Pokemon - To Catch Them All - Route 118 and 119
#46 of Pokemon - To Catch Them All
Leo catches some Water Pokemon and explores Route 118 and 119 meeting new Pokemon
I left the Petalburg Gym and headed to the Pokemon Centre and had my Breloom, Blaziken and Hariyama fully healed. Once that was done I released them all and thanked them for working so hard. The three Fighting Pokemon decided to thank their trainer by throwing him in the air and catching him as a group of three which had never happened before. I assume that was their way of showing how happy and thankful they were. After that was over, I returned them all and began looking through my Hoenn Pokedex, to see if there were any Water Pokemon that I had yet to catch. Simply because, I didn't have the Pokemon to go swimming with. Now, with a powerful Swampert, that could ferry me across the open waves. That wouldn't be a problem, now I hadn't caught Carvanha yet, as that was commonly found on the way to Fortree City, meaning I could easily get it on my way there.
However, there was also Wailmer and thanks to Rotom's detailed database of where wild Pokemon could be found. I learned that Wailmer could be encountered all the way on Route 103 just north of Oldale Town. It didn't take long to walk back from Petalburg City and reached Route 103 where I came across the waves that had previously stopped me exploring further when I just set out on my journey. "Swampert I need your help!" Swampert appeared and happily dived into the water when he saw it. "Swampert could you ferry me across the ocean, I want to catch a certain Water Type that can be found here." Swampert was more than happy to help his beloved trainer and allowed me to climb aboard.
At that Swampert began swimming slowly through the ocean as he observed the lake for any unique Pokemon that I hadn't yet caught. The ocean was crawling with Magikarp that swam meandering through the open waters. Even the occasional Gyarados popped up to the surface to stare down Swampert who glared warning Gyarados not to trifle with him. Gyarados understood the message and retreated beneath the waves abandoning the human and Pokemon. Eventually, Swampert spotted a Pokemon he knew I definitely did not own and began swimming to catch up with it. When I spotted the Pokemon Swampert had seen and was now following I cheered with excitement and thanked Swampert for his help.
What Swampert had found was what I was searching for a Wailmer a Water Type. Before I went to catch it, I did think about how I would need to overhaul the garden back home and increase the size dramatically. Mainly because when Wailmer evolved, he would be much larger and would need an incredibly large area to be able to swim and be a natural Pokemon. However, my Pokemon were always maintaining and improving the garden. So I knew, that in no time at all, the garden would be even larger and have even more Pokemon. With that thought out of the way, I began the battle against Wailmer who had turned around and observed Swampert and the human aboard.
Wailmer was quick to attack and used Water Pulse but Swamper dodged expertly swimming around the attack. "Swampert use Take Down!" Swampert roughly charged into Wailmer and cause decent damage. However, I noticed Swampert was slightly hurt from the recoil and apologised immediately for the attack. Swampert smiled knowing he barely took any damage and instead gestured for me to throw a Pokeball at the weakened Wailmer. That I did and watched as the ball shook once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Wailmer has been registered to your Pokedex. Wailmer the Ball Whale Pokemon a Water Type. On sunny days, it lands on beaches to bounce like a ball and play. It spouts water from its nostrils."
I happily thanked Swampert and healed up Wailmer too. That was one Water Pokemon down and there were still a few more remaining to catch. The next Pokemon was called Corphish and was actually found only a route away so I quickly returned Swampert and headed to Route 102 which was West off Oldale Town and began searching through the small lake where a few Zigzagoon and Poochyena were enjoying the lake. When they spotted me approaching they scattered away and watched from the shadows. It didn't take long for me to find Corphish as unlike Wailmer, Corphish were also found not only in the water, but out too. Corphish had just exited the water and looked to be looking for something.
