Setting:
•Route 30, Johto•
•After 4 PM•
•Late February•
•Amber (Wolfe Alias) POV•
Chapter Twelve
Fire, Feathers, and First Lessons
For most of our trip back to Cherrygrove City, we walked in silence. Chika occasionally swapped from my left shoulder to my right uneasily as both she and I could feel Gold's tension. Sure enough, we made it back to town at 4:30—still hours before dark.
"And here we are," I stated as we reached the large Pokémon Center. "And it's still light outside," I smirked.
"Wow, you've gotta teach me how to use that GPS feature on the pokegear! Otherwise, I think it'll take me forever to go anywhere," Gold replied enthusiastically.
"Sure. I'll show you while Nurse Joy heals up your Cyndaquil," I offered.
Gold looked downtrodden. "Hino. It's my fault he's injured. You think he'll be okay?"
"Well, he did take a pretty bad beating in that battle, and he managed to end up in the water, which is really bad for most Fire-types…" I trailed off.
It reminded me of when Charry had just evolved into a Charizard in our second Kanto gym match. Her landing skills were pretty horrible, and she fell into the Cerulean City Gym's pool.
"Yeah. I really hope he's okay…" Gold looked down at the form inside the pokeball.
From what I could tell, the Pokémon was still unconscious, and it seemed to be breathing hard.
"Let's go, Gold. I'm no doctor, but Hino doesn't look so good," I dragged him by the sleeve inside of the building.
We ran to the reception desk where Nurse Joy looked at the two of us with a worried expression. Gold called the hurt Cyndaquil from its ball, and I held the poor thing while Gold began talking to the nurse. The little mousey form felt pretty cold for a Fire-type.
"Nurse Joy! Please! My Cyndaquil is badly injured!" He sounded pretty frantic.
"Oh my! What happened?!" She took the creature from my arms.
"You see, a trainer stole Professor Elm's Totodile, and my Cyndaquil battled the guy so we could get Totodile back. And, well, Totodile hit Hino with a Water Gun, and he fell into a pond. He's been unconscious since…" Gold explained.
I could tell Gold's nerves were shot.
"Oh my! I see what you mean. Chansey! Take this little one to the emergency room, stat!" She called her pink Pokémon assistant in, who carted a stretcher to the nurse.
After placing Hino on the stretcher, Nurse Joy turned back to us. "You may both wait in the center if you want. I'll do everything in my power to help out your Cyndaquil. I'll let you know when its condition changes." She then seriously strode away, stretcher pushed ahead of her.
Gold and I made our way to the center's lobby, where he sat down helplessly on the sofa. I knew how he felt, more or less—pretty crummy. He probably blamed himself for his Pokémon's condition. Hell, I was in the same situation once, only it wasn't a twelve-pound cuddly mouse-like Pokémon that had fallen into the water. No, Charry was a couple-hundred pound flying flame machine instead.
Chika, whom I let roam the center freely, decided to sit down on Gold's lap while waving her leaf in the air, which released a relaxing aroma. I grinned from the adjacent sofa at my Pokémon—I knew that even though Chika might've been mean to Gold when they first met, she was still sympathetic at heart. Since Gold looked so down, I decided to move to his sofa, instead.
Chika moved in between us, and the three of us sat in silence for a few minutes. Chika, who laid her leaf in Gold's lap, closed her eyes as Gold began to subconsciously stroke the soft leaf.
After a few minutes, Gold started. "Hey, Wolfe… Is it my fault that Hino is hurt? Was I being too harsh on him?"
I sighed since I knew I couldn't give my full opinion as an experienced Pokémon trainer—I didn't want to reveal my identity with any slip-ups, after all. "Well, Gold, to tell the truth, it is and it isn't. I mean, if you want to put the blame on yourself, it's your fault simply because you sent a Fire-type against a Water-type knowingly."
"But at the same time, you didn't know Totodile had Water Gun, huh? So if that's the case, it's just bad beginner's luck. Really, it's not your fault. You couldn't control the events that took place, and everything happened pretty fast. Just like you didn't know Silver would steal Totodile, and you didn't know Totodile would battle for him. I'm absolutely certain that Hino won't hold it against you," I smiled encouragingly.
