Feel The Ground Shake (Pokemon - Ground-type specialist)

[LordVishnu]

I think a grunt before was also talking about Team Flare.

Click to shrink...

That's because he was. He was an infiltrator returning home.

I assume they do 3rd and fourth based on your showing like you get 3rd if you had more convincing wins than the other person

Click to shrink...

Essentially correct. Tiebreakers are based on how many of the opponents Pokemon you fainted in previous rounds (which you ended up losing) as well as how many you had faint on your own team for the matches you won.

But ain't nobody got time for that. It's cleaner for the reader I think if Bradley just shrugs with a "doesn't know", and we all move on with our day.

 

[anonermoose]

RIP Michael why couldn't it of been Jovi instead

Click to shrink...

Jovi shall be the new dark edgy protagonist searching to avenge her brothers murder with her trusty assistant Robo-groudon Chobin!

 

[Greatazuredragon]

NIce chapter, good work.

 

[Pkbwgsc]

Because that day marked the first time that Quagsire forgot.

Click to shrink...

Ah shit. It's not a murderous, vengeful Mon. It's an empty husk that kills everything and spams amnesia because of ingrained 'pain go away when forget' habit, isn't it.

I do pity the ranger though--Alpha 'mons are serious business, apparently--and I can only hope that Bradley's hunting trip to bond with Grundy goes well for him on his end.

Click to shrink...

I suspect the reason it hasn't been put down is mostly due to it specifically being a flying type and nesting in Mt Silver.
Trying to find a single nest for a Mon whose standard variant 'can remain aloft without every having to rest' and 'flies high and away, instantly [if it senses danger]' who, if Grundy is any example, can probably instantly blitzkrieg and obliterate small squads..
Then tracking that thing around extremely hostile territory you need to be double League certified for just to enter?
Sounds about as fruitful as tracking down a bird in the Amazon for regular folk.

Factories don't usually have a huge per-unit-profit you know? Even for stuff like this.

Click to shrink...

True… if TMs work like how they're displayed in FRLG/PMD rather than in some other media.
FRLG shows them just as standalone devices that work autonomously. Nothing else required. Implying they build in a ton of tech into that little disc.

In some other media though, it's displayed as something that works through a machine while the Mon are in their balls. Or you need your own device to work it. In which case, it's literally just a laserdisc and silph co may as well be the music industry with how the only major cost is data storage.
They either pay a onetime upfront for the machines or the customers pay for the privilege to even use TMs.

A third option, a mixture of the two, would be that poke balls are built with the feature to read TMs by default, in which case the overall result is identical to the second but with slightly more ongoing cost during the pokeball manufacture process.

 

[iceknight90]

Hot damn. This story is great. Looking forward to Bradley's next misadventure with his assortment of Pokemon and their unusual habits and issues.

 

[NightmareWarden]

So is the corrective training for Nidoking going to focus around his new toy, the power orb? Because he knows it makes him stronger, as feral as his mind might be. Take it away? Give it to a more worthy teammate? Make it something to earn.


Alternatively, some advice from Petrel for Poison types could be the solution. They can be nasty, and bulbapedia lists him as a Poison specialist due to his lineup. Another option? Take the Pokémon to Charicific Valley to fight the one place that could have an alpha Charizard.

 

[Brotk]

Alternatively, some advice from Petrel

Click to shrink...

For all that the tone was "friendly", every single interaction with a rocket was transactional in nature so far. That doesn't strike me as an "ask for training advice" kind of relationship.

I'm getting more of a "ask no questions hear no lies" kind of vibe.

 

[Xcell]

At the moment he's just living his life. Doing what any old bloke might do if suddenly finding themselves on Poke Earth. Pursuing this Ground energy thing, traveling around, training up, abusing a bit of that meta knowledge.

He's not currently filled with any Grand Ambition. Aim to be the Champion? Bah, too much hassle. Paperwork alone would probably be a nightmare. Go search for Palkia or Hoopa or access to Ultra-space or whatever to try and find a way home? Seems like a longshot. Besides, he was isekai'd, didn't fall through a portal or anything. That path only leads to dead ends, uncertainties, and disappointment.

I prefer to write characters where ambition finds them, not the other way around.

Click to shrink...

