Pokemon - To Catch Them All - Team Rocket and Azalea Town

Story by soni050 on SoFurry

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#22 of Pokemon - To Catch Them All

Leo encounters Team Rocket once again before challenging Bugsy to a gym battle


Exiting on Route 33 was a welcome sight from being in Union Cave. The only problem was the current weather, it was raining heavily. Croconaw however was enjoying the rain more than I was. Still I headed West to reach Azalea Town the next town where there was a gym to challenge. On the way however, I was challenged by a Hiker who sent out Geodude while I sent out Croconaw. In a battle while it was raining, Water Type moves would grow stronger. As such a single Water Gun was powerful enough to defeat Geodude in a single hit. The second Pokemon sent out was a Machop and I substituted for my Noctowl, having Noctowl use Air Slash to defeat Machop.

After that single battle, I reached Azalea Town but before I entered the main area of the town where the Pokemon centre was, I was surprised to see a well called Slowpoke Well, but also known as Rainmaker Well. A nearby sign mentioned the lore surrounding the well, locals believed that a Slowpoke's yawn summons the rain. Records even showed that a Slowpoke's yawn ended a drought four hundred years ago. As a result it seems the people honour Slowpoke for bringing the rain that the people need to survive. I continued on reminding myself to explore the well in the future to see what might inhabit the well.

I arrived at the Pokemon centre and quickly had my Pokemon fully healed from the adventure in Union Cave. After that was done, I stopped by the Pokemon Mart to buy some more Pokeballs. It seemed like I hadn't caught many Pokemon in Johto compared to Kanto. I knew that I just had to continue being patient and that eventually the Pokemon would appear before me. Before I challenged the gym I had begun hearing the locals concern about the Slowpoke living in the well. Apparently Team Rocket were also causing trouble in the Johto Region too. I had only ever seen them once through Kanto but there already appearing here too.

Some locals believed that Team Rocket were removing Slowpoke's tails because they were apparently delicious and mainly because they wanted to make a profit. That was the only reason they were mistreating the Slowpoke that lived there. I returned to the Slowpoke well and carefully descended down the well, before I reached the bottom. After entering the well, a grunt from Team Rocket challenged me to a battle. He sent out two Rattata but Furret handled them both with two Quick Attacks. At that the grunt retreated further into the cave. A second Grunt soon challenged me and sent out a Zubat. I sent out Flaaffy and a single Thunder Shock was strong enough to defeat Zubat. The second Pokemon sent out was a Ekans and I substituted for my Quagsire. I had Quagsire use Mud Shot which defeated Ekans too.

I continued onward passing by the annoyed and angry grunt who screeched in annoyance but was silenced when Quagsire glared at her with surprising anger on his face at his beloved trainer being threatened by some low life thug. I thanked Quagsire for handling that potentially dangerous situation before returning him to his Pokeball before heading further on. Soon enough another grunt challenged me and sent out a Rattata. I sent out Croconaw and had him use Water Gun defeating Rattata. This was followed by the grunt sending out a Zubat and so I substituted for Flaaffy whose Thunder Shock defeated Zubat. The final Pokemon sent out was a second Zubat which was defeated much the same way.

After defeating the grunt I noticed that there was a higher up, perhaps a commander or admin observing a nearby Slowpoke that actually still had its tail on. Before he could remove the tail I quickly stepped in. "Stop!" I commanded and the guy was slightly startled before he looked amused at me. "What have we here? I had heard that a nosy trainer had been interfering with our Slowpoke operations here and it seems the rumours were true. Well, if I may add my name is Proton and I strongly urge you to not interfere with our business." I refused and as such the admin decided to use force to convince me.

His first Pokemon was a Zubat that was easily defeated by Flaaffy's Thunder Shock, his second Pokemon however was a Koffing and so I substituted for my Noctowl and had Noctowl use Extrasensory to defeat Koffing. Proton, returned his Pokemon with a glare before he glanced in my direction seeming to be amused but irritated at the same time. "Hmph your stronger than I had first thought, no matter. This will be your final warning. Do not interfere with Team Rockets missions in the future. No matter where we meet next. After all Team Rocket controls every region from the shadows. Farewell for now!" At that Proton walked off and I turned my focus back to the Slowpoke that seemed rather happy and thankful.

The Slowpoke approached me and seemed to want something, I was having trouble understanding before my Croconaw exited his Pokeball before he grabbed my empty Pokeball and gestured for me to catch it. "Oh so you want to be caught, I understand." Slowpoke cheered slowly and I threw the Pokeball watching as it shook once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. I had already caught a Slowpoke in Kanto but that Slowpoke had evolved into a Slowbro. My hope was that perhaps this Slowpoke may evolve into a Slowking now that I was exploring Johto.