"I'd like to believe that, but…if Hino gets better, how will I know he won't hold it against me? We just met yesterday, after all, and he's really skittish. I just don't want to lose his trust in me…" He said quietly.
"Gold, listen. I've seen plenty of Pokémon in my lifetime, and I've seen quite a few with natures similar to your Cyndaquil. I know for a fact that your Cyndaquil won't hold it against you. In fact, I'm sure he'll find ways to surprise you yet," I smirked.
Gold gave me a puzzled look, but he accepted what I had to say. "Thanks. You know, you're really not so bad. If Silver wouldn't have used his Sneasel to get away, I'm positive you would've stopped that thief!" He looked at me confidently.
That only made me think. Yeah. It was pretty idiotic of me not to anticipate him plotting escape using Sneasel. But, then again, this is Silver I'm talking about. Since when was he so cowardly as to run away?
But then again, he's never been a thief, either. Guess I won't let him use that card against me next time we meet. I can't let him surprise me, so I need to expect anything. Can't put anything past him these days. Next time we meet, it'll be different.
Just thinking about that "next time" sent a chill down my spine as it was. Only a day prior had I heard I'd not only run into Silver, but battle him and see him steal a Pokémon from a renowned professor no less—let's just say—I'd never believe it.
I then proceeded to speak. "Well if anything, at least I'm certain I'll see Silver again. And next time I battle him, I'm bringing him to justice. Can't let thieves get away, after all."
"OH YEAH! I totally forgot! I need to call Professor Elm with an update on the situation!" Gold exclaimed.
He fished out his pokegear and dialed the number to the lab. Before the professor even had a chance to speak, Gold started. "Hello, Professor, it's me, Gold."
"Ah, Gold. Did you manage to recapture Totodile?" He asked.
"Errm, No. We didn't get Totodile back. A creep with red hair and red eyes named Silver stole Totodile and his pokeball. I battled him with Hino, but Hino got knocked into a pond. So now Wolfe and I are at the Pokémon center." Gold grimaced.
"What about Wolfe? Did she help you any at all?" He seemed pretty interested on whether or not I pulled my fair share of effort.
"Yeah. She battled that guy after me, and she and Chika won, but that guy used a Sneasel to get away!" Gold luckily defended me.
"Hmm, this isn't good. Come back to the lab as soon as possible so we can file a police report. The sooner they have a warrant on that thief, Silver, the better," replied the professor in probably the most serious voice I've ever heard from him yet.
"As soon as Hino is recovered, we'll be on it!" Gold replied dutifully.
"Oh, and is Wolfe near you? I'd like to speak to her if she is," Professor Elm added.
"Yeah, she is," Gold replied as he handed me his red pokegear.
"Hello, Wolfe. Gold updated me on the situation, as I'm sure you heard. I'd like you to report back to the lab as well to help with the police report."
"Yes sir! I have to go back to the lab, anyway, to give you that egg Mr. Pokémon discovered, remember?" I asked a bit shocked that the professor could've forgotten my original mission.
"Uh, yeah. That too. Okay. I will be seeing both of you, I hope. One of you please let me know when you are on your way, okay? Bye," he hung up abruptly.
"Professor Elm sure is," I searched for the nicest word that would fit, "forgetful…" I handed Gold back his pokegear.
Gold laughed. "Yeah. He can be pretty forgetful. I've known him for most of my life since my dad works for him as a field researcher. I got to visit the lab a lot while I grew up. And now the first week on the job all this happens." He sighed and rested his chin on his palms as he placed his arms, elbows down, on his legs.
"Eh, just a run of bad luck in my opinion. Just like this was your first week on the job, this is my first day as a trainer. I only moved to New Bark a few days ago…" I trailed off.
Gold sighed. "Agreed. Just bad luck for both of us beginners."
The two of us sat in silence for a while, and I was certain Gold was lost in his thoughts. I knew I certainly was—or more like I was trying to get Silver out of my head.
Gold continually patted Chika's leaf as she dozed off for a nap. I watched the analog clock on the nearby wall tick away seconds, minutes, and then eventually hours. I started to doze off, but Nurse Joy broke that by coming into the lobby at six in the afternoon.
