After a good rest at the Pokémon Center, we met up with the researcher from earlier, Dr. Reyes, who had a proposition for us. "There's a patch of wild Grass and Bug Pokémon nearby," she said. "I need a team of trainers to help observe them. Are you up for it?"
Jacob grinned. "We're in!"
Herbert crossed his arms. "We've got the muscle for it, for sure."
Alexander scratched his head. "Well… my Applin might not be much for observing, but I'll tag along. I need to get some more information on how to sell these guys better anyway."
With that, we headed out to the designated area. It wasn't long before we spotted a group of wild Pokémon—some were Grass-types, others Bug-types, and a few had unusual colors or patterns. It was clear that this research area was full of interesting specimens.
I sent out my Araquanid first. It was great to see my team in action together. Araquanid and Sizzlipede worked together to corral some wild Pokémon into a safe spot, while my Scythers took to the skies to observe from above.
"Nice teamwork!" Jacob called out, his Alolan Geodude rumbling next to him. He was using the terrain to his advantage, letting his Pokémon rest as they scouted.
"Not bad, Arth," Herbert added, "but we need to keep moving. Who knows what else we might find out here?"
As we ventured deeper into the patch, we came across a rare sight: a vibrant, green Comfey tangled in a web of vines. I immediately recognized it as a Pokémon often seen in Bug-type habitats, but this one was struggling.
"Should we help it?" Jacob asked, looking at me for confirmation.
"Definitely," I replied. "Let's make sure it's safe."
With a bit of care, we freed the Comfey, and I used a bit of Poké Food to calm it down. It looked up at me gratefully before flying off, seemingly unharmed.
As the sun began to set, we all gathered around, resting by the edge of a small river where we could hear the soft hum of wild Pokémon. The trip was going smoothly, and I felt like our team was becoming more unified.
As the group ventured deeper into the lush forests near Aparri, the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the landscape. The air was thick with the earthy scent of moss and leaves, and distant Pokémon calls punctuated the soft rustling of branches above. It was a peaceful afternoon, one that seemed perfect for exploring.
The group had been walking for several hours, taking in the beauty of the wild terrain. Their path had led them through a variety of environments—riverbanks, thickets, and open meadows—each home to its own unique set of Pokémon. It was a typical day for them, but little did they know that it would soon take a turn toward the unexpected.
"Hey, do you guys hear that?" Jacob asked, halting mid-step. Pawmi's ears twitched, its little paws adjusting to the ground as it sensed something off in the distance.
The group paused, their curiosity piqued. behind a large bush, they heard faint hooves tapping against the dirt path. Slowly, a Blitzle emerged, its body slightly hunched and its once-vibrant coat now dull. Its mane, usually bright, was matted and dirty, and its eyes were tired, as though it hadn't slept in days.
"Looks like it's been abandoned," Jacob said, frowning. His heart went out to the electric type. He knelt to offer it some berries from his bag. "Here, take these."
The Blitzle hesitated at first, but its instincts led it to the berries. It carefully nibbled at them, its body visibly relaxing with each bite. Jacob smiled softly.
"I can't leave it here like this," he said, standing up. "I'm taking it with us."
Herbert, ever the realist, raised an eyebrow. "You sure? It doesn't look like it's in the best shape."
"I can help it recover," Jacob said with determination. "Maybe it'll even join the team if it's ready."
After a moment of thought, Herbert nodded. "Alright, but keep an eye on it. Electric types tend to be a little unpredictable, even when they're weak."
The group continued their journey along a winding river that ran through the forest. The riverbank was serene, and the water sparkled in the fading sunlight. Alexander had heard that the area was home to some rare Water-type Pokémon, and he was eager to see what they could find.
"Fishing's been pretty successful so far," Alexander said, adjusting his bag. "Maybe we'll get lucky today."
Herbert, ever the pragmatist, took out a rod from his backpack. With a flick of the wrist, the line hit the water with a gentle plop. The group stood quietly, watching as the bobber floated on the surface, waiting for a catch.
After several moments, the bobber dipped beneath the water. Herbert grinned and began reeling it in, expecting the usual catch—a Magikarp or something similar. But as the line grew taut, whatever was on the other end began pulling hard, nearly yanking the rod out of Herbert's hands.
"Whoa! This one's feisty!" Herbert exclaimed, bracing himself.
The Pokémon burst out of the water with a loud splash, revealing itself to be a Tympole. Its eyes narrowed as it let out a sharp croak, clearly not pleased to be caught.
"Looks like it doesn't want to go quietly," Jacob said, stepping back as Tympole sprayed a stream of water toward Herbert.
"Alright, if you want a fight, you've got one!" Herbert said, tossing out Rhyhorn's Pokéball. The sturdy ground type landed with a thud, its eyes locking onto the Tympole. The two Pokémon clashed, water splashing everywhere as Tympole used Bubble Beam, only to be countered by Rhyhorn's Stomp.
After a fierce battle, Tympole began to tire, its movements slowing. Herbert took the opportunity to throw a Pokéball, holding his breath as it wobbled on the ground. After a tense moment, the ball clicked shut.
"Got it!" Herbert said, picking up the Pokéball. He smiled, proud of his new addition. "This one's going to be a tough fighter, I can tell."
As they continued down the path, they came across a strange sight near a cluster of rocks. A Shuckle, known for its sturdy shell and defensive nature, was on its back, struggling to right itself.
"Well, that's something you don't see for days" Jacob grinned.
Herbert approached the Pokémon, kneeling to flip it over gently. The Shuckle's eyes widened, relieved to be back on its feet.
"I didn't think Shuckle got stuck like that," Herbert mused, his hand resting on the Pokémon's shell.
"It probably got knocked over by accident," Alexander suggested.
The Shuckle, in an attempt to show its gratitude, crawled up onto Herbert's leg and nuzzled against him. Herbert raised an eyebrow. "Looks like it's chosen me."
"Well, you do have a knack for Ground-types and sturdy Pokémon," Arth teased.
Herbert sighed but smiled. "Alright, I'll take care of it. It might come in handy someday."
As the day wore on, Alexander pulled Arth aside, holding something in his hands. "I've got something special for you," he said, his grin widening.
"What's this?" Arth asked, curious.
"These are Applins, but not like the ones you've seen before," Alexander explained, holding out three Pokéballs. "I thought they'd be a good fit for your team."
Arth looked down at the Pokéballs, unsure of what to expect. He had grown fond of Bug-types, but what made these Applins so different?
Alexander chuckled. "Well, the first one's a little lazy. It likes to nap all day. The second one's a bouncy little thing that loves to jump around. And the third... well, it's a troublemaker. It tends to scare the other Applins."
Arth smiled at the thought. "Sounds like they'll be interesting additions to the team."