"Weavile use Ice Beam!", Kyle commanded, the Weavile almost instantly fired a frosty white beam at the Flapple.
The Flapple dodged the beam and moved in towards Weavile. Faust was quite fascinated seeing Flapple move, it flapped its wings powerfully to propel itself towards Weavile at an astonishing speed.
"Weavile engage and use Metal Claw when its in range!"
The Weavile used its high speed to launch itself towards the incoming Flapple. Hearing Kyle's command, Faust frowned a bit.
'Too reckless.'
The two Pokemon were about to clash headfirst when the Flapple suddenly sprayed a yellowish substance from its mouth at the incoming Weavile and suddenly changed directions flapping its wings hard.
The Weavile couldn't do so in time and the acid spray hit it full force, the sudden stinging pain to its face sent the Weavile tumbling into a tree. The Flapple didn't let go of this opportunity as it violently flapped its wings conjuring up a miniature tornado directing it towards the Weavile.
"Weavile use Quick Attack to your right, move out of the way!", Kyle commanded in haste seeing the deadly Twister about to hit his Weavile. The Weavile also complied instantly, it had gotten used to using Quick Attack to dodge attacks in tricky situations.
Seeing Weavile having avoided the disaster, Kyle quickly commanded it to use Ice Beam at the Flapple. However, the Flapple was ready for it and managed to avoid it. But not only did he avoid it, he let out a purple flame towards the Weavile.
"Damn what's that!? Weavile dodge it, keep using Ice Beam!"
The battle at that point quite literally became a battle of endurance. Faust looked at the battle and inwardly shook his head. Kyle was giving an excellent demonstration of what not to do in a Pokemon battle and the Flapple was apparently dumb enough to accompany his Weavile to play. Faust sighed and couldn't help but think of how he would've ended it in less than a minute.
'Just would've used Hone Claws given the advantage of the distance, followed up with Agility, then Metal Claw and finally few Ice Shards.'
But Faust knew that Kyle couldn't have possibly done the same since he didn't know Weavile could use Agility. This was another drawback that people of this world hadn't overcome, a lack of knowledge of moves of their very own Pokemon. Moves could be viewed by syncing the Pokemon's Pokeball with machines available at the PSCs. Of course most trainers simply had their Pokemon display what they knew because just like everything else, the price of using a machine was steep. A single Pokemon cost around 100000 to 200000 Alliance credits. Definitely a no go for the new trainers.
Meanwhile, the Weavile was panting and the Flapple didn't look good either. However, Faust could tell that the Weavile was in fact in a much worse place than the Flapple. It was merely holding on due to it's stubbornness and the unwillingness to lose. But Faust knew that wasn't enough because the Flapple suddenly shot upwards, putting itself out of Weavile's range. Then it began charging what Faust identified as a Solar Beam. This was a golden opportunity, Faust's eyes shone as he suddenly thought of the end of the battle. Weavile firing off a flurry of Ice Beams at the now immobile Flapple. Just as he was about to click his tongue at the sheer luck of Kyle, Kyle's next command almost made Faust bite off his tongue.
"Weavile, he wants to tire you out. Don't move from that position. But get ready, we shall strike as soon as he is in range!"
Faust looked at Kyle's face that displayed showed such confidence and conviction, that Faust didn't even feel like telling him otherwise.
Faust sighed and closed his eyes. He subtlely engaged his psychic powers and gathered all of it. Just as the Solar Beam was about to be charged, Faust unleashed his psychic intent on the Flapple. The Flapple whose concentration was entirely on the solar beam suddenly felt a jolt in his mind accompanied by a sharp pain. The solar beam dispersed and unable to fly, the Flapple crashed into the ground. Kyle suddenly smiled widely and immediately commanded his Weavile.
"Weavile now! Quick Attack with Metal Claw!"
What followed was a direct hit by Weavile that sent the Flapple flying backwards, crashing into three trees before finally stopping. Weavile dropped to it's knees trying to remain conscious but soon passed out later. Kyle cheered and Faust just smiled deciding never to tell Kyle what had actually happened. What none of them noticed is that the Flapple had already passed out after Faust's psychic intervention.
