[attr="class","sbody"]

While venturing down the cave, something would leap out at the duo. Immediately, Thomas scrambled back as a Gastrodon slammed into the ground where Thomas previously stood. The pink and brown slug would glare at the trainer and his Scizor, reeling its head back, clearly telegraphing an attack. In response, Ripper performed a Swords Dance to bolster his fighting spirit, before bracing himself for what was to come.

A wave of Muddy Water washed through the cave, sending Thomas sliding back, while Ripper just barely stood his ground. In retaliation, he lunged at the Gastrodon with a Bullet Punch, before following it up with a brutal Double Hit. The large slug cried out in pain as the fists slammed into his body, before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.

Thomas got up from where the Muddy Water dragged him, groaning. The trainer was now covered in mud. After wiping his face off, he slowly made his way forward. "Well, I can safely say that I've seen better days. Good work, Ripper.", Thomas told the Scizor.

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tags: @tag
notes: Skipping

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Thomas and Ripper would soon continue their progress down the tunnel. Further down the tunnel, something would spot them coming. The green, rocky Pokemon would gaze at the duo with piercing red eyes. Once they would get close enough, the first thing the trainer would notice would be the red belly of the beast, followed by the rest of its small body. Thomas looked down at the Larvitar, who called down a Rock Slide on top of them.

Ripper and Thomas scrambled back, barely avoiding the onslaught of Rocks falling down towards them. Ripper glared angrily, smashing through the barricade with a Bullet Punch, before lunging at the Rock-type with another Bullet Punch. With a panicked cry, the Larvitar was struck by the steely pincer. It would practically crumple to the ground, visible cracks being left in the wake of the strike.

Thomas would stumble over to the Larvitar, checking to make sure it was still alive after eating such a brutal attack. Thankfully, it would live, and with time, it would hopefully heal. With that being done, Thomas and Ripper began the homestretch towards Verdanturf.

---

tags: @tag
notes: Skipping

[attr="class","sbody"]

As Thomas made to the area that normally got barricaded off by fallen rocks, he would notice that they were not present today. But before they could simply pass through, a Magnitude 4 quake shook the area, causing Thomas to stumble slightly before regaining his balance. Ripper would spot the culprit, a Donphan who was rolling towards them. Ripper allowed the creature to come to him, before simply sidestepping, and allowing the Donphan to sail into the wall.

Ripper would capitalize on the opening by performing a Swords Dance, before lunging at the creature with a Bullet Punch. The Donphan cried out in pain as she as was struck by the steely pincer. In retaliation, she would smash her trunk into the insect with a Giga Impact. Ripper was sent skidding back into a wall by the attack. Despite the prior injuries he took from the Gastrodon, Ripper was not done yet, getting back to his feet, and lunging at the now exhausted Donphan with a Bullet Punch.

With a final cry of pain, the Donphan went down, landing on her stomach with a thud. Thomas looked back to Ripper, who looked to barely be hanging in there at this point. "You did good today, Ripper!", Thomas told the Scizor, before recalling him back to his Pokeball, and making a break for the Pokecenter.

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tags: @tag
notes: Let's blow this Popsicle stand!