In Her Image: a Pokémon RP

[Anayna]

The Pineco was knocked into the tree that had served as its resting place before being rudely disturbed by the pair before him. The aforementioned pair mystified him. The trainer had wanted to flee and the Cubone had refused to fight. But now? The Ground-type had clearly held back and yet his one strike had nearly knocked Pineco's lights out. He was on his proverbial last leg. Who were they? Who was so strong yet didn't wish to fight?

Wavering on unconsciousness Pineco only barely registered the white and red ball flying towards him.

 

[Anayna]

Pineco dissolved into light and disappeared into the pokeball. The ball shook a few times on the ground, but then calmed down. Pineco was caught.

Rupert picked up the now occupied pokeball. It was a strange sensation, catching your first pokemon in seven years. The Kanto trainer had honestly never thought that he would ever catch another pokemon. He felt... bigger somehow. If a trainer was at least partially defined by his team then it stood to reason that this new catch had expanded Rupert's identity. Since arriving in Goldenrod and fighting Tom, his self-image had slowly changed and this newest member of the team was the first visible sign of this change.

Cubone walked up to his trainer and looked up at him a bit quizzically. Rupert stopped staring at the pokeball to give Cubone a reassuring smile.

"I'm okay, Cubone. I told you. I get it now. Me wanting to postpone catching... I was just being a coward again. It's all well and good wanting to be a better trainer, but when push comes to shove I freeze up. Maybe the image of the trainer I want to be is just too comforting... What if I really put my heart into this and fail? Then I wont even have that image anymore. Then all I would have is the cold reality that I'm just not that good a trainer. But I get it now. It's not about being the best. It's not even about being really good. It's not about choosing the most optimal team members or being as effective as possible. It's just about doing your best with what you have. Heh. After all... That?s what you?ve been doing with me for years, right?"

Cubone looked approvingly at his trainer. The self-deprecation was quite unnecessary (however true) but he was happy with Rupert's development. The trainer was starting to look more and more like the person Cubone once thought he was; the person who had saved him all those years ago.
Then things felt like they got too sappy, so he decided to smash a rock with his club.

"BONE! Cuu! Cu!"

"Ha ha! Alright, alright. No more emotional stuff. Got it. Thanks for giving me the push I needed though. Just wish it hadn't been quite so painful..."

Rupert gingerly rubbed his abdomen. It still hurt something fierce. Cubone gave him a look that said: "Pfft. Pansy."
Still clutching the ball containing his newest catch Rupert then said:

"So... You wanna try this again?"

And so trainer and pokemon ran of to find another tree to headbutt.

 

[Shakomaru]

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Ada and this is Gummy, my Ditto. Pleased to meet you."

"H-Hi.. No problem, Uh... The name's Tom, and uh, this is my Shieldon Trapic."

The girl was quite pretty, and Tom was almost instantly enamored. He was stuttering worse than Rupert.

"Um, are you here to train too? I've never seen you around."

"Oh! I-I'm actually in the tournament. Live in Sinnoh. Uh.. I actually lived in um Ecruteak for a while.. Got my first pokemon here.. And one or two badges... Uh..."

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Intimidated by the sudden night shade, which really wouldn't have done too much damage, Kusari tried to back away, but ended up falling out of the tree, with a large screech.

"SKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!!"

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"SKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR!!!!"

The sound of Kusari's scream snapped Tom out of his infatuation.

"Oh no! Sorry, but that's my pokemon in trouble! I gotta go!"

Running as fast as he possibly could, he soon found himself kneeling next to Kusari. The fall had done more damage than the Spinarak itself did, but a good moo moo milk later and the Skorupi was back on her feet. That's when he saw Rupert lobbing a pokeball towards a small blueish pokemon. Smiling to himself, Tom walked over to where he and Ada had been talking, telling Kusari to pinch him if he fell too hard.

