Pokemon Black and White

[RuBoo]

Because I didn't know what to name it.


"Late again, huh?" Cheren asked, standing in the middle of the room.

"Looks like it…" said Kitsune, relaxing on his bed.

"She's always late." Cheren said. "Why do we even tell her when she's supposed to be here?"

"No clue…" Kitsune replied. He paused for a moment, then said, "Hey, Cheren. Since she's late, lets open it now."

"What? But-" Cheren began, but he was interrupted by the sound of someone running up the stairs. "About time."

Bianca entered the room. "I'm late again, aren't I? Sorry." she said.

"About time." Kitsune said. "We were about to start without you."

"We were?" Cheren asked.

"It was Cheren's idea." Kitsune said.

"WHAT!?" Cheren exclaimed.

"Sorry, Kitsune. Sorry, Cheren." Bianca apologized. She looked around the room. "So… Where are the Pokémon?"

"In that box on the table." Kitsune said, pointing it out as he did so.

"Well, since they were delivered to your house, Kitsune, you get first pick." Bianca said.

"Naturally." said Cheren.

"You're gonna make me choose?" Kitsune asked. "Ugh, fine…" He got up off of his bed and walked over to the box on the table. He opened it up and looked inside. There were three Poké Balls inside. He examined them, then chose the one on the left. "I'll get this one." he said.

"OK. Now, let's see…" Bianca said, looking inside the box. "I'll get this one!" she took the one on the right.

"Hey! What gives you the right to choose before me, huh? You were late, remember?" Cheren asked. He sighed, taking the last remaining Poké Ball. "Oh well. Tepig was my choice, anyway. Gives me an advantage over Kiki."

"What was that, Cher?" Kitsune asked, annoyed that he called him Kiki.

"Hey, I have an idea!" Bianca exclaimed. "Now that we all have a Pokémon, Let's have a Pokémon battle!"

"Really, Bianca?" Cheren asked. "Even though the Pokémon are not very strong, you shouldn't have Pokémon battles inside a house."

"Don't worry!" Bianca exclaimed. "Like you said, they're weak! Besides, we have to let them battle to become stronger!"

"Makes sense…" Kitsune said, sending out his Snivy. "Just don't break my Wii."

"Alright!" Bianca exclaimed.

Cheren sighed. "You two don't know anything, do you?"

"Go, Oshawott!" The Oshawott emerged from its Poké Ball. When Bianca saw it, she stared for a moment, then ran up to it and hugged it. "So cute!"

She thinks that is cute? Kitsune thought. "Hey. Bi. Battle. Now." he said.

"Oh! Right!" she dropped Oshawott, who landed face-first on the ground. "Oshawott, use Water Gun!" The room fell into an awkward silence.

"…First off," Kitsune said, "an Oshawott can't use Water Gun if it's face-first on the ground. Second, that Oshawott is too weak to know Water Gun. Third, Water Gun is not very effective on Grass-types like Snivy. Finally…" He paused for a moment. "I'm faster. Snivy, Tackle!" The Oshawott stood up and was immediately knocked backwards by Snivy's Tackle. It hit the wall and fell to the ground again. "Haha, looks like Oshawott is as slow as its Trainer!"

"…Really, Kitsune?" Cheren said. "Really?"

"Umm… OK!" Bianca said, not paying attention to Kitsune's joke. "Oshawott, Tackle!" The Oshawott Tackled Snivy, sending it sliding across the rug. It managed to use friction to stop its momentum, preventing it from crashing into the computer desk behind it. It Leered at the Oshawott. "Oshawott, Tackle again!" The Oshawott tried to Tackle Snivy again, but Snivy dodged it, and the Oshawott crashed into the computer desk. "Oh, no! Oshawott, are you OK?"
"Bianca, I'd be more worried about the desk." Cheren said.

"'S OK. I don't need it anymore." Kitsune said. The Oshawott pulled its head out of the hole in the desk and got Tackled by Snivy. It returned the Tackle, and was tackled into the trashcan. "Haha, exactly where it belongs!" It stood up, the trashcan still on top of it. It tried to Tackle Snivy, but missed its mark over and over, hitting the TV, the bookcase, everything in the room except Snivy. Eventually, it passed out, exhausted. "Haha, it knocked itself out. Now I know how best to fight Oshawott. Hahaha."
"Oshawott, no!" Bianca said, running over to it.

"Worry about the room, Bianca!" Cheren said.

"Sheesh. Your Oshawott did a lot of damage to the room, didn't it?" Kitsune said. "…Meh, not my problem…"

"…Return it to its Poké Ball, Bianca." Cheren said.

"Oh! Right!" Bianca said in response. She did so, but Kitsune didn't. Instead, he let Snivy climb up into the hood on his back.

"Why don't you return your Snivy to its Poké Ball, Kitsune?" Cheren asked.

"Because I don't know how long she has been in there, and she probably needs some time to stretch her legs." he answered. "Besides, I think she prefers it right where she is."

"…Hey, Cheren!" Bianca said. "Why don't you have a battle with Kitsune while my Oshawott rests?"

"Um…" Cheren said. "Shouldn't we give Snivy a chance to rest, too?"

Snivy jumped out of Kitsune's hood, ready for battle. "Looks like she doesn't need it." Kitsune said. "So, ready to get beaten for the first time, Cher?"

"You're the one who's gonna be beaten, Kiki." Cheren said, sending out his Tepig.

"Ha! As if! Snivy, Tackle!" Kitsune said. Snivy charged at the Tepig, Tackling it.

"Tepig, Tackle it back!" Cheren said. "Don't stop Tackling until it's down!" Tepig charged at Snivy, returning the Tackle. Snivy Leered at Tepig, gracefully dodging its second attack. She leered again, and the Tepig hit her this time, but she Tackled him again. Tepig hit back, but Snivy Tackled him one final time, ending the battle. Exhausted, she returned to Kitsune's hood to rest. "…Tepig, return…" Cheren said.

"You did great, Snivy." Kitsune said. "One step closer…"

"Hey, Kitsune…" Bianca said. "We should probably apologize to your mother for the mess we made."

"You mean the mess you made…" Cheren said.

"Oh, right…" Bianca said.

"Well, I'm leaving anyway." Cheren said. "Professor Juniper said she wanted to talk to us. You coming, Kitsune?"

"Nah, not yet." Kitsune said. "I've got some things to take care of first." His friends left the room, and then he walked over to the TV, which had fell over. He tried to lift it. "Ugh… A… little help here… Snivy?" The Snivy helped Kitsune lift the TV. It had a huge crack in the middle of the screen where it hit the Wii, but that wasn't what he was worried about. He picked the Wii up and looked at it. "As I thought…" he said. "Not a scratch."

 

[RuBoo]

"…really sorry, Kitsune's mom." Bianca apologized.

"It's alright." Kitsune's mother replied.

"I'll help clean up." Bianca offered.

"No need." Kitsune interrupted, coming down the stairs.

"Besides," his mother said. "shouldn't you be on your way to speak to Professor Juniper?"

"Oh! Yes, of course!" Bianca said. She stopped at the door. "Oh! I've gotta go home first!" She rushed out the door as quickly as she could.

Kitsune's mother walked over to him. "My, my, Kitsune." she said. "Pokémon battles are so lively, aren't they? I could hear the Pokémon's cries from here! It reminded me of my first Pokémon battle! Hey, why isn't your Snivy in its Poké Ball?" she asked.

Kitsune sighed. "Because I don't know how long she has been in there, and she probably needs some time to stretch her legs." he answered.

"I see…" she replied. "…Well, if you're going out, don't forget your Xtransceiver!" she exclaimed, handing him his Xtransceiver.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever." he said, taking the Xtransceiver.

"You're going to talk to the professor too, right?" she asked. "Better get going!"

"Whatever…" he replied. He left the house, but as soon as he did, he heard a loud voice coming from Bianca's house.

"NO, NO, A THOUSAND TIMES NO!" said Bianca's father. Kitsune crept over to the open window.

"But, I…" Bianca began. "I'm a good Trainer! I have a Pokémon and everything! I can totally go on an adventure!" With that, she left the house. She turned the corner and saw Kitsune walking away. "Oh… Did you hear that?"

"I'm pretty sure everyone in town heard that, Bi." Kitsune replied, still moving away.

"Sorry…" Bianca said. "Hey! Let's go to the lab together!"

"Are you kidding?" he Kitsune replied. "If I waited for you, then I'd be late, too!" he joked.

"It's not that far…" Bianca said.

Kitsune kept going, reaching the lab within a few minutes, Bianca tagging along close behind.

"Well, well." Cheren said. "You're actually on time this time, Bianca?"

"I guess…" she answered.

"Whatever…" Kitsune said. "Let's just go inside and get this over with."

The three entered the lab. They were greeted by Professor Juniper. "Hi there!" she said. "I've been waiting for you young people! Let me introduce myself again. My name is…"

"Professor Juniper." Cheren and Kitsune interrupted in unison. "We know your name." Cheren added.

"Come, come, you two! This is no time to take things lightly." The professor said. "Today is a day to remember always, so it's best to behave with some formality. That being so," she continued, "once again, my name is Professor Juniper, and I am researching when and how the creatures called Pokémon came into existence. " She looked at the three children in front of her. "Oh, that's unusual! You've already had a Pokémon battle! So maybe that's why… It feels as though your Pokémon have already begun to trust you! So, are any of you planning on giving your Pokémon a nickname?"

"Nope." said Cheren.

"No, professor." Bianca said.

"Yeah, right." Kitsune said.

"No? Well, that's fine, too." Professor Juniper said. "As for why I gave all of you Pokémon…"

"It's for the Pokédex, right?" Cheren interrupted again.

"Pokédex?" Bianca questioned.

"I'm astonished. Nice work, Cheren!" the professor said. "You've already studied Pokémon extensively, haven't you?"

"No, Bi's just slow." Kitsune jested, under his breath.

"Still, let me explain everything from the beginning, for everyone's sake." Professor Juniper said.

"Uh, no, that's alright…" Kitsune said, but Professor Juniper continued.

"The Pokédex is a high-tech device that automatically records the Pokémon you encounter! So, I want you three to visit many places and meet all of the Pokémon in the Unova region! This is my request. Kitsune! Cheren! Bianca! You'll go on an adventure to complete the Pokédex, will you not?"

"OK!" Bianca exclaimed excitedly. "I mean… Yes, professor!"

"I will." Cheren said. "Thank you very much. Because of you, I can become a Pokémon Trainer, exactly as I've always wished."

"I'll do it," Kitsune said, "but not for the Pokédex."

"Oh?" the professor asked. "Then why…"

"There is something that I want to… Nay, something that I will do. Something that will become truth. I will find, defeat, and capture the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram."

Everyone started to look at him. "If that's your dream, then why'd you choose Snivy?" Cheren asked.

"And speaking of which," Professor Juniper said, "why isn't it in its Poké Ball?"

"Because I don't know how long she has been in there, and she probably needs some time to stretch her legs." he said again.

"…Well, anyway…" The professor gave each of the three a Pokédex. "Next, I need to teach you how to meet Pokémon. Meet me at Route 1, OK?" She left the lab.

"Since the professor asked us, it's OK to go on an adventure, right?" Bianca asked. "I can explore and maybe find out what I want to do in life. I think I'd like that."

"Of course." Cheren answered. "We can travel however we want while we complete the Pokédex."

"Whatever, Cher." Kitsune said. "Let's just go already." The three headed for the door.

 

[RuBoo]

As the trio exited the lab, they found someone waiting for them outside.

"Oh! Hello again, Kitsune's mom." Bianca said.

"Hello, ma'am." Cheren said.

"Mom." Kitsune said.

"There you are!" Kitsune's mother said. "And…? What did the professor have to say?"

"She just wanted to babble on and on about the Pokédex." Kitsune said before anyone else could respond.

"Kitsune!" Cheren admonished him.

"She asked us to complete the Pokédex." Bianca said.

"She asked you to complete the Pokédex?! I can't believe it!" Kitsune's mother said, clearly faking surprise. "Well, actually, I can. I already knew she was going to ask."

"Get to the point." Kitsune said."Why are you here?"

"Is that any way to talk to your mother, Kiki?" Cheren asked.

"It's alright," Kitsune's mother said, "I'm used to it. I came here to give you these." She gave each of the trio a Town Map.

"…Thanks…" Kitsune said, taking the Town Map.

"Thank you, ma'am." Cheren said. "I'll take good care of it."

"Thank you." Bianca said. She looked at it. "Um… What is it?"

"It's a Town Map." Kitsune, Cheren, and Kitsune's mother replied in unison. "It's so you don't get lost." Kitsune's mother said. "As for your room, Kitsune-- or, what's left of it…"

"I offered to help…" Bianca said.

"There's no need for any of you to worry." Kitsune's mother said. "I'll take care of tidying up. OK, Kitsune?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever." Kitsune replied.
"Ah, Pokémon. They're so cute, but they have enough power to destroy a bedroom! They're really something. With Pokémon like that at your side, you'll be safe wherever you go! I'll let your parents know! I hope that, in addition to Pokémon, you'll find lots and lots of places you like in the Unova region-- and become wonderful adults! Have a great trip!" She turned around and left the three standing in front of Professor Juniper's lab.