Gold leapt to his feet as soon as she entered the room, his face apparent with eagerness for good news. Nurse Joy turned her attention to him and gave him the "thumb's up". Immediately I saw Gold relax a little.
"Your Cyndaquil is going to be just fine. He's resting at the moment, but he should be able to return to his pokeball within the hour. Good thing you brought the little one when you did—his body temperature was dangerously low, and his flame sac was overtaken with water. So, your Cyndaquil might have trouble starting the fire on his back for the first few times, but once the rest of the water is evaporated, he'll be back to normal," she smiled.
"That's great! Thanks Nurse Joy!" Gold exclaimed. From what I could tell, he was close to tears in relief.
"Not a problem at all. Since it's getting late, would either of you care for some dinner?" She asked with a smile.
"CHIKA!" Chika jumped to the floor from the sofa and raised her paw high in the air. That got a good laugh out of all of us.
"Well, I have to agree with Chika on this. I'm starving," I admitted with a grin.
"Same here. I don't think I ate at all today, to be honest," Gold replied.
Gold and I took a booth while a Chansey brought us some food pretty quickly. I had a Cheri Berry burger, which I had taken to liking while in The Ops while Gold ate a cheeseburger with extra fries. Chika ate some Cheri Berries as well, which made me grin. My little partner and I were definitely on the same page. The three of us stuffed our faces in silence—we enjoyed every last bite.
Finally, when about seven in the evening rolled around, a Chansey took our plates while Gold, Chika, and I headed back to the sofa. "So, the question remains," Gold started.
I tilted my head—a habit I had never been able to get rid of since my childhood since I picked it up from Repede—in confusion.
"Do we leave tonight or tomorrow morning?" Gold finished.
I pondered that question, myself. I didn't mind staying in the center for the night, but I knew Mom would've wondered why I had never returned—I didn't want to worry her.
"I suppose we can go tonight. I heard there's Pokémon in Johto that only appear at night, and I'd love to see some of those," I replied. That was the truth. I wanted to be well-acquainted with all of the Johto Pokémon.
"Oh, you mean Hoothoot and Spinarak? They're all over the place at night around New Bark Town. I guess if you really want to see them, we can leave tonight, even though I'm not sure if we can see very well down the route." Gold shrugged.
I pulled up my calendar app on my pokegear to find out the moon's cycle for the day. I grinned and replied, "According to the calendar, the moon should still be pretty full. I think we'll have plenty of natural lighting to get through the route just fine."
"Oh, okay then. Now, we just need to get Hino, and we can leave…"
As if by clockwork, Nurse Joy approached us. "Your Cyndaquil is awake and ready for travel again. I overheard you two talking about walking to New Bark Town tonight; be safe." She grinned as she approached some other trainers on a nearby sofa.
Gold immediately shot up from our sofa and headed down the small hallway towards the recovery room. After a few twisting corridors, we arrived at Hino's room. The little Pokémon was curled up in a ball, his head resting on a windowsill. He was looking outside, from what I could tell.
Near the bed-like stretcher was an IV drip, which was no longer in use. Gold entered the room and approached the Pokémon, who immediately turned his gaze to his trainer. I decided to give the two some privacy, so I motioned for Chika to follow me into the hallway.
Since the door was open, I could hear Gold talk to Hino. "Hey, Hino. You feeling better?"
"Cynda," the Pokémon replied in its cute, high-pitched voice.
"I'm really sorry for what happened. If you're mad at me, I understand. It's my fault you got hurt. If I would've thought of a better strategy, maybe you wouldn't have ended up in that pond…" Gold trailed off.
"Cyndaquil! Cynda Cynda! Quiiiil!" The Pokémon sounded livid, like he was scolding his trainer. Of course, I had a feeling the Pokémon would react like that.
"Hey, Hino. What's up?" Gold asked. I could hint the surprise in his voice.
"Quil! Cyndaquil! Quil Quil Cynda!" Replied the Pokémon adamantly.
I decided my translator skills were required, so I strolled back into the room. While I couldn't understand them verbatim, I still understood Pokémon pretty well from trainer experience.
Hino was standing on his hind legs, one front paw on his hips the other pointed at Gold.
"Hino's saying it's not your fault, Gold. Right, Hino?" I asked the Pokémon.