When Corphish spotted me, it didn't duck back into the water, it approached aggressively, perhaps this particular Corphish was looking for a battle. Well if it was a battle it wanted it would get one. "I need your help Sceptile!" Sceptile appeared glancing down at Corphish before readying itself. "Use Leaf Blade!" Sceptile moved at lightning speeds and as Corphish attempted to counter with Bubble Beam, Sceptile sliced through the Bubble Beam with speed and grace. He then landed the super effective Leaf Blade and I then threw a Pokeball at the weakened Corphish.
I watched as the ball shook once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Corphish has been registered to your Pokedex. Corphish the Ruffian Pokemon a Water Type. Its hardy vitality enables it to adapt to any environment. Its pincers will never release prey." I happily thanked Sceptile and he smiled nodding his head before I released Corphish and healed him up. Corphish didn't seem to mind me much, but seemed to have developed a surprising rivalry with Sceptile and approached him bravely. The two seemed to converse, or I should say, Corphish angrily shouted using his pincers every now and then. Meanwhile, Sceptile shrugged his words off before he himself walked off returning himself to his Pokeball with a type of smugness. Corphish wasn't too happy but didn't want to take his anger out on me. "You know, I can help you get stronger and then maybe you can battle Sceptile again. What do you say about that?"
Corphish was all for it and accepted my proposal before I returned him and continued looking for the next Pokemon. The next was Barboach and it was commonly found in lake beds around Route 111, where I battled the Winstrate Family. "Come out Gardevoir!" Gardevoir appeared gracefully, "could you teleport me to Route 111 please?" Gardevoir accepted and quickly teleported me right where I needed to be. "Thank you Gardevoir" I returned him to his Pokeball as he happily smiled. The lake was clearly brimming with Water Pokemon and I figured this was a good time to battle with my newest capture Corphish.
"Corphish come on out!" Corphish appeared his pincers prepared for battle, "Corphish can you help me find a Barboach?" I showed Corphish a picture of Barboach on my Rotom Phone and he immediately jumped into the lake and began swimming and diving around. Corphish was only gone for what seemed like a few minutes when he emerged and was in a fierce battle with a Barboach. "Corphish use Bubble Beam!" Corphish unleashed Bubble Beam, but Barboach dodged by swimming. "Corphish follow Barboach and use Crab Hammer!" Corphish dived down and began pursuing Barboach.
Under the water, Barboach quickly turned around and tried to use Aqua Tail to strike down Corphish, but Corphish dodged and unleashed Crab Hammer and scored a direct hit against Barboach. The force of the attack threw Barboach out of the water and in range where I could throw a Pokeball. "Pokeball go!" I watched as the ball shook, once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Barboach has been registered to your Pokedex. Barboach the Whiskers Pokemon a Watera and Ground Type. Its whiskers make a superb radar. They are used to locate prey, even in the murkiest of water." That made sense how Barboach had battled so well in the water, he used his whiskers as a radar to detect the movement and position of Corphish.
I thanked Corphish and healed up Barboach before deciding to move on to where I needed to go. I headed South and returned back To Mauville City and then quickly headed East and arrived back at Route 118. I approached the ocean that separated me from the other side and called out Swampert once more. Swampert happily ferried me across the ocean and I kept an eye out for my last Water Pokemon for a while and that was Carvanha. "Swampert I'd like to see if I can find a Carvanha while we're here if you don't mind." Swampert happily slowed down and began searching for Carvanha.
It didn't take long to find a Carvanha, Swampert felt a unexpected bite from behind him and immediately turned around seeing a Carvanha angrily staring him down. I assumed the Carvanha attacked us because we were in its territory. "Swampert use Take Down!" Swampert roughly bashed into Carvanha who wasn't expecting such a full frontal assault and was pushed backwards. Swampert unfortunately took some damage thanks to the recoil and again from Carvanha's ability Rough Skin. I apologised extensively to Swampert again, but he shrugged the damage off and was fine. Instead I turned my attention to the weakened Carvanha and decided to throw a Pokeball at the weakened Pokemon.
