Leaving the familiar bustle of Jubilife City behind, Route 203 stretched eastward, a relatively calm path of flatlands interspersed with low rises and the swaying green of tall grass.
I hadn't been walking long before I was approached by two Youngsters traveling together.
They wanted a double battle. I accepted without hesitation.
They led with Kricketot and Shinx. I responded with Larvitar and Elekid.
"Brick Break on the Shinx," I ordered.
Elekid charged in, arm glowing, and slammed Shinx back with a clean strike. Larvitar followed up immediately.
"Rock Slide."
The ground trembled as stones erupted forward, slamming into both opponents. Kricketot dropped instantly, while Shinx barely stayed standing, battered but conscious. It responded with a Spark, striking Elekid, but the electric type attack barely fazed him.
The other trainer sent out Zubat, who swooped in and went straight for Larvitar with a Bite.
"Thunder."
Elekid's eyes lit up. A blast of lightning surged upward, catching Zubat mid-air and dropping it in a single hit.
"Finish Shinx with Bite."
Larvitar lunged forward and chomped down on Shinx, ending the round. The next pair, Sandshrew and Rattata, took the field.
Rattata darted in first with Quick Attack, striking Elekid. He took the hit without backing down.
"Counterattack with Brick Break."
One solid blow and Rattata was down. Sandshrew responded with a Bulldoze, kicking up dirt and slamming both my Pokémon hard. It hit for solid damage, super-effective on both, but neither of them went down.
"Bite and Low Kick, together."
Larvitar lunged in from one side, Elekid swept low from the other. Their combo knocked Sandshrew out cold.
The Youngsters looked stunned as they recalled their teams. I collected the prize money and moved on.
Farther along the path, I crossed paths with another Youngster, eager for a battle. He opened with Makuhita. I led with Chimchar.
Makuhita dashed in with Fake Out before I could even give a command, smacking Chimchar back a step.
Fake Out… a reliable move. It almost always goes first, and it's a guaranteed flinch. The damage is negligible, but that free hit can disrupt plans.
The thought lingered for a moment. Come to think of it, Chimchar can learn Fake Out too. It's an Egg Move, but that hasn't been an obstacle before. Fire Punch is also an egg move, and he learned that without issue.
However, the Youngster and his Makuhita were still waiting.
"Ember."
Chimchar spat a stream of flames, charring Makuhita's shoulder. It charged forward with Arm Thrust.
"Intercept it with Flame Wheel."
Chimchar spun into flames and collided mid-charge. Makuhita landed a few hits with its open palms, but the full force of the Flame Wheel knocked it out.
The trainer sent in Machop.
I switched. "Larvitar, go."
"Stomping Tantrum."
Larvitar slammed down, sending a shockwave through the earth. Machop braced and barely held on, countering with a hard Karate Chop that landed cleanly on Larvitar's head.
"Once more."
The second Stomping Tantrum ended the battle. The Youngster paid up without complaint.
Two girls approached me next, asking for a double battle. I agreed.
I led with Chimchar and Elekid, and they sent out Psyduck and Spearow.
"Flame Wheel on Spearow. Thunder Punch on Psyduck."
Chimchar ignited and spun into Spearow as it dove in for Peck, knocking it out before the hit could land. At the same time, Elekid's electrified fist connected with Psyduck, dropping it in one clean strike.
They recalled their Pokémon and sent in Cubone and Sunkern.
"Brick Break on Cubone. Fire Punch on Sunkern."
Chimchar launched forward, flames trailing from his fist, and dropped Sunkern instantly. Elekid's Brick Break connected with Cubone, but the ground-type held on and swung its Bone Club, striking Elekid for decent damage.
The final Pokémon came out, Marill.
"Double team Cubone. Ember and Low Kick."
Chimchar spewed flames while Elekid struck low. Cubone finally went down.
Marill used a Water Gun, but Chimchar easily sidestepped.
"Finish it, Fire Punch and Thunder Punch."
