Chapter 4 Refugees

  "Tupp, dude, I owe you and Golbat big time," Ian said, still giddy from the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

  "Yeah I got you bro," Tupp replied. "Now just do the same for me some time."

  "Consider it done," Ian promised as the dudes fist bumped. Plumeria marched quickly, quietly up ahead, clearly not approving of Ian's actions.

  "That's a Deerling? They got those in Unova, right?" Tupp asked.

  Ian nodded. "Yeah. They're not native to Alola?"

  Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, never seen 'em. Must've run out of an Ultra Storm."

  Makes sense.

  "We far enough from the grove bro, you can let it out if you want," Tupp said.

  "Oh yeah, not a bad idea," Ian said, expanding the pink Heal Ball once more and pressing the button at the center, causing the ball to open and a flash of red energy to release, manifesting the small, pink-coated fawn before his eyes. Deerling was maybe two feet tall with dark grey eyes. A yellow flower rested atop its head, and it immediately yelped in panic, dashing away quickly a dozen feet or so before turning back around to look at the two strangers.

  "Deerling, it's okay!" Ian called to it as he knelt down. "We're friends."

  The wheels in Deerling's mind seemed to turn, and it huffed before it trotted to Ian and Tupp, a curious look in its eye. As Deerling moved toward them it yelped suddenly and hurried to Ian, bleating joyously as it rubbed itself affectionately against Ian's side. Ian began petting his new partner Pokemon, an involuntary grin coming across his face. "That was one heck of a pickle we got ourselves in," Ian told Deerling as it continued mewling happily. Ian stopped petting Deerling and pointed at Tupp. "This guy helped too."

  Deerling hopped lightly to Tupp and gave the Team Skull member a gracious rub with its head. Tupp tensed up, clearly not used to such affection. I see why his Golbat hasn't evolved.

  "Hey dumbasses!" Plumeria shouted from well ahead of them. "Hurry up, it's almost lunchtime!"

  Ian got up from his kneeling position and matched Tupp's brisk pace, Deerling following along onside happily. As Ian and Tupp came around the bend, they noticed a number of cycling Team Skull members riding to Po Town's gate. Ian's stomach gurgled with need, and the thought of food made his mouth water.

  "Hey bro, I think it's gonna start raining soon," Tupp said, pointing to the sky.

  What had been a partly cloudy day had become quite cloudy, with dark clouds coming in from the sea. "That's annoying," Ian said. "But my clothes are soggy enough already so some rain won't hurt."

  Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, I ain't going out in that."

  Ian opened his mouth to protest, but remembered Tupp was the last person who he could give crap to. "Hope it clears up before sunset," Ian said wistfully.

  Back inside Po Town, Tupp led Ian up The Spine. He felt a number of stares at his foreign, freshly caught Pokemon as they made their way through the town. Deerling was on alert, ready to flee when needed, but mostly hid behind Ian's legs. The duo turned left at the canal street where the graffiti'd up Pokemon Center stood. Dozens more Team Skull members were coming to or going from the health care building. "You lucky you ain't gotta check in there yet bro," Tupp said, pointing at the line for the Pokemon Center.

  Didn't Team Skull charge for using the Pokemon Center in the games? "Anything I should know about that?" Ian asked.

  "Can only use it for healing Pokemon three times a week," Tupp stated. "Not a lot of Electric Type Pokemon running around besides Guzma's Vikavolt, and he doesn't like it charging the batteries too much."

  "Guzma wants to keep his Pokemon fresh in case an attack comes?" Ian figured.

  "Yeah."

  "So, what attacks would happen?" Ian asked.

  Tupp shook his head. "Prolly better if Plumeria tells you. It's complicated yo."

  Ian sighed, but relented. Tupp did just save me from an incredibly gruesome death after all.

  "Might wanna put Deerling away, bro," Tupp said. Ian nodded, and recalled Deerling into a beam of red light. He noticed the clouds overhead only continued to get darker. Please don't rain.

