Sealand Creature

[ShadowCloud62]

I know the title sucks, but I couldn't think of anything else....
Anyway, some info before this begins....:
Title: Sealand Creature (title may change, might not. If you have suggestions, feel free to say so)
Author: Uh....me....of course.
Genre: Angst/Drama
Rating: PG-13, due to mild swearing
Summary: A creature who dwells in sea and land becomes torn when Team Magma and Team Aqua begin another battle on expanding land or expanding water. But why? He works for neither teams. However, the battling is taking place in his territory, causing his friends to choose sides! Which side will he pick?
Author's Note: The creature is a Swampert. Swampert is a Water/Ground type, and I've always wondered, if he had to choose, what would he prefer, land or water? This story helps people figure it out....and Swampert is also my favorite Pokemon....

Prologue

"Hey, Swampert, any good fish?" yelled out Marill from the coastline of the sea.

Swampert was far away from land, but he could still hear his friends, Marill, Roselia, and Taillow yelling out at him. Grinning widely, he lifted his hand out of the water to reveal four huge, sparkling Magikarp.

"Mmm! Good grub tonight!" Marill cheered as Swampert came back to shore.

"The Magikarp are dead," the female Roselia said in disgust, poking at one with her rose-hand in dismay. (A/N: I don't know what else to call Roselia's hands....)

Taillow rolled his eyes, "Please, Roselia, it's food. It's nature. Get over it." Unlike the aggressive Marill, the spoiled Roselia, and the good-natured Swampert, he was outspoken and strong-minded, and had no shame in revealing his opinion on something. If he thought you were an idiot, he'd say it to your face, and not care if you burst out crying.

Swampert shot a warning glance at Taillow. He had known Taillow the longest, and he always knew Taillow's strong mind and short temper.

"Dude, calm down," the male Marill said, putting an arm around Taillow, "Roselia's just not used to good grub."

Taillow raised a wing in disgust, "Don't try to be a gangster, Marill, because you aren't good at it." he said.

Swampert had to smile. This was true. All the pokemon in Hoenn said that this male Taillow that lived by Lilycove City was the rudest pokemon they ever met. But Swampert knew Taillow was just being himself. Brutally honest.

"I have to leave anyway," Roselia chirped briskly, "My mother will be serving me real food tonight, unlike these dead things...." she hurried off before Taillow could shoot a comeback.

Marill rolled his eyes, "So how we gonna cook the fish, Swamp?"

Swamp. Swampert hated that nickname. "Well," he said, "don't call me 'Swamp', and uh, well, I'll just make a fire. Taillow, can you fly around and get some firewood please?"

Taillow smiled. Swampert was the only one he was actually nice to, "On my way, Seasprint." he flew off abruptly.

Seasprint. Swampert much preferred this nickname. He'd known Taillow since he was a Mudkip, and he knew Taillow often gave pokemon strange nicknames, like Seasprint. Taillow called him this because on land, Swampert's love of land would take over, making him run freely. He'd always win relay races against the resident runner, Absol. And the sea? Well, Swampert swam faster than a motorboat, and knew everything about the sea, from what lay below the ocean to the currents every season and how they changed.

"Seasprint, what a weird name," Marill remarked as Taillow flew off, "how can you deal with that name? Hell, how can you even deal with Taillow, period?"

"He's my friend, and Seasprint is just--it has a ring to it," Swampert said.

"Taillow's just too weird for me. I mean, was he ever nice to anyone besides you?"

"Yes," Taillow's voice came as he landed in front of them, dropping chunks of firewood, "but that was long ago. And Marill, I do much prefer if you're talking about me, say it to my face, don't talk behind my back."

Marill apparently forgot that Taillow also had very acute hearing, he could hear a gunshot if it was across the world. It was a strange gift many other Taillow, even other pokemon, did not have.

Swampert admired Taillow for that. Taillow's honesty was something to admire.

