Chapter 3- Ravaged Path 1

  The Ravaged Path is one of the most simple and safe cave paths in the region. It is not advisable to travel without a pokemon with you due to the presence of some wild pokemon in the surrounding tunnels but the path is direct and only has one turn. When entering from Route 204 North you follow the oil lamps on the left side of the tunnel, ignoring other openings and paths leading to wild pokemon territory.

  When the tunnel opens up into a larger cavern, you have reached the first checkpoint, the lamps will lead you to a declining path that once you are at the other opening, sets you out on Route 204 South. At the far end of the open area is a tunnel that will lead you to a cave system connected to several underground lakes and ponds that are home to a small variety of Water type pokemon.

  All in all, a direct walk should only take half a day of travel.

  Erdd makes his way along the first leg of The Ravaged Path, this time having withdrawn Sever to his pokeball as he walks. Sure enough, a mere hour or so of walking later, Erdd’s decision pays off.

  A geodude emerges from a small side tunnel and interposes itself in Erdd’s way. It lets out a cry, demanding action from the human. “GEO DUDE”

  In places where humans pass by frequently the pokemon have two main reasons for seeking them out. The first is extorting food and resources from the human, and the second is sparing to gain experience. Most pokemon that would bar a trainer’s way are scared off by a strong pokemon.

  Especially in areas with strong ranger presence the local pokemon lords know it’s too much trouble to seriously offend the humans and give a no kill policy to their underlings/brood. This is not always the case but the common threat used by pokemon running extortions is barring the way, such as the situation taking place in front of Erdd.

  Erdd gets a devilish glint in his eye and speaks to the Rock type barring his way “You seek what is mine? Fine! Defeat my pokemon in battle and my stores shall be yours!”

  The geodude slams his fist on the ground in agreement and in an act of goading. Erdd takes his place a reasonable distance away and releases Sever.

  The gible lets out a cry and the geodude’s eyes widen at the pokemon closely associated with apex predators. Erdd, however, gives a command instead of gawking.

  “Move in and Dragon Breath, just enough power to harass him!”

  Sever hops forward while quickly gathering and firing his attack. The geodude slams his palm on the floor, causing a small shield of rock to raise in front of him to stop the incoming dragon attack. He then punches out, pushing the shield forward in an attack of his own!

  “Take Down! I know you can take it, just punch through!” commands Erdd

  The harsh light and shadow of Take Down just barely surrounds Sever by the time the rock connects and the little dragon bursts through in a shower of dust.

  “Dragon Breath again, you’re almost there!”

  The geodude, attentively watching for his opponent to appear once again only makes out Sever’s figure as the Dragon Breath is already bearing down on him! The geodude hastily rolls out of the way of the attack rather than facing it head on.

  When Erdd sees this action a vicious grin takes his face as he makes his final call “NOW! SAND TOMB!”

  The Geodude, still recovering from his previous dodge, can't react in time and is swallowed by a wave of sand. The battle then becomes a test of wills as the geodude fights to push away the ground energy burying him and Sever must focus on tumbling the rock pokemon with all his might. It is a tug of war but eventually the geodude stops struggling and Sever releases him.

  The geodude, battered and worn, rolls away down the tunnel he came from as Erdd approaches his pokemon.

  “Amazing job, Sever! I couldn’t have asked for a better performance. Especially when you used the cloud of dust to hide, and when you took that Rock Throw head on. Here let me get you a potion for that.”

  Sever, previously fierce and focused from the tooth sharpening bout, gently melts into bliss at the intense care of his trainer, and of course the scritches and more words of congratulations.

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  Before returning Sever, Erdd thinks aloud to his pokemon “I do think you would have a better chance in a brawl if I taught you Scratch, Leer and Growl. I’ll call you next time we have a challenger. Return”

  Erdd is now half way to the checkpoint and catches something blue and purple veering toward his side from a small niche in the wall. He reflexively rolls forward, coming up on his knees and finds the sight of a Zubat with fangs still pulsing with the power of a Leech Life.

  Erdd immediately presses release on Sever’s pokeball and shoots out a command “Dragon Breath! Push it to the walls or ceiling.” before distancing himself from the battle.

  The small dragon builds power in his mouth as he keeps a discerning eye on his opponent. The zubat, however, lets out the move it had been preparing since its failed ambush. A disorienting wave of sound bounces off the walls as Supersonic is directed at Sever.

