"
Gotcha!" Tried cried out as he brandished a closed fist in front of him over the success of the capture. Looking back down to his Pokemon, he was happy to see the intervention had been enough to nullify the leech seed roots which had sprung forth. Wilting and fading into debris, Metyrant was able to free himself. "
There you go mate. Team work. You can be strong like a Machamp, or clever like an Alakazam but if you ain't got the right team mates backin' you up, that's when things fall apart." The two of them in perfect sync as they raised their arms to bump across one another, Joey grinned proudly. Since receiving Metyrant from Steven Stone, the Pokemon had always been quite arrogant and prideful. There was no doubt it fancied itself elite and above the rest but if it was starting to adopt these sort of practices, there was hope for the future. "
C'mon, let's say we finish off the last leg of this journey?"
The two moving over to where the Greatball lay, Joe pocketed it away. Another for the collection. As they pressed on, their path took them to the foot of Mt. Mortar itself. Having wanted to avoid it, Joey realised they had no choice. "
Huh, looks like the entrance to Mt.Mortar is right over there." Moving over to examine it, the duo peered into the dark of the cave. After a few moments, Joey brushed aside the thought of entering it. "
Hah, as if i'm gonna go explorin'. Maybe later. Gotta get to Mahogany first." Shrugging, he kept his hands in his pockets and began to walk on, Metyrant leading the way. Mahogany was so close it seemed almost too good to be true. "
That had been a long route. Next time i'm gonna roar across it on my bike... Huh? That's weird." Stopping, he flicked around his tongue in his mouth. It was almost as if he had got sand in his mouth. Spitting out the excess sand, Joey stopped walking to take stock of his surroundings. They were passing by a cavernous mountain but for there to be sand kicking up? That wasn't right.
As he looked around, the sand began to pick up even further, getting to the point where it was easily classified as a sandstorm. "
Oh great! Nobody said anythin' about sandstorms...! Tch." Shaking his head, he remained still as part of him seemed to get the feeling they were being watched. "
Hey Metyrant... Hold up. Something ain't quite right." Never once doubting his intuitions, Joey was now on the defensive. This sandstorm was unnatural and that could only mean one thing. Someone or something had put this into play. Their visibility getting dire as the intensity of the sand raged on, Joey had to pull off his bandanna and place it over his face. Preventing sand particles from breaching his nose and mouth, he was still struggling against being able to see. Narrowing his glare, he couldn't help but pick up on something faint drawing closer. "
Metyrant... Somethin's comin'!" Warned Joey as he assumed a defensive stance. Mere moments later, a creature launched itself from out of the sandstorm.
"
KNEW IT!" Exclaimed Joey, he was about to take evasive actions when a familiar blue Pokemon positioned itself in front of Joey. Having heeded the warning, Metyrant had manoeuvred itself around to take on the assailant. "
Watch out, ain't got a clue what the hell that is!" Remarked Joey as he hopped back a few paces to gain some safety. Clashing with the Metang's arms, the creature seemed to be hitting at quite a furious rate. With how thick the sandstorm was, it was far too tough to make out exactly what it was. "
Grr... This is bad." Murmured Joey as he tried to work out a way to combat this environment. Barely keeping up with the attacks, Metyrant was about to try and muster some inner calm and unleash a Zen Headbutt when a ferocious strike from the unknown made contact. Bulleting out of the ground, it sent Metyrant flying backwards, crashing into the cavernous exterior of Mt. Mortant. "
WHAT?!" Yelled Joey as he realised his Pokemon was out of commission.
"
METYRANT!!" Unable to run over to his Pokemon, he looked back to the threatening menace looming in the sandstorm. "
That's it. I'm not screwin' around. You want a proper beat down?!" Ripping two of his Pokeballs from his belt holster, he held them in his hands as he flung them forward, his arms intersecting as he did so. "
CHUGGA! VOLTEK! Take 'em out!" Appearing in their usual flash, it was testament to the intensity of the sandstorm that it barely did much to break through the raging sands. "
Sludge Bomb, Wild Charge combo!" Realising they were up against a significant threat if they had both been sent out at once, the two Pokemon wasted no time in powering up the moves. Setting himself up in electrical sparks, the Electivire went charging valiantly forth. Striking with a hit at the Pokemon and transferring the full current of voltage flowing through his body, Voltek was confident it would be enough to at least stagger the Pokemon. Leering through the sand, the Pokemon let out a cry of shock as it seemed like the attack had no impact whatsoever. "
IMPOSSIBLE?!" "
Brah, lemme at it, bomb's a ready." "
BOOM!" Grabbing the creature, Voltek slung him up into the air at which point Chugga fired his poisonous bomb. His aim was steady however the Pokemon was too fast.