  What was once a shopping center had turned into a graffiti-littered set of buildings in various forms of disrepair. A line of twenty or so Team Skull members were lined up out the door of a place that had "Grill" on the sign but had graffiti marks covering the first word. Looking closer, he saw the word "Grillz" spray painted over. "Grillz Grill?" Ian asked.

  "Just call it 'Grill' bro," Tupp said. "Only cook who stuck around goes by 'Grillz' so Guzma just calls it 'The Grill.'"

  Ian shrugged. "Fitting name for a cook."

  "He got so many fake teeth peeps started saying he had a grill in his mouth," Tupp explained.

  The line moved quickly, thankfully. The smell of whatever was being served was one of the more offensive culinary smells he'd ever smelled, but Ian was so hungry it didn't matter. When he got inside the door he was able to see the layout, dozens of tables packed full of Team Skull members. The line led behind the diner-style bar and heat lamps shown down on a bunch of nondescript bowls. A Skull member would eye the uniformed grunt in line and hand them a bowl and a spoon. When Ian and Tupp got to the front Tupp had to raise his voice.

  "Faller who just came into town," Tupp said, pointing at Ian. "Guzma's testing him-"

  "Not a Skull member, so he eats later with the dirtbags," the counter grunt said.

  "C'mon yo-"

  "You're holding up the line," the counter grunt said.

  Tupp groaned in frustration and held his hand out. "Fine, but gimme two spoons."

  The counter grunt obliged, handing Tupp a bowl full of a brown, un-appetizing liquid. The tables were full, so Tupp gave Ian the second spoon. "You holding this yo."

  Ian nodded, understanding the sacrifice. "I really owe you, bro."

  "Yeah you fucking do."

  Ian 's first spoonful weirded him out so he closed his eyes. The chunk of meat was chewy, and the broth did little to help mask the flavor, but it was something. "I assume I don't want to know what this meat is?" Ian said after his first gulp.

  Tupp cracked a grin and shook his head as he went for another spoonful.

  "So you guys have been surviving on one bowl of mystery meat stew since this all started?" Ian asked.

  Tupp shook his head. "Nah bro, we rationing now. Last week we stopped doing two meals."

  "Oh…" Guzma has said food's getting low.

  When the two finished their meager bowl of questionable meat soup and went outside, Ian noticed water drops hitting the ground. Dammit.

  "Imma hit Shady House. What are you planning, yo?" Tupp asked.

  "Not sure..." Ian said, pondering the possibilities. I'm going to need to battle a Pokemon, I might as well see what Deerling can do. "Where's the biggest tree in town?"

  "On Backstreet, little road next to HQ," Tupp said. "Why you looking for it?"

  "I figure I can train with Deerling since it's a good shelter from the rain," Ian explained.

  "Let's go yo!" Tupp cheered as he pumped his fist.

  Tupp led Ian up what was called "Kai Avenue," a street that ran parallel with The Spine, but along the western wall facing the beach. When they got to the end of the block the rain had picked up more, and Ian saw the familiar, unblemished street sign reading "Shady Way."

  "This street was called Shady Way before Team Skull took over?" Ian asked.

  "Yeah bro, there used to be hella trees in front of the mansion that made it pretty shady along the block. Guzma cut 'em down when we took over the house," Tupp explained.

  That's why the Team Skull Mansion is called Shady House, wow.

  "Hey, pizza boy!" Guzma's voice called out. Ian turned to see Guzma and Plumeria underneath the awning covering Shady House's main entrance. Plumeria and the Team Skull boss had both of their arms folded. "Heard you caught an interesting Pokemon."

  "Yeah boss," Ian said, taking Deerling's Heal Ball out and releasing his new partner onto the pavement in a flash of red light. The pink fawn Pokemon cheered happily before realizing there were a lot of strangers around and it quickly bolted behind Ian.