I'm wondering when you will return to your one piece fanfic and while I'm massive Pokemon fan. I just can't seem to get into your Pokemon fanfic you've written mainly because the main premise feels like dozens of other Pokemon fanfics I've seen that suck the fun out of the Pokemon universe by trying to rationalize things too much. Which is kind of disappointing to me because it feels like you're following a popular Pokemon fanfic trend and judging from your one-piece fanfic I just kind of expected more from you. Because if you were just going to follow popular a trends while writing you're one piece fanfic you would have had your main character join up with Luffy and his crew by around chapter 10 or maybe sooner.

 

[TuskenGuy]

Great story, particularly love your interpretation of alpha Pokemon. I think you've shown a lot of restraint with your SI, which is rare to see in a Pokemon fic. Your main character feels powerful, but not all-knowing, which is what I think a lot of Pokemon SI fics get wrong. A lot of them feel like they're checking boxes off a list and going from win to win, but your character still has mysteries to solve.

I also don't agree with the poster above. There are very few "good" rational Pokemon fics and I think we can add this one to the list. I actually really dislike Pokemon fics that stick too close to the source material. They're an "in your face" reminder that Pokemon is a franchise meant to be a child's power fantasy. The lore/story will always be secondary to "fun" game mechanics that appeal to that audience, and the company doesn't really care if it makes sense. There are a lot of people that prefer Pokemon stories that try to rationalize these inconsistencies, because it's one of the few places in the fandom where we might encounter new ideas.

 

[LordVishnu]

Jovi shall be the new dark edgy protagonist searching to avenge her brothers murder with her trusty assistant Robo-groudon Chobin!

Click to shrink...

I have a note in my ideas section that says "Wes out of retirement?" which should cover us on the edge route. But I'll keep it in mind. Chobin might be a fun addition at some point.

I suspect the reason it hasn't been put down is mostly due to it specifically being a flying type and nesting in Mt Silver.
Trying to find a single nest for a Mon whose standard variant 'can remain aloft without every having to rest' and 'flies high and away, instantly [if it senses danger]' who, if Grundy is any example, can probably instantly blitzkrieg and obliterate small squads..
Then tracking that thing around extremely hostile territory you need to be double League certified for just to enter?
Sounds about as fruitful as tracking down a bird in the Amazon for regular folk.

Click to shrink...

All valid reasonings. Just about perfectly inline with what I was going for.

I'm wondering when you will return to your one piece fanfic and while I'm massive Pokemon fan. I just can't seem to get into your Pokemon fanfic you've written mainly because the main premise feels like dozens of other Pokemon fanfics I've seen that suck the fun out of the Pokemon universe by trying to rationalize things too much. Which is kind of disappointing to me because it feels like you're following a popular Pokemon fanfic trend and judging from your one-piece fanfic I just kind of expected more from you. Because if you were just going to follow popular a trends while writing you're one piece fanfic you would have had your main character join up with Luffy and his crew by around chapter 10 or maybe sooner.

Click to shrink...

Not sure what response this post was trying to get from me.

 

[Vanargandr]

I have a note in my ideas section that says "Wes out of retirement?" which should cover us on the edge route. But I'll keep it in mind. Chobin might be a fun addition at some point.

Click to shrink...

*Wes rampaging through Orre calling the French pieces of shit

Sycamore- Lysandre what the fuck is going on

Lysandre- Oh you know just the local savage uprising nothing we can't fix

And then Malva started the human ovens. Lugia might have a relapse and return to shadow. Fun things I am sure

 

[Chrisleech]

*Wes rampaging through Orre calling the French pieces of shit

Sycamore- Lysandre what the fuck is going on

Lysandre- Oh you know just the local savage uprising nothing we can't fix

And then Malva started the human ovens. Lugia might have a relapse and return to shadow. Fun things I am sure

Click to shrink...

Michael got taken out mid journey. Lugia is still shadow. No need for it to return to such a state.

 

[Hickity]

Oh dang that ending was dark, wonder if we'll head over to Orre at some point?

Hopefully he has a way to escape from the alpha if he was serious. It's unlikely but what if it's somehow an A rank alpha fearow or something, that'd be terrifying.

 

[Scarled]

I wonder what his reason to evolve Grundy very soon? Like he knows that Grundy is an Alpha that means he's already really strong so should be sufficient for his journey until maybe six or seven badge as Nidorino then maybe evolve him when he's more capable of control, not like this almost uncontrollable alpha.