Having been flung upwards, the mystery attack dove back down into the ground and disappeared. "
B-Brah... Where'd it go!?" "
GONE!" Nervously looking around through the sand, Voltek called back to Chugga. "
It's vanis...ARGH!" Striking out from the ground, the Electivire was knocked out cold by the sheer force of the surprise attack. "
VOLTEK! BRAH! That does it, you punk-NGRRGH!" "
GUH!" Having floated over to perform a Pain Split, the Weezing was met with a similar fate to his partner. Except this time, a dragon like presence composed of a mysterious aura seemed to engulf the Weezing. "
Just what the hell is going on?! Argh, no holdin' back." Ripping out the three remaining Pokeballs from his belt, he sent out his last remaining reserves. "
Hood, Cali, Slash! We gotta do this!" Appearing in a triangular formation, Hoodlum and Slash dashed off on ahead to try and take on the attacker. "
Feh, quit jobbin' around you guys. C'mon Hoodlum, we'll sort it." Calistra was about too as well but Joey grabbed her arm. "
WAIT! CALI! I need you to plunge us all into an illusion... Stop this damn sandstorm!" Closing her eyes, she let out a muffled cry as her illusion failed to work. "
You simpleton... How can you expect me to conjure my illusions when i'm constantly being battered by these sands?! I'll simply end this myself!" Letting go of her, the Zoroark pounced forwards.
So far into the raging sandstorm, Joey couldn't see anything at all. "
Guys! If you all do a unified attack... If you... GUYS?!" The storm howling out Joey's words, he punched his fists together. "
For the love of... Bein' helpless like this is ridiculous!" Deciding to get closer to the fray, it was the only option he had remaining. His arms raised in front of his eyes, he slowly crept forward but was taken aback when all three of the Pokemon he sent in where sent flying backwards and slumped to the ground in defeat. "
Oh shi... Son..." Coughed Hoodlum before passing out. "
ARE YOU SHITTIN' ME?!" He yelled. Just when things looked as if they couldn't get any worse, a pivotal swing in the fight was about to happen in Joey's favour. Exploding off with a blinding surge of light off near the exterior of Mt. Mortar's exterior, Joey turned around only to be blinded by it. "
Those bright lights... EVOLUTION?!" Having trained numerous Pokemon in his time as a trainer, he was all too aware of the light show. Pulsating fiercer and fiercer, it wasn't long before the brightness culminated in an explosion. It was difficult to see but as the light faded a loud, robotic voice boomed out.
"OBJECTIVE PARAMETERS: SAVE FRIENDS."
A pair of red eyes seared through the intense sands. If Joey wasn't mistaken they belonged to none other than Metyrant. "
But who the hell's voice was that?!" Left with too many questions, things would start to get answered. Whatever had been causing the sandstorms appeared to have a lapse in their control and the storm itself seemed to die down, blessing the route with visibility once more. Staring off into the direction of the bright red eyes, Joey was gob smacked to see his Pokemon standing there. Except, new and improved. Locking eyes with Joey, the Pokemon raised its arm affectionately.
"
SUBDUING TARGET."
Happy to be able to see again and that his Pokemon was alright, Joey had momentarily forgotten about the perils of the assailant still being present. Watching as his new Pokemon folded its arms upwards and levitated into the air, it took a quick fire aim before shooting its fist forward. Intercepting the instigator behind the attack, Metyrant was merciless in how swiftly his bullet punch connected. Knocking the Pokemon backwards, it followed up with a powerful headbutt to the creature. Everything moving so fast, Joey was unable to keep up with the blur. "
Jeeeez!" He mumbled, standing away from the fight itself. Seeing an opening as it had done before against Joey's Pokemon, the mystery Pokemon dived into the ground, ready to assault upwards with a Dig. Metyrant however was not having any of it. Striking all four of its arms down into the ground in an alternating order, it triggered an earthquake, sending the digging creature back up into the air, interrupted. Continuing on with the retaliation, Metyrant lurched an big arm forward as it clutched onto the attacker before it could dive into the ground again. Lifting it up in the air, he came crashing down in a meteor like fashion as he jammed the Pokemon into the ground creating a small crater. Not stopping there, the creature seemed resilient still, writhing about, ready to counter. Realising it had no choice, Metyrant recoiled its arm back up before delivering up further meteor like strikes. After the fifth hit, it seemed the monster had been knocked out.