  "Wait, where the hell'd you say you were from again?" Guzma asked.

  "Nimbasa?" Ian answered.

  Guzma shook his head. "Nah, the shitty suburb."

  "Elk-" How did I not realize this? "...Grove."

  Guzma cackled wildly. "Pizza boy from 'Elk Grove' catches a fucking baby deer as his first Pokemon in Alola, what a surprise! They don't even live here and your ass still got one!"

  Tupp was stifling a laugh and Ian looked at him, finally gave in. "Fuck that's good."

  Ian shrugged. "I mean, yeah..."

  "Don't get too comfy pizza boy, you still got two more Pokemon to catch!" Guzma taunted as he turned away and headed back inside the mansion. "And I bet you ain't making it!"

  "We'll definitely see boss," Ian fired back.

  With that, Tupp parted from Ian with fist bump and Ian followed Shady Way to a cul-de-sac with a tall tree in front of one yard, reaching thirty to forty feet high with a wide canopy of red flowers. This is perfect. Ian took shelter underneath it and let Deerling out once more, who happily pranced around the sheltered perimeter before returning to Ian's side, eyes looking up excitedly.

  "So Deerling, I need your help," Ian began. Deerling nodded and began panting excitedly. "I need to catch two more Pokemon by the end of tomorrow or I'm kicked outta here."

  Deerling watched on, its dark eyes observing him with a blank expression. "I don't know how much you can understand or how sentient you guys are..." Ian began. He bit his lip before an idea came to him and he spoke casually. "How about this Deerling? Show me what you can do."

  Deerling eyed him with the same blank expression as if awaiting an order. Ian rolled his eyes. Of course there's gotta be some trick to this. Ian pictured himself like he imagined a Pokemon battle would go and pointed straight ahead. "Deerling, show me what you can do!" Ian shouted confidently.

  Deerling turned around energetically and began to glow with a white energy, then it surged forward, the force of it causing the air to make a sound as Deerling launched what Ian assumed was its Tackle attack. Next Deerling gave a loud, off-putting whine that made Ian shiver with discomfort. Must be Growl. "Got anything else Deerling?"

  Deerling nodded with determination and built up some speed before a green glow surrounded its mouth before a small barrage of green-glowing pellets were fired at high speed. Ian followed the trajectory, and saw the glowing pellets have mini, green tinged pops against the ground. Bullet Seed? Next, Deerling took one of its hooves that began to glow a light brown and stuck it in the ground before shoveling it out, making a cloud of sand appear. Sand Attack.

  "Anything else, Deerling?" Ian asked nervously, silently accounting for the games' "four move limit." Deerling bent down excitedly, wagging its little pink tail. Dark red and brown energy formed around its front legs, and Deerling lifted the glowing limbs off the ground, then smacked them down, causing a mini shock wave when the limbs hit the ground. Double Kick, I reckon.

  Deerling then gathered green energy on the flower atop its head and ran to the tree, firing a larger green pellet. The pellet opened up, revealing vines that encircled a tree branch, latching on tightly. Leech Seed? Oh fuck yeah.

  "Great work, Deerling!" Ian cheered. Deerling ran over to Ian excitedly, tongue out and a gleeful look in its eye. Ian felt Deerling's fur coat, which wasn't very dense, and figured Deerling was likely pretty frail. Probably the best way we're going to win battles right now is if we just use Leech Seed and keep distance between us and our opponents so we tire them out before going in for the knockout. "I think I've got a plan for us, little one," Ian said, patting Deerling's head.

  After some practice doing hit and run drills, Ian could tell Deerling was starting to tire. He remembered the line at the Pokemon Center and figured that was probably the best place to get some food for his first party member. The line wasn't as long due to the rain, and Ian got a decent amount of brown Pokemon food pellets for Deerling. Plus he found out his new partner was male.