 

[Thunder God]

I wonder what his reason to evolve Grundy very soon? Like he knows that Grundy is an Alpha that means he's already really strong so should be sufficient for his journey until maybe six or seven badge as Nidorino then maybe evolve him when he's more capable of control, not like this almost uncontrollable alpha.

Click to shrink...

I'm sure he missed in the "I'm going to have a super Nidoking" moment.

Still based on preconceived ideas of the games, A Pokémon you caught would never disobey you no matter how strong they become.

He learned that not everything is like in games.

 

[Melchiorgk]

I'm sure he missed in the "I'm going to have a super Nidoking" moment.

Still based on preconceived ideas of the games, A Pokémon you caught would never disobey you no matter how strong they become.

He learned that not everything is like in games.

Click to shrink...

Eh, not exactly. I have distinct memories of overlevelling back in Blue causing my own 'mons to disobey, including my starter. Might need to fire up my GBPocket and verify, though.

 

[Chrisleech]

Eh, not exactly. I have distinct memories of overlevelling back in Blue causing my own 'mons to disobey, including my starter. Might need to fire up my GBPocket and verify, though.

Click to shrink...

Quote from Bulbapedia

A Pokémon will often not obey the player's commands if its level is too high and the player does not have the appropriate Badge, Stamp, or number of Badges. Having all eight Badges or the Island Challenge Completion stamp always makes all Pokémon obey the player. This mechanic exists to prevent players from trading in a high-leveled Pokémon from another game and easily beating the game.

From Generations I to VII and in Pokémon Sword, Shield, Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, only outsider Pokémon (i.e. traded Pokémon) can disobey the player due to their level being too high. In Pokémon Legends: Arceus and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, this applies even to non-outsider Pokémon, but is based on the level the Pokémon was met at when caught (as displayed on the Summary screen) rather than its current level. This prevents a Pokémon from suddenly becoming disobedient once it exceeds a player's current obedience level, as long as it was caught at or below that level. In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, if a Pokémon was received in a trade, the level at which it was traded instead is treated as the met level for obedience purposes. Prior to version 1.2.0 of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, due to a bug, this would apply even if traded back to its Original Trainer.[1]​

In Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Emerald, Colosseum, and XD: Gale of Darkness, Mew and Deoxys that were not met in a fateful encounter will always disobey the player, regardless of Badges or being outsider Pokémon. This exists to hinder players who cheat to obtain them.

From Generation V onward, a disobedient Pokémon will rarely ever attack. It appears that the closer the Pokémon's level is to the Trainer's maximum level, the more likely it is to listen. For example, prior to defeating the first Gym Leader, a level 100 Pokémon will almost always ignore its Trainer; however, attempting to control a level 36 Pokémon while the highest level controllable is 30 will result in the Pokémon listening more often, but still occasionally loafing around.

In Generations III and IV, ignoring orders in a Double Battle will allow it to select a different target.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield & Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, obedience does not apply to a Max Raid Battle and Tera Raid Battle respectively. This is to prevent potential griefing due to the player taking advantage of the disobedience mechanic.[2]​[3]​

Click to shrink...

So it's only outsider pokemon, aka traded pokemon, who count for it in most games, and even for the ones that do count your own pokemon, it counts the level you caught it at instead of its current level.

 

[BoredCrow]

As much as grundy is awesome for being an absolute fucking unit it'd be nice if he was usable

 

[James Archer]

Well now. I have finished all chapters so far. Definitely eagerly awaiting the coming chapters.

Keep up the awesomeness and stay safe.

 

[LordVishnu]

Chapter 16

~A Tale of Two Trainers~
-A Children's Story, Part: 6

He forgot the taste of Aspear Berries, which he had oh so loved to eat.

And the names of Eric's parents, who they still went to visit every Sunday night.

The faces of those he knew in passing, common witnesses to Eric and Ashley's battles, were hard to distinguish and really all just looked the same.

It would be another night before it dawned on him that something seemed missing. That incredible move he'd invented, the one that would surely see him be crowned 'the best', was suddenly out of his grasp.

So many years and moments, so many memories….were mostly just a vague feeling now.

He thought about waking Eric to talk about it.

But that concern too, simply slipped,

Out of his head.

---

Route 43, Between Lake of Rage and Mahogany

"Yeah, I mean no, it would've been cool to win but I'm not upset about it or anything." A wild Flaaffy pokes its head out of the grass as I walk by and I wave to it with a little smile. "No. I don't think so." I continue, pressing the phone into my ear. "It might be better this way. Less people bothering me since I was only the runner-up. More to the point, what's going on on your end? Still drowning in work?"