 

[JdaS]

And so it was that at the last minute, Spike would retreat rather than face its defeat. Zangoose wouldn't have it. It raced the PokéBall's beam and used Pursuit, slamming the small Pokémon down to the ground. Pitiful.

"Heh. You weren't kidding when you said you were playing rough, huh?"

"Nope. I wanna see what you can really do. That tactic was great. If Spike was a Quilava, I doubt Zangoose would be standing now."

Matt's next Pokémon was his Gastly, Persephone.

"Okay Zangoose, use Pursuit on this one! Shouldn't take long."

Zangoose obliged and set after the Ghost-type, slashing it for some nasty damage. Dark-type attacks always felt nasty, but the Gas Pokémon wasn't that weak. Its eyes began to glow with an eerie light, and as the gaze caught Zangoose's attention he felt his mind slipping. As the light faded, Zangoose was confused.

"Mmmh... Annoying... Zangoose! Keep it together man! Use another Pursuit!"

Zangoose managed to concentrate for the small while it took for it to attack Persephone a second time. As the attack connected, Persephone was becoming less than pleased with the beating she was taking. Its eyes started glowing yet again, this time a dull blue instead of yellow. Zangoose couldn't avoid the Ghost-type's gaze and soon fell asleep.

"Well darn. Ey! Zangoose! Wake up!"
______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Now wait just one second their cowboy, what makes you think that I'm going to let you walk away so easily with that little Ralts. How about we settle this fair and square with a Pokémon battle. You win, the Ralts is yours, I win, and I get a chance to catch it. Deal?"

The poacher just sighed.

"I damn well knew you weren't gonna make this easy on me, fancy boy. Fine then. We goin'ta have ourselves a duel. Who ever wins gets to capture that there critter. Ariados! You're up first! Start with a Shadow Sneak! Spin some Spider Web to keep the target in battle and then go for a Leech Life!"

Riadosss!

"Heh. You're gonna regret this, boy. That thing is of no real value to you. Why would you risk your own Pokémon for something you don't even own?"

The Ralts in question wasn't going anywhere. It was constricted by Ariados' Spider Web, just a few feet away.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Cubone was in charge of deciding which trees to Headbutt. It went for another.

*THOOM*

Nothing. Maybe that one?

*BONK*

Nope. What about...

*SMACK*

Zilch. This was getting annoying. That one!

*BOOM*
*SMACK*

A Pokémon tumbled down, hitting its head on Cubone's on the way down.

H... Hoooooo... Ho-Hoooooot...

Spoiler: Hoothoot

http://pearlsaurus.fc2web.com/elog/386/163.jpg[img][/spoiler]

After taking a while to regain its bearings. The Hoothoot stood up and looked at the Trainer in front of it quizically. What did he want? Why was its slumber disturbed?

Hoothoot/Female/Lvl 14
Ability: Keen Eye

Moves:

-Tackle
-Growl
-Forsight
-Peck
-Uproar
-Hypnosis
______________________________________________________________________________________________

As Tom returned from retrieving Kusari, he found Ada still standing at the same spot. Her eyes had widened at the knowledge that Tom was competing in the tournament.

"The tournament!? Wow! That's so cool! And you're here to train for your next match?"

The girl was visibly excited at the notion that she was talking to a great Trainer. She took a look at Tom's rare Pokémon, followed by a glance at her own and with the wiliest yet cutest smile, said.

"Wanna battle?"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

"I damn well knew you weren't gonna make this easy on me, fancy boy. Fine then. We goin'ta have ourselves a duel. Who ever wins gets to capture that there critter. Ariados! You're up first! Start with a Shadow Sneak! Spin some Spider Web to keep the target in battle and then go for a Leech Life!" The cowboy ordered the Long Leg Pokémon to attack whatever Caleb brought out, but Caleb knew which one to use. He pulled out Angelique's Pokéball.

Riadosss! The spider screeched as it began to attack

"Heh. You're gonna regret this, boy. That thing is of no real value to you. Why would you risk your own Pokémon for something you don't even own?"

