[2] Pokemon training? No problem.

[Quill]

It was just about noon when Benjamin Holt finally found his way to the first route. He hadn’t been lost, mind you, just a little busy – getting to know his newly hatched Pokémon and arranging his items was a job in itself. So when the Happiny came out of nowhere (carrying a few things of its own) and started following him around, it took Holt a little while longer to get everything resettled – his new Piplup, Orothe, had tried to attack the other pokemon, who refused to leave, and, in the end, Holt gave the Happiny its own pokeball and before even really starting his ‘adventure’ had added another member to the team.

Despite Holt’s need to be ‘manly’ and ‘intimidating’, he was excited about the new addition: Chansey often frequent hospitals and Pokémon centers (they make wonderful nurses, you know) and he had met quite a few during his (relatively) short time at college. And, on top of that, they were able to take huge amounts of damage without weakening – if you trained them right. (Of course, he had no idea how to train pokemon… But that was part of why he’d gotten Orothe in the first place.)

Piplup and Happiny both tucked safely in their pokeballs, Holt took a moment to take in the first route. The sun was high, the sky a rich, bright blue, and a soft breeze was rolling through the tall grasses. Very picturesque – no wild Pokémon that he could see, however, and he had (for some reason or another) been under the impression that the creatures attacked you left and right the minute you got near long grass. Eh.

He decided to find a good place to sit down for a little while – do some reflecting, get to know his pokemon, and, hopefully plan out a training strategy. (He found a bit of shade under a tree.) He released Piplup first:

”Okay, Orothe, come on out… Well, my name’s Benjamin. Yours is Orothe. It’ll set you apart, right?”

Holt felt a little silly – could the Piplup even understand? He was worrying about having to talk to himself the whole journey when Piplup (Orothe, now) peeped and nodded. Well – that answered that question.

”… Alright. Don’t attack the Happiny anymore. She’s on our team now, so we have to, you know, work together. I have to think of a name for her…”

Holt pulled out his new pokedex, flipped it open, and scrolled to Piplup's page. "Hmm. What attacks do you know?" Pound and Growl. Nothing elemental yet -- he wasn't sure when those came in -- but they could work with that. There probably weren't many Pokémon on the route that knew elemental attacks of their own, anyway.

"Want to do some training?"

"Pip!"

"Alright. I've got no clue, really, how to go about training pokemon, so you'll have to excuse me. Here -- I'll toss your pokeball up, and I want you to try and hit it back using your pound attack."

The Piplup watched, wide-eyed, as his instructions were given. Oh yes, he could handle this. He followed the arc of the red-and-white orb, little legs tensing as he prepared to jump -- he left the ground, penguin-wings flapping for all they were worth, and it looked like he was going to be able to smack the pokeball back at Benjamin when... He fell. Flat on his beak. The pokeball landed harmlessly in the grass behind them.

"Uh, good try. That was a pretty good jump, you know. We probably just need to work on it..."

"Piip..."

Holt stood, stretched and looked around. Perhaps the best way to train his new Piplup would be to find a wild Pokémon? He eyed the blue penguin pokemon, half-smiled to himself, and reached down to pick him up.

"Let's go, then. We'll let Akala -- that's a good name for a Happiny, right? -- out later. Let's see what we can find."

And, with that, they began meandering towards the end of the first route, and, hopefully, success as both a trainer and partner Pokémon.

[Spiderc]

As Benjamin and Piplup went down the Route, little did they know that they were being watched by another twosome. Concealed in a bush, the two Pokémon sat there, eying the Route's newest visitors. The bigger of the two nudged the smaller one, and pointed toward them with its snout. The smaller Pokémon seemed to argue with the larger, but the larger Pokémon never wavered, and continued to point at Benjamin and Piplup. After a few seconds, the smaller gave up, and with one last look at the larger Pokemon, he charged out of the bush, heading straight for Piplup. As the Poochyena continued to run, it gained speed, hoping to go fast enough to hit Piplup with a good Tackle attack.

[!]Wild Poochyena is Attacking[!]

ooc: sorry about the post, it could really be shortened to "A Poochyena jumped out of a bush and is using Tackle"

anyway, just wondering are you alright if i have the Pokémon use Pokespeak? I know some people don't like it

[Quill]

ooc: You forgot "cue obnoxious 8-bit music and flashing lights", though. XP

Don't worry about it, it's totally fine. Pokespeak is cool, too -- I just didn't have anything for Piplup so say or I would have added it into my first post.

It was a nice enough day, and calm, so it was a bit of a surprise when the Poochyena came hurling out of the bushes lining the road. In retrospect, Benjamin probably should have realized that a wild pokemon was going to attack sooner or later, but... Ah, well.

The speed at which the opposing pokemon was moving and the fact that it had completely surprised both the Piplup and his trainer left nowhere for said Piplup to go: He was hit dead-on by the tackle and landed hard on his back.

