Since setting off to rescue Ekans, Ben has failed to recruit any help. He does, however, know that Rocket runs the game corner in Celadon City, and so has headed there to try and figure out how to get into Team Rocket's HQ. It is no longer a casino, however.
Battle 26: Huh? Game Corner is Evolving With the Times!
Published: 09/07/22
Location: Celadon City Game Corner
Player: Youngster Ben (1-1-0)
...Honestly, I think this place was less sleazy when it was actually a casino...
Depicting CASINOS in games increases their RATINGS!
BEN is surrounded by LOOT BOXES!
LOOT BOXES have less REGULATION!
Yes, I know I--
LOOT BOXES are often DESIGNED with CHILD APPEAL!
Yeah, that's what I mean. Slots are easier to ignore than--
Oh! That one offers shorts!
It's super tempting!
No! No... Must... Figure out how to get into Rocket's HQ from here...
But there's a 0.01% chance of getting a random pair of shorts from that machine...
And the colours that they open with them are so pretty...
BEN used DROOL!
It's super moist!
No... No. Focus. Gotta keep focus. Ekans needs me. And after Ekans, I'll be powerful enough to rescue Jacob.
LOOT BOXES used TEMPTING SOUNDS!
...
...I really wanna open the one that has a chance of getting me some new shorts though...
...This would be easier if literally anyone I spoke to was interested in helping me out...
Then I could at least wait outside away from the--
Wait, those shorts sparkle!
LOOT BOX contains 1000 pairs of shorts!
SHORTS have a 0.01% chance of dropping as a category!
...BEN used LEVITATE!
BEN is LEVITATING towards the one specific LOOT BOX with the 0.00001% chance of dropping the SPARKLY SHORTS they want!
ROCKET GRUNT appeared!
GRUNT is underneath BEN's PATH!
BEN's DROOL attack is still going!
Rocket Grunt: Hey this uniform's dry clean only!
Rocket Grunt: I know we added stuff aimed specifically at 'shorts obsessed weirdo' when we refurbished to be less regulated, but can you not drool on me as you levitate over to the thing specifically designed to part you with all your cash?
BEN isn't listening!
Rocket Grunt: Hey, I'm talking to you, kid!
GRUNT wants to fight!
BEN snapped out of it in the BATTLE TRANSITION!
Huh? A battle? With a Rocket goon? Right! Exactly what I needed! Tell me how to get into your HQ!
Rocket Grunt: I'm not telling you that you need to tap the poster on the back wall twice got get in!
...
Rocket Grunt: ...
Rocket Grunt: ...At least I get to kick you out before you can act on my mistake when I win this fight...
Door, go!
BEN sent out DOOR!
GRUNT sent out RATICATE!
...Ugh. Those are strong against wood type Pokémon.
Try your slam attack.
DOOR used SLAM!
DOOR slammed LOOT BOXES!
RATICATE questioned MORALITY of GAME CORNER!
But RATICATE wants to be OBEDIENT to GRUNT!
RATICATE skipped its turn in MORALITY CRISES!
Huh, that seems to be working...
Try a Do Or attack? Maybe you can convince Ratticate to act on the moral incentive?
DOOR used DO OR!
DOOR did or fainted!
DOOR chose faint!
DOOR fainted!
...Yeah that figures.
Rattata, go!
BEN sent out RATTATA!
RATICATE really doesn't like seeing a young RAT in a place like this!
RATICATE retreated to its POKéBALL in protest!
GRUNT sent out ZUBAT!
Try a bite attack!
RATTATA used BITE!
RATTATA took a bite of cheese!
But RATTATA's health is already full!
ZUBAT used HYPNOSIS!
ZUBAT tried to hypnotise BEN into opening some LOOT BOXES!
...
BEN was again tempted by the SPARKLY SHORTS!
...gn...aw...
RATTATA used GNAW!
RATTATA gnawed at LOOT BOX CABLE!
LOOT BOX tempting BEN fainted!
RATTATA was hurt by the electric cable!
BEN snapped out of their trance!
...Thank goodness...
...though those were very nice shorts...
ZUBAT used SCREECH!
It's super annoying!
Try a plug!
RATTATA used PLUG!
RATTATA plugged a SOCK in ZUBAT's mouth!
...At least it grabbed it from my backpack rather than my foot...
BEN hadn't gotten around to hitting the LAUNDROMAT yet!
ZUBAT fainted!
Huh? RATTATA is evolving!