"Shall we head to Route 1?" Cheren asked. "The professor's waiting."

"Let's go, let's go!" Bianca said. "Kitsune, hurry up and come too, OK?" The two rushed off toward Route 1, leaving Kitsune behind.

Kitsune sighed. "I'm coming…" he said, following the two at a normal walking pace. He reached Route 1 and was just about to step on it when Bianca stopped him.

"Wait, wait!" she said.

"Bianca says if we're starting a journey together, she wants us all to take our first step at the same time." Cheren stated.

"Hey, Kitsune!" Bianca said. "Let's all take our first step on Route 1 together!"

"…It sounds stupid to me… But, I'll do it…" Kitsune said.

The three lined up beside each other. "One!" Bianca said.

"Two!" Cheren said.

"Three!" the two said in unison. All three stepped forward onto Route 1. "Oh! I wonder what will happen! Isn't this so exciting?!" Bianca exclaimed.

"It sure is!" Cheren agreed.

"Whatever…" Kitsune said.

"C'mon, the professor's waiting." Cheren pointed out. The three walked forward until they came across Professor Juniper. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, professor."

"Now that everyone's here, I'll explain." the professor said. "The Pokédex's pages update automatically whenever you meet a Pokémon! Moreover, it's set up so that you obtain even more information when you catch a Pokémon! To make this clear, I'm going to demonstrate how to catch a Pokémon!" She looked around and found a Patrat. "Go, Minccino!" she said, throwing a Poké Ball. A Minccino popped out of the Poké Ball. "Minccino, Pound!" Professor Juniper said, and the Minccino hit the Patrat with its tail. She threw a Poké Ball at the Patrat. It went into the Ball, and the Ball started shaking. It stopped shaking and the Patrat was caught. "And that's how you do it. Any questions?"

"No, I think we got it." Kitsune said.

"Alright, then." the professor said. "Now, to wrap this up in the best way, I have a gift for you--some Poké Balls!" She then gave each of the three five Poké Balls. "Poké Balls are used for catching Pokémon and for carrying the Pokémon you catch! I'm going on ahead. I'll be waiting for you in Accumula Town!" She turned around and headed for Accumula Town.

"I'm heading to Accumula Town, too." Cheren said.

"I think I'll go, too." Bianca said. "I'm looking forward to the next town so I can go shopping for Poké Balls!" She then had an idea. "Wait a minute! Hey, listen! Kitsune, Cheren, I thought of something fun!"

"But we need to get going!" Cheren said.

"Yeah. The professor's waiting for us, you know." Kitsune stated.

"Would you two just listen for a sec?" Bianca asked. "Seriously! Why don't we see who can catch the most Pokémon? The person carrying the most Pokémon, including the one received from Professor Juniper, is the winner!"

"Huh. Actually, that sounds interesting." Cheren said.

"Sounds boring to me." Kitsune said.

"Come on, Kitsune." Cheren said. "Have some fun. It will fill up Pokédex pages, so I'm sure it will please the professor, too."

"Me and Oshawott will do the best for sure!" Bianca said.

"'Oshawott and I', Bi." Kitsune corrected, but nobody paid any attention to him.

"Yeah, right!" Cheren exclaimed. "That's gonna be me and Tepig!"

Kitsune sighed. "Why do I even bother?"

 

[RuBoo]

"Snivy, Vine Whip!" Kitsune called. Snivy's Vine Whip collided with the Lillipup in front of it, which collapsed to the ground, defeated. "There goes another one." Kitsune said.

"Hey! Kitsune!" Cheren called out.

"…Oh. It's you…" Kitsune said.

"Kitsune, are you ready to compare yourself with us? Bianca and I both have two Pokémon with us."

"I'm not participating in your childish game." Kitsune said. "All I need is Snivy."

"What!?" Bianca asked, looking Kitsune over. "You only have Snivy!?"

"Don't need anything else. At least not from here." Kitsune replied.

"But…" Bianca began. "If you don't catch any Pokémon, won't Snivy get lonely?"

"She's fine for now." Kitsune said. "She has me to keep her company."

"In our experience, you're not very good company." Cheren said.

"Shut up, Cher." Kitsune said.

"Well, I'm going to continue to Accumula Town. The professor is waiting." Cheren said, but right at that moment the trio's Xtransceivers started ringing simultaneously.

The three answered their Xtransceivers. "Hello! How is everybody doing?" Professor Juniper said. "You and your Pokémon are getting along great now, right?"

"Oh! Professor!" Bianca said.

"We're fine." Kitsune stated.

"And our Pokémon are doing great, too." Cheren said.

"Right now, I'm in front of Accumula Town's Pokémon Center! I'd like to show you around, so hurry on over, everyone!"

"OK! The Pokémon Center, right!" Bianca said.

"No, it's probably to the left." Kitsune joked to himself.

"OK! See you!" the professor ended. The Xtransceivers went blank.

"Well, I'm going on ahead." Cheren said, continuing on.

"I'm going, too." Bianca said.

"…You don't have to tell me, you know…" Kitsune said, as he, too, proceeded forward.

When Kitsune reached Accumula Town, Bianca, Cheren, and the professor were all waiting in front of the Pokémon Center. "Kitsune! Over here!" Bianca called to him.

"Whatever." Kitsune sighed as he walked over to the Pokémon Center.

"Right." Professor Juniper said. "Now, I'm going to talk to you all about the Pokémon Center."

"Actually, I think I'll wait out here." Kitsune said. "I already know about the Pokémon Center."

"Same here." Cheren said.

"Oh. Well…" the professor said. She looked at Bianca. "What about you, Bianca? What do you know about the Pokémon Center?"

"Um… Not much." Bianca said. "It's where you go shopping, though, right?"

"Well, it is, but… Well, come on, let me show you." the professor said, leading Bianca into the Pokémon Center as Kitsune and Cheren stayed outside.

A crowd began to form around the plaza. "Sounds like something's going on in the plaza." Cheren said.

"Should we check it out?" Kitsune asked. Cheren nodded, and the two walked over and joined the crowd.

The crowd was looking at a group of people standing in a line. These people were clad in hooded clothing that looked somewhat like medieval armor. Someone in the line moved, and someone who was behind the line stepped forward before the former returned to his original position. The person who was now standing in front of the line was pretty tall, around six feet, and he was wearing odd clothing, that made him look like the tower of a medieval castle. His clothing, some kind of robe, also had a face-like design on it. His hair was a grayish-green color, and he had some sort of red thing over his right eye. "My name is Ghetsis." he said. "I am here representing Team Plasma. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to talk to you about Pokémon liberation."

The people in the crowd began to talk amongst themselves. "What a loon." Kitsune muttered.

"I'm sure most of you believe that we humans and Pokémon are partners that have come to live together because we want and need each other." Ghetsis continued. "However… Is that really the truth? Have you ever considered that perhaps we humans… only assume that this is the truth?" He began to walk back and forth. "Pokémon are subject to the selfish commands of Trainers… They get pushed around when they are our 'partners' at work… Can anyone say with confidence that there is no truth in what I'm saying?" The crowd reacted to this statement. "Now, ladies and gentlemen, Pokémon are different from humans. They are living beings that contain unknown potential. They are living beings from whom we humans have much to learn. Tell me, what is our responsibility toward these wonderful beings called Pokémon?" The crowd murmured again. Someone in the crowd suggested "Liberation?" "That's right! We must liberate the Pokémon! Then, and only then, will humans and Pokémon truly be equals. Everyone, I end my words here today by imploring you to consider the relationship between people and Pokémon… and the correct way to proceed. We sincerely appreciate your attention." As he finished his monologue, the line of people began to surround him, as though they were protecting him, and the group left.

 

[RuBoo]

"That guy… is crazy…" Kitsune said as the crowd dispersed.

"Well… You have to admit, he did have a point." Cheren said.

"True, true." Kitsune said. "But I don't think it's possible for them to accomplish their goal. There are people out there who couldn't care less if they are hurting their Pokémon. Besides…" Kitsune paused for a moment. "There's something about him… I just don't like…"

"Your Pokemon…" someone nearby said. "Just now, they were saying…"

Kitsune and Cheren turned to see a boy clad in white, with tea-green hair and a red hat. "Slow down." Cheren said. "You talk too fast."

"Who are you?" Kitsune asked. "And what are you talking about? Pokémon? Talking?"

"Yes, they're talking." the mysterious boy said. "Oh. Then, you two can't hear it, either… How sad. My name is N."

"My name is Cheren. My less-than-polite friend here is Kik- er… Kitsune." Cheren said.

"What was that, Cher?" Kitsune growled. Cheren ignored him.

"We were asked to complete the Pokédex, and we just left on our journey." Cheren said. "My main goal is to become Champion, though." he added.

"The Pokédex, eh?" N asked. "So… You're going to confine many, many Pokémon in Poké Balls for that, then. I'm a Trainer, too. Still, I can't help wondering… Are Pokémon really happy that way?"

"Not me." Kitsune said. "I don't like Poké Balls. I only use them for the capture. Just look at Snivy." He pointed to the Pokémon in his hood. "There's only one Pokémon that I want, anyway."

"Oh? That's good." N said.

"I thought you said you only wanted to let her 'stretch her legs'." Cheren said.

"Shut up, Cher." Kitsune said.

"Well, Kitsune, is it?" N asked. "Let me hear your Pokémon's voice again! Purrloin!" he called, and a Purrloin came running.

"I like you, dude." Kitsune said. "Let's make this interesting, shall we? You're going to battle Snivy with your Purrloin? Let's not issue commands to our Pokémon. Snivy?" His Pokémon leapt out of his hood and stood in front of him, ready for battle.

"That sounds like fun." N said. "You know what to do, right Purrloin?" The cat-like Pokémon nodded in agreement. It ran at Snivy, it's claws extended. "Your Snivy… She's cute, but can she fight?"

Snivy Tackled the Purrloin to the ground before he could finish his move. "'Can she fight?'" Kitsune said. "Can Pidove fly? It comes naturally."

"Ah, I see…" N said. Purrloin Scratched Snivy, who, in turn, Wrapped herself around him. He continued to Scratch Snivy, trying to get free, but to no avail.

"It ends." Kitsune said, and Snivy, releasing Purrloin from Wrap and using Vine Whip to send him flying. He crashed into the Pokémon Center just as Bianca was leaving it, her hands full of stuff. The sound of the Purrloin crashing into the Pokémon Center startled Bianca, and she dropped some of the stuff she'd bought. "Oops. Sorry, Bi." Kitsune chuckled. He turned to look at N. "You should probably get some medical attention for your Purrloin. He took quite a beating."

"How did you do that?" Cheren asked. "Your Snivy looks like it was barely injured."

"You spent your time on Route 1 catching Pokémon." Kitsune said. "I spent mine training the one I had."

"He's not my Pokémon." N said.

"Huh?" Kitsune said.

"Purrloin." N said. "He doesn't belong to me."

"Then why did you use him in a battle?" Cheren asked.

"Now that I think of it…" Kitsune said. "Purrloin came from somewhere else, not a Poké Ball. Why?"

"He's my friend." N replied. "Pokémon are my friends. That's why… I have to change the world for them. As long as they are confined in Poké Balls… Pokémon will never be perfect beings…"

"I see…" Kitsune said. N turned and began to walk away. "Hey, good luck, dude." Kitsune said to him. "You're going to need it." N acknowledged Kitsune, smiling back at him, before walking away.

"Huh… Strange guy." Cheren said. "A lot like that Ghetsis guy."

"I dunno, Cher." Kitsune said. "I kinda like that guy."

"Kiki." Cheren said. "Think about it. They have the same goal. A goal which you said was impossible to accomplish."

"That's why I wished him luck, duh." Kitsune said. "Besides, Ghetsis… He's ugly."

"Wha-?" Cheren said. "…I'm not going to worry about it. I'm going to go on ahead. I want to go to Striaton City, and challenge the Gym Leader there. After all, the best way to become stronger is to challenge Gym Leaders."

"I don't need to become stronger." Kitsune said. "Pure willpower is all I need to achieve my goal."

"But…" Cheren said. He sighed, knowing that arguing would be futile. "…Alright. Think of it this way. Use the Gym Leaders as a test, to see if you are good enough to achieve your goal. If you beat them, you may be able to do it. If not, you will need to get stronger. And the best way to get stronger is to-"

"Is to challenge Gym Leaders. I get it." Kitsune sighed. " Alright, I'll play with those pathetic Gym Leaders for a while. But… I will not lose sight of my goal. My dream. My one desire. I will make it truth." Cheren left for Striaton City, leaving Kitsune behind. He turned his head to look at Snivy, who was now resting in his hood. "And you'll help me… Won't you, Snivy?" She nodded, and Kitsune began to walk to the next city, satisfied with Snivy's answer.

 

[RuBoo]

"Oh! Hi, Kitsune!" Bianca called.

