“What is that?” May asked in confusion as she looked at the Pokémon before them.
“It’s a Zigzagoon!
Amazing!
I never thought a wild Zigzagoon could be so huge!” Max exclaimed excitedly.
“What’s wrong with that?” (・.・?) May looked puzzled.
“Come on, sis, read some Pokémon books once in a while,” Max explained disdainfully.
“An ordinary Zigzagoon is only about forty centimeters tall and weighs around 17.5 kilograms.”
Bonk!
“Ow!” Max clutched his head.
“You think I don’t know that?
That Zigzagoon is as big as a person!
Doesn’t that mean it developed extraordinarily well?” May stared at the giant Zigzagoon in surprise.
“How could there be a Zigzagoon that large unless it had an Alpha-sized body?
And clearly it doesn’t.
It should be—” Ash began helplessly, only to be interrupted.
“Ah!
Look!
There are lots of Zigzagoon over there, but they’re much smaller!” May pointed at the group of Zigzagoon nearby.
Suddenly, the huge Zigzagoon stood upright and tore off its disguise.
A boy in shorts emerged from beneath the costume and walked toward a wild Zigzagoon.
“Perfect!
I’ll catch you now!
Go, Mudkip—”
“Aah!” Σ(ﾟ д ﾟ|||) May jumped.
“The Zigzagoon evolved into a human!”
(°д°) Did you even listen to me?!
“Please, sis.
He’s just wearing a Zigzagoon costume.
What do you mean, evolved into a human?” (－.－) Max pointed at the boy speechlessly.
“Really!” Before Ash could stop her, May had already walked over and started poking and squeezing the costume with great curiosity.
“Ah!
My Zigzagoon!”
Startled by May and Max, the Zigzagoon immediately fled.
“You… you have to compensate me for my Zigzagoon!
Because of you, my plan to catch one failed again!” the boy in shorts angrily pointed at the siblings.
Then he noticed their clothing.
“Haha!
Knickers and exposed knees—excellent!
Beautiful!
Absolutely wonderful!”
“Uh…” May and Max were startled by the sudden change and had no idea how to respond.
“You should apologize first.
Interrupting someone while they’re trying to catch a Pokémon is very rude,” Ash reminded them.
“Oh!
Sorry!
We didn’t mean to,” the two quickly apologized.
“Forget it.
Since you’re fellow Knicker Bockers, I’ll forgive you!” the boy waved it off.
“What do you mean, Knicker Bocker?
I’m wearing shorts.
And who exactly are you?” May asked.
“If you want to know my name, I’ll tell you.” The boy put his hands on his hips.
“Sometimes I am a Zigzagoon walking through the forest.
Sometimes I am a Tentacruel drifting among the waves.
Other times, I am a Bellossom dancing a beautiful dance.
But my true identity is… Nicholai, the man known to everyone as the Knicker Bocker!”
“Knicker Bocker…” “Nicholai.” “Pika~”
Everyone was rather surprised.
“Letting your knees be completely exposed and getting close to nature—what a trainer who truly loves nature!
Now, my fellow Knicker Bockers!
If you don’t mind, tell me your names!”
“Uh… I’m May.”
“I’m Max.”
“I’m Ash.
This is Pikachu.”
“Pika~”
“I’m Brock.
Nice to meet you.”
The group soon became acquainted.
After learning that Nicholai wanted to catch a Zigzagoon and then challenge the Petalburg Gym, he discovered that May and Max were the children of Petalburg Gym Leader Norman.
He immediately challenged them, claiming that the Gym Leader’s children must have received strict training and that he wanted to experience their strength for himself.
“Uh… as for our strength…” May hesitated.
“Sure!
Go, sis!” Max immediately agreed on her behalf, using his skill as a professional troublemaker to set his sister up.
“Excellent!
Let me see what you can do.
There’s a plaza ahead, perfect for a Pokémon battle.”
Nicholai released his Mudkip and, naturally, changed into a Mudkip costume.
[Mudkip]
[Strength: Peak Normal Tier]
‘What’s the point of all those flashy costumes?
They only waste time.
Besides, May has no chance of winning.
Torchic has only trained for a few days and has just reached the Mid-Normal Tier.
Whether in strength or command…’ (￢_￢)
Ash silently complained.
“Please, Torchic!” May took a deep breath.
It’s finally starting.
My first battle… a battle worth remembering.
“What?
You’re using a Fire-type Torchic against a Water-type Mudkip?” Nicholai stared at her in surprise.
“Uh… my sister only has one Pokémon,” Max explained helplessly.
“Okay Torchic!
Use Ember!” May shouted.
“Water Gun!” Nicholai countered.
Several small flames were extinguished in midair by Mudkip’s Water Gun.
“Darn it!
What do I do?
I know!
Torchic, use Peck!”
“Ah!
Don’t, sis!”
Just as expected, Torchic rushed forward and was taken down by a Water Gun.
“Torchic is unable to battle.
Mudkip wins,” Brock announced as the referee.
“Torchic, hang in there!
Torchic!
It’s all because I gave bad commands.” (｡•́︿•̀｡)
May held Torchic sadly.
“It’s okay, May.
Let Torchic rest for now.
It’ll recover soon,” Brock said after checking it.
“Awesome!
That was easier than I thought.
So the Petalburg Gym must be easy to challenge too.
Goodbye, fellow Knicker Bockers!
Catching Zigzagoon is still my priority.
I can earn the Petalburg Badge later.”
Nicholai cheerfully prepared to leave.
“What did you just say about my dad and the Gym?!” Max immediately snapped.
“My battle history began with a loss, and I even lost to someone like him.
This is terrible…” May said sadly.
“Wait.
May is just a rookie Trainer who only recently started and hasn’t received much training.
She can’t represent the Petalburg Gym’s true strength.
I’ve battled the Petalburg Gym Leader myself—and lost.
Want to battle me?” Ash asked.
“Ash…”
May and Max looked at him gratefully.
“Oh?
Sure!
Come on!
I’ll keep using Mudkip.”
Ash released Phanpy.
Nicholai’s mouth twitched.
Again with the type disadvantage?
“Mudkip, Water Gun!”
“Phanpy, use Dig to evade, then Iron Head!”
“Where is it?”
Nicholai had little experience dealing with Dig and had no idea what to do.
“Phan…”
Mudkip was knocked down, though it could still fight.
“Finish it with Stomping Tantrum!”
“Phan~”
Ash gave Nicholai no chance to issue another command.
Mudkip was defeated.
“Return, Mudkip.
You worked hard!”
Nicholai recalled it and walked over to Ash.
“Is the Petalburg Gym really that strong?
You lost to it too?”
“Of course!
My dad is the strongest!” Max proudly declared before Ash could answer.
Realizing he had spoken carelessly, Nicholai apologized.
“Sorry, May and Max.
I’ll train properly in the Petalburg Woods before challenging the Petalburg Gym again.”
Suddenly, a mechanical arm reached for Pikachu…
To be continued…
….