Chapter 31: Bike Race
~Azure S. POV~
[Kanto Region, Later, Vermillion Harbor]
The battle experience they offered for my Pokémon was excellent. I smiled contentedly, seeing the Sailors being arrested for their crimes as my Pokémon managed to level up during this situation.
Watching the bad guys leave, it was a shame that Lt. Surge managed to escape, but this was a good thing. The Chairman came along as he thanked Red and me for saving the Pokémon Fan Club Pokémon.
Although he did faint seeing his Abra evolve. I checked on my Arc Phone to see how strong my team got, making me smile at the jump in levels, dealing with Surge's crew and his Pokémon.
|Name: Partner Pikachu (Mouse Pokémon)
|Type: Electric
|Level: 30
|Gender: Male
|Held Item: [Light Ball]
|Ability: Lightning Rod (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Hasty
|Moves: Thunder Shock [A][S], Quick Attack [A], Double Team, Agility, Thunder Wave, Electro Ball [A], Iron Tail [A], Feint, Spark, Zippy Zap [A], Floaty Float, Splishy Splash, Pika Papow, Surf (HM), Volt Tackle (EM), Wish (EM) (5 Moves to learn)
|Name: Dratini (Dragon Pokémon)
|Type: Dragon
|Level: 28
|Gender: Female
|Held Item: [Dragon Fang]
|Ability: Marvel Scale (Hidden Ability)
|Nature: Adamant
|Moves: Wrap, Leer, Twister [S], Dragon Tail [A][S], Thunder Wave, Dragon Rage, Iron Tail [A], Protect, Agility, Slam, Bubblebeam (TM), Surf (HM), Extreme Speed [A] (IM), Dragon Dance (EM) (3 Moves to Learn)
|Name: Growlithe (Puppy Pokémon)
|Type: Fire
|Level: 28
|Held Item: [Eviolite]
|Gender: Male
|Ability: Flash Fire
|Nature: Jolly
|Moves: Ember [A][S], Leer, Howl, Bite [S], Flame Wheel [A][S], Helping Hand, Agility, Iron Tail [A], Fire Fang [S], Endure, Retaliate, Protect (TM), Raging Fury [S] (IM), Morning Sun (EM) (3 Moves left to learn)
Smiling at this, it seems like I need my Pokémon a little push for them to evolve. Just an edge close for Dratini to evolve into their mid-stage evolution forms. Not only that, Growlithe learned the new move, Retaliate.
But damn, those levels is gonna bug the hell out of me. But seeing the situation is finishing up here, I began to leave the area, as having dealt with Lt. Surge's issue of the stolen Pokémon has been solved.
If I recall, tomorrow should be the bike race happening soon. And checking a nearby poster, I see it is the case with various rewards being offered, doubt I'll win, but if I can make it past without any trainers, I see no problem with that.
Seeing that Red was busy getting praise, I couldn't help but helplessly shake my head. What a kid.
Leaving to prepare for my stay in the Pokémon Center for the night, I couldn't help but be happy about the incident. With my Pokémon taking down that many Magnemites, they also dropped some loot that is extremely useful in my hands.
[Observe]
[Item: Metal Coat x5
Rarity Item: A
Type: Held Item
Description: An item to be held by a Pokémon. It's a special metallic coating that boosts the power of the holder's Steel-type moves by 20%. When used on an Onix and Scyther, they will evolve into new forms by trade holding the item or simply holding the item for some time under a day.]
Metal Coat. A very useful item if I have an Onix or Scyther to prove the existence of Steel-type Pokémon to Professor Oak.
Not only that, the evolved form of Scyther could evolve into a Scizor having only one quad weakness to Fire Attacks. Immune to Poison and neutral to half a type or resistant to others, it is the perfect physical defense tank, with and weakness to Koga and Sabrina's respective Gyms.
And it just so happens that the Celadon City game corner has a Scyther that could be bought if you win enough games. Smirking at the idea, I'll squeeze everything out of that place, and hopefully, they have a Larvitar at the ready, getting a second Pseudo-Legendary Pokémon on my team…
/////
[Kanto Region, Next Day, Route 11]
As expected, the bike tournament began the next day in morning. I've encountered a new problem trying to travel through Route 11 to head to Lavender Town since yesterday; no one was allowed till the tournament was set up.
At least, I thought it would be a normal trip. Currently, I'm in a bike race listening to the announcer showing the map of routes 11 and 12, saying, "Attention all Pokémon Trainers! Take your positions!! Our thanks to Miracle Cycle for sponsoring this race… and to all of you taking part! A mere 10 kilometers on level, well-marked roads! Nothing to it! An easy racecourse! Of course, on the way… well… but we shouldn't give away everything, should we? Everyone on their bikes? Then get ready… get set… GO!!"
*SSSHHHH*
Riding on my own Mach Bike, making some distance following the directions on the map. I still don't like the fact that I had to pay an entry fee to get into the race.
But it seems like I can't get up any speed to match my peers. But then I see a crowd of people raising an eyebrow, saying, "Huh? Why are they all bunched up here? It's just a river… where are you crossing one at a time?"
That was when one of the racers, at my side, said in an annoyed tone, "Take a look."
Looking, my eyes widened. Tentacruel huh?