RATTATA evolved into RATICATE!
Awesome job, Raticate!
GRUNT is out of usable POKéMON!
BEN wins!
Rocket Grunt: ...Well... I guess I'm going to need to go to a Pokémon Center as well as the dry cleaners now...
...Err... I have your evil layer to raid, but the Narrator's just reminded me that I'm a bit overdue on my laundry...
...Since you're heading to the dry cleaners anyway...?
Rocket Grunt: COME ON!
You know. Instead of the usual prize money?
Rocket Grunt: ...Ugh. Fine, kid. I'll do your laundry.
Following the theft of a rare and valuable book, Librarian Libby felt the need to call in a sharp and imposing investigator. Which, fortunately for her, Sandy has in the form of Solveig Poulson, who while being particularly practiced in puzzles, marvelously moonlights in mysteries.
Battle 27: The Zebra, the Book, and the Narrator
Published: 16/07/22
Location: Goldenrod City Library Exterior
Player: Solveig Poulsen (1-0-0)
Just place the last tick on this Zebra before going in, and...
SOLVEIG used TICK!
ZEBRA fainted!
And solved. Lewis Parks, the 13 year old, had the Pikachu for the question the puzzle was explicitly asking.
Wild ZEBSTRIKA appeared!
What's a Zebstrika doing in Kanto?
ZEBSTRIKA is related to ZEBRA SOLVEIG just caused to faint!
ZEBSTRIKA is TICKED OFF!
Oh, it exists because of a Narrator pun.
I'm sure this has been happening more often over the past few months...
ZEBSTRIKA wants to fight!
X-Wing, go!
ZEBSTRIKA sent out ZEBSTRIKA!
Where's the door to Goldenrod City Library in relation to the Zebstrika and myself?
ZEBSTRIKA is in between SOLVEIG and DOOR!
Drat.
X-WING used DRAT!
DRAT.INI was installed on ZEBSTRIKA!
...Um...
Huh? ZEBSTRIKA is evolving!
ZEBSTRIKA evolved into DRATINI!
That is definitely going into the notebook after this battle...
DRATINI used THUNDER WAVE!
X-WING downloaded THUNDER.WAV!
...
It's super loud!
Hm... Now that you've got thunder.wav, maybe try rain and lightning?
X-WING used RAIN and LIGHTNING!
NARRATOR thinks SOLVEIG is trying to GOAD NARRATOR into SINGING!
...
NARRATOR wouldn't mind, but CRUSH40?!
DRATINI and X-WING were CRUSHED by 40 tons of RAIN and LIGHTNING!
DRATINI fainted!
SOLVEIG wins!
X-WING is in CRITICAL CONDITION!
X-Wing, return. We'll get you patched up after my meeting.
SOLVEIG recalled X-WING!
Location: Goldenrod City Library Archives
Time: 5 minutes later
I appreciate you calling me in.
Librarian Libby: Well, the library is more likely to get the book back this way than any other.
What can you tell me about the missing book?
Librarian Libby: It's a simple grammar guide, really, although it's printed - almost tattooed, actually - on a weird blue material that's actually repulsive to look at.
Any idea what material it's made of?
Librarian Libby: None. It's entirely alien to Sandy Version.
...Could it be an artifact from Before Sand?
Librarian Libby: We've so far been unable to ascertain its origins, if it's from outside of the Version somehow or if it's one of the few relics from Before Sand.
What's the library's archival policy?
Librarian Libby: Duplicate and digitize as much as possible while keeping the originals as well preserved as possible.
So, can I see a copy of the book's contents?
Librarian Libby: That's the weirdest thing about the book - all efforts to duplicate it, digitally or by hand, don't work.
Narrator, are you responsible for the duplication of the book to fail?
NARRATOR just NARRATES!
...So, when you narrate that the duplication efforts don't affect the book, or whatever, what's the cause of them failing to work?
There can be MANY reasons for something having no effect!
Out of curiosity, what do you think about the book?
NARRATOR dislikes OMINOUS BLUE TOME!
Due to the contents, or the material?
Yes!
...OK, yeah, that one was my fault. Which of those?
Yes!
Both?
Yes!
Interesting... I was under the impression it was a simple grammar book, What's wrong with the contents?
NARRATOR is afraid!
Of a grammar guide?
On TILDES!
...Err...
Just because they exist doesn't mean you'd have to use them to end your sentences, no one's going to stop you from using exclamation marks...?
POINT used FLY!
