Forum Thread

"Well, it probably hasn't happened yet in my time" Meowth crossed his arms.

"Eh, good for you. Last time I checked, he also ended up destroying team Rocet, Plasma, Galactic, and at least two other criminal organizations across the world." Nightingale replied.

---

"Actually... Ash didn't destroy those organizat-" Silver began, but Berry shoved Silver out of the way and took the words right out of her mouth. "Actually, Red destroyed Team Rocket, Rosa destroyed Team Plasma, but I can't remember the rest..." Berry blurted out.

Nightingale shrugged. "Well, good to know." She answered. "And when will we be there?" She asked.

---

Lumpy mulled over what they just told him. He didn’t thought he would need protection, much less wild Pokémon like the Sawsbucks, who seemed pretty tough and perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. Judging on the way those grunts were about to gang up on them, however, made really clear to him that they were more than just trainers or poachers.

Team Rocket was actually very, very dangerous.

It slowly occurred to the Numel that, if he wanted to fight back or at least survive, he’ll need to become stronger. Training had always been to him a harrowing experience, especially since after that came hopeless battles and disappointed trainers. This time was different though; not only they’ll be fighting without human commands; they’ll clash against several, no, many of them in hopes to avoid what, if the Absol’s description was right, an horrible fate.

He didn’t want the Pokémon of this land to experience something similar to what he had years ago.

After a long walk, the Sawsbucks finally stopped. ''We’ve arrived'' the older deer said, making sure none of their guests got lost on the way.

The spot they ended in was far calmer than where they were before; only the trees rustling under the gentle breeze could be heard. The grass was thick enough for a large Pokémon to sleep in comfortably; the trees offered shadow, shelter and berries, just in case they got hungry; a large river was close by and the big, red drawbridge could be seen in the distance.

''We’d like you to rest here for as long as you’ll need. The fog discourages most humans from even coming here; we’ll keep an eye around in case they dare to come'' ''Most see this place as too dangerous, or haunted even'' the smaller one added. ''Please, accept this as a show of our gratitude, it’s the least we could do after you saved us from Team Rocket''

''Now, if you excuse us, we’ll spread the word about the organization’s wrongdoings'' She said, motioning her partner to follow her. ''We’ll be back tomorrow at sunrise, in case you’ll like to continue your travel'' With that, the deer pair subtly bowed, before heading back to the foggy forest.

Lumpy considered following then, as he wasn’t actually part of the group, but before he could trail them the deer were already gone. Sighing, he strutted around the tree bases, looking for fallen berries. Was it worth to go with them? As he was right now, Lumpy wouldn’t be more than a burden to the team, but the same could be said if he stayed in the forest and going alone felt basically a death sentence. Training was already a given considering the dire situation they were in, so, as dangerous as it might be, maybe he could help Thorn’s team in their goal.

He picked a Pecha berry and carefully approached the group, offering it as a small fee. ''Is there a way I can help? With defeating Team Rocket, I mean'' He muttered, trying to stare at them instead of the floor.

---

"Well, we need all the help we can say I guess" Silver said.
Berry leaned back. "If a single kid can take down an entire criminal organization like we talked about before...
It will be no sweat for us to get rid of Team rocket!"
"Maybe..." Silver sighed.

"Perhaps... there is a chance... but it is feeble and flickering." Nightingale warned. "And many of us are not used to fighting without trainers to help us. For those of you who are accustomed to having trainers around, it would be a harrowing experience. You will need to learn to think on your feet, to make hard and unpleasant decisions." She passed over to a large and tall tree. She climbed onto it with practiced ease. "Though honestly, I fail to see why we need the... whatever you are." She added, failing to recognize what Lumpy was. "I've honestly never seen one of you guys before... what are you?"

---

"He's a Numel, terp!" Meowth barked.
(He may be on the pokemons side now, but his attitude is still bad :P)
"Well, I've never had a trainer before" Silver said.
"Me either." Berry shrugged.
(Berry shrugs a lot.)

Nightingale smirked. "My threat still stands, Meowth. Displeased me, and you live will be forfeit... and I will make you suffer a such as you possibly can." She warned.

---

As Lumpy guessed, stopping Team Rocket from achieving their plan will be a really hard task. The Absol’s words however, made pretty clear that the odds were against him.

He laid in the grass, thinking about what she just implied.

Lumpy didn’t really want to be seen as that; but there he was, being told once again that he was of no use, albeit subtly. The worst part? She was right; since his release, the Numel didn’t even bother to become any stronger, only gaining at most a level or two.