"…Bi…" Kitsune said.

"Hey, listen! Let's have a Pokémon battle!"
"Hey, listen"? Kitsune thought. Reminds me of a game I've played before… "Why?" Kitsune asked.

"Please? My Pokémon have become a little stronger! I'm sure I'll win this time!"

Kitsune sighed. "Fine. But you're still no match for Snivy." Snivy leapt forward into battle just as Bianca tossed her Poké Ball. Inside was a Lillipup. "Snivy, Vine Whip!" Kitsune said, and the Lillipup yelped as the attack hit. Snivy was strong enough to defeat the Puppy Pokémon in one hit. "Next is Oshawott, right?"

"Lillipup, return!" Bianca said recalling her injured Lillipup. "Yep. Go, Oshawott!"

"You can handle this, right, Snivy?" Kitsune said, and before he could issue the command, Snivy used Vine Whip, once again defeating the Pokémon in front of her with a single hit.

"Again!?" Bianca shouted. She recalled her Oshawott. "Wow, Kitsune, your Snivy is getting stronger!"

"No, really? I thought she was getting weaker." Kitsune snarked as Snivy made her way back into his hood.

"Nope, she's getting stronger!" Bianca said, not noticing the sarcasm in Kitsune's voice. "But we're not going to lose next time! See you!" she said, running off in the other direction.

"…We'll see about that…" Kitsune remarked under his breath. He continued toward Striaton City, and Striaton Gym. When he reached the Gym, however, he was told the Gym Leader was taking a break. "He's not here?" Kitsune asked. "Whatever. Guess I'll skip this one, then. I can't be missing out on much." He proceeded toward Route 3, but on the way, he was stopped by Cheren.

"Hold on, Kitsune. Aren't you going to challenge the Gym Leader?" he asked.

"Why? He's not at the Gym where he's supposed to be." Kitsune replied.

"He shouldn't be gone long." Cheren said. "Besides, we can battle to pass the time until he gets back."

"…Fine." Kitsune said, Snivy jumping out in front of him again. Cheren tossed his Poké Ball to reveal his Tepig. "Not wasting time, huh? Snivy, use Growth!" As Snivy executed the requested move, Cheren told Tepig to use Ember. The move hit her, but, despite being a Fire-type move, didn't do much damage. "Now use Tackle." Kitsune said, and Snivy charged at the Fire Pig, her slightly greater size slightly improving her attack power. The Tepig flew backwards, then hit her with Tail Whip. "Tail Whip? That was a mistake. Too late now, though. Tackle!" The Snivy Tackled the Tepig again, and he collapsed to the ground, defeated.

"Wow." Cheren said, recalling his Tepig. "You're good. Purrloin, go!"

"It's over now." Kitsune said. "Snivy, Vine Whip!" When the attack hit the Purrloin, it, too, was defeated.

"Your Snivy's strong." Cheren said. "Who knows? Maybe she really could be able to help you accomplish your dream."

"I know she can." Kitsune said. "But to be able to beat Reshiram on her own… She's going to need to get a lot stronger."

"Or maybe you could, oh, I don't know, catch more Pokémon?" Cheren said.

"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, Cher." Kitsune said. "For now, I'm sticking with Snivy."

"Not the best idea." a mysterious, green-haired person said. "At least if you're going to challenge this city's Gym."

"Oh, yeah?" Kitsune said. "And who might you be?"

"Who, me?" the person asked. "I'm one of the Gym Leaders of this city. Of course, I'm not going to be the one you battle." he added.

"'One of the Gym Leaders'?" Kitsune asked. "You mean there's more than one?"

"Yes." the person said. "In fact, there are three."

"Three, huh?" Cheren asked. "So, which one will we be fighting?"

"Well, I overheard him saying his only Pokémon was Snivy." the person replied. "So, he will be fighting my brother Chili, a Fire specialist." He turned to Kitsune. "You should probably start preparing to fight Fire-types."

"Alright." Kitsune said.

The person turned back to Cheren. "And what about you?" he asked. "What was your first Pokémon?"

"Tepig." Cheren replied.

"Right. Then you will be facing Cress, the Water specialist." the person said. "I recommend that you two start training in the Dreamyard."

"Dreamyard?" asked Kitsune.

"Yes, the Dreamyard." the person answered. "It's right over there." He pointed toward a ruined-looking structure.

"…Alright." Kitsune said. "I'll go." He looked at Cheren. "While I'm training, why don't you go get your butt kicked by this Cress guy?"

"No way." Cheren said. "I'm going to train, too."

"Good choice." the person said, heading toward the Gym. "My brothers and I will be waiting for the two of you in the Gym. See you later."

As the mysterious person walked away, Kitsune turned to Cheren. "I like him." he said. "He's got good grammar. Better than yours, Cher."

"Shut up, Kiki." Cheren said, heading toward the Dreamyard, Kitsune walking behind him.

 

[RuBoo]

"Drat!" Cheren exclaimed as the force of Snivy's Tackle sent his Tepig flying. "I lost again!"

"That may be so…" Kitsune said, "…but Snivy looks pretty tired, herself." he pointed out. "You may actually be able to beat this Gym Leader."

"Maybe." Cheren said. "But first, my Pokémon need to rest." He recalled Tepig to his Poké Ball.

"Same with Snivy." Kitsune said, the tired Grass Snake Pokémon making her way to Kitsune's hood. He helped her up, picking her up and putting her in his hood himself.

"Um…" Cheren said. "Wouldn't now be an appropriate time to put Snivy in her Poké Ball?"

"Why?" Kitsune asked in return. "She can rest just as easily outside of it."

"…Alright, whatever…" Cheren said. The two began to make their way to the city's Pokémon Center.

"…Hey, Cheren." Kitsune said.

"Yeah?" Cheren responded.

"Do you think Bianca challenged that green-haired guy yet?" he asked.

"I don't know." Cheren answered. "Why?"

"If she has, she probably got her butt kicked." Kitsune chuckled. "There's a reason Oshawott was dropped into the trashcan during his first battle."

"Hey! That's mean!" Cheren said.

"And it's true." Kitsune said. "Sometimes the truth is not ideal."

"But…" Cheren began, but it was pointless to argue. "Let's just get to the Pokémon Center, okay?"

"Fine…" Kitsune said. After a while, the two reached the Pokémon Center. Cheren handed the Poké Balls containing his Purrloin and Tepig to the nurse, while Kitsune put his hand on the front desk, allowing Snivy to walk on its own along his arm and to the desk. The nurse picked her up and took her and Cheren's Pokémon to the back for healing.

"Hey, Kitsune." Cheren said. "Do you really think I'll be able to defeat the Gym Leader now?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't." Kitsune replied. "It takes a lot to hurt Snivy to the brink of defeat. It won't happen next time, though."

"We'll see about that." Cheren said as the nurse returned to give the two back their Pokémon.

"Is that a challenge?" Kitsune asked as Snivy crossed his arm once more, settling back into her place.

"No, it's the truth." Cheren replied, mockingly. "I'll beat this guy Cress, then start training to beat you. And I'll battle him first, giving me a head start on my training."

"Yeah, but you're forgetting something." Kitsune said as the two exited the Pokémon Center. "It won't be much of a head start. Snivy's much faster than your Pokémon."

"Is that so?" Cheren asked. "Well, I'll show you! I'll beat the Gym Leader before you can say 'Trio Badge'!"

"Really?" Kitsune asked. "Good luck with that, slowpoke."

"Actually, I think he's more of a Slowking." came a voice behind them.

"You're one to talk, Bi." Kitsune said.

"What does that make you, huh, Bianca!?" Cheren exclaimed.

"Um…" Bianca said. She hastily changed the subject. "Oh, hey! The Gym!" The three were standing outside of the Gym. "I'll go first. I won't lose this time!"

"'This time'?" Cheren asked.

"I knew it." Kitsune said. "She did get her butt kicked by greenie."

"Well, not this time!" she said. "Me and Oshawott are going to win for sure!"

"'Oshawott and I'." Cheren and Kitsune corrected her in unison.

"No, Oshawott is my Pokémon." Bianca said, running through the doors of the Gym. Kitsune and Cheren entered after her.

The Gym had the appearance of a café. There were several tables surrounded by chairs. There were also several waiters and waitresses, including Cilan. The green-haired Gym Leader walked up to the trio, followed by two others, a red-haired guy who stood to his right, and a blue-haired guy to his left. "Welcome to the Striaton City Pokémon Gym." Cilan said.

"Oh, great." Kitsune said. "Themed hair colors."

"Quiet, you!" the red-haired guy to Cilan's right said. "We're making our introductions! I'm-"

"Let me guess." Kitsune interrupted. "Chili, the Fire-type specialist."

"Shut up!" the red-haired guy exclaimed.

"Please, don't interrupt us during our introductions." the blue-haired guy to Cilan's left said. "It makes Chili mad."

"Enough!" Chili yelled. "I'm Chili, the Fire specialist, and all these interruptions are burning me up!"

"Chili, say it right." the blue-haired guy said. "Anyway…" He cleared his throat. "I'm a Water-type specialist, and my name is Cress. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"And my name is Cilan." Cilan said. "I like Grass-type Pokémon."

The three Gym Leaders looked at Kitsune, Bianca and Cheren. "Back with your friends, I see." Chili said to Bianca. "What, one loss to Cilan wasn't enough?"

Cilan cleared his throat, nudging Chili with his elbow. "I see we have three challengers here. Shall we have a triple battle?"

"Ooh, that sounds-" Bianca said, but she was interrupted by Kitsune placing her hand over her mouth.

"No, thanks." Kitsune said. "We'll do this one at a time. Starting with Bianca, like we discussed. Right, Bi?"

"With Kitsune's Snivy on our side, we'd win easily." Cheren said. "Too easily. We need to get stronger on our own. I'm with Kitsune."

"Oh, all right." Bianca said. She turned to Cilan. "Cilan, I challenge you to a Gym battle! And I won't lose this time!"

"Alright." Cilan said. "Come with us." He turned to Cheren and Kitsune. "You two coming, too?"

"Don't see why not." Cheren said.

"I'd be happy to." Kitsune said. "I didn't get to see the first time, so I'm looking forward to seeing Bianca lose to you the second time."

"Come on, Kiki." Cheren said. "Show a little confidence in your friend."

"Well, she is going to lose, right, Cher?" Kitsune asked.

"Probably." Cheren said. "Still, you never know."

The three Gym Leaders led the trio to the back of the building, to a room where the Gym Battlefield was. "Here we are."Cilan said. "Let's begin, shall we? Go, Lillipup!" He tossed his Poké Ball and a Lillipup emerged.

"Same as last time, huh?" Bianca said. "But different. Go, Lillipup!" Bianca tossed the Poké Ball containing her Lillipup, which emerged from her Poké Ball.

"Personally, I don't see how this is any different…" Cilan said.

"She means the outcome's going to be different." Cheren said. "Would you hurry this up, Bianca? I want to have my Gym Battle today."

"Don't listen to him, Bi." Kitsune said. "Take as long as you like, greenie. I want to savor this."

"Don't tell him to take as long as he likes, you white-haired kid!" Chili exclaimed. "He'll take forever!"

"Just shut up and watch, red!" Kitsune called back. "With as slow as Bianca is, she'll probably lose real quick!"

"I don't think so!" Chili shouted back. "Cilan takes a long time to beat his opponents! The last battle with your friend here took several minutes! And that was a new record!"

"Several minutes?" Kitsune questioned. "Bi takes that long to issue a command!"

"That so? Well, then, guess your friend was really on a roll that day! Too bad she lost!" Chili countered.

"Of course she lost!" Kitsune said. "She's Bianca! She always loses!"

"Oh, yeah? Well-" Chili began, but he was interrupted.

"That's enough, Chili!" Cilan shouted.

"It's over, Kitsune." Cheren said. "While you and Chili were arguing, I was watching the battle. It was over pretty quickly, for a battle with Bianca. Oh, and she won."

"You two were making so much noise, I had difficulty thinking!" Cilan shouted. "And my Pokémon had difficulty hearing what commands I did give!" He sighed. "Still, she did win, and Pokémon League Rule state that I must give the Trio Badge to anyone who beats me. Here's your badge, Bianca." He handed the Trio Badge over to Bianca.

"Yay, I won!" Bianca excitedly exclaimed. "So… Who's next?"

"That would be me." Cheren said.

"So that means it's Cress's turn." Cilan said, swapping places with his blue-haired brother.

 

[RuBoo]

Cheren stepped forward to where Bianca was earlier, while Bianca sat in the same spot Cheren was sitting in just before.

"Hey, Whitey!" Chili called out. "Got anything to say about this battle?"

"Yeah!" Kitsune answered. "Cheren's a technical genius! And he's been training with my Snivy! There's no way he's going to lose!"

"What!?" Chili exclaimed.

"Cheren." Kitsune said. "If you lose, all that training was useless. So you'd better not lose."

"As I said earlier," Cheren said, "I'll win before you can say 'Trio Badge'!"

"Trio Badge!" said Bianca, holding up her recently-obtained badge.