POINT flew up high!
POINT flew over SOLVEIG's HEAD!
Then clarify.
NARRATOR cannot!
Why not?
NARRATOR is FORBIDDEN!
...I see...
...Libby, do you have any idea who stole it?
Librarian Libby: A young adult and a quiet kid, looked to be about ten. I think the Narrator called them Rocket Grant and Rocket Red?
...Narrator, if you're so afraid about the contents of the book, why did you let Team Rocket steal it?
NARRATOR did not!
...You could have narrated them failing, couldn't you?
NARRATOR could not!
Oh, come one. Everyone knows that you control reality.
NARRATOR does!
Then why couldn't you narrate them failing?
NARRATOR cannot alter FREE WILL!
But you can narrate things failing for no reason. You do it all the time.
NARRATOR cannot impact OMINOUS BLUE TOME!
Why not?
OMINOUS BLUE TOME is WRONG!
OMINOUS BLUE TOME is of a MATERIAL NARRATOR cannot PERCEIVE!
NARRATOR cannot DISTORT things that NARRATOR cannot fully PERCEIVE!
Hence why NARRATOR cannot alter FREE WILL!
...How do you know it's a book - or a tome as you've been calling it - to narrate it as such?
NARRATOR perceives it as sort of LEAVES of FLOATING INK forming WORDS!
NARRATOR has to interpret the NEGATIVE SPACE!
And you know it's blue because...?
PLAYERS originally told it!
Well, I think that wraps this interview up. I don't know if I'll be able to get the book back for you, but I'll attempt to.
And if I can't retrieve it then I'll at least figure out what they want with it.
Librarian Libby: Are you sure? Taking on the mob seems like a big ask...
The Narrator is explicitly not telling us something and is explicitly afraid of the thing it's not telling us.
I can't think of anything that could be more important than this.
Might even tie into the way the Narrator's been acting weird this past half year or so, which I've been trying to investigate but not been able to get a lead on yet.
Upon learning how to conquer Johto, Joey has made haste to the seat of Johto's Power, the location of the Johto Deeds, the Johto Sand Castle. But has he made it before anyone actually bothered to hire security upon his own suggestion?
Battle 28: Catching Up With Old Kindasortafriends
Published: 23/07/22
Location: Johto Sand Castle (Exterior)
Player: Youngster Joey (5-0-0)
...Did I get here before someone did something sensible?
YOUNGSTER MIKEY appeared!
...
...
...If he's the guard they hired it's somehow even worse than the fact there wasn't a guard here before!
Youngster Mikey: Huh? Guard? Why would I be a guard?
Youngster Mikey: What's gotten into you? You haven't called me to tell me how awesome your Rattata is for ages.
...What are you even doing here? It's... The middle of nowhere?
Youngster Mikey: Following a kindasortafriend who I've been worrying about.
...For how long?
Youngster Mikey: ...Err...
Youngster Mikey: ...Long enough that I'm going to be grounded for life when I get back home?
I never saw you appear!
Youngster Mikey: I bribed the Narrator with joke books I bought with the cash you kept losing to me to not announce my presence to you.
...
...So you...
Know?
Youngster Mikey: Didn't think it through, yeah. Since the Narrator never announced my presence to you I couldn't hear or see what you were doing, and I'm fed up with following you without knowing what's going on!
Youngster Mikey: Wait. Know what?
Nothing. It's nothing.
Youngster Mikey: Cool. So why are we outside a giant sand castle in the middle of nowhere?
Would you believe that I've taken an active interest in architecture?
Youngster Mikey: ...Only if this castle was either built by or for Rattatas, and neither of those options looks likely.
...Do you really think of me as the weird Rattata obsessed kid?
Youngster Mikey: Most people do.
...
Youngster Mikey: Better than me. No one thinks about me at all. I'm invisible. Having a quirk makes you memorable.
...
Youngster Mikey: Even an annoying quirk. Did you really need to tell me about your Rattata's top percentage grooming habits?
...That was one time!
Youngster Mikey: It was 2am!
It was an important habit to note!
Youngster Mikey: We had an exam that day!
But it was really cute!
Youngster Mikey: I mean... Yeah...
Youngster Mikey: But it wasn't 2am wake-up call cute!
...I miss Rattata...
Youngster Mikey: ...What do you mean you miss Rattata?
Rattata hates me now.
Youngster Mikey: Huh?
Rattata doesn't think I'm a good enough trainer for it anymore.