"Quil!" The Pokémon turned his head at me and nodded.
"But, I…" Gold trailed off.
"He's saying next time it'll be Totodile ending up in the Pokémon Center. That you two will get stronger and defeat Totodile, because you two are a team."
"Cyndaquil!" The Pokémon nodded again.
Gold looked at me incredulously. "What you said earlier. How'd you know Hino would be like this? And how can you understand what Hino is saying? I don't know of too many people that understand Pokémon verbatim!"
I simply shrugged my shoulders. "Experience. You gotta remember I'm older than you. I worked with Pokémon for the past nine years, and it's not quite verbatim. I just know what they are saying from experience." I always did serve as a decent Pokémon translator, even though I never knew where I first got the skills.
Chika, who stood behind me, entered the room and hopped onto Hino's bed. Hino shied away at first from the green Pokémon, but Chika grinned as she extended her leaf in greeting. "Chika! Chikori!" She replied as she offered her paw for a handshake. Hino looked completely confused.
"It's okay, Hino. Chika really isn't as mean as she lets you believe. She just acts tough because she wants to be strong. She's truthful in her apologies," I replied to Gold's Pokémon.
Hino apparently decided I was telling the truth since he extended his paw in return, and Gold's Pokémon and mine shook paws. Chika then patted Hino on the head with her leaf, which left some of the sweet fragrance on the Fire-type's fur.
"What just happened?" Gold asked. He looked completely lost.
"Well, you see, Chika always bullied Hino because she thought he was a coward who didn't want to get stronger. Once she saw him battle Totodile, and after she heard him say all that stuff to you, she realized he wasn't so weak after all. So, she asked him to forgive her, and now they're friends because their trainers are friends. Right, Chika?"
"Chika!" My Pokémon replied happily.
"Wow! That's amazing!" Exclaimed Gold with a grin.
"Well, now that we're all friends, I say we hit the road. It's getting darker by the minute outside, and we both need to hurry back to New Bark ASAP for that police report," I stated.
Five minutes later, we exited the Pokémon center with Hino riding on Gold's right shoulder and Chika on my left. Gold and I walked side-by-side, although he trailed a little as we talked about the fastest route home. We exited Cherrygrove and immediately immersed ourselves in the grassy terrain of Route 29.
We walked silently until I thought about something. "Hey, Gold. I have a question for you."
"What?"
"Just out of curiosity, do you even know anything about that Cyndaquil of yours?"
"Like as in nature and stats? I don't," Gold replied while blinking in surprise. "Actually, I've never thought about it."
"Wanna find out?" I asked. I was eager to try out my new Pokedex.
"Sure! Scan Hino, please!" He almost begged.
"Okay, then," I grinned as I scanned Hino with my Pokedex.
Immediately an electronic male voice started:
Species: Cyndaquil the Fire Mouse Pokémon
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze
Pokedex number: 004, National Number: 155
Height: One foot, eight inches.
Weight: Twelve and one half pounds.
Color: Yellow
Egg Group: Ground
Gender: Male
Level requirement for evolution is notyet achieved.
Nature: Modest, Somewhat timid
Food Preference: Dry
Dislikes: Bitter
This Pokémon's Statistics are as Follows: Please note they may change, as the Pokémon grows stronger.
Endurance: 2/5
Attack: 4/5
Defense: 3/5
Special Attack: 5/5
Special Defense: 3/5
Speed: 4/5
These are the Moves Currently Known by this Pokémon:
Tackle: Power: 3/10 –Physical—Normal—The user charges with a full-body tackle.
Leer: Effectiveness 4/10 –Status—Normal—The user leers angrily at the opponent to lower defense.
Smokescreen: Effectiveness 9/10 –Status—Normal—The user sets off a screen of thick smoke to limit visibility.
Pokedex Information:
It is timid, and always curls itself up in a ball. If attacked, it flares up its back for protection. It usually stays hunched over. If it is angry or surprised, it shoots flames out of its back.
My Pokedex then went silent.
"Wow! That's so cool! I wonder when Hino will learn a Fire-type move…" Gold pondered.
"Let's see if we can find out," I replied as I pushed a button to bring up the known moves of Cyndaquil as a species.