Maybe it was better for everyone if he just stayed in the forest.

His ears perked as the others started talking, breaking him out of his thoughts. ''Ah it’s that’s because, as he said'' Lumpy muttered, subtly pointing at the Meowth ''I’m a Numel. I’m actually not from this forest; as I used to live near a volcano far away from here ''

The other Pokémon’s confessions of them having no trainer didn’t surprise him at all; other than the grunts, no other human had shown up so far, they all fought those Houndooms fiercely without any command and the Sawsbucks surely wouldn’t have let them know about this place, much less try to be as helpful as possible.

''I’ve had. More than I’d like to'' he whispered, before realizing what he just said ''Ack! N-no, I-I’m th-… sorry, just ignore me''

(It is ok to assume its night there already?)

Nightingale raised an eyebrow. "If I weren't so tired, there would be a blade against your neck." She stated. "As it stands, Thorn is probably the most powerful in the group."

---

(Yeah)
"Nightingale really needs to chil-"
Silver covered Berry's mouth with her paw before she could finish her sentence, saving Berry from probably death.

The group seemed to not mind what he said, which the Numel found as very relieving. He didn’t actually felt like talking about that to them, or anyone for that matter.

It was getting really dark, and with that Lumpy decided it was time to take a nap. He left the other Pokémon talking to each other, not before muttering a goodnight, and moved towards a patch of taller grass, tumbling down it as he prepared himself to sleep.

-

Next morning came and, true to their word, so did the Sawsbucks, who slowly approached the group’s resting place. Lumpy stared at them with sleepier than usual eyes, being woken up earlier than he was accustomed to. ''Good morning, all. Hope you’ve had a good rest'' the doe started. ''I’m afraid to inform that, unfortunately, this place won’t be safe for too long''

''We saw many humans roaming around last night. They didn’t enter to the fog, but…'' the buck added, faltering a bit. ''They looked a lot like those guys… I mean, Team Rocket grunts''

Lumpy’s grogginess left him as soon as the grunts were mentioned. They most likely called for backup, and were now looking for they all ready to take them down.

''They didn’t see us, fortunately. They will however, probably get back later, so it’s better to move before they attack us. From here, we can either go back to Route 5 or take the long way and walk north to Route 9. I’d recommend the latter but, independently of your choice, we’ll guide you out of here if you desire so'' The old deer finished, both of them now staring at the group expectantly.

Nightingale slept that night. Not peacefully you, but she slept anyways. She woke up at the break of dawn, and she retreated into the cool shadows of the trees. When she heard the Swasbuck pair approach, she tensed. They began to wake the others up, but couldn't find her.

"Well then, lets go to route 9, ya twerps!" Meowth exclaimed once he heard the news.
"No." Nightingale softly growled. "Wait until the other have agreed, Meowth. We are a team now, like it or not. We have to choose together."

---

(Can I be the only one controlling Meowth now? He's pretty much not just an NPC anymore)
"Sorry..." he muttered.
"Route 9... where is that?" Silver asked.
"I don't have a map..." Berry sighed.

Thorn pulled out a Map from his bag. "I stole it when I tackled those grunts of before." He gave it to Berry and said "I have no Idea how to read a map. Hopefully the Champ brings me some back up." He began to plant some Enigma Berry seeds in a berry Pot.

---

Berry read the map. "So we have to go back to Nimbassa City, go down through Join avenue, which used to be owned by the champion a couple of centuries ago, and there will be route 9"
"Oh, how I hate Route 9..." Silver muttered.

"It's a cool place to buy some stuff, back then with the Champ, we used to buy stuff there every weekend. He used to give us some Poke dollars to me, Lock, and Lexi. I'd Usually buy some Battle items, but sometimes I'd buy Lexi some Pokeblocks... We'd eat it together and watch some horror movies together. But I believe times won't repeat themselves..." Thorn told Silver. He said it with a tint of sadness.

---

"Yeah, Join avenue's pretty cool" Silver said. "I heard the champion, who owned it was just on her pokemon journey, and had to go through Join avenue, the original owner had told her to take ownership of it. The funny thing was, the man wanted her, a kid to own the place, but surprisingly, she took ownership of it pretty well"

"That's good to know, I guess. But what does that have to do with us right now?" Nightingale asked. "Personally, i t care where we go."

(Yes. And to explain all registries up there, I hate my phone)

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