[attr="class","gavin"]

The little dog stands up to Lucario like it's nothing.

Gavin admires it, is already palming a safari ball in the hopes of capturing it when the fight is done, but disappointment is quick to follow.

Poochyena pulls a scary face, but the moment Lucario retaliates with a metallic sounding growl, the pup turns tail and flees. Lucario chases it a few paces to ensure it stays away, then returns to Gavin's side.

"Pathetic."

He was searching only for Pokemon with true potential.

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

Gavin makes a soft tch in his throat when he spots the telltale navy wings of the Rookidee.

He'd already caught one, and it was much more interesting with its golden feathers. He had no use for another.

Sandslash is sent out to deal with it; the spike-shelled Pokemon takes one look at the poor bird and hurls an icicle spear that's nearly the size of the poor creature.

Gavin at least has the presence of mind to check and ensure the bird is still alive before continuing on.

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

"Another one?"

Honestly, all Wooloo looked the same to him. It could be the same one that his Steelix had whacked come back for revenge. He doubted the incredibly fluffy creature would have been taken out by the attack, after all, no matter how far she'd punted it.

His suspicions seem to be confirmed when it spots him and rolls into a ball, barreling toward him.

"For the love of—"

He sends out Lucario between himself and the angry fluffball, and his prized Pokemon doesn't need to be told how to handle such a threat. An aura sphere builds between his palms as he stares at the Wooloo, releasing the energy just before it would take him down.

Gavin ensures that it's fainted, not just stunned, and breaths an exasperated sigh.

"Let's just hope it didn't have any friends."

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

Lucario yelps in pain as something crunches at its tail; Gavin whirls to see a Poochyena holding for dear life, growling fierce.

Gavin doesn't need to command his Lucario to defend itself. It turns and swipes at its smaller foe with metal claws; blood spatters in the grass as the Poochyena whimpers, not having expected his target to retaliate.

It releases Lucario's tail and turns to flee: the wrong move.

Lucario recovers and pounces with extremespeed, landing in front of the fleeing pup with a growl. Realising it can't escape, Poochyena tries to take down its larger foe, but Lucario dodges nimbly out of the way and finishes the fight with an aura sphere.

With the pup fainted, Lucario grumbles as it inspects its smarting tail.

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

Another pig waddles up to investigate what's going on, but Gavin's far less interested in acquiring duplicates.

"Drive it off."

The order comes lazily, Gavin having stopped along their walk to light a cigarette. Smoking was probably forbidden in the preservation, but there's no one around to watch him, now is there?

Lucario barks in affirmation.

Tepig is braver than Gavin or his Pokemon anticipated. Heat radiates from it as it crashes into it's foe, Lucario stumbling back as its vulnerabilities are exposed. It growls out a metal sound and grabs at the piglet with metallic claws. Tepig thrashes in Lucario's grip and Gavin can see that his partner is slowly becoming worn-down from the battles he'd fought thus far.

"Finish it," Gavin instructs, knowing it can.

A pulse of draconic energy does the job, and Gavin offers his old partner an approving nod even as it pants and winces in pain. It had done well, but it was time to give him a break.

Sandslash is sent out in his stead, and their journey continues.

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

"What is with these fucking buffalo?"

At least he spots this one before it begins its charge, giving him more time to prepare.

"Swords Dance, then go for it."

Sandslash is a creature of quiet intensity. It's 'dance' is a flurry of sharpened claws, the soft shing of metal-on-metal the only sound to break the silence. It draws the Bouffalant's attention, but by then it's too late.

A flurry of hail slows the approach of the hulking creature and speeds up the dual-type with the aid of its slush rush, the Sandslash diving fearlessly toward its foe with an icicle crash.

Bouffalant takes its revenge, however - Gavin's caught off guard by its use of the move, his Sandslash gored by one of the massive horns.

He recalls it, quickly, and eyes the buffalo with a newfound respect. She's weakened, chest heaving, but she'd proved a worthy foe.

Gavin sends out his Crobat, but holds up a hand to stay its attack.

"Go," he offers the Bouffalant, and she does.

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

Growlithe are noble, admirable Pokemon, but by this point in his Safari trip, Gavin is running out of patience for just about everything.

"Crobat, dive."

It does so, not faltering even as it's consumed by the Growlithe's flamethrower. Its reckless bravery astonishes the puppy and provides enough of an opening for Crobat to sink its poisonous fangs deep.

Growlithe's skill in close combat isn't enough to save it; it goes limp, and Gavin whistles to call his Pokemon off. If he doesn't, he knows the four-winged menace will drain the poor pup dry.

They move on.

---

notes:
pass~