[Gabe Alim]

Route 12 have an appeal that Gabe could not even begin to fully put to words aside from: it’s dry and warmer than everywhere else so far. That was, at least, apart from the Grumble Volcano. This was flat land and yet somehow the air here was warm. Perhaps it was just because spring was finally starting to show itself. Maybe Gabe just got lucky with the weather. Either way, he was headed up towards Maple now— with a few extra passengers.

He couldn’t honestly pass up the two eggs that had caught his eye while he was in Hickory Town. It was just too good a deal, and he might have even called it a steal several times (to himself). One was definitely a Koffing egg. The other… he had high hopes was a Ralts. It was the latter that would receive incubator treatment for that. He couldn’t wait to see if he was correct. For now, though, he had to focus on the travel, though, which… actually.

Gabe shifted Pokeballs and grabbed Lizbeth’s instead. In a flash, the Charmeleon stood tall and ready for anything. As she looked around and saw nothing pertinent, however, she looked back down at Gabe and frowned. Gabe…. Smiled. “Feels like we haven’t just walked together in a long while, yeah? Do you… want to chat?” Something like that.

---

Shiny Charm, 2 EXP Shares (Rogue, Fireflight), Lucky Egg
Koffing Egg (1/3), Ralts egg (1/5), Lizbeth (Charmeleon, 50), Fireflight (Fletchinder, 20), Rogue (Hitmontop, 33), Howl (Mightyena, 45)

[whimsae]

Gabe Alim

A wild Dodrio has appeared!

What will you do?

	Dodrio Lv47
		5 Energy
	Large	Relaxed
	Early Bird
MOVES
Jump Kick, Swords Dance, Acupressure, Uproar
NOTES
N/A

[Gabe Alim]

Side by side, they walked down the path, pace matched down to their breaths. Though Lizbeth had evolved, some things hadn’t changed. Glancing sideways at her, Gabe couldn’t help but smile a little, and though he hesitated momentarily, his hand did reach sideways and clasp her claw. Lizbeth flinched pulling her claw away and folding her arms instead. These things had done damage months ago. These things had ripped him apart in a panicked show of strength that neither he nor Liz was ready for.

Gabe too found himself folding his arms instead. “I already forgave you, you know…” he mumbled. Liz said nothing immediately and just stared forward. Her thoughts, though not directed at him exactly, were loud all the same. I know…. She knew. He knew. But it hadn’t helped in the least. Gabe sighed and looked forward instead. Up ahead was nothing but an expanse of dead land. As much as he liked it, there was nothing to say about it.

At least not until a particularly fast paced Dodrio caught his eye. The Pokemon was too far out to chase down even if he had wanted to, and seemed to be making a bee line for something else anyways. Gabe snorted. “Did you see that?” he commented. Liz gave a nod.

[whimsae]

Gabe Alim

A wild Heliolisk has appeared!

What will you do?

	Heliolisk Lv48
		5 Energy
	Huge!	Calm
	Dry Skin
MOVES
Thunder, Electrify, Tail Whip, Eerie Impulse
NOTES
N/A

[Gabe Alim]

Breath in, breath out. “They’ve healed up alright,” Gabe commented just loud enough or Lizbeth to hear. The hand closest to his chest tightened around his shirt. She side eyed him and then shook her head and folded her arms a little tighter. They’d never really heal up. She’d… she’d done that. “….”

Yellow eyes stared downwards. Dark green ones stared forward. For a while, neither one said anything.

And then a low noise escaped from Lizbeth, and the yellow eyes raised again. Far off, a Heliolisk was digging in the ground. Gabe forced a snort. “What do you think she’s doing? Looking for buried berries?” he asked.

He jolted all the same when a thought, clear as day, came to his mind. <Probably…> Gabe glanced sideways at Liz, and despite herself, she was smirking. Gabe smirked back.

“Do you smell anything tasty around?” Despite herself, Liz raised her nose up and took a whiff of the air.

[Jenesis]

A wild Honchkrow has appeared!

