Pokémon: Trainer Paul

"Grab it! Slam!"

Roserade's vines swiftly coiled around Turtwig, reversing its momentum and slamming it hard onto the ground nearby.

"Now, Sand Tomb!"

Just as Turtwig landed, a faint glow lit up in its eyes. The ground beneath Roserade's feet suddenly caved in, creating a strange swirling vortex of sand that trapped it.

"Pull Turtwig in as well!"

Roserade's vines, still wrapped around Turtwig, tightened and yanked it into the Sand Tomb, intending to make it suffer together.

"Crunch!"

Using the pull as leverage, Turtwig opened its mouth wide and clamped down on Roserade's head with all its strength.

"Roooo~!"

Roserade's face contorted in pain as it struggled to maintain its balance, nearly toppling into the swirling sand.

It tried to pull Turtwig off with its vines, but Turtwig's jaws were unyielding. The harder Roserade pulled, the tighter Turtwig bit, forcing Roserade to give up.

"Toxic!"

Upon hearing its trainer's command, Roserade perked up. The white petals on its head emitted a sinister purple glow as toxic energy seeped into Turtwig, poisoning it.

Even so, Turtwig refused to let go.

"Power Whip!"

Unable to bear the pain any longer, Roserade risked self-damage, releasing its vines to whip Turtwig off its head.

"Leap away! Razor Leaf!"

Paul seized the opportunity.

Turtwig immediately let go, kicked off Roserade's head, and leapt out of the Sand Tomb. In midair, it unleashed a flurry of razor-sharp leaves, knocking down Roserade's pursuing vines and escaping the trap.

Now, only Roserade remained trapped in the Sand Tomb, unable to free itself.

"Solar Beam!"

"Twig!"

Turtwig absorbed sunlight, its body glowing as it peeked toward the trapped Roserade. It unleashed the full power of its Solar Beam as a parting gift.

BOOM!

An explosion rocked the Sand Tomb, and Roserade's body collapsed in defeat.

"Roserade is unable to battle. Turtwig wins!"

The referee's announcement marked the end of the match.

With the verdict delivered, Turtwig calmed the swirling sands, gently placing the unconscious Roserade on solid ground before trotting over to Paul, gazing at him quietly.

The battle was over, but the poison lingered.

Turtwig's occasional purple glow hinted at the pain it was enduring.

"Eat this. Use Synthesis."

Instead of recalling Turtwig, Paul pulled out a Berry and held it out. Turtwig obediently ate it, its pain easing as the poison dissipated. It then used the sunlight to heal itself with Synthesis.

"Speed isn't your focus. Concentrate on defense and offense. Once you evolve, I'll teach you stronger moves."

Paul gave a concise evaluation of Turtwig's performance.

"Twig!"

Though puzzled about abandoning its speed, Turtwig nodded obediently and was promptly recalled.

Paul then released his equally poisoned Ursaring, handed it a Berry and recalled it after ensuring it was healed.

"That was an impressive battle. You've earned the Forest Badge." Gardenia said, approaching Paul and handing him the badge.

"Thank you." Paul replied, accepting it.

Just as he prepared to leave, he spotted Barry and Lucas approaching and paused.

"Of course, a Gym Battle wouldn't faze you, Paul." Barry remarked with a grin.

"That was a fantastic match!" Lucas added. "Once your Pokémon recover, let's have a battle!"

"Gardenia! Miss Gardenia! The Eterna Historical Museum has been attacked!"

A staff member rushed in, shouting urgently.

"What?! In a broad daylight? They dare to attack the museum? I'll go see for myself!"

Before Gardenia could react, Barry dashed out the door.

Paul and Lucas exchanged a glance, both sensing something unusual.

"As a Gym Leader, I'm obligated to protect the city. Apologies, I have to go." Gardenia said hastily before leaving, her face betraying not worry but excitement, like a bystander eager to witness the chaos.

"Paul, are you going to check it out?" Lucas asked.

"Sure."

Paul wasn't particularly interested in the attack, but he had planned to visit the museum anyway.

The two followed Gardenia and Barry toward the Eterna Historical Museum.

At the museum, the scene was chaotic. Police cars surrounded the area, and Officer Jenny was directing the investigation.

To Paul and Lucas' surprise, Barry and Gardenia were standing off to the side, spectating rather than battling any intruders.

"What's going on here?" Lucas asked.

"No idea. By the time I arrived, it was already over. Officer Jenny even questioned me." Barry replied, exasperated.

"Have you identified what was stolen?" Officer Jenny asked a nearby officer.

"According to our investigation, the stolen item is the Adamant Orb—one of the museum's most unique artifacts." The officer reported.

"Any leads?"

"The culprits were meticulous. They caused a distraction outside before stealing the Adamant Orb, leaving few traces. Even scents were masked by Stunky's stench and other tools."

"Particularly, the culprits wore matching silver-gray uniforms with a gold 'G' emblem, suggesting they belong to an organized group."

"Keep searching." Officer Jenny ordered, though she appeared visibly stressed.

The Adamant Orb, an artifact linked to the Legendary Pokémon Dialga, was invaluable. Its theft was a major embarrassment for the League.

"What's the Adamant Orb?" Lucas asked.

Gardenia explained, "According to Sinnoh legend, the Adamant Orb is tied to Dialga, the Pokémon that controls time. It, along with the Lustrous Orb and the Legendary Pokémon Palkia, were created when the universe began."

"These artifacts are said to hold immense power, though their exact purpose remains unclear."

Paul, however, had little interest in the legend. "The culprits are likely Team Galactic." he stated.

"Team Galactic?" Barry and Lucas asked.

"They're a group aiming to create a 'perfect world without emotion.' Beyond that, I don't know much."

Paul's brief explanation left Lucas and Barry intrigued but uneasy.

"I have something else to do. I'm leaving now."

Remembering what his brother had said about sending something to him, Paul left first.

"Paul, don't forget the battle later!"

Lucas shouted.

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