Chapter 16
Fruit Frenzy
"They apparently have Pokémon from Kanto and Johto here," Andrew told his sister. "The kind of Pokémon I've been looking forward to this entire journey."
They paid the small fee to get in, and began their hunt. Andrew headed toward the desert portion of the Safari Zone first. There he found a familiar Pokémon: Heracross.
"Curse you, Heracross," Andrew said. The only other Heracross he had ever seen was his father's. Heracross was the symbol of Andrew's second greatest foe-his father. Unbeknownst to Andrew, his greatest foe was himself.
Andrew continued through the waist-high grass, looking for a powerful Pokémon. He was hoping for a Tauros, but instead discovered a small, yellow Pokémon.
"Hmm…" Andrew pondered. "A Pikachu." The Pikachu looked up at Andrew. It didn't try to run or attack. It just stared. "You're giving me the puppy-Growlithe eyes, now." Pikachu walked over to Andrew.
"Pika," it said. Andrew raised an eyebrow.
"You seem to want to be captured," he said. He squatted down to look at the small Electric Pokémon. "You don't like being here, do you?" Pikachu didn't say anything. "Well, at any rate, I think I am going to capture you now." Pikachu looked up as Andrew pulled out a green Safari Ball. He dropped it on the Pikachu, who didn't resist its capture.
"Now it's time to catch up to Julia," Andrew told himself. He walked back to the entrance to the Safari Zone, where Julia was waiting for him. "You're done already?"
"I knew exactly what I wanted, I went in and got 'em," Julia replied.
"What Pokémon did you catch?" Andrew asked.
"A Roselia and a Clamperl."
"To each his-or her-own, I suppose," Andrew replied. They left the Safari Zone, returning the spare Safari Balls to the Warden. They then continued their trek north, to Fortree.
Fortree was, in fact, one of the most unusual towns in Hoenn. It was built on trees-all of the buildings were tree-houses. However, the Gym, the focal point of the city, was located in the middle of the city, on the ground. Between the canopy in the trees, and the labyrinth of bridges, the Gym was quite difficult to reach. That, and the fact that…
"There's an invisible wall or something," Andrew said, "in our way."
Julia put her hand out, and felt the invisible wall blocking their path. "Well, can we get around it?"
Andrew side-stepped, and then tried to take another step forward. He bumped into the wall again. "No," he said.
A man who was watching their problem from his tree-house called down to them. "You can't get into the gym?" he yelled.
"Yeah," Andrew answered.
"I can't tell you how to get in there, or help you get in, but I can tell you who can: the Trick Master," said the man.
"Who's that?" said Andrew.
"Back near Mauville, there's a house called the Trick House. It's quite difficult to reach the Trick Master, but the reward is great if you do. But beware-he is the Master of Illusions."
"Thanks," Andrew said.
Before he and his sister left Fortree, Andrew noted that he wanted to stop off at the local shop.
"Just in case," Andrew began, "I need to catch any more Pokémon before challenging Fortree's Gym Leader." He bought five Ultra Balls.
Andrew and Julia walked out of Fortree, and started to head back to Mauville.
On the way there, they came across a very unusual Pokémon. It was brown with green leaves extending from his back. At the end of its long neck were bananas, hanging from its chin.
"Speak of the devil," Andrew muttered.
"What is it?" Julia asked Andrew. They eyed the Pokémon as it ate from a tall tree.
"I don't know," Andrew replied.
"Then why don't you pull out your Pokédex and find out?"
"Oh, yeah…" He took out his Pokédex and pointed it to the large Pokémon.
"Tropius," the Pokédex identified the Pokémon. "This Grass-and-Flying-type Pokémon uses its long neck to reach the tops of tall trees and eat its fruit."
"It's Flying-type," Andrew said, turning to Julia. "We can use him to Fly back to Mauville."
"It would save time," Julia responded, "but how are we going to capture it? It's distracted by food, and I doubt that you can divert its attention."
"Watch me," Andrew said, smirk on his face. He sent out his Combusken. "Combusken, Flamethrower attack!" His Fire Pokémon spat flames at Tropius, but the Grass Pokémon kicked Combusken away. "Combusken, get back up and show him your Fire Punch!" As Combusken ran up to Tropius, Tropius flapped its wings, blowing Combusken into a rock.
"I'm still watching," Julia said playfully.
"Shut up, I almost have 'em!" Andrew snapped. He sent out his Grovyle. "Grovyle, use your Razor Leaf to cut down a banana off the tree!" Grovyle did as he was told, and then grabbed the falling fruit. "Lead Tropius over here…slowly…" Grovyle moved the banana closer to his master. The Tropius followed, trying to eat it. Andrew motioned for Combusken to go behind Tropius, cornering the Pokémon.
As Tropius went to bite the banana, Combusken shot flames at him. When Tropius turned around to attack Andrew's Fire-type Pokémon, Grovyle attacked Tropius from behind. While Tropius remained confused on which Pokémon to attack, Andrew seized the moment by throwing one of his new Ultra Balls. The first one worked unsuccessfully.
"Drat," said Andrew. Tropius turned to Andrew, and started charging. Before Tropius could stomp on Andrew, Grovyle jumped in the way. Vines lashed out at Tropius' feet, tripping the Pokémon.
Andrew looked up through shielded eyes. He noticed that Tropius was squirming around in front of him, and put his arms down.
"Close call," said Julia.
Andrew nodded, and took out another yellow-and-black Ultra Ball. "You're mine now, Tropius." He tossed the Ultra Ball at Tropius, and the Grass Pokémon was enveloped in red light. The Pokémon didn't try to resist as it was captured.
"Bravo," Julia commented.
"Thank you," Andrew said. The Ultra Ball was teleported to a Pokécenter. "Now it's time to pick it up and head to the Trick Master."