The weather had been pretty awful the previous night and Knight had woken up a few times because of the wind and thunder. The next morning, he was asmused to see a small group of Mareep on the Slateport side of Route 110. He stood with his hands on his hips and considered how he'd herd these 'mons by himself. He counted six Mareep and shook his head.[break][break]
"What do you think?" Out of their balls were Fitzwilliam, his Farfetch'd and Gideon, his Karrablast. Fitz seemed ready to poke a Mareep or two with his oversized leek but Gideon was just as puzzled as Kay, "I don't have rope or anything... Should I use something as bait?" But he didn't have anything suitable with him.[break][break]
One of the Mareep tried to take a bite out of Fitz' leek and it made Knight snort, to see how his Farfetch'd dealt with it. A swift smack to the nose from his leek which earned a sad bleat from said Mareep, "Be nice, Fitzwilliam. They're lost and far from home. We have to help them!" He dug into his school bag, which was mostly filled with one (too large) book but he managed to tug free a rather crumpled straw hat.[break][break]
Knight stuck it on his head, "Alright... Let's just..." He shoved gently at the Mareep closest to him, which baa'd and then went back to eating a tuft of grass. What the heck! He wished Loot Guard was here. [break][break]
A Ranger would know what to do!

[attr="class","tag"]absalom steel

[attr="class","pkmn"]

As he witnessed the Rufflet getting Moonblasted right in the face, Knight reassessed the situation and figured it was simply too dangerous for them to get involved. Yup. That was it. [break][break]
As Loot Guard mentioned a farm and how they needed help (and how he could even get a Pokémon as a reward) he nodded, enthusiastically, "That sounds like fun! And like something Fitz would be up for as well." Fitz had taken a few steps in the direction of the Rufflet and Spritzee but, upon hearing his name, swivelled back around and pretended he was marching back and forth. Leek over his shoulder and everything![break][break]
That was decided! Knight grinned, "Let's go help the farm!" He said it with a punch to the air but he couldn't go anywhere without Loot Guard leading the way first...

[attr="class","tag"]Lutgarde Dijkstra

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Knight cradled the ball in his hands as it shook and then settled, a grin on his face, "I think so yeah -- My friend will be able to handle him, she's an incredible trainer!" He was so excited to show Cass what he had caught for her.[break][break]
The newly caught Grafaiai was slipped into a pouch in his bag and Knight quickly took the berries offered to him, "Woah, thank you!" He needed to find a way to repay Loot Guard for being such an awesome mentor today. If only there was something he could do for the ranger...[break][break]
"Oh that would be neat. I don't really know much about the Berry Garden either..." He just knew there was a chance to own a small plot to grow his own stuff and it just appealed to him. Nothing would do until he had satisfied the craving![break][break]
A few moments later and Fitzwilliam was released from his ball again. The bird ruffled up his feathers and narrowed his eyes at Knight, "Don't be like that, you almost got into a fight..." Speaking of which, it seemed two more 'mons were up ahead. Kay gave Fitzwilliam a warning look (which wasn't all that stern since it was him) and the Pokémon huffed, falling into step beside his trainer.[break][break]
"Do you think they're fighting about territory or something..." Kay whispered as they passed by. He caught glimpses of the two Pokémon through some trees, "Oh, I see them." He could also tell the fight wasn't all that serious and there was no need to get involved. Knight didn't have a desire to catch either of them, as he wanted to really focus on a Pokémon to help in his future garden.

[attr="class","tag"]Lutgarde Dijkstra

[attr="class","pkmn"]

What happened was unexpected for Knight too.[break][break]
One second his Charcadet was aimed at the Tinkatuff and then the next, the two Charcadet had collided head on. It seemed that Cass' had attempted to protect Sona! His heart would have melted if he wasn't in the middle of a battle.[break][break]
Instead, he knew he had to take advantage of this if he wanted a chance at winning. Knight was surprised with himself for suddenly caring so much when he hadn't really battled before (class battles were different, they never felt 'real'). He'd have to think about this later but for now...[break][break]
"Nice! Okay, Harrow, follow up with Ember!" Not as powerful as the move his 'mon just used but it would let her attack and recover somewhat. She could take it easier. Harrow seemed to understand and created a little distance to protect herself but then threw out small flames towards her opponent.[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","pkmn"]