The Appletun and Flapple weren't sore losers either and led the group deeper into the forest. They arrived at what looked a very old and grand tree. One of the Flapple flew into the branches and disappeared only to reappear shortly carrying two Applin. Faust used his identifier on the two Applin and was genuinely surprised at the generosity of the Pokemon group.
[Pokemon: Applin(♂)
Ability: Ripen
Type: Grass/Dragon
Aptitude: Green
Strength: Mid Junior(Lvl. 15)
Moves: Astonish, Withdraw, Rollout, Defense Curl]
[Pokemon: Applin(♂)
Ability: Bulletproof
Type: Grass/Dragon
Aptitude: Green
Strength: Mid Junior(Lvl. 14)
Moves: Astonish, Withdraw, Sucker Punch]
Clearly the two Pokemon we're not average random picks. One of them even had the rare and hidden ability Bulletproof. While he clearly didn't know how it would work in real life, if it was anything like the games, the ability was definitely top-notch. Faust generously gave out Pokeblocs to the Pokemon group while Kyle caught the two Applin, genuinely happy at having obtained the fruits of his own labor. Faust looked at him and sighed. Ignorance truly was bliss.
"….so the battle was probably one of the most difficult I have had so far. I mean I wasn't able to react fast enough, but it's difficult to keep up with the dynamic situation in a battle. I mean by the time you think of calling out a move, the situation has already…."
Faust and Kyle were on the way back to Applegrove Town. Kyle was incessantly talking of the battle and his 'victory'. Faust had tuned him out right at the very beginning, his mind occupied by the thought of the upcoming academic year. He wasn't looking forward to high school having been through it once. But after what had happened in the rift with Articuno and the numerous moments faced with life and death situations, Faust was definitely looking forward to a peaceful period of training with his Pokemon.
He had a few plans, most of which were to make his team stronger. His Wimpod was turning out to be unusually strong as compared to the rest of his kind but that was the result of a combination of training, life-death battles in the rift and TMs.
Dreepy was also an important asset to be cultivated, but there was a long way to go until he evolved into Drakloak. Moreover, he didn't have a particular battle strategy with Dreepy. So he was going to come up with that. Sylveon had turned out to be the biggest surprise, she was better left to a static training to build on her strengths and improve on weaknesses. As for the Amaura and Aurorus, he didn't plan to train them personally except for the Aurorus that was the leader of the herd. As for the rest, he planned to send over to RL and let Professor Ross take the credit for discovering yet another Fossil Pokemon. But only after he had obtained a means to a proper explanation to cover up the rift.
Ross Laboratories had a total of sixteen registered rifts. Rifts that they had control over. He had to move fast, to get Professor Ross to establish a research outpost or even a laboratory in Applegrove Town. This would give him a legitimate excuse to take leave from the school, a leave that the administration couldn't possibly reject since it would be backed by RL. The world didn't know the details of Faust Williamson, the brilliant researcher who was personally recruited by Professor Ross. But they did know of a brilliant researcher who had been taken in by the Ross Laboratories.
"Hey, hey Faust! Damn…you weren't even listening!", Kyle's sudden voice brought him out of his thoughts and he looked at the aggrieved expression on his friend's face.
Faust chuckled and apologised, "Sorry Kyle, but I was thinking of the next step now that we have the necessary Pokemon. I need to contact Professor Ross and in the meantime…you need to withhold the information about the Applin line. Your father can't know yet. Although he is your father, he is also the mayor of the town. He won't let go of this opportunity to publicise the discovery of a dragon-type. That would in turn bring a lot of unwanted attention to Applegrove Town."
"But won't that be a good thing? You know more people coming in, higher revenues from trainers", said Kyle not understanding the consequences of the matter.
Faust sighed and explained, "Look we don't have anyone with enough power in Applegrove Town to prevent greedy people from taking away the benefits of the discovery. Think of it like this, once they have all the information they would have no use for you and me. Do you want to be a footnote? Besides, the Applin are no longer in the Grand Grove, they are inside a rift. A rift that we own, do you think no one will be suspicious about how you have two Applins when they can't even find one in the entirety of the Grand Grove?"
Kyle suddenly realised and fell into deep thought. He spoke after a while.
"But what will change later? I mean even when RL gets involved, the Applin still will be within the rift. What will you do then?"
"Kyle…I have obviously thought of that. But the thing is if RL gets involved I will have the final word and I will be the highest investigating authority. Who's going to question me as to where the Pokemon came from?"