According to the Pokedex, his Cyndaquil was very near the level-up line, so he'd learn the fire move, Ember, pretty soon. "According to this, he'll learn Ember soon. Then soon after he'll probably be able to evolve," I replied as I showed Gold the Pokedex.
"Cool! That's really awesome. Can I see your Chikorita now?" He asked, obviously enthralled with my device.
"I guess," I replied with a shrug.
All of the same information showed up from when I searched Chika at the Pokémon center, at least until it got to her stats. Then it was a bit different.
Endurance: 3/5
Attack: 5/5
Defense: 5/5
Special Attack: 4/5
Special Defense: 5/5
Speed: 5/5
I had to admit, Chika's stats were just awesome for a base stage Pokémon. I knew that meant when she evolved, she'd be even stronger than before, more than likely.
Moves Known:
Tackle: Power: 7/10 –Physical—Normal Type
The user charges in with a full-body tackle
Vine Whip 5/10 –Physical—Grass Type
Vines lash out at the opponent. May also be used for binding and carrying
Razor Leaf 7/10 –Physical—Grass Type
Multiple razor sharp leaves are fired at the opponent at once. Often is able to hit critical points
Aromatherapy 5/10 – Status – Grass Type
The user releases a relaxing aroma to heal injuries. In experienced users, it can either increase or cease the will to battle in an opponent
This Pokémon is capable of being taught the move Poison Powder!
It then gave off the basic Pokedex information, and then the device shut up again.
"Cool, so you can learn Poison Powder, huh Chika?" I asked the form on my shoulder.
Most Pokémon weren't capable of learning more than four moves, but it was possible to teach more since I was proof. Still, Chika wasn't a Poison-type to begin with, and even though she was a Grass-type, it wasn't like she was exactly a plant. She looked more like a mini-dinosaur to me. So, teaching her that move while keeping her other moves would've proved challenging until she was more experienced.
Chika seemed proud of herself, in any case. I figured if I wanted Poison Powder later, I'd work with her to teach her. For now, I was fine with Aromatherapy at least.
I then started to fold up my Pokedex and place it in my bag, but suddenly out of no where, I was mugged by some flying thing, which snatched the dex right out of my hands, leaving me to stare blankly as I tried to comprehend what just happened.
"What the?!" I replied in shock as the round bird started to fly away. By then, the moon was fully out and very little daylight was left.
As I shook off the shock, I hurried after the Pokémon, breaking into a run as I did so. "Come here and give that back!" I yelled angrily.
"Chika, Vine Whip!" I commanded the Pokémon on my shoulder, who released her two spry vines, which whipped about and hit the bird Pokémon, who ultimately fell to the ground in the nearby thicket.
Gold panted to keep up with me and asked, "What just happened?"
I replied as I pointed to the round bird Pokémon with the tiny wings who was struggling to get up in the thicket. Clutched in the talons of its…one leg was my Pokedex.
"That's what happened!" I pointed at the Pokémon. "That one-legged round bird freak with those tiny wings and antennas coming out of its head stole my Pokedex right out of my hands!"
The bird got to its foot and let out an indignant, "Hoothoot!" as it flapped its tiny wings to carry its cumbersome body into the air. I had no clue how something built like that could even fly at all; it was so round and fat.
"I think not!" I yelled angrily as the bird tried to fly. "Chika, wrap it up where it can't fly away!"
"Chika!" The Vine Whip wrapped around the ball of a bird, and the vines constrained the tiny wings against the body. The bird, who was a foot off the ground, landed with a thud, and its one leg lost grip of my Pokedex on impact.
I snatched the dex, closed it, and hurried to stuff it into my bag before anything else could steal it.
Gold had the audacity to laugh at me, so I glared at him. "That's what we call the 'Jokester of New Bark Town'," he started. "That's a Hoothoot, but that certain Hoothoot is known for stealing objects from people around town and giving them back in the morning," he chuckled.
He seemed very amused as he bent down to look at the Pokémon who was stuck in Chika's vines.
I decided I'd better record the information since after all, it was a Pokémon. I took my Pokedex out again and pointed it at that one-legged bird freak.