Suddenly Taillow sharply turned around, "Eh?"

"What is it?" Marill asked. Swampert became alert.

"I hear....voices. Human voices! Behind us! And in front of us, too!" Taillow exclaimed, "Quickly, everyone hide!" he flew off.

Marill frantically leaped into the ocean and stood underwater. Swampert waited a little longer, then sprinted into action, hiding behind the largest boulder he could find.

Humans, he thought, what could they be doing here?







And that's the prologue. I know it doesn't seem like much, but it will get better as the story proceeds.

 

[HB5squared]

VEry original I like it, can't wait till the first chapter begins!

 

[Psychic]

Eh, it's all right...but you have a lot of problems.

Firstly, you should have read Advise for Aspiring Authors before posting. It's Stickied, so it's impossible to miss.

Second, everything you write (a fic, poem or One-Shot) should always be typed on Microsoft Word, not in the reply box. The box will not find and help you correct spelling and mgrammar mistakes, and though I saw few (if any) errors of any kind, you should still be trying on MS Word or a similar program.


Now to get to the specific aspects of the fic itself.

Description: this was your absolute weakest area. You didn't describe a single thing, which is never good. In a story, you always have to describe the envoirnment; where they are, aspects of the area (lakes, mountains and so on) the wheater, the sky (color of the sky and position of the sun [so we know the time]) and other things to set a proper mood.
But in Pokémon fanfiction, there is something different. You must actually describe the Pokémon. Yes, the Pokémon. We may know them and what they look like, but you must assume the reader has never seen any of these creatures, so you must tell us. It may sound silly, but it helps the reader visualise the characters better in their head.

Characters: You're using Pokémon as main characters, something I do as well, so I can give you advise based off my own personal edxperiences.
Firstly, Pokémon have names. What I mean is that they have names for each other. They won't be human names like Daniel and Hanna- some people use combinations of words (like you did) or made up words (like I do- for example, I have a Sandslash named Lumerah). Because if you think about it, it makes much more sense.
You have a little problem with personality; you do a good job on making sure they all have good, distinct personalities, which is very good. HOWEVER you never outright say that "so-and-so has this personality" like you did. You have to SHOW the reader through a characters words and actions what sort of personality they have. I myself would have been able to figure out what they're like simply from the way they spoke and acted, which is quite good. Still, you can't bluntly say "Taillow was outspoken and strong-minded, and had no shame in revealing his opinion on something."

Plot: Seeing as so far, there's only a prologue, there isn't much to say. It's not a good idea that you revealed the plot, though. @_@ It sounds different, but not exactly original and interesting (I'd be thrilled if you proved me wrong, though). The idea is very fresh, but I just don't see how a Pokémon would know on its own about the two teams and make a decision on which side to join.

Realism: The idea of Pokémon willingly joining either Aqua or Magma doesn't make much sense, seeing as humans don't treat Pokémon equally- more like tools.
There are a few things unrealistic about the relationship the Pokémon have. I'll list them so they're a bit easier to read.
-I know a Pokémon's gotta eat, but just going out and catching Magikarp is rather awkward.
-A Swampert cacthing four Magikarp in its mouth and holding them all at once seems a bit unrealistic. I don't think Swampert are that big. If you had described Swampert, it'd be easier to imagine.
-Swampert having to catch all the fish by itself when Marill and Taillow could have helped.
-Even a Roselia knows how nature works, even if it doesn't eat meat. I know it was part of her personality, but she shouldn't be so grossed out. [/nitpicking]
-Every Pokémon in Hoenn won't know about a single Taillow. It's virtually impossible.
-If they've all known each other so long, why is Swampert the only evolved one?
-Marill's arms are too small to place around its friend's shoudler.
-A little Taillow won't e able to carry even a single log, which is what one essentially needs to build a fire.
-Talillow wouldn't be able to collect ANY firewodd within the time he's gone.
-No bird on Earth "could hear a gunshot if it was across the world", even birds of prey like eagles and hawks. And Taillow are pretty much your average bird, so it won't be able to hear extremely well. It wouldn't be able to hear what goes on outside a forest, let alone on the other side of the world. Also, if its hearing is that good, it would have heard the humans approaching much sooner (and from further away).
-I don't think a Marril can stand underwater.



