My food stores took another massive hit with the inclusion of Rune but I had already prepared for this situation by stocking up with food. I had him start his move training almost immediately but quickly figured out a problem. The reason Charmander had scratch rather than tackle as their starting move is because of their leg structure. Rather than being powerful and capable of pushing them forward quickly their walking legs were short and thick leaving them unable to really run all that fast. On the other hand though they naturally had very sharp claws that made it easy to defend themselves from up close attacks.-
This came with a rather large downside to traveling that I found out immediately , Rune needed to be carried by someone or stored in the ball to make good time. Vulcan volunteered for that job by existing and Rune was very happy for his (un)willing sacrifice. I would have carried him myself but at four feet tall he was just a bit too big to sit on my shoulder. Over the next week I trained Rune up using Tank as his sparring partner. This got him up to a decent level seven which from level one was actually good progress considering he hadn't actually fought yet.-
During that time he learned two moves that showed me the effect of his elemental variation fucking with his move pool. Rather than ember like he would have normally learnt Rune instead naturally learned thundershock. I can tell you now that that was a nasty move to get hit with even if it was weak power wise. First off it was like most electric type moves distractingly bright to look at and even looked painful. It looked like an arc of electricity traveled through the air and hit you.-
Then it might cause your muscles to spasm uncontrollably from the lingering energy which was how paralysis worked in reality. Though I had to admit that the speed behind the move was nothing to scoff at despite it's rather weak power. Apparently nearly all electric type moves shared the trait of being fast as hell which I made a mental note to remember for the inevitable battle with Watson. I had timed my journey perfectly for the league season as I had nine months to hit every gym and make my way to the evergrande league.-
Contrary to what the games would make you think you do not immediately go challenge the elite four after the gym leaders. The true process of the league was gyms , tournaments of three different levels , elite four and finally champion. I haven't met a champion or elite four pokemon yet so I am not sure exactly what level that is so my guess is that challenging the elite four would require around level one hundred in pokemon levels. This made sense since fully evolved tyranitar were tier six danger level at minimum which should be around level sixty or so normally.-
Anyways the league season lasted for nine months and had a three month rest period before restarted again the next year. Also there was no rule that said that a trainer had to get all the badges in a single season but that was considered the mark of a talented trainer so that was my current goal. From the next town I figured it would only take me three days to reach Rustboro city. Assuming I can get a challenge in that same day I arrive I'll be early for about a week since I left Littleroot two weeks before the season started to account for travel.-
As we traveled through the forests I came across a rather funny scenario that I couldn't help but chuckle at. See I was a couple hours out from the next town and out from behind a tree this stocky dude in a blue and white outfit with a blue bandana with a stylized A on it jumped out. "Hand over all .. of ... OH SHIT!" The guy yelled confidently at first but horrified after seeing my team staring at him. "Break his leg , I don't care which." I said calmly and Vulcan immediately dashed forward and swiped left with a paw.-
"CRACK! AAAAAAAAAAAAW!" I heard the sound of the bones snap followed by the dude screaming in agony. I ignore that and walk up to the screaming man and grab his leg right where it broke. "Now then , you will answer ever question I ask or you won't like what happens next." I say perfectly calmly. "You won't get nothin from me bastard!" the man says defiantly before punching me in my face to no effect. "Now why did you have to go and do that?" I asked while holding his leg bones out of place on purpose before using healing on it.-
The mans eyes grow wide as I do this and he begins to struggle violently but my grip was like a vice and my body like wood. Once there was no chance of any doctor fixing the crookedly healed bone I stopped using healing. "Now you will cooperate or I'm going to break your leg in a different spot and heal it improperly as well , your choice." I say while making eye contact. "Fuck! Fuck ok ok , just ask away you bloody monster!" The guy said when he saw me moving my hand lower on his leg.-
"Why are you here exactly?" I asked calmly. "Me and about a dozen others were ordered to wait near the routes to ambush rookie trainers for their valuables and pokemon if they aren't on the list." The man said nervously. I nodded in understanding "How strong is the person in charge of this operation of yours?" I asked calmly. "Benson? I don't fucking know , stronger than the rest of us , I think he's got three badges. I swear that's all I know!" the man said anxiously. "I believe you so I promise that if you answer one more question I will let you go." I said with a reassuring smile.-
"Where is this operations base located?" I asked casually. "Please anything but that , they'll kill me if I tell!" The man begged and I began to squeeze his leg , hard. "WAIT! A warehouse on the south side of the town , please let me go now!" the man begged anxiously. I released his leg and walked away "Vulcan." I said and a bright red glow filled It's mouth. "Wait you promised!" The man said in horror. "I said I'd let you go and I will stand by that promise."-
"But I never mentioned my pokemon , you just assumed they were included." I said and before the man could speak again a gout of flames consumed him not even leaving ash. "Looks like we are going to be making a slight detour in this next town." I said with a smirk and my pokemon all speak in agreement. Nobody liked criminals in this world and pokemon were no exception to this rule. I balled the three pokemon that needed it as I approached the town and walked into the gates calmly.