"The battle hasn't even begun yet, Bi…" Kitsune said.

"Go, Tepig!" Cheren said, his Tepig emerging from the thrown Poké Ball.

"Lillipup, you're up!" Cress said. He tossed his Poké Ball and it was, unsurprisingly, a Lillipup. "Work Up!" Cress commanded, and the Lillipup began to glow red.

"I expected as much." Cheren said. "Tepig, Tail Whip!"

As the Tepig's tail hit the Lillipup, Cress gave his next order. "Lillipup, Bite!" The Lillipup bit Cheren's Tepig.

"Tepig, Flame Charge!" Cheren said. The Fire Pig Pokémon shook the Puppy Pokémon off of it, then charged at it, cloaked in flame.

The Lillipup fell to the ground, defeated, and its Trainer looked on in awe. "That is one strong Tepig…" Cress said. "Lillipup, return!" he said, recalling his Lillipup.

Cheren recalled his Tepig as well. "Go, Purrloin!" he said, his Purrloin emerging from his Poké Ball.

"Switching out, huh? Smart. Go, Panpour!" Cress said, sending his Panpour into battle.
"Purrloin, Fury Swipes!" Cheren said.

"Panpour, counter it with your own Fury Swipes!" Cress said. The two Pokémon rushed at each other, claws extended, and began to scratch each other.

"Purrloin, Assist!" Cheren called, and the Purrloin executed the move, swinging its tail at the Panpour.

"Panpour, use Work Up!" Cress called, and the Panpour glowed red for a moment.

"Purrloin, use Assist again!" Cheren called, and the Purrloin charged at Panpour, covered in flames.

"Panpour, Water Gun!" Cress said, and the Panpour shot its Water Gun at the incoming Purrloin, but was inevitably hit by the Flame Charge.

"Purrloin, finish it with Scratch!" Cheren commanded, and the Purrloin Scratched the Panpour. The Panpour fell to the ground, defeated.

"Wow, Cheren!" Bianca said. "Your Pokémon are very strong!"

"Eh, they're not bad." Kitsune said.

"As per Pokémon League rules, I present to you the Trio Badge." Cress said to Cheren, handing him the Trio Badge.

"Thank you." Cheren said, taking the badge. He turned to leave the Gym.

"Cheren?" Bianca asked. "You're not going to stay and watch Kitsune's battle?"

"No." Cheren answered. "I've got to start training if I'm going to beat Kitsune next time." He left the room.

"Ready, Snivy?" Kitsune asked. Snivy leapt out of his hood.

"Alright!" Chili said. "My turn, now! And I won't lose to you, Whitie. Go, Lillipup!" he said, sending his Lillipup from its Poké Ball.

"Guess again, red." Kitsune said. "Snivy, Growth!" Snivy grew slightly larger than her normal size.

"Lillipup, Bite!" Chili said, and the Lillipup bit Snivy.

"Growth again, Snivy." Kitsune said, and Snivy obliged, growing even larger.

"Are you insane?" asked Chili. "Your Snivy's a sitting duck while it's raising its stats!"

"Insane, yes." Kitsune said. "But Snivy's no duck."

"Whatever!" Chili shouted. "Lillipup, Work Up!"

The Lillipup began to glow red, and Kitsune gave his next order. "Snivy, use Growth one more time!" he said, and Snivy grew larger once more.

"I'm not going to wait for you to attack anymore!" Chili exclaimed. "Lillipup, Bite!" The Lillipup bit Snivy.

"Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune commanded, and Snivy unleashed her powerful attack. The Lillipup was defeated, but Snivy was still full of energy.

"Wh-What!?" exclaimed Chili.

"Send out your next Pokémon." Kitsune said.

"I'll show you!" Chili shouted, recalling his Lillipup. "Pansear, show this guy that we mean business!" he said, sending out his Pansear.

"Snivy, Tackle!" Kitsune called out, and she charged forward toward the Pansear. As she hit the Pansear, he flew backwards, hit the wall behind the Gym Leader, and fell to the ground defeated.

"WHAT!?!" Chili exclaimed. "We lost!? To a Snivy!?!"

"W-Wow, Kitsune." Bianca said. "You… You're incredible!"

Kitsune kneeled down, allowing Snivy to climb into his hood. "I told you I wouldn't need another Pokémon to achieve my dream." he said.

"I'm so mad!" Chili shouted. "But Pokémon League rules state that I have to give you the Trio Badge for beating me! So, here! Take the badge and get out, Whitey!"

"Glad to." Kitsune said, taking the Trio Badge and leaving the Gym.


Updates every Friday on deviantART.

 

[Elso579]

a lot of it seemed very choppy and hard to follow, description could go a long way in a fic. One other thing I should say is that will there be any diversion from the main plot of the game? It's a good start though and it has potential.

 

[RuBoo]

There'll be a few minor differences from the game, but I'm mostly sticking to the plot of Pokemon Black. Besides a major plot twist, of course.


As Kitsune and Bianca left the Gym, they were greeted by a woman with long, dark-blue hair wearing glasses and a white lab coat. "Excuse me." she said to them. "Might I ask your names?"

Kitsune remained silent, so Bianca spoke up for him. "Hi. My name is Bianca, and this is my friend, Kitsune."

"Ah, I thought so." the woman replied. "My name is Fennel. My friend, Professor Juniper, said you might be able to help me with my research."

"Research?" asked Kitsune.

"Yes, research." Fennel said. "I'm a scientist, you see. And the subject that I am researching is Pokémon Trainers! And I need your help. I need for you to go to the Dreamyard and gather some Dream Mist."

"Dream Mist?" asked Bianca. "What's that?"

"It's a kind of pink mist given off by a Pokémon named Munna." Fennel said. "It produces an image of a dream eaten by the Munna, and it's important to my research. Won't you please help me?"

"…Sure." Kitsune answered. "I guess I could take a little time to help out."

"Whoa!" Bianca said. "Kitsune, you offered to help?"

"Of course." Kitsune said. "The Dreamyard's not far from here, so it won't take too long. Besides, Snivy may become even stronger." He pointed his thumb towards the Pokémon in his hood.

"That's good." Fennel said. Then she noticed Snivy. "Hey… Why isn't your Snivy in its Poké Ball?"

"Don't ask." Bianca said, before Kitsune could reply himself. "And don't call her 'it', either. Snivy's a girl, and Kitsune doesn't like it when she's called 'it'."

"I see…" Fennel said. "Well, I don't know why he doesn't have Snivy in her Poké Ball, but I guess it's not really my business. Now, go get me that Dream Mist."

"Right." Kitsune said. He turned and headed for the ruins of the Dreamyard, Bianca following behind him. When they reached the Dreamyard, they began looking for a Munna.

Eventually, they found one, being harassed by some members of Team Plasma. "Come on! Come on!" one of them said. "Make some Dream Mist!"

"Hey!" Bianca called out. "Who are you?! What are you doing?!"

"Are you talking about us?" one of them asked. "We're Team Plasma. We battle day and night to liberate Pokémon from foolish humans!"

"What are we doing?" the other asked. "The Pokémon Munna and Musharna emit a mysterious vapor called Dream Mist, which shows people's dreams. We're going to use that to make people want to release their Pokémon… We'll show them dreams to manipulate their hearts."

The two then returned to attacking the Munna. "Come on!" said the first. "Spit out that Dream Mist!"

"I knew there was nothing good about you, Team Plasma." Kitsune said. "Attacking a Pokémon to get what you want? I don't know your goal, but it certainly isn't Pokémon liberation. Snivy, let's stop these worthless thugs!" With that, Snivy jumped forward, ready to fight the two Team Plasma members.

"You think you can defeat us?" said the first Team Plasma member. "Don't make me laugh! Patrat, go!" he said, throwing a Poké Ball and releasing his Patrat. Snivy launched herself at the Patrat, sending him flying backwards. He hit a ruined wall and fell to the ground, defeated. "What? My Patrat!" He called his Patrat back into his Poké Ball, then turned to his partner. "This guy's Snivy is strong, we have to get out of here, now!" he said to her.

"I don't think so." she replied. "You must have been going easy on the kids. I won't make the same mistake. Purrloin, go!" she said. Again, Snivy launched herself at the Pokémon in front of her, sending her flying, crashing into the ruined wall behind her and joining her friend Patrat. "What? I lost, too!?"

"We have to get out of here!" the first Plasma member said.

"Not without the Dream Mist!" the second said. She returned to attacking the Munna. "Come on! Give us that Dream Mist!"

"Stop it!" Bianca exclaimed. Suddenly the area was covered in a thick, pink mist. From the mist, Ghetsis appeared.

"What are you two doing goofing off?" he said. A second Ghetsis appeared on the other side. "We, Team Plasma, shall separate Pokémon from foolish people!" The two Ghetsis disappeared, and a third appeared on the side opposite Kitsune and Bianca. "If you cannot fulfill you duties…"

The first Plasma member looked to his partner. "Th-This isn't… Ghetsis when he is gathering followers… Or Ghetsis when he is trying to control people by tricking them with speeches!" she said.
"Yeah…" he replied. "This is Ghetsis when a plan has failed, and he is about to issue punishment…"

"At any rate, let's hurry and say we're sorry so he forgives us!" his partner suggested, and the two ran away. The pink mist disappeared, and Ghetsis along with it. A Musharna appeared from the ruins, floating over to the Munna.

"What was that just now?" Bianca asked Kitsune. "That guy, I think they said his name was Ghetsis? He appeared all over the place, and it wasn't real, right?"

"That pink mist…" Kitsune said, as Snivy made her way back into his hood. "Could that have been the Dream Mist that Fennel talked about?"

"That Pokémon…" Bianca said.

"Oh!" came a voice behind them. The two turned around to see Fennel running toward them. "I couldn't wait, so I came over!" She looked at the Pokémon behind them. "…Is that Musharna?!" The two Pokémon ran away, leaving a small cloud of pink mist behind. "Did something happen?"

"Well, you see…" said Bianca, and she began explaining what happened to Fennel. "Could you explain what happened?"

"I think I might be able to." Fennel said. "See, Musharna evolves from Munna. When it saw that Munna was in trouble, it used its power to save Munna. That pink mist you saw must have been Dream Mist!"

"I thought so." Kitsune said. "Unfortunately, we didn't get a sample."

"Well, maybe… Wait, is that…?" Fennel walked over to the pink cloud left behind by the Munna and Musharna. "Is this Dream Mist?"

"Hmm…" Kitsune said, examining the pink cloud. "Yeah, that looks like the mist we saw."

Fennel collected some of the mist in a test tube, then turned back to Kitsune and Bianca. "With this, I can complete my research! Thank you both!"

"No problem." Kitsune said. "Mission complete."

 

[RuBoo]

"Hey, Kiki!" Cheren called as Kitsune was heading toward Nacrene City, his next destination.

"Here to challenge me again, Cher?" Kitsune said. "I haven't even started training yet!"

"Why not?" Cheren asked. "Did it take you that long to beat the Gym Leader?"

"I got sidetracked." Kitsune replied. Snivy jumped out in front of him. "We gonna do this, or what?"

"Tepig, go!" Cheren answered, sending his Tepig into battle. "Flame Charge!"

"Snivy, Growth!" Kitsune ordered. Snivy took the Flame Charge, growing slightly larger, but she was not unscathed. "Growth again!"

"Another Flame Charge, Tepig!" Cheren commanded, and his Tepig obliged. Snivy grew larger once more, and, once again was hit by the Flame Charge.

"Snivy, use Ta-" Kitsune began, but he was cut off by a pair of Team Plasma members rushing past, shouting "Out of the way!"

"What was that about?" Cheren asked. Bianca ran up behind them, along with a little girl. "Bianca? Why are you running?"

"Hey! Where were those people headed?" Bianca asked.

"That way," Cheren answered, pointing in the direction the two Plasma members went, "but…" He turned back towards Bianca. "Why are you running now?"

"Oh, seriously! They run so fast!" Bianca said.

"No, Bianca, you're just slow." Kitsune said.

The little girl turned toward Bianca. "Miss… Oh… My Pokémon?" she said, starting to cry.

"It'll be OK. It'll be OK." Bianca said. "Don't cry."

"Bianca, really, why were you running?" Cheren asked.

"You have to hear this!" Bianca said. "Those people stole this girl's Pokémon!"

"What? You should have spoken up sooner!" Cheren shouted.

"Cheren." Kitsune said, calmly. "Shall we put this battle on hold and help this little girl?"

"Of course. Tepig, return!" Cheren said, recalling his Tepig.

"You two." Kitsune said, referring to Bianca and the little girl. "Stay here while we deal with those thieves." He ran off after the duo. Cheren was following close behind, followed by Snivy.
The three ran until they came across a cave entrance. "They must have gone in here." Kitsune said.

"More likely than not." Cheren said. The three walked into the cave, and, sure enough, there were the two Team Plasma members, apparently thinking they got away. "Give that Pokémon back to that little girl." Cheren demanded.

