The one who had foolishly approached the trio of travelers was an Oddish, rather aggressive for some reason. Perhaps her home was nearby and that had caused her to become territorial? It didn't matter much either way, unfortunately for the poor grass-type, as he truly did want to capture it for the future - but he had the training to do. He wasn't going to become stronger if he kept adding friends to the ranks without bothering to increase their strengths. Thinking on it, he had yet to evolve a single one of his Pokemon and four out of the total five were able to. Steeling his decision firmly, he softly shook the purple monkey that was mounted on his shoulder and indicated that she should be the one to go forward and fight.

It had been a very long time since Alceides used Momo in battle, he had to get everyone up to her level first. But now even she was lacking in comparison to Cassandra, which wasn't fair to his starter. He didn't mean to dote so heavily on the Vulpix, it was just a matter of course.

"Alright Momo, it's been a while so let's shake the rust off. Start things off with your specialty - Swift!" he ordered, causing the Aipom to swipe her tail and send forth a series of star-shaped energy discs at the Oddish. Unable to dodge, they plowed into her and sent her flying into the nearby grass where she blended beautifully.

Because they couldn't see where it was coming from, they were struck with an incredible Absorb that replenished some of the damage the Pokemon had previously taken. For a second, the grass starts to rustle as a purple dust begins to waft around the area. Aipom was no stranger to this technique, so she hastily gathered a ball of energy in her tail in the form of a Shadow Ball before hopping above the powder and shooting it down. The attack missed the Oddish, but the powder was cleared and the grass no longer able to hide her.

Scared, her hiding place so easily destroyed, she used Absorb on the airborne Aipom once more. Alceides definitely wasn't expecting that, but there wasn't much they could do in mid-air. He ran to catch the Aipom, but Momo wasn't so careless as to forget their contest training. She spun as she fell and landed gracefully on her tail, clearly ready to get back into the flow of combat.

"Alright, this is the first time you're using these moves. But the Dex says you know them, so who am I to disagree? Start things off with Screech!"

Crying as loudly as she could, the soundwaves morphed themselves into rings that sought to envelop the area around the Oddish and lower her defenses. Though she couldn't move, the vibrations made it easier for her to spread a different kind of powder. This variety was yellow, but this wasn't some rookie Pokemon. Momo had been through a lot with her trainer, especially during their time in the tower, and she was beginning to see new ways to counter attacks - ways that would be beautiful in contests.

Spinning in a circle, she created a small tornado comprised of sand that she launched at the Stun Spore. The two masses collided and dispersed as they canceled one another out. Sensing opportunity, the Aipom charged toward the Oddish who prepared to use Absorb once more.

"In the air, end it with Ice Punch!"

They had visited the Move Tutor the other day specifically for this technique, beauty and power combined into one. Chilling energy swirled around the fist on the Aipom's tail as she jumped into the air and avoided the absorb. As she descended, she smashed her tail into the Oddish and knocked her out immediately.

"Heyo, Momo! That was friggin' epic, you haven't lost it, ya know?!"

---

Battle Log (TL;DR)

@tag // Notes: wild spawn 2/3 & +2 Aipom // word count: 649

Aipom had performed beautifully, constantly countering and utilizing her enemies moves to her advantage. She had only tasted a bit of contest fun, but the rate of her adaptation was astounding. Using their contest skills in battle was becoming all too fun for the boy, an exciting way to test things out before an actual contest. Of course, out in the wild, like he currently was, it wasn't ideal for using two pokemon so the boy had to make due with what he could. The boy's gaze rested compassionately upon Momo, having never thanked her nor Slothy for their part in ensuring his survival following Madatsubomi.

It was a disturbing irony that despite the fact that he was so wrapped up in the night, he never acknowledged his partners and thanked them. Placing Cassandra on the ground gingerly, he enlargened a ball before releasing his other savior in Slothy. Releasing a short yawn, he looked around for any challengers. For a moment, gleeful orbs darkened at the change of attitude his Slowpoke had undergone. Beforehand, the Slowpoke had been rather lazy when it came to battle and showed more spirit after getting hit a few times. Now, perhaps at the sight of his trainer defenseless, it seemed as if the Slowpoke was much eager to train and get stronger.

How could he refuse such earnest determination outright?

Around this time, a giggling thorny ball erupted from the tree line and rolled toward the trio before suddenly halting. Uncurling itself, the Cacnea greeted the group happily. Unlike the aggravated Oddish, this pokemon seemed like it just wanted to play and Alceides seriously considered running away from the encounter. He didn't want to seem like a bully, in the eyes of the Cacnea.

Momo tugged at his pants, reminding him of the reason they were out there. Why was he feeling so indecisive? The thought plagued him to the point that he wanted to battle if only to avoid thinking further on the subject.

"Okay Momo, start off strong with Ice Punch!" he commanded as the purple monkey jumped into the fray, gathering freezing energy in her tail before punching the Cacnea with it and sending him reeling. The blow changed the Pokemon's attitude quickly, gathering energy in his arms as he rolled forward to strike the Aipom.