"Perhaps its because I know what I'm doing, that I actually care about the Pokémon that I train. And more to the point, I know what I can use to beat you. Come on out, Angelique." Caleb remarked with a sense of pride, as the Starling Pokémon burst out of its ball, and flew high into the sky, ready for orders.

"Angelique, use Quick Attack then follow up with Aerial Ace. Strike down that spider!"

"Staravia!" Angelique squawked, signifying her response to the attack, and began to carry it out.

 

[Shakomaru]

"Wanna battle?"

"Ow!"

Making sure that her job would be done well, Kusari maintained a tight grip.

"Well, we're both here to train, and battling another trainer is definitely the best way to do that. So.. Uh.. Ow! Sure!"

Kusari however was worried that this new crush Tom had developed would have a negative effect on his battling.

 

[Pappytech]

"Well darn. Ey! Zangoose! Wake up!"

Matt breathed a sigh of relief as Zangoose fell asleep. Today had just not been his day; he couldn't believe he'd forgotten Persephone's innate weakness to Dark moves.

Still, things were certainly looking up now. "Alright girl, do your thing! Dream Eater!"

 

[JokerboyJordan]

"Well darn. Ey! Zangoose! Wake up!"

Sav watched on as an avid spectator of the match. The previous fight, Spike had proven no match for Zangoose's speed and strength, however fiery mouse had put up quite a fight, knocking down Zangoose's health with a powerful singing Fire Spin. As Remy had also remarked, if Spike had been a Quiliva, it probably would have been the victor.

Matt's new found trickster strategy with Persephone however, seem to be playing to all the Pokemon's strengths, with it's mesmeric stare both confusing Zangoose, and lulling it to sleep, although not until it had damaged Persophone with super effective move.
Matt now had the upper hand, and could now afford to go on the offensive, with the optimal move...

"Alright girl, do your thing! Dream Eater!"

"Yes Matt! Go for it, you can do this!"

Sav was on her feet willing the novice training on all the way, giving her full support. Remy would hopefully not hold a grudge, she wasn't picking a favourite or anything.

 

[Anayna]

*SMACK*

Headbutting trees turned out to be akin to playing the lottery as an awful lot of them were empty. After a bit of perseverance and a lot of now half-naked trees, Cubone and Rupert finally got some results. A round shape fell straight onto Cubone's head. This didn't seem to bother him much though; partly because of his skull mask but mostly because the creature was feathered. The duo just watched as it managed to get back on its feet (its one foot actually) in an ungraceful manner and squawked.

H... Hoooooo... Ho-Hoooooot...

Oh, it's a... well, I don't really know what it is. Some sort of owl pokemon? I could actually really use a flying type. Let's try this again then.

"Okay, Cubone..."

Cubone flexed his muscles in anticipation.

"Return."

"CUUU?!"

"Come on, Cubone. You heard me. I'd rather not use False Swipe if I can avoid it. I mean, beating a pokemon senseless in order to catch it should be a last resort, right? Haunter knows plenty of good status affecting moves. I'd like to try those out first."

With that Cubone was withdrawn to sulk in his pokeball on his own while Haunter was released into the fray. This did however give the Owl Pokemon ample time to attack should it wish to do so. Haunter, although initially excited about being called out, was immediately annoyed by the sun and before giving any thought about his opponent moved over to a spot where the tree gave him a bit of shade. When he first saw the Hoothoot though he perked right back up. It was a Normal-type. Haunter could just tell. He loved teasing the normies.

"Alright Haunter, um... Oh, right. Start with Scary Face. We don't want it running away now. After that just go for Hypnosis and keep at it until it falls asleep. I'll be ready."

Rupert was digging through a pocket trying to find a Great Ball. Haunter didn't really know what was going on, but he needed no excuse for scaring the living daylights out of someone.

 

[JdaS]

"Perhaps its because I know what I'm doing, that I actually care about the Pokémon that I train. And more to the point, I know what I can use to beat you. Come on out, Angelique."