What will you do?

	Honchkrow Lv41
		5 Energy
	Large	Naive
	Insomnia
MOVES
Swagger, Nasty Plot, Taunt, Feint Attack
NOTES
N/A

[Gabe Alim]

Liz did actually smell something tasty, and the Charmeleon’s eyes flashed open upon registering what it was. Turning her head towards the smell, she gave a low grunt before heading in that direction. Gabe’s brow quirked, and a small smile pulled across his features. Well, alright then. He’d asked. Pushing through the underbrush, they would see it, a berry tree seemingly ripe despite the winter atmosphere. Huh… what do you know… Gabe smirked a little as Liz walked up to it ready to snatch it and partake as she would.

Just then, a claw met her claw. The Charmeleon hissed ripping back her claw and leering up at the bird above her now staring down with protective instincts intact. Gabe immediately took a step back, his eyes searching the branches in front of him for a similar bird. Where there was a Honchkrow, there were plenty of Murkrow— and sure enough a few of them came pecking right out of the shadows of the tree.

Great. Just great. He didn’t quite have anything that heavy duty to take them down aside from Liz… And they’d otherwise been peacefully walking so… “Liz…. Let’s just…” But the Honchkrow was Swaggering about now, and Liz was both mad and confused. Gabe grit his teeth. “Liz, Thunder Punch up that way,” Gabe ordered.

The fierce Charmeleon let out an irritated noise and snapped her maw. Forming electricity in her claw, she rammed it instead into the tree sending shocks through the Honchkrow and the Murkrow. The underlings were quick to fly up and flee while the bigger bird swooped in with a Feint Attack. Liz snarled and swiped around missing her and slashing into a tree again. It snapped this time falling as a weak berry tree could. “Liz!” Gabe’s voice snapped a little irritably now. She was just— The Charmeleon let out a roar in response and turned angrily to him even as the Honchkrow came in for another swoop. Gabe froze, hand to chest.

Right then, Liz snapped from confusion, turned back, took in a breath, and spewed fire up at the Honchkrow. The latter shrieked as she took heavy damage. Gabe wouldn’t miss the opportunity to throw a Pokeball at her but then immediately closed the distance between himself and Liz again.

---

Mammoth Ball - 70% because large.

[whimsae]

Go, PokeBall!

One... two... and...

ducbkiAGp_


The Wild Pokemon was caught!

One Mammoth ball has been removed from your inventory.

[Gabe Alim]

Gabe froze. Liz froze. Between them was Liz’s claw extended, long nailed, threatening. And reaching. She frowned at him. He frowned back. The ding of the Pokeball broke the tension, and a sigh escaped from Gabe. He took a step back, and Liz slowly lowered her claw and looked down. The subtle sounds of steps came as Gabe checked on the Pokeball, making sure it teleported off, before finally turning back to Liz.

“You ok?” A low note was the response. They both knew she wasn’t. They both knew he wasn’t. Gabe reached a hand up and rubbed the side of his face. “Look… I….” Breath in, breath out. “We’re good. It’s fine.” Liz made a low grumbling back and looked over to the ruined berry tree. No, no it wasn’t good. From the corner of his eye, Gabe caught sight of that and sighed. “You were just confused…” Literally. A Pokemon move. But Liz made a low, frustrated sound anyways. Gabe let his eyes drop away.

[whimsae]

Gabe Alim

A wild Darmanitan has appeared!

What will you do?

	Darmanitan Lv43
		5 Energy
	Small	Docile
	Hustle
MOVES
Taunt, Flare Blitz, Belly Drum, Work Up
NOTES
N/A

[Gabe Alim]

“….Look….” Gabe’s voice came slow, careful, pensive. Liz glanced sideways at him and then glanced away. “You may not trust yourself around me…. But no matter what I trust you, Liz, you stupid lizard.” The Charmeleon grumbled— at both statements.