<Hey! Surprise attacks are no fair.>

[/color]

Benjamin nodded, though not entirely sure what had just been said, and eyed the Poochyena. It was a creature he wouldn't mind capturing... If he could defeat it. This would be a perfect test for Orothe: Another pokemon to fight, and not simply target practice.

"Get up -- Use Pound, before he can get ready for another attack!"[/color]

Orothe nodded, a little nervous, and charged forward, ready to smack the Poochyena with his flipper. That Tackle attack had hurt, you know! It wasn't the best strategy, of course, just running ahead: It left him vulnerable to counter-attacks and made dodging quite easy; Benjamin just hadn't really thought about it. This was his and Orothe's first battle, after all.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[Spiderc]

Unfortunately for the Poochyena, this was one of his first battles as well, and he had not expected his opponent to retaliate so quickly, or so powerfully. Due to his unpreparedness, the Dark type was hit dead on by the Pound attack. With a whine, the small dog Pokémon flew backward a few feet, stopping after sliding on the ground for a little while. Although he had attacked first, the Poochyena still wasn't the most aggressive of Pokemon, so when he started to charge Piplup again, it was fairly lackluster.

The other Poochyena, who was still in the bush, was laughing at the battle he had caused. Actually, the laughter sounded surprisingly like normal human laughter, and if someone didn't know better, they might think there was a human hiding in the bush.

ooc: i based the laughter off how a hyena can make a laughing sound, and since poochyena/mightyena's names are derived from hyena they could make the same laughing sounds

[Quill]

Benjamin watched the battle proceed with half-hearted enthusiasm. Yeah, it was his first battle, but just charging forward and taking hits wouldn't do for a strategy. Not only would that be hard on Orothe, but Benjamin was sure it wouldn't work as he and his Piplup progressed as trainer and pokemon.

"Alright, Orothe -- try and jump and hit him from above!"

[/color]

The Piplup, a bit shocked at being catapulted into his first battle, processed the command to slowly and decided to stay put. Besides, the Poochyena was too close now -- Orothe raised a flipper to meet the Tackle with a Pound of his own, but missed and took the hit. He slid to one side, wincing, and looked to Benjamin for more advice.

"Piiip..."

"It's fine -- try to jump again, pick up some speed, and see if you can't get him from above. Ready? Alright -- go!"

Why the shouting was necessary, Benjamin wasn't entirely sure. Perhaps he was just excited. His Piplup could certainly hear him, yeah? He shot a glance at the 'laughing bush', figuring there was another Poochyena hiding inside. That, or a really creepy person who decided to watch battles from bushes. He shook his head before returning his attention to Orothe.

The Piplup kicked off the ground in a rather impressive leap for a penguin, flipper cocked back and ready to strike as he descended.

<We're gonna' win, you know,>[/color] he called to his opponent, keeping his eyes locked on the Poochyena's back -- his target.[/blockquote][/size]

[Spiderc]

ooc: sorry about the wait...

bic: The Poochyena was somewhat surprised by the Piplup's new tactics and was thrown completely off-guard. Come on, who's ever heard of a flying penguin? Because of that, the Poochyena was hit dead on by the Pound attack, collapsing to the ground. Making a small whining sound, the Dark type slowly tried to get up, but collapsed when it was half way up, knocked out. As soon as the Poochyena hit the ground, there was a rustling from the bushes behind Ben as the other Poochyena ran in the other direction, cackling with laughter.

[!]Piplup's Level Increased by 1[!]

[!]Piplup's Happiness Increased by 8[!]

[!]Wild Poochyena may be Caught[!]

[Quill]

Benjamin grinned, giving Orothe an enthusiastic thumbs-up. Not only had they won their first battle, but the Piplup looked like he could take on a few more wild Pokémon to boot. And, in case things got bad, Benjamin noted, he still had a few potions stashed in his bag.
And, of course, he could always get Akala to do some battling -- hopefully she'd listen...

Ecstatic about his triumph (and only a little out of breath), Orothe tottered back to Benjamin and hugged the mentioned trainer's leg. "Pip!"

"Ha, yeah... Good job, little guy. Should we catch this Poochyena?"

The two turned to size up their fallen opponent. They didn't have any of his type yet, and, though perhaps not the best strategist, he'd made a strong opponent. (Besides, strategizing was what the trainer was for, right?) "I'm going to, I think,"

[/color] he answered himself, fishing into the front pocket of his bag for a pokeball.

"So... I just throw it, yeah?"[/color]

Benjamin shook his head -- that had been a stupid question, goodness -- and chucked the orb at the Poochyena. Orothe watched the ball arc through the air, peeking through his flippers as it made contact with the other pokemon's rough grey fur. Oh, he hoped it got caught!

[/blockquote][/size]

[Spiderc]

The Pokeball sailed though the air and hit the Poochyena dead center, causing the Pokeball to open with a small click. After a flash of red light, the Pokeball had closed again and the Poochyena was gone. After rolling around on the ground for a couple second, the Pokeball made a loud dinging noise and stopped moving.