"No." one of the two said. "That child cannot use a Pokémon to its full potential. Doesn't that make the Pokémon sad? It's the same thing for all your Pokémon, so hand them over to us now!"

"No." Kitsune refused.

"Fine." the Plasma member responded. "Guess we'll just have to take them! Patrat!" he sent out a Patrat.

"Snivy, Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune commanded, and she obliged. Something seemed off, though. She was weaker than normal.

Cheren noticed what was wrong immediately. "Kitsune! Snivy sustained a Burn from our last battle!"

"Doesn't matter!" Kitsune said. "We can work through this, right, Snivy?" he asked. Snivy nodded, but she was straining to even stand.

"Call her back, I'll take care of this. Tepig, Flame Charge!" Cheren said, sending out his Tepig, who used Flame Charge on the Patrat, knocking it out.

"What!?" the Plasma member exclaimed, recalling his Patrat. "How could I lose to these brats?"

"Give that Pokémon back to that little girl!" Cheren repeated.

"Or better yet, don't!" came a voice from the back of the cave. The Team Plasma members stepped aside, and two more took their place. "You two are pretty foolish. Getting in our way? That's stupid."

"It is you who are the fools." Kitsune said. "You look like noble warriors, but you fight like pathetic cowards, cowards."

"Now see here!" said the other Plasma member. "There's two of you and two of us. We'll show you we're right using our combined might! Patrat, go!" he said, and the two each sent out a Patrat.

"Kitsune, use these." Cheren said, giving Kitsune a Full Heal and a Super Potion. "I'll hold them back while you heal Snivy. Tepig, go!" he sent his Tepig into battle. Kitsune stepped back and let Cheren fight the duo. "Tepig, Smog!" he ordered, and the Tepig sent a cloud of smoke from its nostrils toward one of the Patrat.

"Patrat, Tackle!" the two Team Plasma members said in unison, and their two Patrat charged at Tepig. Tepig wasn't badly hurt, but was not entirely unscathed, either.

"Tepig, Smog again!" Cheren said. Tepig spewed another smoke cloud at the other Patrat.

"Patrat, Tackle!" the Team Plasma members said, again in unison. However, as they were charging at Tepig, Snivy used Leaf Tornado, launching them both at the wall and knocking them out.

"You Team Plasma people will never win. Especially against my Snivy." Kitsune said.

"What!?" shouted one of the Team Plasma members.

"We lost to a couple of kids!?" exclaimed the other.

"Now that that's over…" Cheren said. "Give that Pokémon back to that little girl."

"Why you…" one of the Plasma members said. " In order to liberate Pokémon from foolish people, we will take their Pokémon!"

"What could possibly justify stealing people's Pokémon?" Cheren asked.

"Pokémon Trainers like you are making Pokémon suffer…" said the other.

"What do you mean, Trainers are making Pokémon suffer?" Cheren asked. "I don't get that at all!"

"…Fine," one of the Team Plasma members from the first duo said, "we'll give it back. But someday… Open your eyes to your own complicity." The four Team Plasma members left the cave.

"…Trainers bring out their Pokémon's strength. Like you and Snivy. Pokémon believe in their Trainers and respond to that. I don't understand what about that makes Pokémon suffer!"

"Some people abuse their Pokémon." Kitsune said. "Those Plasma thugs are an example."

"Well… Whatever." Cheren said. "I'm going to go make sure they returned that Pokémon. Tepig, re- What happened!?" he yelled. He had turned around and saw the exhausted Snivy collapsed on the ground.

"Your Tepig was just too powerful." Kitsune said. "I'll take her to the Pokémon Center."

"Why didn't you heal her like I told you to?!" Cheren asked.

"If she's going to beat Reshiram, she needs to be able to fight under a Burn condition." Kitsune answered. "She promised she'd help me attain my goal. Besides, she agreed to do it."

"But… What?" Cheren asked. "Whatever, I'll probably never understand you. Tepig, return." he said, recalling his Tepig and leaving the cave. Kitsune picked Snivy up and left for the Pokémon Center.

 

[Thundagere]

Just thought I'd drop in a quick review.
The main issue is you want to have an original plot. You said you'd mostly be following the same plot, but nevertheless, if you want your fic to stand out, you want it to be as original as possible. A lot of people have probably played the games, so you want to have regular deviation, or readers will probably be thinking they know what's going to happen.
Your writing style seems strong, there are a few places where it seems choppy, so you might want to have more description and more flow. Other than that, good work!

 

[RuBoo]

It'll deviate a bit. You'll never guess what's coming up in... About two chapters. After this one. Also, I'm not good at description. In fact, I rely on the fact that people have already played the games to provide much of the description for me.


"…Snivy." Kitsune said as he travelled to Nacrene after healing Snivy. "When he saw you collapsed on the ground like that, Cheren started to worry. You should probably hold on to this." he said, handing her a Lum Berry. "It's a Lum Berry. It will heal any status condition you may have. Eat it whenever you need to, I have several. Now, should we start training?" he asked, pointing toward a wild Blitzle, which Snivy promptly launched herself at. It fell to the ground almost the moment it was hit by Snivy's Tackle.

After a few similar encounters with Pokémon of various species, Kitsune figured that was enough training for now. It was getting dark, and both he and Snivy were getting tired. The two decided to head to the Pokémon Center in Nacrene City, as close as they were. When they reached the Pokémon Center, however, they encountered someone familiar. "I… Want to see things no one else can see." N said. "The truths of Pokémon inside Poké Balls. The ideals of how Trainers should be. And a future where Pokémon have become perfect… Kitsune, do you feel the same?"

"Yes." Kitsune said. "Unfortunately, as long as there are still people who see fit to abuse Pokémon, that future will never be."

"That so?" N asked. "I think my friends and I should test you to see if you can see this future, too."

"Same rules as last time?" Kitsune asked, Snivy jumping out of his hood, ready for battle.

"Why not?" N replied, calling a nearby Pidove into battle. Snivy began the battle with a Wrap, and the Pidove responded with Growl. Snivy then used Growth, and the Pidove used Gust. Snivy used Growth once again, and the Pidove responded with another Growl. Snivy released he Pidove from her Wrap and used Tackled the Pidove, and it dropped, defeated. N called for a Tympole, but he was easily defeated by a Leaf Tornado. Finally, N called upon a Timburr, and he, like the Tympole, fell at a single Leaf Tornado. "…It seems I cannot yet see the future… The world is still to be determined…" N said. "Right now, my friends aren't strong enough to save all Pokémon. Maybe I can't solve the equation that will change the world. So, I need power… Power enough to make anyone agree with me." He walked away, muttering something about power and the Legendary Dragons.

"…Right." Kitsune said. He yawned. "Snivy? Let's go to bed." he said, stepping into the Pokémon Center. Snivy followed, letting out a yawn of her own.

When the duo woke up the next morning, began to train some more. After several more battles, Kitsune felt that Snivy was strong enough to take on the Gym Leader. He headed to the Gym… Or, rather, the museum labeled as the Gym. When he walked in, he say a guy staring at a skeleton in the museum. "Wow!" he said. "Whenever I look at this skeleton, I'm… fascinated."

"…I don't see what's so special about it…" Kitsune said, causing the guy to turn around.

"Oh!" the guy said. "Welcome! I'm Hawes, the assistant director. Since you were kind enough to visit, I'll give you a tour of the museum."

"Er, no thanks, I just want-" Kitsune began, but the assistant director began to drag him around the museum.

He first stopped in front of the statue he was looking at earlier. "This is the skeleton of a Dragon-type Pokémon. There's a theory that it had an accident while it was flying around the world, and so it became a fossil." he said.

"Um, that's nice, but-" Kitsune said, but Hawes interrupted him by dragging him off elsewhere.

This time he stopped in front of a meteorite display. "This rock is amazing! It's a meteorite! It contains some kind of energy from space." He continued to proceed toward the back of the museum.

"Um, this is all very nice, but…" Kitsune began, but something caught his eye. "…What's that?" he asked, pointing toward a dark-colored orb on display.

"What?" Hawed asked. "Oh, this? It's just an ordinary old stone. It was found near the desert, but other than the fact that it's old, it doesn't seem to have any value… We only display it because it's rather pretty to look at."

Kitsune, however, recognized it right away. However, he put it in the back of his mind and turned to the assistant director. "I hear that this place is the Gym. I realize that it is possible, since the last Gym was in the back of a café, but I want to be sure."

"Oh, so you're here to challenge the Gym Leader?" he asked. "Why didn't you just say so?" he led Kitsune to a door near the back of the museum. "The Gym is just beyond here. At the end of the Gym, a very strong and kind Gym Leader is waiting. By the way, the Gym Leader happens to be my wife!"

"Thy comments are loaded with bias." Kitsune stated. "We'll show that Gym Leader what real strength is, won't we, Snivy?" he said, looking back at the Pokémon in his hood, who nodded.

"Why isn't your Snivy in its Poké Ball?" Hawes asked.

Kitsune sighed. That was the fifth time he was asked that question. He decided to answer with something different this time. "Poké Balls are for weaklings who can't control their Pokémon. The only time when a Poké Ball should be used is when the Pokémon's life is endangered otherwise."

"I see…" Hawes said. "…Well, good luck with your Gym Battle!" He started to walk away, back to the front of the museum, probably top stare at that Dragon skeleton again.

"I don't need luck." Kitsune said. "I need, and have, power, right, Snivy?" He didn't wait for an answer this time. He walked through the door and stepped into the Gym. It looked like a library.

There was a sign in the middle of the entryway. It read: "To Gym Challengers: Did you really think it would be so easy to challenge me? You have to answer questions and follow hints given to you in books. I'll give you the first hint right here: The first book is 'Nice to Meet You, Pokémon'. Good luck! -Gym Leader Lenora"

"There's that 'good luck' again." Kitsune muttered. "'Nice to Meet You, Pokémon'? Is she trying to send us on a nostalgia trip?" he asked. He went over to the children's section, near the front of the library, searching for the book "Nice to Meet You, Pokémon". He found it quickly, with his knowledge of library organization, and began to search for the hint. He found a piece of paper and began to read it to himself and Snivy. "'Excellent work, Trainer! Here's your first question: What is the Pokémon the boy in this story met? The hint is: On a bookshelf in the middle row!' …Right. Not a big hint. But the answer to the question is Patrat. A book in the middle row… about Patrat." He went to the middle row, trying to find the second hint book. He found a book titled "The Biology of Patrat" and began to read it. He found another piece of paper in this book. He began to read this one. "'As I thought, that one was easy. It was the first one, after all! The second question is: Flame burns inside its body, and it gives off smoke from its head while it runs… What is it? The hint is: General Studies.' …'General Studies'? That's rather general, is it not?" Kitsune joked. Snivy giggled and Kitsune walked around searching for the bookshelf labeled "General Studies". When he found it, he started thinking about the question as he looked. "Flame burns… Gives off smoke… A train?" he asked when he came across a book called "The Structure of a Locomotive". He began to read it, and a memo fell out.

"'Impressive!'" he read. "'You may well be able to reach the battle arena. The third question is: If you heat it up in a pot, it'll be delicious. What is this? he hint is: It's on a bookshelf closer to the entrance than here!' Think it could be Tepig?" he chuckled, knowing that was not the right answer. "Obviously not. Let's see if we can find something… 'Closer to the entrance'… Another children's book?" he asked. He looked through the children's section again, This time finding a book titled "Sweets for Pokemon". "…Worth a shot, right? If I guess wrong, at least I'll have some good knowledge, right?" He began to look through the book, and found another memo.

"I knew it." he said. "'Great job, you've made it to the final one. The last question is: From this bookshelf… Move two backward, one to the left, two forward, one to the right, and one backward… Where is it? The hint is: It's a Pokémon you may have began your journey with.' Odd, it seems she got this one backwards… Whatever. Two backward… plus one backward is three backward… but two forward makes it one backward, and the left and right cancel out. Right." He went backward one shelf. He found "The Biology of Snivy" and began to read it. "…Nope, that's not it. Oshawott?" he asked, and found "The biology of Oshawott". He flipped through it, but saw no memo. "Still not it, so it must be Tepig." He found the book titled "The Biology of Tepig" and was about to read it, until he noticed the button that was behind the book. It was labeled "Do Not Press", however, so he didn't touch it. That is, until he found the memo in the book. "'Well done!'" he read. "'You seem to have the wisdom to be a potential challenge! I look forward to our battle! Press the button hidden behind this book, then proceed to the battle arena, where I will likely be waiting.' Well, I guess even Gym Leaders have better things to do with their time than challenge Trainers. Still, if she's not there…" He pressed the button and the bookshelf began to move. He stepped away from it, wondering how the books stayed in the swaying bookshelf, until it stopped, revealing a hidden staircase. He proceeded down the stairs, to the battle arena where the Gym Leader hopefully awaits.


Aforementioned major plot twist is hinted at here. Observant readers will recognize it at once.

 

[RuBoo]

"Oh! Hello!" said the woman waiting at the bottom of the stairs. "You must be Kitsune!"

"How'd you guess?" Kitsune asked.