  He made his way back to Shady House and ended up watching some skirmishes between Team Skull members under Shady House's overhang and quickly deduced Deerling would need a lot of help going against any of the Raticates, Gumshoos, Ledians, Ariados or other Pokemon the other Team Skull members were using. Ian didn't say much during this, and the grunts left him alone, possibly on account of his rank smelling clothes. He used one of the outhouses for the first time and came out feeling even dirtier. And here I thought I couldn't feel any grimier.

  When night fell on Po Town, Ian was lying in his bunk holding Deerling's Heal Ball with a big smile. I saved you from that Alpha Ariados, now tomorrow you're gonna have to save my ass. The rain didn't stop so they weren't able to add to the team for the rest of the day, and the Shady House was still blasting hip hop music in the main hall making it hard to sleep. To add to the discomfort, Ian's stomach rumbled. Accidental weight loss, here we come.

  ***

  The next morning, Ian eyed the gate nervously. Sure I have Deerling, but anything slightly stronger than it or Deerling doesn't have a type advantage over will be trouble.

  "Hey bro, wait for me!" Tupp shouted. Ian turned and sighed with relief.

  "You can come with?" Ian asked

  "Plumeria said there was an Ultra Storm out at sea when she woke up," Tupp explained. "So we free today."

  Ultra Storms can happen at sea? Ian then pictured what would've happened if he and his tattered mattress had appeared two miles from shore and gulped. I sure lucked out.

  "So where to today, bro?" Tupp asked as the two made their way out of the front gates.

  "Considering Deerling's a Grass type, I think something on the beach would give us a good chance of running into a Water Pokemon," Ian explained.

  "Smart. Whatcha doing if we see an Alpha?"

  "Getting the hell out of there," Ian said with a sheepish grin.

  "Good," Tupp said, then directed Ian to the beach partially in the shadow of Po Town's walls. Ian released Deerling from its Heal Ball and it pranced around happily.

  "Any chance we get Plumeria's Salazzle to use Sweet Scent again?" Ian asked.

  Tupp shook his head. "Not out here yo." Tupp then pointed to the walls towering over them. "Po Town's walls weren't just built for dangerous Pokemon from the land." Tupp then whirled around, pointing to the sparkling Alolan sea. "It's a Gyarados hot spot."

  "Oh. Should we go somewhere else then?"

  Tupp shook his head. "Nah man, we should be able to find something and not have to deal with them."

  Gyarados were always overpowered in the games. Maybe catching one would be a good move down the line. But they're likely very dangerous... "So Tupp, now that no one's around..." Ian began.

  "Yeah?"

  "So remember how I told you I 'wasn't exactly a trainer' when you guys picked me up?" Ian asked.

  "Oh shit, you did say that! That explains you gettin' that close to an Alpha," Tupp said. "You were so convincing I straight up forgot you said that bro."

  Ian shrugged. "Yeah... So I take it that training a Gyarados is dangerous, right?"

  Tupp nodded. "Yeah bro, they need to eat a lot, always got a bad attitude, and if they overpower your team it don't end well for the trainer. They're good, but mostly if you're trying to get yourself killed."

  Ian nodded understandingly. "I got you. I might be dumb but I'm not that stupid. I promise."

  "Fuck, I hope," Tupp said, continuing on along the beach.

  Ian's clothes clung to him disgustingly, making him very uncomfortable in the morning sun. He'd slept in them the past two nights after all, and he could smell them too. The two trudged along, and apart from the occasional Wingull soaring overhead, nothing appeared on the sandy beach.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Maybe we can check out the fishing spot?" Tupp asked.

  "Fishing spot?" Ian said.

  "A few grunts bike over to a little cove along the way to Outrigger," Tupp explained, pointing at what Ian figured was east.

  "Outrigger?"

  "Little beach town at the top of the island," Tupp said. "So the Straightaway takes you from the Ula'Ula Meadow and the Akua Jungle to Po Town, then you follow that road over to Outrigger."