I mean... Can you blame it?
I could never even beat you in a Pokémon Battle.
...No matter how many other Pokémon I catch, I'm not sure that will matter considering my unofficial record against you...
Youngster Mikey: ...Are you sure this isn't like the time I accidentally broke your nose and you hated me for a month?
Yeah, I'm sure. Let me prove I deserve what I'm about to do.
Bring it.
Youngster Mikey: I... Have no clue what you're talking about, but... Err... Sure?
MIKEY wants to fight!
MIKEY sent out PIDGEOTTO!
...So your Pidgey evolved, huh?
Still a flying type, Grindstone, go.
PIDGEOTTO used BRAVE BIRD!
PIDGEOTTO is such a BRAVE BIRD!
PIDGEOTTO's confidence greatly rose!
Rock throw.
GRINDSTONE used ROCK THROW!
GRINDSTONE threw VINYLS at PIDGEOTTO!
GRINDSTONE's attack missed!
...Of course it did...
PIDGEOTTO used STONE DROP!
PIDGEOTTO dropped stone on JOEY!
Why do things keep happening to me when I'm not on the battlefield?!
JOEY is now covered in one STONE of PIDGEOTTO droppings!
That's even worse than I thought! Ew!
Youngster Mikey: Pahahaha!
It's not funny, Mikey!
Youngster Mikey: You're right. It isn't.
Youngster Mikey: It's freaking hilarious!
Youngster Mikey: Gahahaha!
MIKEY missed their turn due to laughter!
Screw it, if this is how he's going to be, let's win another way.
Pokéball, go!
Youngster Mikey: What are you doing, Pidgeotto isn't wild!
Who says I'm aiming at Pidgeotto?
Youngster Mikey: What else--
MIKEY was caught!
PIDGEOTTO was returned to MIKEY!
JOEY wins!
OK, let's go get that deed before the gym leaders decide to actually hire a guard.
Location: Johto Sand Castle (Interior)
JOHTO DEEDS appeared
Do they want to fight?
JOHTO DEEDS are currently INANIMATE!
...Huh. Figured this would be harder.
Pokéball, go.
JOEY caught JOHTO DEEDS!
Huh? YOUNGSTER JOEY is evolving!
YOUNGSTER JOEY evolved into DICTATOR JOEY!
So... This is what it means to be a Pokémon Master?
JOEY has 6 POKéMON, one of them is a RATTATA, another is a BUTTERFREE, and two are TRAINERS!
Yeah, but I control an entire region now.
JOEY is also still coated in PIDGEOTTO DROPPINGS!
Don't remind me.
Rattata, go.
JOEY sent out RATTATA!
RATTATA looks at JOEY!
RATTATA backs away in FEAR!
...
...Is this still not good enough for you, Rattata?
I finally beat Mikey!
RATTATA doesn't care!
I have control of Johto.
RATTATA thinks that's TERRIFYING rather than IMPRESSIVE!
RATTATA's opinion of JOEY sharply fell!
RATTATA's opinion of JOEY is chilling in SANDY VERSION's CORE!
...
...
...Maybe you want to evolve?
RATTATA wants JOEY to listen to RATTATA!
Grindstone, go.
JOEY sent out GRINDSTONE!
Grindstone, have Rattata grind.
GRINDSTONE used GRIND!
Huh? RATTATA is evolving!
RATTATA evolved into RATICATE!
Happy, now, Raticate, or are do going to defy me more?
RATICATE thinks this is a cheap pun!
RATICATE didn't want to evolve like this!
RATICATE still thinks JOEY is a terrible trainer!
Grindstone, keep grinding.
GRINDSTONE's attack kept going!
RATICATE was ground on GRINDSTONE!
RATICATE thinks JOEY sucks in the harshest possible terms!
RATICATE fainted!
...
GRINDSTONE glances at JOEY!
...
GRINDSTONE is expecting an order to stop!
...That order isn't coming.
GRINDSTONE's attack kept going!
RATICATE died!
...
Sam's deal for no dog puns, and the Narrator's subsequent experimentation, has ended. Now Sam is on a much needed break which they're using to physically recuperate. Or trying to, at least.
Battle 29: Peas In A Pod
Published: 30/07/22
Location: Sam's home
Player: Mail Carrier Sam (1-0-0)
...Still sore goddamnit...
SAM used POUR!
SAM tipped ICE BUCKET down the back of their UNDERWEAR!