After dealing with Team Rocket and rescuing the Slowpoke I returned back to Azalea Town and had my Pokemon fully healed by Nurse Joy. Once that was done I began my preparations for my gym battle against Bugsy the Gym leader. My research told me that he was a specialist in Bug Types and used three Pokemon in his battles.

Against Bug Types my advantages were Fire, Flying and Rock types, as such out of my current Pokemon the ones that would be best suited for battling Bug Types would be. Noctowl, Ledian and Skiploom. Skiploom may be part Flying but was also a Grass Type as such he may be at a slight disadvantage however my options were limited. I also didn't want to rely on Pokemon I had caught in previous regions, even my Crobat or Scyther who were caught in Kanto. They would likely be too powerful and wouldn't face enough of a challenge against the second gym of Johto.

That left me with using Noctowl, Ledian and Hoppip, all were part Flying Type which should be a powerful advantage against Bugsy but I wouldn't underestimate his ability yet. At that I entered the gym and met with Bugsy. "Excuse me, I'd like to challenge you to a gym battle!" I asked and Bugsy turned his head to me siling with interest. "I accept your battle challenge! Please follow me to the battlefield." At that Bugsy joined with the referee and headed to the battlefield.

Judging from the arena itself, this would be an interesting battle in which we would need to use the surroundings to help us. Using the trees and branches to navigate the field like a Bug Pokemon would. It helps that I was bringing mostly Flying Pokemon who would have no trouble following these Bug Types through the trees. "I see your already aware of what this gym battle will entail." Bugsy sounded impressed as he saw me thoroughly observing my surroundings. Something that most challengers neglected to notice.

At that we took our positions on the battlefield and the referee announced the rules. "This battle will be two on two and when one sides Pokemon are unable to continue battling, the opposing trainer will be declared the winner! Trainers please send out your Pokemon!" At that Bugsy sent out his choice. "Spinarak I need your help!" A Spinarak appeared before Bugsy. I knew that species quite well, since I had owned one.

"I need your help Noctowl!" Noctowl appeared flying before landing on the field. Naturally Spinarak seemed nervous but regained his confidence when Bugsy reassured him that they would win. "Battle begin!" Bugsy immediately started. "Spinarak String Shot!" Spinarak fired a sticky thread of silk to try and trap Noctowl who seemed disinterested with the move.

"Dodge that!" Noctowl took off into the air dodging before staring down Spinarak with curiosity evident on his face. "Now Noctowl use Air Slash!" Noctowl fired Air Slash down on Spinarak but Bugsy was more than prepared. "It will take more than a Flying Type move to defeat my Spinarak! Spinarak use String Shot to the branches!" Spinarak used String Shot and grabbed a nearby branch before dodging the Air Slash.

I knew that would be Bugsy's plan on defeating Noctowl but I wouldn't be defeated so easily. "Noctowl use Confusion!" Noctowl's eyes glowed as he took control of Spinarak's movements. Spinarak couldn't move as Noctowl continued controlling him giving Bugsy no chances to counterattack. When Noctowl released Spinarak after dealing some super effective damage the effect of Confusion was still continuing. Spinarak was confused and was incapable of following Bugsy's commands.

"Wrap this battle up by using Air Slash once again!" I commanded and Noctowl followed through unleashing Air Slash which caused massive damage to the smaller Bug Type. The referee glanced over seeing the defeated Spinarak and announced his verdict. "Spinarak is unable to battle, Noctowl is the winner." Bugsy returned Spinarak thanking him for such a good battle. Meanwhile I also returned Noctowl to give my other Pokemon a chance to shine.

I thanked Noctowl beforehand and decided my next Pokemon would be Hoppip. "Hoppip I need your help!" Hoppip appeared cheerfully smiling but once he realised he was in a gym battle, his personality swapped from kind and gentle to a Pokemon that was determined to score a win for his trainer. Bugsy saw my choice and sent out his. "Come on out Metapod!" Metapod appeared immobile on the battlefield which confused me. From previous experience Metapod weren't very powerful if they were caught as a Metapod only knowing the move Harden.

"Metapod use Tackle!" Metapod suddenly shot of like a rocket and almost scored a direct hit on Hoppip but Hoppip dodged by floating upward out of Metapod's range. "Hoppip use Stun Spore and slow them down!" Hoppip released Stun Spore which floated down and paralysed Metapod clearly slowing the apparently fast Metapod down.

"Meatpod Tackle again!" Metapod showed his determination by breaking through the paralysis and using Tackle. "Hoppip, use Fairy Wind!" Hoppip was much stronger than anticipated and used Fairy Wind which blew Metapod back into a nearby tree knocking him out. "Metapod is unable to battle, Hoppip is the winner." Bugsy was now down to his last remaining Pokemon. "Return Metapod you battled really well, take a nice long break" Bugsy returned Metapod. I also returned Hoppip not knowing whether his next Pokemon would be his most powerful.