The poacher looked on as Caleb's Staravia entered the fray.

Darn... A Normal type... And a Flyer to boot...

"Angelique, use Quick Attack then follow up with Aerial Ace. Strike down that spider!"

Angelique was the faster of the two so its Quick Attack would hit first. The Flying-type was but a blur as it struck the enemy Ariados from the air.

Ariados would counter with Shadow Sneak, its shadow contorting and stretching to ensnare Angelique and hurt her... To no avail. The Normal-type Staravia was completely oblivious to the attack and was now ready to carry out its master's next order.
With blinding speed, Angelique dove at the Long Leg Pokémon, swiping it with her beak and shooting back upwards at breakneck speeds. Turning back just as fast, Angelique delivered yet another strike.

Ariados struggled to remain on its feet after such a damaging attack, but it wasn't about to bow out just yet. Spewing out some Spider Web at Angelique, Ariados made sure to keep its foe in battle. The next move was Caleb's.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Well, we're both here to train, and battling another trainer is definitely the best way to do that. So.. Uh.. Ow! Sure!"

Ada let out a giggle as she motioned her Ditto, Gummy to take the stage.

"Great! I love fighting challenging opponents, so don't go easy on me now, you hear? I'll start with Gummy. You know the drill! Get in there and use Transform!"

The little pink blob bounced into the soon-to-be battlefield and began stretching and contorting into whatever Tom would throw out first.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Alright girl, do your thing! Dream Eater!"

"Yes Matt! Go for it, you can do this!"

Cheered on by Savannah, Matt's next move did not please Remy.

"Well damn..."

Inching ever closer to Zangoose, Persephone started inhaling deeply. Like only a creature with no lungs would be able to. An eerie aura filled the area as Persephone seemed to inhale some sort of energy from Zangoose, healing itself in the process, largely negating its Trainer's previous mistake. Zangoose, however wasn't looking so hot. The pained expression of having its dreams ravaged and ripped from his being raced across his face, before its eyes shot open, only for the Cat Ferret Pokémon to fall to the ground. Persephone had taken Zangoose out.

"Hah. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about, kid! Awesome moves! Now... Who to send out next?"
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Alright Haunter, um... Oh, right. Start with Scary Face. We don't want it running away now. After that just go for Hypnosis and keep at it until it falls asleep. I'll be ready."

Haunter complied happily, twisting its face into a horrendous visage that sent a wave of pure terror washing over the small owl-like Pokémon. The attack decreased the foe's speed, but would not prevent it from trying to escape. Hoothoot tried to counter with a Tackle, but it just phased through the Ghost-type, who responded with a chilling laugh as its eyes began to glow with a dim blue light. Hypnosis did its job. Hoothoot was now asleep.

 

[Anayna]

Haunter was having a ball battling the Hoothoot. When the Owl Pokemon's eyes opened wide in fear (which considering how big they were beforehand made Rupert fear that they would pop out) Haunter could barely maintain his spooky persona; sensing the Hoothoot' fear filled him with a child-like glee. When Hoothoot went for a tackle in her desperation, the Ghost-type made sure to stand perfectly still. He loved this part. No way was he even going to try to dodge. Seeing the normies try to attack him only to have their silly fleshy limbs go straight through him was hilarious. The Hoothoot did not disappoint: she went flailing through him, looking equally confused and terrified. Haunter couldn't be happier. Releasing a chilling laugh that he had been practicing for several years now, he put the small feathered 'mon to sleep.

Just a few steps away Rupert stood ready. Haunter had enjoyed that just a little too much for his liking, but at least he had followed his trainer's instructions. Rupert immediately let the Great Ball fly. This was all going according to plan so far. He felt almost like one of those proper Ace Trainers... right until the Great Ball nearly missed the Hoothoot. The ball landed some inches in front of the sleeping Flying-type and only activated when it rolled over with its momentum and just barely touched her foot.

Sigh. Why is it that everyone else can throw these balls like their name is Babe Ruth? Did I miss some sort of class growing up?