  Sever loses control of the energy he had been controlling, causing the Dragon Breath to gush out directionlessly. It gets close enough to the zubat it needs to dart out of the way and can’t continue its attack, but does not hurt it.

  Sever comes back to focus as he hears another order, “Quick bursts! Keep it moving until I give the signal!”

  The battle becomes a game of cat and mouse as the zubat erratically dodges brief gouts of Dragon Breath and tries to send back a Poison Sting or get enough breathing room for another Supersonic, but just as the bat pokemon is thinking of giving up its hunt, it unknowingly darts right where Erdd wants it, a bit too close to the tunnel wall.

  “NOW! Sand Tomb again!” Cries Erdd. The wall near the zubat erupts in an attack that engulfs it and throws it to the ground. “Finish the fight with Tackle!” Erdd calls out.

  Sever gets a running start and leaps in the air and the zubat struggles in the pile of dirt frantically. As it struggles Sever lands a knockout inducing elbow drop on the trapped pokemon.

  “Good job, Sever. Don’t overcharge attacks like that unless you have an opening. And thanks for the save, I would have had to run if you weren't there, humans don’t belong in fights with pokemon after all.”

  Sever isn’t listening, still focused on the unconscious zubat with a predatory gleam in his eyes. The animal marches to its prey and opens its jaws wide in preparation of the feast.

  The jaws clamp… on air, Erdd has lifted up his dearest partner before he could kill and eat the ko’d foe. “Bad. We do not kill other pokemon. Giving into instinct and blood hunger will only cause trouble for us later on. Remember, we do not want to be killed for offending a stronger pokemon, so we should not kill weaker pokemon that offend us.”

  Sever’s eyes resume their normal shape as the zubat is out of sight and he can focus on Erdd. The ashamed dragon lets out an apologetic “Gib gib” “It’s ok, you’re ok, you’re safe.” reassures Erdd.

  Erdd patches up the scrapes on his pokemon before leaving Sever out of his pokeball while they walk. After some now uneventful travels, Erdd arrives at the first and only checkpoint, the opening in the cavern with the tunnel connected Route 204 South. Instead of advancing into the cavern, Erdd decides to take a break in the tunnel.

  “Sever, I have plans for forging opportunity here. For us to make the most gains, I think it's time to introduce to you the moves I mentioned earlier.” Sever looks at his trainer in anticipation. “Growl is simple, let out an angry, menacing tone with the intent to lower your foes' fighting spirit. Give it a try”

  Sever lets out a few cries and growls towards Erdd, but none that can cause a reaction. Soon Erdd decides to instruct more. “You are using your body’s function the whole way. Infuse energy in your voice like with Tackle, that should give it some bite.”

  With the new instructions and some fandangling, finally a sharp cry comes from Sever’s mouth, causing Erdd to lose some strength. “Good Job! I knew you could do it.” Sever is complemented handsomely with pats and scritches. After his pokemon has been rewarded, Erdd begins on the next move.

  “Leer operates on a similar basis to Growl. Use Normal energy and an aggressive look to cause the opponent to freeze and open them to attacks. Try against me. Leer.”

  Sever is considerably faster at this one, his threatening aura and sharp teeth lend strength to Leer as a move. After the usual congratulations and a few rounds practicing, Erdd continues to the final move for this impromptu training session.

  “Scratch is both the easiest and most complex of the moves you have been told of so far. The simplest idea, cutting. But from this idea lies the basis of a whole world of fighting to build upon. Some of the most powerful moves rely on cutting as their basis, Psycho Cut, Slash, Sacred Sword, Aerial Ace, Solar Blade, Leaf Blade, and more, all starting now. For you, Sever, infuse the power of cutting into your claws and rake them upon your foe, the sophistication shall come later.”

  With the Dragon enraptured by the long speech, Erdd points to a rock and makes a call “Scratch.”

  The tips of Sever’s claws glow white and extend just the slightest bit as he uses Scratch on the rock, almost without thinking about it, knowing exactly how to, as if born for it. It isn’t a hard move to learn in the worst of times but something about it is fascinating to the young gible and it feels intrinsically drawn to the move.

  Erdd, noticing the significance of his pokemon’s revelation respectfully nods and simply says "Congratulations on learning Scratch”

  Sever runs some drills using his new moves in conjunction with his older learned ones at Erdd’s direction for half an hour or so before a break is called where the two have a snack and rest up after their training.

  When they set out again, it is not in the direction of Route 204 South, no. The little man and little monster move deeper into The Ravaged Path.