Species: Hoothoot, The Owl Pokémon
Types: Normal and Flying
Ability: Keen Eye or Insomnia
Number: 015 National: 163
Height: 2' 04"
Average Weight: 46.7 lbs.
Color: Brown
Egg Group: Flying
Pokedex Information:
It always stands on one foot. It changes feet so fast, the movement can rarely be seen. It has a perfect sense of time. Whatever happens, it keeps rhythm by precisely tilting its head in time.
So, the thing has more than one foot. Don't I feel stupid.
In response to the last part of the dex entry, the Hoothoot tilted its head-body under the Vine Whip.
"Hey, Wolfe." Gold brought me out of my musings.
"Hmm?" I asked.
"You're not thinking about catching it, are you?" He asked as I looked at the Pokémon evilly.
"Nah. I don't think I'd get along with a thief Pokémon," I replied nonchalantly.
I decided to let the thing go, so I told Chika, "Okay, Chika. Thanks. You can release it now."
"Chik!" She replied dutifully as the vines recoiled back into Chika's neck.
The Hoothoot got up and just stood there as it tilted its head-body at me. I started to walk away from it, but Gold surprised me by approaching it.
"So, you're the 'Jokester of New Bark'. I bet you have a naughty nature. It'd explain why you like to steal stuff. You just want to have some fun, don't you, Hoothoot?" He asked the owl.
"Hoot!" It ruffled its feathers and tilted its head in the opposite direction.
I glared at Gold. "Hey, you coming?"
"Just a sec! You see, this Hoothoot stole a Pokedoll from me as a kid, and then it brought it back to me the next day. At the time, I thought I just lost the doll, so when I saw Hoothoot bringing me back my lost toy, it made my day."
He paused. "Ah, well, I guess I'm coming! I just wanted to see the 'Jokester of New Bark' firsthand is all," he laughed as he caught up to me.
Chika jumped back on my shoulder since she got on the ground to hold the Hoothoot, and once more, our entourage continued to New Bark Town, leaving the Hoothoot in our dust.
After five minutes, I heard the soft beat of wings before I saw something perch on Gold's other shoulder. Automatically, I saw him slump some.
"Aaah! What the heck?!" He cried as he swatted at the bird on his shoulder. As soon as I saw the ball-shaped form, I couldn't contain my laughter.
"You got an owl on your shoulder, Gold," I replied as I was cracking up. "See what happens when you try and befriend that Hoothoot?"
Gold groaned as he swatted the bird off, who angrily fluttered near his head before tweaking Gold's ear with its beak. "Ouch!" Gold cried.
Hino, who was starting to freak out, tried flaring his back, but only a puff of gray smoke appeared.
"Quil!" Replied the little Pokémon angrily.
"Hoot! Hoot!" Replied the owl indignantly.
Hino jumped to the ground and used Leer on the owl, who fluttered down as well.
"Hooot!" The owl growled in return.
"Um, Gold. I think you have a battle on your hands. Just saying," I replied as I watched the two Pokémon bicker.
"Alright, then! If you want a battle, Hoothoot, we'll give you one! Hino, Tackle it!" Gold commanded.
"Quil!" The Pokémon lunged headfirst at the round figure, who fluttered up just in time to where the attack barely missed. Hino ended up landing headfirst into the tall grass.
"Cynda! Cyndaquill!" Replied Hino angrily as he tried once more to flare up his back and once more only to give off a puff of gray smoke.
"Guess your flame is having problems, just like Nurse Joy said it would. No matter! Leer, Hino!" Gold replied.
Hino gave Hoothoot the meanest evil eye I was certain he could muster, but in actuality, it looked so darned cute. I wanted to laugh how Leer was having just the opposite effect, but I knew to be nice.
"Hoo! Hoo! Hoot!" The bird Pokémon laughed in my place as he landed and held his belly with his tiny right wing.
Hino stomped his foot in frustration and launched into a Tackle without being given the command. This time, he did hit the distracted owl straight on, which knocked it onto its back.
"Quil!" Hino roared as he pinned down the owl who tried its best to Growl back. Hino then flared up his back successfully and blew out some small Embers of flame. In turn, the bird looked to have a minor burn.
"Hino, that's enough!" Gold cried as he realized he was no longer in control of the situation.