There were a good few places that also needed to be fixed. Here are a few examples:

All the pokemon in Hoenn said that this male Taillow that lived by Lilycove City was the rudest pokemon they ever met. But Swampert knew Taillow was just being himself. Brutally honest.

Should be "was the rudest pokemon they had ever met".
Also, join the last two sentences with a semicolon and take away 'but', so it's "Swampert knew Taillow was just being himself; brutally honest."

Swampert's love of land would take over, making him run freely.

I just didn't understand this part. What do you mean by "run freely"? And why would his love of land make him run as if he was free?

"What is it?" Marill asked. Swampert became alert.

"Swampert became alert." is not a sentence. It must be improved with adjectives, the WAY he acted/reacted to this and such. It should be more along the lines of "Swampert perked his ears and stood on his hind legs, large hands curled into fists as his bright green eyes darted about." See how you can visualise this in your head more easily?

"I hear....voices. Human voices! Behind us! And in front of us, too!" Taillow exclaimed, "Quickly, everyone hide!" he flew off.

Again, "he flew off." isn't a sentence (but if it was, 'he' should be capitalised. You could say "he said urgently before taking wing to hide in the high branches of a nearby sycamore." or something.

Humans, he thought, what could they be doing here?

Whenever someone thinks something, put it in Italics so it looks like this (and add in an adjective): "Humans, he thought bitterly, what could they be doing here?"




So, yea, hope I helped, and I really hope you take my advise, as what I said can really help. Just make sure to read Advise for Aspiring Authors and type on Microsoft Word, look over whatever you write; you always find things you missed while proofreading.

~Psychic

 

[HB5squared]

Characters: You're using Pokémon as main characters, something I do as well, so I can give you advise based off my own personal edxperiences..

Firstly, please don't post like you are an expert write *rolls eyes*

Firstly, Pokémon have names. What I mean is that they have names for each other. They won't be human names like Daniel and Hanna- some people use combinations of words (like you did) or made up words (like I do- for example, I have a Sandslash named Lumerah). Because if you think about it, it makes much more sense.

Correction, in your fic they have names for each other. In this fic... they do not, simply nicknames. Some, fics put that pokemon have names, while others, don't, this is the authors choice he is not incorrect in not putting names for each other.

Seeing as humans don't treat Pokémon equally- more like tools.

How many people do you know who have pokemon? Who are you to say what he/she wants in his/her fic. Perhaps in this fic every trainer treats pokemon equally or perhaps the pokemon are taken against their will.

-I know a Pokémon's gotta eat, but just going out and catching Magikarp is rather awkward.

-Even a Roselia knows how nature works, even if it doesn't eat meat. I know it was part of her personality, but she shouldn't be so grossed out. [/nitpicking]

Some times a fisherman catches more then one fish and that is simply how nature works, as you clearly stated.

-Every Pokémon in Hoenn won't know about a single Taillow. It's virtually impossible.

Have you ever heard of a hyperbole? I'm sure he/she doesn't mean every single one, just the majority.

--If they've all known each other so long, why is Swampert the only evolved one?

-Swampert having to catch all the fish by itself when Marill and Taillow could have helped.

Evolution takes place after a pokemon has partecipated in battles or exerts themselves beyond their potential. You have even noticed that Swampert is doing all the work so wouldn't you be the first one to understand that he probably has evolved because of it.

-A little Taillow won't e able to carry even a single log, which is what one essentially needs to build a fire.
-Talillow wouldn't be able to collect ANY firewodd within the time he's gone.

You even said that he wasn't the best at description, we don't know how big tailow is or how fast he can go or whether or not it collected logs or twigs.