...Bloody hell that's cold, but at least it's a relief from the pain...
STRAY PEA's attack continues!
...ow...
How is it still there, anyway? That thing's been nipping me once a day for about a month now. The pod of peas wasn't even the last vegetable you had attack me before you concluded the 'experiment'.
SAM has mostly been using HEALING MOVES!
SAM should consider ACTUALLY ATTACKING!
...And then you'll have me miss and whatever attack I use will wind up hitting me on the backside? I know your game.
POKéMON RED and GREEN!
Available 26 years ago in a JAPAN near you!
...Figure of speech...
Very glad to have had a holiday booked, between my ass still recovering from your 'experimentation' and the political turmoil over in Johto that's disrupted basically all routes...
...An entire region conquered by an 8 year old, of all things.
And banning shorts for everyone but himself? Half of the deliveries are to mail carriers in Johto looking for alternate uniform options, and parents trying to find non-shorts that'll fit 7-8 year olds since a load insist on wearing shorts at that age.
Only the YOUNGSTERS!
...You never classed me as a youngster, I used to wear shorts...
YOUNGSTERS are BOYS about that AGE who WEAR SHORT LOWER BODY GARMENTS!
When was SAM ever a BOY?!
...Even before I realized, huh?
Thanks. You're actually alright sometimes.
ICE CUBE wants to fight!
...As in, a cube from the ice I put... Inside my... To ease the pain...?
Yes!
...I stand corrected about you being alright, goddamnit you're a complete asshole, even when you seem like you're being alright you find a way to ruin it.
Pidove, go!
SAM sent out PIDOVE!
ICE CUBE sent out ICE CUBE!
Pidove, I cannot emphasize the first part of this enough but I want you to use a very careful, very accurate, peck attack.
PIDOVE isn't sure where the ENEMY is!
...Oh goddamnit.
It's one of the ice cubes I've been using as a form of pain relief. Inside my pants.
PIDOVE used PECK!
PIDOVE's attack missed!
PIDOVE's attack kept going and crashed...
...Goddamnit I knew you wanted me to--
...Into STRAY PEA!
...Oh. Huh. That part of my objection withdrawn.
STRAY PEA wants to join the fray!
STRAY PEA sent out STRAY PEA!
...I really don't like where this battle is going...
STRAY PEA used TRAY!
STRAY PEA caught ICE CUBE in an ICE CUBE TRAY!
Well, that simplifies things at least.
STRAY PEA withdrew STRAY PEA!
STRAY PEA sent out ICE CUBE!
Hey, it's no longer inside... Pidove, try an air cutter on it.
PIDOVE used AIR CUTTER!
PIDOVE served ICE CUBE sliced AIR!
ICE CUBE lost WEIGHT!
...The usual term for that is 'is melting'...
...On my carpet...
...Goddamnit...
ICE CUBE used ICY WIND!
Counter it with a tailwind.
PIDOVE used TAIL WIND!
PIDOVE's TAIL was FROZEN SOLID!
...And the wind?
...If SAM insists!
SAM passed WIND!
...
CRITICAL HIT at POINT BLANK RANGE!
...Oi.
STRAY PEA withdrew ICE CUBE!
STRAY PEA ran away!
...Well at least thing's going to stop nipping me now...
PIDOVE looks at SAM expectantly!
...Oh, right, your show's about to start.
SAM turned TV on to the FLYING TYPE HAPPY SKY HOUR!
PIDOVE COOs HAPPILY!
Back in Battle 14, Ben's Ekans was stolen by Rocket Red. Ben's finally made it inside Team Rocket's Hideout. Now, can he find his favourite snake in order to rescue it?
Battle 30: Redemption Match
Published: 6/8/22
Location: Team Rocket Hideout
Player: Youngster Ben (2-1-0)
OK. I'm in.
...What's with all the...
BEN used STEP!
BEN stepped on SPINNY TILE!
BEN spun around the room according to the tiles!
It's super nauseating
...I'm... Going to sit down now...
BEN used SIT!
BEN sat next to BALL BOX!
...Could you maybe be a bit quiet while I make sure my stomach stays on my inside?
NARRATOR cannot!
BALL BOX is labelled for BEN's convenience!
Fine! Let me just... Make my eyes stop moving everything around all disorientingly...
Ball Box Label: Snag Balls. Warning - Only work on Pokémon already caught by other trainers.
That... Explains how Red was able to steal my Ekans so easily, I guess...