"Quil!" His Pokémon shook his head vehemently, obviously too angry to listen. I decided I'd better intervene, so I asked Chika to remove Hino with a Vine Whip.
"Chikori!" She replied as she gently wrapped her vines around Hino and lifted him off of the Hoothoot.
From there, two different battles erupted. On Gold's side, he hurriedly threw a pokeball at the Hoothoot before it could get away. Once inside the ball, the owl desperately tried to escape before it was caught.
On my side, Hino flared up his back, which burnt Chika's vines. He then unleashed Ember on Chika, who took the attack full-force. Chika dropped Hino like a hot plate before angrily launching a Razor Leaf at Hino, who burnt the leaves with Ember.
Back on Gold's side, the Hoothoot's pokeball clicked shut and sent off a few sparks, and Gold happily picked up his new Pokémon. "Caught it!" He yelled triumphantly, not like I paid him much attention.
I, on the other hand, was trying my best to get the situation between the two fighting starters under control. And so, I stepped in the middle of Hino and Chika, which made me get Embers on one leg and razor sharp leaves on the other. I winced in pain as I picked up both squabbling Pokémon by the scruffs of their necks, who then looked at me indignantly before glaring at each other.
I glared back at them since I mastered the Scary Face technique from my own dearly beloved Charry, who was the master. Immediately, both Pokémon hung there subdued. I limped over to Gold and deposited the embarrassed Hino on his shoulder.
Only then did Gold realize I was half crispy and had some lovely slashes on my jeans on the other side. "What happened to you?!" He asked astonished.
"Hino decided to attack Chika, who was trying to save your Hoothoot. They then got into a fight, which I broke up. And now, I'm half-baked and half-sliced. I might as well be a loaf of bread," I sighed as I glared at both Hino and Chika, who I deposited on the ground.
Chika, who knew she screwed up, ended up fishing her pokeball out of my bag using her vines and let herself in.
Meanwhile, Hino tried his best to hide behind Gold's neck. Gold looked at the charred bits of clothes on my left side and whistled in amazement. "Wow, I'm so sorry, Wolfe! Hino, apologize! That's not how you treat a friend!" He seemed pretty upset.
"Quil…" Replied the muffled voice behind Gold's neck. I was pretty certain Hino was burying his face in Gold's hair.
I sighed and said in a lighter tone. "Eh, it's no biggie, I guess. I'll fix myself up when I get home. I guess I just gotta remember they are new at being partners, so they can get out of hand at times…"
"Still, so sorry about that! I'll pay for new jeans if I have to!" Gold vowed.
I laughed. "Nah, it's fine. Thanks anyway. Hino only caused half the damage; Chika did the rest. At least Hino learned Ember, and you got yourself a Hoothoot."
"True! Can you scan Hoothoot now to find out the new information?" Gold asked.
"Alright," I took out my Pokedex and scanned the owl inside the pokeball.
Gender: Male
Level required for evolution is halfway achieved
Nature: Naughty, Likes to Fight
Food Preference: Spicy
Dislikes: Bitter
Stats:
Endurance: 5/7
Attack: 5/7
Defense: 4/7
Special Attack: 5/7
Special Defense: 3/7
Speed: 2/7
Moves Known:
Tackle: Power 5/10—Physical—Normal
The user launches forward with a powerful tackle.
Growl Effectiveness 3/10—Status—Normal
The user growls in order to lower the opponent's attack.
Foresight Effectiveness 10/10—Status—Normal
The user is able to detect a foe's movements, enabling it to use Normal-Type and Fighting-Type moves on even Ghost-Types. It can also enable the user to hit Pokémon using Double Team or Minimize effectively. In certain situations, the user may be able to predict where an opponent may move.
"Wow, Foresight sounds really neat," I commented. "Hey, how'd you know your Hoothoot had a naughty nature?"
"Oh, I don't know. I just guessed," Gold replied as he rubbed his back with his arm uneasily. "I think I'll name him Zuku!" He looked at the form in the ball, who tilted his head. "Anyway, ready to continue to New Bark?" He asked.
"Sure. The sooner we get there, the better," I replied. For some reason, I felt like we were forgetting something, but I just couldn't put a finger on it.