Fourth Spell: Getting Ready Catch-All [video/in-person]. Plus Forward-Dated Swarm.

[behindblueskin]

Who: Keldor
Where: In and around Violet City
When: Sept. 19-21; Sept. 22 [swarm]
Summary: Keldor begins his preparations to battle for his first gym badge.
Rating: PG
Log: Berry picking.

Not far from city limits it's All-You-Can-Pick time at the berry farm, and Keldor's making the most of it, building up a stash for future battles. His basket's getting heavy with all that he's plucked so far, but he doesn't mind.

Nor does he mind all the Patrats, Watchogs and Pachirisu scurrying about, berries in their mouths.

What he does mind, though, is a rather pesky Skwovet that's decided to turn berry-picking into a race. As in, if you don't get there fast enough, it's definitely taking every last berry on that bush or tree. And, unlike everyone else picking berries, it's not being slowed down by ladders and baskets.

He'd try and catch the thing, but the owner has a "No Catching" rule in place [good for the tree rat; not so good for the customers], so he's doing his best to not lose to the rodent.

---

Fishing at the pond.

Berries picked and paid for, Keldor's off to a rather large pond that's something of a popular fishing spot. Unlike the farm, there's no rules against catching anything, and he's already gotten himself a Goldeen [who will take care of water transport once it's able to], so the rest of the day is spent training up Shidosanda, Nami, and his recently-acquired Mareep, Tanpopo. If he's to beat Falkner, he needs strong pokemon.

The fish in this pond are "helping" in that regard.

---

Back on 32.

Keldor's electric types are getting a nice rest after beating up all the fish pokemon he could catch, so now it's time for Mikazuki the Rockruff he found in Dark Cave and Sugi the Pidgeotto he'd caught out here when he'd gotten Tanpopo to get in a workout. Of course, today is the day when finding Mareep is easy why couldn't it have been like this two weeks ago?, so Mikazuki and Sugi have plenty of opportunities to hone their skills in combat before the big day arrives.

---

At the deer park.

Simply put, it's a park. With Deerling and Sawsbuck roaming about or being fed by the visitors.

It's a nice place, and Keldor's either catching a break or feeding the very hungry pokemon crowding around him.

It's also very cute.

---

Swarm!

What hey? Where'd all these Pumpkaboos and Phantumps come from?

More importantly though, can he catch one?

Never know when you might need a Ghost type.

Comments

[crystalmaster]

It does, sometimes!

The Eevees warble. They're happy for Keldor to have some of their kids. Just ... probably not the two eggs they thought they would get to raise that Radley's had for weeks.

"Great. I'll put you on the list," Radley smiles.

[behindblueskin]

Keldor would never part them from their children if they really want them to stay. He knows what that sort of thing feels like; at least to a child. Being deprived of some of your family.

Not knowing your real mother...

Dammit! Now he's gonna get mopey if we let him!

Focus on something positive...

"I would appreciate that."

[crystalmaster]

"I won't be surprised if they make one or two special for you," Radley chuckles.

The Eevees beam innocently.

[behindblueskin]

Such trusting looks. It makes him laugh, but kindly.

"Specially-made shall be specially treated."

[crystalmaster]

"I know you will," Radley smiles. "So, which of the evolutions are your favorites? Or do you not know too much about them all yet?"

[behindblueskin]

"I do not know much about them, but I do know that there is a Fire-, a Water- and an Electric-type evolution."

He has been checking his pokedex. ^_^

"The last one I do not think I require."

Jolteon is passed over not because getting one might cause Radley anxiety, but because he's already got Nami, Tanpopo and Shidosanda as far as Electric-types go. Three is good enough.

[crystalmaster]

"Those are the only ones I knew about beforehand," Radley says. He is fine not thinking of one becoming a Jolteon. "There's also Psychic, Dark, Fairy, Grass, and Ice."

Evie warbles. She would become Sylveon if she ever wanted to evolve, but she likes being Eevee so Radley can hold her. Her life pretty much revolves around Radley.

[behindblueskin]

"Those are all types I either do not yet possess, or could use another of."

But Grass pokemon aren't that hard to get. He'll be catching one or two very soon [when the swarm comes], so he probably won't need a Leafeon.

Fairy types, though... He can't remember who it is, but it's said that one of this region's gym leaders uses Dragon-types, and they're pretty tough. Having a Sylveon on-hand for that would be worth all the effort put into training it.

"Tell me more about the Fa-airy!" he says, dodging as a gang of Patrats go zooming by, chased by that dang Skwovet whom they just beat to one of the berry bushes. "The Fairy-type evolution."

[crystalmaster]

Radley dodges too.

"It's called Sylveon," he says. "They can happen when there's a strong friendship with the Trainer. I think you have to also feed them the PokePuff dessert to complete it?"

He'll have to double-check that. He gets out his PokeGear.

[behindblueskin]

"Sylveon..."

That's its name, huh? If it's something that could help him beat this Dragon-using gym leader, then he's going to get one.

[He should also invest in a Glaceon, if Keldor wants to succeed, so getting two Eevees would be a sound move.]

"Yes. I would like that."

[crystalmaster]

"Well, we'll see what the Eevees come up with," Radley smiles.

[behindblueskin]

"That would be best. I have ample time to decide what it is I need, once I have made my preparations and fought my upcoming battle."

[crystalmaster]

Radley nods. "You'll probably have better time for egg-raising after that point."

[behindblueskin]

Post-victory is a good time to kick back and relax. Take a break. Enjoy what's left of the mild days before autumn really sets in.

Look after some eggs by the fireside with some cocoa.

Yeah.

"Ample time for a respite once the major victory is won."

[crystalmaster]

"So when are you planning to take on the gym?" Radley wonders.

[behindblueskin]

"As soon as I believe that Shidosanda, Tanpopo, Nami and my Rockruff, Mikazuki are high enough a level to survive a challenge against Falkner.

Tanpopo and Mikazuki still need more training yet, but they are close."

[crystalmaster]

"Cool. That's great you're so close," Radley says.

His Pokemon bring a few more berries.

[behindblueskin]

Keldor's grin is pure confidence. Mikazuki and Tanpopo are doing very well in their training. They should be able to best Falker and win a badge and a vacation.

"As for you. Do you believe you have enough berries to start your own farm with?"

[crystalmaster]

Radley smirks. "There should be enough for the Pokemon plus extra for business purposes," he says.

[behindblueskin]

"Excellent." Pause. "If ever I retire from battling, I may consider such ventures as these."

Or he could not retire, but become a gym leader and also raise berries. That's an option too.

[crystalmaster]

"Yeah, I think it'll be a nice side venture," Radley says. "We probably have enough to head out soon. Are you going to stay and keep gathering?"

[behindblueskin]

With that, he looks at his own basket. There does seem to be a good quantity there of most things, even with Keldor having to try and outrun a Skwovet to get them.

"I may be nearly finished."

Even if there's hammerspace inside the backpack, it wouldn't do to abuse it too much. And berry jam from squished fruit is a bear to get out.

[crystalmaster]

"Cool."

Radley chuckles as he looks to where Evie and Isla are romping with the Skwovet.

"Well, they're having fun. Or the Eevees are, at least."

[behindblueskin]

No, the Skwovet's not really having fun. It has fall and winter to get ready for, and every berry counts.

One more examination, and it's time to go and pay for his berries.

Hopefully no shenanigans happens on the way to the checkout. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

[crystalmaster]

Radley calls to the Eevees and they scamper over. Soon he's heading to the checkout too, all of his Pokemon trotting with him.