I watched as the Pokeball shook once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Carvanha has been registered to your Pokedex. Carvanha the Savage Pokemon a Water and Dark Type. They swarm any foe that invades their territory. Their sharp fangs can tear out boat hulls." Swampert wasn't sure he was happy his trainer had caught such a savage Pokemon that also seemed to love to pick fights even when the Pokemon was outmatched. I however, admired Carvanha's determination and figured he would one day make an incredible Sharpedo.
When I got to the mainland I thanked Swampert and returned him to him to his Pokeball before I explored further on Route 118. At that I was challenged by a Fishermen who sent out a Carvanha and I sent out my own Carvanha. Carvanha seemed happy to test his strength against another one of his species and quickly overwhelmed his opponent with a series of Bites. Next two Interviewers battled me with a Magneton and a Loudred and I sent out my Torkoal to deal with Magneton and my Delcatty to deal with Loudred. Torkoal used Flamethrower defeating Magneton while Delcatty managed to defeat Loudred using Play Rough.
Continuing on a second Fishermen challenged me with another Carvanha and I sent out my own Carvanha once again and had him defeat his opponent using Bite. As a result of him winning, Carvanha began glowing signalling he had already begun evolving, even though I had caught him recently there and battled occasionally. "Sharpedo has been registered to your Pokedex. Sharpedo the Brutal Pokemon a Water and Dark Type. Its fangs rip through sheet iron. It swims at 75 mph and is known as the Bully of the sea." I quickly congratulated Sharpedo and he desired to show me how powerful he had become when the Fishermen then sent out a Gyarados and Sharpedo showed incredible strength by defeating Gyarados using Crunch repeatedly and dodging Gyarados' powerful attacks.
Next a Bird Keeper challenged me and they send out a Swablu and I sent out my Plusle having him use Discharge defeating Swablu. Then the next Pokemon sent out was a Swellow so I substituted for my Minun and had him use Discharge defeating Swellow too. A Delinquent then challenged me with a Cacnea and I sent out my Volbeat and had him use Bug Buzz defeating Cacnea. The second Pokemon sent out was a Mightyena and I substituted for my Illumise having her use Bug Buzz defeating Mightyena. The last opponent was a Bird Keeper who challenged me with a Pelipper and I sent out my Manectric having him use Thunder Fang defeating Pelipper.
After defeating all the trainers I began searching through the grass for a very sneaky Pokemon. It was a Kecleon a Normal Type and very hard to find. I carefully searched through the grass, moving quietly to avoid startling any wild Pokemon and my efforts eventually payed off when I found a Kecleon. The Kecleon turned to see a human watching it but didn't hide instead he was ready for a battle. "Come out Corphish!" Corphish appeared eyeing down Kecleon. "Corphish Crab Hammer!" Corphish dashed towards Kecleon and attempted to land a powerful Crab Hammer but Kecleon managed to dodge by effectively disappearing and then reappearing right behind Corphish. While Corphish was distracted and confused, Kecleon unleashed a surprising Slash scoring a direct hit.
When Corphish turned around to try and land a Crab Hammer, Kecleon had disappeared. "Use Bubble Beam!" Corphish then used Bubble Beam in a circle which eventually struck Kecleon which had been hiding in amongst the grass camouflaged. However, after being struck by the Water Type move, Kecleon's ability allowed Kecleon to become a Water Type. "Use Crunch!" Corphish descended upon Kecleon and attacked using Crunch while Kecleon attempted to counter by using Psybeam however, Corphish's Crunch managed to deflect the move and score a direct hit weakening Kecleon.
"Pokeball go!" I watched as the Pokeball shook once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Kecleon has been registered to your Pokedex. Kecleon the Colour Swap Pokemon a Normal Type. It can freely change its body colour. The zigzag pattern on its belly does not change however." I felt slightly stupid for not remembering that Kecleon even though it could camouflage one could easily identify that zigzag pattern and know exactly where Kecleon was. I apologised to Corphish for not paying proper attention but Corphish was fine. In fact, Corphish had begun glowing signalling he was evolving.
