Together With You

Challenges

The two champions challenge each other, but not to a Pokémon battle.

• • •

Safari Zone, Kanto

Hilbert: While we're here, let's make this into a competition. Who can catch the most Pokémon? You can go anywhere in the park but you've only got 30 Safari Balls or a maximum of 600 steps, and then we come back to compare!

Hilda: OH IT IS ON! Let's go!

Hilbert: Just you wait, when we meet up again I'll have Chanseys and Dragonairs and you'll be crying with your Magikarps!

Hilda: Oh yeah?! Well ummm... You're a HO-oh, stop HOENN around you biDOOFUS!

Hilbert: Did you just call me a hoe, a doofus, and tell me to stop hoeing around? Now that's just a personal attack...

Hilda: Alright well uhh... You better watch out because I'm gonna catch Arceus...!

Hilbert: Umm okay sure... You know what, let's just begin. I'll head to the right side and you take the left. See ya!

Hilda: Yeah alright I'll see you in a bit then!

Hilbert (to himself): Hilda's "trash-talking" really isn't so great... Anyway, just gotta focus on winning this competition right now!

Hilda (to herself): Oh boy, that was embarrassing. Whatever, I just need to move past that and beat Hilbert! I've already got a strategy, this should be a walk in the park!

Hilbert (later meeting up with Hilda): So, how did you go?

Hilda (later meeting up with Hilbert): You first!

Hilbert: Actually, I didn't do so great... Seems I ought to eat my own words since I only caught 3 Magikarp. My strategy was to throw rocks but the Pokémon kept getting away, guess that's understandable but they should've been easier to catch!

Hilda: To be honest, I didn't do so great either. I only managed to catch 3 Poliwags. My strategy was to throw bait but the Pokémon only stayed with me for free food and I couldn't catch them!

Hilbert: Looks like it's a tie then? Turns out we aren't so great at this Safari Zone thing after all.

Hilda: Guess not... But hey, think we're allowed to keep these remaining Safari Balls? They're pretty neat.

• • •

Lake of Rage, Johto

Hilda: It's as quiet as ever, just as they say.

Hilbert: Seems that people are still cautious of the Red Gyarados.

Hilda: The one in those stories about Team Rocket and their radio waves is it?

Hilbert: Yeah, that's the one. Terrible to think an organisation could be so horrible...

Hilda: Agreed. Oh, I wish I could give the Red Gyarados a big hug. Hey, I got an idea! Let's do some fishing here!

Hilbert: You're not actually trying to catch the Red Gyarados are you? It's probably not even here anymore.

Hilda (taking out an Old Rod): It's worth a shot! Look, I even got an Old Rod from a super kind fisherman we met earlier!

Hilbert (taking out a Super Rod): Well, get a load of my Super Rod!

Hilda: I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that innuendo, but also, I gotta say that was a good one.

Hilbert: Knew you'd appreciate it haha! Anyway, you better get fishing or I'll give that Red Gyarados a big hug before you do.

Hilda (her Old Rod getting pulled into the water): Did you see that?! I didn't even get a chance to respond! Something big just took my rod! Quick Hilbert! You have to get that fish! I'm sure it's Gyarados!

Hilbert (getting a bite): Oh! I've got it! No way a Magikarp can be this strong, so I guess it can only be one other Pokémon...

Hilda: Come on! You can do it!

Hilbert (finally pulling out a fish): Well... Looks like it was just an unusually big and heavy Magikarp.

Hilda: Ah damn it. Let's release it back into the water again.

Hilbert (throwing the Magikarp back into the water): See ya Magikarp, hope you grow into a big Gyarados one day. I wonder how it ever grew to be so big.

Hilda: Me too. I also wonder if I'll ever get my rod back...

• • •

Notes: Why did it just occur to me that Galar's "Lake of Outrage" is probably a reference or homage to Johto's "Lake of Rage".