-No bird on Earth "could hear a gunshot if it was across the world", even birds of prey like eagles and hawks. And Taillow are pretty much your average bird, so it won't be able to hear extremely well. It wouldn't be able to hear what goes on outside a forest, let alone on the other side of the world. Also, if its hearing is that good, it would have heard the humans approaching much sooner (and from further away).

I recall the author writing that the pokemon had this SPECIAL unique ability that not many others had. For a story to work you need imagination and apparently you lost yours some where. In the book Harry potter for example mad eye can see through walls no other wiard could do so, just him and yet JK Rowling is what?.... a millionaire!

Your ignorance is so annoying Imagination is the key to success, yes there were a few errors but just because the story isn't the way YOU want it to be doesn't mean that it is bad. Please take your advice somewhere else perhaps go tell JK ROWLING that wizards can't see through walls or perhaps you'll compare mermaids to fish and say that they can't talk *rolls eyes* comparing tailow to an eagle, man to you need a refreshner and a newsflash.
Here's one... You are not the best fan fic writer and I've read yours and although you do write fairly well, this story is much more interesting then yours so before you go giving advice to shakespeare at least know how to write in Iambic pentameter.

Just work on your description a little bit better other than that good job

 

[Psychic]

Firstly, please don't post like you are an expert write *rolls eyes*

I never said I was an expert. I merely said that because I use Pokémon as main characters, I have experience and know how these fics work. I've been here a long time and have seen my share of fics. I think I know what I'm talking about.

Correction, in your fic they have names for each other. In this fic... they do not, simply nicknames. Some, fics put that pokemon have names, while others, don't, this is the authors choice he is not incorrect in not putting names for each other.

In my fic, they don't give each other names. Their parents give them a name, and they stick with it. They don't have 'nicknames'.
I'm not ordering anyone to give characters names; I'm just saying it would make more sense. I mean, when do you have stories about animals where a seagull calls a dolphin "Dolphin", or a canary calls a tabby "Cat". I wouldn't like it if someone kept calling me "Human" and not by my real name.
It just makes more sense for a creature to have an actual name. A nickname is something you're called by friends and such. I'd expect that Pokémon are given names at birth by their parents.

How many people do you know who have pokemon? Who are you to say what he/she wants in his/her fic. Perhaps in this fic every trainer treats pokemon equally or perhaps the pokemon are taken against their will.

I don't just mean humans in general-I mean Team aqua and Team Magma. Granted, there are those happy-go-lucky trainers who treat their Pokémon equally and so on. I'm saying that Aqua and Magma aren't so nice.
And ShadowCloud62 specifically said, and I quote:

causing his friends to choose sides

meaning that Swampert's friends WILLINGLY JOINED.

Some times a fisherman catches more then one fish and that is simply how nature works, as you clearly stated.

You could have actually shown me contradicting myself using those two quote, but instead you say ^that^. El oh el.
Anyways, that has nothing to do with what I said. What's awkward is that they eating Magikarp. I'm not talking about the amount being caught. And I don't see what the Roselia bit means, except that the Roselia feels the way I do, though I'm saying that if it's normal to eat Magikarp, the Roselia shouldn't be unconfortable with it.

Have you ever heard of a hyperbole? I'm sure he/she doesn't mean every single one, just the majority.

And yet, it's still very improbable. I don't see how a little Pokémon like that could be so well-known.

Evolution takes place after a pokemon has partecipated in battles or exerts themselves beyond their potential. You have even noticed that Swampert is doing all the work so wouldn't you be the first one to understand that he probably has evolved because of it.

Are you saying that he did all the work as a Mudkip? Because I can't see a little Pokémon kill a single Magikarp, never mind even knocking one out, and forget about killing four.

You even said that he wasn't the best at description, we don't know how big tailow is or how fast he can go or whether or not it collected logs or twigs.