Lori sighs tiredly from the other end. "Some imbecile collapsed a portion of Rock Tunnel right outside Lavender Town Wednesday night. Lord only knows what divine inspiration bade them to have a Golem use Self-Destruct while in a confined space. The League's clearing rubble as best we can but the path is going to be down for a few weeks at the least."

I frown minutely into the phone. "Any deaths?"

A dry huff comes from the other side. "You mean besides the once-in-a-lifetime genius who caused the situation?" she asks blankly. "Thankfully no, which is a small miracle in and of itself. That isn't to say a few weren't trapped though." I can hear the squeak of a desk chair leaning backward. "God. Why did I ever want this job…"

I mentally picture her hands running down her face. A slight slumping in exhaustion as she vents and I offer a grin of commiseration in support. Not that she can actually see it. "Is Lance not taking charge of the situation?"

Lorelei audibly groans. "Champion Lance puts on a good public face. He handles the media, says all the right things to the press, but he doesn't actually do anything about problems like this. He leaves all that delegation type work to us. Getting emergency services out there, organizing rescue operations, informing the families of those who are still trapped-"

"What about the other Elite Four?" I interject. "I can't imagine Bruno's much help for organizing stuff, but the other two carry their weight yeah?"

"Koga does," she responds. "When you can actually find him. He's always disappearing…somewhere. And while Agatha's more than capable, she's completely apathetic for anything that doesn't involve the security of the region as a whole. Though honestly that suits me fine these days. Let her handle the negotiations with Elite Siebold and that cunt Malva. This thing with Kalos makes me want to tear my hair out."

I'm not quite sure where the tipping point was exactly. Conversation with Lori was still very much stilted when I called her up after defeating Whitney. Very formal uptight office-lady type of vibes. That got lessened a little bit after the fourth Gym Badge. Lessened a little bit more when I briefly called to let her know I was back in Mahogany and was participating in a tournament.

But this is the first time since I reestablished contact that she's metaphorically let her hair down. Done away with all that stuffy formality and begun talking like the Lorelei of Bradley's memories. That snarky lively redhead that's hidden beneath the cold veneer.

Goddamn am I looking forward to that dinner after the Conference.

"Well if you're tired of being the one who keeps getting stuck handling the admin, why not make a bid for the Championship yourself?" I playfully tease. "Ice beats Dragon doesn't it? More importantly it beats Flying, which is what Lance's team actually is."

"Oh sure. I'll just shoot off a few Ice Beams, go 6-0, and then prop my feet up on the big desk. Easy-peasy." she responds, her tone drenched in sarcasm.

"See! Now you're getting it!" I smile into the phone. "You could even get a Mamoswine first to catch him off guard. Did your grandpappy tell you? Surprise! The secret was Ancient Power the whole time."

"What?!" There's sounds of a chair flying back as someone jumps to their feet. "No he didn't tell me! Evolving from a specific move?! Bradley, do you even understand how rare that is?"

I do actually. Across all generations and all regions there's only 15 Pokémon who do it.

Though Poipole is an Ultra Beast from another dimension, so he probably shouldn't be counted in the list.

Nor should Eevee since really it's any Fairy-type move that leads to Sylveon and not one in specific.

Aaaaand I'm pretty sure Hisuian Qwilfish went extinct centuries ago so that's out too.

'So that leaves an even dozen huh? Actually, it even goes down to ten if we discount Mime Jr. and Bonsly as well. I don't think people really realize it's the move Mimic that lets them reach their adult forms. Their habit of imitating their parents or those around them is seen as natural behavior for any young child. Once they reach a certain mimicking proficiency, they simply evolve. It's viewed as a life cycle type of thing.'

"I know right?" I grin knowingly at her question. "Next time we meet in person, remind me to tell you how I figured it out. In the meantime, I'm considering making a big post about the evolution on the Net. Maybe see if some other trainers can explore with the Ancient Power move. Who knows what else it can evolve?"

'Well 'technically' I do. Tangela and Yanma. But truth bombing that knowledge online myself might raise too many flags. Let some other people get their fifteen minutes of fame. I ain't got time for that.' Besides, while it may be an uphill battle to fight against one, Tangrowth's always been a favorite. I'd like to see them around at some point. And though I've never personally used one, Yanmega's design is sick. 'Plus the first-stage dragonfly rather needs the help if we're being honest. As is, its Base Stats don't even reach 400.'