"One for land, one for sea and one for sky... Yeah! I can totally do that." Knight grinned as he stepped away from Kairi so he could give Josh his complete attention -- or as much of it as he could while being distracted by the idea of which Pokémon he'd end up capturing for each role...[break][break]
He snapped out of the daydream (kinda) when questions were thrown his way, "Oh... Hm, maybe a Pokémon who has good reflexes and won't panic too much if I panic? Not too fast or strong." He was worried about accidentally letting go and then... Well, if he couldn't swim, there were a few outcomes to that scenario. One, he hoped, involved Josh or whatever partner he got paired up with, saving him![break][break]
As keen as he was to get started, Kay didn't want to rush too much and end up with a Pokémon who didn't work well with him. He was glad Josh had considered his wants and needs as well. [break][break]
Knight turned to look out over the water, where a lot of Josh's Pokémon (so he assumed) were swimming around, racing each other or just chilling. A part of him was super excited to get involved but he was scared too -- what if he messed up? Or what if the Pokémon Josh picked for him to use just didn't like him? He worried his bottom lip with his teeth as he thought about that, "When did you learn to ride Pokémon and was it easy for you?"[break][break]
The questions were, sort of, out of the blue but Kay looked at Josh and waited for an answer anyway.

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Kay couldn't believe he got to shake hands with a Gym Leader! He was a little dazed, but he grinned when permission was given to pet the Vaporeon.[break][break]
He did his best to listen as he pat Kairi carefully on the head and then ended up scratching under her chin too, "I was going to say, I've never seen a Vaporeon this size or even heard of it being possible. That's amazing." His eyes sparkled with awe as he realised just how lucky he was.[break][break]
Not only was he getting lessons from an actual gym leader, but he was able to meet an incredible Pokémon like this, "I haven't really thought much about which Pokémon I'd want, really. I'm happy to just have whatever I come across. I think having a bond is important." He blabbed a little and then blushed. Would Josh think he was just a dumb kid for thinking like that?[break][break]
Well, that was why he had signed up for this! To learn from someone older and more experienced than him, "Will Kairi be the 'mon I'll use today or..." Knight reluctantly stepped away from petting the Vaporeon and looked around at the others. There were so many incredible Pokémon here, and it was easy for him to become overwhelmed.[break][break]
Or perhaps Josh would pick for him! That would make his life so much easier!

[attr="class","tag"]Josh Devlin

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Fitzwilliam moved with speed and confidence. Honestly? Knight was impressed with how he could move with that leek, like it was nothing at all. He had never tried to lift or hold it himself (Fitz was a bit overprotective of it, like if something happened to it then Kay could get him another leek! Maybe not one that size but another one!) so he couldn't be entirely certain how heavy it was. But compared to Fitzwilliam, it looked like a lot.[break][break]
Also, a move called 'Dragon Hammer' seemed very overpowered and unfair to use! Knight watched as the hammer swung towards Fitz and easily knocked him off to the side. "Oh!" Kay hurried over to where the Farfetch'd had been knocked out. He crouched and checked on his 'mon but he was fine if a little beat up. Knight recalled him for now - he'd heal him as soon as the battle was over.[break][break]
He went back to where he had stood before, "Nice one - Harrow, you're in." He complimented Cass' prowess while he directed his Charcadet to join the fray. Harrow beat her hands together and glared at the Tinkatuff. How would this match-up go...? Knight swallowed, "Alright, hit your opponent with a Flame Charge!"[break][break]
Harrow narrowed her eyes, the flames around her sparking to life and flaring up. She dashed forward, impossibly fast, and aimed to smash into the Tinkatuff.[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","pkmn"]

It was a relief to have Loot Guard for backup and for Sylv to jump in and throw up the Light Screen. He knew Fitz wouldn't appreciate being called back like that but he'd talk to him later. He couldn't just attack wild Pokémon like that... Someday he'd jump in to hit the wrong 'mon and find himself in a world of danger. Of course, Knight would do whatever he could to help his Farfetch'd but... Yeah, working on discipline might be a good idea.[break][break]
Right now, he was focused on the Grafaiai. It seemed cautious and hesitant but eventually took a few steps towards Kay. [break][break]
It helped when a berry (supplied by Loot Guard! So they DID have loot!!!) bounced off his noggin and rolled towards the 'mon. It was part-way between him and the Girfaiai.[break][break]
He chuckled and gave Loot Guard a thumbs up but kept his gaze on the Grafaiai. It moved closer as it sniffed at the air and then immediately perked up. It dove for the berry and happily munched, which made Knight chuckle again. "You like food, huh? Then you'll defo love my friend, she'll take good care of you."[break][break]
This time he had a Pokéball at the ready and the Grafaiai looked over at Knight for a few moments and then hurried towards him and booped the button on the ball itself...!