  "Yeah man, I'm going to need a map or something," Ian said. "This is all going over my head."

  "Plumeria prolly don't want to give you the rundown until you're actually in Team Skull," Tupp said.

  "Can't fault that," Ian said. Deerling tensed suddenly, its head turning to the wave crashing to the shore. Ian gasped as he saw a turtle shell riding along a wave fifty feet or so away from their position. "There!" Ian yelled as he and Deerling bolted over. Deerling quickly outpaced Ian, not just because of its natural speed, but Ian's increasingly crusty jeans and the beach's soft sand winded him quickly.

  Deerling stopped a dozen feet from the turtle shell and to Ian's surprise, what he recognized as a Wartortle came out of the shell. As Ian scanned it, he noticed Wartortle's shell seemed slightly dented and deformed. Wartortle's blue-skinned limbs had wounds on them. "It already looks hurt," Ian said shamefully.

  "You can get it healed at the Pokemon Center bro," Tupp said. "It's either catch that or you gone."

  Ian grimaced, feeling rather dirty and cowardly. I'll make it up to you later, Wartortle. "Deerling, Leech Seed!"

  A large green pellet formed atop Deerling's signature yellow head-flower and launched at the struggling Water Pokemon, bursting and a trio of vines enveloped Wartortle. Wartortle fired a stream of water at Deerling, who deftly dodged it, landing perfectly in stride.

  "Now we just keep our distance," Ian said. "Bullet Seed it then fall back!"

  Deerling bolted into action, dashing into range, firing a barrage of green-glowing pellets then dashing back out of range. Wartortle braced itself, taking the brunt of the small, green pops. Wartortle grunted in pain and then retreated into its shell. It then glowed with white energy and the shell began spinning unnaturally fast, shaking Leech Seed's vines off the shell in moments. Aw shit, Rapid Spin? So much for that strat.

  When Wartortle finished spinning, it came out of its shell with a proud cry, only to be met by another barrage of Bullet Seeds. Wartortle then gathered blue energy by its mouth and fired rings of water from its mouth. Water Pulse? Deerling had plenty of time to dodge and did so, using its momentum to dash into range for another Bullet Seed. Get kited.

  A translucent white field manifested around Wartortle, and as the barrage of Bullet Seeds hit it, they popped, leaving Wartortle untouched. That's gotta be Protect.

  "Shit... Try another Bullet Seed!" Ian declared, thinking Protect wouldn't be as likely to work. Wartortle lit up another protective field, the Bullet Seed's pellets bursting impotently. No way it works three times in a row. "Re-position and fire another Bullet Seed!" Ian commanded.

  Wartortle glowed with white, translucent power once more, but the protective field seemingly popped suddenly, leaving Wartortle exposed to the oncoming barrage. Wartortle yelped in pain as the Bullet Seeds hit their mark. Then it turned to the sea and began heading away from the battle.

  "Shit," Tupp said.

  "Yeah. Deerling, don't let it go in the water!" Ian commanded. Deerling dashed quickly. Wartortle then took a deep breath and a light blue, almost white energy manifested around its mouth. An Ice Type attack? "DODGE!"

  Out from Wartortle's mouth came a light blue stream of icy crystals that glimmered as they caught the sun. Deerling bounded away, but the large area of effect attack caught Deerling's back legs, causing it to whine in pain as ice crystals stuck to its hind limbs. Icy Wind? "Deerling, Tackle!"

  A white aura shimmered around Deerling as it wound up, then launched itself at Wartortle, who retreated into its shell just in time. Deerling bashed into the shell, sending it tumbling a number of feet as it rolled away from the water. Perfect.

  Wartortle came out of its shell, shaking its head as Ice Type Energy began forming in its mouth again. "Deerling, fall back!"