A small forced laugh came and went from Gabe. “I trust you.” Liz gave him a small close-clawed punch to the shoulder. “I trust you. I truuuuusssssst yooooouuuuuuu….” Gabe’s voice had risen an octave or so and become significantly more playful. Liz rolled her eyes. “I trust you. I trust you. I trust you!” His voice was becoming increasingly antagonistic, and he reached sideways and prodded her a couple of ti—

A clawed hand seized Gabe’s wrist, and he froze. Liz stared back at him. Gabe’s features dropped some. <How can you say that after I cut you?> Gabe’s shoulders fell. Liz frowned at him. <I’m angry at you!>

Gabe bit his lower lip and frowned. Liz frowned back. “Still?”

<What do you mean still?>

“I promised I’d never jump again—”

<And that’s supposed to make everything better??> Gabe suddenly found his arm yanked and his body slammed into a tree. He froze staring up at the Charmeleon staring down at him hard now. <After I hurt you? You made me do that!> A claw hooked around Gabe’s shirt and yanked tearing into the fabric just a bit. Gabe winced. <You promised never to jump but I—>

Liz’s thoughts became incomprehensible for a moment. Gabe stared up at her in silence. The ground thudded loudly as knees hit it, and Liz’s entire body flopped forward against Gabe. His own arms raised to catch her around the shoulders awkwardly. Oh… She was…. just upset with herself. In hindsight, Gabe should have realized this, but of course he hadn’t till then. Slowly hugging her a little differently, then, Gabe took in a breath… and tried to be comforting.

Eventually Liz settled down again, and Gabe managed to coax her to actually sit down and be snuggled properly. It was only then that her thoughts finally reached him in full again. <….You never let me…. Apologize…>

“I—” Oh. Gabe blinked slowly. “I mean…. It’s not a—” He paused again as Liz looked at him. Blinking, Gabe glanced away briefly. “I forgave you….”

<Without prompting. You just decided it was fine because…. you came to a realization….> Liz huffed a little, and despite himself, Gabe laughed.

“Then apologize?” he ask-offered back.

Liz sighed and frowned before slowly glancing away. <Sorry…. For digging my claws into you>

Gabe sighed softly and smiled. “Apology accepted.”

It was only after this that a sound… like sobbing?? Caught their ears. Liz snapped up and looked around, ready to fight if need be, but when she found what it was… she was… confused. From behind some brushes, a Darmanitan had been sitting and watching? And was now crying? From how precious and sad these two before her were? She was so happy they could be so close! She hoped one day to have such a wonderful friendship as that!

Gabe looked at Liz. Liz looked at Gabe… and they started over towards her and started talking… hoping to maybe add her to the team and … Fire family. Fishing out a Pixie Ball, Gabe tossed it at the Darmanitan.

[Elayne]

Go, PokeBall!

One... two... and...

m2DAh6lKp_


The Darmanitan broke free!

p_
Seems like the Darmanitan still wants to see more touching moments! Woops, looks like she broke the ball too!

p_
...And the Pixieball broke!
One Pixieball has been removed from your inventory.

··

[Gabe Alim]

As the Darmanitan broke from the Pokeball (and inadvertently broke it in turn), Gabe sweat dropped a little. Liz did as well— and frowned a little. Had they both just been misreading the Darmanitan’s wishes or— Oh. Oh no. She as grabbing them both by the hands and leading them off somewhere??? Where???

Half an hour later, Gabe found himself seated under a strange dead tree eating some berries that the Darmanitan had offered him. She was jabbering on now talking about her cute little Darumaka family and pointing out each of them by name. So… so she was the one to have misunderstood, heh. She thought they meant… her introducing them to her Fire family. Fair enough. Gabe ate another berry as he listened to the Darmanitan go on and on. Well, this was one way to do it.

After a while, though, Gabe managed to cut in and explain that they really needed to get going. The Darmanitan was saddened by that but hoped they had enjoyed their stay. Thanking her again, Gabe paused once more before holding out a Pokeball. Just… in case. "We can always come and visit your family...."