Together, both Pokémon struck. The combination knocked Marill out cold.
The girls thanked me for the battle and returned their teams. I moved on, heading for the tunnel that would take me into Oreburgh Gate.
__________
Rather than pushing straight through Oreburgh Gate, I decided to hold off for the rest of the day. The trail ahead was clear, but there was still time before nightfall, and after the last few days of near-constant movement and battles, a break felt earned. A chance to regroup, train, and plan.
We set up camp a little ways off the trail, close enough to keep the cave entrance in sight. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows as I unpacked gear and prepped meals.
Larvitar's was laced with bitter herbs and ground minerals, Chimchar's and Alakazam's were sweetened, and Elekid's had enough spice to give it a kick. Dusclops, as usual, didn't seem to care one way or another. He just hovered nearby, silently keeping watch while the others dug in.
Ursaring, the newest addition to the team, had some particular preferences when it came to food. With its Rash nature, it had a distinct liking for dry, almost crumbly textures and a clear aversion to anything bitter. This made meal prep a little more involved, requiring me to keep its portion separate and ensure no stray bitter herbs from Larvitar's meal found their way into its bowl. It was another small detail to remember, another way to cater to each Pokémon's individual needs and ensure they were all in top condition for the challenges ahead.
Once they finished eating, we got to work.
First came our gravity training, practicing under heightened pressure fields to improve balance, speed, and stamina. It wasn't flashy, but it'll pay off in battle.
After that, we split off into ability-focused drills.
Chimchar worked on channeling power into his fists, aiming to eventually awaken Iron Fist.
This wasn't new. We started this training weeks ago, long before the journey even began. I had him throw regular punches at punching bags at the dojo in Veilstone Gym.
Later once he learned Fire Punch, I had him throw Fire Punch into targets every training session, not for strength, but for control and consistency.
His technique improved dramatically, but his flames didn't burn any hotter than usual. But I wasn't expecting fast results. Developing an ability like Iron Fist takes time—months, probably. This was just one more rep, one more swing closer to the goal.
Nearby, Elekid trained under Alakazam's supervision.
This, too, was part of the routine we'd established early on. Alakazam used Hypnosis to place Elekid in a light trance, mimicking the sensation of drowsiness without fully putting him to sleep. Elekid's job was to resist it, to stay focused, alert, and moving despite the mental pressure.
Vital Spirit training wasn't the same as learning a new move. It was about discipline, about wiring Elekid's instincts to override fatigue and sharpen his reactions. We'd been at it for a while, and while his resistance had definitely improved, this was still part of a longer path.
While they worked, I gave Larvitar some solo time. Her Rock Slide had power, but not efficiency. The goal now was to help her form boulders using her own energy, rather than tearing up the ground each time.
"We need to do this on a smaller scale," I reminded her. "Conserve your stamina." She growled low in acknowledgement and concentrated. Slowly but surely, the rocks she summoned began to form more cleanly, more quickly.
Ursaring's training was another story. The plan was to teach it Facade. That move would pair perfectly with its Guts ability, doubling its power when Ursaring was inflicted by a status condition on top of the 50% boost Guts will give.
On paper, it was a perfect combo. A move that hit almost as hard as a Hyper Beam but without the recharge drawback.
To activate Guts, I had Dusclops use Will-O-Wisp. The moment the burn landed, Ursaring's body tensed. His eyes glowed red.
And then everything fell apart.
Guts activated… and so did Ursaring's rage.
It snapped. The training session turned into a storm of wild strikes. Normal and Fighting-type moves thrown in every direction, no technique, no focus. Just fury.
Dusclops was fine, the Slash and Hammer Arm that Ursaring threw passed through Dusclops harmlessly. But even so, the situation was pointless. There was no control. No chance to teach anything.
I could have returned Ursaring to his Poké Ball, but that wouldn't change the fact that Ursaring would have no control once I bring him out again. I'll have to wear him down the hard way.