If those two can find their way into the Pokédex then all that should leave undiscovered for Indigo is Lickitung evolving into Lickilicky with Rollout, the Girafarig/Stantler duo that I believe I've mentioned in the past, oddly enough not Aipom/Ambipom -someone seems to have cracked the code on that one long before I got here-, and then the eternally disappointing…Dunsparce evolving into Dudunsparce via Hyper Drill.

'Big F in the chat when I saw that one revealed. RIP to Dunseraph, the coolest Fakemon out there.'

Besides our lord and savior Regitube of course.

"Anyways Lori, I've been meaning to ask-" A stirring along my psyche pauses me in my words. A distant feeling of grogginess paired with an incredibly subtle vibration from the Moon Ball at my hip.

Grundy's awake again.

"Actually…" My voice trails slightly. " I'm gonna have to call you back Lori." I spoke instead. "My problem child's finally up."

There's a mild protest from the other side and I'll probably lose points with her for hanging up halfway through a sentence, but I just don't have the time. This needs to be addressed now. While Grundy's still in those first few moments of waking. It's my best opportunity to make the lesson stick.

The white mountain of light coalesces into a Nidoking that's seemingly just gotten out of bed. One hand rubs at his face -as he's no doubt still sore- and with half open eyes he glances around at the route we're on in mild confusion.

"You lost."

The first words out of my mouth are filled with as much steel as I can put in them. A fact that seems to rouse the Alpha Pokémon from his half-awake state into focusing entirely on me.

When the words themselves -not just the tone- finally register I can see his expression begin to morph. The bafflement. The knee-jerk denial. The doubt that such a thing could be possible. And yet it must be. Because from his perspective, he was just in the ring not a half minute ago.

"And you know why right?" I continue now that I have his attention. "Because you didn't listen."

"King!" The living dinosaur snaps in objection, bending down low to put his face directly into mine. Close enough to where I can feel the heat of his breath. The exhale of his nostrils. "Nid! Nidoking! Nid!"

It's a staredown. One where if I relent even a little I'll lose so much more than just this one argument. "Yes, you did use every move I said." I addressed his point, even as my pupils never leave his own. "Even the Roar I know you hated. Every attack order you followed. You get that much credit at least." I admitted. "But then you decided to go off on your own plan didn't you? Did that unordered Hyper Beam feel good? To charge it up knowing you were going to obliterate whatever 'mon they dared to have challenge you next?"

There's a low growl in his throat. A warning not to 'push it'.

But I have to push it. That's the whole point.

"Big king of the mountain. Gonna put the opponent in their place. And now your first real debut is forever stained." My words are mocking, but their delivered tone is anything but. "As much as people will remember your strength, they will remember more how you were beaten. How one Wobbuffet and a Mirror Coat was all it took for the great Nidoking to fall."

"Nid! Nido Nid! King Nidoking Nid!"

"A rematch?" I almost upturn a smile. "We can't. They're gone, Grundy. Everyones dispersed. Tournament's over. Next time we're likely to see them is in six months. And that's assuming I even send you out. Given what you did this time, I'm not so sure I should."

"Nidoking! King Ni King?"

"You're goddamn right I could have you miss it." I push my face into his while one hand grabs at his chin. "What's the point of our partnership if you don't listen? What's the point of trying to show your strength to the world if all you do with it is get angry at the first setback and then stomp around like an animal? Like an oversized simple brained beast? Is that what you want people to view you as? You're a King aren't you? It's in your fucking name isn't it!" I roared at the 'mon, toeing the very line of our relationship.

Grundy's eyes narrow dangerously. "King…Nido Ni." he responds lowly. Like the deep rumbling of a dragon.

"Then show me you can act like it." My voice eases off the harshness as I let go of his chin. "You're my Ace for a reason. We're partners for a reason. We can both make it to the top...but we can't get there without the other."

The Alpha 'mon stares into me as I seemingly reach a stopping point. His breath is still close enough for me to feel. Hot clouds exhaling from his nostrils. One claw reaches up slowly -incredibly slowly-, and without ever breaking eye contact, not even so much as to blink…he taps the Moon Ball at my belt and returns himself.

