorn down." I console my ace patting his head. I could tell he was worried for me, as he hugged me. "Next time lets not have an attack get close to me."
My oversight was letting Gliscor be with Totodile.
They should of been next to me.
"Ball." I order now composed. Clara who was next to me had a slight smile, taking out a luxury ball. Clicking it to expand it I proceed to throw the ball. Cleanly hitting the Pokemon's metal body, wobbling once… twice… three times… click.
Caught.
I exhaled pulling out my Pokedex as its information started to show on its screen.
--{}--
[Pokemon: Ferrothorn]
Strength: High Adept
Type: Grass/Steel
Ability: Iron Barbs
Moves: Harden, Tackle, Metal Claw, Pin-Missile, Ingrain, Flash Cannon, Iron Head, Self-Destruct, Iron Defence,
Egg Moves: Gravity, Toxic, Spikes, Leech Seed
--{}--
'[Ingrain] is why it healed after Beedrill's first attack, plus Spikes and Gravity is pretty neat.' The memories of some fanfics back on earth having Gravity training. It seemed pretty useful but only if it was higher level.
Even so it makes training more effective.
"Hehe." I giggle which made Clara side eye me. While Totodile and Gliscor just stared at each other scared.
Totodile's extra training time...
Soon after we moved deeper into the mine. Ferrothorn while a welcomed suprise and apart of my main team, wasn't the focus of this trip.
'Gengar deserves a few pokeblocks.'
...
The deeper we went, the warmer the air became. I noticed it first as a faint heat rising from the walls — unusual for a mine of this depth. The tunnels widened, giving way to a vast cavern.
Looking on the ground, there were obvious tracks of Pokemon being here.
"Thankfully there's lights," Clara murmur looking on unimpressed at the dirty place. A small cluster of eggs glimmered faintly in the corner of the cavern.
I froze.
The shape and warmth were familiar to my memory. I had seen this before. Ash's journey's episode. My lips curl into a smile.
After a few seconds, a couple Larvesta emerged cautiously, their little legs shifting on the sand. They stopped when they noticed us, horns twitching, flames flickering slightly from them as if to ward us off.
I held my hand up slowly, letting them see I meant no harm.
"Clara, bring out the high quality food." I asked softly.
She nodded and unzipped her bag, producing carefully prepared nutrient packets. I knelt and spread some on the sand, far enough away that the Larvesta didn't feel trapped. Their tiny eyes widened at the smell, their flames dying down now curious.
The intimidation of a Beedrill and Gliscor was ever present, but with food on the table?
'They live in a desert and inside a mine, food like this is like god send.' I thought to myself satisfied of my strategy.
Worse case scenario I catch one that likes the food.
Best case?
I have a future Volcarona line sanctuary.
"Totodile try to befriend them, make sure to be gentle" I softly encourage patting his back.
The big back jaw Pokemon hearing this had a glow in his eyes. But understanding my words slowly walked forward which made them back up a little.
Soon after taking a bite and not caring about making friends, my eyes squint in annoyance.
This fatasss.
To my surprise though, it worked. The group of Larvesta looked at Totodile with a friendly look as they soon went back to happily eating. It was of course the best food they've had in their life.
"Using food huh, can't say I shouldn't have expected this..." Clara mutters to herself.
Amused at these words I cheekily say. "Why how did you catch Gengar?"
"I beat him up. Until he submitted..." Clara quietly says with clenched fists, as the shadow under me shivered a little at those words.
Oh...
Going back to the Larvesta, taking a tens of minutes I they let me touch them which they were very soft. Unfortunately dirty but they lived in an abandon mine which makes some sense.
"Do you guys want to come with me? You'll get to eat as much food as you want." My voice earnestly asking. "I can provide food and keep your eggs safe. My home is way more spacious and safe than this place."
The group who heard this started to talk among themselves. Totodile soon after started to talk to them happily.
"Dile dile!" The jaw Pokemon dancing around made them stare.
One finaly walks forward and gives me a nod.
'Lets go.' I fist bump Totodile in my head. Finally he's helping
After a few more minutes of conversing with the Pokemon which felt more like a one sided talk with some nods, they agreed to gather up any remaining Larveta that would want to come.
This took half an hour but it was worth it.
In front of Clara and I were about 15 Larvestas, but one caught me eye from the rest.
A shiny, golden Larvesta.
'It's the one from the anime.' I thought as it was a bit bigger than the rest which made sense. Later in the future it became naturally stronger I presume without any pokeblocks or nutrients custom made for it.
It was a monster which evolved by itself.
"Alright, let's get them ready," I said. Clara helped me gently gather them into normal Pokeballs, while the golden one lingered until I offered my hand again. Slowly, deliberately, it allowed itself to be lifted, sparks flickering like quiet approval.
He deserved the Luxury ball.
Ding!
Opening up my Pokedex again, a quick scan.
--{}--
Pokemon: Larvesta ✨
Strength: Low Veteran
Type: Bug/Fire
Nature: Lax
Ability: Flame Body
Moves: Ember, String Shot, Flame Charge, Struggle Bug, Flame Wheel, Bug Bite, Screech, Leech Life
Egg Moves: Morning Sun, Magnet Rise
--{}--
Now that's sweet.
[Magnet Rise] is the real surprise of this shiny Larvesta plus he's already low Veteran tier. Flame Body isn't a bad ability to have, while his hidden ability increases bug-type moves.
His current ability is useful due to its outside uses. If it does get hit, it's flames makes physical attacks deal less damage.
My thoughts now finished, we prepared to leave.
I glanced around the cavern looking for any eggs left. There were 5 eggs in Clara's bag. And the Larvestas were now mine.