To wear Ursaring down faster, I had Dusclops use Gravity, making every movement heavier. It didn't stop the rampage, but it slowed Ursaring down, helping drain its energy. At that point, Dusclops was just a target, something for Ursaring to lash out at until it burned through its stamina.
It became obvious this method of teaching Ursaring Facade wasn't going to work. Forcing a burn just triggered Ursaring's worst instincts. If I wanted Facade to be a reliable part of its moveset, I needed to find a better approach. One that taught control, not chaos.
For now, Facade training was on hold.
Once the drills wrapped up, I let the team stretch out with some practical battle practice. We moved through the nearby grass, encountering a mix of wild Pokémon native to Route 203—Starly, Bidoof, Spearow, Seedot, Lotad, Cubone, Abra, and Psyduck. I rotated everyone in, giving them chances to test what we'd worked on.
None of the wild battles were particularly difficult, but that wasn't the point. It was about sharpening reflexes, syncing commands with instincts, and keeping their battling mindset sharp without exhausting them.
By the time the sun dipped toward the horizon, I called it. They'd earned the rest.
We returned to camp, and I let them unwind for real this time. Chimchar climbed a tree and balanced on a branch. Elekid sparked his fists together, showing off, until Chimchar dropped down to spar playfully with him. Larvitar stayed back at first, lying on a warm rock, but eventually joined the others near the fire. Dusclops stayed on the edge of the group, silent as always, but his presence didn't go unnoticed. They knew he was watching over them.
Even Alakazam, ever the quiet observer, floated nearby with a rare, faint smile on his face.
I watched them for a while—training partners, teammates, companions. Their current strength was a testament to their hard work. Yet, I knew deep down that their true potential remained largely untapped.
It's been less than a week since I started this journey. Already I've battled both Ash and Barry, fought through random trainers along the routes, and started laying the groundwork for the team I want to build.
When I first started my journey, I gave myself a rough estimate: eight badges in eight months, then two more months of preparation before the Lily of the Valley Conference. Ten months total.
But if I keep this pace up, I'll finish that schedule early.
Which brings me to the first real test, Oreburgh Gym. Roark.
I remember his Cranidos from the anime when Paul battles him. And I remember how it eventually evolved into Rampardos by the time Ash challenged him. That gives me a choice.
I could fight him now, while he still has Cranidos. A cleaner win. Easier.
Or I could wait a few weeks, let him evolve it, and challenge him at his best.
Waiting would also give me time. Time to train. Time to evolve.
Elekid's already in good shape for the gym. With Low Kick and Brick Break, he can deal with the type disadvantage he would face from any dual Ground/Rock types.
Larvitar, on the other hand, could benefit greatly from learning Iron Head. While not essential for this specific Gym battle, as her Stomping Tantrum will handle Rock-types effectively, mastering Iron Head would lay a crucial foundation for her future.
Upon evolving into Tyranitar, she will gain a weakness to Fairy-types. Having a powerful Steel-type move like Iron Head in her arsenal would provide invaluable coverage, potentially turning a disadvantageous matchup into a decisive victory.
And Chimchar… he needs something to deal with his Rock weakness. I'm thinking about Dig. It's not just a strong move, it's versatile. Great for dodging, countering, and catching opponents off-guard.
And then there's the next step.
Gible. I've wanted one for a while now. A future Garchomp, powerful, fast, and reliable. I know there's a chance to find one north of Oreburgh City, in Wayward Cave. If I'm already planning to wait for Roark's Cranidos to evolve, this is the perfect window to head that way.
So that's the plan.
Tomorrow, I'll head north and search for a Gible. Then I'll use the next few weeks to train, strengthen my team, and come back ready for a proper Gym Challenge.
Hopefully by then he'll have a Rampardos and will give me a challenge.
__________
I moved fast, cutting straight through Oreburgh Gate. A couple of campers near the entrance spotted me and waved, calling out with the usual challenge, wide grins, full of energy.
I didn't slow down.
