The Palto Adventures

Part 4: Big Pokemon and The Journey To Tidal Island

Kazuki had walked for hours. His feet were sore and he was constantly stopping to catch his breath. Chikorita looked up at him sympathetically.

“ I’d better check the map. “ Kazuki said.

He activated his pokegear and opened up the map function.

< Sandy Beach is your desired destination? > It asked.

“ Yes “ Kazuki responded.

< Sandy Beach is exactly 100 feet away, according to the GPS satellite. >

“ Only one hundred feet? How on earth could it be that close? “ He wondered.
“ I would have heard the ocean. “

Chikorita had already run off in to the brush. Kazuki was about to give chase when he heard the sound of the waves in the distance! He pushed through the bushes until we saw Chikorita lounging in the sand.

“ Hey, looks like you found it. “

Chikorita looked up and him, puzzled.

“ Oh, I forgot, you’ve lived in the forest all your life. “
“ This is the ocean! “ He said.

Chikorita ran along the surf and played in the spray. Kazuki sat down, even more tired than before. As he fell back in to the long, green grass a long, brown pokemon popped its head out of a hole. It chirped pleasantly before stealing Kazuki’s Arcanine! It raced towards a lighthouse in the distance.

As Kazuki gave chase, the pokedex activated.

< Furret. >
< These long, speedy pokemon live in many varied environments. Their curious and inquisitive nature often gets them in to trouble. >

“ I don’t care how fast Furret are, that’s my pokemon! “

He and Chikorita ran, but the Furret was always one step ahead. They finally reached the lighthouse, where Furret leapt in to a small trap door in the side. Kazuki called out to the top.

“ Hello! “ He yelled.
“ Anyone up there! “

A young man poked his head over the railing. He motioned for Kazuki to go to the door. He staggered to the other side just as it was opening.

“ Hi, Kazuki. “

Kazuki looked at the man strangely.

“ How did you know my name? “ He asked.

“ Well, come inside and I’ll explain. “

Kazuki walked in and the heavy door closed behind him.

After a short while, when Kazuki had gotten his breath back, the man, who was named Bob, explained a few things.

“ A short while after you left your home, the police in Sage Town informed me that you had accidentally gone away with a *NTR Rocket Ball and an NTR Arcanine. They considered both evidence. “

*(NTR = Neo Team Rocket)

“ My Furrets survey the area constantly, and when one of them saw your Rocket Ball, it did the thing it was trained to do. “ Bob said.

Kazuki nodded.

“ So I guess this means that I don’t get to keep the Arcanine. “ Kazuki said.

“ ‘Fraid not. Maybe one day that Arcanine will be back to normal and the police will give it back to you. “

Kazuki then jumped up.

“ Hey, I have a few questions for you, Bob. “

“ Shoot. “

“ Number one, where is the closest gym? “

“ Well. “ Bob started.
“ You would probabley want to head to Lazuli Town in the Tidal Islands, just south-west of this lighthouse. Unfortunately, you have to pass through the Raging Coast, on the southern face of the main island. “

“ Why do they call it the Raging Coast? “ Kazuki asked.

“ Because the island is famous for its frequent hurricanes and tsunamis. “ Bob replied.

“ Ok, question two. Where can I catch the ferry to Lazuli Town? “ He asked.

“ There is no ferry. “ Bob said.
“ It sank in a storm near the island a week or two ago. They have been raising money for a new one, but it won’t be finished for quite a while. “

“ So how am I supposed to get there? “ Kazuki questioned.

“ A water pokemon. “
“ You’ll have to get a pretty big one, but there should be plenty in the tide pools on the shore.

Kazuki thanked his new friend and headed toward the door. Before he got outside, Bob stopped him.

“ Hey, if you catch a pokemon near the beach, you’ll have four, right? “

Kazuki nodded in agreement

“ Well, I could keep a few if you’d like. I was the one who got the pokemon transport system up and running here in Palto, so you can have me keep any pokemon you want, then get them back at any pokemon center. “

Kazuki agreed and gave Bob his Ledyba. He didn’t think he’d need it when he crossed the ocean.

“ Good luck on finding that water pokemon. “ Bob said.

And with that Kazuki went down to the beach. He made sure to release Chikorita, since it would be effective against water types. He came to the first pond.

“ Poliwhirlllll “ A pokemon said.

< Poliwhirl. > The pokedex said.
< Theses pokemon are capable of living in and out of water. They use the swirl on their stomach to confuse their opponent and escape. >

“ Then we’ll have to be careful, won’t we Chikorita. “ Kazuki said.

He looked down to see Chikorita in a trance. The Poliwhirl had already confused her! He watched as it leapt out of the pool and waddled down the beach. After he got Chikorita back to normal, Kazuki was determined to catch a water type. He couldn’t foul up any more.

“ Chik “ Chikorita peeped.

Kazuki looked in the direction that Chikorita was facing, and saw a group of Psyduck. He was ready to capture one.