[attr="class","tag"]Lutgarde Dijkstra

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Knight sat on a rock as he watched Fitzwilliam pretend to fight something, swinging his giant leek around. Chani had been released from her ball as well and she was content to watch the Farfetch'd for now. Knight expected her to jump in and copy Fitz or play fight with him.[break][break]
"Are you annoyed about the battle against Sona? I thought you did great! It was your first proper, not-in-school fight, too!" Kay grinned at the memory of his Pokémon fighting as hard as they could. He re-focused his attention on Fitz who didn't acknowledge he had heard Knight and he sighed, "Don't sulk. Maybe it was my fault. I need to be a better, more experienced trainer for you!"[break][break]
They had walked out here together in the hopes of... Well, Knight wasn't sure what. His feet had just carried him all this way, and then he took a break for some water and let his Pokémon relax as well. He only had two of them with him but even if he had just had Fitz, he would have felt safe.[break][break]
Fitzwilliam continued to run through whatever those exercise were and Kay settled down to watch, "I don't know why you're not like other Farfetch'd. You take this battling stuff very seriously and--" Well, there was that oversized leek as well.

[attr="class","tag"]Thomas Benoit

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Knight narrowed his eyes -- Cass was good. She seemed to anticipate Fitz' move and countered it by placing Sona behind him and striking. It was so cool to see his friend in action like this! And it inspired Kay to try even harder.[break][break]
The exchange left his Farfetch'd a bit wobbly but Knight watched as Fitzwilliam shook it off and looked even more determined to fight the Tinkatuff. "Good one, but Fitz isn't out just yet! Come on, you got this. Use Brutal Swing again!" Knight commanded. He hoped he was leading Fitzwilliam to use the right move...[break][break]
It was hard to know what was the right call to make in the heat of a match-up and Knight was learning that the hard way. Next to him, Harrow flared up for a second and Knight knew she was itching to go next, "Hold on, let's see how Fitz does..." He says with a fond smile.

[attr="class","tag"]Cassandra Kubrick

[attr="class","pkmn"]

Yeah, Knight totally didn't hear Loot Guard trying to explain about the Sylveon so as far as he was concerned, it was still a ghost. There was just so much about Pokémon and the world he lived in that Knight hadn't had a chance to learn yet! This day was already turning out to be educational.[break][break]
He grinned as Loot Guard confirmed what the Pokémon was and then stalled, the ball slipping from his grasp. Kay managed to grab it before it hit the ground and gave his ranger companion a sheepish grin, "Technically... I've never caught a 'mon before." [break][break]
Which might be weird to hear if people knew he had six! already, but one was hatched from an egg and the other five had been rescued by his uncle during the whole Slateport-Goes-Sidesways-Thanks-To-Rocket thing that happened.[break][break]
So he didn't even have to fight the Pokémon, "Oh that's--" Fitzwilliam launched himself at the Grafaiai who seemed paralysed in place by the sudden attack, "Woah, Fitz, wait!" But the Farfetch'd swiped with his giant leek.[break][break]
Luckily, the Grafaiai leapt out of the way and clung to a branch of the tree it had been hiding under, "Geez, leave the poor thing alone! We want to bring it home with us!" Knight looked at Loot Guard for some back-up or something. Had Fitzwilliam been itching so badly for a fight?[break][break]
With a groan, Kay fumbled with his Pokéballs before he found the right one. He had to be fast before Fitz did something stupid! Quickly, he thrust out the Pokéball that belonged to the Farfetch'd and recalled him. A beam of light zapped his 'mon away, and he let out a relieved sigh, "Sorry! Arceus, I don't know what got into him..."[break][break]
His attention went back to the Grafaiai. It slowly dropped again and stared at Knight. He crouched and held out a hand, "Hey... Are you okay...?" Kay hoped the 'mon wouldn't run away now, "Do you... Want to come home with me? I promise I won't let Fitz annoy you and well, I have a friend who'd love to dote on you. What do you say?"[break][break]
Knight wished he had a berry or something he could use as a bribe.[break][break]

[attr="class","tag"]Lutgarde Dijkstra

[attr="class","pkmn"]