"Not today," I muttered, brushing past without so much as a glance. I had other things to do. No distractions. No wasted steps.
The tunnel wasn't long, and in less than a few minutes, I emerged into Oreburgh City. The morning sun was higher now, bouncing off the surrounding cliffs and rooftops.
I paused just long enough to bring out Alakazam.
"Mark that place," I told him, nodding toward the Pokémon Center at the edge of town. His eyes glowed faintly in response. We wouldn't be staying long, but I'd need a quick teleport back once I'm done with my goal for today.
With that done, I turned north onto Route 207, eyes scanning the path ahead.
A steep dirt slope rose in the distance, leading toward the upper routes—but a biker sat at the base, lounging with his foot propped up on the fence. He raised a hand, calling out something about needing a bike to pass.
I didn't stop to argue.
"Alakazam," I said simply.
He raised a spoon, and the next thing I knew, my feet lifted gently off the ground. A silent, invisible force cradled me, carrying me in a smooth, controlled ascent over the rocky ridge.
Below, the biker's posture faltered. His scowl, meant to enforce his self-appointed blockade, melted into a bewildered frown, his forward momentum halting as he craned his neck, following my effortless trajectory. His jaw visibly slackened as I drifted over the blockade he so confidently guarded, landing with barely a whisper on the other side.
He blinked, once, twice, then rubbed his eyes with a gloved hand as if trying to dispel a hallucination. The usual bluster, the practiced intimidation—all vanished, replaced by a dumbfounded stare that lingered on the space I had just occupied. It was a stark reminder that the rigid rules of a game held no sway in this reality.
I didn't look back, a quiet amusement at the biker's bewildered expression accompanying me as I continued on my way.
Beyond the hill, I entered Route 206, but I didn't take the route gate like most trainers would.
Instead, I veered east, sticking to the narrow, grassy path running beneath the towering Cycling Road. Steel beams stretched overhead like a skeleton, casting long shadows across the grass and stone. The sunlight barely reached under here. It was quieter, cooler. Most trainers didn't come this way.
I followed the path carefully, brushing past low-hanging branches and ducking under rusted guardrails. I was looking for something specific. It was hidden, if you didn't know where to look.
And then I found it.
Wayward Cave.
The entrance sat nestled in the darkness beneath the overpass, half-concealed by brush and broken rock. I stepped closer and looked in.
No light. No sound, other than the distant drip of water echoing from inside.
It was darker than I expected, the kind of dark that eats light. The cave breathed cold, like the air inside hadn't moved in days. The floor was uneven, and every step echoed a little too loud against the stone.
I pulled out Chimchar's Poké Ball and released him.
"Keep your flame steady," I said.
Chimchar didn't respond with words, but the flame on his tailbone flared a touch brighter, and he gave an eager little hop, his eyes fixed on the darkness ahead.
The fire lit up the walls in flickering bursts of orange, casting jagged shadows across the cave mouth. He stuck close, his quiet steps padding just behind mine.
We walked for a long time.
Deeper and deeper we ventured, through narrow halls that twisted unexpectedly into sudden open spaces. I didn't need a map; I knew Gible could be found within this cave system. It was only a matter of time. Sooner or later, our paths would cross.
The local Pokémon stirred as we passed. Zubat, Geodude, Baltoy, Sandshrew—but most of them kept their distance. A few twitched toward us out of habit, but once they saw Chimchar's flame and the calm way we moved, they backed off. I wasn't here to waste time fighting every wild Pokémon that crossed my path.
The deeper I went, the more the cave began to shift. The walls narrowed, the ground tilted. Some paths split off in confusing directions—loops, false tunnels, places meant to turn people around if they weren't paying attention. This wasn't just a cave. It was a maze.
But I kept moving.
I was close.
Then came the rumble.
Low and guttural, stone scraping against stone.
Two Onix slithered forward, their eyes glinting in the dim firelight from Chimchar behind me. Massive, coiled bodies of stone blocking the path completely. And judging by the way they loomed, I knew immediately that they weren't going to let us pass peacefully.