  Deerling turned around a little clumsily with its hindered back limbs but it was able to leap a dozen feet back still, landing a little unsteadily this time. The cloud of cold wind and crystals did hit Deerling, but at such a distance Ian figured the most potent part of the attack had already faded. "Fire off another Bullet Seed!" Ian said.

  Deerling did so, and this time Wartortle withdrew into its already battered shell, which absorbed most of the damage. Gotta counter Icy Wind somehow. "Charge in for a Sand Attack!"

  Deerling's legs made it move not so swiftly, but still much faster than the clearly exhausted Wartortle could recover. As Wartortle's head popped out, it was met with a face full of sand, causing it to yelp in frustration.

  "Get out of there!" Ian ordered, pointing perpendicularly away from Wartortle. Sure enough, Wartortle fired off another Icy Wind, but completely missed the mark. Wartortle went to rub its eyes. "Finish it, Double Kick!" Ian commanded.

  Deerling charged back, its front legs glowing with dark red energy. It made one more bound and smashed its front legs onto Wartortle's exposed face, smashing it into the sand. Wartortle let out a last gasp before going limp.

  "Hell yeah!" Tupp hollered.

  Ian ran up eagerly, tossing a Poke Ball lightly to the vanquished soon to be partner. Wartortle was absorbed into the ball in a flash of red light, and Deerling rubbed up against Ian's leg affectionately. Ian used an off hand to pet Deerling, but fixated on the ball. It shook more than Deerling's Heal Ball had, but it eventually went limp. Ian pumped his fist and picked up Deerling with a smile on his face.

  Deerling began yelping in a panic as it flailed, and Ian realized Deerling probably wasn't too fond of being picked up. "Excellent job Deerling!" Ian began petting the back Deerling's neck and it cooed happily. "You probably can't reach back there yourself... You were great there!"

  The duo returned to the front gates of Po Town all smiles. Even with his slightly crusty clothes, Ian felt like he was on cloud nine. Not sure how I lucked out with a Wartortle of all things, but I won't say no to it. Ian and Tupp made their way to the Pokemon Center, having to wait in a bit of a line before they got to the counter, where they were met by an East Asian woman just past middle age with greying hair and resting bitch-face. It's a common facial expression around here, ain't it?

  "What's going on Doc," Tupp said.

  "Tupp, what you do to your Pokemon this time?" The woman croaked in broken English. Galarian?

  "Not me this time, Doc," Tupp said with a grin, pointing at Ian. "This is Ian, he catches one more Pokemon today and he's in Team Skull. Ian, this is Doc."

  "Ian, not so lucky," Doc said, her smile oozing mischief.

  "I just caught this Wartortle, it looked really beat up before I battled it..." Ian explained as he handed over Wartortle's ball.

  Doc seemingly ignored Ian's words as she swiped the ball from him and released Wartortle from its ball. Getting a closer look at Warotrtle's shell made Ian cringe. There were punctures and cracks all over, not to mention the bruising on its skin as it laid unconscious on the counter. "Was fight with a Gyarados? Maybe two? Where you find?"

  "Just at the beach behind the wall," Tupp said coarsely.

  Doc eyed it suspiciously. "Ultra Storm out at sea this morning, maybe come from there..."

  "He? Wartortle's a boy?" Ian asked.

  "Male," Doc corrected. "But yes he is."

  "It's a Gyarados hot spot in the seas around Po Town, right?" Ian speculated. "Can't imagine coming out of an Ultra Storm and boom, there's a bunch of Gyarados on your ass."

  "You see puncture?" Doc said, pointing to a deep piercing of the shell, but it looked like there was still shell at the bottom. "Normal Gyarados bite never go this deep into Squirtle shell. Alpha Gyarados do this."

  "An Alpha out there Doc?" Tupp asked. "Maybe it'll keep Sinclair's boats off our ass for a bit."

  "Sorry but I gotta ask, is 'Doc' your real name?" Ian said curiously.