“ No fooling around! Chikorita, Razor Leaf! “

Chikorita jumped up and lashed her leaf around in circles, sending a legion of flora toward the group. Just as they were about to hit, a Psyduck roughly four times the size of a normal Psyduck jumped in front of the attack and bounced the leaves off of its belly. Kazuki was stunned.

“ Look at that. “ Kazuki stammered, amazed.

< Psyduck. > The pokedex said.
< These water pokemon are not psychic types, but can summon up psychic energy if their headaches become severe. They are notoriously weak in other situations. >

“ Okay Chikorita, attack its body, and not the head “ Kazuki emphasized.

Chikorita started with a Tackle attack, and the Psyduck retaliated with its Body Slam. The Psyduck would have crushed Chikorita, if it hadn’t been using Reflect too. The Psyduck, which should have flattened the tiny plant pokemon, was launched in to the air.

“ Vinewhip! “ Kazuki ordered.

Chikorita wrapped the Psyduck in the air as well, in order to restrain it. She waited for Kazuki’s next order.

“ Absorb its energy! “ Kazuki commanded.

Chikorita began to use Absorb, and as it did, she began to glow! Kazuki watched as Chikorita was bathed in white light.

“ All that energy must be making it…………..evolve! “

Chikorita slowly faded from the battle, and when it seemed as though she would become a glorious Bayleef, Psyduck broke free from the vines and Mega Punched her in to the ground. The light that had surrounded her faded away, and she was Chikorita once again.

“ No! “ Kazuki cried.

Chikorita got to her feat just as a Watergun hit her in the face, knocking her back to Kazuki’s feat.

“ You did good, Chikorita, but that Psyduck is really tough. “

He recalled Chikorita and sent out Sudowoodo. He was automatically intimidated by the water pokemon.

“ I wish I would have kept Ledyba. “ Kazuki regretted.
“ Don’t be scared, Sudowoodo, use the karate Chop! “

Sudowoodo jumped forward surprisingly fast and hit Psyduck directly on his forehead! Kazuki had forgotten to remind Sudowoodo not to hit him there.

“ Don’t worry, we can take him out with a Rockthrow! “ Kazuki ordered.

Sudowoodo shot its bushels at Psyduck, who didn’t try to move. His hands were on its temples, and his entire body glowed an eerie blue. The rocks stopped in front of Psyduck, who shot them back at Sudowoodo using its Confusion attack.

“ Look out! “ Kazuki cried.

Sudowoodo barely dodged the barrage. He was totally taken off guard by the return of its attack. Suddenly Kazuki got an idea.

“ Sudowoodo, use your Mimic attack, then a Jump Kick. “

Sudowoodo ran toward Psyduck as fast as possible. He fired rock after rock, each being reflected by Psyduck’s Confusion! When he got at point-blank range, Psyduck was too busy reflecting the Rockthrow to remember Sudowoodo himself! He leapt into the air and smashed Psyduck into the ocean.

“ All right. I think you got him, Sudowoodo. “ Kazuki congratulated.

Suddenly, the moment of victory was shattered by the sound of waves exploding from the sea. Psyduck was hovering over the surf. He was now glowing bright red, and using his psychic power to hold up a huge tidal wave. Sudowoodo was nervous, to say the least.

< Surf. > The pokegear said.
< Because of water pokemon’s connection with the sea, they can sometimes summon up huge waves to attack with. >

The waved towered overhead, literally blocking out the sun. Kazuki watched helplessly as the water slowly began to fall on to Sudowoodo!

“ Sudowoodo, Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! “

Kazuki jumped in front of his pokemon. He knew that this could be the stupidest thing he’ll do, but sacrifices have to be made some time. He waited for the sound of water all around him, but instead heard the chirping of birds. He looked up to see the energy around Psyduck disappearing, and the wave subsiding back in to the ocean. Psyduck fell back to the sand.

“ He must have knocked himself out using up too much energy. “

Then Kazuki realized that this was the perfect time to capture him!

“ Pokeball, Go! “ Kazuki yelled.

The Psyduck was sucked up inside of the pokeball and it rattled only once or twice before settling down. Kazuki picked it up.

“ I have to be more careful. “ He thought.
“ If I get too cocky, I’ll never win the Palto pokemon League. “

He waited for his rival to jump out from a sand dune and quip, but he luckily didn’t. When Kazuki and Sudowoodo walked back to the lighthouse, he could tell that Sudowoodo was appreciative of his efforts to save him. They went the entire way in silence.

When they got back, Bob greeted them, and was about to say something to Kazuki, but then turned his attention to the shiny Sudowoodo.

“ Oh my! “ He said.
“ I had no idea that you had a shiny pokemon. Maybe you can take the Ledyba back, and I’ll look after it. “

Kazuki declined. He knew Sudowoodo was too powerful to give up, even if water pokemon were a threat in the ocean.

“ Well, I wanted to see if you’d like this egg before you leave. “ Bob said.