Along the connection of our Bond, I can feel him mostly close off his own end. Shrinking it down to a little pin-point. The aura equivalent of someone hanging up a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on their bedroom door.

I release a long breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding. 'Well I'm not quite sure how to take that.' One hand rests atop the blue and yellow Ball almost subconsciously. 'Though I think it could have gone way worse.'

---

Mahogany Town, underneath the "Souvenir Shop"

The expansion project was in full swing now. Four days into the work and I can already say with certainty we're going to be stuck here at least another nine or ten. Might be able to cut that down some if I had more than two of my Pokémon working on it at a time, but I refuse to give up the few hours I've allotted for team training every day. We've created a workable rotation that, while it does leave us tired, is at least sustainable in the short term. We can survive this schedule for two weeks.

As a bonus, Petrel's assigned two Rocket Grunts under me to help with the manpower of this project so there's that as well. The one with the clumsy Rhyhorn and overly excitable Slugma isn't very useful, though each 'mon does fulfill a certain niche at my dig site. His partner in crime however, a younger Grunt who somehow possesses a Tyrogue of all things, is rather helpful though. The unevolved Fighting-type seems to have made it a competition in its mind to match Golett pound for pound in how much stone gets hauled away.

Though to be honest I'm not sure Simon even noticed.

He just seems happy to have made a new friend.

Vlad's on a break right now. Or at least a break from one job. His other is to start putting Junior through the paces. Converting all that 'zoomies' energy the baby piglet has into some productive work. There's not a ton of room to run through exercises down here, but thankfully not a ton is needed. A baby Pokémon practicing Powder Snow and Mud-Slap in the corner isn't going to hurt much.

The other one currently on break, set to relieve K.Rool in about 20 minutes, is Ma Ma. She's currently sitting on her haunches trying to run Fairy-energy through her claws to improve on her rather middling performance with Play Rough from back in the Semi-finals. I'm not sure she's made a ton of progress so far but…small steps, y'know?

I'm sure she'd rather be working on Earthquake, she's better with Ground-energy than Fairy, but that'll have to wait until we're out of here for the day and doing some real training in the evening.

"Krok!" A sharp curse has me looking leftward where an irritated K.Rool is rubbing at his jawline in mild discomfort. Considering this is about the seventh time it's happened in the last three days, I know it already to mean he's just cycled his energy in a way that caused him some pain.

"Hey!" I shout, getting him to jolt as he knows he's been caught. "You know the rules K.Rool. When we're working, we're working. You can train moves in half an hour. Focus up."

The Dark-type grumbles a little at the reprimand, gentle as it was, and moves back into digging at the earth, choosing instead to massage his jaw by 'chewing' at nothing a few times. Once I know he's not looking though I do allow a little smile to creep at my lips.

'The gaps between when he accidentally clips himself are getting longer. He's definitely figuring 'something' out. The cheeky little bugger.'

I'd outlined it pretty clear to him. Not in a mean way, I just didn't want him to get his hopes up high and then be disappointed if it doesn't work out. Both Fire Fang and Thunder Fang were Egg Moves for his species. So unless he's somehow got a Hippowdon or something in his family line, 'which I don't thiiiiink is true, but I guess who knows right?' then he shouldn't be able to learn them. The rules say it won't work.

You know what my boy then said to me after that?

He pointed to Simon and made a motion for 'Ice Hammer.' Followed by pointing to Vlad who'd been in the corner at the time working on 'Power Whip'.

Both moves that they "shouldn't" be able to learn and yet they did/were doing it anyway. Because they didn't care about any so called "rules".

He had Vlad demonstrate for him each of the Elemental Fangs, even the ones beyond Fire and Thunder, and then he was off to the races as they say.

I won't let him see it yet but…the truth is I've never been more proud.

Turning my head back to the rest of my workers I see Simon and Tyrogue standing before a massive boulder they've unearthed, an edifice that's separate from the rest of the rock wall. The ditzy Rhyhorn meanders up, crooning a question if they'd like him to smash into it but the Tyrogue waves him off with a determined look on his face.

A tiny grin sneaks up on me as the baby grappler Pokémon slides one foot back and adopts some sort of power stance. One that wouldn't be out of place in a kung-fu or martial arts anime. Aww, he's even doing that thing where he holds his non-striking hand in front of him, presenting his flat palm to his opponent, the 'great rock'.