"Crawdaunt has been registered to your Pokedex. Crawdaunt the Rogue Pokemon a Water and Dark Type. It is a ruffian that uses its pincers to pick up and toss out other Pokemon from its pond." Crawdaunt sure sounded like a rogue and ruffian Pokemon, but having been raised from a Corphish, Crawdaunt seemed to detest its Pokedex entry showing me that Crawdaunt wasn't all that aggressive. However, in battle, Crawdaunt was most definitely a powerful, aggressive and talented Pokemon. I healed up Kecleon and he seemed happy to have such a kind-hearted trainer.
At that I headed North and reached Route 119 where I immediately darted into the grass to find one of the new Pokemon that could be found here and it was easy to find based on its size. Tropius looked at the human that was so excited seeing him and seemed very interested in what the human wanted. "I need your help Camerupt!" Camerupt appeared rearing upwards as he prepared himself for battle against Tropius. "Camerupt Flamethrower!" Camerupt unleashed a powerful Flamethrower, that Tropius managed to dodge by flying upwards.
Tropius retaliated and attacked by using Leaf Tornado but Camerupt countered that by using another Flamethrower which overpowered Leaf Tornado and struck Tropius sending it to the ground. After such a powerful hit, I threw a Pokeball and watched as the ball shook, once, twice, three times before the capture was confirmed. "Tropius has been registered to your Pokedex. Tropius the Fruit Pokemon a Grass and Flying Type. Because it continuously ate only its favourite fruit, the fruit started growing around its neck."
I had absolutely no idea that was the reason that fruit grew from Tropius neck and Tropius confirmed this by eating more of the delicious fruit that had been growing on some nearby trees. Tropius even happily shared some of the fruit with me and my Camerupt and I could agree that the food was exceptional. I thanked Tropius and healed him and then thanked Camerupt before continuing onwards. At that I was challenged by a Bug Maniac who sent out a Beautifly and I sent out my newly caught Tropius and had him use Air Cutter defeating Beautifly. Next was a Bug Catcher who sent out a Volbeat and I sent out my Kecleon having him use Ancient Power defeating Volbeat. The second Pokemon sent out was a Illumise and I continued battling with Kecleon having him use another Ancient Power defeating Illumise.
Another Bug Catcher then challenged me with a Dustox and I sent out my Beautifly having him use Air Cutter defeating Dustox. The next opponent was a Bug Catcher who sent out a Beautifly, I sent out my Lairon having him use Rock Tomb defeating Beautifly. Next up was a Bug Maniac who sent out a Dustox and I sent out my Kirlia having him use Psychic defeating Dustox. Another Bug Maniac then challenged me with a Masquerain and I sent out my Torkoal having him use Flamethrower defeating Masquerian. The second Pokemon sent out was a Ninjask and I substituted for my Nosepass having him use Rock Tomb defeating Ninjask. Then a Pokemon Ranger challenged me with a Breloom and I sent out my Gardevoir having him use Psychic defeating Breloom.
I continued up the route and noticed that the weather was taking a turn for the worst as it began to ran heavily. In battle that would mean Water Type moves would get stronger and Fire Type moves would be weaker. I made sure to keep that in mind for the foreseeable future. As I was about to cross a bridge I was challenged by a Brains and Brawn Duo that sent out a Kadabra and a Machoke. I chose Ninjask against Kadabra and my Shedinja against Machoke. Ninjask used X-Scissor defeating Kadabra. While Shedinja used Aerial Ace defeating Machoke. Across the bridge I went and was then challenged by a Pokemon Ranger who sent out a Seviper and I sent out my Vibrava who used Bulldoze defeating Seviper. The second Pokemon sent out was a Vigoroth and I sent out my Sableye having him use Zen Headbutt defeating the Vigoroth.
