Up and Running

"I'm a total loser. I didn't even make a scratch to his Pokémon." Noel said a few moments after his loss with Colton. He was so upset that he was defeated easily. We sat on a bench by the fountain at the center of the city.

"No, that wasn't true." I amended. "Colton is just a really tough opponent. How many badges have you earned?"

"Badge? Well…None. This is my very first time. I was so sure of myself that I'm going to get my very first badge here. But that was all just a shattered dream." He answered.

"Well that speaks for it. I remember when I challenged Colton back then I already have 5 badges and my Pokémon were all trained to battle with gyms." I recalled.

"Really? He's that tough you have to train and earn 5 badges before you decided to challenge him?"

"Do I seem to be the lying type to you? Why don't you head home and challenge Memorial City's gym leader first. I'm sure Sandrine will be able to help you a lot." I said.

"Hmmm…you think I can win over her? Isn't she one of our clan's finest? I'm sure she'll just pulverize me." Noel countered.

"You'll never know if you never try. Anyway, I gotta get going. My bus is leaving in a few minutes. See you around." I said as I started to walk away. Shaymin is quiet on my pocket. It is still not accustomed to people. I haven't walked that far when Noel caught up on my side.

"You know what; I think I'll challenge Sandrine. But that would have to wait because we have a job request to do." He said with a new found joy, what a moody lad.

"We? I don't recall having a 'we' in my job request. Just head home. I will handle this by myself." I urged. He can't come. Not when I'm with Shaymin. He will surely see it if I let him join me.

"What? This might be a good training for me. With all the adventures that awaits me there, plus I have you to impart your expertise, this will be a blast." He reasoned.

"True, but the answer is still no. Just go back to Memorial City and say hi to Leyn for me okay?" I said in finality.

"Come on man, you're so selfish. I'm sure I would be a real help. I wont be a hindrance to you I promise. Just let me tag along."

We had turned around an alley towards the entrance of the city when suddenly I stopped. Behind, Noel bumped into me.

"What is wrong…" he wasn't able to finish what he was about to say when he saw five men in front of us. They wore black shirt and pants with bat H design on it. So they had followed me after all. With the look on their faces, Noel probably discern they are not the friendly type.

"Hello, we were just passing by…" Noel started.

The men didn't waste any time as they threw out their pokeballs. Three Koffings and two Sandiles come out to block our way.

Shaymin is squishing in my pocket now. He knows we're in big trouble. Noel already had a pokeball out. It's going to be difficult if I engaged in a battle here. People might see Shaymin, as if I needed additional pursuers on my tail. I waved him off. We aint gonna fight here, if we don't have to.

"How fast can you run?" I whispered.

"We're running? We can take them on." Noel said.

"That's foolish. On three, run to the east and make sure you run your ass off, understood?" I replied.

"Fine." He answered.

"Now…three!" I shouted as we both run to the right and went in another alley. It will be difficult for them to follow us because it was a bit narrow plus we have a head start. Amidst the busy city, this place is pretty much deserted much to my delight. So it's just me, Noel and Shaymin. The Koffings begun pursuit, followed by the Sandiles. Behind them, the Havoc grunts.

"Lets go this way." I nudge Noel as I take another left turn. Much to my further joy a Havoc trainer and his Sandile was on our way. Crap. So they split up.

"Surrender the Pokémon or else," the grunt shouted out.

"Or else what?" Noel answered. "Let me take you on." He added as he pulled out a pokeball from his pocket. Wow, not even curious on which Pokémon the grunt was referring to and just so eager for fight. But it all works for me.

"No, let me handle this one." I told him as I pulled my own pokeball out. I could take all five of them earlier but I don't want to take chances with Shaymin in tow but a single one should be easy. "Whimsicott, out you go." I said as I threw it. There was a thud as the ball opened and a cute ram-like Pokémon with green horns and light-brown fur covering its back appeared.

"Whiiim…" the Pokémon said as it hovered over me. My Whimsicott cannot fly, but it was so light the wind was actually keeping it afloat.

"Wow, that was so…cute" Noel said seemingly lost for an adjective.

"There's more to it than cuteness, Whimsicott use Solar Beam." I said.

"Whim, whim" it said as light started to emanate from its fur as it absorbs light.

"Sandile use Dig." the grunt commanded. The Pokémon quickly obeyed and dug a hole narrowly escaping Solar Beam.

Whimsicott seemed confused as it looks from side to side. There was a light shake on the ground behind it.

"Right behind you," I shouted. "Use Cotton Guard, quick."

Sandile appeared out of the ground behind Whimsicott but just as it hits, its fur has expanded, enveloping Whimsicott's body making Sandile bounce back.

"You're done this time, Sandile use Fire Fang." The grunt commanded. Sandile bared its fangs and lurch forward.

"Whimsicott, use Leech Seed." I utter. A bullet-like seed launches itself from Whimsicott's horns and hit Sandile right on its forehead. Roots then sprouted from it enveloping Sandiles entire body rendering it motionless.

"What the, it's so fast." Noel muttered.

"That's Prankster at work for you." I lectured. "Now finish it up with Solar Beam."

"Whims….." it said as its fur glowed, absorbing sunlight. Just about a few seconds after, it unleashes a flash of yellow beam from its mouth. Sandile was completely immobilized and was hit with it super effectively.

"Sandile…I'm not letting you get away." The grunt shouted as he lurched himself towards us.

"Whimsicott, Leech Seed, again." Seconds later the grunt was tied up.

"Come on, we better hurry before the others catch up." I told Noel.

"Wow, your Whimsicott is amazing." Noel commented as we ran.

"Well I wouldn't say it the other way." I said proudly. We went another turn and finally reached the town entrance. I could see my bus now but just on our immediate front, the four other grunts were waiting. How could they've gotten here so fast? There are still three Koffings and a Sandile to deal with. There's no other choice, if this grunts started to mutter about Shaymin, Noel will definitely know everything. Good thing there's no other people around, but as much as possible I wanted Shaymin's existence a secret for its safety. This means, battle on. I took out two pokeball out, after all that's all I brought.

"Surrender now." One of the grunts said.

"Sceptile, Whimsicott out you go."

"Now this gets exciting," Noel said as he reaches for his pokeballs but I stopped him.

"It's better if you stay out of this one. It's me they wanted so you just run towards the entrance, take the bus and go back."

"I can't do that; I just can't leave a comrade in trouble." Noel countered.

"I'll be alright. Now just go." I said.

"You stubborn piece of," Noel said as he turned around and run towards the entrance. The grunts were all smiles now. Of course, looking at it I'm outnumbered. But overconfidence always leads to something else. Even Shaymin was a bit worried about me as it started to paw at my side.

"No need to worry, I wont let them take you. We'll get out of this one." I reassured it.

"Koffing, Sludge Bomb." The grunts commanded simultaneously. The three Koffings unleashed a barrage of black booze towards Sceptile and Whimsicott.

"Dodge." I shouted.

Sceptile and Whimsicott parted ways as the Sludge Bomb hit the ground where they were standing.

"Sceptile, Aerial Ace. Whimsicott, Psychic." I commanded. Both of them launched their attacks together and hit the three Koffings which fell on a heap on the ground. The grunts were totally surprised.

"Now your turn Sandile, Ice Fang!' the last grunt shouted. But it has no chance with my two grass types and a moment later it was added on the Koffing pile.

"You'll pay for this!" one of the grunts said.

I ignored them and when the path was cleared, I run past them towards the bus, Sceptile and Whimsicott behind me. It'd be leaving anytime soon. Shaymin was a bit relieved now.

"Hold it right there."