And yet, do you honestly expect a little Taillow you can carry around in your arms to carry a large stick? If Taillow was abnormally large, I'm sure it would have been mentioned.

I recall the author writing that the pokemon had this SPECIAL unique ability that not many others had.

And yet, did you not see my other point? Of a tine litttle bird could heard something across the world, why whouldn't it have heard the humans in the forest sooner? You can say Taillow has good hearing, but it's physically impossible to hear hear something that far away, and you'd know if you studied sciences. The wave of atoms we interprut as sound gets weaker and weaker as it keeps travelling, no matter how stroung the wave, it stops at some point, so logically, the sound would be gone before it could even travel a mile.

For a story to work you need imagination and apparently you lost yours some where. In the book Harry potter for example mad eye can see through walls no other wiard could do so, just him and yet JK Rowling is what?.... a millionaire!

Excuse me, but if I had no imagination, I wouldn't be writing, least of all Pokémon FanFiction.
And yes, Rowling can make these things happen because guess what- HARRY LIVES IN THE WORLD WHERE MAGIC EXISTS! There is no magic in the Pokémon world that lets Taillow hear things happening on the other side of the world. GASP. Whatever she writes, MAKES SENSE. She incorporated logic into the books, despite the magical aspect.

Your ignorance is so annoying Imagination is the key to success, yes there were a few errors but just because the story isn't the way YOU want it to be doesn't mean that it is bad.

Excuse me, but what's with the bashing? What did I ever do to you? I posted a review, and it wasn't even for your fic!
And you know why people post stories here? So they can get advise and IMPROVE! These people do this because they are open-minded and care about being good writers. It would seem that YOU are the ignorant one, because when did I ever tell ShadowCloud taht I didn't like the way the fic was done? I said it was good, but it needed improvements. Most people like to fix their mistakes so they don't look like idiots. You don't even make the effort to spell correctly.

Please take your advice somewhere else perhaps go tell JK ROWLING that wizards can't see through walls or perhaps you'll compare mermaids to fish and say that they can't talk *rolls eyes* comparing tailow to an eagle, man to you need a refreshner and a newsflash.

I AM FREE TO POST WHEREVER THE HELL I WANT TO. IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT, TAKE YOUR SORRY BEHIND SOMEWHERE ELSE.
You know what? I love J. K. Rowling! She's a genius! You can't just compare anything to her writing! In her stories, magic can be used, but in this fic, THERE IS NO MAGIC! A Taillow can't even compare to an eagle, and the day anyone compares a merperson to a fish, MACARGO WILL FLY OVER MY DEAD BODY.

Here's one... You are not the best fan fic writer and I've read yours

Then don't judge me. Don't assume who or what I am, or I'll do the same to you. You haven't been a member here a fraction of the time I've been here, so you aren't one to talk.

and although you do write fairly well,

How do you know how well I write? You've never read my work.

this story is much more interesting then yours

HOW DARE YOU COMPARE THIS FIC TO SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER READ?! HOW DO YOU KNOW MINE ISN'T BETTER, HUH? I THINK I KNOW MY WAY AROUND HERE BY NOW, SO HOLD YOUR TONGUE!

so before you go giving advice to shakespeare at least know how to write in Iambic pentameter.

You think I'm interested in lecturing a dead man on how racist he was to my people? Shakespeare was a genius, few authors can compare, least of all ANYONE at this forum. And you think I give a damn about how you write? I don't!

Just work on your description a little bit better other than that good job

You're not one to talk about giving advise. After all, you can't even spell. I should like to read your fic.
Until then, I'm going to have a little chat with Dragonfree. Maybe a figure of power will know some sense into your thick skull.



~Psychic

 

[Eternal Daydreamer]

First off, I think it's OK but you need work. Read what Pyshic says, she knows what she's talking about.

Second, HB5Squared, don't mess with Pyshic, I ask you. Oh and BTW, I think YOU didn't read my story. Flatter someone who isn't a diva, alright? Good. Renegade isn't here but Pyshic and she isn't a pushover.