I thanked Hoppip and sent out my next Pokemon, "I need your help Ledian!" Ledian appeared interesting Bugsy. "A Ledian, it looks beautiful and well taken care off. That Ledian seems very happy with you as its trainer. I'm glad you too understand the wonderful charms of Bug Pokemon. However, that doesn't mean I'll go easier on your because of your love for Bug Pokemon. My ace in the hole, your up next, come out Scyther!" Scyther appeared brandishing its scythes as it started down Ledian with a surprisingly ferocious and powerful glare making Ledian slightly nervous but he regained his confidence with some encouragement from me.

"Ledian use Swift!" Ledian began by using Swift against Scyther who remained unfazed. "Scyther use Cut and slash through those stars." Scyther used Cut and began slashing through Swift easily destroying the attack. "Scyther use Swords Dance!" Bugsy then piled on the pressure increasing his Scyther's attack. Ledian remained focused much to my happiness and relief.

"Ledian Aerial Ace!" Ledian flew low to the ground right at Scyther who countered using another Cut. The two Pokemon collided centre field and seemed evenly matched. Though the attack increase from Scyther may have been the difference. Aerial Ace did weaken Scyther though to the point where it was gasping, it was clearly winded from the super effective attack.

"Ledian we'll finish this soon, use Reflect!" Ledian summoned a barrier which would raise his defence which would be a great counter against Scyther's increased attack thanks to Swords Dance. Bugsy seemed slightly concerned but went on the offensive. "Scyther use Cut once again!" Scyther this time went on the offensive and flew quickly toward Ledian who countered using Aerial Ace.

The collision of the two moves created a smokescreen which blocked everyone'd view of what had happened. When the smoke eventually cleared both Scyther and Ledian were on the ground, but both were conscious. Both Bugsy and myself shouted encouragement towards our exhausted Pokemon and both responded to their trainers pleads and began to stand back up. Ledian and Scyther both got up unanimously before the two stared each other down. Both seemed to acknowledge the other and respect their strength before suddenly as if in slow motion, Scyther fell to the ground defeated.

The referee saw this and announced, "Scyther is unable to battle, the winner is Ledian and that means the victor of this match, is Leo from Viridian City." At that Ledian flew over to me he was clearly exhausted but I was so thankful to him and my other Pokemon, Noctowl and Hoppip for performing admirably. Bugsy approached after he thanked his Scyther for such a wonderful battle. "Congratulations on winning, this here is the Hive Badge. You've earned it." At that he handed me the badge and I placed it in my badge case. Before leaving Bugsy had some advice for me. "I hope you'll continue to work with Bug Pokemon in the future as they can be such wonderful friends and partners to us all."

At that I thanked him and reassured him I would continue to respect Bug Pokemon forever. At that I exited the gym and immediately headed to the Pokemon centre and had Nurse Joy heal my Pokemon. Ledian was especially exhausted from such a tough battle against that Scyther. While my Pokemon were healing, I was surprised when the egg I had been carrying suddenly began glowing. I called over Nurse Joy as she had just finished healing my Pokemon and she immediately began checking over the egg while we waited on it hatching.

My nerves were shaking as I watched the egg shake almost violently, before the egg shattered and the Pokemon was revealed to be a Togepi, such an adorable and cute Pokemon. Rotom immediately registered the new Pokemon for me. "Togepi has been registered to your Pokedex. Togepi the Spike Ball Pokemon a Fairy Type. Its shell is said to be stuffed with happiness that it shares with kind-hearted people." Togepi immediately jumped into my arms happy to see me. Nurse Joy confirmed that my new Togepi was in perfect health and as such there was nothing to be concerned about.

I checked over Togepi to see what moves the baby Pokemon new, since I knew this Pokemon would be quite the helpful Pokemon to have on my journey through Johto. Since he was a baby Pokemon he only new a few moves and they were Growl, Sweet Kiss and Pound. That wasn't bad and with time he would grow stronger but he wouldn't battle until he was ready too.

That reminded me about Mr Pokemon and Professor Elm who gave me the egg, I'm certain he would be interested to know that the egg hatched into a Togepi. "Rotom please call Professor Elm." Rotom began the call and soon enough Professor Elm answered. "Leo, its good to hear from you, are you doing well?" Professor Elm asked and I definitely was. "Yes I am Professor, however, I wanted to tell you that the egg has hatched into a Togepi." That got his attention, "that is wonderful news, well I knew you were the right person to take care of the egg so please keep raising that Togepi. I'll be sure to let Mr Pokemon know that the egg hatched though. Thank you for keeping me updated on your progress. Have a great adventure now." At that we ended the call and I decided to continue my journey through to Ilex Forest.