"Your friends, Bianca and Cheren, told me about you when they battled me." the Gym Leader answered. "Cheren's pretty tough, but… How exactly did Bianca get her Trio Badge?"

"Dumb luck." Kitsune answered. "How were you able to identify me even with what Cher and Bi told you about me?"

"Well, they told me that you had white hair, a grey hoodie, blue jeans, and tennis shoes." she answered. "Oh, and that you let your Snivy out of her Poké Ball most of the time."

"Ah. Yep, that would prove my identity. My trademark grey hoodie." he joked.

The Gym Leader laughed. "Well, I can probably guess why you're here." she said. "So, let's start from the beginning. As you probably guessed, I'm Lenora, director of the Nacrene Museum and Leader of the Nacrene Gym. Now, challenger, I'm going to research how you battle with the Pokémon you've trained! My guess is you only have Snivy."

"She's all I need." Kitsune said, his sole Pokémon jumping out in front of him, ready for battle.

"We'll see about that." Lenora responded. "Go, Herdier!"

"Snivy, Growth!" Kitsune called, and Snivy grew to a slightly larger size once more.

"Herdier, Take Down!" his opponent called out, and the Herdier charged at Snivy, hitting her so hard it damaged itself.

The powerful attack also damaged Snivy quite heavily. "Snivy, Growth again!" Kitsune called, and Snivy once more grew larger.

"Hit her with another Take Down!" Lenora shouted, and her Herdier charged at Snivy once more, knocking her to the ground.

With difficulty, Snivy stood back up. Kitsune shouted "Show her how we got this far! Leaf Tornado!" and she executed the move, the added power knocking the Herdier out with one hit.

"Wow, that was something." Lenora stated, recalling her Herdier. "But Snivy looks pretty tired. Are you sure you don't need any other Pokémon?"

"You dare doubt Snivy's power?" Kitsune replied, though he, too, was concerned about Snivy.

"Alright, suit yourself. Watchog, go!" she yelled, sending out a Watchog.

"Snivy, Leaf tornado!" Kitsune called again, and, as with the Herdier, the Watchog was knocked out the moment it was hit by the Leaf Tornado.

"Impressive." Lenora said. "To be able to beat me with only one Pokémon… I didn't even think that was possible! Here, you've earned this." she said, giving Kitsune her Badge. "It's the Basic-"

"Deeear!" Hawes shouted, rushing down the stairs as fast as he could without tripping. "Dear! Come quickly! Team Plasma is threatening to steal some bones!"

"What!?" Lenora shouted. "Steal some bones!? Kitsune! You're coming, too!" she said, dashing up the stairs, her husband following.

"Team Plasma…" Kitsune said, following the two. "Will they never learn?"

Out in the museum area, Lenora was confronting some Team Plasma members. "Now, you wait!" she shouted. "Enough fooling around!"

"So you've come, Gym Leader." said one of the six. "We, Team Plasma, claim his museum's Dragon Skull in the name of Pokémon liberation!"

"To show you we're serious, we'll steal it right before your eyes!" said a second.

"Well, then, here's our smoke screen!" said the first. They created a smokescreen, shouting "Plasmaaa!" as they did, and when the smoke cleared, the six of them were gone, as was the skull from the skeletal Dragon Pokémon.

"What's going on?" Lenora asked, rushing out the door of the museum.

"Oh! Oh! We have to go after them!" Hawes shouted. He and Kitsune rushed out the door, but Team Plasma was long gone.

They did, however, see a tall, thin guy with wavy, brown hair. "Good day, Lenora. Find any good Fossils lately?"

"This is a surprise visit!" Lenora greeted the stranger. "Are you suffering from artist's block again?" She turned to Kitsune. "Kitsune! This is Burgh. He may not look like it, but he's the Leader of the Castelia Gym!"

"I see." Kitsune said. "So I'll be challenging him soon."

"Eh, I'm just looking for a change of pace." said the guy newly introduced as Burgh. "Seems hectic or something around here. What's up?"

"What's up?!" Lenora asked. "Someone just walked away with an exhibit, that's what's up!"

"Oh, hi, Kitsune!" came a familiar voice behind Kitsune. "What's everybody doing here?"

Kitsune turned around to see Bianca and Cheren walking up to him. "Kitsune, is there some kind of problem?"

"Oh, it's you two! Perfect!" Lenora said. "Now we can split up to search. I'll head this way." She pointed toward Route 3. "Kitsune, you and Burgh check Pinwheel Forest." She pointed in the opposite direction. "Cheren, Bianca, you stay here in case they come back." She pointed at the museum. "Got it? I'm counting on you, everyone!"

"Uh-huh." Burgh said. He turned to Kitsune. "I'm guessing you are Kitsune. You raring to round up some robbers?"

"Yeah, sure, why not?" Kitsune answered. "I'm going to ruin their insane, hypocritical plans anyway." The two ran off for the Pinwheel Forest, keeping their eyes out for Team Plasma.

 

[RuBoo]

"There are two ways out of Pinwheel Forest, besides the Nacrene City exit." Burgh said. "We're eventually going to reach a split in the path. I'll take the straight path, straight to the exit, and if I don't find them, I'll block the exit. I want you to take the branching second path. By the way, you should use this." he said, tossing Kitsune a Super Potion.

"Right." Kitsune replied, catching the tossed Potion. When the two reached the fork in the road, Burgh kept going straight, while Kitsune dashed to the left branch. After a while of running, he came across a Pokémon. It was small and dark grey, with red markings on it. It was running away from something.

Two Team Plasma members appeared out of the trees, running after the Pokemon. "Stop that Zorua!" one of them yelled.

The Pokémon decided to hide behind Kitsune. "What are you doing to that poor Pokémon?" Kitsune asked.

"It's simple." the female said. "That Zorua is imperative to our escape! With its Illusion, we can slip away unseen! No need to sneak around!"

"It cooperated for a while." the male said. "But then it started squirming, and got away!"

"Whatever." Kitsune said, applying the Super Potion he obtained from Burgh to Snivy. "What matters is, I can see you, and I won't let you hurt him again! Snivy!" the Pokémon jumped out in front of him, now ready to battle.

"So, you want to fight, huh?" the first asked. "Sandile, go!" he shouted, tossing a Poké Ball containing his Sandile.

"Snivy, Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune called, and the move was executed without a hitch. The Pokémon fell quickly to the powerful attack. "Next up?"

"Purrloin!" the second Team Plasma member called, sending her Purrloin into battle.

"Leaf Tornado again!" Kitsune called, and the Purloin fell to the attack when it was executed.

"You win this round!" the Plasma member said. "But you won't get that Dragon Skull back!" The two quickly ran away.

Kitsune turned to the Pokémon behind him, apparently called a Zorua. "You OK?" he asked. The Pokémon nodded. "Good. Snivy." he turned to his Pokémon, who then climbed back into his hood. "Let's go." He started to walk away, further into the forest, but stopped when he noticed the Pokémon following him. He looked back at it. "What's up?" he asked. "You want to come with me?" The Zorua nodded, and Kitsune grabbed a Poké Ball from his bag. "Right… Um, Snivy? How do these work?" Snivy grabbed it, pressed the button on it, and tossed it at the Zorua. The Zorua, however, dodged it. "…I thought you wanted to come with us." Kitsune said. The Pokémon nodded. "But not in a Poké Ball?" Kitsune asked, and the Pokémon nodded again. "…Very well. Snivy?" The Grass Snake Pokémon proceeded to wrap her vines around the small Tricky Fox Pokémon, and lifted him into Kitsune's hood with her. "I better not hear anything happen back there. I only need one Snivy, y'know?" Kitsune joked. Snivy giggled, but the Zorua just sat there, a horrified expression on his face.

"Right. Let's go." Kitsune said again, proceeding forward along the path. However, he was soon ambushed by another Plasma member.

"You!" he shouted. "That Zorua is imperative to our escape! Give it back!"

"You're not going to touch him again! Snivy!" Kitsune called, and Snivy was once again standing in front of him.

"I'll touch 'him' whenever I want! Patrat, Bide!" The Plasma member sent out his Patrat, and it began storing energy.

"Snivy, Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune called, and Snivy executed the move, knocking the Patrat out in a single hit.

"Argh!" the Plasma member shouted. "How do you do that? You defeat everyone with only one attack!"

"It's called training." Kitsune said. "Maybe if you tried it once in a while, you wouldn't lose to everyone you meet." He continued to move along the path, still watching out for Team Plasma members. Sure enough, there one was, right in front of him, muttering to himself.

"…need that Zorua, where are…" He looked up and saw Kitsune, with the Zorua in his hood. "You! How did you get here? And what are you doing with that Zorua?"

"I kicked your friends' butts, and now I'm going to do the same to you. Snivy?" he said, and she jumped out in front of him once more.

"We'll see about that! Patrat!" the Plasma member said, sending out a Patrat.

"Leaf Tornado." Kitsune said, and Snivy once again took out the Patrat in one move.

"No! Patrat!" the Plasma member said, sending out one more Patrat.

"Again." Kitsune said, yawning. Snivy used the same move, and the result was the same, the Patrat fell.

"Argh, again!? Sandile, your turn!" he said, sending out a Sandile.

Kitsune yawned again. "How boring. Such weak Pokémon. Finish this, Snivy." he said, and Snivy once more attacked with her Leaf Tornado, sending the Sandile flying into a tree. "Right. That it?"

The Plasma member growled. "Fine! Take your stupid skull!" he shouted, tossing the Dragon Skull at Kitsune. "So the dream our king had--the dream we had--won't come true…"

He was interrupted by a mysterious old man dressed in a robe and an oddly-shaped hat. "How are you holding up, fellow subject of our king?" he said.

The Plasma member looked surprised to see him. "Gorm of the Seven Sages!" he said. "I'm afraid to report that this skull, which we went to so much trouble to obtain, was taken by this little brat!"

"It's not important." the old man, apparently named Gorm, said. "We can afford to abandon the Dragon Skull."

"What!?" the Plasma member said. "Why!? We went through so much trouble to take it!"

"Because according to the results of our research, this is not the legendary Pokémon for which Team Plasma is looking. It is completely unrelated."

Kitsune looked up at the mention of a legendary Pokémon. "If the 'legendary Pokémon' you are referring to is Reshiram, then you can just forget it." he said. "I'm the one who's going to catch Reshiram."

"I doubt that…" Gorm said. "As I was saying, we will not allow anyone to disrupt our plans and get away with it. We will fix it so that you never interfere with us again." He began moving toward Kitsune when Snivy stopped him.

Just then, Burgh emerged from the trees. "Oh, sweet!" he said. "The bug Pokémon were getting worked up, so here I come, and what do I spy with my little eye? This important-looking guy! Are you here to help your friends, whom I defeated?"

Lenora emerged from the nearby trees, as well. "Kitsune! Burgh! The others didn't have anything…" she said. "And who are you supposed to be?" she asked Gorm. "Is this guy the big boss?"
"I heard him mention something about a 'king'…" Kitsune said.

"I am one of the Seven Sages of Team Plasma." he replied. "Ghetsis, another of the Seven Sages, will liberate Pokémon with words alone! The remainder of the Seven Sages have ordered their compatriots to take Pokémon with full force! But the odds are a little against us now. To you, the Bug Pokémon user Burgh and the Normal Pokémon user Lenora, I say... Know your enemies, know yourself, and know you need not fear the result of a hundred battles... This time, we shall retreat quietly." He began to back away. "To secure the liberation of Pokémon we will steal from Trainers! Even though you are Gym Leaders, we will not tolerate any further obstruction from you. In any case, we will settle this someday. I hope you are looking forward to that time as much as I..." He ran away, surprisingly quick for such an old man, and the Plasma member followed.

"They're a speedy bunch." Lenora said. She looked at Burgh. "What are you going to do, Burgh? Are you going to chase them?"

"Hmm…" Burgh thought for a moment. "We got back the stolen skull, and if we corner them, there's no telling what they might do. I think I'll be heading back, Lenora…" He looked at Kitsune. "I'll be waiting for your challenge at Castelia City's Pokémon Gym. Yes, indeed. I'm certainly looking forward to it!" And with that, he began to walk back to Castelia City.

"Kitsune!" Lenora said. "You've got the Dragon Skull, right?"

"Yeah." he said, handing her the Skull.

"Thank you so much." she said. "With someone like you taking care of her, your Snivy must be very happy. And I see you've caught a Zorua."

"No, I haven't." Kitsune said. "He's travelling with me, but he's not mine."

"I see." Lenora said. "Well, I have to take the Dragon Skull back to the museum now! See you!" And with that, she left for Nacrene City.

"…Right." Kitsune said. "Mission complete. Time to go, Snivy." He began to backtrack along the path, then, when he reached the fork in the path, he turned left, heading toward Castelia City. He did not notice the small creature following him out of the forest.

 

[RuBoo]

"Here's the Gym, Snivy." Kitsune said, standing outside the Castelia Gym, holding the Zorua he met in the forest in his arms. "Think you're ready to fight Burgh's Bugs?" He looked at the Pokémon in his hood, and she shook her head. "Nor do I. We need some more training." He began to walk away from the Gym, until Cheren walked out of the Gym.

