He was expecting something to fly at him from above, aiming for either him or his Ralts.

He didn't expect to hear the squeaky hops of an Amoonguss approaching that was a pretty large Pokemon as he recalled; how it managed to get within Slateport and not get noticed up until now was beyond him, and he wasn't exactly eager to catch another one.

Before he could order his Pokemon to act, he heard it spit something towards him - his Salazzle intercepting it with ease. The Toxic had no effect on her.

She spat out her own Toxic at the Amoonguss - and to the latter's shock, it actually stuck, Corrosion penetrating its natural immunity to poison. Before it could even comprehend what was happening, a Venoshock knocked it out.

"Well, they're just as aggressive as they used to be."

skipping

As if called by his words, another Pokemon appeared. He didn't recognize the sounds this one was making, but it sounded like a big one.

It sounded like it Spit Up something at them, but Hideo's Ralts caught the projectile with Psychic power, tossing it aside. With that opening, his Salazzle followed-up with a Flamethrower.

The Victribell barely stood a chance, flopping to the ground as the flames brought it down. Had Hideo's Ralts possessed Telepathy, it might've given Hideo and idea what he just knocked out - and that it was shiny.

Alas, Hideo would remain unaware, walking ahead with little care.

skipping

Pretty much anyone who listened to even a little bit of Poke-Wrestling would recognize that deep growl, with those heavy two-foot steps following closely by it. They'd managed to find themselves an Incineroar - and it sounded like she'd found them too.

Hideo held his Ralts close, to keep it safe; this was a Pokemon a Ralts wouldn't have any luck against. But a Salazzle might have a shot.

The moment those heavy steps approached, a Toxic flew out of the Salazzle's mouth. Even as it struck the Incineroar, the charge didn't stop. The Salazzle lured her away from Hideo, narrowly avoiding a grab.

After that, all she had to do was wait her opponent out, the Toxic slowly growing in strength. The Incineroar was persistent, but she was on a rapidly-shortening timer.

One that ended the moment a Venoshock struck her.

It would be easy for Hideo to know where she landed, that heavy *thud* hard to mistake for anything else. He took out a Pokeball, aiming right for her.

Attempting to capture the Incineroar