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]

"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.

[behindblueskin]

Everything's fine. Nothing to worry about.

Except he's toting a big basket of berries in his hands and is now the focus of every rodent on the farm...

...they're heading straight for him, as he's got the motherload.

"H-hey!"

Uh-oh...

[crystalmaster]

Radley snaps to attention. "Okay, guys! Protect Keldor and his berries!"

His Pokemon warble and leap into position all around Keldor, attacking any rodents that get too close.

[behindblueskin]

Oh goody. The rodents scurry as rodents tend to scurry, trying to dodge Radley's pokemon. Keldor, in his effort to avoid tripping over or stepping on something, is getting about unsteadily, with end result of losing several berries.

Exactly what the little pests were hoping to achieve.

"Tanpopo!" he yelps, hands full. "Go!"

"Maaaaaar!"

"Use Thunder Wave! But only on the wild ones!"

"Maaaaaaaaaaarrr!"

[crystalmaster]

Cosmo tries to gather up the fallen berries, despite being shy and afraid. Keldor is Radley's friend. She wants to help Radley....

Radley's other Pokemon join the fight.

Radley watches, wincing. He hadn't thought just picking berries would be so complicated.

[behindblueskin]

Neither did Keldor.

This is probably why growing your own is a sensible idea. Because you never know when hilarity will ensue. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Thankfully, together with Radley's 'mons, Tanpopo is able to stun the other pokemon just enough to keep them from running very fast.

Sigh of relief as he adjusts his hold on the basket.

"Thank you."

To everyone.

[crystalmaster]

Cosmo smiles shyly and holds out the berries.

Radley smiles too. "Sure."

[behindblueskin]

Crouching down, Keldor holds out his basket so that Cosmo can drop them in, then, balancing it on his knees, reaches out to give a pat on the head.

"Tanpopo?"

"Reeeep?"

"Run ahead to make sure there are no others. Do not attack though; just chase them away if need be."

"Reeeeep!"

Tanpopo runs off.

This time it should be easier to get to the cash register.

[crystalmaster]

Cosmo puts them in with a smile.

Radley stays alert for any other possible trouble.

[behindblueskin]

Save for a few Pacharisu who scamper out of the way, getting to checkout is unobstructed by anything else trying to get at Keldor's berries. Tanpopo wouldn't be able to affect them, but he's bigger and it's wiser to stay out of the way.

Pretty soon the checkout is reached.

Time to get in line.

A nice, orderly line, with no jerks to ruin things.

[crystalmaster]

Radley gets in line behind Keldor, his Pokemon gathered around him. The line is moving well.