Kyle had a dumb look on his face before he said, "Faust you don't mean-!?"
Faust smiled and nodded.
"Indeed, Applegrove Town is going to very soon get it's own research lab."
"Damn man! I…I-I don't even know what to say! But are you sure you can get it done? No offence but you've been with them for like 2 months and to an outsider like me…it sounds quite far-fetched when you say you possess such authority."
'Oh Kyle, if only you knew.'
Faust paused for a moment before replying, "Don't worry about the details. I know exactly what to do. Just don't let your father get the wind of it yet. Even if you do…just give me a day's time."
Kyle nodded and they continued to walk towards the town.
Arriving in the town, Faust went with Kyle to his house. As a matter that concerned the entire town, Faust would have to speak to the mayor and the concerned people about the matter. In fact, the mayor had suggested that Ted Hawkins accompany the young trainers to the Grand Grove. But Faust had refused rhat. Of course he had turned it down using the excuse of confidentiality.
"Ah! Professor Faust! Kyle! You are finally back! And just in time, an hour later and I would've sent out Mr. Hawkins looking for you!", said the Mayor rising from his chair. Faust and Kyle were currently in the home-office of the mayor. Technically this was the only office that he had because apparently fourth tier towns and cities didn't receive any infrastructure grants from the Alliance.
"Well it was a bit difficult to walk in the snow. Our pace was rather reduced. Hence it took so long", said Faust sitting down in one of the empty seats.
There were currently four people in the room. The mayor, Ted Hawkins, Kyle and Faust.
"Haha that's of no concern now! You made it back, that's what matters. Anyways, the matter concerning the dragon-type…are there are positive developments?", asked the Mayor expectantly.
'Greedy pig.'
Faust cursed the mayor in his mind and replied, "Well…yes and no."
The mayor had a confused look on his face and said, "I don't understand."
"Well the Applin are there but the current weather makes it impossible to come into contact with them. So we could not capture any."
There was a sudden silence in the room. Faust watched the ugly expression on the mayor's face and instantly knew something was wrong.
"This…"
"What's the matter Mr. Mayor? We had made sure to inform you beforehand that there was a chance of failure", said Faust trying to probe what it was that had the man so peeved.
The mayor didn't say anything at first and Faust watched as his expression turned from worried to guilty. The mayor finally met Faust's eyes and said, "Please do not misunderstand but I had informed someone from Dragon's Nest city of the matter. Forgive me! But I had no choice, the town really needs resources from somewhere and urgently! The winter is going to be harsher and we needed support from somewhere to tide through."
'This stupid motherfucker."
Faust sighed in exasperation before looking at the mayor coldly and saying, "I understand the needs of the town being a resident of it myself. But did you not think that perhaps RL could take care of that for you?"
The mayor flinched slightly and replied, "Professor Faust…its not that. I just thought that this wasn't of as much significance to RL as it would be to the families in Dragon's Nest City. Besides, since the person I informed was my elder son, I think this matter is still salvageable."
Kyle had an ugly look on his face when his brother was mentioned but soon recovered a neutral expression. Faust's mind was rapidly turning gears trying to come up with the possible consequences of the mayor's actions.
"What has your son decided to do?", asked Faust trying to understand the situation.
"Well…I don't know but he said that he would be coming home to verify the claims before informing the Dragoon family. He also said that the Dragoon family would establish an outpost here and ensure the prosperity and security of the town if the claims were confirmed."
'More like moniopolise and reap the benefits.'
Faust was surprised at the foolishness of the man. But he did kinda understand. Even though the Dragoon family would probably take over the city, one could not deny that they would definitely develop the city as well. But this was like selling your soul to the devil. There would be prosperity at the steep price of liberty. Oppression was the trademark of families in Dragon's Nest City.
"When does he arrive?", asked Faust.
"Umm…the day after tomorrow", replied the mayor instantly.
"When he does…tell him that I would like to discuss cooperation."
The mayor was surprised at Faust's words. He thought that Faust would be against the idea of any contact with the Dragon Nest City's representatives but he actually wanted to discuss cooperation! RL and the Dragoon Family! This was a golden opportunity. The mayor smiled and replied, "Of course! I shall let him know!"