However, while the Poochyena was being caught, there came some barking from behind the pair. "<Help! Help! Somebody help! A trainer kidnapped my brother!>" Within seconds, the route was in a small uproar, as other Pokémon made calls out to the barking Pokemon, and just as the Pokeball dinged, a Nidoran Male jumped in front of the ball. Standing between Ben and his new Pokémon.

[!]Wild Nidoran Male Appeared[!]


[!]Wild Poochyena Was Caught[!]


Name: -Your Choice-
Gender: Male
Level: 4
Attacks: Tackle
Nature: Obsessed with trying to earn the acceptance of his peers, Poochyena will do anything his idol wants him to do.
Happiness Status: -4
Held Item: None

ooc: even though ben can't get to poochyena's pokeball to pick it up right now, you can still add it to your character profile/whatever

[Quill]

[ ooc: ASDFJKLSKS NIDORAN. YES, PLEASE. -ahem- Nidoking + Empoleon + Mightyena is... just about half of Ben's dream team, oh snap. ALSO. Nice name change, there. ]

Both Pokémon and trainer watched anxiously as the pokeball rolled about in one last act of defiance. As the faint 'ding' signified Poochyena's capture, Benjamin let out a soft 'yesss' and offered Orothe a high-five. The Piplup, who did not understand the gesture, merely imitated Ben -- and held up his flipper.

"Don't worry about it, buddy, let's just -- "

It was at this point that the mad barking started -- Benjamin couldn't understand it, of course, and Orothe wasn't actually paying attention, but as soon as Benjamin took a step forward to retrieve his new pokemon, another had already lept from the grasses that lined the road.

"Oi! You're really going to keep me from -- Oh, for the sake of... Orothe, are you up for another battle?"

The tiny penguin Pokémon -- who had been paying attention to Benjamin was saying -- nervously eyed the Nidoran. He was still a little tired from fighting that Poochyena, and wasn't sure if he was up for another at that moment.

"Can you tell 'im that catching Pokémon is what trainers do? Goodness, the Poochyena even started it. Stupid Pokémon..."

[/color]

<Um, he caught your, um, he caught that Pokémon because he's a trainer, and they do that.>[/color] Orothe nodded, obviously proud of himself, and strode forward -- he was going to get that pokeball for Benjamin himself. He was really starting to like his new trainer; he was actually pretty cool... And darn it, this Nidoran was being annoying.
[/size][/blockquote]

[random event roll]
no event

[Spiderc]

While Ben had been taking, the Nidoran had been standing over the Pokeball protectively and with a wary look on his face. However, as soon as Piplup spoke, his expression quickly turned into wrath and distain. <"Really? A trainer? Oh... I'm soooooo sorry. I didn't realize that being a human gave someone the right to capture innocent Pokémon that has done them no harm. En Garde!"> With that, the Nidoran gave a final Leer at Piplup, then charged, horn down hoping to hit the small penguin.

ooc: just so you know, nidoran is using Peck

[Quill]

<"Really? A trainer? Oh... I'm soooooo sorry. I didn't realize that being a human gave someone the right to capture innocent Pokémon that has done them no harm. En Garde!">

Orothe blinked, confused -- why was the Nidoran so mad? Benjamin made a lot of sense, after all. <But he attacked fir->
The Piplup's rather weak rebuttal was cut short by Nidoran's charge, which hit him square in the chest. Already tired, he was knocked off his feet with a shrill "pip!" of defiance. He glanced back at Benjamin, a pleading expression now dominating his features.

"You wanna' fight? Alright -- lemme' get a potion real quick."

He rummaged hastily through his bag in search of the mentioned healing item, quickly coming up with the spray-bottle. Amazing stuff, really -- he stepped forward and "applied liberally", as the instructions said, to Orothe's bruises and cuts... Which healed before his very eyes.

"C'mon, then... Before he goes again -- let's see a Pound attack!"

Orothe nodded and rushed forward, hopefully before the Nidoran could prepare for a second attack. Because his opponent had used Leer beforehand, Orothe wanted to make sure he didn't take too many hits. Head lowered, he charged, eyes squeezed shut in anticipation.

[Spiderc]

Pleased with the fact that he'd hit square on with his attack, Nidoran allowed himself a small smile and then shifted into a defensive position. However, he was thrown off-balance a little, but when the Ben pulled out the Potion, the Poison type gave a nod of approval. Despite the fact that this trainer appeared to be an evil kidnapper, he at least still took care of his own Pokemon.

Realizing that it was an idiot move to sit there idly while his opponent healed, the Nidoran took the time to Focus some of his Energy, making his attacks possibly more powerful. By the time he had finished, Piplup was also ready once again and started to charge him. With how long of a time it took for the Water type to reach him, he could have jumped out of the way, but decided against it. Taking the Pound attack dead on, the Nidoran flew back about a foot, but then immediately sprung forward again, using another Peck attack.