Rupert decided to forget about his less than stellar throwing arm and focused on the Great Ball that now contained the Hoothoot. He really hoped that this worked.

 

[Shakomaru]

As gummy squished itself in front of Ada, Tom decided that since Trapic and Kusari had already done some training, it was Kalmia's turn. Taking out her pokeball, he hesitated to think to himself.

You know... Gummy is a pretty cool name. But I feel like I know it from somewhere... Oh! That's right! I ran into someone with some sort of.. I think it was called a sandile? That was named Gummy. I wonder why though..

"Anyway, Kalmia! Turn up the heat!"

Wow that sounded so stupid... What's she gonna think..

"HOUNDOOM!"

 

[Evrant-Knight]

Caleb watched as Angelique dodged the Ariados's Shadow Sneak, then attacked it with a Quick Attack; following up with an Aerial Ace, this had almost crippled the Long Leg Pokémon, but it was still standing after the assault, managing to fire off some Spider Web. Angelique tried to fly away, but found it herself not being able to leave.

Damn, it appears we are staying put for the time being; although I get the feeling that this cowboy is up to something, better keep it up. His Ariados looks like it still has some fight left in it. Caleb thought to himself, trying to come up with a strategy to defeat the spider.

"Angelique, use Double Team, then follow up with another Aerial Ace."

"Star." Angelique sqauked and began to carry out her trainer's commands.

 

[Pappytech]

"Hah. Now THAT'S what I'm talking about, kid! Awesome moves! Now... Who to send out next?"

Matt's mouth split into a grin as Zangoose collapsed to the ground, his enthusiastic cheer ringing out once more, "Alright, way to go Persephone! You did great girl!"

"Gas gastly!" The Gastly's response was accompanied by a mocking tongue wag directed at her passed out foe; who said you had to be evolved to be strong, huh? She and Spike were perfectly capable, thank you very much.

However, despite their temporary victory, it was clear that Persephone had taken quite a bit of damage from that fight. Even draining some of Zangoose's mental energies wasn't enough to correct the damage Matt's error had wrought, and a quick examination of his Pokedex confirmed the trainer's suspicions. If Remy went with his Sneasel next, and he had no reason not to, then Persephone would be in trouble. She'd done well; time to give her a quick rest. "Alright Persephone, that was awesome. Time for a break now, okay?"

"Gas."

Her gaseous form collapsing into a crimson sphere of light, the Gastly returned to her Pokeball without complaint. It was time for Matt to bring out his ace in the hole. "Ventus, you're up!"

 

[JdaS]

Rupert would soon forget his less than manly throw as the Great Ball proved more than adequate for the task at hand. Three shakes and a snap. Hoothoot was his.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Ada stared, wide-eyed at the foe in front of her as Gummy twisted and molded itself into a perfect copy of Kalmia. Ignoring Tom's awkward attempt at a one-liner, she wowed.

"Wow a Houndoom, huh? It looks so strong! Well, here goes... Gummy, start with a Thunder Fang, use Smog right after and then another Thunder Fang!"

Dooooooom!

Gummy complied as jolts of electricity started forming in its fangs.
______________________________________________________________________________________________

"Angelique, use Double Team, then follow up with another Aerial Ace."

The poacher had no illusions about how this fight was going down.

"Aw well... This round is yours, pretty boy. But Ariados is goin' down swingin'! Ariados! Use Fury Swipes, then Constrict!"

Angelique flew at amazing speeds once again, darting around the clearin leaving afterimages of itself behind. Ariados moved to take a swipe at the elusive opponent.

Only to fail. Angelique wasted no time, switching from defensive to offensive in the blink of an eye. Swooping down, hitting the Long leg Pokémon, going up and swooping down on it again.

DOSSSSSSS!!!

Ariados hissed in pain as it collapsed to the ground not having hurt its opponent at all. As it fainted, the effects of its web wore off as well, allowing Caleb's Staravia to be recalled. However, it also freed Ralts, allowing the small Psychic-type to escape into the tall grass.