"Hey, Kitsune." he said. "I just challenged the Gym Leader. He's strong. He made me work for that Badge! But for Tepig and I, Bug-types aren't much of a challenge. I wonder how you'll fare, since Snivy is weak to Bug-types." He looked at the Pokémon in Kitsune's arms. "And that Zorua won't help much, either."

"He doesn't need to." Kitsune said. "I'm not using him in battles, because he's not mine. He's a wild Pokémon, and he's just travelling with me for some reason."

"I see…" Cheren said. "Well, I'm going to keep winning against all of Unova's Gym Leaders! Then, I'll beat the Champion at the Unova League! Then everyone will admit that I'm a strong Trainer… And that will make me feel truly alive."

"Good luck." Kitsune said. "You're gonna need it." He began walking away again, but the Gym Leader stopped him.

"Ah hah!" he said. "You're the one who fought Team Plasma in Pinwheel Forest… If I remember right, your name is… Kitsune!"

Kitsune sighed. All these distractions… he thought. "What do you want, Burgh?"

"Sounds like someone's in a bad mood." Burgh said. "You're here to challenge the Gym, aren't you?"

"Maybe later." Kitsune said. "I need a bit of training first."

"Really? Well, then I've got a great suggestion for you!" Burgh said. "I've been informed that Team Plasma has shown up! I'm going to the dock at Prime Pier! Why don't you come, too?" And with that, the Gym Leader left for aforementioned pier.

Kitsune sighed. "…Right. Guess we're gonna have to kick the snot out of a couple fools before we begin our training…" He began to walk around, looking at signs, to find where the Prime Pier was located.

He didn't need the signs to find it, of course. When he was close to the pier, Burgh called him over. "Come on!" he yelled. "Over here!" When Kitsune arrived, he saw Burgh with a familiar girl, as well as one who was not so familiar. "Team Plasma… They took this young lady's Pokémon."

"Kitsune, could you help me?" Bianca asked. "My Munna… They took my Munna…"

The unfamiliar girl, dark-skinned with lots of purple hair, spoke up. "I heard this lady's scream and ran after the thief as fast as I could. But I'm not used to such a crowded city… I'm afraid I lost them."

"You did everything you could, Iris." Burgh said.

"But that's so bad!" Iris said. "Taking people's Pokémon is really bad! 'Cause it's really nice when people and Pokémon are together! They each have something the other doesn't, and hey help each other!"

"Agreed!" Burgh said. "No fear--we will get that Pokémon back. Right, Kitsune?"

"No doubt." Kitsune said, and Snivy nodded.

"Right!" Burgh said. "…Having said that, finding a person or a Pokémon here in Castelia City will be like finding a needle in a haystack."

"That's simple." Kitsune said. "All you need is a magnet!"

"Enough jokes, Kitsu-" Burgh said.

"Plasma!" Bianca said, pointing over Kitsune's shoulder.

Sure enough, there was a Team Plasma member. "Gym Leader?!" he said. "Last time went so well, I thought I'd grab another Pokémon… Rethinking… Run!" He began to run away.

"Remember that magnet I mentioned?" Kitsune said, smugly.

"Kitsune, let's go!" Burgh said. "Iris, you stay by that young lady's side!"

"Right." Iris said as Kitsune and Burgh ran after the Plasma member.

They followed him as he ran past the Gym and into a building with several Plasma members guarding the entrance. "This is definitely the place."

"Nope!" said one of the Plasma members.

"No one's here!" said another.

"Not a soul!" said the third.

"Nobody." said the second.

"No other Team Plasma members." the first added.

"Nor any of the seven sages." said the third.

"You're lying." Kitsune said. "I can tell."

"Is that so?" asked the first. "If you think so, then why don't we have a little battle and find out?"

"You'll be poor training for my Snivy." Kitsune said, Snivy jumping out in front of him once more. "But I guess I have no choice."

"Alright, then." The first said. "You two take care of that tough-looking guy over there." he said, referring to Burgh.

"Right." the two replied. "Plasmaaa!" all three shouted, rushing into battle.

The one battling Kitsune sent out a pair of Sandile. "Snivy, Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune ordered, and the Sandile were both taken out by the flurry of leaves that followed. Kitsune decided to rush into the building while Burgh was still working on beating the other two. Inside, he saw Ghetsis, together with two other old guys wearing similar clothes to the old guy he met in the forest earlier. "Give Bianca back her Munna." Kitsune said. "I don't know what you're doing to it, but it had better not be any kind of abuse, like I saw back at the Dreamyard."

"What have we here?" Ghetsis asked. "A young brat coming in here, demanding that we give back Pokémon? The nerve. Where are those guards?"

Just then, the answer to his question came running through the door. "We're sorry, boss!" said the first one in, the second of the Plasma members he'd met outside.

"He's too strong!" said the second, the third to chime in at the building's entrance.

"That kid's pretty strong, too." said the third, having experienced Snivy's strength firsthand.

"What are you talking about?" Ghetsis asked. Once more, his question was answered, as a group of three people entered the door. "My word, if it isn't the Gym Leader, Burgh."

"What was that, Kitsune?" Burgh asked. "You just left me behind back there!"

"Sorry." Kitsune answered. "We're strong enough to end this ourselves, right, Snivy?"

"…Anyway…" Burgh turned to Ghetsis. "So, what would you say is the guiding principle of Team Plasma, anyway? 'Take what you want from people'?"

"I thought it would be amusing to prepare a hideout right in front of a Pokémon Gym, but we were detected more quickly than I imagined." said one of the other old guys.

"Indeed…" Ghetsis said. "No matter. We already have an exceptional base of operations. Is everyone familiar with the legend of the founding of the Unova region?"

"I am!" Iris replied. "It's-"

"It's the story about Reshiram, right?" Kitsune interrupted.

"Indeed it is." Ghetsis said, beginning to pace across the floor. "The story goes like this: The white dragon, Reshiram, appeared before a hero who sought the true way to knit together a world full of many warring people. The white Dragon shared its knowledge--and bared its fangs at those who stood against it. Together, the power of this Pokémon and the hero brought unity to the hearts of everyone in the land, and that is how Unova was created."

"Why are you telling us this story?" Kitsune asked.

"Why, you ask?" Ghetsis asked. "We shall bring back the hero to Unova once again! And Reshiram will follow! If we can win people's hearts and minds, we can easily create the world that I--I mean, that Team Plasma--desires!"

"Here in Castelia, we have a lot of different kinds of people." Burgh said. "Everyone's ways of thinking and lifestyles are very different. Honestly, there's something about what you're saying I don't quite understand. One thing we all have in common is that we all care a lot about Pokémon. Even people meeting for the first time can talk about Pokémon. Talk or battle or trade… Remember your speech at Accumula Town? You were responsible for leading me to rethink my relationship with Pokémon. For that, I thank you. At that time, I made a promise… I swore to myself that I would dedicate myself to Pokémon even more strongly! What you guys are doing… Aren't you going to strengthen the bond between people and Pokémon even more?"

Ghetsis laughed. "You are quite hard to figure out--a little more intelligent than I'd expected." he said. "I am fond of intelligent people, you see. You'll enjoy hearing about this… From every corner of the world, I have gathered knowledgeable people for our king's benefit. You could call them the Seven Sages. Very well! We will submit to your opinion and be on our way." He pointed toward Bianca. "That girl over there… Return her Pokémon!"

One of the Team Plasma members left, and returned with Bianca's Munna. He released his grip on it and it returned to its Trainer. "Th-thank you!" Bianca said. "Munny, I'm so glad to see you again!"

"Bianca!" Iris yelled. "Why are you thanking them? They take people's precious Pokémon!"

Bianca turned to her "I'm sorry." she said. "It's just… I'm… I'm so happy that my Munna is safe."

"The friendship between Pokémon and people can be very touching." Ghetsis said. "But, in order to liberate Pokémon from foolish people, we will revive the legend of Unova--and win the hearts and minds of everyone. Farewell…" he finished, and he began to run off, together with the other Team Plasma members in the room.

"What are you doing?" Iris yelled at Burgh. "Why are you letting them get away?!"

Burgh turned to her. "Gah! What do we do if anything's happened to the stolen Pokémon?" he asked.

"It's OK." Bianca said. "Thank you, Iris! No one was hurt. More than anything, I got my darling Pokémon back again!"

Iris turned to her. "Well… OK, if you're happy…" she said.

"What is everyone planning to do now?" Burgh asked.

"Oh, it would be sensational to look around Castelia City, but…" Bianca said.

"Don't worry!" Iris said. "I'll keep being your bodyguard!"

"Uh-hm. That's great!" Burgh said. "Iris is a dazzling Pokémon Trainer, but may not be at home in the big city yet. So, a little give and take, hm! People and Pokémon need to help each other out!"

Iris turned to Kitsune. "Thanks for looking for the Pokémon!"

"No problem." Kitsune replied. "Mission complete."

"Right." Iris said. "See you!" She moved over to Bianca and dragged her out of the building.

"Well, then, Kitsune." Burgh said. "You ready to challenge the Gym?"

"Not yet." Kitsune answered. "I still need some training."

"OK, then." Burgh said. "Guess I'll be waiting for you there. See you!" He left the building, and Kitsune left as well.

 

[LordOfTheSmeargle]

This is so funny! I'll read more as soon as you have it!

 

[RuBoo]

Updates Fridays here and on deviantART. Well, most of the time. Obviously, I'm a little late this week...


"Alright, Snivy." Kitsune said, standing outside the Castelia City Gym and looking at the Pokémon in his hood. "You ready?" The Pokémon nodded, and Kitsune stepped into the Gym, Snivy in his hood and Zorua in his arms.

"Hey, Kitsune." Burgh said as Kitsune entered the Gym. "Yesterday was pretty exciting, wasn't it? Thanks again for your help."

"No problem." Kitsune said. "Team Plasma is so weak, I'm sure even Bianca could beat them easily, if she tried."

"Yeah, about her…" Burgh said. "How did she ever get past Striaton City?"

"Dumb luck." Kitsune said. "So, we gonna battle, or what?"

"Yep." Burgh answered. "My bug Pokémon are scurrying with excitement about getting to battle you and your Snivy. Let's get to it! Go, Whirlipede!" he said, tossing his Poké Ball, which released a Whirlipede.

"Snivy, Growth!" Kitsune said, and his Snivy jumped out of his hood, executing the move as commanded.

"Whirlipede, Poison Tail!" Burgh said, and the Whirlipede charged at Snivy, hitting her with the tail/antenna-like appendages on what appeared to be its back.

"You alright, Snivy?" Kitsune asked, and the Snivy nodded. "Good. Growth again!" he said, and she grew slightly larger once more.

"Geez, do you enjoy watching your Snivy get beat up?" Burgh asked. "Hit her with another Poison Tail!" he commanded, and the Whirlipede one more hit Snivy with its "tails".

"Do you enjoy beating up helpless Pokémon?" Kitsune asked in response. "Snivy, Tackle!" he ordered, and Snivy charged at the Whirlipede, hitting it with her Tackle.

"Whirlipede, Poison Tail again!" Burgh commanded, and the Whirlipede once again executed the move.

Snivy was badly injured, but so, too was the Whirlipede. "Snivy, one more Tackle!" he called, and she once again charged at the Whirlipede, this time knocking it out.

"You're pretty good." Burgh said, recalling his Whirlipede. "But how will you handle this, " he sent out his next Pokémon, a Dwebble, "with a weakened Pokémon?"

"Simple." Kitsune answered, pulling out a Super Potion, which he used on Snivy.

"Impressive. You're pretty well-prepared." Burgh said. "Dwebble, Struggle Bug!" he commanded, and the Dwebble used its move.

"Dwebble's part Rock-type, so… Snivy, Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune shouted, and his Snivy used her favorite move, knocking out the Dwebble in a single hit.

"Very impressive." Burgh said, withdrawing his Dwebble. "Knowing that Dwebble was part Rock-type allowed you to choose the best move to combat it. Tackle wouldn't work well, but Leaf Tornado was rather effective. Now try this! Leavanny!" he said, sending out his third Pokémon, a Leavanny.

"Snivy, Tackle!" Kitsune commanded, but Burgh gave his Pokémon a command before it hit.

"Leavanny, Protect!" Burgh called, and a protective bubble surrounded the Leavanny.

Snivy's Tackle bounced off of the bubble, leaving her dazed for a moment. "Protect, huh?" Kitsune said. "That attack will deflect almost any attack, but it will eventually flicker and fade away. Snivy, Tackle again!" he called. The Snivy's Tackle hit the Leavanny, but only because it lowered its Protect for its next command.

"Leavanny, String Shot!" Burgh commanded, and the Leavanny shot a sticky string from its mouth at Snivy, binding her and causing her to move more slowly.

He'll probably order another Protect next, so… "Snivy, Growth!" Kitsune commanded.

However, Burgh did not order another Protect, as Kitsune had predicted. "Leavanny, Struggle Bug!" he ordered instead, and the Leavanny did not hesitate in attacking the slowed Snivy.