[whimsae]

Go, PokeBall!

One... two... and...

JblLHhTvp_



Happy that you now understand the importance of family, the Darmanitan is ready to go with you!

One Pokeball has been removed from your inventory.

[Gabe Alim]

A soft breath drew in and out of Gabe as the Pokeball dinged in capture. He supposed he…. understood. More than he wanted to. Looking back towards Liz, though, he couldn’t help but smile. The Charmeleon smiled a little back now. Turning, they both started walking onwards again. No words were needed immediately.

[whimsae]

Gabe Alim

What's this? You've found...

Chesto Berry x2!

Wakes a Pokemon

[Gabe Alim]

As they moved onwards, Gabe and Liz took turns chatting back and forth. This went on for a while until a scent caught Liz’s nose, and she made a ‘wait’ motion before starting off the path. Of course, Gabe wasn’t just going to sit and wait. He followed after her and was rewarded with a berry tree with just a few berries left on it. Walking forward, Gabe pocketed a few of them and then sat down with Liz to eat. Chesto weren’t all that great. They were tough and dry, but a berry was a berry. Free food was free food. And being there with Liz made it nice.

[Jenesis]

A wild Heatmor has appeared!

What will you do?

	Heatmor Lv47
		5 Energy
	Average	Careful
	Flash Fire
MOVES
Hone Claws, Slash, Fire Lash, Amnesia
NOTES
N/A

[Gabe Alim]

After they had gotten their fill, Gabe and Liz made sure everything was in order (and that the tree was not burning) and went onwards. As Liz walked, however, she would steadily become aware of how tired Gabe was. Her stamina was higher than his by the nature of her being a Pokemon, but that didn’t stop him from moving along out of habit. Squinting a bit, she stepped in front of him to stop them both.

“Hm?” Turning around, she showed her back… and then looked back. Gabe snorted. Color touched his features, and he fought down the immediate snide remark only to fail and say it anyways. “Can I ride on your shoulders then?” Like she had when she was still small. Liz squinted a bit. No, he was still too big even if she was massive. Gabe waved off the comment. Still, he… knew that this was the goal. Riding her as a Charizard would make all the travel effortless. And she was big enough now to ride as a Charmeleon. And he could use a break.

Stepping forward, Gabe awkwardly climbed on her back and was immediately adjusted by her folding her arms there and making a makeshift seat. Right after that, she ran. And suddenly the air was pealing passed them at a breakneck pace. Had he known any better, Gabe would have thought he was flying. A sharp, weird, wild laugh escaped from him as he leaned forward over her shoulder… and she ran faster still.

Then ran like that for quite a while out through the dusty plane that slowly turned into a prairie. Out there, it was easier to see for longer distances… and see they did, a bright red ant eater was digging. And Gabe was immediately yelling in Liz’s ear. “Liz Liz Liz Liz Lizard stop! We gotta catch it,” he pestered. They’d already caught a Darmanitan on this trip, and so many others before that. Lizbeth rolled her eyes but slowed. If nothing else… heh… she understood.

Gabe eased off Liz and— was suddenly completely off balance as something started to move behind him. As Liz made distance, the eggs had made steps. And they were ready to hatch now. Awkwardly setting it down, Gabe looked form Liz to the eggs and then set them with her before going to grab another Pokeball. Liz rolled her eyes. In a flash, a battle with Howl the Mightyena was going… and the eggs were hatching into a Koffing and Ralts respectively. At least the babies got to witness the battle firsthand.

Howl first yawned to make the ant eater drowsy. The Heatmor honed her claws instead and squinted at him. A Crunch had her clamoring and then struggling to stay awake, and though she managed to get a Fire Lash in, he managed another Crunch and then got in an Assurance right after. She fell asleep, and Gabe was tossing a Great Ball at her.

[Jenesis]

Go, PokeBall!

One... two... and...

jzfSNlU9p_


The Wild Pokemon broke free!

p_
...But the Pokeball didn't break!

p_
Heatmor fled!

··