In his hand was a small, yellow egg, covered in black stripes. It jittered ever so slightly before he handed it to Kazuki.

“ I think it’s an electric pokemon, judging by the markings. If you keep it, however, it will count as a pokemon, even if it hasn’t hatched.

“ How did you get it? “ Kazuki asked.

“ A trainer that uses my transport system gave it to me as a gift, but I hardly have any time to train my Furret, let alone keep the egg company. I know it’ll have a good home with you.

“ Thanks. “ Kazuki said.

And after saying his good byes to the Furret, he made his way to the shore. It was about five, and he knew that it would be dark when he got there, but he couldn’t stand staying in his tent tonight. He’d get to Tidal Island and use some money to rent a hotel room.

“ Go, Psyduck! “ Kazuki yelled.

Psyduck appeared and gave a yawn. He asked him if he’d give him a lift to Tidal Island (It’s his pokemon, but he wants to be polite) and Psyduck said yes. He hopped on his stomach and the Psyduck back-floated out into the water. Kazuki closed his eyes and fell asleep…

An few hours later Kazuki woke up. He heard what sounded like metal crashing together in the distance, and the screams of people! He turned around to see something horrific. A huge, fiery bird was attacking an oilrig. It shot super-heated Flamethrowers all over the support legs, weakening the structure, and throwing workers in to the ocean. Kazuki knew he had to help, no matter how impossible the challenge seemed.

“ Psyduck, get to the ladder and drop me off. You have to help those people! “

Kazuki leapt up to the ladder and climbed as best as he could. When he got the top people were running in every direction, trying to escape the fireballs that came dangerously close to the oil containment tanks! Kazuki took cover behind an abandoned office. The glass that had shattered from the windows cut into Kazuki’s jeans as he knelt down and pulled his pokedex out, along with the pokegear. He dialed up Bob.

“ Hello? “ Bob answered.

“ Bob, it’s me, Kazuki. Listen I got a big problem! I’m on an oilrig in the middle of the ocean and this huge fire pokemon is attacking the workers! “ He yelled.

“ Alright Kazuki, slow down. Can you tell me which pokemon it is? “ Bob asked.

“ I’ll see. “

Kazuki opened the pokedex and peeked around the corner.

< Moltres. > The pokedex said.

< This legendary fire pokemon resides in the Orange Islands, and is one of the most powerful pokemon on earth. >

Kazuki was about to look up some more info when Moltres fired its Flamethrower at Kazuki. He ducked back behind the wall, dripping with sweat.

“ Bob, It’s a Moltres. But the pokedex says it lives in the Orange Islands. Why is it here?! “

“ Someone must have brought it here. I couldn’t see any reason for it to be here other than that. “

“ But who could bring a Moltres, one of the most powerful pokemon of all,
here? “ Kazuki wondered.

Kazuki heard a laugh cackle over the sound of crashing steel. A man dressed in black, white, and red stepped off the Moltres’s back. He laughed and laughed until Kazuki stepped out in to sight.

“ Who are you? Why are you doing this? “ Kazuki cried.

“ Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of the all-powerful Neo Team Rocket? “ He jested. “ We are the future leaders of the earth! “

Kazuki was thrown into a fit of rage. These were the same people that stole Sage Town’s pokemon, and now they were hurting even more innocent people for no apparent reason. Kazuki had had enough.

“ You can’t do this! “ Kazuki screamed.
“ I will stop you! “

Kazuki ran forward, fists swing. The man sneered and punched Kazuki to the rigs edge. He laughed again.

“ You cannot stop us, boy! “ He chuckled
“ How could you hope to survive against the gods themselves? “ He mocked.

Moltres roared and shot flames in every direction. Kazuki had gotten to his feat, and massaged his aching cheek. He had an idea, and if it worked, he might be able to get rid of this guy. He made a mad dash for the oil tanks.

“ Where do you think you’re going, boy? “

The man ordered Moltres to use its Fire Spin attack. It reared its head back and blasted a twisting blaze at Kazuki. Kazuki jumped behind the tank, and the fire hit it instead!

“ No! The tank will blow up……………..

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

Kazuki remembered being thrown off the rig like a rag doll. His body flailed about as it fell toward the water; metal shrapnel raining down around him. He felt his body bounce on Psyducks belly, and the rain that had started to fall on his face. The two rode away, and as they did Kazuki looked back up. He saw a swarm of NTR members pulling that bastard of a man into a waiting black speedboat. The Moltres was apparently under some sort of trance, because it had already started to leave the oilrig. Kazuki had won, and that’s when he passed out.

The sun was out, and Kazuki was awake. He noticed that he was on a beach, and Psyduck was nowhere in sight. He rubbed his aching head; it was rattled from the night before. He heard Psyduck bounded toward him, and fell back to the sand. He’d brought some fruit. Kazuki thanked his pokemon, and returned him to his pokeball. He got up, dusted off, and started toward Lazuli Town, visible in the distance.