Thirdly, I have spoken my piece and shall leave this arguement for the above posters.

 

[ShadowCloud62]

People, people, please don't fight!
I do understand my description needs work. I have read my prologue and have decided Psychic is right about my description. As for Pokemon names, I might just write in their nicknames. I'm possibly thinking a few now.
As for Taillow, that's rather a thing I came up with. Taillow's hearing could be better, I'll admit, that "gift" of his will be explained a little later on.
Marill....hmm....his arms are very small...
Roselia....might need some work with her.
As for Team Magma and Team Aqua, their battle will begin, and the pokemon's emotions begin to get expressed within as their territories are ruined.

Anyway, I will not write chapter one right now, but I will after a little. My post will be either edited or after someone else's....

 

[DKzM0mA]

Since it's only a prologue, there isn't a lot to comment. Especially since Psychic has pretty much went through the whole thing. Only a couple of things that really kinda made me think was weird.

- Psychic is right. Eating a Magikarp is really awkward O_O.

- Maybe Marill wouldn't be much help, but Taillow could've assisted for some birds of prey swoop down to ctach fish in rivers, and if Taillow could carry logs, a couple of Magikarp wouldn't be a problem.

-Again, Taillow are too small to carry logs. If it was that huge, you shoud've informed us.

-Taillow can not have hearing like that. Even if you exaggerated a bit, it still wouldn't have been able to catch Marill talking about it. Psychic already explained the whole theory with the atoms thing @_@ which hurt my head.

- Why Swampert was the only pokemon evolved out of the three also confused me. If it was the same predicament as Ash's Pikachu and Bulbasaur refusing to evolve, or if it wasn't their 'time', maybe you should've told us that.

-Lastly, like Psychic said...Swamperts are not chickmunks...

Well...in the end, I can't judge much, but I'll waiit for the first chapter.

a little off topic...:HB5squared, please shut up. Psychic is a proffesional reviewer despite her modesty. SPPF is lucky to have a reviewer like her, so you keep your mouth shut. All she was doing was simply reviewing. She didn't say anything negative at all, unless the author can't take critisizim very well.
Lastly don't act like this is your thread, and you know everything.

Most people like to fix their mistakes so they don't look like idiots. You don't even make the effort to spell correctly.

I just love the way Psychic reviews not only fics, but pplz bash, flamez, insult attempts on her xD! You insult her, she comes back making your insult come back to you.

EDIT:

-Marill's arms are too small to place around its friend's shoudler.

Forgive me but I find that really funny.

 

[Dragonfree]

Look, HB5squared... Psychic posted a review. While I admit that a FEW of her points may have been in a gray area - one can imagine Pokémon giving each other nicknames or Team Aqua and Magma treating their Pokémon well, and there is nothing wrong with using major exaggerations in biased narration - but frankly, that was one of the better reviews I've seen in this forum at all, and you have no right to just jump up in some other person's fic thread and claim you know more about what the author was thinking than Psychic does. I also find it highly ironic that while your actual review to the fic was bordering on spam, you found the time to write out a long defense for it after somebody else reviewed. If you're so knowledgeable, why don't you include that in your reviews instead of lashing out at others with it?

By the way, Psychic, as far as I can see, HB5squared said they HAD read your fic, not that they hadn't...

 

[ShadowCloud62]

Okay, before any other fights start, I'll start on chapter one...


Chapter One: Split In Two

The entire forest was usually loud and bursting with the energy of pokemon, or even Pokemon Trainers catching them or battling. This time, it was an eerie quiet, the only sound heard was the loud pitter-patter of human footsteps.

Swampert shouldn't have been surprised. Humans came here all the time. That was what his mind was telling him.