"Tch. Fine."
I unclipped two Poké Balls from my belt and tossed them forward.
"Larvitar, Elekid. Let's clear the path."
Larvitar landed in a crouch, her crimson eyes narrowing as she locked onto the left Onix. Elekid sparked to life beside her, fists clenched, electricity dancing up his arms.
"Larvitar, Stomping Tantrum. Elekid, Low Kick on the one to the left."
Larvitar dug her heels into the cave floor, and slammed her foot down with enough force to crack the stone beneath her. The tremor rippled out in jagged pulses, knocking chunks of rock loose from the tunnel ceiling and catching the first Onix directly in the underside. It grunted in pain as its body swayed from the shockwave.
Meanwhile, Elekid darted low toward the other one. His feet barely touched the ground as he ducked under its swinging tail and swept a charged leg across its underside. The Onix snarled, losing its balance for a split-second.
But, before Elekid could follow up, the Onix's rocky body twisted in a blur, coiling around Elekid.
Bind.
"Protect!"
A shimmering barrier of energy burst to life around Elekid just in time. The Onix's coils slammed into the green light with a heavy crack, but didn't break through. Elekid gritted his teeth behind the shield, bracing from the impact.
The second Onix, trying to make space from Larvitar, raised its tail and launched a barrage of jagged stones.
Rock Throw.
"Endure it, Larvitar!"
She hunched low, arms crossed over her face as the boulders smashed into her. She stood her ground, resisting the impact like a wall.
I saw the Onix trying to use Bind on Elekid start to let go
"Brick Break!"
Elekid dropped his Protect and surged forward with a burst of speed, both fists lit with white energy. He leapt up, cracked the Onix across its rocky jaw with one arm, spun in midair, and smashed the other fist down onto the same spot.
The Onix roared, and crashed into the ground with a heavy thud, unmoving.
One down.
"Stomping Tantrum again!"
Larvitar responded with another brutal stomp, more forceful than the first. The ground beneath the second Onix fractured, tremors buckling through its massive form. This time, it wasn't ready. The seismic shock blasted it off balance sending it crashing to the side with a deep, echoing boom.
It let out a final growl, but didn't rise again.
I waited a second, scanning the darkness in case another wild Pokémon showed up.
Nothing.
I exhaled slowly. "Well done."
Larvitar gave a short huff, brushing dust off her shoulders. Elekid shook his arms out, sparks still trailing from his knuckles.
The path ahead was clear again.
The presence of such strong Pokémon even in this part of the cave only reinforced my expectation that any Gible deeper within would be even more powerful.
__________
It felt like hours had passed before I finally found what I came for.
Deep inside Wayward Cave, past twisting paths and rocky dead ends, I stepped into a natural pit, an open chamber carved out of stone. The floor was cracked and uneven, littered with loose gravel and broken fossils. In the center of the space:
A group of Gible. Six of them.
Exactly what I was looking for.
They hadn't noticed me yet. They were roughhousing. Snapping at each other, tumbling in the dust, throwing chunks of stone around like toys. But the second I stepped forward, they froze. Six wide mouths turned toward me, and all at once, they tensed.
I didn't flinch.
I wasn't just here to catch one, I wanted the right one. A Gible with Sand Veil. The plan was simple: catch them all, check their abilities, and release the rest. If more than one had Sand Veil, I'd pick the one with the best nature.
Until they attacked.
No warning. One of the Gible lunged with Dragon Rage, blasting a wave of energy that Chimchar barely dodged. A second followed up with another. Then a third. The air cracked with heat and pressure.
"Chimchar, Fire Punch! Aim low and move."
He ducked under a bite and countered with a punch to the side of the nearest Gible, flames flashing across its jaw. But the rest were closing in.
"Elekid, cover him. Low Kick, then Protect!"
Elekid dashed in, legs sparking, and swept one of the Gible off its feet. Another came at him from the side—he threw up a green shield just in time to block a second Dragon Rage.