"Ty-!" White and orange energy begins to build in the little guy's fist and I crack a smile. I'd say it's 'Rock Smash', there's definitely a joke or two there, but to be honest I think the move he's actually charging up is 'Mach Punch'. He's just holding it in for a moment to give it a little more 'oomph'. "-rogue!"

The baby Pokémon thrusts his punch forward and my eyebrows raise as a spiderweb of cracks zigzag all around the stone's front. Not enough to break the thing, it's many many times larger than he is -all of two feet tall and 45 pounds- but still that's pretty dang good for 'mon who's not even Lv. 20 yet. A very nice showing from the little guy!

Simon meanwhile looks at his new buddy, at the move he just used, and seems to puzzle over something in his head.

He gently shoos a huffing Tyrogue back a few steps and takes up the same battle pose his new buddy did. Or rather…he attempts to. Now, I adore my boy Simon as much as any parent, I really do, but the lad looks ridiculous. The knobby legs, the blocky arms, Golett as a species was not meant for anime fight poses. They just aren't limber enough for it.

"Gol-!" he starts his name just as Tyrogue did and his fist erupts with Fighting-energy. A dozen contained explosions all trying to burst free at once from within his hand and my eyes shoot open at the Dynamic Punch I swear he's never even seen before. "-lett!"

The rock is not broken. The word 'broken' implies something is fixable. That there is something 'left' to fix. There is only pebbles, dust, and a Tyrogue's jaw hitting the floor.

Vlad angrily swoops in at Simon, viciously berating him for using such a volatile move at a worksite. Especially a worksite where we're purposely moving slowly so as to not cause accidents. And honestly, all of Gligar's points are correct. Simon should not have done that.

But I just can't stop laughing.

'Hahahahahaha,' A hand runs over my face. 'He figured out Dynamic Punch without even being told it exists in the first place.'

Fuckin' prodigies man, I swear to god.

---

Eleven Days Later, Same Location

Ma Ma sniffs at the sixth container and then shakes her head with a frown before moving on to the next. Number seven out of eighteen.

I meanwhile am still arms deep in number three, trying to at least maintain the facade that I care about -and am exceedingly pleased by- the worthless chalky dirt within.

'How?' I asked myself. 'How does he know?'

Did he hear something? Am I being spied on? Are Psychics involved? Did Rocket discover an Ursaluna overseas? Maybe just a reference to one? A fucking piece of cave art? What was it?

I've as many theories as my paranoid mind can conjure up but no direction to say which one had the odds of being most likely.

At my first request for soil samples all those moons ago, I sold some cock and bull story about 'Geology and Pedology being hobbies I sometimes dabbled in.' Honestly I think I did a pretty good job of it. Admin Petrel listened and then accepted my reasons for wanting foreign soil with all the feigned politeness and fake interest of a person conducting a business deal. In the whole talk, I hadn't even mentioned my team once.

A job was discussed, hands were shook, and only a few weeks later I was the proud owner of a few worthless pounds of dirt from Sinnoh. Some sandy, some silty, a little bit loamy, none of it useful for my purposes in trying to evolve Ma Ma.

Though I did let her sniff at the loam one just to be sure.

There should have been no clues to my intentions. No hints. I'd been careful goddamnit!

And yet somehow…somehow Petrel knows something. He's become privy to some piece of the puzzle.

It's not a few pounds of dirt this time, it's hundreds. Eighteen of those large plastic tubs one would use when moving house. All presented under the excuse that the job I completed was 'bigger' this time around and thus deserving of 'more'. He says I'm free to riffle through and take as much with me as I would like to.

If it was only that which was different this time, then I'd welcome it. In fact, I might even allow my hopes up and get ecstatic about it.

My worry comes in at that the variety this time has been sharply reduced. There's no silty or sandy specimens. Nothing like them. No, most everything here is dark, rich, and wet. Much much closer to the conditions I'm actually looking for in regards to Peat.

Could that be a coincidence? Possible. Though I doubt it. Especially when combined with the most damning fact of them all.

When I was escorted to this room and presented these tubs for my perusal, for me to 'inspect' and 'collect' whatever I'd like, Petrel openly invited me to release my Ursaring to have a better look.

So they -Team Rocket that is- could have a 'better understanding' of how to continue fostering our 'mutually beneficial' working relationship. Just to make sure they 'properly paid' for the services I have often provided.

All his words, not mine.

And so I ask myself again. How did he make the connection? What is it exactly that Team Rocket's learned?