"Well, slap me on the knee and call me Sally! I done forgot about that... *sigh* Oh well... I can still beat you up though. Electabuzz, you're up!"

The next Pokéball opened up revealing an Electabuzz swinging its arms, getting charged for battle.

Spoiler: Electabuzz

Elelelelcctttaaa

Your move, pretty boy.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

With Zangoose down, Matt expected Sneasel to be Remy's counterpick to Persephone, and thus switched her out.

"Ventus, you're up!"

"Hah! Great! Now let's see if we can't get that stubborn bird to listen to ya, eh kid?"

Remy reached for a whole new PokéBall this time around. A Johto specialty, the Lure Ball.

"Ok buddy, it's your turn to shine. Go, Tentacool!"

Spoiler: Tentacool

...Tenttacoool...

"Okay Tentacool, start with a Supersonic, then give that Pidgeotto a taste of your Acid and then use Bubblebeam!"

 

[Shakomaru]

"... Then another thunder fang!"

"Alright Kalmia! Let's do this! Start it off with Bite, and once you get a firm hold, send out a thunder fang, and then use ember! Try to stay close so the copy can't use smog without a chance of poisoning itself!"

I'm pretty sure that transform doesn't copy abilities, so hopefully ember will work. We just need to get her to use it on me, so flash fire will kick in!

 

[Evrant-Knight]

The sight of Angelique soaring up high into the sky, and then swooping down at a blinding speed was both elegant and beautiful. As it darted around the Long Leg Pokémon, it began leaving after images of herself, to try and confuse the spider.

"Aw well... This round is yours, pretty boy. But Ariados is goin' down swingin'! Ariados! Use Fury Swipes, then Constrict!"

Ariados then began taking swipes at the Starling Pokémon, only to fall prey to an after image. This appeared to be its end, as Angelique swooped down to deliver several consecutive Aerial Aces.

DOSSSSSSS!!!

Afterwards the Long Leg Pokémon hissed in pain, collapsing to the ground, and very much annoyed that it was unable to hurt the Staravia. The Spider Web that it laid soon disappeared, giving a chance for Angelique to be recalled; it also managed to free the Ralts who was stuck on a tree, who then quickly escaped into the tall grass to hide from the battle.

"Well, slap me on the knee and call me Sally! I done forgot about that... *sigh* Oh well... I can still beat you up though. Electabuzz, you're up!" The poacher remarked, then tossing out another Pokéball, revealing a battle ready Electabuzz.

Elelelelcctttaaa

" *sigh* I've got nothing that would have a type advantage over that Electabuzz. Angelique would get knocked out fairly quickly, and Sebastian doesn't have the physical power to take it on. Guess it leaves me with my two strongest Pokémon."

"Return Angelique, this is a battle not meant for you." Caleb shouted, as he instantly recalled Staravia to her Pokéball. He then pulled out another with a flame covered pattern.

"Raphael, show them your passion for battle." He called out, as the fiery ball went spinning into the air, and out came a Combusken; which landed gracefully and followed up with a series of kicks and flames.

Comcomcomcomcom... Com-bus-ken!

"Alright, concentrate yourself with Focus Energy, then attack with Ember."

 

[Redryhno]

Darius sat atop the Goldenrod Department Store, basking in the rays of the sun that shined through the sparse clouds in the sky. He leaned back in his chair, balancing it on the two back legs while he swung his own on top of the cafe table. He closed his eyes and just let his surroundings take him in, food smells and sounds all around, incessant chatter dwindled away to nothing but a slight buzz on the edge of his hearing, and the pipe in his mouth gave him one thing to concentrate on. At least until he heard a familiar voice again.

"Oh, look, here's Dairy, just sitting back in the sun. You do know that's how people burn right? And with you wearing such a pink shirt, it's really unbecoming, you know."