"Larvitar, Rock Slide! Target the back row."
She raised her arms, and with a grunt, summoned boulders from the cave ceiling. The rocks slammed down, disrupting their formation. The second the dust settled, one of the Gible let out a low hiss and kicked up a Sandstorm.
Grains of grit and dust filled the air, spiraling into a storm.
I shielded my face. Visibility dropped instantly. Chimchar's flame only lit a few feet ahead now.
That's when I noticed it, two of the Gible were harder to see. Their outlines blurred in the haze, their bodies seeming to vanish into the storm.
Sand Veil.
They had the ability. At least two of them did.
But the sand and chaos made it impossible to track which two.
The battle was slipping. I could feel it.
"Chimchar, fall back!"
He backed off as I recalled him, just narrowly dodging another hit.
Time to even the field.
"Ursaring, let's go!"
He landed heavy, eyes already locked on the chaos ahead.
"Brace yourself. One of them's coming in with Dragon Rage!"
The incoming Gible let loose a blast, but I was ready.
"Take it, then use Slash! Center target."
Ursaring dropped his stance and tanked the hit with a grunt. Then, right on cue, he roared and lunged, claws glowing. His Slash ripped through the sandstorm and caught one of the Gible clean across the chest, sending it tumbling backwards.
"Excellent! Larvitar, Stomping Tantrum. Scatter them."
She slammed the ground, shaking the chamber. The quake threw two of the Gible off-balance. One tripped, giving Elekid just enough of an opening.
"Brick Break!"
Elekid spun in and cracked the stumbling Gible with a clean shot to the ribs. It crumpled on impact.
Another Gible came charging at Larvitar, jaws open.
"Block it and counter with another Stomping Tantrum!"
Larvitar dug in and took the bite, snarling through the pain, then drove her foot into the ground again. The resulting shockwave sent the attacker skidding.
But the sandstorm kept raging. Ursaring squinted through the dust, turning toward two incoming Gible from opposite angles.
"Ursaring, pivot left and use Hammer Arm!"
He swung low and hard, smashing one of them flat. The other tried to sneak in from behind.
"Behind you, turn and use Slash!"
He reacted fast, spinning into a wide arc. His claws caught the second Gible, knocking it out cold.
That left one.
It was the smallest, probably the youngest. Still standing. Still glaring.
It hissed and launched one last Dragon Rage straight at Elekid.
"Protect."
The green barrier flared up again. The blast crashed into it and fizzled out harmlessly.
"Counter with Brick Break."
Elekid dashed forward and cracked it right across the face.
The Gible collapsed.
The sandstorm began to die down.
Silence followed.
I reached for my belt, grabbed six Poké Balls, and started throwing.
All six, caught.
Since I already had six Pokémon with me: Alakazam, Chimchar, Dusclops, Elekid, Larvitar, and Ursaring; and I had an eight Pokémon carry limit, only two of the Gible remained with me. The other four Poké Balls were automatically teleported to Reggie's.
They'd fought hard. So did my team.
I gave Alakazam a nod.
He raised one hand, eyes glowing bright, and in a pulse of blue light, we vanished from Wayward Cave.
A moment later, we stood in Oreburgh City, just outside the Pokémon Center.
The sky had shifted. Golden-orange light filtered through the clouds. Sunset.
We'd been in that cave all day.
Didn't feel like it, but time always slipped fast in the dark.
Still... It was worth it.
I checked in, booked a room at the Pokémon Center, and headed straight upstairs. Settling onto the comfortable bed, I pulled out my PokéGear.
Navigating the familiar interface, I composed a message to Reggie. I let him know about the successful haul, six Gible caught in total, and that four of them should have already been sent to him.
Tomorrow, I'd have him initiate the transfer back to me. That's when the real work would begin: sorting through them, figuring out which ones have Sand Veil and what natures they have. Only the one with the one with the best potential would earn a place on my team.