[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]



He doesn't get far before he comes across it.

The bird's feathers glimmer like spun gold, not at all the deep blue he'd come to expect from what pictures he'd seen. Yet unlike the Linoone with its tongue lolling out of its mouth, this little bird gave no indication that anything was wrong with it, even with its strange coloration.

It hasn't noticed him, and the scientist can't resist but to watch it for a time as it pecks the ground.

Eventually, he sends out his Crobat.

The command he gives is silent, and the four-winged bat is quieter still. Crobat are experts at stalking their prey, and the Rookidee doesn't notice him until it's too late. A dark shadow falls upon the smaller flying-type and then poisonous fangs are in its neck.

Crobat delivers a limp, near-unconscious bird to his master's feet.

"Well done."

He nudges the bird with his toe to ensure it hasn't fainted, then taps the quivering form with a safari ball.

---

notes:
:eyes: catch

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]



Red light pulses in the center of the ball, and Gavin pockets it. He would have to stop by a Pokemon Center after he was done here; there was a strong chance his Crobat had poisoned the little bird, and the last thing he needed was for it to succumb.

A steady shrrk, shrrk, shrrk catches his attention. He turns his head to see a Bouffalant pawing at the ground, head lowered as if to charge.

"Ah — Crobat."

Violet wings flare to catch the wind as Crobat dives between trainer and threat. Bouffalant recoils from the impact and Gavin watches as his own Pokemon falters, then rights itself in midair.

Fangs sink deep, leeching life from the wild creature. Bouffalant takes its revenge, but Crobat barely seems affected by this second blow. He drives off the larger foe by attacking with his wings, buffeting it about the face until it turns and runs.

"Thank you." Gavin's tone is sincere.

---

notes:
meant to pass oops

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]



Gavin considers the brave little pup that dares encroach upon his Safari trip with something akin to quiet admiration. Growlithe have a reputation for their courage, but never before has he witnessed it first hand.

Even when a Steelix emerges from its ball with a metallic, grating cry, the puppy does not back down from its aggressive stance.

"You really are fearless, aren't you?"

In the time it takes for him to reconsider his own offensive approach, fingers curling around a pokeball, he is too late — the iron tail of his Steelix slams down upon its foe, and their quarry is knocked unconscious.

After a quick glance about to ensure that none had been witness to such a violent attack, he recalls his aggressive Pokemon and moves on.

---

notes:
pass

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]



When the next fire-type approaches, Gavin has the presence of mind to keep his Steelix in her Pokeball.

His Crobat dives toward the plump piglet, eager for such a juicy snack, but Gavin stops it with a hand. Well-trained after years of training together, it takes nothing else to halt the otherwise-determined creature.

"Fight it," he allows, "but leave it conscious."

Of all his Pokemon, Crobat needed that warning the most. Where Steelix was simply too strong for her own good, Crobat was vicious.

Tepig first attacks with a vain attempt to obscure herself in a poisonous smog; Crobat dives through the cloud without hesitation, its immune system impervious to the poison that would otherwise take hold. Tepig burns up in desperation, dealing a surprising amount of damage to the bat.

Gavin hesitates.

Though ruthless, he has come to care for what Pokemon have earned his respect. He recalls his old friend after it grazes its poison fangs along the piglet's flank. Lucario is sent out, instead, but there is no need for further battle: Tepig sways unsteadily, and Gavin knows that Crobat's poison has taken hold.

He quickly tosses a ball at it, hoping to catch it before it succumbed.

---

notes:
catch!

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

When the Wooloo comes rolling toward him, Gavin's not entirely sure what it is. He registers a white mass coming ever closer and takes a step back, recalling his Crobat and replacing it with the far more intimidating Steelix.

"Chase it off."

Remembering the warning he'd been given about not disrupting the environment, and not wanting the Safari wardens to drag him out in cuffs or something, he amends the order.

"Carefully. No tunnels, no rockslides."

Her grumbling sounds like a rockslide, but she obeys: her iron tail hits the rolled-up Wooloo and sends it flying like a baseball toward a distant treeline. Gavin stares, astonished. Then he laughs, long and deep.

"Nice pitch."

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]

[attr="class","gavin"]

Treecko almost escapes his notice, blending with the long grasses as it did. It's a subtle stripe of pink from its belly that catches his attention, and the scientist stares thoughtfully.

"No," he decides aloud.

Steelix is recalled, and a hailstorm sweeps through the area as the metallic snake is replaced by Sandslash. The Pokemon is fast, much faster than Treecko with its slush rush ability, and a barrage of icicle spears is enough to send the poor grass-type packing.

Sandslash's claws dig ruts in the earth, and Gavin smiles at it.

"Well done."

---

notes:
pass~

[attr="class","sbody"]