The Needle Arm wasn't incredibly strong, so Momo continued her assault with a Swift. The numerous stars erupted from her tail with a swipe, crashing into the grass-type with incredible force. Seeking to regain some of the stamina it had lost, the Cacnea concentrated and began gathering green orbs of energy from Momo who suddenly felt weaker.

"That was good Momo, but let's see what Slothy can do, now!"

Switching out Aipom and sending in Slowpoke, Cacnea enjoyed a rush of confidence. Attacking from a range, he unleashed a rain of poisonous needles at the unsuspecting Slothy. Unable to dodge, he suffered the attack but was able to resist any poison.

"Slothy, let's see a Tackle!"

Normally responding with a yawn, Slothy trilled with excitement as he rushed forward to plow into the opposition with as much force as he could muster. Releasing a sandy blast from his mouth, Cacnea was attempting to cover Slothy in it and reduce his accuracy and vision. Without a command from his trainer, the very first time he had done so, the rotund hippo gathered aquatic energy at his mouth in the shape of an orb. Firing it at the Cacnea, all of the sand grew wet and clung to the ground and the impact sent Cacnea flying once again.

"I believe in you Slothy! You and Momo have been doing great, it's no wonder you took care of things while I was napping back then," he praised his team, before attempting to thank his pokemon albeit awkwardly, shaking his head in unhappiness with how it had come out.

"No...I was careless, and you guys made the quick decision that kept me alive. Thank you. Thank you for standing by me all this time, while I got myself back together. I dunno where I'd be without you two," his voice grew heavy, pitched with emotion as tears welled up in his eyes.

Slothy and Momo both chirped up in agreement, demanding their trainer to stop crying and continue the battle. Wiping away his tears and smiling sheepishly, like a child scolded by his parents, he nodded enthusiastically.

"Yup! Slothy, let's end this with another full powered Tackle!"

Cacnea had gotten up and composed himself during their brief talk, though it was clear that he was in no condition to continue fighting. If he had the intent, now would've been the perfect time to capture it. Gathering energy in its arms once more, it rolled forward to collide with the Slowpoke's charge. Sending each other flying back, it was eventually Slothy who rose to his feet and howled in victory. After shaking all of the dust off of himself, of course.

---

Battle Log (TL;DR)

@tag // Notes: wild spawn 3/3 & +1 Aipom - +1 Slowpoke // word count: 832

They were met with their final opponent, a mischievous Turtwig, who had sauntered up to the group undaunted and bit his Slowpoke on the tail. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason behind the action, it was just a whim it had decided to act upon. Slothy, forgetting he had just battled, growled and started to chase the grassy turtle. Delightful squeals emerged from the wild Pokemon while his Slowpoke chased it, seeking revenge. Even Alceides began smiling and giggling at the sight until he recalled Slothy into his ball.

The Turtwig was incredibly cute, that was undeniable, but if there was any starter that he desired then it would have to be Chikorita. Until then, there weren't too many Grass-types that he desired to add to his team. Tossing a blue ball with energy, the form twisted and twirled before she landed. Ophiuchus always enjoyed making a show of her entrances and the boy couldn't deny that he enjoyed it as well.

Confronted by the imposing snake, Turtwig didn't miss a beat as he twitched toward her tail, likely to take a chomp out of it like he had done to Slowpoke. Hissing in anger, the Seviper gathered a poisonous glob of energy in her maw before hawking it at the Turtwig who attempted to use Razor Leaf in defense. It failed, terribly, as the foliage was dissolved by the toxins and the orb smashed into the Pokemon and dissipated. Crying in pain, the bomb causing the Turtwig to become poisoned, as it gathered sunlight via the twig and two leaves on his head and healed some of the damage.

Slinking in, not letting up in her assault one bit, the Seviper released a huge spray of flames that covered and wrapped around the Turtwig. Despite the playful nature he had displayed earlier, in the onslaught of attacks it showed that he didn't want to give up. Charging forward, ignoring the pain, he tackled into the snake through the damage wasn't incredible.

Honestly, Alceides was incredibly impressed with the development that the poison=type had undergone, despite being one of the more recently added. She had made strides far better than the others, able to nearly finish a battle without a single command from her trainer. She didn't do it out of disrespect, or arrogance, but rather she had a keen battle sense and had developed a taste for countering her opponents.

"I...don't know what to say, Ophi, you've been doing beautifully. I almost don't want to issue you a command, because it would sully the amazing work that you've displayed. I'm so lucky that you joined my team, thank you! I don't need to worry anymore, how could I? I'm surrounded by such caring and strong Pokemon, after all!" the final wisps of anguish within his soul scattered to the winds, feeling as if a portion of weight had been lifted from his shoulder.

"Let's finish this up, Bite, Ophi!"

Heeding her trainer's command, she slunk forward and sunk her large fangs into the Turtwig viciously. The prior damage had accumulated, finally knocking the poor Turtle unconscious. They had grown in strength but, more importantly, Alceides had grown a bit as a person. He was ready to face tomorrow a bit more easily, though curing and erasing his demons would take much longer.

---

Battle Log (TL;DR)

@tag // Notes: wild conclusion & +2 Seviper // word count: 832