An excited -and most unsubtle- Ma Ma nearly crashes into me to show off what she's found in tub #11. Her paw unfurls to reveal a grey shard of not-quite-stone, not-quite-dirt that's roughly half the size of a human finger. Far too little material to actually work with, but if it's got her instincts all up in a tizzy…

"Find something you like Ma Ma?" I asked with the best innocence I could. Still playing the part of the dirt hobbyist. I pick up the tiny chunk of material and run my fingers over it, getting a feel of its texture. "Huh. That is something unusual. I wonder what it's made of?" I inject some real curiosity in my voice, even going so far as to tilt my head before handing it back to her. "Put it to the side and see if you can find any more."

I'm pretty sure the jig is up but I'm trying here man!

You try acting dumb when a Rocket Admin is standing there watching you!

"You know Bradley," The man in question begins politely from the corner, that same fond yet ominous tone he always uses. "If there's any pieces in particular that are of interest to you, all you'd need do is speak up. It's never trouble for our contacts to go and get more." He approaches and gently places one gloved hand on my shoulder.

"We're always happy to accommodate our friends."

---

Training results: Two Week Timeskip

Junior (Swinub): Lv. 8 -> Lv. 13
-Learned Mud-Slap
-Learned Powder Snow.
-Learned TM Dig

K.Rool (Krokorok): Lv. 32 ->Lv. 34
-Made Progress on Thunder Fang
-Made Progress on Fire Fang

Simon (Golett): Lv. 34 -> Lv.36
-Learned Dynamic Punch

Vlad (Gligar): Lv. 53 -> Lv.54
-Learned TM Sunny Day
-Made Progress on Power Whip

Ma Ma (Ursaring): Lv. 58 -> (No Change)
-Learned TM Trailblaze
-Made Progress on Earthquake
-Made Progress on Play Rough

Grundy (Nidoking): Lv. 70 -> (No Change)
-No Move Changes

Quagsire: Lv. ?? -> (No Change)
-He sleeps, yet he does not dream.

 

[iceknight90]

Man every Quagsire bit leaves me with a creeping sense of dread. Great work on that.

 

[mhohand]

Well there is always the ever present risk with Team Rocket that they might want more and may get forceful in the future

 

[FTR2017]

Wow, I do hope that King and SI!Bradley's relation improves from this point onward, 'cause King will need to learn how to lose ... gracefully.

Like a King.

Quagsire's tale keeps on tugging at my heart with every reveal, K.Rool remains his self-improving self--and what a great perspective to have, that there are no rules in learning moves except that of practice--and Ma-Ma being incredibly proactive in pursuing that particular evolutionary item were some of the highlights of this chapter.

The crown though? Simon. Just ... imagining his adorkable self learning a move and applying it with gust in one go was a mental image that left me smiling by the end of the chapter.

 

[Moran]

This update washes away the disappointment of Ghastly Adventures lack of update this week. Thank you for that.

 

[vongoladex]

Quagsire lv100 for sure

 

[BoredCrow]

No matter how good the story is the quagmire bits really make me keep coming back and back

 

[Artful Lounger]

Wow, I do hope that King and SI!Bradley's relation improves from this point onward, 'cause King will need to learn how to lose ... gracefully.

Like a King.

Click to shrink...

Lose gracefully like a King? Kind of an oxymoron there. Kings do not lose, that's why they are Kings. Historically, a King that loses in war would then be ruthlessly taken advantage of for as much as possible, if not killed outright. And any loss at all would come after said King did his utmost to prevent it. You're thinking of modern day Kings where they, usually, serve no purpose except to be a living relic of a bygone age. Look to the modern day royalty that still holds actual power and see how well they take a loss of face and how far they go to prevent it.

TLDR, Royalty are historically very bad losers.

 

[Dust shaker]

I release a long breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding. 'Well I'm not quite sure how to take that.' One hand rests atop the blue and yellow Ball almost subconsciously. 'Though I think it could have gone way worse.'

Click to shrink...

I'd say you handled that talk well.


Also, I'm mostly skipping the backstory for the quagsire

 

[oscar e Sampedro Lopez]

Thank for the chapter. Great story

 

[Cursix]

Gee I sure do wonder why a criminal organisation led by a ground trainer may be interested and somewhat aware of ground type variants, especially when the ground type specialist he's hoping to ape has one single normal type on his team inexplicably.