Blinking, Joey was speechless from the whole affair. "
W-What... In the hell just happened?!" Happy Metyrant had things under control, he looked around to see all his other Pokemon were knocked out cold. The only exception was Calistra who had roused from unconsciousness and slipped into human illusion. "
That... That is no ordinary Pokemon..." Muttered Calistra as she came over. "
No kiddin'! What even is it? I was so blinded the whole time, I had no idea what we were up against. Don't think Volt was when his attack failed to connect." About to move over, it seemed as if Metyrant had decided to reconvene with the group. Still clutching onto the Pokemon with one arm, it popped the diminutive creature down on the ground before them. "
It's... So... TINY?! We got our arses handed to us by this?! Nobody here lets a word of this get out to the gang, ok?" Examining its podgy outline, Joey made note of the shark like features to it and drew a total blank. "
Nope, never seen a Pokemon like it. Any ideas?" Shaking her head, Calistra was clueless as well. "
Don't ask me, idiot. I only knew of my tribe's lands and the confines of that horrid cell for the better part of my life." Lost on what it was, they were filled in on what it was by a sudden robotic voice. "
SPECIES IDENTIFICATION: GIBLE. THE LAND SHARK POKÉMON. DRAGON/GROUND. IT NESTS IN CAVE WALLS WARMED BY GEOTHERMAL HEAT. FOES WHO GET TOO CLOSE CAN EXPECT TO BE POUNCED ON AND BITTEN." Jumping a little out of his skin, Joey let out a nervous laugh as he calmed himself. "
Wooah! Oh... Man. That'll take some getting used to. Thanks for the tip Metyrant." Kneeling down and looking at the fainted Gible, Joey poked it with his finger.
"
A Gible, eh? Guessing it being boasting an affinity to Ground was what made it immune to Voltek but that Dragon tying... And that must explain how it's such a little powerhouse. Who would've thought such a small creature was so powerful? Just breakin' the rules of nature like that." Reaching into his belt bag, he rummaged around before grasping an item. "
Hold on, got some medicine here. This'll bring the little chap round." Administering it to the Gible, Joey watched carefully. He wanted to the Pokemon to know they meant no harm but if it was going to carry on being aggressive, it might be a job for his Metagross. Its eyes slowly blinking open, the Pokemon looked around in a dazed. It had received quite a pummelling from Metyrant so it was perhaps a little out of sorts.
"
Hey there fella." Greeted Joey as he raised a hand to give a single wave. Quickly realising these were the people it had attacked, the Pokemon jumped up, waddling its body around and raising its arms up as it growled talkatively. "
Heh, that's better. You gonna lay off beatin' us up? Man, it's talkative. Wish I could understand it." Looking over to Calistra, Joey pulled a face that could only be described as creeping for something. "
...Urgh... Fine. I will admit, i'm intrigued myself as to what is the story behind this Gible."
Stepping forth, Calistra opened her mouth and spoke in a tongue matching that of the Gible. Using her power of illusion to transform her words into something the Pokemon could understand, it did the same for its words as well, allowing some discourse. "
Little one, explain yourself. Why did you attack us so?" Going googly wide eyed, the Gible flew backwards in shock that at what he thought was a human could speak its lingo. "
BAHHHH! UNDERSTAND?!" Fidgeting, the Pokemon responded to her question. "
GET STRONG! CLAN TAKE ME BACK!" Raising a curious eyebrow, Calistra wasn't quite sure she understood. "
What? You... Were... Exiled? Is that it?" Nodding its head vigoriously, the Gible spoke again once more in broken speech. It was potentially quite young. "
CLAN CALL ME WEAK. NO ALLOW WEAKLING IN CLAN. SO ME FIGHT TO GET STRONG." Her eyes looking at the Gible in shock, Calistra couldn't quite believe what she was hearing. "
I-Is that so...?" Leaning forward as he understood they had exchanged quite some conversation, Joey tried to get an understanding himself. "
So? What's the deal?" Pausing, Calistra collected herself before looking to Joey. "
It would seem this Gible was exiled from its kind. I'm assuming from what Metyrant said they are cave dwellers who must reside in this... Mt.Mortar." Thinking it over with a thoughtful expression on his face, Joey nodded his head. "
Got ya. But err... Exiled? What for? You seemed pretty taken aback when you were talkin'." "
Yes... This Gible was exiled for being the runt. It's too weak to stand with its species." His jaw instantly dropping and leaving an indent in the ground, Joey couldn't quite get his head round this.