He jerked up, but fell backward in his position, turning over backwards, eyes wide and blinded by the sudden shift from relative dark to sunlight. He rubbed his eyes and had somehow managed to keep ahold of his pipe without breaking the stem in two or his tongue.

"Hey, Lu. How's the shopping going?"

"Oh great, I got enough, don't you think?" She gestured behind her at a Hariyama obviously over weighted with bags upon bags of things. How did she always do that kind of thing so quickly? Go from carrying nothing to...well, still carrying nothing, but having everything?

"Uh, yeah, I think you've got...enough?"

Lucie grabbed her multi-neon hair and shoved it into her hoodie, making the cat ears glitter in the sunlight.

"Anyways, what're you still doing here Dairy? I thought you had some friend you were up here meeting, didn't you?"

"Yeah, gave her that TM, seemed to calm her down a bit. Not sure if she's still angry or not."

"Oh, Dairy, you spent your whole childhood in that Day-Care and you know everything there is to know about your types and how to care for Pokemon, but you know so little about people. It's one of the things we all loved about you. Just did what you wanted."

"Well, I suppose it's about time I start heading for the stadium, I've been up here long enough. You want help on the way down?"

"Sure Dairy, here, Hairy, give him a few bags."

The pokemon shrugged off a few bags and gave them to Darius, who immediately crumpled under their weight before struggling to his full height and walked to the elevator, which they took to the ground floor, and left. Luckily the inn she was staying at wasn't that far from the Department store. He dropped the bags off and left after a quick hug, though she still had that little thing with digging her nails into his back, but then again, she did that with everyone.

He arrived at the stadium, just as people were beginning to line up outside. Remembering Daffy and Knuckles, he let them out of their pokeballs and let them walk along with him.

 

[Pappytech]

"Okay Tentacool, start with a Supersonic, then give that Pidgeotto a taste of your Acid and then use Bubblebeam!"

"Come on Ventus, pull through! You've got this!"

The Pidgeotto was unable to respond immediately, his thoughts temporary thrown into disarray by Tentacool's ear-piercing shriek. Luckily, the confusion didn't stick around for long; after a few seconds of clearing his head, Ventus let out an energized cry. "Rrrrrooo."

"Alright, that's how you do it." Matt grinned as Tentacool prepared its next attack; now it was their turn to deal some damage.

Rustle rustle

"Ventus, time to hit him back! Use"

Rustle

"Uh... Use Qui"

Rustle rustle rustle

"...Does anyone else hear that?"

 

[Anayna]

The Great Ball was lying in the grass innocuously, silently staring at the young man still holding his right arm out in the approximation of a throw. He looked a bit like he was about to start a recital of 'I'm a Little Teapot'. Rupert relaxed from his awkward pose, finally realizing that (much to his surprise) the Hoothoot was in fact caught. This had all gone awfully smoothly.

"Ye... yeah! Wuhu! See that, Haunter? We have a new team member. Y-you did great."

The Ghost-type shot him a slightly worried glance that seemed to say "Wait, what?". Haunter had clearly not understood what the purpose of this fight had been, and the though of new team members apparently confused him greatly. It had just been the three of them, Rubert, Cubone and Haunter, for years now. They weren't a team; they were a unit. Unlike the aforementioned Ground-type, Haunter had no problem with the status quo. Seeing Rupert become stronger, both as a trainer and as a person, couldn't be farther from his mind. Heck, he liked Rupert as he was. He was so easy to scare!

The trainer picked up his newest acquisition with a smile. This had been a good day. Successfully catching pokemon for the first time in seven years (two of them at that), and having an genuine epiphany about the trainer he wanted to be. Not bad. And the day wasn't even over. He still had the tournament to attend...

Great galloping Gravelers! The tournament! Am I late!? How long have we even been out here? I can't miss Tom's match!

With that Rupert called back Haunter and headed straight for Goldenrod at a brisk pace, though not without making a mental note of visiting the nearest PokeCenter. He didn't like leaving Pineco in such bad shape. It made him feel guilty.