  Doc scoffed. "Course not."

  "Ah..." Ian said.

  "Hey Tupp, Faller-guy!" Rapp's harsh, female voice said from behind Doc. The Team Skull grunt had her signature Comfey around her neck and a curious look in her eyes. "Why you guys here?"

  Tupp pointed at the KO'd Wartortle. "Ian's second Pokemon, caught just now."

  Rapp's eyes expanded as she saw the carnage on the shell. "How fuck did your Deerling do this, Faller?"

  Ian shook his head. "It was like that when we saw him. Stroke of luck."

  "You all done chit-chat? I have mangled Wartortle I need treat," Doc said, her frustration making her broken accent worse.

  "Oh, sorry Doc," Rapp said as she took a quick step back.

  "He heal, but machine not fully heal shell. No more cracks," Doc said.

  When Doc was out of earshot, Tupp leaned over the counter. "Rapp, the fuck you doing back there?"

  Rapp rolled her eyes. "What, a girl can't 'diserfy' her... I mean diversify her skill set?"

  "Looks boring as hell," Tupp teased.

  "How about you stop watching and help get this guy in Team Skull? How about that?" Rapp fired back.

  "It's gonna be easy, just you wait," Tupp said.

  ***

  A few hours later, Ian and Tupp were walking along the road east of Po Town, walking a narrow strip of flat land where the foothills leading to Mount Hokulani began just a few hundred feet away. "Fuck..." Tupp paused, folding his arms. "This is not as easy as I thought it was gonna be."

  "We can go back and get Plumeria," Ian said.

  "Only if you think Wartortle is in fighting shape," Tupp said. "Your Deerling won't be able to handle the stronger stuff out here."

  A couple grunts on bicycles came riding by and threw up a hand sign to Tupp. "Any good Pokemon out there?" Tupp asked.

  "Nothing but Yungoos bro," one grunt said as he cruised by.

  "They out today yo," the other grunt said as he followed behind.

  The sinking feeling in his stomach got worse. At least my stomach hurts because whatever was in the stew ain't sitting right instead of being hungry.

  "Can Gumshoos smell really well?" Ian asked.

  "Of course bro," Tupp said.

  "Maybe it can find something I can catch?" Ian wondered.

  "Nah, we upwind. Everything we'd be looking for is down wind," Tupp said.

  Ian wanted to protest, not entirely sure he understood what Tupp was talking about, but decided against it.

  "Your Deerling's kinda smelly yo," Tupp said. "Maybe it can lure some stuff."

  "Use it as bait?" Ian asked. "I mean, that is how I got it in the first place."

  "Sink or swim bro," Tupp insisted.

  Ian eyed Deerling's Heal Ball and gulped nervously. "Here goes something." He released Deerling, who scampered around excitedly before coming back and rubbing up against Ian's leg. "You wanna help us find another Pokemon I can catch?" Ian asked.

  Deerling licked its lips as it stared at Ian with its big blank eyes. "Looks like 'yes' to me bro," Tupp said.

  The trio continued on, the clouds thankfully not gathering for a storm anytime soon. They came upon a small wooded area on the side of the road. It didn't seem very deep, but it seemed like a decent place for a Pokemon to hide out. Probably a Yungoos or Rattata. Ian searched for signs of anything, and an odd green blip of light caught his attention. "Fuck was that?" Ian asked aloud.

  "What?"

  "There was this green light in the brush over there," Ian pointed.

  "Mystery meat might be hitting you hard bro," Tupp teased. "You want to go check it out just in case?"

  Ian shrugged. "Worth a shot."

  "Fuck it," Tupp said.

  Deerling seemed a bit apprehensive about going in, but Ian gave it a reassuring smile. Deerling followed, but stayed right behind Ian the entire time. Some Pikipek chirped, and the breeze felt quite nice on Ian's skin. "So bro... if I don't catch a third Pokemon, you think there's another spot I could go to?" Ian asked.