A Bird Keeper was next and challenged me with a Swellow and I sent out my Nosepass having him use Rock Tomb defeating Swellow. Then a Ninja Boy burst from the grass and challenged me with a Koffing and I sent out my Grumpig having him use Psychic defeating Koffing. Next was a Bird Keeper who sent out a Doduo and I sent out my Altaria having him use Dragon Breath defeating Doduo. As I was approaching a building that Rotom identified as the Weather Institute something appeared from behind a nearby rock and it was a small Castform that seemed to be hiding from something or someone. The Castform didn't seem injured but more than anything looked relieved when it found me.
Castform quickly approached me and gestured for me to follow it to the Weather Institute which had me curious. Had something happened inside the Weather Institute. When I entered turns out something had happened and it wasn't good. Turns out Team Rocket had decided to invite themselves in and weren't leaving. "Another trainer deciding to involve themselves in the business of Team Rocket. How dreary and disappointing, listen child, leave now or be utterly defeated by Team Rocket!" One of the apparent grunts in charge ordered me as several grunts began to surround me. Looks like this was about to end in a battle no matter whether I chose to leave or not.
"Fine then, looks like we'll obliterate you and your Pokemon and call it a day. Perhaps your Pokemon may even be happy under new management." At that they threw out several Pokemon, Golbat fluttered in the building and several Raticate scampered around as they glared and gnashed their teeth at me. "Come out Sceptile, Blaziken and Swampert!" The three Pokemon came out and formed a protecting circle around me before concentrating on dealing with the multitude of opponents they were faced with. "Sceptile use Dual Chop! Blaziken use Flamethrower! Swampert use Rock Slide!" I'd have to apologise to the people who ran the Weather Institute as this would cause some unfortunate damage to their bulding.
The grunts scampered around as they watched their team of Pokemon get utterly defeated. One grunt returned from another area and quickly handed a device to the lead grunt. "Hm, perhaps we can afford to retreat now. We have what the higher ups needed." At that he ordered a immediate retreat and the grunts disappeared outside before clearing away hopefully to never be seen again. "Oh thank goodness, those scoundrels have gone. Oh but they took data on those Pokemonw we were studying." I approached the man who seemed to be panicking about Team Rocket.
"Excuse me, is everything alright?" I spoke and the man turned to face me before suddenly he spotted Castform floating above me. "Oh thank goodness you found Castform. When those thugs that called themselves Team Rocket attacked, they drove away the Weather Institute's Castform. I thought it'd gone for good. But you found it. Thank you very much for that." I said it was no problem and was just glad everyone was safe and sound. "What did Team Rocket want with the Weather Institute anyways?" I asked curiously and the man first introduced himself as the owner of the Weather Institute.
"Oh yes, Team Rocket had been trying to investigate incredible weather conditions of two legendary Pokemon, one was Kyogre and the other was Groudon. But more specifically, they said they wanted to understand the power and potential of using the power of what they called 'primal reversion'. Kyogre and Groudon had used that power once before and in the process their battle had caused untold destruction. If Team were somehow able to catch and control Kyogre and Groudon and furthermore activate their primal forms. The disasters that would befall not just Hoenn but every region would be catastrophic. I can only hope the data they took won't allow them to reach those Pokemon." At that Castform fluttered around my head happily.
"Ah, looks like Castform has taken quite a shine to you young man. Tell you what, would you like to take Castform with you on your journey. I think it would do Castform some good to get out there and see the world. Besides, we have other Castform that can help us with weather prediction. What do you say too that Castform?" Castform was in immediate agreement and happily nudged me and I grabbed a Pokeball and tapped Castform with it. "Castform has been registered to your Pokedex. Castform the Weather Pokemon a Normal Type. Its appearance changes with the weather. Recently its molecules were found to be just like water."
The Weather Institute was very happy to know that Castform was in good hands and I was equally happy that Team Rocket hopefully wouldn't cause any trouble too this Weather Institute anymore. At that I decided to leave and continue on my journey to Fortree City.