...Are there any other convenient labels or signs I should know about? Like something that says "Stolen Pokémon vault" or something?
BEN spots convenient TOP SECRET ROCKET PLANS dossier!
...
...Not sure how that's going to help me get back my Ekans or my brother, but...
BEN used FLIP!
BEN did a backflip!
BACKFLIP didn't help BEN's DIZZINESS!
...My poor stomach...
BEN also FLIPPED through ROCKET DOSSIER!
...Ugh. Nothing of use. Something about punctuation, something about gods, something about conquest of the version...
It's all boring adult problems, and absolutely zero help for me getting back my Ekans or Jacob.
BEN ignored PLOT HOOK!
I'm not ignoring the plot hook!
BEN... Put PLOT HOOK on hold for after their RESCUE MISSION?!
No. Opposite. I'm not ignoring the plot hook - I'm pointedly rejecting it because I'm 8!
It's bad enough I'm having to raid the freaking mob on my own to steal back the best snake in the Version because adults aren't interested in helping me out of a jam!
Let alone that I'm doing so in preparation for heading to a foreign region to rescue my brother with just the last trainer he fought as a lead!
BE--
But I am not. Under any circumstances. Getting involved in anything to do with a plan involving gods or taking over the version.
RO--
And that goes triple for a plot about grammar! I get enough of that in school!
...
...
Is BEN done?!
...
...Think so. Yeah. Sorry. Just a little... Overwhelmed right now...
...As NARRATOR was trying to NARRATE!
BEN made such a RACKET it lead to ROCKET RED appearing!
...That's not good...
Red: ...
You! You stole Ekans! Give me my Pokémon back!
RED wants to fight!
Raticate, go!
RED sent out ARBOK!
...
...Those eyes...
...Ekans?
BEN used RECOGNIZE!
ARBOK became visibly agitated!
ARBOK wants to be back with BEN!
But ARBOK is forced to be loyal to its current TRAINER!
Raticate, maybe try a gnaw, aim it at the freaky mind control that Arbok seems to be under from the snag ball?
...
BEN wants RATTICATE to GNAW at MIND CONTROL WAVES from SUFFICIENTLY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY that may or may not EXIST?!
Would be nice if that's viable as a strategy here?
RATICATE used GNAW!
RATICATE can't IGNAW physics!
Attack failed!
Darn.
ARBOK used LEER
ARBOK gave RED sideeye!
ARBOK would rather be working with BEN!
...
...Maybe...
Hey, Ratticate, maybe see if you can encourage Arbok to pretend to be a Boa Constrictor?
RATICATE, the enemy's your natural predator, act like prey!
RATICATE hates this plan!
RATICATE, however, goes with it!
ARBOK used WRAP!
Yes! Come on... Pun in the right direction...
ARBOK WRAPS UP working arrangement with RED!
ARBOK escaped!
Red: ...
ARBOK is now wild!
Alright!
RED sent out ROBIN!
Pokéball, go!
BEN threw POKéBALL!
BEN's attack missed!
...Darn, shoulda known my arm would--
BEN's attack kept going and crashed...
...Huh?
...Into RED!
Ouch, being socked by--
ROCKET RED was caught!
ROBIN was recalled!
...WHAT?!
But... That would mean... Red's...
...
...Are we all Pokémon?
That would explain how... How Jacob... was caught...
And mean that it's not a glitch for the display of the Sandy Dex that he's listed under Joey.
Joey... Caught my brother in a Pokéball?
Rattata, return. Red, I... choose you?
BEN recalled RATTATA!
BEN sent out RED!
Red. I'm sorry I caught you, that was an accident caused by bad aim. I'm going to release you now. I hope you then run because I'd like to not have the risk of accidentally catching you again when I throw another Pokéball at Arbok.
BEN released ROCKET RED!
RED ran away!
Pokéball, go!
BEN threw POKéBALL!
ARBOK was caught!
Arbok, come out here.
BEN sent out ARBOK!
BEN used HUG!
FRIENDS became reunited in a HUG!
...Hopefully knowing that it's possible will help me escape a ball, like some Pokémon do.
Because if he didn't release Jacob when he caught him, if that even was an accident, I doubt Joey's above catching other people in Pokéballs...
ARBOK used HUG!
ARBOK kept the hug going!
BEN used REMEMBER!
BEN remembered BALL BOX!
...I think I'm going to need more than the flip of a pun on my side for this...
BEN snagged a HANDFUL of SNAG BALLS!