  "Outrigger's up the road about a day's walk from here, but Guzma'll be pissed at you. If Outrigger and us ever get in a scrap, Guzma'll demand you come back in a peace deal," Tupp said. "Guzma don't mind runners, but taking his hospitality and running, that's fucked up."

  "I wasn't trying to frame it that way," Ian said. "But just in case I come back with just a Yungoos, you know?"

  "I feel ya bro," Tupp said, his eyes focusing on a rustling bush ahead.

  Ian locked in, focusing on the rustling brush. Suddenly the familiar call of a Yungoos hit their ears, and in a flash of gold, the critter fled. "How much time do I got?" Ian asked.

  "We got a few hours still bro," Tupp said.

  "What about climbing the hills a bit?" Ian asked.

  Tupp shook his head. "There's an Alpha Drampa somewhere up in these hills. You don't want nothing to do with that."

  "Most definitely," Ian said. Suddenly Deerling yelped with fright, leaping away. "Deerling, what the-" A blur of dark color sped by Ian. He turned to catch up with the adversary and saw a little tuft of orange fur on top of its dark colored, feline body. Deerling fired a Bullet Seed, but the green pellets smoked by a flash of flames. Fire type? Shit.

  Deerling bounded for cover, but the assailant was fast, and when Deerling landed, it was met with another flash of flames. Deerling cried out in pain, moving, but definitely wounded. The mystery assailant crouched, ready to pounce on Deerling, and Ian realized what it was. A Litleo!

  "Deerling, Leech Seed!" Ian ordered.

  Deerling fired a quick seed from its flower, bursting and landing on Litleo mid-pounce. Deerling scurried for more cover, with Litleo in hot pursuit.

  "Dafuq is that?" Tupp asked.

  "I think it's a Litleo," Ian said.

  "I ain't ever seen them around here bro," Tupp said.

  Ultra Storm refugee or something. We need to get Litleo in close for a Double Kick. "Deerling, Sand Attack!" Ian commanded.

  Deerling stuck its hoof in the ground, kicking up sand, but Litleo was airborne, fire enveloping its mouth. Deerling whimpered as Litleo landed on target. Ian had Deerling's Heal Ball at the ready and recalled his partner. Litleo followed the red light for a moment, hissing at Ian and Tupp, readying more fire in its mouth. Seeing Litleo mostly still for a time made Ian notice something he didn't expect to see, the orange tuft of fur on top of Litleo's head flickered like a candle's flame, changing from a dark orange to lighter orange every couple of seconds.

  "Bro, you got this?" Tupp asked. "If I help-"

  "I know you can't help," Ian said, reaching for Wartortle's ball. I'll owe you even more if you can even go. Ian opened Wartortle's ball, wishing he'd at least gotten to know him before sending him into battle.

  Wartortle manifested hunched over, clearly not one hundred percent. Wartortle's head turned, a pestered look in its eye as its glare met Ian's eyes. "I'm sorry dude, I'm gonna owe you..." Ian promised.

  Wartortle snorted, turning back around to the hissing Litleo. Litleo then growled fiercely, pouncing into the air. Wartortle opened his mouth and let out a stream of blue energy rings, wobbling like water. The rings made contact with Litleo, each one connecting, slamming Litleo into the tree behind it. The assailant hit the ground hard, going limp in a quick second.

  Wartortle turned back around with the same pestered look in its eye. Ian smiled nervously, recalling his second partner into its Poke Ball. He readied the third and final one, hucking it to Litleo's body. The ball connected, opened, and absorbed Litleo into itself in a flash of red light. Ian hustled over to the now motionless Poke Ball and picked it up triumphantly. Tupp barreled into Ian, giving him a playful shove.

  "Let's goooo! Welcome to Team Skull bro!" Tupp said, putting his fist out.

  Ian smiled. "Let's make some bad decisions, dude."