The orange gills on his cheeks pricked, and his breathing became heavy. His dark blue skin seemed too thick for him, and he felt like jumping into the water to feel more lighter. But he knew now it was too late, he'd attract attention. Swampert's sixth sense was telling him that this wasn't an ordinary group of travelers, not just some bratty kid Trainer or a smart Gym Leader training around here.

It had to be hunters, predator pokemon at least.

Marill slowly poked his head out of the water, meeting Swampert's eyes. Swampert simply nodded, and Marill slowly swam to shore. As soon as he reached land, Marill ran as fast as his tiny feet would carry him, hiding safely under Swampert's long blue fin.

"Your ears are too huge, Swamp! You gotta duck lower!" Marill whispered frantically.

Swampert wanted to scold Marill for calling him 'Swamp', but he knew right now seriously wasn't the time. He lowered his large head a little more until his ears were not noticeable.

The two water pokemon listened as the humans stopped walking right in front of where they were hiding.

"You!" snarled one human, "What are you doing here?!"

"Us?! What about you?! You aren't supposed to be here! This is our base!"

Swampert's curiosity got the best of him as he slightly leaned his head to the left. He noticed the first group of travelers, all of them were wearing dark blue bandannas the color of the sea, and blue pants for each of them. A white shirt was the final addition to their outfits.

Who are these people?, Swampert thought, more confused than ever.

Marill slowly crawled out of Swampert's tail to look to the right, "Swamp!" Marill whispered quickly.

Swampert ducked low and turned to the right, where Marill was looking. Marill's black eyes were large with fear. The other group of travelers wore red hats and boots and black shirts.

Swampert soon recognized them. These had to be those Team Magma and Aqua people that all the pokemon were talking about. Swampert even heard stories that many pokemon were captured by either of these teams.

"Swamp, they're here! Those human poachers are here!" Marill whimpered.

"Shh!" Swampert struggled to hear what they were saying.

"Get outta here! This is our turf!" A Magma Administrator yelled.

"Your turf?!" a Team Aqua Cadet scoffed, "We got here first!"

Swampert narrowed his orange-yellow eyes. This wasn't fair! They didn't even think of the pokemon living here peacefully!

"I have to do something!" Swampert thought aloud, though Marill pulled him back with all of his strength, which wasn't much for a huge six-foot Swampert.

"You can't! You could get captured! Just stay here until they leave!" Marill whispered.

"They might not ever leave..." Swampert growled, his gills pricking in anger. He clenched his huge fist....and accidently scraped the ground with his foot. Old habits do die hard..., he thought sheepishly.

Swampert's gills pricked in fear this time as he heard the person from Team Aqua say, "What was that?!"

"I don't know, but we'll get to it first!" the Team Magma Administrator yelled.

"No way!" the two both leapt for the hiding spot.

Reacting on instinct, Swampert grabbed Marill and bolted for the sea. He knew they'd see him no matter what he did, whether it was to just stand there or run. But running gave him and Marill a better chance of survival.

"Hey! Look! A Swampert!" yelled the Aqua members. Apparently Team Magma wasn't all that interested in water types.

"GET 'EM!"

Oh, no...., Swampert thought as the Aqua members began to chase him.

This never happened in a long time now, but the last time it did was when Swampert was a mere Mudkip. He didn't want to ever feel that scared ever again.

Now he suddenly felt like the baby Mudkip again, eyes widened in fear and suddenly Marill was too heavy for him. He was too slow on his own two hind legs.

"Marill, go!" Swampert tossed Marill to the side, "Get outta here and fast!"

Marill hesitated, and that was his mistake, for a Great Ball struck his arm, and a beam of red light sucked him in.

"MARILL! NO!" Swampert yelled as he ran on his fours, suddenly regretting his feelings of fear. He was still that cowardly Mudkip he never wanted to be ever again.....

"GET BACK HERE!"

Swampert didn't listen, right now he needed to survive, for Marill's sake, for his home's sake....

....and for his own sake.




Next chapter will reveal why Swampert evolved as quickly as he did.