Hubert Lee
Castelia City Gym
Hubert had been following JJ on his search for a Water-Type, confused as to why he'd be walking around to look for one instead of actually attempting to extend his reach to the waters surrounding Liberty Garden, but turns out, there'd been no need for either, as a fisherman had opened up shop, simply selling Water-Type Pokemon for a decent price. Unable to stifle a chuckle at the way things had worked out, Hubert merely shrugged with resignation as JJ beelined for the fisherman's stall without a second thought, coming back with a Dive Ball held up high. Hubert peered into the capsule and identified the Magikarp within, flashing a thumbs up.
"Huh, that was fast. Way to go."
Come to think of it, Hubert hadn't found a Water-Type to add to his team either; the fisherman's wares were a possible option, but with the vast sea around Liberty Garden, surely there were other prospects. Only issue was...
"'Scuse me sir, you wouldn't happen to have a spare Fishing Rod I could borrow, would you?"
- - -
"I'll be back at the pier if you need me, JJ! I'll only go for the first thing I fish up, so I won't be long."
Now seated on the wooden floor of the Liberty Garden pier, Hubert cast his line, watching the bobber plop onto the ocean's gentle waves with a tiny splash. His Pokemon were seated beside him, enjoying the cool sea breeze but also ready on a moment's notice should whatever emerge from the water attempt to put up a fight. Reaper was especially prepared, quietly honing his claws and tail so that he could grab whatever Hubert fished up and secure it quickly. With nothing else to do but wait, Hubert took a deep breath and closed his eyes, hoping he could finally get a modicum of good, hard-earned res--
Nope, that was a bite on his line.
With a heavy sigh, Hubert opened his eyes as soon as he felt the tug and immediately started reeling, hoisting his rod up and back to pull in what he'd hooked. This thing was fast, darting around, pulling his line this way and that way, not allowing Hubert to let up for even a second. However, though it was fast, it didn't feel particularly strong. That meant that as soon as whatever he'd caught took but a moment to rest, Hubert could yank it right out of the water. Continuing to struggle, he waited and waited, ready for that split second when the tension would ease...
There!
With a strained grunt, Hubert saw his shot and stood up, pulling the rod back and over with all his might, and from the water emerged...
SPLAT!
A powerful spray of murky ink, splattering all over Hubert's face and obstructing his vision. His hold on the rod slipped and the rod clattered to the pier floor, but as he recoiled back and began wiping away the gunk with his arms, he called out to Reaper, hoping he could react on time before their catch slipped away.
"Grab it, Reaper!"
With a hiss, the Skorupi reached out with his claw tail at the source of the ink blast, and as soon as he felt his pincers close around a surprisingly small mass, he brought it back and slammed it onto the ground. Hubert's vision was finally wiped clear, and as he peered through the muck, his eyes made out a tiny blue seahorse, unhooked from the line and dazed from the impact. With a grin, Hubert wasted no time in pulling an empty Pokeball out of his backpack and hurled it at the Pokemon. Upon contact, the capsule opened and encapsulated the seahorse in a bright blue light, sucking it inside and closing. Three clicks, and it was officially caught. With a sigh of relief, Hubert bent down to take the Pokeball and tapped it to his forehead, hoping his whispered words would reach the Pokemon inside.
"Please accept me as a trainer, and lend me your strength, that we might realize and share our dreams together."
The Pokeball then began to radiate warmth against Hubert's skin, as if its occupant had seemingly relaxed, and Hubert smiled as he clipped it to his backpack. Flashing a thumbs up to Reaper and anyone else who'd witnessed the encounter, he then turned to JJ with an exhausted glance.
"I'm gonna go... take a shower now."
With that, he made for the boat still docked at the pier and beelined to the men's locker room as the Xtransceiver on his wrist chirped quietly.
"Horsea, the Dragon Pokemon, has been registered!"