It was a bit anti-climatic from the catches I thought I would have, such as fighting. But honestly these peaceful negotiations were very nice.[1]
...
[Time Skip - 2 weeks]
Three weeks had passed since the mines. Clara and I had traveled from the Desert Resort toward Castelia City, and by now, I was ready for some real-world battles in the form of trainers.
The city streets buzzed with activity, new trainers setting up small competitions everywhere. One caught my attention: a rookie tournament, modest in scale, but perfect for testing Totodile and my newly bonded Larvesta in live battle conditions.
I didn't really bond with my new captures much as most of the time was spent traveling and eating right now.
Clara walked beside me, carrying my supplies and a small case for the Pokémon I might rotate in. "Remember, they're just kids" she says in a deadpan tone.
"I am too." I retort to her amusement.
The first match started quickly. A young trainer sent out Sandile, lean and twitchy, clearly relying on speed and bite attacks. I released Larvesta. Its eyes met mine with unwavering focus.
Type matchups didn't really matter for training, as for now I'm just trying to get more experience for Totodile and Larvesta. Ferrothorn seemed overkill despite it being a rank weaker, its size mattered.
Larvesta was small and could be outmaneuvered despite its fire power.
"Vest..." The golden Larvesta looking at its opponent narrowed its eyes like it was looking at prey. Win = Food, it was not safe.
"[String Shot]," I instructed, keeping my tone steady.
Soon after a fast line of string left Larvesta, sort of going around Sandile. As it wasn't fast enough to avoid.
"Use [Dig] Sandile!" Right after this the Pokemon started to dig down a bit slugishly. Seeing this there wasn't a point to attack as it would be too late even with its speed.
Watching the Pokemon leave the ground and unable to hear its trainer anymore, it was time.
"[Magnet Rise]." My simple words making the trainer on the other side confused,
It is quite a niche move to use other than the Magnemite line using it unconsciously. This was to my advantage though as to the shock of the rookie trainers and civilians around, my golden Larvesta started to float.
"Woah!"
"Mommy how is it flying?"
"He must be cheating!"
After a few moments the Sandile surfaced right under Larvesta but looked around in confusion. Not realising the shadow above it, covering the sun was in fact its opponent looking a little comical.
"[Struggle Bug] bellow you Larvesta!"
"Sandile above!"
An energy of the colour light green soon left Larvesta as it hit the poor Sandile. One hitting the poor Pokemon as it fainted.
Seeing this some excitement went through my mind as I ran up to the winner. Scooping him up into my embrace feeling his warmth. I rub my head into his now cleaned fur giving it some encouraging words.
"You did amazing! Don't worry you'll get all the food you want." I happily say making it squirm in delight.
Cute.
'It feels a little free being more, chalant now that not everybody knows my background.' Taking some food from Clara, I fed it to Larvesta which made my maid pout. It seems like she may be a bit jelous.
...
The afternoon went by as my battles switched between Totodile and Larvesta each racking wins until the semi-finals.
Next, the semi-finals. My opponent sent out Mienfoo, fiery and aggressive. I chose Totodile. The bubbly guy stirred in its Poké Ball but emerged quickly, now tap dancing in glee.
"[Water Gun]," I said wanting to test the waters. It was a fighting type so keeping distance was prefered.
Totodile obeying started to gather water in its mouth.
"[Fake Out] quickly!" The opposing trainer shouts. Before Totodile could attack, the Mienfoo was already infront of him and clapped its hands on his head. Stopping the attack and making the poor jaw Pokemon flinch as some distance was now made.
Watching this I frown.
"[Aqua Jet]!" In an instant water emerged from the ground as he headed towards Mienfoo, the Pokemon seeing this tried to run but couldn't dodge.
*Smack*
The hit sending it back on its face, which seemed to enrage it.
"[Water Gun] again."
"Mienfoo [Detect] and get close with [Force Palm]!"
*Woosh!*
This time Totodile got to release his attack but for naught as its opponent dodges and quickly made his way forward. "[Ice Punch]!} I shout.
The Jaw Pokemon seeing the closing in opponent, let its hands freeze as it ran forward to match him. Both Pokemon meeting near the middle clash with one fist, which ended up with Totodile knocked backwards.
"Dile dile..." It looked annoyed as it saw Mienfoo look at it from a distance, signalling to come forward.
Suddenly, it burst in white sphere.
'He's evolving!' A glimmer in my eyes. It was about damn time for him to do so. Looking on in awe the rest of the audience were captivated as most people here were still with their weaker Pokemon.
This made me a little proud of the big back...
Soon after the glow faded and now a Croconaw took his place.
"You ready partner!" I shout, and to my glee he looked back with a thumbs up.
30 seconds later.
Croconaw was laid out flat, ass facing the sky...
'Well that was awkward.' The Mienfoo was simply too slipery for a bruiser like Croconaw. Especially with coordination being a bit wack with the size difference.
Rip my boy.
Making my way to the middle I shake my opponents hand before getting to my poor downed Pokemon. He seemed a little discouraged. "Great job you evolved! Don't worry this calls for some celebration."
My words making his ears twitch.
The pain of losing was gone now huh.
The semi-final loss didn't really matter much to me, any reward couldn't be something I couldn't source myself. I looked past the park, toward the high rise buildings of Castelia Gym. Burgh would be my next real test.
For now, I allowed myself a brief moment of satisfaction with my current progress.
[1] In my head, good food would obviously work due to their living situation. In a cave in the desert? Food like that is like god send to them. Which makes it easier than wild Pokemon in a lush forest with berries.