Night had fallen.
After who knew how long, a figure ran out from the wetlands, slowly approaching the camp beside the low hills under cover of the grass and trees.
He remembered that there was delicious food here, much tastier than wild fruit or anything else!
He had already visited several times. The humans here were so silly, forgetting to put their food away every time. What fools!
He crept closer to the camp and poked out his little head, his small, jet-black eyes bright and alert. Just then, the clouds parted, and the moonlight revealed his full appearance.
He stood about 35-40 centimeters tall, with slippery blue skin and a small, nimble body.
A finlike feeler stood tall atop his head, with prominent orange gills on either cheek and an enormous tail fin!
The fin on his head was an extremely sensitive radar, allowing him to detect his surroundings through movements in the water or air without relying on his eyes.
This was the starter Pokémon everyone had been searching for: Mudkip!
Mudkip!
He usually liked to rest with his body buried in the mud at the bottom of a river, and breathed through the gills on his cheeks while underwater.
Paddling with his large tail fin could greatly increase his speed.
On land, Mudkip could push hard against the ground with all four feet, exerting enough strength to lift enormous stones or shatter rocks larger than his own body.
Mudkip were actually rather timid, meek Pokémon!
They rarely appeared before humans and were a very gentle species!
Yet this little fellow not only dared to approach humans, but even ventured into their camp to steal food. Yong, who was waiting in hiding some distance away, was a little surprised!
Still, that was even better! A Mudkip this clever had considerable potential and was all the more worth catching and raising as a main battler.
Good, all clear. The human isn't moving!
Good, all clear. He hasn't spotted me!
Mudkip sprinted toward the Pokémon food lying some distance away. Huh? Why is it in a different spot? That human is so silly. He actually dropped the food here!
Meanwhile, that very human was excitedly watching Mudkip run toward the food, ready to rush out at any moment, completely unaware that he had already been labeled a fool!
Mmm! Delicious!
Mudkip happily ate the food, his little eyes narrowing into slits. Suddenly-
"Aha! You little thief! How dare you steal my food!"
"Kaloh!? Kaloh? Kaloh-kaloh!?"
Mudkip hurriedly swallowed the food in his mouth and pushed off with his hind legs, about to flee-only to discover a human blocking his path.
Why isn't this human asleep? Isn't he supposed to be stupid? Why is he here? Is he looking for food? I wasn't stealing anything. I was just passing by!
Mudkip denied that he had stolen any food, his little eyes darting left and right as he searched for an escape route.
Yong watched the clever little fellow with amusement.
"Enough, stop looking. I picked this spot especially for you."
What? Especially for me? Mudkip was shocked. He tilted his head at the human. I don't think you're up to any good!
"See? Hills on two sides, tents on another, and the only way out is right here where I'm standing. Mudkip, I've been watching you for ages. You've stolen so much of my Pokémon food. Sneaking off now wouldn't be very nice, would it?"
I didn't! It wasn't me! You're making things up!
"Kaloh! Kaloh-kaloh!"
Mudkip shook his head, adamantly denying it.
"Oh? Still won't admit it?"
Yong scratched his head.
"Well, never mind! Battle me, Mudkip! If I win, become my partner!"
"Kaloh? Kaloh!"
Mudkip thought it over. Then let's do it! He took a battle stance.
"Kaloh!"
Pokémon: Mudkip Lv. 9, the Mud Fish Pokémon. The fin on his head is a sensitive antenna that can detect his surroundings. When faced with danger, he can unleash enough power to crush rocks! Gender: male Nature: Jolly Ability: Torrent. When his health is low, the power of Water-type moves increases! Moves: Growl (beginner), Tackle (beginner), Water Gun (beginner), Rock Smash (proficient) Egg Moves: Double-Edge (beginner), Counter (beginner) TMs: none
He has a real talent for moves! He even inherited Double-Edge and Counter!
Yong smiled knowingly.
"Good, you've accepted? Come out, Onix!"
"Roar!"
Amid a flash of white light, Onix's form slowly materialized!
Seeing how excited Onix was, Yong had to remind him in a low voice.
"Go easy, Onix. He's going to be our partner!"
Onix nodded.
"Go! Small rock attack!"
"Roar???"
Onix was a little baffled. What was a small rock attack?
With no other choice, he struck the ground with his tail, knocking up a small rock and flinging it at Mudkip!
Small, that is, by the standards of a 7.5-meter-long Onix. To a Mudkip only about 40 centimeters tall, it was an enormous boulder!
"Kaloh!"
Mudkip showed no fear. He rose onto his hind legs, Fighting-type energy surging through his arms and blazing with a white aura! He swung both arms at the incoming rock!
The Fighting-type move, Rock Smash! And at the proficient level, too!
Bang!
Bang!
Crash after crash rang out!
With an unbroken series of Rock Smashes, Mudkip finally fended off the huge rock. But he was only level 9, after all, and he soon exhausted his energy, collapsing to the ground.
Beautiful!
Yong silently praised him. His execution was excellent; this Mudkip really had a gift for moves!
After all, Onix was already level 25!
And Mudkip had actually managed to fend off his attack with Rock Smash!
Heh, what luck.
Looking at the weakened Mudkip, Yong hesitated no longer. He threw a Luxury Ball, which arced through the air and struck Mudkip.
Pop!
The little figure was drawn inside in a beam of red light, and the ball dropped to the ground.
Yong watched nervously. After all, this was his first time truly catching a wild Pokémon!
The Poké Ball rocked back and forth until, at last, a "Ding!" sounded and it went still.
"Yes! I caught Mudkip!"
Picking up the Poké Ball, Yong shouted happily. Doing this really did feel amazing, even if it was a little overdramatic!
"Come out, Mudkip!"
White light flashed! The little fellow reappeared, still looking somewhat bewildered. Seeing Mudkip again, the boy smiled and held out his hand, introducing himself earnestly.
"Hello, Mudkip! I'm Yong, and this is my partner, Onix! I'm looking forward to working with you from now on!"
"Roar!!"
Onix also cried out happily.
Mudkip tilted his head and thought for a moment. Staying with this human should be pretty nice, right?
"Kaloh~!"
He nodded and placed his little paw in Yong's hand, smiling just as happily.
And just like that, he had successfully caught his second Pokémon!
"Let's go. I'll make you both something tasty back at camp to welcome Mudkip to the team!"
"Roar~"
"Kaloh!"
Were Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon all foodies after all?
Mudkip's physical attack is quite good, and both his defenses could be developed too. Especially since he inherited a powerful move like Double-Edge!
Hmm, Waterfall is a must-learn too... For the early stages, I'll focus on improving his strength and stamina.
He doesn't need too many moves while he's still a Mudkip, especially since he can learn an incredible move like Protect on his own. It's a shame he didn't inherit Wide Guard, though. I'll have to teach him later.
On the way back to camp, Yong devised a training plan based on Mudkip's condition, intending to have him train alongside Onix and build a solid foundation.
Mudkip, happily munching on Pokémon food, had no idea how grueling the training awaiting him would be. For now, he was savoring every bite!
Eat up, eat up! Have some more! The more you eat, the more energy you'll have for training!
Watching Mudkip affectionately, Yong smiled gently.
"Kaloh~~?"