"Snivy, hang in there!" Kitsune shouted. "One more Tackle!"

"Sorry, too late!" Burgh shouted. "Leavanny, Struggle Bug!" he ordered again, and the Leavanny once again attacked, knocking out the weakened Snivy.

Kitsune just stood there, stunned speechless. "Sorry, Kitsune." Burgh said. "Your Snivy's powerful, I'll give you that. But she's just not powerful enough to beat me on her own. You need to capture more Pokémon, because one Pokémon isn't going to get you through the League."

"…Kuso…" Kitsune said finally, glaring at the Leavanny. He put the Zorua he was holding in his hood, then walked over to his fallen Pokémon and picked her up. "…Guess we're not yet strong enough, huh Snivy?" He put her in his hood, as well, then looked at Burgh. "My goal is not to get through the Pokémon League." Kitsune said to him. "I am merely using the League to test my strength, to see if I have the strength to accomplish my true goal: To find, defeat, and capture the legendary dragon Reshiram. I will not let this loss discourage me from that goal. I will instead learn from my mistakes in this battle, and challenge you again. And next time, I will not lose."

"I… See…" Burgh said. "…Well, at least you've got the spirit. Maybe you'll actually achieve that goal. I'll be waiting for your next challenge!"

"…See you…" Kitsune said, walking out of the Gym. He was so worried about his injured Snivy, and so saddened about his recent, and first, loss, that he didn't notice the small creature above the door. The same creature that followed him out of the forest. It lunged at him, knocking him to the ground.

 

[RuBoo]

"What the-!?" he exclaimed as he fell flat on his face. The Pokémon in his hood tumbled out, and, in his worried rush to pick them back up, he didn't notice that the creature which just tackled him to the ground was still clinging to his back. "Are you two alright?" he asked the Pokémon. The Zorua was shuddering wildly, clearly scared by the unexpected fall. Snivy, however, was still out cold from the battle. "…Of course not…" he said. He put the Snivy back into his hood, and began to carry the Zorua in his arms again. His back was hurting and it felt rather heavy, but he put that in the back of his mind as he rushed to the Pokémon Center. He didn't notice the people looking at him strangely, and even if he had, he would have thought it was because he was carrying his Pokémon.

It wasn't until he arrived at the Pokémon Center that he noticed what was wrong. He walked up to the counter and gave his Snivy to the nurse, who then asked him, "What about your Zorua and Venipede?"

"The Zorua's not mine." he said. "And what do you mean by…" Then it hit him. He pulled out his rarely-used Pokédex and pointed it at his back. It confirmed his suspicions by reporting the information it had on Venipede. "…I'll be right back…" he said, stepping outside the Pokémon Center. He put the Zorua in his hood and grabbed hold of the creature on his back. It was, indeed, a Venipede. "What do you want?" he asked it, holding it at arm's length in front of him.

"Venipede." it said, seemingly growling.

"…Do you want to come with me on my journey?" he asked it.

"Veni, Veni!" it cheered, clearly happy.

"…Alright." he said. He put it down on the ground and grabbed a Poké Ball from his bag. "Er… How'd Snivy do this again?" he asked. He pressed the button, and the Poké Ball expanded in his hand. He tossed it at the Venipede, and it hit, opened up, and pulled the Venipede into its center. It closed back up, and began to shake, the button glowing red. After a while of shaking, it stopped moving altogether, and the button became white again. Kitsune moved over to it and picked it up. "…Well. That was… Odd…" He released the Pokémon from the Poké Ball, and it cheered. He picked it up and it attached itself to his front, in what appeared to be a hug. "Er… Do you mind? You're kind of in the way…" Kitsune said, and it decided to relocate itself to its new Trainer's back.

Kitsune stepped back into the Pokémon Center. "An interesting ritual." the nurse said, having watched what happened just outside. She handed him his now-healed Snivy, who climbed into his hood with the Zorua.

"Now I may be able to beat Buggy." Kitsune said. "After some training, of course."

"Buggy?" the nurse asked. "You mean Burgh? Interesting nickname…"

Kitsune walked out of the Pokémon Center once more. "Well, time for some training, right Venipede?" he asked. The Bug-type cheered at the question. Kitsune decided to head north this time, since he hadn't gone that way yet. As he left the city gate, he failed to notice the protective bubble that surrounded him, or the sandstorm occurring around him.

That is, until Cheren told him about it. "Using your Venipede's Protect to shield yourself from the sandstorm?" he asked, barely recognizable in the gear being used to protect his face. "That's gonna take its toll."

"Sandstorm?" Kitsune asked. "Protect?" The bubble around him began to flicker. "Yikes!"

"Veni… Pede… Veni… Pede… Veni…" came a chanting from behind Kitsune, and the bubble became solid again.

"Better get back to the city." Cheren said. "Get some protective gear. And return your Pokémon to their Poké Balls. Protect won't last forever, and sandstorms are dangerous, even for Pokémon."

"I won't use Poké Balls unless it's absolutely necessary!" Kitsune exclaimed. The bubble around him began to flicker again. "…So I guess I'd better stay off this route, huh? Gotta go!" he said, running, barely making it to the Castelia City gate before the bubble faded completely. The Venipede on his back was panting heavily, barely maintaining its grip on Kitsune's back. "…Right. Definitely no training on Route 4." He pulled the exhausted Pokémon from his back and began to hold it in his arms. It hugged itself close to him, affectionately. "We're going to have to go all the way back to the forest for training."

He headed east to Pinwheel Forest, and the Venipede cheered excitedly. "Time to train." Kitsune said. The Venipede climbed over his shoulder, then jumped down to the ground in front of him. The first challenger appeared: a Sewaddle. "Sewaddle, huh? Venipede, what moves do you know?" he asked, and the Venipede responded by curling onto a ball and rolling toward the Sewaddle. "Rollout? Excellent. That will be useful against Buggy." The Venipede's attack hit the Sewaddle, injuring it slightly. It retaliated with a String Shot, causing Venipede to stick to the ground as it rolled. It then attacked with a Tackle, but that did little more than activate the Venipede's Poison Point Ability. The Venipede rolled into it again, and that hit, combined with the Poison from its Ability, knocked it out. "Excellent work, Venipede."

After several battles with several other native Pokémon, all of which had the same outcome, Venipede began to glow. Kitsune knew what was happening, as Snivy had begun glowing a few times since around when he was training with Cheren at the Dreamyard. He also knew how to stop it. "Venipede." he said. "If you evolve, you won't be able to ride on my back again. Ever." The Venipede, hearing this, promptly forced itself to stop evolving. It then jumped at its Trainer, latching onto his front, with a worried look in its eyes. "Don't worry, you can still ride on my back. But if you evolved, you'd be too heavy for me to carry. Just remember that. Eventually, you'll become able to stop evolution before it even begins, so you won't have to worry again. Right, Snivy?" he asked, and the Pokémon in his hood nodded. The Venipede cheered, its eyes no longer worried, and jumped back to the ground to face its next opponent. "That's the spirit! Evolution's for wusses who can't win as they are! You're not a wuss, are you!?" The Venipede roared at its opponent, a Pidove, and rolled at it, hitting it twice before it had a chance to attack.

 

[RuBoo]

The next day, Kitsune stepped into the Castelia City Gym once again. "Well, if it isn't Kitsune!" Burgh said. "Back to challenge me again, I see. Still only using your Snivy?"

"To be honest? No." Kitsune answered. "I got a new Pokémon, and he's gonna kick your butt. Right?" He glanced at the Pokémon on his back, which climbed onto his shoulder and growled at the Gym Leader.

"A Venipede, huh?" Burgh asked as the Pokémon climbed down to the ground in front of his Trainer. "Do you really think he could match his evolved form in power? Go, Whirlipede!" he shouted, tossing the Poké Ball to release his first Pokémon.

”You'd be surprised." Kitsune said in response. "Venipede, Rollout!" The Venipede curled up and rolled at the Whirlipede, which was sent flying.

"Whoa! Not bad." Burgh said. "You might actually win this time! Whirlipede, Pursuit!" The Whirlipede charged at the tiny Venipede, who was still spinning. He rolled once again at the Whirlipede, whose Trainer once again ordered it to use Pursuit. He shrugged off its attack and its Trainer used a Hyper Potion on it.

"You really think that's going to make a difference?" Kitsune asked the Gym Leader. "Rollout gets stronger with every pass. End it, Venipede!" he ordered, and the Venipede slammed into its evolved form, sending it crashing into the wall.

"Whoa!" Burgh said. "That's one tough bug!" He looked at the still-spinning Venipede, recalling his Whirlipede. "Dwebble, go!" he said, tossing his next Poké Ball.

"Venipede, get back here." Kitsune said. "Let Snivy handle this one." Snivy jumped out of his hood and landed gracefully on the ground below, and the Venipede rolled at his Trainer, jumped, and uncurled, turning the Rollout into a flying tackle-hug. "Snivy, Growth!" he managed to call out before getting the wind knocked out of him by the Bug's hug.

"Dwebble, Struggle Bug!" Burgh called as the Snivy grew in size. The Dwebble executed the move, but it was mainly shrugged off by the Snivy.

Kitsune rose from the ground, coughing. "Snivy, Growth again!" he commanded, and the Snivy increased in size once again.

"Dwebble, Struggle Bug again!" Burgh shouted, and the Dwebble attacked again, the move once again being shrugged off by Snivy.

"Snivy, Leaf Tornado!" Kitsune ordered and the Grass Pokémon whipped up a tornado once more, which did a lot of damage to the Dwebble.

"Dwebble, use Sand-Attack!" Burgh commanded, and the Pokémon dug its claws into the floor of the Gym, pulled up a chunk of it, crushed it into sand, and flung it at Snivy.

The sand got in her eyes, and she forced them closed. "Don't give up, Snivy!" Kitsune called. "Leaf Tornado again!" Opening her tear-filled eyes, Snivy whipped up another tornado and sent it toward her opponent, who was tossed into the air before crashing to the ground, defeated.

Snivy rubbed her eyes, trying to get the sand out. "Let's see you try to beat my Leavanny." Burgh said, sending his last Pokemon into battle.

"We won't lose this time, will we, Snivy?" Kitsune asked, and his Pokémon shook her head, her eyes still closed and filled with tears. "That's right! Tackle it!" he ordered, and Snivy charged at her opponent. The Leavanny Protected itself, but it didn't need to: Snivy missed completely.

"Well, looks like Sand-Attack did do something." Burgh said. "Leavanny, String Shot!" he commanded.

"Snivy, Tackle again!" Kitsune called, and Snivy charged at her opponent. She got tangled up in the sticky string that the Leavanny shot at her, but she managed to hit her mark. "That's it, Snivy! Tackle it again!" Kitsune shouted.

"Leavanny, Struggle Bug!" Burgh ordered, and his Leavanny attacked first. Its attack did pretty heavy damage to Snivy, but it was even more hurt by her Tackle.

"Looks like your Leavanny's almost beat." Kitsune said.

"Not yet." Burgh said, pulling out another Hyper Potion. He used it on his Leavanny, restoring it to full health. "Now what are you going to do?"

"This. Snivy, Tackle!" he commanded, and the Snivy charged at her opponent and Tackled it. She began to rub her still-watering eyes again.

"Leavanny, Struggle Bug!" Burgh ordered, and his Pokémon executed the attack as commanded.

"Snivy, Tackle it once more!" Kitsune called, and the Snivy charged. Her eyes were still watering, though, clouding her vision. She missed.

"Another swing, another miss." Burgh said. "Leavanny, knowing these two, another attack is coming next. Protect!"

"I'm not that stupid." Kitsune said, kneeling. Snivy was climbing back into his hood, Venipede taking her place on the battlefield. "Snivy's pretty heavily injured, and since she's been slowed by your String Shot, she's at a disadvantage. Why keep her in when I can switch her out? Venipede, Bug Bite!" Kitsune called, and Venipede charged at his opponent and tried to bite down on it.

"Leavanny Protect!" Burgh ordered, and a protective bubble formed around it, blocking Venipede's attack.

"Venipede, try another Bug Bite!" Kitsune shouted. But Leavanny was faster.

"Leavanny, Struggle Bug!" Burgh commanded, and the Leavanny executed the attack. However, it didn't do much to Venipede, who continued to soar through the air toward his opponent. He bit down again and again, and it was too much for the Leavanny. It fell to the ground, defeated, and the Venipede jumped at its Trainer, trying to celebrate its Gym victory with another hug. "Wow, that Venipede sure is something." Burgh said. "It- I mean, he certainly is strong. And he seems to like you. Anyway, this is the Gym Badge!" he said, bringing out the Badge, which was shaped like an insect's wing. "It's the Insect Badge! You beat me, so it's yours!"

Kitsune, however, had fallen to the ground due to the force of the Venpede's tackle, and was struggling to get up because of the eleven-pound bug bouncing gleefully on top of him. "I, uh… I'll just leave it here for now…" Burgh said, placing the badge on the ground next to the white-haired Trainer.