Frowning a bit, I see that Red finally came along and saw the same problem as I. But that was when one of the swimmers spoke up in a confident tone, "Sure it is! Haven't you ever raced in the Tri-Pokémon before? This isn't just a race! It's a Pokémon obstacle course! And for obstacles like this, you're allowed to use your own Pokémon! See ya!"
*Pop*
Tossing his Poke Ball revealed it to be a Slowpoke. Slowpoke is a pink Pokémon that resembles a cross between a salamander and a hippopotamus. It has vacant eyes that never seem focused, curled ears, and a rounded, tan muzzle.
It has four legs, each of which ends in a single white claw. Its long, tapering tail has a white tip. This tail drips a sweet, sappy substance that is attractive to many species of fish.
*SPLASH*
The guy swims away as Red uses his Poli to create an icy path. Smirking, holding my Poke Ball, I called her out, "If that's the case, then why not? Go! Dratini, time to ride! Use Surf girl!"
*Pop*
*SPLASH*
Dratini was in the water as I landed on top of her. The Tentacruel noticed us, but I popped using a Repel on me.
The Tentacruel backed off from the smell as Dratini scrunched up. Rubbing her head, I couldn't help but mutter apologetically, "Sorry…"
Turning my head around, I saw the other bikers struggle as they didn't have any water-type Pokémon. While swimming ahead, I see the Swimmer from before, mouth agape at my Pokémon in a stunned tone, "The – The hell! Where did you get that beautiful Dratini!"
I blinked. Huh, someone knows what Pokémon I'm using, that's a first.
Catching up to him using his Slowpoke, I replied, seeing no harm as I casually said, "From the wild. Although I'm surprised you knew."
The Swimmer smirked, slamming his chest in pride as he declared happily, "Heh! I'm a swimmer, so knowing good Water Pokémon is kind of a need-to-know basis. Anyway, you know where you found her, she's a beauty."
Dratini smiled as she cried happily, "Dra!"
Smiling and caressing her, I shrugged as I said calmly, "Sure. You usually find her around Celadon City if it helps."
The Swimmer smiled at the info as we were about to reach the entrance gate of Route 12, "Thanks! I'll be sure to visit the area sometime later, but first, that first-place prize is mine!"
Heh. I smirked at that, as the reward for this bike race is not only 10,000 Poke Dollars but also some rare Pokémon Held items.
Tapping my Dratini sides, getting her attention, I said in a confident tone, "Dratini. Show the swimmer your best speed. Surf."
*Shiii*
Water energy aura veiled around Dratini. Her eyes narrowed as she cried, "Dra!! Dra!! Dratini!!!"
*SPLASH*
Dratini is swimming fast now that she has improved her speed using Surf. Getting first place would be a cinch.
/////
[Kanto Region, Later, Route 12 – Fishing Pier]
I froze, as did the Swimmer and a Bug Cather. I blinked, looking at a small obstacle I may have overlooked. Snorlax the Sleeping Pokémon.
Snorlax is a huge, bipedal, dark blue-green mammalian Pokémon with a cream-colored face, belly, and feet. Its body is composed mostly of its belly, as its limbs are comparatively small.
Its head is large, with small, pointed ears and two pointed teeth protruding from its lower jaw. It has round feet, which both have three claws and a circular brown paw pad, and short arms with five claws on each hand. Snorlax's bulk makes it the heaviest Normal type.
Looking at the two, I asked, confused, why they hadn't done anything to the Snorlax, "So… why haven't you guys attacked or captured the Snorlax?"
The two looked at me with Swimmer bluntly jabbing his thumb at it in a neutral tone, "The damn thing just heals whatever we dish out. He straight up ignores our attacks."
Bug Cather bobbed his head, scratching his head as he said bluntly, "And capturing a Snorlax? Not unless I want to waste my Poke Dollars on feeding it."
I opened my mouth before I slowly closed it shut. Their reasons sound reasonable, considering they wouldn't want to raise a Snorlax.
Noticing the fences, they block the path for trainers needing to swim quickly away. One would need a Flying-type to continue moving. Shamefully, I don't have either, as the only option left would be catching the Snorlax.
Although it would be this Snorlax that Red captures in the story, and I'll probably get another chance in Route 16 past Celadon City. That one is a higher level, which would work well for me.
Taking a brief pause, I see Red has finally caught up to us. Seeing the situation, he asked the same thing I said as he went about a roundabout way of solving the problem using his Saur to attract the Snorlax.
*RMBL*
Feeling the ground tremble, the wild Snorlax woke up as Red pedaled ahead of us the loud cries of Snorlax echoed out, "SNORLAX!!! SNOR!!!"
*RMBL*
Blinking, simply dumbfounded, we saw Red being chased by the Snorlax, wanting some of Saur's sweet honey. I clasped my hands together, making a small prayer to the poor Pallet Town Trainer Red.
Taking the scenic route, taking my time, the Bug Cather and Swimmer began to hurry up to win the Bike Race. Riding peacefully my way, I see the route of the bridge ending with Red crying over losing his hard-earned money to Snorlax's stomach.
I laughed a bit at his misfortune as the route to Lavender Town was near. Time for me to get a Ghost Type to prepare in advance.
Getting a Gengar is a must for me. Not only for protection, but also because it's one of the few Pokémon that can Mega Evolve. Hopefully, I'll find a Gastly or Ghost-type Pokémon that wants to stick with me.