"Of course we can train together, Rose. Probably be better than just trying to train on our own, too. Um, I want to change some of my Pokemon before we go, though."
Rose nods. "Okay. Yeah, yeah, I think I want to do that too. Oh, oh, I know where we should go! The Lake of Rage! It'll be awesome. We can go swimming after training! It'll be like a little vacation! Wait right here!" Then she runs off in the direction of the free computer.
"...what am I getting myself into...?"
0oOo0
Rose runs off to make sure she has everything for a week at the Lake of Rage, and you head for the computer. You send Rampage and Hogan back to your father's ranch and pull Geist and Zatanna into your party. Then you dial up your uncle's ranch.
"Hello, Moo-Moo Farm, Mrs. Warren speaking, how may I help you?"
"Hi, Mrs. Warren. It's Indigo, is Uncle George there?"
"Sorry sweetie, he's down in Olivine for the day. Won't be back until late tonight. I can take a message if you want."
"Well, I was just calling to check in with him, see how things are going, so if you could just let him know I called, I'd appreciate it. He's still got my number, right?"
"I'm pretty sure, dear. How are you doin' out there on the open road? Havin' fun?"
"Well, I'm in Mahogany Town right now, but a friend and I are heading up to the Lake of Rage for some training in just a little."
"Oh, that sounds like fun. I hear it's beautiful up there. You'll have to take some pictures for the next time you stop by."
"I'll see what I can do. Say hi to Devlin for me, and let Uncle George know I called. Oh, and give my love to Aunt Katherine."
"Will do, honey-pie. Take care out there. Stay safe!"
The line goes dead and you turn off the computer. You don't know where Rose has gotten to, but she said she'd be back soon, so you grab a cup of coffee and check your bag for supplies. After a few minutes, Rose bounces to a stop in front of you. "Ready to go? Cause I'm ready to go and I want to go so let's go!"
You pause, watching Rose practically vibrate anxiously. "Yes, Rose, I'm ready. Let's get going before we lose too much light. Don't want to get caught in the dark."
Rose jumps up and pumps her fists. "Yay! LET'S GO!"
0oOo0
You make good time to the Lake of Rage. The route is a fairly easy walk, since the Lake of Rage is a popular destination for sightseers, whether they're Trainers or not, so it's kept well patrolled by Rangers. Rose regales you with stories about her travels, and you try to explain your unfortunate history with caves.
Just as the sun is falling even with the tops of the mountains, you reach the end of Route 43 and come to the Lake of Rage Basin. It's an impressive sight, and you pause a moment to appreciate it.
Rose does not.
Rose charges straight for the Lake, stripping off her shirt and shorts as she goes. You start to blush, until you realize that Rose was wearing a one-piece swimsuit under her clothes. Then you realize how tight the swimsuit is, and blush anyways.
Rose hits the water running, and keeps going, swimming out and laughing. You see the flash of released Pokemon, and start jogging for the water's edge. You see Totoro floating on the surface, and Flasher jumping over him. Rose is getting towed around the lake by something, but you can't see what kind of Pokemon it is. Seems kind of serpentine, though...
You strip your shirt off and drop your backpack on the shore. You pop two Pokeballs off your belt and stash your stuff by a rock. "Smoot, stay here and watch our stuff. Nessie, let's go for a swim."
Nessie tows you out to where Rose is swimming and you let go so Nessie can enjoy herself. It's been a long time since she's had this much space to enjoy herself in. "Hey, Rose, do you always wear a swimsuit under your clothes?"
"Well, you never know when you're gonna find a place where you want to swim, do you? But actually, no, I just put this on before we left because I knew I was going somewhere I would want to swim. How could anybody not want to swim out here?"
You smirk. "Well, it is known to be home for wild Gyarados, one of the mostly wildly destructive Pokemon in the world."
"I've got my Pokemon to protect me. Besides, this is way too much fun." Rose smiles gleefully and starts swimming in circles around you as you tread water. Once you realize what she's doing, you decide to turn the tables and start swimming around her instead. She laughs and picks up the pace. You laugh right along and decide to forget about your worries for a little while. They'll still be there in the morning.