"
COME AGAIN?! YOU BLINKIN' WHAT?!" Looking back to the Gible, it almost seemed like Calistra was playing a joke on him. Staring at her intently but her failing to break into a laugh, he realised she was telling the truth. "
Sheesh!" A little bit at a loss on what to do, Joey fell backwards and sat on his rear. Shaking his head in utter disbelief, it wasn't long before a new idea entered his head. "
Say... Gible... Nah, we need a cooler name than that. How about Typhon?" Blinking, the Gible seemed to like this dubbing. "
TYPHON! TYPHON! TYPHON!" Wriggling about as it danced from side to side, Joey didn't need a translator to see he liked it. "
Hahaha, Typhon it is then. Cali here told me all about you. You get called WEAK? You get KICKED OUT?" Putting heavy emphasis on these words, Joey thumped his chest and grinned his trademark smile. "
Join us and we'll make you STRONG!" Hoping the invite would do, Joey was keen to get such a powerhouse on side. If this land shark was considered weak, he'd love to see what would happen when it became strong. Blinking its eyes again as it went all googly wide eyed, Typon consider it before letting out a accepting growl. "
TYPHON JOIN MAN!" Launching itself upwards, Calistra and Metyrant were both shocked as the Pokemon bit the top of Joey's head with its mouth. "
AHHHHHHHH!" Yelled Joey. Expecting his head to be ripped to shreds, he slowly calmed down as he realised the Gible was affectionately nibbling him.
"
Oh... Err... Guess that's a yes?" Wriggling about, the portly Pokemon landed back onto the floor and seemed happy with the proposal. It was then that another shock occurred. Clunking forwards, Metytant raised one of his lofty arms forward and aimed it not at Joey but at Typhon. "
FRIEND REQUEST: SENT."
Looking up to the big metal Pokemon, Typhon seemed to be unsure of what the Metagross had said but it hopped upwards and dabbed one of its tiny little claws against the arm. "
TYPHON MAKE FRIEND! LOTS OF FRIENDS!" Laughing, Joey was pleased to see despite the thrashing it had given them, they were now all allies. "
Forget about those chumps back in the caves. They don't know what they're missing." Taking out a Pokeball from his pocket, he aimed it at the Gible, absorbing the Pokemon in and welcoming to the team. "
You rest up there. Best recall everyone else too." Returning the rest of his fainted Pokemon, he turned to Calistra and thanked her. "
Cheers for your help. You're handy to have around you know. Decipherin' like that." Grinning proudly, Calistra darted her eyes off to the side as she folded her arms. "
...Stop with this praise you idiotic human." Returning her to the confines of her Pokeball, it meant she could at least rest up. Leaving just Joey and Metyrant alone, he took in a proper look at the Pokemon's new form. "
Wow... Metyrant. You certainly pulled through there. Guess all that talk about teamwork really had an impact, huh?" "
AFFIRMATIVE. UPGRADED MODEL FROM METANG VERSION TO METAGROSS VERSION. SYSTEMS RUNNING AT MAXIMUM OPTIMISATION." Jumping a little again as the Pokemon called out, it was definitely something he would have to get used to considering how much of a silent type it was before. "
What say we finally rest up and make it to Mahogany." Raising a hefty arm, Joey made sure to bump with it as the two headed off towards their destination.
Resting up overnight at the Pokemon centre and recovering his Pokemon all back to full health, Joey awoke the next day raring to face whatever it would throw at him. "
Ahhh... A beautiful day ahead of us. We got a whole town to explore and a strong new member of the gang. Things are looking good. Hmm... Before I go traipisin' around town, maybe I should build some bonds with Typhon." Turning over, Slash stretched out lazily as he muttered half asleep. "
Gimme five more minutes... Ahhhh..." Realising Typhon had been quite vicious in the fight yesterday and Slash had only just recovered from the Steelix encounter, he decided it was best Slash rested up some more. "
Fine, you have a lie in, you fat lazy cat. Haha." Exiting out of the accommodation that was provided and locking up, he looked down the corridor into the main reception. Nodding his head, he made a quick switch of his team and ventured back onto the route they had met on. "
Hmmm, wonder if anythin' will be happy to come out and play?" Moving into the tall grass, Joey awaited an encounter. Realising they may very well have scared off the local wildlife with that apocalyptic battle, his eyes were drawn over to a body of water. Clicking his fingers as the idea fully popped into his head, he realised this would be ideal. "
Hah! Perfect. I'll just fish somethin' up. Sure Typhon will be able to take 'em on." Assembling the decrepit rod he had bought back at the start of his Johto tour, he flung it in and awaited a nibble.
