Chapter 6

31st September 1020

Rowlet stood in front of rockruff, challenging it.

Both pokemon had an advantage over each other with grass and rock moves.

Rockruff started with rock throw. Small rocks materialized around it. Rockruff willed them to attack rowlet. The rocks shot forward at high speeds.

"Dodge it" Daniel said. He had already discussed strategy with rowlet beforehand.

Rowlet flew upwards dodging the rocks. Rockruff used howl trying to increase its attack.

"Counter with growl." Rowlet did as he was commanded. The two attacks essentially nullified each other.

Although he lost his chance to attack while rockruff howled, he did not want rockruff to get too strong.

Seeing that howl was not an option rockruff used leer.

"Leafage." Daniel did not have a better counter. Rowlet's defense fell but rockruff took a lot of damage in the process.

The rockruff then started to attack rowlet with rockthrow.

"Dodge as many as you can. Use leafage one the unavoidable ones."

Rowlet started stalling. Every time rockuff tried to howl, rowlet would answer with a growl. This was to prevent rock throw from becoming stronger and overpowering leafage. Rockruff soon tried another leer, but he was met by another leafage. Daniel decided to throw a pokeball at this point, successfully capturing the rockruff. Ecstatic, Daniel returned to the pokecenter with golduck, having both his pokemon treated to their peak conditions.

Releasing rowlet and rockruff from their pokeballs he interacted with rockruf for the first time as his new pokemon. A proper bond hadn't formed yet but he could now see rockruffs complete information.

Pokemon: Rockruff

Ability: Keen eye

Stage: Rookie

Moves: Tackle, Leer, Sand attack, Bite, Howl, Rock throw

Mastery: Rock 12%, Normal 10%, Ground 1%, Dark 1%

The moves were pretty normal for a rockruff. Unlike rowlet, rockruff was a wild pokemon so Daniel let it get used to its new situation. After a few days of light training, Daniel and his dad headed back to Kanto.

4th October 1020

"I'm back." Daniel announced as he entered his house alongside his father. His mom was happy to see them return. Before he left, Daniel had just started his life as a trainer who did not have any pokemon. Now he had 2 rare and strong pokemon (+grubbin) that he was confident would grow to be extremely strong in the future.

Today he decided to relax at home as he knows he has a long journey ahead. He mostly played with his pokemon and chatted with his friends over his phone.

During dinner he discussed his plans with his parents.

"Do you hate Kanto or something?" His parents couldn't help but ask after listening to Daniel.

"Training under two different gym leaders would be difficult. The cost would almost be the same as visiting another region and training under a single one. Besides I only have about 3 months left before my trip to the gyms. I need to be ready to defeat all 3. That's why I chose a gym leader who specialized in both grass and rock types."

"Well it's your training budget that's being spent. Remember that being a trainer is expensive especially when you have a lot of pokemon. I'm reminding you because I know you'll be catching pokemon from there."

"I know." Daniel did not deny this. "Thanks dad."

"Are you going to school tomorrow?"

"Nope, I need to contact the gym and see if the gym leader is available."

'Who'd go to school when skipping is an option' he thought. 'Besides there are always idiots challenging every person they see with a pokemon. I'm not ready yet.'

After confirming and paying for all required services, he immediately headed to yet another region the next day.

This would be the final place outside of Kanto he'd be visiting before he finally starts his gym battles.