0oOo0
After you and Rose finally stop trying to outswim the other, and are simply floating on your backs, you speak up. "You know, it really is pretty out here. But it's getting dark, so we may not want to be out here too much longer. If we are going to be swimming in Gyarados-infested waters, I'd at least like to see them coming."
"Well, I suppose we could, and we've got at least a week before we should go back and challenge that meanie-pants Gym Leader again."
You shrug. "It's probably safer. I don't know when Gyarados are most active, but I'd rather not take the chance that it's at night."
"Yeah, that might be a good idea. I'll race you!" Rose splashes you and starts swimming for the shore.
"Oh no you don't!" You give chase and call for your Pokemon. "Nessie! Give me a ride back to shore!" Nessie sings a happy note and moves to intercept you.
Rose gasps. "Cheater! Felix, come give me a hand too!" Something beneath the waterline brushes past your leg, startling you and throwing off your stroke. A long, skinny Pokemon pulls up beside Rose and she latches onto its head.
You grab Nessie's shell and pull yourself halfway out of the water. "Alright, Nessie, it's a race!"
Nessie is a lot stronger than whatever Pokemon is pulling Rose, but she's got too much of a head start. By the end, you've mostly caught up, but Rose still beats you by a few feet. But when you pull up on shore, you don't mind so much. "Is that a Dratini? Rose, where'd you get a Dratini?" you ask quickly, flabbergasted.
"Oh Felix? Isn't he just the cutest little guy you've ever seen? He's so playful, yes you are," Rose says as the Dratini circles her around and around, nuzzling her legs.
"He does seem playful, but that doesn't answer where you got him."
"Oh yeah, I got him in Goldenrod City after I got super lucky at the Game Corner there. I don't know what it was, it was like no matter what game I tried, I just kept winning! It was so funny, but when I went to go trade my coins in, it was like the people were happy to see me go, which doesn't make any sense, cause isn't it fun watching people win? Anyways, that's where I got him, but I'm still working on his dancing lessons. He's got a lot of talent, and I know he's gonna be great now that I've got a while to work with him. And you're gonna be here helping, so it'll be even better!"
"Sounds good Rose. But maybe we should get camp set up before it gets any darker. We probably should have done this before we went out swimming."
Rose sighs. "Yeah, I suppose..." she mumbles. "I'll set up my tent if you can get the fire started."
"Alright Rose. You know, I think this is going to be a lot of fun."
She smiles. "Of course it's gonna be fun, silly! We've got Pokemon with us, and we're camping! We've gotta have fun."
0oOo0
Smoot -
Quilava - Naughty Nature - Male - Level 34 - Blaze
Nessie -
Lapras - Rash Nature - Female - Level 23 - Water Absorb
Dolly -
Flaaffy - Jolly Nature - Female - Level 26 - Static
Fezzik -
Heracross - Docile Nature - Male - Level 27 - Guts
Zatanna -
Kadabra - Hasty Nature - Female - Level 20 - Synchronize
Geist -
Haunter - Careful Nature - Male - Level 27 - Levitate
With Dad:
Deedee -
Hoppip - Rash Nature - Female - Level 5 - Chlorophyll
Mary Jane -
Oddish - Relaxed Nature - Female - Level 7 - Chlorophyll
Amaranthine -
Grimer - Relaxed Nature - Female - Level 18 - Stench
Swagster -
Poliwag - Docile Nature - Female - Level 24 - Damp
Edward -
Golbat - Quirky Nature - Male - Level 22 - Inner Focus
Thea -
Ledian - Naive Nature - Female - Level 27 - Early Bird
Hippolyta -
Scyther - Adamant Nature - Female - Level 23 - Technician
Bran -
Murkrow - Quiet Nature - Male - Level 20 - Insomnia
Madoka -
Chansey - Calm Nature - Female - Level 14 - Natural Cure
Rampage -
Larvitar - Adamant Nature - Male - Level 25 - Guts
Hogan -
Golem - Naive Nature - Male - Level 26 - Rock Head
Reference Maps:
Johto
Route 42
Route 43
Route 44
Mahogany Town
Lake of Rage
Move List and Inventory
Okay, training time with Rose. Any particular Pokemon you want to train with (I know I saw one vote for getting Smoot to evolve)? Do you want to spend longer than a week out here? Do you want to do what Rose said, and just try to have fun for a while? The world is your Cloyster.
MrRigger